An evolutionary perspective for integrating mechanisms of acupuncture therapy.

This study applies an evolutionary medicine perspective to comprehend the therapeutic effects of acupuncture. It draws upon modern evolutionary theory to integrate the currently fragmented theories regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in alleviating pain and promoting healing. We explore the interaction between the nervous and immune systems in the context of survival and homeostasis, and elucidate both the local and systemic effects of acupuncture therapy on pain relief and tissue healing.

Evaluating the Safety of Herbal Medicine on Renal Function: A Comprehensive Analysis from Six Randomized Controlled Trials Conducted with Four Formulations from Traditional Korean Medicine.

The growing popularity of herbal medicine raises concerns about potential nephrotoxicity risks, while limited evidence hinders a comprehensive impact assessment. This study aims to investigate the overall risk features of herbal medicine on kidney injury. We conducted a retrospective analysis on renal function changes, including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), through data from six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in South Korea.

Anatomical Exploration of the KI1 Acupoint: Implications for Medial and Lateral Plantar Nerve Stimulation.

This study aims to identify the precise anatomical location and therapeutic mechanisms of the KI1 acupoint (Yongquan) in relation to foot muscles and nerves, known for treating neurological disorders and pain. Dissection of six cadavers at Chungnam National University College of Medicine examined KI1's relation to the foot's four-layer structure. The KI1 acupoint was located in the superficial and deep layers of the plantar foot, adjacent to significant nerves like the medial and lateral plantar nerves.

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Fatigue-Dominant Long-COVID Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Long COVID is defined by persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection. Approximately 71% of individuals with long COVID experience ongoing fatigue, postexertional malaise, and cognitive impairments, which share pathological similarities with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This similarity has prompted studies to explore the characteristics of long COVID to gain a better understanding of ME/CFS.

Efficacy of a Traditional Herbal Formula, in Functional Dyspepsia Classified as Excess Pattern.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of (BST) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). BST ( in traditional Chinese medicine and in Kampo medicine) is traditionally prescribed for the treatment of dyspepsia with epigastric stiffness and gastric fullness in China, Japan, and Korea. Patients with FD were randomly administered an oral dose (10 g) of BST syrup or placebo, twice a day for 4 weeks.

Interstitial Cells of Cajal: Potential Targets for Functional Dyspepsia Treatment Using Medicinal Natural Products.

Introduction: The pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia (FD) remains uncertain, but the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), pacemakers that regulate gastrointestinal motility, are garnering attention as key modulators and therapeutic targets in FD. This review comprehensively discusses the involvement of ICCs in the pharmacologic actions of FD and as therapeutic targets for herbal products for FD.

Methods: A search of the literature was performed using PubMed by pairing "interstitial cells of Cajal" with "medicinal plant, herbal medicine, phytotherapy, flavonoids, or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Beneficial Potential of for Stress-Sensitive Functional Dyspepsia via Modulation of Ghrelin: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a highly complex pathophysiologic disease, which shows low recovery and high relapse rates. Therefore, a growing number of clinicians and patients are looking for alternative herbal medicine. (BST) is an herbal prescription for treating a wide range of dyspepsia in traditional Korean medicine (TKM).

Anti-hepatofibrotic effects of CGX, a standardized herbal formula: A multicenter randomized clinical trial.

Background: Chunggan extract (CGX) is an herbal formula used for the treatment of chronic liver disease in traditional Korean medicine. Many preclinical studies have suggested its therapeutic or preventive effects on liver fibrosis. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of CGX, we conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial of CGX in patients with liver fibrosis diagnosed by Fibroscan.

The Efficacy and Safety of Myelophil, an Ethanol Extract Mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

There is a strong demand for therapeutics to treat chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), although there are limitations. Myelophil, which is a combination of extracts from and , has been clinically used to treat fatigue-related disorders in South Korea. We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial of Myelophil in patients with CFS and evaluated its efficacy and safety in two hospitals.

Acute and repeated toxicological study of Myelophil, an ethanol extract of a mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, in beagle dogs.

Background: To evaluate the pharmaceutical safety of Myelophil, an ethanol extract of a mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, using both acute and repeated toxicological studies.

Methods: A total of 40 beagle dogs (20 each male and female) were fed doses up to 5,000 mg/kg for the acute study and up to 1,250 mg/kg for the 13-week repeated dose toxicological study. Adverse effects were examined intensively by comparing the differences between normal and drug-administered groups using clinical signs, autopsies, histopathological findings, hematology, urinalysis, and biochemical analysis.

Banha-sasim-tang improves gastrointestinal function in loperamide-induced functional dyspepsia mouse model.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Banha-sasim-tang (BST; Hange-shashin-to in Kampo medicine; Banxia xiexin tang in traditional Chinese medicine) is a traditional Chinese harbal medicine that has been commonly used for gastrointestinal disorders.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the pharmacological effects of BST, a standardized herbal drug, on main symptoms of functional dyspepsia including delayed gastric emptying, and underlying mechanisms of action in mouse model.

Methods And Materials: Balb/C mice were pretreated with BST (25, 50, 100 mg/kg, po) or mosapride (3 mg/kg, po) for 3 days, and then treated with loperamide (10 mg/kg, ip) after 19 h fasting.

A literature review for the mechanisms of stress-induced liver injury.

Introduction: Experimental studies and clinical observations have shown that stress can damage hepatic tissue both directly and indirectly. Many studies have partially revealed the contributors of stress-induced liver injury; however, the whole process has not yet been uncovered. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms that have been proposed to be involved.

Overcoming P-Glycoprotein-Mediated Multidrug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer: Potential Reversal Agents among Herbal Medicines.

Objectives: Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the major reason for the failure of chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC), and the primary determinant of MDR in CRC patients is active drug efflux owing to overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in cancer tissues. Despite research efforts to overcome P-gp-mediated drug efflux, the high toxicity of P-gp inhibitors has been a major obstacle for the clinical use of these agents. The aim of this study was to review the literature for potential P-gp reversal agents among traditional herbal medicines, which offer the advantages of safety and potential synergetic effects in CRC chemotherapy.

Monitoring heavy metals, residual agricultural chemicals and sulfites in traditional herbal decoctions.

Background: Asian traditional herbal preparations are frequently considered for the contamination with undeclared toxic or hazardous substances. The aim of this study was to determine the toxic heavy metals, pesticides and sulfur dioxide in decoctions that is a common form of final utilization in Korea.

Methods: A total of 155 decoctions composed of multi-ingredient traditional herbs were randomly sampled from Seoul in Korea between 2013 and 2014.