Earticle

To compare the differences in terms of traditional medicine between South and North Korea, the headwords of the Oriental Medical Terminology and Koryo Medical Dictionary were compared. 64.6% of the Oriental Medical Terminology headwords are included in the Koryo Medical Dictionary. Two books have more similarities than differences. But the South Korean book contains more terms related to Sasang Constitutional Medicine, Qigong, and Chuna. In comparison, the North Korean book contains more terms related to folk medicine, books, and characters after liberation.

Rehmannia, belonging to the family of Scrophulariaceae, is a perennial herb, classified into prepared, dried, and fresh Rehmannia roots according to processing and wrapping methods, and uses different medicinal effects. The concentration of monosaccharides increases due to the decomposition of iridoids and polysaccharides through heat treatment and drying, resulting in a new monosaccharide, 5-hydroxymethyl-furfural (5-HMF). In modern society, the excellence and interest in herbal medicine are increasing. It is considered that the standardization of processing methods is essential based on academic grounds and research in order to achieve sufficient medicinal effects. This study is an insightful review of the first step toward standardization of prepared Rehmannia. Therefore, the analysis of the old literature related to Rehmannia studies, the recent research results of prepared Rehmannia, and the pharmacopeia of each country were analyzed. There are many regrets in recent years as the final quality knowledge, which ignores temperature, time, and additives are being distributed. It is believed that various studies are needed to identify the exact mechanism by proving the excellence of oriental medicine and standardizing the original products and preparation methods.

This study aimed to document and analyze oral traditional knowledge for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders in Jindo Island. Data were collected through interviews, informal meetings, open and group discussions, and observations guided by semi-structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed via quantitative analysis of informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) and network analysis. The 51 ethnomedicinal practices recorded from the communities for treating seven types of musculoskeletal disorders were classified into 19 families, 25 genera, and 26 species that included plants and animals. The highest degree of consensus from the informants was sprain (0.93), and the lowest degree was for bruise (0.00). This study determined 18 species of plants and animals with an FL of 100%. Finally, using network analysis, Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai and Caragana sinica (Buc'hoz) Rehder were defined as species with meaningful medicinal use, while Arthrodynia and Bone diseases were defined as significant ailments in the study area. This study will provide primary data for the development of new drugs and the preservation of the traditional knowledge of Jindo Island.

This study aims to understand the system and policy history of Korean medicine in North Korea. This study is based on previously published studies on the history of Koryo medicine in North Korea. We have searched for policy documents that are thought to contain important policy contents for Koryo medicine. The history of Koryo medicine from liberation to the present is divided into four periods. The 1st period is “the time to set the direction of Koryo medicine” (1945-1956), the 2nd period is “the time to transfer Koyo medicine to health care” (1957-1972), and the 3rd period is “the time to expand the health care of Koyo medicine” (1973 -1993), the 4th period is “the period of re-establishment of the role of Koryo medicine” (1994-present). The North Korean regime has made the policy direction of combining Koryo medicine with modern medicine, improving Koryo medicine production, and modernizing Koryo medicine. The Kim Jong-un regime tried to develop Koryo medicine in terms of knowledge economy and informatization.

Ultraviolet exposure causes photoaging such as pigmentation, dryness, and wrinkles of the skin. This study investigated the protective effects of the calyx of Diospyros kaki using Human foreskin fibroblast (Hs68) cells against UVB-induced photoaging. The calyx of Diospyros kaki extract was not toxic to Hs68 cells until 20 μg/mL concentration and noticeably increased cell viability compared to the UVB (30 mJ/cm2) treated group. The calyx of Diospyros kaki extract had very strong activity in inhibiting reactive oxygen species production. In addition, the extract significantly reduced the production of MMP-1 and MMP-3. In particular, at 10 and 20 μg/mL concentration, the extract showed a very strong inhibitory effect than the 100 μM of ascorbic acid, which is a positive control. The collagen levels tended to increase markedly by the extract. The calyx of Diospyros kaki can be used as a herbal material that exhibits protective effects against photoaging.

Eunsiho (銀柴胡, Stellariae seu Gypsophilae Radix) is defined as the root of Stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata Bunge or Gypsophila oldhamiana Miq. (Caryophyllaceae) in the Korean Herbal Pharmacopeia. However, the medicinal origin of Eunsiho has often been confused with that of Siho (柴胡, Bupleuri Radix) because of the similarities in their names and efficacies. Therefore, in this study, the medicinal origin of Eunsiho was investigated botanically and pharmacologically through classic and modern herbal literature review. Eunsiho was recognized as a specific local product or counterfeit of Siho in the early 16th century. However, since the late 16th century, the medicinal application of Eunsiho was moved to another category, namely a deficiency heat-clearing medicine, which is different from that of Siho. Original Eunsiho was confirmed by morphological characteristics of its root (namely whitish-yellow color, larger size, and soft texture) and its efficacy (clearing bone-steaming fever); however, since the 19th century, they were identified as light black color, slender size, with exterior-releasing effect. After S. dichotoma var. lanceolata was registered as the origin of Eunsiho in Chinese Pharmacopeia in 1963, the Saneunsiho (山銀柴胡) species were treated as counterfeits or alternatives of Eunsiho. S. dichotoma var. lanceolata was officially added in the Pharmacopeia in 2011. However, the roots of G. oldhamiana are exclusively used as Eunsiho in Korean Pharmacopeia. Unfortunately, the medicinal use of G. oldhamiana lacks sufficient evidence. Therefore, further studies are necessary to provide clear evidence of the medicinal use of G. oldhamiana.

Purpose: This study described the process and structure of an online educational program for nasal symptom evaluation using nasal endoscopic images. Methods: Nasal endoscopic images are provided from the “Feasibility of topical herbal formula, Biyeom-go, in nasal symptoms associated with rhinitis: observational, case-series study” and pattern identification score was used nasal endoscopy index developed by Yun et al. Results: A total of 11 experts independently scored 580 captured nasal endoscopic images using nasal endoscopy index, which consists of color, edema or atrophy, dryness or dampness, and the amount and characteristics of rhinorrhea. Images over 70% concordance rate of 11 experts were finally selected for this program. The program includes an anatomical structure and nasal cavity symptoms training section. This online educational program is available at https://www.kmpedia.kr. Conclusion: This program is expected to contribute to symptom evaluation and link to pattern identification diagnosis education in nasal diseases. Further studies are needed to evaluate the educational effect of this program in the future.