• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.67-85
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• 2006

Obiecnves : The purpose of this study was to examine the analgesic effect of moxi-tar on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis and the relations between moxi-tar-induced analgesia and endogenous NO and iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord. Methods : Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of moxi-tar as a chronic pain model. After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral injection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. Moxi-tar dissolved in ethyl alcohol was injected several acupoints. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Results : Moxi-tar produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3 mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. Moxi-tar produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by moxi-tar. moxi-tar on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either moxi-tar or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that moxi-tar produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and that moxi-tar-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.159-177
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• 2008

Objectives : Crohn's disease is a severe chronic inflammation that is treated mainly by immunosuppression, which often has serious side effects. There is need to develop new therapeutic methods or drugs that have few side effects in order to treat this disease. Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at Cheonchu (ST25) has anti-inflammatory properties, but the mechanism of its anti-inflammatory actions is unclear. We investigated the protective effects and speculated the mechanisms of acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis in mice which is a well known Crohn's disease animal model. Methods : 5 % TNBS was treated at day 1 and day 7 into rectum of mice. To investigate therapeutic effects of acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25, acupuncture was carried out on day 3, and day 6. For the data analysis, we observed macroscopic and microscopic findings of the colon. Weight and width of the colon, degree of damage, changes of body weight, and myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity were checked. For analysing protein expression, we carried out immunohistochemical staining and Western blot. For analysing mRNA expression, RT-PCR was carried out. Results : TNBS induced damages on the colon of mice, while acupuncture of Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed TNBS mediated damages similar to those on the colons of mice in the control (not treated with TNBS) group. The average body weight of TNBS treated mice (77.4%) was decreased compared with that of the control mice (105%), and acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed the loss of body weight caused by TNBS (from 77.4% to 95.3%). TNBS induced infiltration of immune cells in all layers of the colon while acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed infiltration of immune cells caused by TNBS. Furthermore, acupunctured with Moxi-tar at ST25 suppressed macro-, micro- colonic damages caused by TNBS. Acupunctured with Moxi-tar at ST25 dramatically improved the clinical and histopathological symptoms such as the increase in weight of the distal colon and the MPO activity in TNBS-induced colitis. Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 down-regulated the nuclear transcription factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activity and suppressed tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expressions caused by TNBS. Conclusions : Acupuncture with Moxi-tar at ST25 helps recovery from the TNBS-induced colonic damage by down-regulation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity and suppressing of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$, and ICAM-1 expressions. This may be an important method for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.29-41
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• 2004

Objective : This study was produced to examine the effects of moxibustion that had been played important role to traditional oriental medical treatment on disease. Recently, it was reported that moxi-tar which is generated in the process of moxibustion as burning combustibles decreased NO and iNOS generation in C6-glioma and RAW 264.7 cells in our lab. Methods : C6-glioma cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 with FBS 10% in CO2 incubator. To study the protective effects of moxi-tar, we observed cell viability, DPPH activity, SOD activity, catalase activity and cell morphology after injury with $H_2O_2$. Results and Conclusions : Moxi-tar increased cell viability about twice as much as that of being injury by $H_2O_2$(moxi-tar $40{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $H_2O_2$ $500{\mu}M$). And the results of free radical scavenger activity($80{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ : $78.91{\pm}4.4%$), SOD activity and catalase activity($80{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ : 21.6unit/mg protein) were increased by moxi-tar as dose-dependent manner. So we concluded that the effects of moxibustion which is played important role in Oriental medicine, might be free radical scavenger effects induced by moxi-tar. Conclusion : These results indicate that tBHP induces apoptosis through a lipid peroxidation-dependent mechanism and JS exerts the protective effect against the apoptosis by preventing peroxidation of membrane lipids.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.43-56
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• 2005

Objective : This study was produced to examine the effects of moxibustion that had been played important role to traditional oriental medical treatment on disease. Recently, it was reported that moxi-tar which is generated in the process of moxibustion as burning combustibles decreased NO and iNOS generation in $C_6-glioma$ and RAW 264.7 cells in our lab. The purpose of this research was to investigate the protect reaction on cell injury induced by the $H_2O_2$ in $C_6-glioma$ cells. Methods : $C_6-glioma$ cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 with FBS 10% in $CO_2$ incubator. To study the protective effects of moxi-tar, we observed cell viability, DPPH activity, SOD activity, catalase activity and cell morphology after injury with $H_2O_2$. Results : Moxi-tar increased cell viability about twice as much as that of being injury by $H_2O_2$(moxi-tar $40\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $H_2O_2\;500\;{\mu}\;M$). And the results of free radical scavenger activity ($80\;{\mu}g/\;m{\ell}\;:\;78.91\;{\pm}\; 4.4%$), SOD activity and catalase activity ($80\;{\mu}g/\;m{\ell}$: 21.6 unit/ mg protein) were increased by moxi- tar as dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: we concluded that the effects of moxibustion which is played important role in Oriental medicine, might be free radical scavenger effects induced by moxi-tar.

• The Journal of Traditional Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was produced to examine the effects of moxibustion that had been played important role to traditional oriental medical treatment on disease. Recently, it was reported that moxi-tar which is generated in the process of moxibustion as burning combustibles decreased nitric oxide(NO) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) generation in cellular experiments. Methods: Carrageenan-induced arthritis rat model was used to test the effect of moxi-tar as a chronic pain model. Diluted moxi-tar was single injected in several acupoints or combined with electroacupuncture (l ms, 2 Hz, and 2 mA) into contralateral ST36 acupoint for 30 min to assess the synergic effects. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 12 hours. Endogenous NO and iNOS, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and c-Fos protein expression in the spinal cord were examined on a rat model of carrageenan-induced arthritis. Results : After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 4 days. The reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee, since oral injection of indomethacin produced temporary improvement of weight bearing. Maxi-tar produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 9 hours. The magnitude of this improvement was equivalent to that obtained after an oral injection of 3 mg/kg of indomethacin and this improvement of stepping force was interpreted as an analgesic effect. Maxi-tar produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and iNOS, COX-2 protein expression increased by arthritis were suppressed by maxi-tar. Moxi-tar on combination with electroacupuncture (EA) produced more powerful and longer lasting improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis than either moxi-tar or EA did. Conclusion : The present study suggest that maxi-tar produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and that moxi-tar-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of iNOS/COX-2 protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.149-164
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• 2007

Objectives : Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease in the gastrointestinal tract. The sources and pathologic mechanisms of IBD are still unknown. Moreover conventional therapies for IBD are not always effective, and they often have serious side effects. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture in IBD affected mice. Methods : Mice were treated with 5 % 2, 4, 6 - trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) on day 1 and day 7. To assume the preemptive effect and therapeutic effect, herbal acupuncture was practiced with Moxi-tar at BL25 (Daejangsu) on day 0, day 3, and day 6. The end of day in treatment with Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture, the mortality and the inflammatory factors of the colon were measured by the various methods. Results TNBS induced high mortality but herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar at BL25 sup-pressed the mortality caused by TNBS. TNBS induced infiltration of immune cells in all layers of the colon and increased myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity, while the treatment with Moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at BL25 suppressed the infiltration of immune cells and the increase of MPO activity caused by TNBS to normal levels, Herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar regulated $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity, which is an important factor for the pathogenesis of chronic colitis, and reduced the expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and ICAM-1 in the colons of TNBS treated mice. Furthermore herbal acupuncture suppressed macro- and micro- colonic damages caused by TNBS. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that herbal acupuncture with Moxi-tar at BL25 isa potential preemptive and/or therapeutic method targeting the chronic IBD.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2000

This study was produced to examine the effects of moxibution that had been played a role of traditional oriental medical treatment on disease. We used LPS and INF-gamma in RAW 264.7 cell line to produce Nitric Oxide(NO). And results was that Moxi tar decreased NO in activated RAW 264.7 cell by LPS and INF-gamma significantly, which was decreasing Nitric Oxide Synthase. So we proposed that Moxi tar had anti-inflammation and anti-cytotoxity in RAW 264.7 cell by decreasing Nitric Oxide Synthase.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.217-230
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• 2007

Objectives : Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease has been recognized as Ha-ri (下痢) or Jang-Byok in Korean oriental medicine. A purpose of the present study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at LI4 (HapGok) on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis in rats and further elucidate the possibility of herbal acupuncture on ulcerative colitis which is chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing $170{\sim}190$ g, were subjected to intrarectal injection of either saline (300 ${\mu}l$, 500 ${\mu}l$) for a control or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) (300 ${\mu}l$, 500 ${\mu}l$) for a colitis, Moxi-tar (20 mg/ml) were subcutaneously injected to the LI4 just after the secondary injection time of TNBS in rats. To study the effects of Moxi-tar acupuncture in LI4, body weight, RBC count, WBC count, total protein, Paw edema rate, rate of protein leakage into CMC-pouch fluid, IgG levels and IgM levels were observed. Results: Moxi-tar acupuncture in LI4 on TNBS-induced colitis inhibited the body weight lose rate but not effect RBC, WBC count. In addition, it inhibited the reduction of total protein concentration, paw edema, rate of protein leakage into CMC-pouch fluid, IgG levels and IgM levels. Conclusions : It is suggested that moxi-tar herbal acupuncture at LI4 helps to recover TNBS-induced colitis and plays an important role for an treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.131-149
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of herbal acupuncture (HA) with Moxi-tar for the treatment to intestinal disease in mice with 2, 4, 6 - trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis. Methods : Mice were administered with 5% TNBS at day 1 and day 7. To investigate effects of HA with Moxi-tar at LI11, treatments were carried out at day -1, day 1, day 3, day 5, and day 7. It was checked on the weight and width of colon, diarrhea, edema, survival rate, changes of body weight, and myeloperoxygenase (MPO) activity. Furthermore, we carried out immunohistochemical staining and Western blot and analyzed mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Results : HA of Moxi-tar at LI11 in preventive mode suppressed macroscopic damages and damages of intestinal epithelial cells and infiltration of immune cells in the colon by TNBS. HA in early and preventive mode ameliorated various symptoms by TNBS. TNBS injection increased MPO activity in colon while HA in preventive mode suppressed increase of MPO activity. HA down-regulated NF-kB activity and reduced expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 in colon of TNBS treated mice. Similar to experiment at colon, HA down-regulated NF-kB activity and reduced expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 by TNBS in mesenteric lymph node. HA in therapeutic mode suppressed errosion and shortening of colon and MPO activity by TNBS and suppressed mRNA expression of TNF-a, IL-1b, and ICAM-1 in the colon. Conclusions : This study demonstrates that HA with Moxi-tar at LI11 represents a potential therapeutic method of inflammatory bowel diseases.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.29-40
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• 2011

Objectives : This study estimated antioxidant effects of the moxi with ginger tar (MGT) ; chemical combustion products produced by moxibustion with ginger during combustion. Methods : To do this aim, we investigated total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, SOD (superoxide dismutase) scavenging activity, ABTS (2.2-azino-bis-3-erthylbenzo-thiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) & DPPH(2,2-Dipheny1-1 -picryl-hydrazyl) radical's scavenging ability of MGT. Results : Total polyphenol contents of MGT was $7.8{\pm}0.09$ mg/g in 10 mg/ml, SOD activity was $42.51{\pm}3.39%$ in 200 ug/ml, DPPH radical scavenging effect of MGT was $83.24{\pm}0.01%$ in 200 ug/ml and ABTS radical scavenging effect was $41.88{\pm}0.16%$ in 200 ug/ml. Conclusions : In this study, the effects of moxi with ginger could be induced by not only heating stimulus on acupoints but also chemical stimulus produced during combustion of moxibustion, MGF. The advanced study about biological mechanism through meridian system, skin aging, and inflammation on MGT will be required.