Objectives : Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease and osteoporosis fracture is the leading cause of decreased life. Bisphosphonate and selective estrogen receptor modulators are the best choice of treatment for osteoporosis. However, when used for a long time, they increase the probability of side effect such as osteonecrosis of the jaw. Thus, it is crucial to develop alternative medicine to treat osteoporosis. Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix, a herbal medicine, is mainly to treat rheumatoid arthritis. However, the effect of the water extract of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (w-GM) on osteoporosis has not been investigated. Thus, we examine whether w-GM can inhibit osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. In this study, RAW 264.7 cells were used as an osteoclast differentiation model by treating them with RANKL. Methods : RAW 264.7 cells were used to determine the effect of w-GM on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. The number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells, TRAP activity and pit formation assay were examined. In addition, protein expressions were measured by western blot and mRNA expressions were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results : Treatment with w-GM inhibited the number of TRAP-positive cells, TRAP activity and pit area. In addition, w-GM decreased protein expression such as mitogenactivated protein kinase, NF-κB, c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1). It also inhibited the mRNA levels such as c-Fos, NFATc1, TRAP, NF-κB, calcitonin receptor and cathepsin K in RANKL-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that w-GM has inhibitory effects via osteoclast differentiation, thus it could be a new medication for osteoporosis.

Objectives : Bee venom has been widely practiced in many countries around the world. The number of clinical trials and biochemical researches on bee venom has been constantly increasing. The objective of this study is to analyze the trend of research on bee venom using bibliometric approach, a quantitative analytical method. Methods : We searched articles about bee venom which were published from 2000 to 2019 from Web of Science Database. Original and review articles published in English were included and data were extracted in terms of publication year, country, journal, keywords, organizations, and authors. Trends in bee venom research were visualized using VOSviewer program. Results : 1,547 English articles about bee venom were identified and analyzed. South Korea is a main hub in the field of bee venom research. Research organizations in South Korea showed high link strength with domestic organizations as well as with international organizations. A keyword analysis showed the following three major types of studies: studies on components of bee venom, studies on allergy and immune response, and clinical research of bee venom therapy. Conclusions : This study provides a macroscopic overview of the research on bee venom. This bibliometric analysis has identified influential authors and organizations in the field on bee venom research and provides a useful guideline to researchers who are in search of contributory research topics.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-aging effect of the seed of Euphorbia lathyris L. extracted by supercritical CO2. Methods : Human dermal fibroblast cells dosed with the extract from Euphorbia lathyris L. were harvested and the intracellular proteome was analyzed to examine the expression of proteins related collagen synthesis pathway, metalloproteinases (MMPs), extracellular matrix (ECM)-cell interaction, cytokines, and antioxidant enzymes by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Results : Fatty acid analysis of the extract from Euphorbia lathyris L. showed oleic acid was 84% and linoleic acid was 4.1%. Antioxidative effect was about 53% by beta carotene bleaching assay. In 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) analysis, fifteen protein changes in five mechanisms which were collagen synthesis pathway, MMPs, ECM-cell interaction, cytokines, and antioxidant enzymes were analyzed. Conclusions : This study suggests the supercritical extraction from the seed of Euphorbia lathyris L. could be used as anti-oxidant substances for pharmacopuncture.

Objectives : Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. There is no clear treatment or remedy for Parkinson's disease; therefore, the development of novel therapies related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects is required. This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of water extracts from Cervi Cornu (CC) in dopaminergic cells. Methods : We studied effects of CC on apoptosis, cell death and inflammation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells treated by methylpyridinium ion (MPP+). SH-SY5Y cell line was treated with CC for 24 hours and then 500 μM MPP+ for 18 hours. Results : Cervi Cornu treatment inhibited the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression and decreased the activation of inflammatory factors mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase (COX2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) against MPP+ neurotoxicity. Apoptosis factors BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX) levels were decreased and B-Cell CLL/Lymphoma 2 (BCL2) levels were increased. Conclusions : These results suggest that CC treatment had neuroprotective effects in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against toxicity induced by MPP+. The results suggest new possibilities of CC for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Objectives : Since neuropathic pain shows a variety of symptoms via various mechanisms, there are many difficulties in treatment and various treatments have been tried. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Araliae Continentalis Radix pharmacopuncture (ACR) on neuropathic pain. Methods : After dividing the white rats into six groups, the sciatic nerves of five groups except the normal group were excised to induce neuropathic pain. Except normal and control group, the other four groups were given: saline (Saline group), ACR 1.100 mg/kg (ACR 1 group), ACR 2.743 mg/kg (ACR 2 group), and ACR 5.486 mg/kg (ACR 3 group) at GB30, twice a week for a total of six times in three weeks. Withdrawal response react time and force intensity, c-Fos, TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ were observed to investigate the efficacy of ACR in each group. Body weight, WBC, RBC, HGB, PLT, AST, ALT, BUN, and Cr changes were observed to check the safety of ACR. Results : Both withdrawal response react time & force intensity were significantly increased in the ACR2 and ACR3 groups at 3 weeks. C-Fos tended to decrease in all ACR groups and significantly decreased in ACR3 group. In blood serum, TNF-α showed a tendency to decrease in all ACR groups and a significant decrease in ACR3 group. But IL-6 and IFN-γ did not change significantly in all experimental groups. In the spinal cord, IFN-γ was significantly decreased in the ACR3 group. But TNF-α and IL-6 were not significantly changed in all experimental groups. Body weight was not changed significantly in all experimental groups. RBC increased significantly in ACR2 group, HGB increased in ACR3 group, and PLT increased significantly in all experimental groups. ALT significantly decreased in ACR1 group, and there were no significant changes in AST, BUN, and Cr in all experimental groups. Conclusions : At high concentrations, ACR pharmacopuncture reduced c-Fos, and TNF-α in the blood serum and IFN-γ in the spinal cord thereby suppressed allodynia. More in-depth studies about pharmacopuncture concentration or mechanism are needed.

Objectives : The objective of this study was to examine the acupoint location of Sameumgyo (SP6) from classic literatures. Methods : A review of SP6 acupoint location on 13 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion was performed. Results : Differences of SP6 acupoint location were found by classics of acupuncture and moxibustion. 9 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion said the acupoint of SP6 was located on 3 cun above the tip of the medial malleoulus, however acupoint location of SP6 was described on 8 cun above the tip of the medial malleoulus by 4 classics of acupuncture and moxibustion. Conclusions : Through a classic literature review, it was possible for the explanation that the location of SP6 was 8 cun above the tip of the medial malleoulus, but it was not intended to overturn the theory of 3 cun above the tip of the medial malleoulus regarding location of SP6. This study may be the starting point for future experimental or clinical studies for exploring new acupoint, and is expected to follow up.