BackgroundRecently, it has been noted that natural herbal medications may be effective in treating obesity. Tongbi-san (TBS) is a traditional medicine usually used for dysuria (i.e., painful urination), containing three herbs, Cyperus rotundus L., Citrus unshiu Markovich, and Poria cocos. In this study, we aimed to examine whether TBS can inhibit high-fat diet (HFD)-induced adipogenesis in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue of obese mice.MethodsMale C57BL/6 N mice were fed a normal diet, an HFD, an HFD plus orlistat 10 or 20 mg/kg, or an HFD plus TBS 50 or 100 mg/kg for 11 weeks. Body weight was checked weekly and histological tissue examinations were investigated. An expression of genes involved in adipogenesis was also assessed.ResultsOral administration of TBS significantly reduced body weight and decreased epididymal and visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) weight. In addition, we found that TBS enhanced the expression of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inhibited the expression of transcription factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in the liver and epididymal WAT as measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that the anti-obesity effects of TBS may be linked to the activation of AMPK.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of E10 on the relief of cervical myalgia. Methods This study is a one group pre-post, pilot trial test. After the approval of institutional review board (IRB), we have recruited 25 patients suffering from cervical myalgia. 23 patients (2 patients dropped out) was treated by using E10 on the cervical muscle and acupuncture points, three times a week for a total of two weeks from February 2016 to April 2016. Evaluations of VAS for bothersomeness of neck pain (VASB), VAS for pain intensity (VASP), NDI, SF-36, X-ray, thermography, etc. before and 1 week after treatment were carried out. The primary outcome measure was the VASB, measured 1 week after the end of the therapy. Results VASB scores was significantly decreased from 72.5±9.9 to 50.4±9.9. VASP scores was significantly decreased from 71.5±10.5 to 48.5±18.3. Results showed significant improvements in VASB, VASP, NDI, SF-36 from the baseline. However, in X-ray, thermography, there was no singnificant difference. Conclusions This study demonstrates the effectiveness of E10 treatment for relieving cervical myalgia. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2016;26(3):119-128)