Objectives Even though the various alternative herbal medicine has applied for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, its scientific proof remains uncertain. The aim of the present study evaluates the effects of Chulbu-tang on inflammatory responses in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. Methods OA rat model was established by MIA injection in intra-joint of rats. 7 days after, OA rats except OA control rats were administrated Chulbu-tang (100 or 200 mg/kg) or Indomathacin (5 mg/kg) once a day for 14 days. The weight-bearing ability of hind paws were measured when group isolation 0, 7, and 14 days. Western blotting was performed to examine the knockdown/overexpressing efficiency of Chulbu-tang. In addition, cartilage destruction was measured histologically. Results Chulbu-tang treatment significantly reduced the protein expressions of inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2, and inhibited inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) inactivation. Moreover, anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase-1/2 through nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway significantly increased. Our findings indicate that Chulbu-tang has the potential therapeutic effect on OA through inhibiting the inflammatory responses via inactivating NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, upregulation of Nrf2 led to anti-oxidant effects. Conclusions Taken together, Chulbu-tang is believed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and cartilage protection for arthritis-causing rats.

This study is to report the effectivenes of Meridian-Test (M-test) in 2 cases on shoulder diseases. The M-test was applied to one patient diagnosed with as impingement syndrome and one patient diagnosed with tear of supraspinatus tendon. The changes in numeral rating scale and range of motion were identified to assess the progress of the treatment. After three times treatments, In example 1, the pain decreased from 6 to 0.5 and the range of flexion and abduction increased from 150° to 180°. In example 2, the pain decreased from 6.5 to 1, and the range of shoulder flexion increased from 120° to 170°, while the range of abduction increased from 90° to 170°. Based on the above results, it would be effective to apply M-test to treat shoulder diseases in these two cases. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2019;29(3):173-182) Key words Meridian test (M-test), Shoulder impingement syndrome, Rotator cuff injuries 서론»»» 어깨는 견갑골, 쇄골 및 상완골과 그 주위를 둘러싸는 근육과 인대로 구성되어 있고, 어깨관절은 상완와관절 (glenohumeral joint), 흉쇄관절(sternoclavicular joint), 견쇄 관절(acromioclavicular joint)과 견갑흉곽관절(scapulothoracic articulation) 등 관절복합체로 구성된다. 어깨를 구성하는 근육은 심부에 회전근개(rotator cuff)와 상완이두근의 장 두가 있고, 천부에는 승모근, 삼각근, 광배근, 대흉근, 대 원근이 있다 1) . 임상에서 어깨질환은 흔히 볼 수 있는 질 환으로 2016년도 보건복지부 공공데이터포털의 건강보 험 질병소분류별 다빈도 상병 급여 현황에서 29번째로 발생빈도가 높은 편이다 2) . 그 중 회전근개 손상은 성인의 어깨질환 중 가장 흔하 고 스포츠 손상으로 많이 발생되지만 40대 이상의 경우 퇴행성으로 많이 발생한다 1) . 충돌 증후군(impingement syndrome)은 어깨 힘줄인 회전근개(rotator cuff)가 그 위 에 있는 견봉 뼈와 부딪혀 염증을 일으키는 질환의 총칭 이다 3) . 이 질환들의 일반적인 치료는 수술 적응증과 비적응증 으로 분류하여, 수술을 받은 경우는 수술 이후 재활 운동 치료를 위주로, 비수술의 경우는 비스테로이드성 소염 진 통제 및 온열 요법, 인대 강화 주사 등의 치료가 주를 이 루고 있다 4) . 어깨 질환의 한방 치료에 관한 최근의 연구