• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.80-103
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• 2002

To screen the effective materials for hair loss treatment, several natural extracts were tested using in vivo and in vitro test models. Firstly, all test materials were applicated onto the back skin of C57BL／6 mouse and then hair growth pormoting effect were measured using hair growth index As a result, Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb and Terrninalia chebula Retz. showed potent hair growth promoting effect, ranking as 1.5-2.0 of hair growth index. However, there were no plant extracts, which have remarkable potential of growth promotion of human hair dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro. In the experiments of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ inhibition assay, Morus alba L., Chaenomelis Fructus, Saussureae Radix, Angelicae Gigantis Radix, Polygonum multifiorum Thunb, and Angelica dahurica (Fischer) Bentham et Hooker f. showed effective potential to inhibit the activity of 5${\alpha}$-reductase type Ⅱ. To investigate the possible involvement of effects of several plant extracts on the gene expression of growth factors in human hair dermal papilla cells, RT-PCR analyses were performed. As a consequences, Mentha haplocalyx Briq., Cimicifuga foetida L., Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Pinus densiflora S. et. Z, and Polygonum muitifiorum Thunb revealed the regulatory roles on the expression of growth factors such as IGF-I, KGF, HGF and VEGF in the dermal papilla cells. Another test for inhibition of microbial such as P. acne and P. ovale were also carried out to find whether these plant extracts have anti-microbial activities. Morus alba L. and Chaenomelis Fructus showed anti-microbial effects on Propionibacterium acnes, which is believed as a pathogen of acne. Together, these results showed several plant extracts can be used for hair growth promotion.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.10-21
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• 2021

Objectives: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive pathological condition characterized by excessive proliferation of the prostate. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Corni Fructus water extract (CF) on the promotion of prostate cell proliferation by dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Methods: The effect of CF on the proliferation of LNCaP prostate cells was evaluated, and DHT was treated to induce an in vitro BPH model. To study the mechanism of inhibition of cell proliferation and BPH by CF, changes in the expression of key factors related to cell cycle and BPH were investigated. We further investigated the effect on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory efficacy of CF. Results: Inhibition of LNCaP cell proliferation by CF was associated with decreased expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin A and increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. CF also suppressed expression of BPH inducing factors such as 5α-reductase type 2 and androgen receptor (AR) as well as prostate specific antigen (PSA). Furthermore, CF significantly blocked DHT-induced LNCaP cell proliferation and effectively attenuated DHT-induced expression of BPH mediators and cyclins. In addition, CF inhibited DHT-induced oxidative and inflammatory reactions by inhibiting production of ROS and NO. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that CF probably acted as 5α-reductase type 2 inhibitor, preventing the 5α-reductase type 2-AR signaling pathway, thereby reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT and the expression of PSA, which is at least correlated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of CF.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.378-386
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a major cause of abnormal overgrowth of the prostate mainly in the elderly. Corni Fructus has been reported to be effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases because of its strong antioxidant effect, but its efficacy against BPH is not yet known. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Corni Fructus water extract (CF) in testosterone-induced BPH rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: To induce BPH, rats were intraperitoneal injected with testosterone propionate (TP). Rats in the treatment group were orally administered with CF with TP injection, and finasteride, which is a selective inhibitor of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2, was used as a positive control. RESULTS: Our results showed that the increased prostate weight and histopathological changes in BPH model rats were suppressed by CF treatment. CF, similar to the finasteride-treated group, decreased the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone by TP treatment in the serum, and it also reduced $5{\alpha}$-reductase expression and concentration in prostate tissue and serum, respectively. In addition, CF significantly blocked the expression of the androgen receptor (AR), AR co-activators, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in BPH rats, and this blocking was associated with a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels in serum and prostate tissue. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CF may weaken the BPH status through the inactivation of at least $5{\alpha}$-reductase and AR activity and may be useful for the clinical treatment of BPH.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.653-660
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• 2010

Pulsatillae Radix and Cicadidae Periostracum have long been used for treatment of injuries, inflammations or itchiness in Korea. This study was carried out to examine the acne-remedy effects of the mixture made with equal parts of Pulsatillae Radix extract and Cicadidae Periostracum extract (PRCP) compared with 2%-benzoyl peroxide (Standard) used commercially as anti-acne. The results showed the mixture (PRCP) was more effective than each crude drug extract. The 10%-PRCP showed significant antimicrobial activity against Propionibacterium acnes, the major cause of acne, and also showed significant inhibition from type 1 $5{\alpha}$-reductase ($5{\alpha}R$), another cause of acne, And the cream made with PRCP demonstrated anti-sebum and acne-improvement effects on examinee's facial skin.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.507-515
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• 2014

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is commonly found in aging men, is characterized by hyperplasia of prostatic stromal and epithelial cells beginning in the periurethral zone of the prostate. The prevalence of BPH increases in an age-dependent manner. Here, we investigated the protective effects of unripe Rubus occidentalis extracts (UROE) on BPH development using a prostate cancer cell line and testosterone-induced BPH rat model. Experiments using an established hormone-dependent prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) showed that UROE treatment significantly decreased expression of androgen-related genes, including androgen receptor (AR), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and 5-alpha reductase 2, but not 5-alpha reductase 1, which was also observed in flutamide-treated cells. Further, AR and PSA gene expression was reduced by UROE treatment under androgen-stimulated conditions using dihydrotestosterone (DHT). BPH animals displayed elevated prostate weights. However, UROE as well as finasteride treatment significantly reduced prostate weights and DHT levels compared to testosterone-induced BPH animals. Histopathological analysis also showed that UROE treatment suppressed testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia. Taken together, the results suggest that UROE may effectively inhibit the development of BPH and thus may be a useful agent in BPH treatment.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.32-47
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) characterized by an enlarged prostate gland is common in elderly men. Corni Fructus (CF) and Schisandrae Fructus (SF) are known to have various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory efficacy of CF, SF, and their mixture (MIX) on the development of BPH using an in vivo model of testosterone-induced BPH. MATERIALS/METHODS: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups. To induce BPH, testosterone propionate (TP) was injected to rats except for those in the control group. Finasteride, saw palmetto (SP), CF, SF, and MIX were orally administered along with TP injection. At the end of treatment, histological changes in the prostate and the level of various biomarkers related to BPH were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results showed that BPH induced by TP led to prostate weight and histological changes. Treatment with MIX effectively improved TP-induced BPH by reducing prostate index, lumen area, epithelial thickness, and expression of BPH biomarkers such as 5α-reductase type 2, prostate-specific antigen, androgen receptor, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen compared to treatment with CF or SF alone. Moreover, MIX further reduced levels of elevated serum testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and prostate-specific antigen in BPH compared to the SP, a positive control. BPH was also improved more by MIX than by CF or SF alone. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, MIX is a potential natural therapeutic candidate for BPH by regulating 5α-reductase and AR signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 1999

This study was done to investigate the nutrient intakes and plasma biochemcial indices in 68 female college students according to their skin types. Nutrient intakes were investigated by quick estimation. The plasma TG and total cholesterol levels were measured by the Spotchem sp-4410. The plasma levels of retinol and $\alpha$-tocopherol were measured by HPLC. In addition, the activities of antioxidant defense enzymes such as plasma glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase(GHS-Rd) were determined. All data were statistically analyzed by SAS PC package program. The results of this study were as follows : The average age, height, weight, BMI, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure ofthe subjects were $20.9{\pm}1.9yr, 160.7{\pm}4.3cm, 53.0{\pm}7.1kg, 20.5{\pm}2.4kg/m^2, 105.3{\pm}11.5mmHg and 70.6{\pm}7.7mmHg$, respectively. Ten students(14.7%) had normal skin type, 19 students(27.9%) had dry skin type, 11 students(16.2%) had oily skin type, 17 students(25.0%) had acne and 11 students(16.2%) had mixed skin type. The intakes of energy and fats in oily skin group were significantly higher(p<0.05) than those of the dry skin group, but vitamin C intake in the mixed skin group was significantly higher(p<0.05) than those of the dry skin group, but vitamin C intake in the mixed skin group was significantly lower(p<0.05) than that in other skin types. The intakes of other nutrients were not significantly different among skin types. The analysis of lipids showed that the plasma total-cholesterol level of mixed skin group was significantly lower(p<0.05) than that of the oily skin group, whereas other lipid levels were not significantly different. The other parameters such as retinol, $\alpha$-tocopherol, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd of plasma were not significantly different among skin types. Overall results indicate that dietary intake pattern may influence skin type and thereby some blood biochemical indices can be different by skin types.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1-13
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare hair and alopecia of Korean Medicine with those of western medicine. Methods : We studied relationships between hair and essense(精), qi(氣), blood(血), five vicera(五臟) and meridians(經絡) through literature review about hair and alopecia. We compared Korean medicine with western medicine on physiology of hair and treatment of alopecia based on the study. Results & Conclusion : 1. Congenital essense(先天之精) is related with genetic factor and acquired essence(後天之精) is connected with nutritional factor. Defending function of Defense qi(衛氣) is related with immune reaction and qi stagnation(氣鬱) is associated with stress reaction. Atrophy of vascular tissues observed in alopecia scalp means deep relationship between blood(血) and alopecia, further deficiency of blood can cause telogen effluvium. 2. Kidney qi(腎氣) is related with inhibiting combination of Androgen receptor and Dihydrotestosterone(DHT) or activating hair growth factior. Pi(脾) is connected with alopecia seborrheica caused by damp-heat(濕熱) and alopecia areata caused by excessive prudence(思慮過度). Heart(心) is associated with atrophy in vascular tissue of scalp and liver(肝) is connected with metabolism. 3. Armpit hair and pubic hair as secondary sex characteristics are realated with Yangming Meridian(陽明經) and beard and hair at crown part where Type II $5{\alpha}$-reductase is activated much are associated with Taiyang Meridian(太陽經). 4. Juglandis Semen pharmacopuncture and Ganoderma lucidum pharmacopucture have better effects on inhibit $5{\alpha}$-reductase than Finasteride. Minoxidil and PRP are similar with promoting blood flow and removing stasis(活血祛瘀). Seven-star needling(七星針) is similar with microneedling. 5. Alopecia can be caused by due to lack of circulation Views we need solution to improve circulation coincide in opinion with Korean Medicine and Western medicine.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2021

The therapeutic effects of the leaves of Couroupita guianensis, a large tropical tree in the family of Lecythidaceae improving testosterone-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) were tested in vitro and in vivo. In BPH rats induced by castration and testosterone treatment, the prostate index was improved in groups administered with the extracts of C. guianensis extracted with 50%-, 100%-ethanol or boiling water, which was comparable with positive control, finasteride. The extract C. guianensis leaves showed significant inhibition on the expressions of type 2 5-alpha reductase (5αR) in RWPE-1 human prostatic epithelial cells, and effectively attenuated the expressions of androgen receptor, type 2 5αR and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in LNCap human prostatic adenocarcinoma cells. The leaves of C. guianensis that exerted evident suppression on BPH-related biomarkers in vitro and improvement of prostate index in vivo has a potential therapeutic use for the treatment of BPH.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2002

This study was conducted to evaluate the quality characteristics of different soy sauces. The soybean sauces brewed tty the A. oryzae koji(SAO), M. pilosus-1 koji(SMP) and the mixture of 50% M. pilosus-1 koji(SAM) during 90 days fermentation. Total nitrogen contents of the SAM, SAP and SMP were 13.6%, 1.15% and 1.22%, respectively. Content of amino type nitrogen in SAM was 0.78%, and the content was higher than those of SAO and SMP. Total free amino acid contents of SAO, SMP and SAM were 533.8, 732.4 and 807.3 mg/100 mL. The highest contents of free, amino acids were glutamic acid(65.20 mg/100 mL) in SAG, alanine(101.42 mg/100mL) in SMP, glutamic acid(130.52 mg/100 mL) in SAM. The highest activities of pretense and ${\beta}$-amylase showed in SAM, and the lowest activities of ${\alpha}$-amylase and glucoamylase were in SAO and SMP respectively. Hue angle values showed 56.3 in SAO, 29.0 in SMP and 32.2 in SAM. Monacolin K contents, as inhibitor of cholesterol bio-synthesis were 6.21 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL for SMP and 3.10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL for SAM, and the inhibitory activities of SMP ane SAM aginst HMG-CoA reductase were 21.5 md 10.2%, respectively. Sensory scores for color, flavor, savory taste and overall taste of SAM was higher than those of SAO and SMP.