Journal of Pharmacopuncture最新文献

{"title":"Safety Evaluation of Spray-Dried <i>Curcuma longa</i> L. Extract for Pharmacopuncture: acute toxicity and neurobehavioral assessment in zebrafish.","authors":"Subhan Rullyansyah, Idha Kusumawati, Intan Safinar Ismail, Djoko Agus Purwanto, Dewi Isadiartuti, Muhammad Safwan Bin Ahamad Bustaman, Muhammad Afiq Bin Ngadni, Rizky Rafi Rahmawan, Ananda Permata Fitri, Charlyna Veronika Puspitasari Pattymahu","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.136","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.136","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong><i>Curcuma longa</i> L. (CL) exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties suitable for pharmacopuncture; however, the clinical application of CL is severely hindered by poor aqueous solubility. Moreover, traditional ethanol-based extracts are unsuitable for safe parenteral administration due to the risk of tissue necrosis and neurotoxicity at sensitive acupoint sites. Thus, no systematic safety evaluation of water-soluble CL extract (CLE) formulations for injection has yet been conducted.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Spray-dried CLE (SDCLE) was prepared by spray-drying CLE with lactose (19 w/w) as the microencapsulation agent. The curcuminoid composition was quantified using a validated high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HP-TLC) method. The solubility of SDCLE was compared with that of native CLE (NCLE). Acute toxicity (LC₅₀), survival, and locomotor behavior were determined using probit regression and automated EthoVision XT tracking following a 96-hour exposure of adult zebrafish to SDCLE (0-500 mg/L).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>SDCLE, formulated to contain 10% (w/w) NCLE, exhibited a curcumin content of 0.148 ± 0.02 mg/g. This formulation showed markedly enhanced aqueous solubility (91.30% at a 130 dilution) compared with NCLE alone (55.78% at the same dilution), yielding clear, homogeneous solutions suitable for parenteral administration. Post-exposure acute toxicity assessment in zebrafish revealed a time-dependent decrease in LC₅₀ values, from 469.96 mg/L at 24 h to 288.13 mg/L at 96 h. Acute toxicity analysis identified a no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) of 144.07 mg/L and a lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC) of 187.28 mg/L. Exposure to concentrations ≤ 200 mg/L resulted in > 95% survival and preserved normal locomotor activity, whereas concentrations ≥ 300 mg/L induced pronounced neurobehavioral suppression, characterized by a 35% reduction in swimming distance and a six-fold increase in inactivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Spray-drying overcame the solubility limitations of CLE, enabling aqueous reconstitution for pharmacopuncture applications. A 96-hour LC₅₀ of 288.13 mg/L was employed to define mortality, while neurobehavioral endpoints indicated toxicity at sublethal concentrations, supporting the safety of concentrations ≤ 200 mg/L for rational SDCLE dose selection.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"136-148"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054879/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Student Satisfaction with Pharmacopuncture Education and the Need for Curriculum Improvement.","authors":"Joonkyum Kim, Changwoo Seon, Minjeong Kim","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.126","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate students' satisfaction with pharmacopuncture education and associated learning materials, and to identify perceived needs for curriculum and textbook improvement, providing empirical evidence to inform future enhancements in pharmacopuncture education within Korean Medicine (KM) curricula.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among third-year students at the College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University, following completion of a pharmacopuncture course. A 15-item online questionnaire assessed pre-course expectations, post-course fulfillment, perceived adequacy of practice opportunities, textbook usefulness, and areas for improvement. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests, correlation analysis, and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Exploratory logistic regression analyses were conducted for supplementary purposes only. Qualitative data from open-ended responses were analyzed thematically.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty-six students participated in the survey. The mean post-course fulfillment score (8.07 ± 1.62) exceeded the pre-course expectation score (7.57 ± 2.33), although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.122). Fulfillment was positively correlated with pre-course expectations (r = 0.317, p = 0.017) and adequacy of class hours (r = 0.387, p = 0.003). Cross-tabulation indicated an association between Hyeolmaek pharmacopuncture (Q10) and fulfillment (p = 0.049), whereas practice-related variables tended to be associated with lower fulfillment. Exploratory regression analyses yielded wide confidence intervals and were therefore not used to draw definitive conclusions. Qualitative findings reinforced these results, particularly highlighting the need for expanded hands-on learning and updated, clinically applicable materials.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Students reported high overall satisfaction with pharmacopuncture education but emphasized the need for expanded practical experience and improvements in learning materials. Enhancing hands-on training and modernizing textbook content to reflect current evidence may improve the quality and relevance of pharmacopuncture education in KM programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"126-135"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054880/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are Specific Immunoglobulin (IgE and IgG) and Tryptase Levels Correlated with the Severity of Allergic Reactions in Patients with Bee Venom Hypersensitivity?","authors":"Hee-Jun Na, Jae-Wan Jung, Yun-Suk Lee, Jun-Sang Yu","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.34","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.34","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This review aims to evaluate the clinical utility of specific immunoglobulins (IgE and IgG) and serum tryptase levels as biomarkers for predicting allergic reaction severity in patients with bee venom hypersensitivity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review of nine original cross-sectional and prospective observational studies was conducted. Sample sizes ranged from 30 to over 1,100 participants. The analysis focused on correlations between baseline immunological markers-whole-venom IgE, component-resolved IgE (e.g., Api m 1), IgG/IgG4, and baseline serum tryptase (BST)-and sting reaction severity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five studies identified elevated BST as the strongest predictor of severe systemic sting reactions and anaphylaxis. In contrast, specific IgE showed limited predictive value whole-venom IgE titers did not correlate with reaction severity, whereas component-resolved IgE (Api m 1) showed potential associations in subgroups such as beekeepers. Baseline IgG and IgG4 levels did not predict clinical severity, although increased IgG4 during venom immunotherapy was associated with protection. Age was identified as a potential risk modifier, but its influence varied across cohorts.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>BST is the most reliable biomarker for risk stratification in bee venom hypersensitivity. Baseline-specific IgE and IgG provide limited prognostic value. Given the heterogeneity of current studies, further standardized prospective research is needed to refine risk assessment protocols for patients with bee venom allergy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"34-41"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054863/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of Herbal Medicine Compared to Antidepressants in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Accompanied by Depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Chan-Young Kwon, Min-Jae Kim, Kyoung-Eun Lee, Ji-Won Oh, Ji-Won Kim, Hye-Li Jeon, Boram Lee, Pyung-Wha Kim, Yujin Choi","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.21","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.21","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Depression affects approximately 28.6% of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Although herbal medicine (HM) has been proposed as a therapeutic option, its comparative effectiveness relative to antidepressants remains uncertain. This systematic review compared HM with antidepressants as adjuncts to antipsychotics in patients with SSD and comorbid depression.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eight electronic databases were searched from inception to January 15, 2025, without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared HM plus antipsychotics with antidepressants plus antipsychotics in patients with SSD and depression were included. Primary outcomes were depressive symptom scores (Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) and response rates. Secondary outcomes included overall psychiatric symptoms and adverse events. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool; certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven RCTs comprising 505 participants were included. Meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference between HM and antidepressants in depressive symptoms (SMD -0.19, 95% CI [-0.54, 0.15]; very low-certainty evidence), response rates (RR 1.00, 95% CI [0.96, 1.04]; low-certainty evidence), or overall psychiatric symptoms (SMD -0.06, 95% CI [-0.84, 0.73]; low-certainty evidence). Adverse event rates showed a nonsignificant trend favoring HM (RR 0.56, 95% CI [0.06, 5.26]; low-certainty evidence).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Very low- to low-certainty evidence suggests no significant difference in effectiveness between HM and antidepressants as adjuncts to antipsychotics for depression in SSD. Although HM may serve as an alternative, high-quality, large-scale trials are required to establish definitive conclusions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"21-33"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054881/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reversing ABCB1-Mediated Multidrug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer: electroacupuncture shows therapeutic potential <i>in vivo</i>.","authors":"Yuqin Qiu, Zhenjia Fan, Xuewei Qi, Honglin Jiang, Weipeng Zhao, Yuxiang Wan, Jinchang Huang","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.84","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.84","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member 1 (ABCB1) is closely associated with multidrug resistance (MDR) in colorectal cancer; however, safe and effective clinical treatment options remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate electroacupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique, for its potential to overcome ABCB1-mediated MDR in colorectal cancer and investigate the underlying mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The tumor-inhibitory effects of electroacupuncture were investigated in nude mice with ABCB1 overexpression-induced MDR. Chemotherapy drug metabolism in tumor tissues and blood was assessed using pharmacokinetic analysis. <i>In vivo</i> fluorescence imaging was employed to monitor the accumulation of the ABCB1 substrate Rhodamine 123 within tumors. ABCB1 expression was analyzed using Western blotting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunofluorescence. Proteomic and bioinformatic analyses were conducted to explore the mechanisms through which electroacupuncture overcomes ABCB1-mediated drug resistance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Electroacupuncture significantly enhanced the sensitivity of ABCB1-mediated MDR nude mice to paclitaxel, markedly inhibiting tumor growth and promoting apoptosis. Tumor drug concentrations increased, while the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1A) and its downstream target, ABCB1, decreased. Proteomic analyses suggested that extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling plays a key role, indicated by decreased TIMP-1 and increased collagen expressions (collagen alpha-1(I) chain [COL1A1], collagen alpha-2(I) chain [COL1A2], and collagen alpha-1 (XVIII) chain [COL18A1]). Collectively, these findings indicate that electroacupuncture may influence tumor mechanical properties and the hypoxic microenvironment by modulating the balance between ECM degradation and deposition, providing a potential mechanistic explanation for the reversal of ABCB1-mediated MDR.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Electroacupuncture may reverse ABCB1-mediated tumor MDR, potentially through ECM remodeling and improvement of the tumor mechanical microenvironment. These insights provide a basis for developing new strategies to combat clinical drug resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"84-86"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054849/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing from Compliance to Innovation in Medical Education: a strategic roadmap for MEUs in colleges of Korean medicine based on FGI.","authors":"Min Jung Lee, Hye-Yoon Lee, Myung Ho Jin, Seon Kyoung Kim","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.106","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study sought to develop a strategic, phased roadmap for advancing Medical Education Units (MEUs) in colleges of Korean Medicine, grounded in qualitative insights derived from focus group interviews (FGIs) and contextualized within the existing literature.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Qualitative data were obtained from key stakeholders across 12 institutions. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis guided by a goal-oriented, competency-based framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A three-phase developmental model was identified. Phase 1 emphasizes foundational compliance with accreditation and institutional requirements; Phase 2 focuses on strengthening faculty development and implementing systematic quality control processes; and Phase 3 advances toward innovation through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and quality improvement (QI) systems.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study proposes a feasible and scalable framework for the development of Educational Affairs Units (EAUs), supported by both domestic and international benchmarks, and provides practical guidance for enhancing educational quality in Korean Medicine education.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"106-117"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054878/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of Traditional East Asian Medicine Patterns among Older Adults with Frailty: a systematic review of observational studies.","authors":"Chan-Young Kwon, Boram Lee","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.1","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome that increases vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. Traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) provides a distinct framework for understanding frailty through syndrome differentiation; however, the prevalence and distribution of TEAM patterns in frail populations remain unclear. This review aimed to systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the prevalence of TEAM patterns in frail older adults. A comprehensive search of five electronic databases was conducted through May 2025. Observational studies reporting TEAM patterns in adults aged ≥ 60 years with validated frailty diagnoses were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool prevalence estimates. Eleven observational studies involving 3,345 participants met the inclusion criteria. All studies were conducted in China; no eligible studies from Korea or Japan were identified. Methodological quality was generally low, and no study was rated as high quality. Deficiency-related TEAM patterns predominated. The most frequently reported patterns were qi-blood deficiency (exploratory pooled prevalence: 24.0%) and kidney essence deficiency (24.0%), followed by spleen deficiency with phlegm-dampness (23.0%). Liver-kidney yin deficiency had a pooled prevalence of 26.0%, based on two studies. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies (I² > 80%), and overall methodological limitations reduce the precision and generalizability of these findings. Syndrome differentiation was conducted by TEAM practitioners using the four diagnostic methods, consistently incorporating tongue and pulse examination; however, diagnostic criteria varied among studies. Age, comorbidities, and nutritional markers were associated with frailty. Exploratory analysis suggests frail older adults predominantly exhibit deficiency-related patterns, particularly qi-blood deficiency, kidney essence deficiency, and spleen deficiency with phlegm-dampness. However, the low methodological quality, substantial heterogeneity, and restriction to Chinese populations indicate that these findings should be considered preliminary and require confirmation through rigorously designed studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054851/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Current Status of Korean Medicine Treatment for Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: a nationwide survey of Korean medicine doctors.","authors":"Pyung-Wha Kim, Boram Lee, Yujin Choi","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.75","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.75","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study investigated how Korean medicine doctors treat schizophrenia spectrum disorders to assess current practices, identify high-frequency interventions, and evaluate clinical field utilization, aiming to develop evidence-based Korean medicine clinical practice guideline.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted in December 2024 among doctors affiliated with the Association of Korean Medicine. Korean medicine doctors who had treated schizophrenia spectrum disorder patients within the past six months were included. The survey assessed treatment goals, patient characteristics, treatment modalities, and assessment methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 324 Korean medicine doctors were included in the final analysis. The most frequently reported treatment objective was management of co-existing symptoms (81.8%), followed by complementary treatment for positive/negative symptoms (44.4%) and management of antipsychotic-induced side effects (29.0%). Patients in the chronic (55.2%) and recovery disease phases (50.6%) were more likely to be treated with Korean medicine than patients with acute exacerbation. Herbal medicine (92.9%) and acupuncture (79.6%) were the primary interventions. The most frequently prescribed herbal formulas were Ondam-tang (61.7%), Shihogayonggolmoryo-tang (57.4%), and Ukgan-san (54.9%). GV20 (82.4%), EX-HN1 (58.0%), and HT7 (44.1%) were the most used acupuncture points. The primary co-existing symptoms managed were insomnia (77.2%), depression (76.2%), and agitation/excitement (64.2%). Weight gain (69.8%), dyspepsia (59.3%), and constipation (55.9%) were the most frequently addressed antipsychotic-induced side effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This nationwide survey provides foundational data for developing Korean medicine clinical practice guideline for schizophrenia spectrum disorders. The findings revealed that Korean medicine treatment serves a complementary role to conventional antipsychotic medications, primarily focusing on co-existing symptoms and side effect management.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"75-83"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054868/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"User Experience and Clinical Utility of a Smartphone-Based Application for Hwa-Byung Treatment: a protocol for a single-arm prospective pilot study.","authors":"Chan-Young Kwon, Boram Lee, Minjae Kim, Dohee Yoon","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.118","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Hwa-byung (HB) is a Korean culture-bound syndrome characterized by suppressed anger and somatic symptoms, which affects a substantial proportion of the population and significantly impairs quality of life. While the Korean medicine clinical practice guideline for HB recommends mind-body therapies and psychotherapy as key interventions, their implementation in conventional clinical settings is limited by time, spatial barriers, and challenges in maintaining treatment continuity. Digital health technologies, particularly smartphone applications, offer accessible, personalized, and sustainable therapeutic solutions to address these challenges. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the user experience and preliminary clinical utility of a smartphone-based stress management application in patients with HB through a single-center, single-arm, prospective intervention study.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) principles and HB clinical practice guidelines, the Hwa-free application integrates four primary components ACT-based educational videos, daily three-line journaling, diaphragmatic breathing training, and guided meditation audio content. Using the Hwa-Byung Diagnostic Interview Schedule, thirty participants aged 19-80 years, diagnosed with HB, will be recruited. After baseline assessments, participants will use the application daily for 4 weeks while continuing their existing stable treatments. The primary outcome is user experience, assessed using a structured questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include changes in HB symptoms, depression, anxiety, anger, psychological flexibility, quality of life, and heart rate variability, measured at multiple time points over 8 weeks. Safety will be monitored through adverse event reporting. In this exploratory study, preliminary data on the feasibility, acceptability, and potential clinical benefits of digitally delivered Korean medicine interventions for HB will be provided.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings will guide the design of future definitive randomized controlled trials and promote the broader integration of evidence-based digital therapeutics into Korean medicine practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"118-125"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054850/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate Exhibits Superior Multi-Modal Anti-Inflammatory Activity Compared to Structurally Related Cinnamic Acid Derivatives.","authors":"Sarmoko, Nisa Yulianti Suprahman, Anjar Hermadi Saputro, Iwan Syahjoko Saputra, Khaerunnisa Anbar Istiadi, Arif Fadlan, Fadilah, I Gede Raditya Purwanata, Vito Rahmat Fitrah","doi":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.61","DOIUrl":"10.3831/KPI.2026.29.1.61","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of cinnamic acid (CA) and its derivatives, ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) and trans-4-methoxy cinnamic acid (APMC), using integrated in silico, <i>in vitro</i>, and <i>in vivo</i> approaches to identify safer alternatives to conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Molecular docking was performed to evaluate binding interactions with inflammation-related proteins, including heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), lipoxygenase, heat shock protein 90 beta family class B member 1 (HSP90AB1), and nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3). <i>In vitro</i> anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assays to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). <i>In vivo</i> efficacy was evaluated using a carrageenan-induced paw edema model in mice (n = 3 per group), and hematological analysis was conducted 3 hours post-induction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Molecular docking revealed that EPMC exhibited superior multi-target binding affinities across five inflammatory proteins compared with allyl p-methoxycinnamate (APMC) and CA, with notable interaction with prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2/COX-2) interaction (-6.29 kcal/mol). CA uniquely bound NOS3 (-3.06 kcal/mol), suggesting distinct mechanistic pathways. BSA denaturation assays demonstrated comparable IC50 values for EPMC (170.02 μg/mL), CA (171.48 μg/mL), and diclofenac sodium (165.05 μg/mL), whereas APMC exhibited weaker activity (215.06 μg/mL). <i>In vivo</i>, EPMC produced the most rapid and complete resolution of inflammation, achieving significantly lower area-under-curve values than diclofenac sodium (p < 0.05). Hematological analysis revealed mechanistic divergence APMC (600 mg/kg) tended to normalize white blood cell (WBC) and lymphocyte counts, suggesting systemic immunomodulation, whereas EPMC and CA demonstrated localized anti-inflammatory action without hematological effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>EPMC demonstrates superior multi-modal anti-inflammatory activity through multi-target engagement and localized tissue action, positioning it as a promising lead for next-generation anti-inflammatory therapeutics with potentially improved safety profiles compared with conventional NSAIDs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16769,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacopuncture","volume":"29 1","pages":"61-74"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13054885/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147639129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}