• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2024

Objectives : This study evaluates how various traditional Korean herbal medicines assess MUC5AC expression for esophageal mucosal defense and analyzes the associated mechanisms involved in inflammation. Methods : Forty types of traditional Korean herbal medicines were assessed for in vitro antioxidant activities, and the real-time PCR method was employed to analyze MUC5AC expression under pH 4.5 conditions in human esophageal epithelial cells (HET-1A). Eight types of Korean herbal medicines were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant activities, and Reactive oxygen specise (ROS) expression was analyzed under bile salt (480 𝜇M) and pH 5.5 conditions in human esophageal epithelial cells (HET-1A). Simulation experiments involving bile salts and acidity were conducted for one hour to assess the efficacy of four drugs, and the activities of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase (MEK), Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-𝜅B), and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were detected through Western blot analysis. Results : Compared to the Normal group, the Control group exhibited higher ROS generation. Such increased ROS levels were significantly reduced by four extracts: Citrus Unshius Pericarpium (CUP), Cnidium officinale Rhizoma (CR), Ginseng Radix (GR), and Linderae Radix (LR). The protein expression of COX-2 decreased with the treatment of LR, CUP, and CR. Particularly, CUP and CR exhibited superior effects compared to other groups in inhibiting the phosphorylation of NF-𝜅B. Conclusion : Based on the results obtained, we have identified drugs that inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation caused by bile acid in esophageal epithelial cells. Our future plans involve comparing and analyzing the efficacy of these herbal medicines through animal experiments.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 2002

This case show that emotional stress and wekness of gastrointestinal function occur a chronic hiccup and eructation(during 3 months), oriental medical therapy can cure completely this symptom. Seven emotional stress(anger, delight, sadness, thinking, worry, fear, horror) occur various pathologic changes. Hiccup is caused by CNS, psychologic, thoracic, abdominal factor etc. In oriental medicine, GI trouble regarded as a very importent factor that occur hiccup and eructation. Besides, emotional stress is a very important factor as well. This patient have an introvert personality ordinary times. One day, she had a miscarriage by hers husband's assault. After that time, she suffered from very serious GI trouble(dyspepsia, epigastric pain, anorexia). And then hiccup, eructation, weight loss(10kg/3months) is occured. This patient diagnosed only gastritis. This symptom did not stop during 3 months, regardless of western medical therapy(some western drugs medication, fluid supply etc). After oriental medical therapy(herb medicine;Yukunjatang, acupuncture;CV12, CV6, S36, CV17, H7, SP6, P6, moxibustion;VI2, CV6, S36, negative therapy;back area and traditional oriental medical psychotherapy;ventilation, support, desensitization and family interview) put in operation during 15 days, patient completely recover from hiccup, eructation and anxiety disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3 s.71
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• pp.144-155
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• 2007

Background : In western medicine, there has been much interest in medication teaching since the separation of dispensary from medical practice in 2000. On the other hand, few investigations have been carried out about medication teaching for herbal medicine. Objectives : The purpose of this study wasto investigate the current status of medication teaching of herbal medicine and develop a better guide. Methods : Pharmaceutical affairs law in Korea was searched and some medication teaching guides were compared and analyzed to develop a better guide suitable for herbal medicine. Results and Conclusions : The future guide should be based on scientific evidence and include the following: (1)the origin of each herbal formula (2)the constitution of each herbal formula and proportion of each herb included (3)the chief virtue of each herbal formula (4)the efficacy of each herbal formula (5)the safety of each herbal formula (6)combined treatment with herbal formulas and western drugs (7)the way of decocting each herbal formula (8)the way of safekeeping and period of circulation of each herbal formula (9)a summary and evaluation for each herbal formula (10)references of each herbal formula.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.548-554
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• 2017

Objective: A general prejudice exists that all herbal medicines are not good for liver. We report that herbal medicine can have positive effects on the liver, based on the improved liver function test levels observed in one patient. We also suggest the effectiveness of co-administration of herbal and western medicines. Methods: We checked the liver function test levels of one patient measured on 12 July at another hospital. We identified worse levels on 7 August, when he was first admitted to Semyung University Hospital. We measured liver function test levels of the same patient after treatment with Korean herbal medicine on 14 and 21 August during hospitalization at Semyung Hospital. We compared the figures and evaluated the effectiveness of 'Saenggangeonbi-tang' herbal medicine in the liver. Results: The patient's liver function test levels were normal on 12 July, but had become abnormal by 7 August, when he was admitted to Semyung Hospital. The cause of liver dysfunction was suggested as Atorvastatin, one of the western drugs he had started to take. Continuous treatment with Korean herbal medicine resulted in a definite improvement in liver function. Conclusion: Korean herbal medicine can provide positive improvements in liver function test levels.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate interaction and safety in administering herb-medicine with warfarin. Methods : For this study, we selected 19 patients who have been taking warfarin, from the ones that have been transferred from western hospital to oriental hospital. During their stay in the oriental hospital, we gave herb-medicine in addition to warfarin. Then we gathered informations and data on sex, age, main indications, and International Normalized Ratio(INR) values of selected patients through Electronic Medical Records(EMR) of Dong-Guk university hospital. Accordingly, we compiled all of the above data for a period of 10 days prior and 10 days post admission(western hospital period and oriental hospital period, respectively). Results and Conclusions : The statistical analysis of the data have revealed that there was no significant change of INR values after giving herb-medicine with warfarin(p=0.586). The result shows that administration of herb-medicine with warfarin is safe and has little drug interaction. However, this study was carried out on small sample size and the interaction with other drugs and various kinds of herb-medicine was not considered. Although we attained a restrictive result from this study, we are able to suggest the safety about co-administration of herb-medicine and warfarin.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease and is closely associated with metabolic syndrome. In the present study, we observed the effect of ethanol extract of Allium fistulosum (EAF) on NAFLD and have suggested the possibility of using EAF as a natural product for application in the development of a treatment for NAFLD. MATERIALS/METHODS: The preventive effect on hepatic lipid accumulation was estimated by using an oleic acid (OA)-induced NAFLD model in vitro and a Western diet (high-fat high-sucrose; WD)-induced obese mouse model. Animals were divided into three groups (n = 7): normal diet group (ND), WD group, and WD plus 1% EAF group. RESULTS: EAF reduced OA-stimulated lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells in the absence of cellular cytotoxicity and significantly blocked transcriptional activation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthase genes. Subsequently, we investigated these effects in vivo in mice fed either ND or WD in the presence or absence of EAF supplementation. In comparison to the ND controls, the WD-fed mice exhibited increases in body weight, liver weight, epididymal fat weight, and accumulation of fat in hepatocytes, and these effects were significantly attenuated by EAF supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Allium fistulosum attenuates the development of NAFLD, and EAF elicits anti-lipogenic activity in liver. Therefore, EAF represents a promising candidate for use in the development of novel therapeutic drugs or drug combinations for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.525-533
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to carry out a community survey on schistosomiais and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to suggest feasible and effective intervention strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. A total of 37 communities selected from 23 districts of the 4 regions in the Lake Victoria basin of Tanzania were involved in the study. From each of the selected locality, 50 adult community members, 25 males and 25 females, were recruited for the study. Each study participant was requested to submit stool and urine specimens. From each stool specimen, duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears were prepared and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STH eggs. Urine specimens were processed by the filtration technique and microscopically examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Ultrasound examination for morbidity due to schistosomiasis was performed. Mass treatment was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosome and STHs infections, respectively. Out of 1,606 adults who provided stool specimens, 199 (12.4%) were positive for S. mansoni, 349 (21.7%) for hookworms, 133 (8.3%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, and 33 (2.0%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 1,400 participants who provided urine specimens, 25 (1.8%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. Because of the co-endemicity of these afflictions and their impact on vulnerable population groups, the helminthiasis could be simultaneously treated with 2 drugs, praziquantel for schistosomiasis and albendazole for STHs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.1116-1135
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• 2018

Objective: This study was performed to research Korean medical treatment methods for hyperthyroidism by summarizing domestic clinical studies. Methods: The study was based on 14 papers published in Korea since 2000, on Korean medicine treatments for hyperthyroidism. Papers were searched on four domestic electronic databases. Results: 1. This paper analyzed 14 studies on the subject of clinical research on hyperthyroidism in Korea. 12 of them reported cases while two of them reported on clinical research. 2. The average age of the subjects was 39 years, 71.3% of women, 20-60 years of age accounted for 92%, and the average duration of disease was 22 months. 3. Of the 115 subjects, 102 had experienced Western medical treatment. So most of them chose Western medical treatment as the first treatment method, of which 24 experienced side effects. 4. Eumhuhwadong (陰虛火動) and Gieumyanghu (氣陰兩虛) appeared 3 times respectively. 5. The Korean herbal medicine, Ahnjeonbaekho-tang was the most frequent herbal medicine used to treat hyperthyroidism, with the next most frequent being Yanggyuksanhwa-tang. 6. The study, which was performed using herbal medicine alone, showed a marked improvement in clinical symptoms and thyroid function test, compared with administration of antithyroid drugs and herbal medicines. Conclusions: Large-scale studies and randomized controlled trials will be needed to evaluate the validity of Korean medical treatment for hyperthyroidism.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience and perception of using Korean medicine treatments for patients with mental disorders. Methods: The method of a qualitative analysis was used, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. The researchers developed the survey questionnaires with consultation from psychiatrists from various university hospitals. Before conducting interviews, an IRB was approved KHSIRB-21-131 (RA), and the Hankook Research Company managed the interviews. The question composition comprised 11 questions based on symptoms and treatment situations accompanying treatment due to mental distress, perception of Korean medicine, awareness of treatment costs, and awareness of treatment costs. Results: A total of six patients were interviewed. Each interviewee took 90 minutes to answer questions. Through the analysis of the data, the patients comprised four categories: characteristics, awareness of Korean medicine, awareness of Western treatment, and daily life due to mental disorder. The experience and perception of patients using Korean medicine showed positive attitudes. There was an opinion among patients that Korean medicine treatment was less dependent on drugs, and had fewer side effects, than Western medicine. Some patients said that Korean medical treatment is expensive and burdensome medical expenses. Some patients were not aware of the application of insurance to mitigate medical expenses. Conclusions: Based on the findings of the study, it is urgent to expand the application of insurance benefits to Korean medicine.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.436-443
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• 2022

Objectives: This study examined the case of a 69-year-old man with a history of stroke and Alzheimer's disease who had been diagnosed with probable-rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (probable-RBD). Methods: The patient was treated with herbal medicine (Ukgan-san, Ukgansangayonggolmoryeo-tang, and powdered Gamisoyo-san extract), Western medicine (clonazepam, antiplatelet, psychotropic agents, antihypertensive drugs, and others), and acupuncture. Their effects were evaluated by the frequency and severity of sleep-related behavioral symptoms. Results: After treatment, the observed frequency and severity of sleep-related behavior decreased. Conclusion: The results suggest that using traditional Korean medicine with clonazepam can be effective in the treatment of patients with probable-RBD.