Objectives : The purpose of this study is to establish a Korean medical perspective on the human body through understanding of the meridians according to the distribution of the three yin and three yang (삼음삼양) and the opening, closing and pivot (관합추) as defined in ≪Huangdi's Internal Classic≫. Methods : A total of 8 medical databases including KISS, Earticle, DBpia, RISS, OASIS, KMbase, and ScienceON were used to search studies published through July 2021, and literature was included without limitations on the publication period. The search terms were “(meridian OR acupoint OR meridian sinew) AND position” OR “Gwan-Hap-Chu” OR “Gae-Hap-Chu” OR “three yin and three yang”. Two researchers independently made choices among the searched literature based on the preplanned selection/exclusion criteria. The search terms were“(meridian OR acupoint OR meridian sinew) AND position” OR “Gwan-Hap-Chu” OR “Gae-Hap-Chu” OR “three yin and three yang”. Results : Of the 36 obtained from the survey, 19 (53%) followed the definitions of “internal diameter” for “three yin and three yang” and “the opening, closing and pivot,” but 6 (about 16%) took a neutral position and 10 (22%) avoided mentioning. Therefore, it was judged that research was needed to end the debate on the distribution of 'three yin and three yang' and 'the opening, closing and pivot'. In order to apply the definition of ≪Huangdi's Internal Classic≫ on 'distribution of the three-yin and three-yang' and 'the opening, closing and pivot' to the upper limb and lower limb as well as the torso of the human body, this author proposed a human body model with both upper limb and lower limb attached, inspired by the posture of the fetus in the developmental stage. Conclusions : In this study, using a new human body model, it was revealed that the distribution of the three yin and three yang and the opening, closing and pivot' as defined in the ≪Huangdi's Internal Classic≫ can be applied not only to the torso of the human body, but also to the upper limb and lower limb. Based on the understanding of meridians, the selection of meridians in the clinical acupuncture should be made accurately, and continuous interest and research on this are expected.

Objectives : Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by dopaminergic neuronal death in the substantia nigra pars compacta. PD is known to be linked with mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress. In this study, anti-cytotoxic and anti-oxidative effect of 12 herbal formulae were compared. Methods : According to experts' advice, 12 types of herbal formulae (Gamisoyosan, Galgeuntang, Galgeunhaegitang, Banhabaekchoolcheonmatang, Bojungikgitang, Boheotang, Sihogyejitang, Sihosogantang, Sihocheonggantang, Ojeoksan, Cheongsanggyeontongtang and Palmultang) were selected from 56 types of herbal formulae covered by the National Health Insurance Service in Korea. To detect anti-oxidative effect, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was performed, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to detect anti-cytotoxic effect of 12 herbal formulae using SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. Results : In DPPH assay, anti-oxidant activity was increased in a dose-dependent manner and half maximal inhibitory concentration was highest in the order of Galgeuntang, Gamisoyosan, Galgeunhaegitang, Ojeoksan, Palmultang, Sihogyejitang, Sihosogantang, Cheongsanggyeontongtang, Sihocheonggantang, Bojungikgitang, Boheotang and Banhabaekchoolcheonmatang. In MTT assay, concentration of 80% cell survival was highest in the order of Sihosogantang, Cheongsanggyeontongtang, Sihocheonggantang, Sihogyejitang, Bojungikgitang, Galgeuntang, Ojeoksan, Boheotang, Palmultang, Galgeunhaegitang, Banhabaekchoolcheonmatang and Gamisoyosan. Formulae with more than 50% DPPH radical scavenging activity at concentrations for 80% cell survival were Sihosogantang, Cheongsanggyeontongtang, Sihogyejitang, Galgeuntang and Sihocheonggantang. Conclusions : Sihosogantang, Cheongsanggyeontongtang, Sihogyejitang, Galgeuntang and Sihocheonggantang extracts can be candidate medicines for PD, but the effect should be validated in PD models.

Objectives : Paeonia lactiflora Pallas (PLP) have been reported to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic. However, it is not yet known whether PLP extract has anti-inflammatory effect on HaCaT cells, human keratinocyte. Methods : To confirm the anti-inflammatory effect of PLP on keratinocyte, TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells were used. HaCaT cells were pre-treated with PLP for 1h before stimulation with TNF-α/IFN-γ. Then HaCaT cells were stimulated with TNF-α/IFN-γ for 24 h, the cells and media were harvested to measure the inflammatory cytokines levels. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and TNF-α were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokines (TARC), IL-6, and IL-8 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We also investigated the inhibitory mechanism of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including ERK, JNK, and p38 and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) by PLP using western blot. Results : PLP did not show cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells. In TNF-α/IFN-γ -stimulated HaCaT cells, PLP significantly inhibited the expression of GM-CSF, MCP-1 IL-1β, TNF-α, TARC and IL-6. PLP inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and translocation of NF-κB into the nucleus. Conclusions : These results indicate that PLP could ameliorate the TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated inflammatory response through inhibition of MAPK and NF-kB signal pathway. This suggests that PLP could be used beneficial agent to improve skin inflammation.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of the test substance, SU-Eohyeol Pharmacopuncture (SUEP), to induce micronuclei in bone marrow cells of Sprague-Dawley (SD) Rats. Methods : The dose range preliminary study was performed first. 1 ml/animal was selected as the high dose of this study. Two additional lower dose levels (0.5 and 0.25 ml/animal) were produced by applying a geometric ratio of 2. In addition, the positive and negative control groups were set. Then, after intramuscular administration (1 ml/animal) of SUEP to 8-week-old male SD rats, an in vivo micronucleus test was performed to evaluate the induction of micronuclei in SD rat bone marrow cells. Results : As a result of the main study, the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) in polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) in the test substance SUEP groups was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. In addition, the ratio of PCE to total erythrocytes in the test substance SUEP groups was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. In the positive control group, the incidence of MNPCE in PCE was statistically significantly increased when compared to the negative control group. The ratio of PCE to total erythrocytes in the positive control group was not statistically significantly different from the negative control group. Conclusions : Based on these results, the test substance, SUEP, did not have any potential to induce micronuclei formation in bone marrow cells of rats under the conditions of this study.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the needling depth of five-phase acupoints and discuss the association with the depth of meridian qi. Methods : DongUiBoGam was used to determine the depth of five-phase acupoints. The depth of needling at 60 five-phase acupoints was compared between well, spring, stream, river, and sea acupoints. Results : The proximal part of the extremities had deeper needling depth than the distal part of the extremities. The targeted deqi sensation can be related to the needling depth. Conclusions : The depth of the meridian qi is related to the distinct patterns of needling depth of five-phase acupoints.