• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate immune regulatory effects of the pharmacopuncture with MOK on hyperthyroid rats. Methods : The experimental hyperthyroidism was prepared by the intraperitoneal injection of L-thyroxine(LT4, 0.5 mg/kg) once daily for 2 weeks in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. The pharmacopuncture with MOK extract(MOK pharmacopuncture) at doses of 0.3 or 3 mg/kg was injected on acupuncture points in the thyroid glands of hyperthyroid rats once a day for 2 weeks. Propylthiouracil(PTU, 10 mg/kg) as a reference group was subcutaneously injected into the dorsal neck. We measured the levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 in the sera of rats using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay(ELISA) and determined the expression of $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-10, and Foxp3 in spleen tissues by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results : The treatment of MOK pharmacopuncture in hyperthyroid rats significantly decreased the serum levels of Th1 cytokine, $IFN-{\gamma}$(p<0.01 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU) and significantly increased the levels of Th2 cytokine, IL-4(p<0.05 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.001 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU) compared to control group. Also, the MOK pharmacopuncture significantly increased IL-4 expression(p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU), IL-10(p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.01 for PTU), and Foxp3(p<0.01 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg and p<0.01 for PTU) in spleen tissues of hyperthyroid rats compared to control group. Conclusions : Our results suggest that MOK pharmacopuncture can help to ameliorate the pathological progression of hyperthyroidism by regulation of the Th1/Th2 imbalance.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the effects of MOK pharmacopuncture at high-doses which are increased 10 to 100-fold in clinics, on propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism in rats and the safety. We measured the changes of body weight, food and water intake, body temperature, the serum levels of thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, and T4), AST and ALT, glucose, lipid metabolites (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride) and observed histopathological changes of thyroid tissues by H&E staining. We also analyzed the peaks of constituents of MOK using HPLC. In the results, the treatment of MOK pharmacopuncture at high-dose (30 mg/kg) in hypothyroidism-induced rats for 2 weeks was shown the improvement effects on the decrease of body weight, food intake, and body temperature, The MOK pharmacopunture at high dose regulated the imbalance of thyroid hormones, glucose, and lipid metabolites and also inhibited the structural damages of thyroid tissues. In liver damage, the MOK pharmacopuncture at high dose reduced the increase of AST and ALT levels in hypothyroid rats. We identified the MOK constituents in HPLC analysis. In conclusion, the treatment of MOK pharmacopuncture at high dose has a therapeutic effect on hypothyroidism without liver toxicity, suggesting that the MOK pharmacopuncture be usefully applicable to treat with hypothyroidism in clinics.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2017

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of MOK, a pharmacopuncture medicine, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. Methods : Peritoneal macrophages were isolated from ICR mice. Primary macrophages were treated with MOK extract (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/ml) for 30 min and then stimulated with LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) for the indicated times. Cytotoxicity was measured using MTT and LDH assays. Nitric oxide (NO) production in culture supernatants was measured using the Griess assay. The mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6) and antioxidant enzymes (HO-1 and MnSOD) was measured by RT-PCR. Results : Treatment with MOK extract (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/ml) significantly decreased LPS-induced NO production in peritoneal macrophages through inhibition of iNOS expression. The expression of COX-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 mRNA was also decreased in LPS-stimulated macrophages upon treatment with MOK extract. MOK treatment also increased the expression of HO-1 and MnSOD mRNA in macrophages. Conclusion : These results indicate that MOK exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by regulating the transcription levels of inflammatory mediators and antioxidant proteins in activated macrophages.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2017

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory and antioxidant effect of MOK, a pharmacopuncture medicine, in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated mouse splenocytes. Methods : Primary splenocytes were isolated from ICR mice. The splenocytes were treated with MOK extract (1.25, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL) for 30 min and then stimulated with Con A (200 ng/mL) for the indicated times. Cell viability of the splenocytes was measured using an MTT assay. The mRNA expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines ($IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-10, and Foxp3) and antioxidant enzymes (HO-1 and MnSOD) was measured by RT-PCR. Results : Addition of MOK extract at 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL in Con A-stimulated splenocytes significantly decreased the production of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and significantly increased the expression of IL-4, IL-10, and Foxp3 mRNA. MOK extract also increased the mRNA expression of HO-1 and MnSOD in splenocytes. Conclusion : MOK extract modulated the Th1/Th2 immune response via the regulation of cytokine levels in splenocytes and exerted an antioxidant effect via the upregulation of antioxidant proteins.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.169-175
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to review clinical trials of pharmacopuncture treatment for Frozen Shoulder and to evaluate trends in this field. The literature search was performed using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and 5 Korean electronic databases. A combination of "pharmacopuncture," "acupoint injection," "Frozen Shoulder," "adhesive capsulitis," and "periarthritis of shoulder" search terms were used. A total of 9 studies were included in this review. The studies were classified into herbal extract-based (5 types) and animal-based (2 types) pharmacopuncture treatment of Frozen Shoulder. There were 14 different acupoints and Ashi points used in the 9 studies. The total volume of herbal extract-based pharmacopuncture injected was usually between 2 mL and 4 mL, and for animal-based pharmacopuncture it was 1 ml. In most studies of Frozen Shoulder, pain was reduced and function was significantly improved after pharmacopuncture treatment. These results demonstrate that pharmacopuncture alleviates pain and restores function in patients with Frozen Shoulder. Further studies must be conducted on pharmacopuncture for management of Frozen Shoulder.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.139-147
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• 2010

Objectives : The Purpose of this study is to investigate and report the effectiveness of Hominis Placenta using Pharmacopuncture treatment for trigger finger. Methods : 3 Patients are admitted at Dept. of Oriental Rehabilitation, Bu-Chun Jaseng Oriental Medicine Hospital, diagnosed as Trigger finger and treated with Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture. Each cases are measured and assessed by Quinnell's classification of triggering and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scores. Results : 3 Patients of trigger finger have a different kind of cause and fingers lesion they have, but nodules are not significantly found up, so we could classify all of 3 patients to diffuse type. After treatment of Hominis placenta Pharmacopuncture, spontaneous pain and tenderness, grades of triggering are decreased significantly. We would expect that Hominis placenta Pharmacopuncture has a effect on degenerative diseases of diffuse type's tendon sheath. Conclusions : Trigger finger is generally divided into two stages, inflammatory and degenerative stage, and when degenerative stage, Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture appears to be effective.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this research was to study the effect of Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture on frozen shoulder patients. Methods : All of the 46 frozen shoulder patients who visited the department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion in Wonkwang Sanbon Medical Center from 1st March 2007 to 30th August 2008 had taken either the Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture therapy or acupuncture therapy 10 times. There are 23 patients in each group. We evaluated the improvement of their shoulder pain and disability using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Shoulder Pain And Diability Index(SPADI), Range of Motion(ROM), and the Apley Scratch test at their first and last visit. Then we analyzed and compared the improvement shown by the two groups. Results : 1. Measures on all tests for the acupuncture group showed statistically significant improvement. 2. Measures on all tests for Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture showed statistically significant improvement. 3. The Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture group's VAS and ROM(external, internal rotation) showed statistically significant difference compared with those of the acupuncture group. SPADI, ROM(flexion, extension, abduction, adduction) and Apley scratch test had no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions : The above results show that Scolopendrid Pharmacopuncture therapy can be used as an effective treatment for reducing frozen shoulder pain.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.153-158
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• 2017

Background: Hominis placenta (HP) is used in Korean medicine to tonify qi and blood, and enrich yin and tonify yang. HP has been reported to have therapeutic effects. Methods: A survey of international and Korean electronic databases was conducted using the search terms "hominis placenta pharmacopuncture" and "hominis placenta extract". The search was limited to material published up to May 31, 2017. Results: A total of 83 studies were included in this systematic review: 50 were clinical studies, 25 were basic studies, and 8 were other types of study. Among clinical studies, the most frequently treated disease groups were musculoskeletal diseases and nervous system diseases. In vitro studies were conducted mainly on anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-cell necrosis models. Most of the in vivo studies were performed in rheumatoid arthritis or diabetic complications models. Conclusion: HP pharmacopuncture has effects in the treatment of various diseases. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to improve the level of evidence for HP pharmacopuncture. It would be helpful if future in vitro and in vivo studies could identify the mechanism of action of HP pharmacopuncture.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-68
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• 2011

Objectives: After organizing segmentations related to obesity from classics and each studies, we would like to examine the value of wild ginseng, bovis calculus, ursi fel and moschus as a obesity medicine. Methods: We found out 4 drugs which are wild ginseng, bovis calculus, ursi fel and moschus from the classics, such as "Shin-Nong-Bon-Cho-Kyung", "Myoung-Eui-Byul-Lok", "Bon-Cho-Gang-Mok", "Bon-Cho-Jong-Shin", "Bon-Cho-Bi-Yo", "Bon-Cho-Gu-Jin" and "Deuk-Bae-Bon-Cho", we searched websites such as RISS, Korean traditional knowledge portal, the society of Korean medicine for obesity research, Korean pharmacopuncture institute, the Korean academy of oriental rehabilitation medicine and Korean acupuncture & moxibustion society as well. Results: 1. We couldn't find the contents related to the efficacy of improving obesity through wild ginseng, bovis calculus, ursi fel and moschus from the classics. 2. Wild ginseng had a study dealing with the efficacy of anticancer, obesity, toxicity, immunity, sulfation, diabetes, plasma proteins, depression, hypertension, endometriosis and hair loss. Especially among 6 studies related to obesity, apart from the study that treated extract of wild ginseng directly to the cell or oral administration to the animals, also have studies that had an efficacy of improving obesity through injecting pharmacopuncture to acupuncture point and vein, etc. 3. Bovis calculus had a study about efficacy related to arthritis, liver, inflammation of cornea, obesity, anticancer, immunity, antacid, heart, lumbar pain, hypertension, toxicity, a digestive organ and sasang constitution, especially in case of obesity, had each studies about oral administration of complex prescription and about cell unit experiment of pharmacopuncture. 4. Ursi fel had a study about efficacy related to liver, arthritis, inflammation of cornea, immunity, obesity, anticancer, antacid, lumbar pain, digestive organ, toxicity, cell protection, skin ailment, etc. Especially in case of obesity, had each studies about oral administration of animal experiment and about cell unit experiment of pharmacopuncture. 5. Moschus had a study about efficacy related to liver, the central nervous system, arthritis, inflammation of cornea, immunity, obesity, anticancer, hypertension, heart, lumbar pain, etc. Especially in case of obesity, had one study about oral administration of complex prescription. Conclusion: Through the result of probability as a obesity medicine of wild ginseng, bovis calculus, ursi fel and moschus, we could identify the possibility of each drug as a obesity medicine. Also in the future, it is considered that studies about one or complex prescription and pharmacopuncture as a obesity medicine will be needed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 2003

Objective : This study is perfonned for the purpose of examining the efficacy of the scolopendrid (Scolopendra morsitans L.) which has been used to low back pain as a folk remedy. Methods & Results : Seventy patients with H.I.V.D. treated with the scolopendrid aquacupuncture and examined 4 tests; D.I.T.L., physical test, Oswestry disability index, and self-conscious pain rate were studied. There was $50{\sim}100\%$ of efficacy rate in each tests. Moreover, statistically valuable change in 5 to 7 D.I.T.I. points and in self-conscious pain rate was showed. Conclusion : The scolopendrid aquacupuncture is possible to be effective treating the H.I.V.D patients. So we suggest the possibility using this new remedy to the H.I.V.D. patients.