A qualitative study on the experience of acupuncture treatment in infertile women.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to record and analyze the experiences of infertile women who underwent acupuncture treatment. METHODS: This is a qualitative study in which in-depth interviews were conducted with women who underwent acupuncture as a treatment for infertility from the viewpoint of phenomenology, a method of understanding human behavior in the general human and social context, and grasping the nature of the experience in depth. The study participants were 12 women who had been receiving acupuncture treatment for infertility for more than 3 months. RESULTS: After analyzing the statements of the participants' experiences, the main concerns regarding infertility were "embarrassed by unexpected infertility," "overwhelmed with negative feelings," "blocking and defense," "sex as a duty," and "repeatition of expectations and failures." Significant statements regarding acupuncture treatments were "body warmth," "becoming a body," "care of the mind," "last trust and hope," and "difficulties of waiting." The experience with supporter was love-hate relationships, and the experience of the children's meaning was expressed as "precious beings in life." CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that acupuncture treatment for infertility in women results in positive thinking through changes in the body as well as through increased hope. Participants experienced a feeling of warmth in their bodies, regular menstrual cycle, and reduced fatigue through acupuncture treatment, indicating a state of psychological stability.

Comparison of the efficacy of continuous epidural block with epidural electrical stimulation and conventional continuous epidural block for management of zoster-associated pain beyond the acute phase: A retrospective study.

Continuous epidural block (CEB) is a popular clinical method for controlling postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). However, the long-term effects of CEB on PHN have not yet been established. This study aimed to confirm the clinical efficacy of epidural electrical stimulation catheters in CEB to manage PHN.Patients were classified into 2 groups: those with subacute PHN, between 30 and 180 days after the onset of the rash; and those with chronic PHN, over 180 days after the onset of the rash. On the basis of the type of catheter used, the patients were further divided into the following 2 groups: the esopocan group, in which the site of herpes zoster infection was confirmed using a contrast medium alone; and the epistim group, in which an additional method of electrical stimulation through a guide-wire in the catheter was used for detecting the site affected by herpes. Clinical efficacy was assessed with a numerical rating scale immediately 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure. We also investigated whether additional interventional treatment was necessitated because of insufficient pain control during the 6-month follow-up.We examined 88 patients. In the subacute PHN period, the numerical rating scale score was significantly lower in the epistim group than in the esopocan group until 6 months. In the chronic PHN period, no significant differences in the numerical rating scale scores were observed between the 2 groups until 6 months. In the subacute PHN period, the adjusted odds ratio for other interventional procedures within 6 months in the esopocan group versus the epistim group was 2.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-8.09, P = .10), and in the chronic PHN period, it was 1.31 (95% CI 0.11-5.46, P = .79).Epidural drug administration to specific segments using electrical stimulation catheters may be more useful in mitigating zoster-associated pain in subacute PHN.

Effects of aromatherapy on dysmenorrhea: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Menstrual pain is not a disease, but it is a problem that periodically makes women uncomfortable during menstrual cycles. There has been a continuing effort to alleviate menstrual cramps in the medical field. Aromatherapy, one of the alternative complementary therapies, has been used as a way to alleviate menstrual cramps, but there is still little evidence of how to use it. Therefore, in this study, we tried to find and provide the evidence of relieving effects of menstrual cramps. DESIGN: This study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study was to identify the effects of aromatherapy on menstrual pain through a systematic review of the relevant literature from Korea and abroad and a meta-analysis of the data from studies meeting our inclusion criteria. DATA SOURCES: We obtained articles published in English from PubMed, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and we also obtained articles by searching the Korean databases Research Information Service System (RISS), DBPIA, and Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS). REVIEW METHODS: A systematic review was performed on all searchable articles published form inception to October 17, 2016, using the international and Korean databases noted above. The search terms used was ((aromatherapy OR aroma* OR essential oil) AND (dysmenorrhea OR menstrual pain)). Articles were selected for analysis from among the retrieved articles based on the key questions and the inclusion and exclusion criteria using a PRISMA flow diagram. The 21 articles entire texts were reviewed and qualitatively analyzed while seven articles were quantitatively analyzed using RevMan software ver. 5.3. RESULTS: In a comparison between the experimental groups, which received an aromatherapy intervention, and the control groups, which received no treatment of any kind, the dysmenorrhea score in the experimental group decreased by 2.67 points (mean difference -2.67), showing a statistically significant difference(Z = 7.79, p < .001, Higgins I2 = 0%). Compared to the placebo group, which received a placebo oil treatment, the dysmenorrhea score in the experimental group decreased by 1.71 points (mean difference, -1.71), showing a statistically significant difference (Z = 4.51, p < .001), but high heterogeneity (Higgins I2 = 81%). CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy was an effective intervention for reducing dysmenorrhea. However, because the analysis showed that the aroma intervention methods were diverse and that the basis for the intervention methods was weak, the possibility of randomization bias was high.

Antimelanogenic Effects of Picrionoside A Isolated from the Leaves of Korean Ginseng.

This study was initiated to isolate active metabolites from the leaves of Panax ginseng. Among them, picrionoside A, a megastigmane glucoside, was isolated from the leaves of P. ginseng C. A. MAYER and its chemical structure was determined based on spectroscopic methods, including FAB-MS, one-dimensional (1D)-NMR, 2D-NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Picrionoside A from P. ginseng has not been investigated previously, and its biological or pharmaceutical activities have not been reported elsewhere. The IC50 value of mushroom tyrosinase-inhibitory activity of picrionoside A was 9.8 µM, and the rate of inhibition of synthesized melanin content in melan-a cells was 17.1% at a concentration of 80 µM without cytotoxicity. Furthermore, picrionoside A dramatically reduced body pigmentation in the zebrafish model. Taken together, the results suggest that picrionoside A isolated from the leaves of P. ginseng may be an effective skin-whitening agent that could be a potent candidate material in the cosmetic industry.

Melanin Biosynthesis Inhibition Effects of Ginsenoside Rb2 Isolated from Panax ginseng Berry.

Ginsenoside Rb2 (Gin-Rb2) was purified from the fruit extract of Panax ginseng. Its chemical structure was measured by spectroscopic analysis, including HR-FAB-MS, (1)H-NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Gin-Rb2 decreased potent melanogenesis in melan-a cells, with 23.4% at 80 µM without cytotoxicity. Gin-Rb2 also decreased tyrosinase and MITF protein expression in melan-a cells. Furthermore, Gin-Rb2 presented inhibition of the body pigmentation in the zebrafish in vivo system and reduced melanin contents and tyrosinase activity. These results show that Gin-Rb2 isolated from P. ginseng may be an effective skin-whitening agent via the in vitro and in vivo systems.

Aromatherapy massage on the abdomen for alleviating menstrual pain in high school girls: a preliminary controlled clinical study.

This study investigated the alleviating effects of aromatherapy massage and acetaminophen on menstrual pain in Korean high school girls. Subjects were divided into two groups: the aromatherapy massage (treatment) group (n = 32) and the acetaminophen (control) group (n = 23). Aromatherapy massage was performed on subjects in the treatment group. The abdomen was massaged once using clary sage, marjoram, cinnamon, ginger, and geranium in a base of almond oil. The level of menstrual pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale at baseline and twenty-four hours afterward. The reduction of menstrual pain was significantly higher in the aromatherapy group than in the acetaminophen group. Using multiple regression, aromatherapy massage was found to be more highly associated with reduction in the level of menstrual pain than acetaminophen. These finding suggest that aromatherapy massage may be an effective treatment for menstrual pain in high school girls. However, it could not be verified whether the positive effects derived from the aromatherapy, the massage, or both. Further rigorous studies should be conducted using more objective measures.

Ergosta-7,22-diene-2ß,3α,9α-triol from the fruit bodies of Ganoderma lucidum induces apoptosis in human myelocytic HL-60 cells.

Ganoderma lucidum is known as a medicinal mushroom used in traditional medicine. In our study, the cytotoxic activities of 17 compounds (1-17) isolated from the fruiting bodies of G. lucidum were investigated. Among them, ergosta-7,22-diene-2ß,3α,9α-triol (EGDT) induced apoptosis in HL-60 human premyelocytic leukemia cells. EGDT activated the apoptotic process, including DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity. In immunoblotting analysis, treatment with EGDT resulted in the cleavage of procaspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) into active forms. In the in vivo study, the administration (i.p.) of EGDT to Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)-inoculated mice evidenced a significant inhibition of tumor growth. These results indicate that EGDT was one of the apoptotic constituents of G. lucidum, and might be an antitumor agent.

Effects of the Spouse's Aromatherapy Massage on Labor Pain, Anxiety and Childbirth Satisfaction for Laboring Women.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the spouse's aromatherapy massage on labor pain, anxiety during labor and childbirth satisfaction for laboring women. METHODS: The subjects of this study were laboring women who didn't have any complication during pregnancy and who have admitted for childbirth with their spouse to E. hospital in D city. This study was carried out from June to November in 2007. The subjects were allocated into three groups: spouse's aromatherapy massage group, spouse's carrier oil massage group and control group. Aromatherapy massage and carrier oil massage was applied for ten minutes every hour after the cervix dilated 5cm. The subjects in the control group were with their spouse during labor. RESULTS: The labor pain by VAS was significantly different among the three groups (Kruskal-Wallis chi2=7.09 p=.029) in the deceleration phase. The anxiety during labor by VAS were significantly different among the three groups (Kruskal-Wallis chi2=6.77 p=.034) in the deceleration phase. There was no significant difference in childbirth satisfaction among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The spouse's aromatherapy massage using Lavender, Clary sage, Frankincense and Neroli could be effective in decreasing labor pain and decreasing anxiety level during labor.

Enhancement of gastric ulcer healing and angiogenesis by cochinchina Momordica seed extract in rats.

Cochinchina momordica seed is the dried ripe seed of Momordica cochinchinensis, a perennial vine. The antiulcer effect of an extract from cochinchina momordica seeds (SK-MS10) was evaluated in a rat model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers were produced by subserosal injection of acetic acid. SK-MS10 (200 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered orally once per day for 14 days after the acetic acid injection. The stomach was removed and the ulcer size measured at day 7 and 14 of the treatment. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was assessed by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In addition, the microvasculature density (MVD) adjacent to the ulcer margin was examined by immunohistochemistry. The treatment with SK-MS10 for 7 and 14 days significantly accelerated ulcer healing and increased the expression of mRNA (at day 7) as well as VEGF protein (at day 14) compared to the vehicle-treated rats. The MVD for factor VIII was also higher in the SK-MS10 treatment group compared to the vehicle-treated rats; however, these differences were not statistically significant. These results suggest that SK-MS10 treatment accelerates the healing of gastric ulcers via upregulation of VEGF and angiogenesis in an acetic acid rat model.

Thoracic spinal cord stimulation for neuropathic pain after spinal meningioma removal: a case report.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is highly successful for treating neuropathic pain but its effect is limited for central origin pain caused by cord injury. The authors describe a case in which pain was successfully controlled by SCS implantation in a patient with intractable chronic neuropathic pain after T5 meningioma removal. The authors tried lead insertion over the T5 level passing through postoperative adhesions to produce adequate stimulation to the patient's painful areas fully enough without any complications. This case showed good response to SCS even though it was a central type of neuropathic pain by spinal cord injury.

Gastroprotective action of Cochinchina momordica seed extract is mediated by activation of CGRP and inhibition of cPLA(2)/5-LOX pathway.

Cochinchina momordica seed extract (SKMS10), which is composed of the major compounds momordica saponins, has been evaluated for its gastroprotective effects in rat models of acute gastric mucosal damage. Ethanol and water immersion restraint stress (WRS) induced gastric damage, including hemorrhages and edema, was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with SK-MS10. In addition, SK-MS10 reduced increases of mucosal myeloperoxidase (MPO), IL-1ß, and TNFα levels and the expression of cPLA(2), and 5-LOX induced by ethanol or WRS. SK-MS10 also increased hexosamine, adherent mucus, and the expression of MUC5AC. Furthermore, SK-MS10 enhanced the mucosal expression of the CGRP gene and its serum levels.N(G)-methyl L-arginine (L-NMMA) or capsaicin desensitization reversed the SK-MS10-induced gastroprotection effect. These results suggest that SK-MS10 is a gastroprotective agent against acute gastric mucosal damage by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines, downregulating cPLA(2), 5-LOX, and increasing the synthesis of mucus. Furthermore, CGRP-NO pathway was found to play an important role in these gastroprotective effects of SK-MS10.

Development of a validated liquid chromatographic method for the quality control of Prunellae Spica: determination of triterpenic acids.

A simple and rapid reversed-phase HPLC-UV method was developed for the determination of triterpenic acids in the crude extract of Prunellae Spica. Five triterpenic acids were extracted and isolated from P. Spica as marker compounds for use in the quality control of herbal medicines. Various solvent extraction techniques were evaluated, and the greatest efficiency was observed with sonication in 100% ethanol. Elemental compositions of the five marker compounds were determined by high-resolution mass spectroscopy. The dynamic range of the HPLC-UV method depended on the specific analyte, and acceptable quantitation was obtained between 10 and 250 microgmL(-1) for oleanolic acid, between 10 and 300 microgmL(-1) for ursolic acid, between 3 and 75 microgmL(-1) for 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyolean-12en-28oic acid, between 5 and 100 microgmL(-1) for euscaphic acid, and between 5 and 100 microgmL(-1) for 2alpha,3alpha-dihydroxyurs-12en-28oic acid. The method was deemed satisfactory by inter- and intra-day validation and exhibited both high accuracy and precision (relative standard deviation <9.4%). Overall limits of quantitation and detection were approximately 0.5-2.5 microgmL(-1) at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 3 and were about 3.0-10.0 microgmL(-1) at a S/N of 10. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the analytical data of 15 different P. Spica samples in order to classify samples collected from different regions.

Curcumin induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin is a major component of Curcuma longa rhizome and has been used as a traditional medicine for centuries. In this study, we showed that curcumin induced cell cycle arrest followed by antiproliferation and apoptosis in human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antiproliferative activity was measured with the 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Nuclear fragmentation was observed with a fluorescence microscope. Flow cytometry was performed to observe cell cycle distribution and apoptotic body appearance. Changes in cell cycle regulatory and apoptosis-related proteins were investigated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The IC(50) value of curcumin was approximately 4.0 microg/ml. Induction of apoptosis was evidenced by apoptotic body appearance and chromosomal DNA degradation. Flow-cytometric analysis indicated that curcumin induced successive G(1)/S and G(2)/M phase arrest followed by apoptosis in HOS cells. The G(1)/S and G(2)/S phase arrest was accompanied by down-regulation of cyclin D1, cdc2 and cyclin B1, respectively. Apoptosis was induced by capspase-3 activation and poly(ADP-ribosyl)polymerase (PARP) cleavage. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that curcumin caused death of HOS cells by blocking cells successively in G(1)/S and G(2)/M phases and activating the caspase-3 pathway.