• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.36-55
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• 2011

Objective: This study was performed to compare knowledge of and expectations for traditional medicine between Korean, Chinese and Taiwanese, to figure out whether these factors influence the intention to use traditional medical treatment in the future. Methods: One-hundred ninety-nine Korean, eighty-five Chinese, and one-hundred seventy-four Taiwanese subjects responded to the survey. A one-way ANOVA was performed to compare experiences of traditional medical treatment, knowledge of both traditional medicine and western medicine, expectations for traditional medicine, and future intention to use traditional medical treatment. Multiple regression analyses were also performed to evaluate a possible correlation between the other factors and the intention to use traditional medical treatment in the future. Results: The experiences of traditional medical treatment were in the order of Taiwanese, Korean, and Chinese, from more frequent to less frequent. Chinese had more knowledge of traditional medicine compared to Taiwanese and Koreans, and the expectations for traditional medicine were in the order of Chinese, Korean and Taiwanese, from higher to lower. The intentions to use traditional medical treatment in the future were in the order of Korean, Chinese and Taiwanese, from more to less. Multiple regression analyses showed that experiences of traditional medical treatment, knowledge of traditional medicine, and expectations for traditional medicine were associated with the intention to use traditional medicine in the future in Korean and Taiwanese, but not in Chinese. Only the expectations for traditional medicine were associated with the future intentions to use traditional medical treatment in Chinese. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Korean and Taiwanese may need to improve their knowledge of traditional medicine whereas Chinese need to link their knowledge of traditional medicine with the intention to use it in the future. Understanding the characteristics of traditional medicine would probably contribute to enhancing the intentions to use it more.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the main active ingredients in ginseng. Here, we aimed to confirm its protective effect on the heart function in transverse aortic coarctation (TAC)-induced heart failure mice and explore the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on heart and mitochondrial function were investigated by treating TAC-induced heart failure in mice. The mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 for improving heart and mitochondrial function in mice with heart failure was predicted through integrative analysis of the proteome and plasma metabolome. Glucose uptake and myocardial insulin sensitivity were evaluated using micro-positron emission tomography. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on myocardial insulin sensitivity was clarified by combining in vivo animal experiments and in vitro cell experiments. Results: Treatment of TAC-induced mouse models with ginsenoside Rg3 significantly improved heart function and protected mitochondrial structure and function. Fusion of metabolomics, proteomics, and targeted metabolomics data showed that Rg3 regulated the glycolysis process, and Rg3 not only regulated glucose uptake but also improve myocardial insulin resistance. The molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 regulation of glucose metabolism was determined by exploring the interaction pathways of AMPK, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on the promotion of glucose uptake in IR-H9c2 cells by AMPK activation was dependent on the insulin signaling pathway. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rg3 modulates glucose metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance through activation of the AMPK pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.714-725
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• 2023

Background: Our previous investigation indicated that the preparation of Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng) inhibited melanogenesis. It comprised salicylic acid (SA), protocatechuic acid (PA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA), vanillic acid (VA), and caffeic acid (CA). In this investigation, the regulatory effects of P. ginseng phenolic acid monomers on melanin production were assessed. Methods: In vitro and in vivo impact of phenolic acid monomers were assessed. Results: SA, PA, p-CA and VA inhibited tyrosinase (TYR) to reduce melanin production, whereas CA had the opposite effects. SA, PA, p-CA and VA significantly downregulated the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), cycle AMP (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cycle AMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway, reducing mRNA and protein levels of TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and TYRP2. Moreover, CA treatment enhanced the cAMP, PKA, and CREB pathways to promote MITF mRNA level and phosphorylation. It also alleviated MITF protein level in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells, comparable to untreated B16F10, increasing the expression of phosphorylation glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β), β-catenin, p-ERK/ERK, and p-p38/p38. Furthermore, the GSK3β inhibitor promoted p-GSK3β and p-MITF expression, as observed in CA-treated cells. Moreover, p38 and ERK inhibitors inhibited CA-stimulated p-p38/p38, p-ERK/ERK, and p-MITF increase, which had negative binding energies with MC1R, as depicted by molecular docking. Conclusion: P. ginseng roots' phenolic acid monomers can safely inhibit melanin production by bidirectionally regulating melanin synthase transcription. Furthermore, they reduced MITF expression via MC1R/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway and enhanced MITF post-translational modification via Wnt/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.524-533
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• 2023

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for aging and many diseases, and the disorder of lipid metabolism makes it prominent. This study aims to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on aging, lipid metabolism and stress resistance Methods: Rg1 was administered to Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) cultured in NGM or GNGM. The lifespan, locomotory activity, lipid accumulation, cold and heat stress resistance and related mRNA expression of the worms were examined. Gene knockout mutants were used to clarify the effect on lipid metabolism of Rg1. GFP-binding mutants were used to observe the changes in protein expression Results: We reported that Rg1 reduced lipid accumulation and improved stress resistance in C. elegans. Rg1 significantly reduced the expression of fatty acid synthesis-related genes and lipid metabolism-related genes in C. elegans. However, Rg1 did not affect the fat storage in fat-5/fat-6 double mutant or nhr-49 mutant. Combined with network pharmacology, we clarified the possible pathways and targets of Rg1 in lipid metabolism. In addition, Rg1-treated C. elegans showed a higher expression of anti-oxidative genes and heat shock proteins, which might contribute to stress resistance Conclusion: Rg1 reduced fat accumulation by regulating lipid metabolism via nhr-49 and enhanced stress resistance by its antioxidant effect in C. elegans.

• CELLMED
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2015

Literatures and experimental studies have shown that Prunella has an effect on anti-hypertension, however, its components are complicated, so that it is still difficult to clear the specific roles of its various components in blood pressure regulation in. So we decide to systematically study the anti-hypertension mechanism of Prunella. We integrated multiple databases and constructed molecular interaction network between the chemical constituents of Prunella Vulgaris and hypertension based on entity grammar systems model. The network has 262 nodes and 802 edges. Then we infer the interactions between chemical compositions and disease targets to clarify the anti-hypertension mechanism. Finally, we found Prunella could influence hypertension by regulating apoptosis, cell proliferation, blood vessel development and vasoconstriction, etc. Thus this study provides reference for drug development and compatibility, and also gives guidance for health care at a certain extent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.285-290
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• 1990

Ando et al found the root of Ginseng contained an active peptide which had anti-lipolysis funrtion when they studied effective components of Ginseng to cure diabetes mellitus in 1980. In recent years we were making lots of the researches on the Ginseng polypeptide. We obtained a 14 peptide which could decrease levels of blood sugar and hepatic glycogen. However, amino acid composition of the peptide differs from one reported by Ando et al. The results of its purification, structure and functure and function were reported in this paper.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2010

Objective : This article reviewed China's intent and aim of the failed attempt to register Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) as UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage, its process and implication as a policy of 21st Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) promotion on the landscape of North East Asian medical geopolitcs. Methods : This article utilized mainly the discourse analysis of vernacular Chinese journals and newspaper reports. Conclusions : It is needed to design effective strategies for securing Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM)'s identity and authenticity to cope with so-called 'Chinese Medicine Domination Project'.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2008

While full recognition of the practical value of Traditional Chinese Medicine is being endorsed, the current stand on the research methodology of this field should be worked out. Since modern medicine has already developed a logical system of research methodology basing on the principles of deduction, any research on any system of medicine need to take reference to what is most popularly used and commonly recommended. The best way to approach research on Chinese Medicine, therefore, would be one that would take full reference to the methodology being used in modern medicine, while at the same time respecting the traditional approach. This would enable traditional medicine to be elevated to the level of general modern recognition. Nevertheless, innate problems in traditional medicine are making its research difficult. The problems lie in difficulties to achieve uniform herb supply, principles of randomization and placebo arrangements, uncertain chemical structures and toxicology etc. A practical approach centered on carefully planned evidence-based clinical trials, with parallel studies on biological activities and herb authentication is being recommended.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.405-418
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• 2022

Simotang oral liquid (SMT) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) consisting of four natural plants and is used to alleviate gastrointestinal side effects after chemotherapy and functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the mechanism by which SMT helps cure these gastrointestinal diseases is still unknown. Here, we discovered that SMT could alleviate gastrointestinal side effects after chemotherapy by altering gut microbiota. C57BL/6J mice were treated with cisplatin (DDP) and SMT, and biological samples were collected. Pathological changes in the small intestine were observed, and the intestinal injury score was assessed. The expression levels of the inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-6 and the adhesive factors Occludin and ZO-1 in mouse blood or small intestine tissue were also detected. Moreover, the gut microbiota was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons. SMT was found to effectively reduce gastrointestinal mucositis after DDP injection, which lowered inflammation and tightened the intestinal epithelial cells. Gut microbiota analysis showed that the abundance of the anti-inflammatory microbiota was downregulated and that the inflammatory microbiota was upregulated in DDP-treated mice. SMT upregulated anti-inflammatory and anticancer microbiota abundance, while the inflammatory microbiota was downregulated. An antibiotic cocktail (ABX) was also used to delete mice gut microbiota to test the importance of gut microbiota, and we found that SMT could not alleviate gastrointestinal mucositis after DDP injection, showing that gut microbiota might be an important mediator of SMT treatment. Our study provides evidence that SMT might moderate gastrointestinal mucositis after chemotherapy by altering gut microbiota.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.229-236
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• 1990