• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study introduces the history and types of Korean pharmacopuncture and reports trends of research on Korean pharmacopuncture. Methods: Pharmacopuncture studies were searched from the first year of each search engine to 2014 by using seven domestic and foreign search databases. Selected studies were divided into the history of pharmacopuncture, kinds and features of pharmacopuncture, research types, and experimental and clinic studies and were then classified by year of publication, type of pharmacopuncture, disease, and topic. Results: Pharmacopuncture can be classified into four large groups: meridian field pharmacopuncture (MFP), eight-principles pharmacopuncture (EPP), animal-based pharmacopuncture (ABP) and mountain-ginseng pharmacopuncture, which is a single-compound pharmacopuncture (SCP). The largest numbers of studies were reported from 1997 to 2006, after which the numbers decreased until 2014. Of experimental studies, 51.9%, 18.7%. 14.3%, 9% and 3.4% were on SCP, ABP, MFP, formula pharmacopuncture (FP), and EPP, respectively. Of clinical studies, 54.7%, 15.3%. 14.9% 10.0% and 1.5% were on ABP, MFP, EPP, SCP, and FP (1.5%), respectively. Among clinical studies, case reports and case series accounted for 76.5%, followed by randomized controlled trials (RCTs, 16.4%) and non-RCT (13.9%). Musculoskeletal diseases, toxicity and safety tests, anti-cancer effects, and nervous system diseases were mainly treated in experimental studies while musculoskeletal diseases, nervous system diseases, toxicity and safety tests, and autonomic nerve function tests were addressed in clinical studies. Bee venom (BV) was the most frequently-used pharmacopuncture in mechanism studies. Pharmacopuncture was mainly used to treat musculoskeletal diseases. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture and studies of it have made great progress in Korea. Studies on BV pharmacopuncture and musculoskeletal diseases accounted for most of the studies reported during the review period. Research on the types of pharmacopuncture and diseases has to be expanded. Especially, studies on the use of MFP and EPP for treating patients with various diseases are needed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.44-55
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans (S. subspinipes mutilans) is known as a traditional medicine and includes various amino acids, peptides and proteins. The amino acids in the pharmacopuncture extracted from S. subspinipes mutilans by using derivatization methods were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) over a 12 month period to confirm its stability. Methods: Amino acids of pharmacopuncture extracted from S. subspinipes mutilans were derived by using O-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) & 9-fluorenyl methoxy carbonyl chloride (FMOC) reagent and were analyzed using HPLC. The amino acids were detected by using a diode array detector (DAD) and a fluorescence detector (FLD) to compare a mixed amino acid standard (STD) to the pharmacopuncture from centipedes. The stability tests on the pharmacopuncture from centipedes were done using HPLC for three conditions: a room temperature test chamber, an acceleration test chamber, and a cold test chamber. Results: The pharmacopuncture from centipedes was prepared by using the method of the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute (KPI) and through quantitative analyses was shown to contain 9 amino acids of the 16 amino acids in the mixed amino acid STD. The amounts of the amino acids in the pharmacopuncture from centipedes were 34.37 ppm of aspartate, 123.72 ppm of arginine, 170.63 ppm of alanine, 59.55 ppm of leucine and 57 ppm of lysine. The relative standard deviation (RSD %) results for the pharmacopuncture from centipedes had a maximum value of 14.95% and minimum value of 1.795% on the room temperature test chamber, the acceleration test chamber and the cold test chamber stability tests. Conclusion: Stability tests on and quantitative and qualitative analyses of the amino acids in the pharmacopuncture extracted from centipedes by using derivatization methods were performed by using HPLC. Through research, we hope to determine the relationship between time and the concentrations of the amino acids in the pharmacopuncture extracted from centipedes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.11-21
• /
• 2010

Objectives : We tried to investigate the effects of Carthami Semen(CF) pharmacopuncture and Bovis Calculus Fei Ursi(BU) pharmacopuncture on the heart rate variability(HRV) in adult men. As well as we tried to observe how CF pharmacopuncture and BU pharmacopuncture effect on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : We investigated on 40 healthy volunteers consisted of 20 subjects in CF pharmacopuncture group and 20 subjects in BU pharmacopuncture group respectively. We ruled out subjects whose vital sign isn't in normal range, yet they had taken a rest. The study established by a randomized, single-blind clinical trial. CF pharmacopuncture and BU pharmacopuncture was applied on each group. We measured HRV 7 times : baseline measurement and every 5 minutes for 30 minutes after injection. The SPSS 15.0 for Windows was used to analyze the data by the paired t-test(in group) and Independent sample t-test(between the groups). Results 1. After injection of CF pharmacopuncture, SDNN, Ln(TP), Ln(VLF) and Ln(LF) increased significantly, and Complexity, pNN50 decreased significantly. 2. After injection of BU pharmacopuncture, RMSSD, SDSD and HRV-index increased significantly. Conclusions : We suggest that CF pharmacopuncture activate sympathetic nervous system and BU pharmacopuncture tend to activate the autonomic nervous system.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze trends in domestic studies on pharmacopuncture therapy for treating cervical disease. Methods: This study was carried out on original copies and abstracts of theses listed in databases or published until July 2014. The search was made on the Oriental medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS) the National Digital Science Library (NDSL), and the Korean traditional knowledge portal. Search words were 'pain on cervical spine', 'cervical pain', 'ruptured cervical disk', 'cervical disc disorder', 'stiffness of the neck', 'cervical disk', 'whiplash injury', 'cervicalgia', 'posterior cervical pain', 'neck disability', 'Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP)', and 'Herniated Intervertebral Disc (HIVD)'. Results: Twenty-five clinical theses related to pharmacopuncture were selected and were analyzed by year according to the type of pharmacopuncture used, the academic journal in which the publication appeared, and the effect of pharmacopuncture therapy. Conclusion: The significant conclusions are as follows: (1) Pharmacopunctures used for cervical pain were Bee venom pharmacopuncture, Carthami-flos pharmacopuncture, Scolopendra pharmacopuncture, Ouhyul pharmacopuncturen, Hwangryun pharmacopuncture, Corpus pharmacopuncture, Soyeom pharmacopuncture, Hwangryunhaedoktang pharmacopuncture, Shinbaro phamacopuncture. (2) Randomized controlled trials showed that pharmacopuncture therapy combined with other methods was more effective. (3) In the past, studies oriented toward Bee venom pharmacopuncture were actively pursued, but the number of studies on various other types of pharmacopuncture gradually began to increase. (4) For treating a patient with cervical pain, the type of pharmacopuncture to be used should be selected based on the cause of the disease and the patient's condition.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current trends in research on pharmacopuncture in Korea since 2007. Methods: A literature review was performed by using the search engines 'Science and Technology Society Village', 'Korean Studies Information Service System', 'National Discovery for Science Leaders', and 'Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System' in Korea from January 2007 to December 2013. Searched key words were 'pharmacopuncture', 'herbal acupuncture', 'aqua-acupuncture', and 'bee venom'. Finally, we selected 457 papers, including Korean experimental studies and clinical studies. Selected papers were classified according to year of publication, type of pharmacopuncture, disease & topic, research type and the publishing journal. Results: One hundred fifty pharmacopunctures were studied in 457 papers. Single compound pharmacopuncture was the most studied pharmacopuncture in experimental studies while animal-based pharmacopuncture was the most studied pharmacopuncture in clinical studies. Bee venom placed first among the various pharmacopunctures, followed by placenta, sweet bee venom, mountain-ginseng, and anti-inflammatory pharmacopunctures. Experimental research on pharmacopuncture has fallen since 2007 when 55 papers were published. However, clinical research has been increasing steadily. In clinical studies, case reports were numerous than randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Musculoskeletal diseases were the most frequently-treated diseases in studies on pharmacopuncture; among the musculoskeletal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequently-treated disease in experimental studies and low back pain was the most frequently-treated condition in clinical studies. Since 2007, 45 different journals have published studies on pharmacopuncture, with the Journal of the Korean Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine Society having the largest number of papers on pharmacopuncture and the Journal of Pharmacopuncture the second largest number. Conclusion: The trends in research on pharmacopuncture published in studies from 2007 to 2013 were similar to those in studies published before 2006. Many studies on pharmacopuncture focused on bee venom and musculoskeletal diseases. Additional studies on diverse types of and indications for pharmacopuncture are needed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.7-11
• /
• 2013

Objective: Pharmacopuncture, a new therapy in traditional medicine, has attracted significant attention since its introduction to the Western world. This short review article employs a database analysis to examine the profile of publication activity related to pharmacopuncture. Methods: Three databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. About 300 papers related to the topic "pharmacopuncture" were found in these three most-commonly-used databases. Results: Fourteen papers are described in detail and are discussed in the context of the research performed at the Medical University of Graz, especially by the Frank Bahr Research Group "Auriculomedicine and Pharmacopuncture." Conclusion: High-tech research methods concerning future pharmacopuncture studies are briefly discussed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.5-20
• /
• 2006

Objectives : This study was carried out to identified the effects of distilled cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture to the obesity. Methods : Cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture was administered on the points of chung-wan(CV12), $Ch'{\breve{o}}nch'u$(ST25), and Chok-samni(ST36) on lowering lipid and oxidative capacity in biochemical and molecular biological aspects were investigated in obese rats fed with high fat diet. Results : 1. The contents of plasma ${\beta}-lipoprotein$ showed a tendency to decrease in the pharmacopuncture groups compared to the control group. In the pharmacopuncture groups, the values of ST25 and ST36 pharmacopuncture groups showed lower value. 2. The contents of plasma free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in pharmacopuncture groups compared to the control group. However, in the pharmacopuncture groups, the values were not significantly different. 3. Plasma triglyceride and glucose showed lower value in the ST25 pharmacopuncture groups compared with the other groups. 4. The activity of AST showed a tendency to decrease in the pharmacopuncture groups. However, the activity of ALT was not significantly different in all the treatment groups. 5. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed lower value in the ST25 and ST36 pharmacopuncture groups and HDL-cholesterol showed higher value in the CV12 pharmacopuncture groups than that of the other treatment groups. 6. Liver total cholesterol values didn't show significant difference in all the treatment groups, and triglyceride showed lower value in the pharmacopuncture groups. 7. The contents of plasma TEARS showed lower value in the ST25 pharmacopuncture group and contents of liver TBARS showed a tendency to decrease in the pharmacopuncture groups. However these values didn't show significant difference in the pharmaco puncture groups. 8. Liver super oxide dismutase activity showed higher value in the ST25 and ST36 pharmacopuncture groups, and the value of liver glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the pharmacopuncture groups. However, these values showed no significant difference in the pharmacopuncture groups. 9. Expression of apo-B and E mRNA in liver cells was lower in the ST25 pharmacopuncture group than that of the other treatment groups. However, expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and leptin mRNA in adipose cell showed no difference among all the treatment groups. 10. ST25 pharmacopuncture group showed a good histological character of liver. It showed similar to that of normal group. However other treatment groups and control group showed slight vasodilation and slight fat accumulation. Conclusion : These results indicate that distilled cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation, and increased antioxidant capacity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.87-92
• /
• 2010

Objectives:This study was performed to examine the side effect of inflammatory reactions of Pharmacopuncture lubricants (CF and JsD) using animal model. Methods:Pharmacopuncture lubricants (CF and JsD) were treated repeatedly the same point in Sprague-Dawley rats. And after finish the treatment, we obtain the tissue of muscle layer in rats where Pharmacopuncture lubricants were treated. And we observed the tissue how the change occurred in HE staining. Results: 1. There was no evidence to make inflammation induced by pharmacopuncture lubricants except 4 weeks treated group. 2. Only 4 weeks treated group(CF, JsD) were showed some infectional tissue's view in H-E staining. But it is not certain due to Pharmacopuncture lubricants. Conclusion:It appears that prolonged usage of pharmacopuncture lubricant on the specific point can induce inflammation, so we may be careful for treating time and point using pharmacopuncture lubricant in clinics.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.75-84
• /
• 2017

Objectives To review the case studies and controlled studies about Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture treatment. Methods We searched 92 studies about Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture from 6 Korean web databases, using words 'Jungsongouhyul', 'Jungsongouhyul and pharmacopuncture', 'ouhyulpharmacopuncture' and 'ouhyul and pharmacopuncture' in Korean alphabet. We removed 63 duplicated studies. And we excluded 12 studies by reviewing abstract and the contents of a study. Results We selected 5 case studies and 12 controlled studies, excluding experimental research and study not on humans, not using the Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture for major treatment. Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture was used mostly in whiplash injury and all studies showed that Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture is effective treatment. But we found some lacking parts with study design in most studies. Conclusions We found out that Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture is effective in various diseases. But we need to do more well-designed study to increasing reliability of Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture treatment.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.31-40
• /
• 2009

Objective : This study was to investigate the effects of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture on autonomic nervous system with Heart Rate Variability(HRV). Purpose of the trial was to observe what influence distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture have on the autonomic nervous system. Methods : 60 healthy male volunteers were divided into three groups which consist of two experimental groups such as Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture, and a control group. Study design was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 20 subjects in experimental group were injected distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong), 20 subjects in other experimental group were injected distilled Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture and 20 subjects in control group were injected Normal Saline at $GB_{21}$(Kyonjong). One volunteer of each groups were excluded from analysis because of error during measuring HRV. At the end of the study 57 volunteers completed HRV analysis. HRV was measured by QECG-3:LXC3203(LAXTHA Inc. Korea) at P0, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 and its time-course dependent change in each group was analyzed using paired t-test, and the difference of HRV fluctuation among two experimental group and a control was evaluated by one way ANOVA(p<0.05). Results : A. Time Domain Analysis 1. Analysis of Mean HRV, SDNN and Complexity After injection of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, Mean HRV was significantly decreased only at 20 minutes after injection. SDNN was significantly increased from 15 minute after injection. Complexity was significantly decreased only at 15 minute after injection. After injection of distilled Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture, Complexity was significantly decreased at 10, 15 and 30 minutes after injection. 2. Analysis of HRV index, pNN50 After injection of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, pNN50 was significantly decreased at 15, 20 and 25 minutes after injection. Compared with Normal Saline injection, distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture showed significant difference on HRV index and pNN50 at 5 minutes after injection. B. Frequency Domain Analysis 1. Analysis of Ln(TP), Ln(VLF) After injection of distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture, Ln(TP) was significantly increased at 15 and 30 minutes after injection. Ln(VLF) was significantly increased at 10, 15 and 30 minutes after injection. After injection of distilled Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture, Ln(VLF) was significantly increased only at 30 minutes after injection. Compared with Normal Saline injection, distilled Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture showed significant difference on Ln(TP) after 5 minutes of injection. Conclusions : Our results suggest that Cervi Pantotrichum Cornu Pharmacopuncture and Zizyphi Spinosi Semen Pharmacopuncture in healthy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system and sympathetic nervous system compared to Normal Saline within normal range.