Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the diagnostic factors of Damjeok in the literature.Methods: This study used the databases of five (Mediclassics, RISS, KMbase, OASIS, CNKI) to analyze diagnostic factors of Damjeok. Literatures published by May 2023 were assessed and we classified 91 literatures dealing with diagnostic factors by 5 categories, ‘characteristics’, ‘location’, ‘symptom’, ‘pulse wave & tongue feature’, and ‘eating habits & lifestyle’.Results: Damjeok is mainly formed at the stomach in the form of lump or hard seed, and it can be observed in other regions or even the whole body by its trait of floating. Damjeok mainly shows symptoms of the digestive system and also causes various symptoms associated with the respiratory system and infection, musculoskeletal system, urogenital system, neuropsychiatric system and cardiovascular system. Regarding pulse wave and tongue feature, a slippery wave and greasy coated tongue are typical features of Damjeok. Additionally, bad eating habits and a lack of exercise have been described as a factor that cause and aggravate Damjeok.Conclusions: The two most important factors in the diagnosis of Damjeok are abdominal stiffness by physical examination and digestive symptoms, and these correspond to the definition of a syndrome. Diagnostic factors based on literature evidence will provide clues to the clinical diagnosis of Damjeok syndrome.

Background: A subset of patients with chronic dyspepsia exhibits palpable upper abdominal hardness and systemic symptoms like headache, chest discomfort, neck/shoulder stiffness, fatigue, and depression. In traditional Korean medicine (TKM), this symptom complex is referred to as Damjeok syndrome (痰积症候群, DJS). Although DJS is frequently observed in TKM practice, it lacks a clear case definition and biological mechanism, limiting its integration in gastroenterology research and evidence-based practice. Clarifying its clinical and biological features is essential to understand its pathophysiology and clinical significance. Methods: This case–control study aimed to characterize DJS by comparing 16 female patients diagnosed with DJS and 15 age-matched healthy females as controls. A female-only cohort was selected to reflect the higher prevalence of chronic dyspepsia in women and reduce biological variability. Clinical characteristics and potential DJS-specific biomarkers were evaluated through complete blood count (CBC), serum biochemical tests, heart rate variability (HRV) for autonomic function, and plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), a serotonin metabolite linked to gastrointestinal motility and autonomic regulation. Results: The DJS group had a mean disease duration of 58.0 ± 46.2 months, with epigastric fullness and underlying abdominal hardness as primary complaints. Postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) was the most common (43.8%) dyspepsia subtype, often combined with epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). Extra-gastrointestinal symptoms such as headache/fatigue (87.5%) and anxiety/depression (81.3%) were highly prevalent. Neutrophil counts were significantly lower in the DJS group (p = 0.01), while other hematological or biochemical markers showed no differences (p > 0.1). HRV analysis revealed decreased parasympathetic activity (RMSSD and HF, p < 0.1), and plasma 5-HIAA levels were significantly elevated compared to healthy controls (p = 0.01). Conclusions: DJS aligns with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), sharing psychosomatic symptoms and reduced parasympathetic activity, suggesting gut–brain axis dysregulation. However, distinct features like palpable upper abdominal hardness and elevated plasma 5-HIAA levels indicate that DJS may represent a unique subtype within the category of FGIDs. These findings highlight the need for larger, well-designed studies to further elucidate the pathophysiology of DJS.

Objectives: Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics remain first-line antihypertensive agents, exerting their primary renal effect through inhibition of the Na+-Cl− cotransporter (NCC) in the distal convoluted tubule, producing natriuresis and saluresis with relative K+ and Ca2+ sparing. Although numerous medicinal plants possess diuretic properties, most preclinical studies assess only urine volume, preventing mechanistic classification and obscuring whether observed diuresis reflects NCC-mediated tubular activity. Methods: This focused review applied an electrolyte-based pharmacological framework to critically appraise medicinal plants with putative thiazide-like diuretic activity. Key findings: Of nine studies assessed across seven plant species, Tagetes erecta most closely approximated the thiazide-like fingerprint—natriuresis with relative K+ sparing and a partial Ca2+-sparing effect under HCTZ-referenced conditions, with additive interaction with HCTZ. Remaining candidates showed broader saluretic profiles, HCTZ-comparable natriuresis through mechanistically distinct pathways, or mixed/loop-like electrolyte patterns, illustrating the pharmacological heterogeneity of herbal diuretics. Isoquercitrin and related flavonol scaffolds were identified as plausible candidates for NCC-targeted investigation. Conclusions: Genuinely thiazide-like electrolyte profiles are uncommon in the herbal diuretic literature, largely due to reliance on urine volume, inconsistent electrolyte profiling, and infrequent HCTZ comparison. Electrolyte-based classification frameworks would improve mechanistic interpretation and facilitate identification of pharmacologically selective candidates. T. erecta represents the priority candidate for future NCC-focused mechanistic investigation.

Background: Glechoma longituba (Nakai) Kuprian (GL) is primarily used to treat urinary tract infections and traumatic injuries in traditional medicine in East Asia. Various components of GL are reported to show beneficial activities on brain diseases, including cerebral infarction and brain trauma. We hypothesized that GL extract may potentially have a beneficial effect against traumatic brain injury (TBI) animal model. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of GL extract on TBI mouse model. Materials and Methods: The water extract of GL (GLDW) was obtained by boiling with water. The TBI model was established using ICR mice with controlled cortical impact injury. The experimental groups were divided into sham, control, and three GLDW groups (30–300 mg/kg p.o.). Brain damage, neuronal density, and activated microglial density were evaluated. Motor functional deficits were evaluated using Rotarod test and Balance beam test, and cognitive functional deficits were done using novel object recognition (NOR) test and Y-maze test. Results: Oral administration of GLDW did not reduce brain damage or neuronal death. However, it improved motor and cognitive functions in a dose-dependent manner in both motor tests and NOR test except Y-maze test. Conclusion: GLDW can improve the impairment of motor and cognitive functions induced by TBI, but it does not have a protective effect against brain damage and neuronal death. Further studies are necessary in order to investigate the mechanisms GLDW’s functional recovery effect on TBI.