• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1 s.65
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• pp.78-90
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• 2006

Background : Traditional herbal medicine is used extensively among the Korean populations, and other Asian countries employ similar therapies as well. In recent years, extensive focus was laid on adulteration of the herbal medicine with liver damage. The use of herbal preparations as remedies for various medical conditions has continuously increased in Korea. Large proportions of Korean patients use herbal medicinal products, folk remedies, and health food. However, studies on the safety of herbal products are conducted on a less than sufficient basis even in the countries like Korea where herbal medicine is being used extensively. Some of the reports on the safety of herbs were done by the doctors of western medicine but lack of knowledge and misclassification led to misunderstandings. Objectives : This study aims to verify the evidences on safety of frequently used 4 herbal medications (Sipjeondaebo-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Ohjeok-San, Yukmaijihwang-tang) in the lab animal model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats was treated by 4 herbal medications during 31 days. After 1 month, we checked body weight, liver weight, and serum enzyme associated with liver function. Results : There is no significant difference in body weight and liver weight after 1 month of administrations. In all experimental groups, no abnormal findings was observed in histotogical research and lab liver Functions test(AST, ALT etc). Conclusions : These four herbal medications, frequently used in oriental medicine clinics and hospitals, are safe from hepatoxic events in the lab animal model.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.79-87
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of an herbal mixture of Atractylodes macrocephala and Taraxacum spp. (ATC) on ulcerative colitis. We have previously screened traditional medicinal herbs to discover the effective candidate by the animal model. A. macrocephala and T. spp were identified as one of the effective herbs in the screening process. Methods : Experimental colitis was induced in male Balb/c mice by administering drinking water containing dextran sulfate sodium, which mimics the clinical and histological features of ulcerative colitis in human. ATC at doses of 30, 100 or 300 mg/kg were orally administered to mice twice per day for 10 consecutive days. To evaluate the damage from experimentla ulcerative colitis, body weight, colon length, disease activity index, myeloperoxidase and histological changes were measured and analyzed. Results : The administration of dextran sulfate sodium with drinking water resulted in markedly reduced colon length, severe body weight loss, increased levels of myeloperoxidase activity and histological damages in mice. ATC treatment significantly ameliorated the colon shortening, histological damage, body weight loss and disease activity index score in a dose-dependent manner. ATC also attenuated the colonic myeloperoxidase activity which reflects the severity and extent of inflammatory damage of colon. Conclusions : ATC exerts protective effects against inflammatory colonic structural damage induced by epithelial barrier integrity impairment. ATC also inhibits weight loss and related symptoms of UC which can be considered as the functional recovery of colon.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.191-203
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• 2022

Purpose : In 『Herbal Formula Science in Korean Medicine (HFSKM)』, the weight unit of Shanghanlun '1 Liǎng (一兩)' is mostly converted to 3 g. We tried to confirm whether the usages of the Shanghanlun prescriptions of HFSKM are valid in the view of safety and efficacy. Method : The toxicity of herbs in Shanghanlun were summarized. The prescriptions of HFSKM including herbs recorded by weight in Shanghanlun were compared with the pharmacopoeia usage. Domestic clinical case studies were analyzed to confirm the clinical evidence for safety and efficacy. Results : Glycyrrhizae Radix, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Persicae Semen, Ephedrae Herba, Pinelliae Tuber, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata, Asiasari Radix et Rhizoma, Armeniacae Semen and Scutellariae Radix have been reported to have toxicity. As a result of analyzing the 39 Shanghanlun prescriptions of HFSKM, 26 prescriptions were identified when they were within the pharmacopoeia usage, and 13 prescriptions were found in excess. As a result of analyzing the domestic clinical research papers, symptoms considered to be side effects were not mentioned, and improvement of the diseases was confirmed. As a result of measuring the actual weight, it was confirmed that the usage greatly exceeded the pharmacopoeia usage, such as 57.23 g for Pinelliae Tuber and 45.77 g for Armeniacae Semen. Conclusion : The composition of the prescription for Shanghanlun proposed in HFSKM is considered to be a reasonable dose, but continuous review and standard supplementation are necessary.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.119-133
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• 2005

Traditional herbal medicine is widely used among the Korean people, and other eastern Asian countries employ similar therapies as well. In recent years, due to increasing interest in herbal medicines, many researches have been made on the toxicity and side effects of herbal medications. Through private and public media, there have been many opinions suggesting taking herbal medicines is very harmful, especially on the liver and kidney functions. This assertion has been mainly presented by the doctors that practice western medicine, But this assertion is never based on adequate knowledge of herbal medicine. This study aims to provide the evidences that taking herbal medicines is safe on the renal functions. Four frequently used herbal medications(Sipjeondaebotang, Bojungigitang, Ojeoksan, and Yukmijihwangtang) were used to test the toxicity of herbal medicine oh the lab animal model(SD-Rat). There is no significant difference in body weight and kidney weight after herbal medication for 1 month. In all experimental groups, no abnormal findings were observed in histological study, and lab renal function index(BUN, creatinine, uric acid). These results say that four herbal multi-used-medicines, when medicated, is safe from the renal toxicity in lab animal model.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.51-62
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• 2009

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus extact(RLF-HA) at KI10(Umgok) on osteoporosis in ovariectomized( OVX) ddy mice. We carried out several experimental items to analyze the changes in body weight, uterine weight, uterus index, tibial length, the ash bone weight, tibial BMD, serum ALP, serum osteocalcin, serum Ca, and the levels of Ca, P, Ca/P ratio in tibia, and we performed histological and histomorphological analysis as well. Results : 1. Herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) and saline injection at KI10(Umgok) significantly inhibited the reduction of tibial calcium level in ovariectomized mice. 2. Herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) significantly inhibited the increase of tibial osteoclast cells in ovariectomized mice. 3. Herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) significantly inhibited the reduction of tibial trabecular bone thickness(TBT) in ovariectomized mice. 4. Herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) significantly inhibited the overgrowth of tibial growth plate length(GPL) in ovariectomized mice. Conclusion : These results suggested that herbal-acupuncture with Rosae Laevigatae Fructus at KI10(Umgok) has a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis, and to be put to practical use in the future osteoporosis clinic.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.23-35
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• 2016

Objectives This systematic review is to support the effectiveness of herbal medicine for the treatment of simple obesity in adults. Methods A total of 8 electronic databases were searched in English, Chinese and Korean. Standard methodologies for the systematic review were used to search, analyze and synthesize data based on NECA's guideline for undertaking systematic review and meta-analyses for intervention. Results After screening 1781 potential articles, we identified 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted a meta-analysis for the study using Bangpungtongsung-san and Taeeumjowi-tang to evaluate the effectiveness of herbal medicines on weight loss compared to placebo control. Both herbs showed positive effect in weight, body mass index and waist circumference. In an analysis comparing herbal effects considering constitutions showed that proper treatment can lower adverse events. Conclusions Our results provide evidence that herbal medicine can be an effective treatment for the obesity compare to placebo or to conventional medicine without serious adverse events. Further study is needed to evaluate effectiveness of herbal medicines considering personalized treatment and its safety.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-140
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• 2010

Objectives & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Bupleuri Radix Herbal-acupuncture at GB34(Yangneungcheon) of hyperlipidemic rats. The author performed several items to analyze body-weight of the rats, weight of its liver, serum as well as urine changes in each group. Results : 1. Bupleuri Radix herbal-acupuncture(BR-HA) infused solution (MCR-HAS) increased both DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. BR-HA at GB34 significantly decreased the level of serum total cholesterol and atherogenic index(AI), while significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol and phospholipid/total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. 3. BR-HA at GB34 significantly decreased urine glucose in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusions : From the results above, it is suggested that Bupleuri Radix herbal -acupuncture at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.87-98
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of herbal medicine in children's growth. Methods 51 children from the age of 5 to 16 were participated in this study (27 of boys and 24 of girls). The participants were from the department of the pediatrics in Daegu hanny university oriental medical hospital. They were measured their body composition and their bone age, the height percentile of their first and the last visit. Then, those were compared by the Korean Association of Pediatrics' Growth Statistics Curve. Results 1. Generally, total children's average height and weight were significantly increased after the herbal medical treatment. The differences between their height and the general populations' average height, their weight and general populations' average weight were significantly decreased after the treatment. 2. Total children's average soft lean mass, body fat mass, BMI were also significantly increased after the herbal medical treatment. 3. The mean height percentiles of the children has increased by 1.47 percentile. The mean weight percentiles of the children decreased 1.08 percentile. 4. The height percentiles were increased in every group except the group of boys younger than 9 and older than 12 year old. Other than the group of boys younger than 9-year-old and the group of 10-11-year-old boys, every group showed decreasing weight percentile. Conclusions The herbal medical treatment helped children with growth retardation.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.131-144
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• 2015

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate anti-obesity effects of mixed-Powder(Raphani Semen, Coicis Semen, Poria, Plantaginis Testa & Theae folium)(HP) & mixed water extract(Citri Pericarpium, Crataegi Fructus, Maydis Stigma, Allium Skin) (HE) in mice fed a high-fat diet. Method : 50 Female ICR mice were divided into six groups; Normal group (Ve), high-fat diet group (Po), Po+HP(0.6g/kg) group(HP), Po+HE(1g/kg) group(HE), Po+(HP+HE) group(HPE), Po+(HP+HE)*2 group(DHPE). For 8 weeks, these groups were fed their respective diets. Body weight, liver weight and weights of adipose tissues, GOT/GPT index changes & Blood Glucose index changes were measured respectively. Lipid profiles in serum were analyzed by kit of blood. Results : Groups HP, HE, HPE, DHPE had significantly reduced body weight, liver weight, adipose tissue weights and GOT/GPT index, blood glucose index compared to the Po group. Also, serum triglyceride and total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, were significantly reduced when compared to the Po group. Group G1 had significantly increased high density lipoprotein levels. Conclusion : Mixed powder (HP) & mixed water extract (HE) show anti-obesity effects in mice fed a high-fat diet.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.221-229
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• 2019

Objectives : This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of herbal mixture including Lycii fructus (HML) in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Methods : To confirm the liver protective effect, induced by TAA for 3 days injection at 100 mg/kg mice, HML were treated for 8 weeks at 300 mg/kg/day, 1000 mg/kg/day. Positive control was treated silymarin 50 mg/kg/day after TAA injection. The changes of mortality rate, clinical signs, organ weight, relative liver, blood chemistry and histopathological findings were analyzed after experiment. Results : Body weight gain was observed in all groups, but TAA treated group at 4th week and all treated groups decreased weight compared to the untreated group. As a result of organ weight measurement, organ weight gain due to hepatic injury was observed statistically significantly in TAA-treated group and TAA+Silymarin treated group, and the herbal mixture-treated group showed a tendency to decrease compared to the TAA treated group. Blood biochemistry showed that total cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased statistically in TAA+low-dose and high dose herbal mixture treated group compared to the TAA-treated group. Histopathological examination showed that liver abnormalities were not observed in untreated group, liver fibrosis was observed in liver injury with TAA treated and herbal mixture treated group. And, TAA+high dose herbal mixture group showed relaxation tendency on liver calcification compared to the TAA treated group. Conclusions : According to the above results, HML provided hepatoprotective effects on the hepatic injury by reduction of inflammatory responses.