Earticle

This systematic review aimed to assess the clinical evidence supporting the use of an herbal drug, Bojungikgi-Tang (BIT) for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Eleven databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and the CENTRAL, were searched from their inception to December 2019. All randomized controlled trials that reported on the effects of BIT on AD, without language restrictions, were included. The methodological quality of and risk of bias in the trials were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. We identified 2,674 studies, of which two met the inclusion criteria. The overall risk of bias in the included trials was relatively low or unclear. There were statistically significant improvements in the oozing and crust score (p=0.04) and total equivalent amount (TEA) of topical agents (p=0.02) in the BIT group in comparison to those in the placebo group. The evidence suggests that BIT can significantly reduce the oozing and crust symptoms and TEA of topical agents compared with placebo. However, the limited number of trials and the small effect size make it difficult to draw firm conclusions. Trial registration number: CRD42018105173

This study aimed to study Korean Medicine Doctors (KMD)’s perspectives on facilitators and barriers in the Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN). We handed out written questions to 13 KMDs about facilitators and barriers in PBRN. Questions were about how to elicit research questions; support needs; how to promote clinical participation; data collection method; obstacles to building a PBRN. Besides material incentives, facilitators were meeting opportunities with researchers; shared vision, participation in a learning community, and diffusing knowledge. The main barrier was difficulties in hiring staff. The PBRN study should be conducted as part of daily practice, and the amount of data collection should be reduced and simplified for data collection. This is the first study to show the facilitators and barriers among KMDs in PBRN. We could develop our own Korean Medicine PBRN using the facilitators and eliminating the barriers.

Sasang constitution (SC) medicine, an aspect of traditional Korean medicine, originated from the theory that individual types present different responses to specific medicinal plants. We built a forest trail at Mt. Bori-san in Gapyeong-gun to apply the SC to forest therapy. We achieved plant lists based on Korean medicinal classics such as Dongeuisoosebowon. Moreover, we created a therapeutic forest trail at the selected site by additional planting of trees for each SC. We categorized plants based on SC; So-eum, So-yang, Tai-eum, and Tai-yang person. Additionally, we established five elements herb gardens based on the five elements theory. We divided into five zones and placed medicinal plants corresponding to each element. We expect various forest therapeutic programs to be developed in the future refer to the SC forest, created on Mt. Bori-san for the first time. We hope that SC forest therapeutic trail will be created in many other forests.

Rosae Laevigatae Fructus is a traditional medicine derived from the fruit of Rosa laevigata Michx. a member of the family Rosaceae. Rosa laevigata was recently reported as a new alien plant in Jangmok-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. This study aimed to analyze and describe leaf, petiole, sepal, and petal epidermal cell patterns of Rosa laevigata using field emission scanning electron microscopy. The leaves of this species were hypostomatic, and the range of the size of the stomata was 16.5-25.9 × 16.0-20.3 μm. Epicuticular waxes and trichomes were not found on both surfaces of leaves; however, plate waxes were found in petioles only. Simple non-glandular trichomes were densely distributed on the outer side of the sepal and glabrous on the inner side of the sepal. Tabular rugose with longitudinal striations was found on the outer surface of the petal and papillose conical with striations on the inner side of the petal. These results will help understand future taxonomic works of the genus Rosa and the original species belonging to the family Rosaceae.