• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2008

Background and Objectives : There are three kinds of formulas for purging the kidney to cure its sthenic syndrome based on the types of preparation formulas : Sashintang, Sashinhwan and Sashinsan. There are 4 kinds of Sashintang, 1 kind of Sashinhwan and 1 kind of Sashinsan. Combination of herbal medicines, carried out in formulas for purging the kidney, consists of various kinds depending on medical scientists' personal experience in medical treatment without any general principles, which makes it difficult to apply it to clinical use. The objectives of this study lie in theoretical establishment of Pyeongshintang for curing the sthenic syndrome of kidney through analyzing the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang, and furthermore, maximizing the clinical use of Pyeongshintang. Methods : This study analyzed the component medicines and combination principles of Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang based on the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines from the "Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine", the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine, and the five elements doctrine. Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang is an odd prescription, composed of 7 kinds of ingredients : No.1 Rhizoma Alismatis (2don;7.5g), No.2 Poria (1don;3.75g), No.3 Radix Paeoniae Alba (1don), No.4 Fructus Chaenomelis (1don), No.5 Polyporus (1don), No.6 Cortex Cinnamomi (1don), and No.7 Radix Glycyrrhizae (1don) Results : There are three methods for curing the sthenic syndrome of kidney according to the five elements doctrine : purging the kidney, purging the liver and invigorating the spleen. First, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your kidney. There are two available methods, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each imply the salty taste and the hot property purge the kidney. In the case of taste purgation, two herbal medicines with salty taste, Rhizoma Alismatis and Poria, are combined into the principal and assistant herbal medicine, respectively. For property purgation, two herbal medicines with the hot property, Polyporus and Cortex Cinnamomi, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Secondly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to purge your liver which is child in the mother-child relationship in inter-promotion among the five elements. There are two methods to purge the liver, including taste and property purgation according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. They each mean the sour taste and the cool property purge the liver. Therefore, it is important to use sour herbal medicines for taste purgation and cool ones for property purgation. Both sour and cool herbal medicines, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Fructus Chaenomelis, are combined into adjuvant herbal medicines. Lastly, if you suffer from the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, you need to invigorate your spleen which is an element being surpassed in the relationship between the elements surpassed and ones not surpassed in inter-restraint among the five elements. There are two methods to invigorate the spleen, which include taste and property invigoration according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines. Taste invigoration means to invigorate the spleen with sweet taste and property invigoration to invigorate the spleen with warm property. Therefore, it is important to use sweet herbal medicines for taste invigoration and warm ones for property invigoration. Both sweet and warm herbal medicines, Polyporus and Cortex Cinnamomi, were combined to invigorate the spleen and purge the kidney. In addition, Radix Glycyrrhizae are combined as dispatcher herbal medicine, harmonizing all the herbal medicines composing the formula. Conclusions : First, to cure the sthenic syndrome of the kidney, the methods of purging the kidney and the liver, and invigorating the spleen should be used according to the five elements doctrine. Secondly, herbal medicines appropriate for those treatment methods should be chosen according to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicine and thirdly, the combination of those herbal medicines should be carried out according to the theory for principal herbal medicine, assistant herbal medicine, adjuvant herbal medicine, dispatcher herbal medicine. As a good example, Hyeongok's Pyeongshintang is combined according to the above theories. In conclusion, this formula was created by applying to the theory for properties and tastes of herbal medicines.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.47-54
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• 2010

Objective: To derive information on the efficacy of Sam-chul-kun-bi-tang (SKT), by evaluating its anti-inflammatory effect. SKT is a widely-used herbal formula in traditional Korean medicine. In man y studies, plant-derived anti-inflammatory efficacies have been investigated for their potential inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. This study was performed to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of SKT extract on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods: The production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $(PG)E_2$, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-6 were examined in a macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, in the presence of SKT. RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with LPS 1 ${\mu}g/mL$ and SKT for 18 hrs. The anti-inflammatory activity of SKT was investigated by carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The paw volume was measured at 2 and 4 hrs following carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Results: SKT showed inhibitory effect on $PGE_2$, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. But SKT was not inhibitory effect on NO by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Administration of SKT (1 g/kg) also showed a reduction in carrageenan-induced paw edema on rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that SKT has anti-inflammatory activities in both in vitro and in vivo models.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2011

Objective : This study reports one case of urachal cancer patient treated with oriental medicine. Methods : One patient who was diagnosed with stage IVB urachal cancer was admitted and treated using different modalities of herbs, acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture. An herbal formula, Hang-Am Plus, Myun-Yuk Plus, and Nobongbiki-jung was given three times a day with daily acupuncture treatment session, in addition to Sweet bee venum pharmacopuncture injection which were administered two~three times a week. After treatment, patient's symptoms and blood test results were observed and analyzed. Results : During treatment, symptoms and laboratory findings of patient were maintained in stable condition about 4 months, and the patient survived during 22 months after operation (5.5 months after oriental medicine treatment). Conclusions : This case study shows minimum evidence of efficacy of oriental medicine for managing symptoms of urachal cancer. Considering this is only single case study, further research is needed to confirm these results.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.44-52
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• 2013

Objectives : Samhwangsasim-tang (SST), Hwangryeonhaedok-tang (HHT), Ukgan-san (UGS), Onjunghwadam-hwan (OHH) and Samul-tang (SMT) have been used for the treatment of various diseases. This study was performed to compare the anti-obesity effects of 5 herbal formulas in high fat diet-(HFD) induced obese mice. Methods : The mice were randomly divided into seven groups that were fed a normal diet (ND), a HFD, a HFD plus SST (HFD + SST), a HFD plus HHT (HFD + HHT), a HFD plus UGS (HFD + UGS), a HFD plus OHH (HFD + OHH), or HFD plus SMT (HFD + SMT) at 300 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks. All groups were assayed for body weights, food efficiency ratio (FER), final liver and fat weight and blood biochemical parameters. Results : The increased body weights, food efficiency ratio (FER), and serum total triglyceride were decreased in HFD + OHH group relative to the same measurements in HFD group. Furthermore, the HFD + SST group significantly reduced FER, liver and abdominal subcutaneous fat weight gains, and serum total triglyceride, whereas HDL-cholesterol level was increased compared to HFD group. Conclusions : These results suggested that HFD + OHH and HFD + SST exert anti-obesity effects in HFD-induced obese mice.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2005

In order to find the new hepatoprotective agents preliminary screening of twelve prescriptions which have been used for the treatment of hepatic disease in Oriental traditional medicine has been carried out. Both DPPH free radical scavenging and hepatoprotective effect on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells are performed. Osumokkya-tang which is one of the prescription belongs to interior-warming properties showed the DPPH free radical scavenging effect as well as hepatoprotective activity significantly. It is also suggested that its hepatoprotective effect is derived from Chaenomelis Fructus.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2002

Objectives: In traditional medicine, Wolgukwhan has been used for the treatment of digestive system disease, such as indigestion, brash, ructation, nausea and vomiting. This study was purposed to investigate the effects of Wolgukwhan methnol extract (WGWM) on oxidative liver cell injury. Methods: In vivo assay, we administerated acetaminophen(500mg/kg, i.p.) to starved mice 24hrs after pretreatment of WGWM for 6days. In the liver homogenates, lipid peroxide and glutathione(GSH) levels were measured. In addition, activities of hepatic enzyme, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase(GPX), glutathione S-transferase(GST) were measured in the hepatic mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions. Results: In vivo administeration of WGWM showed effective inhibition of acetaminophen induced lipid peroxidation and elevations of glutathione level. The acetaminophen treatment resulted in a decrease of catalase, GPX and GST activities. By contrast, WGWM pretreatment increased compare to those of untreated groups. Conclusions: These results suggested that WGWM might protect against lipid peroxidation by free radicals, destruction of hepatic cell membranes.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2019

Despite the development of assisted reproduction technologies (ART) including in vitro fertilization (IVF), the poor ovarian response and endometrial receptivity remains clinically a major unmet need. Although these problems are difficulties to solve in infertility treatment, there are no good therapeutic option yet. Traditional herbal remedies and acupuncture, therefore are being proposed as alternative treatment. Our group found that traditional herbal medicines such as Paeonia lactiflora L.(PL, 芍藥), Cyperus rotundus L.(CR, 香附子), and Perilla frutescens (PF, 紫蘇葉) could improve endometrial receptivity. In this study, we found out Yeosin-san (如神散) as an optimal herbal formula via combination of the previously established herbal medicines. Yeosin-san is a traditional Korean medical formula which was established by Ziming Jin (陳自明) and recorded in Furendaiquanliangfang (婦人大全良方) at first. The formula traditionally used for treating abnormal uterine bleeding and leukorrhea. It showed a highest effect on leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression and on the adhesion between trophoblastic cells and endometrial cells. In addition, it has been shown that the Yeosin-san not only increases the endometrial receptivity to improve the embryo implantation but also enhances the ovary function by expressing the angiogenesis-related genes. Here we suggest that Yeosin-san could be a novel and effective candidate for treating female infertility.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.74-84
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• 2011

Objectives: Palmul-tang (hachimotsu-to in Japanese and bawu-tang in Chinese) is a mixture of eight herbs. It is traditionally used for the treatment of anemia, anorexia, general weakness, and female infertility in China, Japan, and Korea. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Palmul-tang water extract (PTE) against ethanol-induced acute gastric injury in rats. Material and Methods: Acute gastric lesions were induced by intragastric administration of 5mL/kg body weight of absolute ethanol to each rat. Control group rats were given PBS orally and the ethanol group (EtOH group) received absolute ethanol (5mL/kg) by oral gavage. The positive control group and the PTE group were given oral doses of omeprazole (50mg/kg) or PTE (400mg/kg), respectively, 2 h prior to the administration of absolute ethanol. The stomach of each animal was excised and examined for gastric mucosal lesions. To confirm the protective effects of PTE, we evaluated the degree of lipid peroxidation, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase in the stomach. Results: PTE reduced ethanol-induced hemorrhage and hyperemia in the gastric mucosa. PTE reduced the increase in lipid peroxidation associated with ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions and increased mucosal GSH content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion: These results indicate that PTE protects gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced acute gastric injury by increasing antioxidant status. We suggest that PTE could be developed as an effective drug for the treatment of acute gastric injury.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.65-82
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is 1) to explore the general tendency of the herbs or herbal formula for acne treatment in clinical practice 2) and to provide a basis for explaining the principles of acne treatment in Korean Medicine in order to make patients understand more easily based on pharmacological mechanism by analyzing the herbs or herbal formula using for acne treatment in clinical practice. Methods : In the domestic databases (Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System-OASIS, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal-KTKP, National Discovery for Science Leader-NDSL, Research Information Sharing Service-RISS), we selected among the papers published using search terms related to "acne". Reports related to sasang constitutional medicine were excluded and a total of 23 papers were finally selected. Results : 29 prescriptions were retrieved from 23 papers. Chungan-tang (淸顔湯) notified formulas ranked first by Cheongsangbangpung- tang (淸上防風湯), Hwangnyeonhaedok-tang (黃連解毒湯), Dangguijakyaksan (當歸芍藥散) and Bipachungpe-eum (枇杷淸肺飮). Commonly used herbs are Forsythiae Fructus (連翹), Scutellariae Radix (黃芩), Gardeniae Fructus (梔子), Ligustici Rhizoma (川芎), and Angelicae Gigantis Radix (當歸). In most patients with inflammatory lesions or excessive flushing, exterior-releasing medicinal (解表藥) and heat-clearing medicinal (淸熱藥) were mainly prescribed for acne treatment, while in patients with acne accompanied hyperkeratinization, Excess sebum secretion, Dysmenorrhea or indigestion, qi-tonifying medicinal (補氣藥) or blood-tonifying medicinal (補血藥) were mainly used. KAGS (Korean Acne Grading System) was the most commonly used method for acne severity assessment. Conclusions : These findings suggest that the herbs or herbal formula for acne treatment in Korean Medicine is prescribed differently according to the cause and symptoms of acne in a unique way for control the whole body balance. Also, our findings could provide a basis for explaining the principles of acne treatment in Korean Medicine in order to make patients understand more easily based on pharmacological mechanism in clinical practice.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.367-376
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the interpretation of the Gwibi-tang(歸脾湯, GBT) prescription in order to obtain the traditional significance. Methods : We have analyzed the interpretation on the GBT prescription through translations and comparisons based on classic books about the oriental medical prescriptions. Results : 1. The source of GBT in Dongeuibogam(東醫寶鑑) is Guchiryuyo(口齒類要), Jeongcheryuyo(正體類要) and Gyojubuinyangbang(校註婦人良方) etc. 2. Meaning of "GwiBi(歸脾)" in the GBT name is returning to the Bi(脾) which is origin of generating Gi(氣) and Blood(血). 3. GBT is composed of Sagunja-tang(四君子湯), Hwanggi-tang(黃芪湯) and Danggwibohyeol-tang(當歸補血湯) etc. 4. According to wide range of symptom, GBT can be varied by adding or subtracting herbs. Conclusions : In this study, we have demonstrated various methodologies. This paper will be useful to the future researchers and clinicians to conduct a study on herbal medicines such as the GBT.