The Spine and Joint Research Institute at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine announced on June 30 that it has published research results analyzing the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of the traditional herbal medicine 'Ogong' (dried centipede used in herbal medicine) in the SCI(E)-level international journal 'Toxins (IF: 4.0)'.
The research team led by Yesul Lee, Director of the institute, analyzed the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of Ogong, which has long been used to treat convulsions, pain, and inflammation, using a scoping review approach. A scoping review is a method that broadly collects and organizes existing research findings on a particular topic to understand overall research trends. In this study, a total of 45 studies?excluding those that did not meet the criteria or were duplicates out of 123 studies?were included, as well as 7 Korean clinical practice guidelines that mention treatments utilizing Ogong.
Yesul Lee, Director of the Spine and Joint Research Institute at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. Photo by Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine
The results showed that Ogong, as an herbal medicine, demonstrated outstanding effects in various areas, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. In particular, some components were found to be as effective as, or even more effective than, powerful analgesics such as morphine, while raising fewer concerns about tolerance or toxicity.
In terms of analgesic effects, herbal prescriptions using Ogong were effective in alleviating joint pain, regulating inflammatory responses, and inhibiting osteoclast formation. The bioactive molecule called 'peptide (SsmTX-I)', derived from Ogong venom, exhibited strong analgesic effects similar to those of narcotic analgesics but did not cause side effects or tolerance. In animal experiments inducing peripheral neuropathy, Ogong pharmacopuncture significantly suppressed allodynia. It also showed effects comparable to those of high-dose clonidine, a sedative, but without observed side effects.
Regarding anti-inflammatory effects, herbal complexes containing Ogong components suppressed the signaling of 'nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)', a protein complex that plays a key role in inflammatory responses and immune regulation. This led to reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines (protein immunomodulators secreted by immune cells) and inflammation-mediating enzymes (COX-2 and iNOS). In practice, 'Jijangsan', a representative herbal prescription based on Ogong, was found to help activate immune cells and decrease levels of substances that induce inflammation.
Additionally, the peptides 'Scolopin 1' and 'Scolopendin 2', derived from Ogong venom, exhibited strong antibacterial and antifungal activity. Other components contained in Ogong showed antioxidant, antithrombotic, antitumor, antifibrotic, and neuroinflammation-relieving effects, suggesting potential for treating symptoms of traumatic nerve injury and degenerative diseases.
Yesul Lee, Director of the Spine and Joint Research Institute at Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, stated, "This study is significant in that it confirms both the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Ogong as a pharmacopuncture and herbal medicine, which has been used in traditional medicine." She added, "I hope that, based on the Korean standard clinical practice guidelines, further studies will continue to expand the clinical application of Ogong in pain management and explore new possibilities."
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