• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.547-561
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• 2024

In this study, we aim to investigate the precise alterations in the gut microbiota during the onset and advancement of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and examine the impact of Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) on DN. Eight-week-old male KK-Ay mice were administered antibiotic cocktails for a duration of two weeks, followed by oral administration of R. gnavus for an additional eight weeks. Our study revealed significant changes in the gut microbiota during both the initiation and progression of DN. Specifically, we observed a notable increase in the abundance of Clostridia at the class level, higher levels of Lachnospirales and Oscillospirales at the order level, and a marked decrease in Clostridia_UCG-014 in DN group. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae at the family level. Moreover, oral administration of R. gnavus effectively aggravated kidney pathology in DN mice, accompanied by elevated levels of urea nitrogen (UN), creatinine (Cr), and urine protein. Furthermore, R. gnavus administration resulted in down-regulation of tight junction proteins such as Claudin-1, Occludin, and ZO-1, as well as increased levels of uremic toxins in urine and serum samples. Additionally, our study demonstrated that orally administered R. gnavus up-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors, including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) and Interleukin (IL)-6. These changes indicated the involvement of the gut-kidney axis in DN, and R. gnavus may worsen diabetic nephropathy by affecting uremic toxin levels and promoting inflammation in DN.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.91-98
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• 2009

Objectives : The objective of this review is to introduce the basic concepts on the febrile disease in the Mongolian Traditional Medicine(MTM). Methods : We comprehensively reviewed related textbooks in Mongolian and articles searched from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) on febrile disease about MTM and summarized the pathophysiologic basis of, and treatment principles in MTM. Results and Conclusions : 1. In MTM, there are basic concepts such as theory of Arga-Bilig, theory of five elements, theory of three elements(人體三素), theory of seven constitutions and three discharges(七元三濊). Most of all, theory of three elements, which is about the basic elements of human body in MTM, is important fundamental notions for explaining human physiology and pathology. In MTM, It is explained that the imbalance of three elements, namely khii, shar, bad-kan is the root of all disease. Especially, febrile disease is treated by suppressing activated shar and blood(血液), which have fire characters, and managing various additional symptoms by balancing three elements and eliminating miasma(邪氣), inappropriate substances such as bile water(shar yc, 黃水) or blood stasis(惡血) simultaneously. 2. In MTM, both of internal treatment modalities(various medicinal therapy) and external treatment modalities(physical therapy) have been used for febrile disease. Food therapy and life style modification also have been recognized as important treatment methods. These aspects correspond to wholism theory of Korean Traditional Medicine(KTM). Further studies about details of each treatment methods will discover new applicable treatment method and make broaden the external boundaries of the KTM.

• CELLMED
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.21.1-21.15
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• 2016

In Kenya, traditional knowledge on herbal medicine has remained a mainstream source of maintaining wellbeing for generations in many communities. However, the knowledge has been eroded in the course of time due to sociocultural dynamics virtually advanced by Christianity and formal education especially in the Kikuyu community. The study documented current ethnobotanical knowledge and threat to the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants among the Kikuyu community. A survey was carried out in Mathira, Tetu, Kieni, Othaya, Mukurweini, and Nyeri Town constituencies. Thirty practicing herbalists were purposively sampled; 5 per constituency. Data was obtained through semi - structured questionnaires and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 80 ailments treated using 111 medicinal plant species distributed within 98 genera and 56 families were documented. Prevalent communicable diseases treated using herbal medicine included; gonorrhea (17.5%), malaria (15%), respiratory infections (12%), colds (10%) and amoebiasis (10%). Non-communicable diseases were; joint pains (11.1%), ulcers/hyperacidity (8.7%), high blood pressure (8.7%), intestinal worms (11.1%) and arthritis/gout (10%). Frequently harvested plant materials were; roots, barks and leaves. The study concluded that, traditional medicine practitioners in Nyeri County possessed wide knowledge of herbal medicine but this knowledge was on the verge of disappearing as it was largely a preserve of the aged generation. The study recommended massive campaign about the benefits of using herbal medicine in the study area. Further pharmacological studies are recommended on the mentioned plant species aimed at establishing their efficacy and safety as well as standardization as potential drugs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.298-302
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• 2007

To see whether this rare clinical case of patient with guillain Barre syndrome which is a type of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy could provide further insight in categorizing Wei symptom(위증) in general. To treat Wei symptom(위증) using traditional herbal medicine Bojoongikgi-tangkami(補中益氣湯加味) and electronic acupuncture applied on the yangmyung channel(陽明經) selected in the Yellow Emperor's of internal medicine and on Panggwang chanel considered as painful lesion. There was significant improvement in motor grade of patient in spite of the period it took to recover and there was sequoia left behind as well. The basic concept of ‘treating yangmyung channel(陽明經) most of all(獨取陽明)’ is emphasized in treatment of Wei symptom(위증) and contains nourishment of middle warmer energy(補中益氣), clear yangmyung(淸化陽明).

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.165-170
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• 2007

Pyungwi-san(PWS) have been using as a basic prescription of digestive disorder in Korean traditional medicine. This study was performed to examine the in vitro antioxidant activity of the extract using different antioxidant tests including by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, metal chelating hydrogen peroxide scavenging, lipid peroxydation protective effect and scavenging effect of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. Herbal-acupuncture solution of PWS(PWS-HS) exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of DPPH radical adduct formation and it showed dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity onto superoxide anions. In addition, the result of metal chelating hydrogen peroxide scavenging and ammonium thiocyanate experiments showed that PWS-HS was an active scavenger of hydroxyl radicals. Furthermore, it was also found to be effective in scavenging nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, well-known cytotoxic species that can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.214-218
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• 2007

The water extracts of Samultang (Samul) has been used for treatment of ischemic heart and brain damage in Oriental traditional medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of Samul rescues cells from oxidative damages in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent that is also highly ototoxic. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Samul on ciplatin-induced ototoxicity in HEI-OC1 auditory cells and organ of Corti explant culture. Cisplatin markedly decreased the viability of HEI-OC1 auditory cells. However, treatment of HEI-OC1 cells with Samul significantly reduced cisplatin-induced cell death and apoptotic characteristics through reduction of intracellular peroxide generation. Cisplatin induced cytotoxicity in isolated and cultured hair cell progenitors from postnatal rat cochleae. These progenitor cells are isolated from the lesser epithelial ridge (LER, or outer spiral sulcus cell) area of pre-plated neonatal rat cochlear segments. However, Samul completely protected the morphological changes of organ of Corti and LER. Taken together, these data suggest that the protective effects of the water extracts of Samul against cisplatin may be mediated by the reduction of intracellular peroxide generation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.919-923
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• 2004

Spirodela polyrhiza(L.) Schleid (Lemnaceae) have been used as a traditional drug in treating urticaria and itching. However, the exact role of Spirodela polyrhiza in allergic reaction has not been clarified yet. Type 1 hypersensitivity (immediate hypersensitivity), popularly known as allergy, is a major clinical problem in humans. It has been found that the histamine release from mast cells is an essential step in the pathological process of immediate hypersensitivity. In the present study, the effect of aqueous extract of Spirodela polyrhiza (AESP) on immediate hypersensitivity was investigated. AESP inhibited the antigen-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). AESP in vitro exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of degranulation in RPMC stimulated by compound 48/80. AESP also suppressed the morphological changes and the increase of intracellular free calcium level induced by compound 48/80. These results suggest that inhibitory effect of AESP on immediate hypersensitivity may be mediated through the decrease of intracellular free calcium levels, and AESP importantly contributes to the treatment of anaphylaxis and may be useful for other allergic disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2012

Researches of Sasang Consitutional Medicine(SCM) have been conducted in many ways, especially for objective diagnosis methods of SCM. Despite of these efforts, relationship between SCM and abdominal examination is rarely known. Therefore 7 books related to abdominal examination and arranged specific abdominal examination descriptions in each books based on Experienced prescriptions(經驗方) of Donguisusebowon(東醫壽世保元) or Longevity and Life Preservation in Eastern Medicine were collected. In result, So-eumin and So-yangin show opposite descriptions to each others in abdominal examination. So-eumin has stuffiness and rigidity below heart, lower abdominal fullness and cramp. In contrast, So-yangin has fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, chest bind, lower abdominal numbness and lower tension. Strong abdominal surface tension could be palpated in Taeum-in's abdominal examination. Advantages of Abdominal Examination are notified recently, thanks to easiness of performing, objectiveness and well-adaptation to Theory of Traditional Eastern Medicine. These advantages could contribute to researching diagnosis of SCM with theory consensus of SCM specialists and practical trials.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1896-1903
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• 2004

Anglicae dahuricae Radix (ADR), the dried roots of Angelica Dahurica Benth et Hook (Umbelliferae), is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat colds, headache, skin diseases such as acne and possess analgesic, antipyretic and drainage effects. In the present study, the author evaluated the effect of ADR on regulation of inflammatory reaction. ADR reduced the ear-swelling responses derived from compound 48/80 in dose-dependent manner significantly. ADR inhibited the PMA plus A23187-induced productions of IL (Interleukin)-8, IL-1β, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α from human mast cells (HMC)-1. In addition, ADR blocked PMA plus A23187-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Ⅰ suggest that ADR regulates inflammatory reaction through inhibition of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8, IL-1β and GM-CSF.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1527-1532
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• 2004

There are few case reports on the treatment of churg strauss syndrome by oriental medicine. We experienced one case of a female patient, 47 ages, who had symptoms; Rt. hemiplegia, aphasia, M/S dull, Rt. facial palsy. We used acupuncture, physical therapy, herbal medication and taping therapy. After 6 months of Acupuncture therapy, Herbal medication, physical therapy and taping therapy, a remarkable improvement was made for cerebral infarction patient who accompany churg strauss syndrome. The patient could take self-ambulation after treatment and many symptoms have improved. Cerebral infarction patient who accompany churg strauss syndrome is not common ,but in case the treatment by korean traditional medicine, there was improvement in patient's state. We think that it need the further study and clinical practice for Churg Strauss Syndrome.