191018 Public Resource Project Therapy (5): Modified Saengmaek-san

Modified Saengmaek-san for Menopausal Circulatory Disorders via Vascular Stiffness Improvement

Treatment of Menopausal Circulatory Disorders through Improved Vascular Elasticity: Modified Saengmaek-san

The age-related decline in female hormones is associated with increased vascular stiffness before and after menopause, which is considered a major risk factor for the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases after menopause.

Accordingly, our institution prescribed a modified Saengmaek-san formula with the aim of treating circulatory disorder symptoms—such as chest pain and dizziness—in middle-aged female patients. Modified Saengmaek-san is a reformulated prescription based on the original Saengmaek-san, which has traditionally been widely used for cardiovascular conditions, and has been tailored to address circulatory disorders in menopausal women.

In addition, among patients meeting the above indications, those who exhibited higher arterial stiffness than the age-adjusted standard values on arterial stiffness testing showed significant improvements not only in clinical symptoms but also in vascular stiffness following treatment with the prescription.

Specifically, a 4-week prospective observational study was conducted in 30 middle-aged women aged 40–70 years whose vascular age was significantly higher than their chronological age and who did not receive acupuncture or other traditional Korean medicine therapies in combination. As a result, the augmentation index decreased from 92.8 ± 11.0 (%) to 89.2 ± 11.1 (%), vascular age assessed by acceleration plethysmography decreased from 71.9 ± 14.7 years to 56.0 ± 13.2 years, and pulse pressure decreased from 48.1 ± 9.0 mmHg to 43.7 ± 8.6 mmHg.

Improvements in these vascular stiffness–related parameters suggest that this prescription may be useful for the prevention and treatment of circulatory system disorders associated with menopause and vascular aging.

▲ Indications for the Use of Modified Saengmaek-san

▲ Example of Arterial Stiffness Testing

▲ Participation in the 60th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Pulse Wave Analysis

Arterial stiffness assessment is primarily conducted through the analysis of pulse wave parameters, such as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the augmentation index (AIx). As the development and research of related medical devices are actively carried out in Japan, we attended the conference to acquire advanced knowledge and seek expert consultation. In particular, the development process of vascular stiffness–improving products utilizing safflower seeds provided significant inspiration.

Finally, for a clinician’s prescription to undergo academic validation and advance toward industrialization, it is essential that companies take the lead in research. To this end, clinicians must demonstrate and reproduce the efficacy of the prescription, while concurrently reviewing its patentability. The Traditional Korean Medicine Therapeutic Technology Public Resource Project operated by the Korean Medicine Standard Clinical Practice Guideline Development Group serves as an excellent platform that enables clinicians to validate prescriptions through R&D processes and advance them toward commercialization.

We will make every effort to ensure that the ongoing research on the development of herbal formulations for the treatment of menopausal syndrome is successfully completed with meaningful outcomes.

Thank you for your interest.

Source: Minjok Medicine Newspaper(https://www.mjmedi.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=37428)