Research Trends of Pharmacopuncture: a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer (2007-2023)

Chan-Young Kwon,Chan-Young Kwon 대한약침학회 2023 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.26 No.3

Objectives: Pharmacopuncture is considered a unique new type of acupuncture in Korean medicine (KM). This study was performed to investigate the research trends regarding pharmacopuncture through a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer. Methods: The Web of Science Core Collection was searched for this study. The search terms were pharmacopuncture and pharmaco-puncture. The search was conducted on May 23, 2023, and 185 studies retrieved up to this date were included. Software VOSviewer version 1.6.19 was used to perform the bibliometric analysis. After data clearing, keyword co-occurrence and cooperation pattern analyses were performed. Results: The number of studies on pharmacopuncture have gradually increased since the mid-2000s, with the most published in 2020 (46 studies). The quality of the studies has also steadily increased, and recently, several randomized controlled trials of pharmacopuncture have been conducted. Moreover, this treatment has been investigated in the context of KM clinical practice guideline development in Korea. The scope of pharmacopuncture studies to date seems to be limited to musculoskeletal pain and bee venom pharmacopuncture. The researchers from Jaseng Medical Foundation have been the core researchers in the field of pharmacopuncture in Korea. They collaborated with researchers from universities or government-funded research institutes. However, small-scale research teams from KM clinics and university researchers were also identified as independent clusters. Conclusion: Pharmacopuncture research has grown both quantitatively and qualitatively, but the scope needs to be further expanded. There is also a gap between the use of pharmacopuncture by KM doctors in clinical settings and pharmacopuncture research. Based on these findings, some suggestions for future studies in this field are discussed. Furthermore, these findings may be used as data to expand and globalize pharmacopuncture research in the future.

Research on Korean Pharmacopuncture in South Korea since 2007

Lim, ChungSan,Park, SangKyun,Sun, SeungHo,Lee, KwangHo KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2014 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.17 No.4

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current trends in research on pharmacopuncture in Korea since 2007. Methods: A literature review was performed by using the search engines 'Science and Technology Society Village', 'Korean Studies Information Service System', 'National Discovery for Science Leaders', and 'Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System' in Korea from January 2007 to December 2013. Searched key words were 'pharmacopuncture', 'herbal acupuncture', 'aqua-acupuncture', and 'bee venom'. Finally, we selected 457 papers, including Korean experimental studies and clinical studies. Selected papers were classified according to year of publication, type of pharmacopuncture, disease & topic, research type and the publishing journal. Results: One hundred fifty pharmacopunctures were studied in 457 papers. Single compound pharmacopuncture was the most studied pharmacopuncture in experimental studies while animal-based pharmacopuncture was the most studied pharmacopuncture in clinical studies. Bee venom placed first among the various pharmacopunctures, followed by placenta, sweet bee venom, mountain-ginseng, and anti-inflammatory pharmacopunctures. Experimental research on pharmacopuncture has fallen since 2007 when 55 papers were published. However, clinical research has been increasing steadily. In clinical studies, case reports were numerous than randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Musculoskeletal diseases were the most frequently-treated diseases in studies on pharmacopuncture; among the musculoskeletal diseases, rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequently-treated disease in experimental studies and low back pain was the most frequently-treated condition in clinical studies. Since 2007, 45 different journals have published studies on pharmacopuncture, with the Journal of the Korean Acupuncture and Moxibustion Medicine Society having the largest number of papers on pharmacopuncture and the Journal of Pharmacopuncture the second largest number. Conclusion: The trends in research on pharmacopuncture published in studies from 2007 to 2013 were similar to those in studies published before 2006. Many studies on pharmacopuncture focused on bee venom and musculoskeletal diseases. Additional studies on diverse types of and indications for pharmacopuncture are needed.

Clinical Research of the Efficacy and the Safety of Dioscoreae Rhizoma (Sanyak) Pharmacopuncture Therapy for Peripheral Facial Paralysis Patients

In-Soo Sung,Kwon-eui Hong,Min-Jung Kim,In Song 대한약침학회 2012 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.15 No.4

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of Sanyak pharmacopuncture therapy for the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective investigation of a total of 70 patients who were inpatients of the Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University between January 1,2011, and May 31, 2012, and who were diagnosed as having peripheral facial paralysis by physical examination,the patients received three different interventions. Eleven (11) patients were treated with acupuncture and alcohol Dioscorea rhizoma pharmacopuncture (ADG), 25 patients with acupuncture and distillation Dioscorea rhizoma pharmacopuncture (DDG), and 34patients with acupuncture and non-Dioscorea rhizoma pharmacopuncture (NDG). The resulting data were analyzed. Results: The changed H-B grades indicated significant improvements in all three groups, and the ADG and the DDG groups showed significant results after two weeks of treatment when compared to the NDG group. The changed y-Scores indicated significant improvements in all three groups, and the ADG group showed significant results after 10 and 15 days of treatment when compared to the NDG group. Dioscorea rhizoma pharmacopuncture may be safe for the human body because in most cases, the only abnormal finding was the pain could by the application of pharmacopuncture. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Oriental medical treatment with dioscoreae Rhizoma (Sanyak) pharmacopuncture complex therapy may be effective and safe in patient with peripheral facial paralysis Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of Sanyak pharmacopuncture therapy for the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective investigation of a total of 70 patients who were inpatients of the Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University between January 1,2011, and May 31, 2012, and who were diagnosed as having peripheral facial paralysis by physical examination,the patients received three different interventions. Eleven (11) patients were treated with acupuncture and alcohol Dioscorea rhizoma pharmacopuncture (ADG), 25 patients with acupuncture and distillation Dioscorea rhizoma pharmacopuncture (DDG), and 34patients with acupuncture and non-Dioscorea rhizoma pharmacopuncture (NDG). The resulting data were analyzed. Results: The changed H-B grades indicated significant improvements in all three groups, and the ADG and the DDG groups showed significant results after two weeks of treatment when compared to the NDG group. The changed y-Scores indicated significant improvements in all three groups, and the ADG group showed significant results after 10 and 15 days of treatment when compared to the NDG group. Dioscorea rhizoma pharmacopuncture may be safe for the human body because in most cases, the only abnormal finding was the pain could by the application of pharmacopuncture. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Oriental medical treatment with dioscoreae Rhizoma (Sanyak) pharmacopuncture complex therapy may be effective and safe in patient with peripheral facial paralysis

Quality Control of Pharmacopuncture: A Comparative Study of Good Manufacturing Practice and External Herbal Dispensary Standards

Jieun Han,박민정,안뜰에봄,Jong-Hyun Park,오단이,Kyeong Han Kim,Soo-Hyun Sung 대한약침학회 2021 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.24 No.2

Objectives: We aimed to compare the external herbal dispensary (EHD) evaluation criteria for pharmacopuncture and the Korea Good Manufacturing Practice (KGMP) sterile medicine standards to contribute to the establishment of quality control criteria for pharmacopuncture. Methods: We obtained the KGMP standards from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the pharmacopuncture certification criteria from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea. The EHD evaluation items were classified into three categories: facilities, quality control, and validation. The evaluation items were compared with the KGMP sterile medicine criteria to determine their conformance with each other, followed by a discussion among the committee of six experts and their consensus to suggest the items to complement the EHD evaluation criteria. Results: Among the KGMP sterile medicine criteria, 44 were related to the management of the facilities, and 32 pharmacopuncture evaluation items corresponded to these KGMP items (66.7%). Fifty-eight KGMP criteria were related to quality management, and 42 pharmacopuncture evaluation items corresponded to these KGMP items (72.4%). Twentyfive KGMP sterile medicine criteria were related to validation, and 11 pharmacopuncture evaluation items corresponded to these KGMP items (44.0%). Sixteen items under the pharmacopuncture EHD criteria corresponded to the KGMP sterile medicine criteria based on the consent of the experts. Among these, 4 were related to facility management, 6 were related to quality control, and 6 were related to validation. Conclusion: For the safety and quality control of pharmacopuncture, there is a need to select the criteria for the mandatory items among the proposed pharmacopuncture-EHD criteria laws and systems to ensure that the pharmacopuncture materials are produced under the pharmacopuncture-EHD in compliance with the relevant requirements. More studies are needed to secure the safety level of pharmacopuncture materials corresponding to that of conventional medicine.

산양산삼 증류약침의 혈맥주입 후 나타나는 혈장의 Proteom 분석

이동희,귄기록,Lee, Dong-Hee,Kwon, Ki-Rok 대한약침학회 2006 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.9 No.2

Objectives : To observe the changes in the serum proteins after intravenous injection of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture. Methods : Blood was collected before and after the administration of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture and only the serum was taken. Then differences in the spots on the scanned image after carrying out 2-Dimensional electrophoresis were located and conducted mass analysis and protein identification. Results : Following results were obtained from the comparative analysis of serum proteins before and after the administration of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture. 1. 28 spots were identified before and after the administration. 2. In confirming manifestation degree, spots with more than two-times increase were 204, 1302, 2205, 3105, 7104, 8006, spots with more than one-time increase were 1101, 1505, 2013, 2403, 3009, 3010, 4002, 4009, 6704, 8101, and spots with decrease were 205, 801, 803, 3205, 5202, 6105, 6106, 7103, 9001, 9003. 3. After conducting protein identification, proteins 205, 804, 1302, 4009, 6105, 6106 are unidentified yet, and 1l01 is unnamed protein. Protein 204 is identified as complement receptor CR2-C3d, 801 as YAPl protein, 803 as antitrypsin polymer, 1505 as PRO0684, 2013 and 3010 as proapolipoprotein, 2205 as USP48, 2403 as vitamin D binding protein, 3009 as complement component 4A preprotein, 3105 as immunoglobulin lambda chain, 3205 as transthyretin, 4002 as Ras-related protein Ral-A, 4204 as beta actin, 5202 and 7104 as apolipoprotein Ll, 6704 as alpha 2 macroglobulin precursor, 7103 as complement component 3 precursor, 8006 as testis-specific protein Y, 8101 as transferrin, 9001 as (Alpha-Oxy, Beta-(Cl12g)deoxy) T-State Human Hemoglobin, and 9003 as human hemoglobin. 4. Immune protein CR2-C3d(204), which acts against microbes and pathogenic organisms, was increased by more than two-times after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 5. Antitrypsin(803), which is secreted with inflammatory response in the lungs, was reduced after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 6. Proapolipoprotein(2013, 3010) and apolipoprotein(7104), key components of the HDL-cholesterol which plays an important role in preventing arteriosclerosis, were increased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 7. Vitamin D binding protein(DBP, 2403), protecting the lung at the time of inflammatory response, was increased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 8. Transthyretin(TTR, 3205), which is the main protein causing familial amyloid polyneuropathy(FAP), was decreased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 9. Ras-related protein Ral-A(4002) that controls phospholipid metabolism, cytoskeletal formation, and membrane traffic, was increased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 10. Testis-specific protein Y(8006), which takes part in determination of the gender, was increased by more than two-times after the administration of pharmacopuncture. 11. Transferrin(8101), which balances the iron level in the body, was increased after the administration of pharmacopuncture. Conclusion : Above results support the notion that intravenous injection of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture induce changes in serum proteins and this research can be a pioneer work in finding biomarkers.

약침 종류에 따른 득기감의 질적 양적 특성에 대한 연구: BUM약침, 산양산삼약침, 좌골신경통 5호 약침의 득기감 연구

이은솔,오지윤,김유종,유아미,장수희,조현석,김경호,이승덕,김갑성,김은정 대한침구의학회 2013 대한침구의학회지 Vol.30 No.5

Objectives : This study was designed to find out the differences of the acupuncture sensationby type of pharmacopuncture. And furthermore we try to find out whether normal saline(NS) isable to be constituted as an appropriate control group for the Calculus Bovis · Fel Ursi ․Moschus(BUM) pharmacopuncture, mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture and sciatica no. 5pharmacopuncture. Methods : NS and three type of pharmacopunctures were inserted into ST36, and ST37 of thesubjects. Before and after the treatment, subjects completed a questionnaire rating theintensity of 13 kinds of acupuncture sensation(acupuncture sensation scale, ASS). Wecompared the subjective acupuncture sensation between the NS and three type ofpharmacopunctures. Results : BUM pharmacopuncture showed significantly intense acupuncture sensation comparingother two pharmacopunctures and NS. There was no statistically significant difference amongmountain ginseng pharmacopuncture, sciatica no. 5 pharmacopuncture and NS. Conclusions : We found that NS may be able to be an placebo pharmacopuncture for mountainginseng pharmacopuncture and sciatica no. 5 pharmacopuncture. Additional study is neededfor placebo pharmacopuncture of BUM pharmacopuncture.

Clinical Review of Pharmacopuncture Therapy Based on the Progression of Bell's Palsy

Lee, You Jung,Choi, Yeon Ah,Min, Ryu Soo,Lee, Seung Min,Lee, Eun Yong,Lee, Cham Kyul,Jo, Na Young,Roh, Jeong Du Korean AcupunctureMoxibustion Medicine Society 2021 대한침구의학회지 Vol.38 No.3

There were 26 Bell's palsy cases at the Jecheon Hospital of Korean medicine, Semyung University from February 1, 2019, to February 28, 2021 reviewed. One group (A group) was treated with Bamboo salt pharmacopuncture and cervi cornu parvum pharmacopuncture (CC) pharmacopuncture in the paralyzed side of the face, and the other (B group) group was treated with Soyum pharmacopuncture, and hominis placenta (HP) pharmacopuncture. Amid a paucity of studies that have used bamboo salt and CC pharmacopuncture to treat Bell's palsy, this study aimed to demonstrate possibility of treatment effect on Bell's palsy. In addition, this study was to see if the effect of determine a change in pharmacopuncture was changed according to the progress of Bell's palsy symptoms was effective. Bell's palsy was improved in each group. Altough there were no significant differences in improvement between two groups, Bamboo salt pharmacopuncture and CC pharmacopuncture could be expected to be effective on the paralyzed face. Furthermore, it is effective to switch pharmacopuncture according to the progress of Bell's palsy.

불면증에 대한 약침 치료 현황 조사 연구

최성열 ( Sung-youl Choi ),조준희 ( Jun-hee Cho ),임정화 ( Jung-hwa Lim ),김보경 ( Bo-kyung Kim ) 대한한방신경정신과학회 2021 동의신경정신과학회지 Vol.32 No.3

Objectives: Pharmacopuncture is a Korean medicine treatment that combines acupuncture and herbal medicines. The aim of this study was to investigate the current usage status of pharmacopuncture for insomnia among Korean medicine doctors (KMDs). Methods: We conducted a self-reporting online survey targeting KMDs from February 23 to March 15, 2021 with cooperation of the Association of Korean Medicine. Responses of 957 KMDs were analyzed. Results: Types of pharmacopuncture mainly used in treatment for insomnia were placenta pharmacopuncture and Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture. Cephalic and facial region were preferred as the treatment site. For one treatment, total usage of pharmacopuncture was more than 0.5 cc but less than 1 cc. Among respondents, the largest number of respondents thought that clinical experience and patient symptoms were important as selection criteria of acupoints using Pharmacopuncture for insomnia. Average treatment duration of using Pharmacopuncture for insmonia was more than 4 weeks. Most KMDs preferred treatment for one to four times a week regarding the treatment cycle. The use of Pharmacopuncture for insomnia was recognized as having a good effect, although other KMDs were concerned about the insufficient evidence and the high cost due to non-reimbursement of pharmacopuncture therapy. Conclusions: In order to activate pharmacopuncture treatment for insomnia, it is necessary to secure effectiveness and safety through basic research, create evidence through clinical research, and reduce costs for patients.

두개천골 약침의 항산화 활성 및 표준화 연구

박수호 ( Soo-ho Park ),박진호 ( Jin-ho Park ),장은하 ( Eun-ha Jang ),이호성 ( Ho-sung Lee ),이대연 ( Dae-yeon Lee ),조주휘 ( Ju-hwi Jo ),이영우 ( Young-woo Lee ),이인희 ( In-hee Lee ),황의형 ( Eui-hyoung Hwang ) 한방재활의학과학회 2024 한방재활의학과학회지 Vol.34 No.1

Objectives The craniosacral therapy is closely related to the herbal meridians, so we try to explore, compare and develop pharmacopuncture that can have a synergistic effect. Methods The craniosacral pharmacopuncture, Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture, jungseongohhyeol pharmacopuncture, bamboo salt pharmacopuncture 1.8%, bamboo salt pharmacopuncture 3.0%, and normal saline, which are used with craniosacral therapy in clinical practice, were all made and prepared by ourselves. In order to compare antioxidant activity, 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant powder, total flavonoids, total phenolics methods were all measured. Method validation such as specificity, linearity, precision, and accuracy were performed for craniosacral pharmacopuncture. Results In all antioxidant methods, craniosacral pharmacopuncture showed the highest activity and followed by a Hominis placenta pharmacopuncture. The rest of the pharmacopunctures were measured to have low antioxidant activity. Nodakenin and glycyrrhizin were suitable as index compounds of craniosacral pharmacopuncture and they contained 0.82±0.01 μg/mL and 2.56±0.01 μg/mL respectively. Conclusions Craniosacral pharmacopuncture has the highest activity in all antioxidant activity experiments, which will help activate craniosacral therapy and quality control is possible through standardized research. Such research will contribute to the development of the oriental medicine industry. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2024;34(1):1-10)

락침(落枕) 환자에 대한 Sweet Bee Venom과 Bee Venom의 치료효과 및 Allergy 반응 비교 연구

이경희,윤현민,고우신,송춘호,장경전,안창범,김철홍,Lee, Kyoung-Hee,Youn, Hyoun-Min,Ko, Woo-Shin,Song, Choon-Ho,Jang, Kyung-Jeon,Ahn, Chang-Beohm,Kim, Cheol-Hong 대한약침학회 2008 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.11 No.4

Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference of treatment effects and allergic responses to stiff neck between Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture. Methods Forty one patients who felt stiff neck were randomly divided into two groups, a Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture group(group I) and a Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture group(group II). Evaluations of the treatment effects were made before and after a treatment using Visual Analog Scale(VAS), Neck Disability Index(NDI), Clinical Evaluation Grade(CEG). The comparison of allergic responses was measured with VAS. The obtained data were analyzed and compared with SPSS. Results The group I and group II showed significant improvement(p<0.05) according to the VAS, NDI, CEG. And the differences between the two groups were insignificant according to VAS, NDI, CEG. But allergic responses such as localized edema, localized itching were significantly lower in group II than group I. Conclusions It seems that there are no big different treatment effects between the two groups. Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture appears to be more effective measurement against allergic reactions than the Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture. Further studies are needed for the comparison of Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture.