Journal of Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute

Article Outline

• Copyright

In this issue of the journal, recommended articles are selected from the Journal of Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute (ISSN: 1226-4849) and from the Journal of Meridian & Acupoint (ISSN: 1229-7933), which were published in Korean.

Journal of Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute, Volume 12, No. 1, 5-12, 2009

Monitoring the Change of Protein Expression in Human Colon Cancer Cells SNU-81 Treated With the Water-Extract of Coptis Japonica

Byung-Soo Kim, Tae-Mo Yoo, Byong-Chul Yoo, Hwa-Seung Yoo

Abstract

Background: Anticancer effects of herbal medicines have been reported in various types of cancer, but systematic approaches to explain molecular mechanisms are not yet established.

Objective: To find the anticancer effect and mechanisms of the water extract of Coptis japonica (WECJ) on colon cancer cells (SNU-81).

Methods: We first selected 11 herbs, and tested the anticancer effects of water-extracts from these herbs on the human colon cancer cell line, SNU-81. Among the tested herbs, the water extract of Coptis japonica (WECJ) significantly reduced proliferation of SNU-81. To establish a basis of understanding for an anticancer mechanism, whole proteins were obtained from SNU-81 harvested at 48 and 96 hours after treatment with WECJ. Protein expression was profiled using a 2DE-based proteomic approach.

Results: Various changes in protein expression were monitored. The most frequent deregulation was found in the molecular chaperons, including heat shock protein 90-alpha (Hsp90-alpha), 14-3-3 protein epsilon, T-complex protein 1 subunit alpha, protein disulfide-isomerase A3, and calreticulin. Interestingly, proliferation-associated protein 2G4 was up-regulated suggesting the possible effect of Coptis japonica on the ErbB3-regulated signal transduction pathway and growth control of human colon cancer cells.

Conclusion: Based upon the present findings, further studies will focus on monitoring various cancer survival factors after artificial regulation of the identified proteins. This will be the basis for understanding the anticancer effects of Coptis japonica at the molecular level.

Keywords: colon cancer, Coptis japonica, 2-DE, MALDI-MS, proteome

Journal of Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute, Volume 12, No. 1, 53-65, 2009

A Pilot Clinical Study on the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Using Traditional Korean Medicine

Sung-Chul Kim, Won-Min Na, Na-Ra Lim, Do-Sang Lee, Eun-Ha Jang, Bong-Keun Song

Abstract

Objectives: To study the effect of Oriental medical treatment on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: We investigated 12 ALS patients who were admitted to Gwang-Ju O.M. Hospital from October 14, 2008 to November 14, 2008. All patients were treated by SAAM-acupuncture and herbal medicine; i.e. bee venom pharmaco-puncture therapy, needle-embedding therapy, etc. We evaluated patients using the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale.

Results: After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score of patients improved from 28.42 ± 7.83 to 29.08 ± 7.99. Mean MRC Scale scores of patients also improved from 24.79 ± 8.37 to 25.34 ± 8.45. In both cases, the observed change was not statistically significant. After 30 days, mean ALSFRS-R score and mean MRC Scale of patients was more improved in subjects with bulbar-onset, i.e. onset age: 51-60 years, disease duration: 24-48 months. Results showed partially significant differences.

Conclusion: We believe that the results of this pilot study prove the effect of Oriental medical treatment in ALS.

Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), Medical Research Council (MRC) Scale

Journal of Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute, Volume 12, No. 1, 91-7, 2009

Three Cases of Idiopathic Oculomotor Nerve Palsy Treated With Hominis Placenta Pharmacopuncture

Ki-Hun Jung, Min-Seok Kim, Hee-Sang Hwang, Jae-Cheon Jeon, Jae-Yeon Park, Tae-Ho Lee, Eun-Yong Lee, Jeong-Du Roh

Abstract

Objective: Oculomotor nerve palsy is a disorder which causes trouble with eyeball movement, diplopia, dizziness and ptosis. Aneurysm, eye mass, trauma and infection are some causes of ocular nerve palsy, but sometimes the cause is unknown. We observed three cases of idiopathic oculomotor nerve palsy patient treated with Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture.

Methods & Results: We treated three idiopathic oculomotor nerve palsy patients with Hominis placenta pharmaco-puncture and electroacupuncture. Results showed a remarkable improvement of symptoms in all patients.

Conclusion: Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture is an effective treatment for idiopathic oculomotor nerve palsy. Further study of the relationship between this treatment and the disease is required.

Keywords: Hominis placenta, pharmacopuncture, oculomotor nerve palsy

Journal of Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute, Volume 12, No. 2, 7-12, 2009

Comparing the Antioxidant Effects of Cultivated Ginseng and Cultivated Wild Ginseng Extracts by Measuring Superoxide and Hydroxy Radical Scavenging Activities

Tae-Jin Rhim, Heesun Jeong, Young-Jin Kim, Doo-Young Kim, Young-Ju Han, Haeyon Kwon, Ki-Rok Kwon

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the antioxidant effects of cultivated wild ginseng and ginseng extracts.

Methods: In vitro antioxidant activities were examined by the superoxide and hydroxyl radical scavenging abilities of ginseng and cultivated wild ginseng extracts.

Results: 1) The superoxide radical scavenging activities of ginseng and cultivated wild ginseng extracts showed that cultivated wild ginseng extracts were higher than cultivated ginseng at 0.25 and 0.50 mg/mL. 2) The hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of ginseng and cultivated wild ginseng extracts, revealed cultivated wild ginseng extracts were higher than cultivated ginseng at 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL.

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that cultivated wild ginseng extracts had higher antioxidant activities compared with cultivated ginseng.

Keywords: antioxidant activity, cultivated wild ginseng, hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide

Journal of Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute, Volume 12, No. 2, 21-9, 2009

An Anatomical Viewpoint of the Foot Taeyang Meridian Muscle in Human Lower Limb

Kyoung-Sik Park

Abstract

Objective: This study was performed to identify the anatomical component of the FTMM (Foot Taeyang Meridian Muscle) in the human lower limb to further help the accurate application in real acupuncture.

Methods: FTM at the surface of the lower limb was labeled with latex. The cadaver was dissected to demonstrate muscles and nerves, and to display the outer, middle, and inner layers of the internal structures of the FTMM.

Results: The FTMM in human lower limb is composed of muscles, nerves, ligaments, etc. The internal composition of the FTMM in human lower limb is as follows: 1) Muscle: Gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, gastrocnemius, triceps muscle of the calf, fibularis brevis tendon, superior peroneal retinacula, calcaneofibular ligament, inferior extensor retinaculum, abductor digiti minimi, and sheath of flexor tendon at the outer layer. The biceps femoris, semimembranosus, plantaris, soleus, posterior tibialis, fibularis brevis, extensor digitorum brevis, flexor digiti minimi compose the middle layer, and semimembranosus, adductor magnus, plantaris, popliteus, posterior tibialis, flexor hallucis longus, dorsal calcaneocuboidal ligament make up the inner layer. 2) Nerve: Inferior cluneal nerve, posterior femoral cutaneous nerve, sural cutaneous nerve, proper plantar branch of lateral plantar nerve at the outer layer. The sciatic nerve, common peroneal nerve, medial sural cutaneous nerve, tibial nerve are found in the middle layer, and the tibial nerve, flexor hallucis longus branch of tibial nerve are located in the inner layer.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates comparative differences, from established studies, in the constituent elements of the FTMM in the lower limb. Substantial assay methods were also different. These differences may be because there are conceptual differences between terms in human anatomy (i.e., nerves which control muscles of the FTMM and those which pass near the FTMM).

Keywords: 55-67, BL 36-40, foot Taeyang meridian muscle, ligament, muscle, nerve