• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.945-961
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• 2019

Tongue diagnosis is one of the most important diagnostic methods in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Tongue image segmentation aims to extract the image object (i.e., tongue body), which plays a key role in the process of manufacturing an automated tongue diagnosis system. It is still challenging, because there exists the personal diversity in tongue appearances such as size, shape, and color. This paper proposes an innovative segmentation method that uses image thresholding, gray projection and active contour model (ACM). Specifically, an initial object region is first extracted by performing image thresholding in HSI (i.e., Hue Saturation Intensity) color space, and subsequent morphological operations. Then, a gray projection technique is used to determine the upper bound of the tongue body root for refining the initial object region. Finally, the contour of the refined object region is smoothed by ACM. Experimental results on a dataset composed of 100 color tongue images showed that the proposed method obtained more accurate segmentation results than other available state-of-the-art methods.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2883-2888
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• 2014

Background: Realgar which contains arsenic components has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an anticancer drug. However, neither Realgar nor its formula are soluble in water. As a result, high dose of Realgar has to be administered to achieve an effective blood medicine concentration, and this is associated with adverse side effects. The objective of the present study was to increase the solubility of a formula using hydrometallurgy technology as well as investigating its effects on in vitro and in vivo cell proliferation and apoptosis in Sarcoma-180 cell line. Materials and Methods: Antiproliferative activity of Realgar Bioleaching Solution (RBS) was evaluated by MTT assay. Further, effects of RBS on cell proliferation and apoptosis were studied using flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy. Kunming mice were administered RBS in vivo, where arsenic specifically targeted solid tumors. Results: The results indicated that RBS extract potently inhibited the tumor growth of Sarcoma-180 cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy further indicated that RBS significantly induced cell apoptosis through the inhibition of cell cycle pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Further, on RBS administration to mice, arsenic was specifically targeted to solid tumor.s Conclusions: RBS could substitute for traditional Realgar or its formula to work as a potent tool in cancer treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.13-29
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the concept of the Chukbu(尺膚) diagnosis in Huangdineijing(黃帝內經) and explain the characteristic of Chukbu(尺膚) diagnosis and causes of its clinical applicational decline. It will help the application of the Chukbu(尺膚) diagnosis to clinical treatment. Methods : The Sikuquanshu(四庫全書) database and Traditional Chinese Medical(TCM) books web database were used. The related contents of the Chukbu(尺膚) diagnosis in Huangdineijing (黃帝內經) and its annotation books were analyzed. The mentions on the Chukbu(尺膚) diagnosis in other medical books were examined. Results & Conclusions : The Chukbu(尺膚) diagnosis is important in the diagnostic system of the Huangdineijing(黃帝內經). The Chukbu(尺膚) diagnosis is composed of inspection and palpation. Its characteristic is something different compared to that of the Chongumaek(寸口脈) diagnosis; it relatively diagnoses condition of exterior disease(表病). The causes of its clinical applicational decline are relative inconvenience, limits of feudal society, and development of Zangfubianzheng(臟腑辨證) in that era.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.75-87
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• 2003

Recently, the occurrence and death rates of cancer have increased rapidly. Metastasis and recurrence is the most important factor of death from cancer. So inhibition of recurrence and metastasis can increase the cure rate of cancer disease. At the basic chinese traditional medicine(TCM), there are a lot of theory related to neoplasm treatment. The metastasis and recurrence of neoplasm was the basis of yudu(餘毒) on remained neoplasm cell and stagnation of blood, thermotoxo, phlegm, asthenia of healthy enerngy and stagnation of vital energy. The principles therapy of neoplasm on metastasis and recurrence was based on knowledge of the method of support the healthy energy and strengthen the body resistance, promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis, clear away heat and toxic materials, dissipate phlegm and disperse the accumulation of evils. But the major clinical features of neoplasm was to be considered in developing a treatment plan include (1) distinguish between clinical and pathologic staging - acute and chronic, (2) classification of pathologic pattern, and (3) distingction of body situation : for examples asthenia - sthenia etc. It was most important to distinguish between supporting the healthy and eliminating the evil factors and to treat differently at the root and the branch cause of a neoplasm. This paper's results indicate that identification and effective use of THM can inhibite netastasis and recurrence and then it will help increasing survival rate. Also as BioTechnology(BT) has developed rapidly nowadays, as genes related to cancer have revealed. So it will give rise to the development of searching the mechanism of herb medicines which have inhibition effects of metastasis and recurrence.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.111-133
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• 2017

Objectives : Dryness pathogen, which is one of six pathogenic factors, causes dryness diseases. Currently, the theory on dryness disease is composed of external dryness and internal dryness. External dryness, in turn, is composed of cool dryness and warm dryness. However, these categorizations and their symptoms bear ambiguity for many reasons. Therefore, this paper aims to review various texts in order to study the special features of dryness pathogen and dryness disease. Methods : Texts that deal with dryness pathogen and dryness disease were studied. Most texts are comprised of dissertations and historical medical texts, therefore, CNKI and The Sikuquanshu's databases, and Traditional Chinese Medical(TCM) book webdatabases were utilized. Materials are listed in chronological order, and their main points regarding dryness pathogen and dryness disease are compared. Results & Conclusions : It is difficult to accept the assertion that dryness pathogen does not lead to external dryness. Dryness does not have the elements of chill and fever in itself. Dryness's elements of chill and fever are determined in the ways they combine with each individual element. Moreover, the symptoms of chill and fever on dryness disease are subject to the host's body type. External dryness and internal dryness cannot be discussed within an identical premise. Whereas the dryness in external dryness signifies the cause of a disease, the dryness in internal dryness is the consequence of a disease. In other words, internal dryness revolves around cause of disease and external dryness revolves around the mechanic of disease. It's difficult to determine whether these diseases are caused by dryness or wetness in Autumn. There is an understanding which integrates these together through the Yunqi theory, but it is imperfect.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.210-222
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a complex pathological condition that lacks a cure. Certain Chinese medicines, such as melittin, a major component in bee venom, have shown efficacy in treating CRF patients. On the other hand, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of melittin are unclear. MATERIALS/METHODS: A 5/6 nephrectomy model (5/6 Nx) of renal failure was established on rats for in vivo assays, and mouse podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) mouse podocyte cells were treated with angiotensin II (AngII) to establish an in vitro podocyte damage model. The 24-h urine protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were evaluated after one, 2, and 4 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were used to examine the pathological changes in kidney tissues. A cell counting kit 8 assay was used to assess the cell viability. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein levels in the cells, respectively. RESULTS: In the rat 5/6 Nx, melittin reduced the 24-h urinary protein excretion and the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Furthermore, the renal pathology was improved in the melittin-treated 5/6 Nx rats. Melittin promoted podocin, nephrin, Beclin 1, and the LC3II/LC3I ratio and inhibited phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR in 5/6 Nx-induced rats and AngII-induced MPC5 mouse podocyte cells. Moreover, inhibiting autophagy with 3-MA weakened the effects of melittin on podocin, nephrin, and the LC3II/LC3I ratio in podocytes. CONCLUSION: Melittin may offer protection against kidney injury, probably by regulating podocyte autophagy. These results provide the theoretical basis for applying melittin in CRF therapy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.90-108
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• 2016

Objectives: This study aimed to learn what should be considered in the Guidelines of Clinical Trials with Herbal Medicinal Products for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) by analyzing the existing guidelines and clinical trials.Methods: The development committee searched the existing guidelines for herbal medicinal products or GERD. Then, clinical trials related to GERD using herbal medicine were selected. The chosen trials were analyzed in terms of their inclusion and exclusion of participants, intervention, comparators, outcome, and trial design. Then, we compared the results of the analysis according to the regulations and guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to suggest the issues that we will have to consider when developing the Guidelines of Clinical Trials with Herbal Medicinal Products for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).Results: As a result, few guidelines for GERD and clinical trials with herbal medicinal products were located in the national institution homepage. In addition, 8 articles were found using the following combination of search terms: “Gastroesophageal reflux disease”, “GERD”, “herbal medicine”, “herbal therapy”, “Korean Medicine”, “Traditional Chinese Medicine”, and “TCM”. Even though all trials had their own unique research questions, all studies were performed using a randomization method. Most trials included participants with reflux esophagitis, but two trials targeted proton pump inhibitor-refractory GERD. The type of intervention varied, such as decoction, granules, and capsules. Additionally, individualized herbal medicines were used in two studies. Comparators were diverse, such as placebo, Western medicine, and electro-acupuncture. The most frequently used outcome for efficacy was the effectiveness rate. In addition, the outcome for evaluating quality of life, esophageal mucosa and pressure, esophageal acid reflux, and recurrence rates were used. Safety was investigated by recording adverse events and carrying out laboratory tests.Conclusions: We identified some issues by reviewing the existing guidelines and comparing them with clinical trials for GERD and herbal medicinal products. These results will be utilized for developing the Guidelines of Clinical Trials with Herbal Medicinal Products for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.214-220
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• 2019

Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HT) is prescribed in oriental medicine to treat inflammation-related diseases. This study examined the anti-bacterial effect to select the index components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) HT. The disc diffusion method and minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) tests were conducted to measure the antibacterial activity of HT. The strains were Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli 23724. Berberine and geniposide were selected as the index components of HT and were analyzed quantitatively by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As a result, the inhibition ring was formed at $11.7{\pm}1.3mm$ and $8.7{\pm}0.7mm$ at HT 20 mg and 10 mg on S.aureus ATCC 25923, respectively; and $8.0{\pm}0.0mm$ at HT 20 mg on E.coli ATCC 23724. The MIC were 31.25 mg/mL in S.aureus ATCC 25923 and 125.0 mg/mL in E.coli ATCC 23724. In quantitative analysis for standardization, HT contained 16.55 mg/g of berberine and 81.85 mg/g of geniposide. Overall, when antibiotics are developed using natural products, they may reduce the side effects and inhibit resistant bacteria. If research on HT continuously proceeds, positive developments are expected to be made in oriental medicine as well as in various other industries.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.627-637
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• 2023

Background: Damage to the healthy intestinal epithelial layer and regulation of the intestinal immune system, closely interrelated, are considered pivotal parts of the curative treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plant-based diets and phytochemicals can support the immune microenvironment in the intestinal epithelial barrier for a balanced immune system by improving the intestinal microecological balance and may have therapeutic potential in colitis. However, there have been only a few reports on the therapeutic potential of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PENs) and the underlying mechanism in colitis. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of PENs from Panax ginseng, ginseng-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GENs), in a mouse model of IBD, with a focus on the intestinal immune microenvironment. Method: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of GENs on acute colitis, we treated GENs in Caco2 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and analyzed the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we further examined bacterial DNA from feces and determined the alteration of gut microbiota composition in DSS-induced colitis mice after administration of GENs through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Result: GENs with low toxicity showed a long-lasting intestinal retention effect for 48 h, which could lead to effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 production through inhibition of NF-κB in DSS-induced colitis. As a result, it showed longer colon length and suppressed thickening of the colon wall in the mice treated with GENs. Due to the amelioration of the progression of DSS-induced colitis with GENs treatment, the prolonged survival rate was observed for 17 days compared to 9 days in the PBS-treated group. In the gut microbiota analysis, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota was decreased, which means GENs have therapeutic effectiveness against IBD. Ingesting GENs would be expected to slow colitis progression, strengthen the gut microbiota, and maintain gut homeostasis by preventing bacterial dysbiosis. Conclusion: GENs have a therapeutic effect on colitis through modulation of the intestinal microbiota and immune microenvironment. GENs not only ameliorate the inflammation in the damaged intestine by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines but also help balance the microbiota on the intestinal barrier and thereby improve the digestive system.