• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.37-51
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• 2005

Mast cell is a cell that functions mainly in our body with a respect to inflammation and allergic response. Bee venom has been progressed in a study as a model related to mechanism in alleviation of pain until now, but it is being progressed in a study relevant to immunocyte in anti-inflammation or anti-allergic response. The present study is aimed to present the basis related to a future study of gene, by researching the influence of melittin and MCD Peptide, which are major ingredients in Bee venom, upon the expression of gene in the mast cell strain. In this study, it dealt with melittin and MCD Peptide respectively, in the effective concentration after passing though the experiment of cytotoxicity by using human mast cell strain. Also, with the respect in the aspect of expression in gene that changes at this time, information was obtained through the technique of analyzing microarray. Through experimental statistics, when regarding a case that global M is significant in more than 1 or -1, in melittin, all 7 genes were accelerated, and 8 inhibited. In MCDP, 7 genes were accelerated and 17 genes inhibited. The function in the body to which these genes are related, was associated with the protein binding within a cell, the activation in the function of lymphocyte, the acceptor related to macrophage antigen. In cell nucleus, substance related to GABA A receptor, protein associated with cAMP reactive element, substance related to complement system No.8 and to B-cell, protein substance related to polycystic kidney disease, substance related to inflammation, and the protein substance of influencing coagulation of blood. Through these results of analysis, it could obtain more useful materials in clarifying the mechanism of action in melittin and MCD peptide, which are in charge of mainly medical action in the abdomen. Also, it is thought that an in-depth study on the influence of main ingredients in Bee venom, the wholly honey bee venom aqua upon anti-allergic response or anti-inflammation are further required.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2019

Recently, due to the increase in skin diseases caused by particulate matter, endocrine disruptor and environmental changes, the trend of development of cosmetic materials has been shifting to the more safe and effective ingredients based on natural materials rather than existing synthetic compounds like steroids and antihistamines. This study aimed to develop a new natural cosmetic materials using oriental herbs such as Eucommiae cortex, Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel and Bombyx batryticatus. First, DPPH assay was performed to examine the antioxidative activity of the herbal extract (Mix) and 98.8% DPPH radical scavenging activity was confirmed at $400{\mu}g/mL$ concentration of it. In order to confirm the whitening efficacy of oriental herbal extracts(mix), the amount of melanin synthesized after stimulation of ${\alpha}-MSH$ with B16F10 cells was measured. Results showed that it was decreased to 27.1% comparing with the only ${\alpha}-MSH$ treated group, which confirmed the whitening efficacy. Also, both nitric oxide(NO) production and iNOS and COX-2 expression were significantly reduced in RAW264.7 macrophages activated by LPS in the presence of the extracts(Mix). The mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines such as $IL-1{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ was also analyzed to confirm the inhibition effect of the extracts on inflammation. Finally, to confirm the enhancement of skin barrier function, the expression of claudin 1 gene, a tight junction protein, was observed using human keratinocyte HaCaT cells and increased as concentration dependent manner. From these results, it is concluded that the oriental herbal extracts(Mix) containing Eucommiae cortex, Alpinia oxyphylla Miquel and Bombyx batryticatus is effective for antioxidant, anti-inflammation, skin whitening, and skin barrier and thus could be applied as a new natural cosmetic material.

• Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.1142-1151
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• 2018

Purpose: We assessed the visual and anatomical outcomes, and the safety profile of long-term intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (aflibercept, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab) given to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NAMD). Methods: We analyzed medical records collected over 7 years of treatment-naive NAMD patients who received outpatient clinic-based intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. All were treated employing either "treat-and-extend" or "as needed" protocols at the discretion of the retinal specialist. The number of injections, adverse events associated with injection, and measures of visual acuity (VA), central foveal thickness (CFT), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded. Results: Overall, we assessed 196 eyes of 196 patients (average age $68.6{\pm}9.6years$; 77 females). Patients received an average of $17.3{\pm}13.5$ injections over $78.0{\pm}16.5months$ of clinical follow-up. The initial mean VA (logMAR) was $0.75{\pm}0.58$ and the CFT was $349.7{\pm}152.6{\mu}m$. Both parameters exhibited maximal improvements at the 6-month visit (p < 0.05). However, the clinical outcomes worsened over the 7-year clinical course; the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was $0.91{\pm}0.78$ and the CFT was $284.5{\pm}105.8{\mu}m$ at 7 years. The BCVA at 7 years was significantly correlated with the initial BCVA. IOP-related events increased 11-fold and anterior chamber reactions increased 3-fold over the years, but no significant complications such as endophthalmitis were recorded. Conclusions: The use of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents was associated with initial visual improvements over 6 months but did not prevent the worsening of NAMD over 5 years. The BCVA at the initial visit was a strong predictor of the final BCVA. A more intensive injection schedule might improve long-term outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.298-305
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic benefits of Aronia melanocarpa (AM) and Moringa oleifera seed extract (MO) on experimental atopic dermatitis. We examined the effects of AM or MO and their combination on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis in BALB/c mice as well as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}-stimulated$ HaCaT keratinocytes. Mice were orally treated with extract during repeated application of DNCB to shaved dorsal skin. Our results show that treatment with AM and MO in combination reduced histological manifestations such as epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore, it significantly decreased skin thickness and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level compared to the AM or MO alone treated group. Combined extract of AM and MO suppressed expression of $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}-induced$ T helper 2 (Th2) chemokines such as thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and macrophage-derived chemokine. To sum up, combination of AM and MO suppressed the inflammatory response and serum IgE as an indicator of several allergic diseases in DNCB-induced experimental atopic dermatitis and Th2 chemokine expression in HaCaT cells. This result suggests that combination of AM and MO could be a valuable strategy to improve atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2004

The human skin is constantly exposed to environmental irritants such as ultraviolet, smoke, chemicals. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by these environmental facts play critical roles in cellular damage. These irritants are in themselves damaging to the skin structure but they also participate the immensely complex inflammatory reaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skin cell protective effect of Juniperus chinensis xylem extract on the UV and SLS-induced skin cell damages. We tested free radical and superoxide scavenging effect in vitro. We found that Juniperus chinensis xylem extracts had potent radical scavenging effect by 98％ at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. Fluorometric assays of the proteolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase-l(MMP-1, collagenase) were performed using fluorescent collagen substrates. UV A induced MMP-1 synthesis and activity were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gelatin-based zymography in skin fibroblasts. The extract of Juniperus chinensis showed strong inhibitory effect on MMP-1 activities by 97％ at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL and suppressed the UVA induced expression of MMP-1 by 79％ at 25 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. This extract also showed strong inhibition on MMP-2 activity in UVA irradiated fibroblast by zymography. We also examined anti-inflammatory effects by the determination test of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 in HaCaT keratinocytes. In this test Juniperus chinensis decreased expression of interleukin 6 about 30％. Expression of prostaglandin E$_2$, (PGE$_2$) after UVB irradiation was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using PGE$_2$ monoclonal antibody. At the concentrations of 5-50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of the extracts, the production of PGE$_2$ by HaCaT keratinocytes (24 hours after 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ UVB irradiation) was significantly inhibited in culture supernatants (p〈0.05). The viability of cultured HaCaT keratinocytes was significantly reduced at the doses of above 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ of UVB irradiation, but the presence of these extracts improved cell viability comparing to control after UVB irradiation. We also investigated the protective effect of this extract in sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-induced irritant skin reactions from 24 hour exposure. Twice a day application of the extract for reducing local inflammation in human skin was done. Irritant reactions were assessed by various aspects of skin condition, that is, erythema (skin color reflectance) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). After 5 days the extract was found to reduce SLS-induced skin erythema and improve barrier regeneration when compared to untreated symmetrical test site. In conclusion, our results suggest that Juniperus chinensis can be effectively used for the prevention of UV and SLS-induced adverse skin reactions such as radical production, inflammation and skin cell damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1422-1430
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate the modulatory effects of two prototypes of Panax ginseng saponin fractions, 20(S)-protopanaxadiol saponins (PDS) and 20(S)-protopanaxatriol saponins (PTS), on the induction of inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. For this purpose, RAW264.7 cells were treated with LPS ($10{\mu}g/ml$) before, after, or simultaneously with PDS or PTS ($150{\mu}g/ml$), and the released level of nitric oxide (NO) and expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were evaluated. When RAW264.7 cells were treated with LPS and ginseng saponin fractions simultaneously for 24 hr, PTS, compared to PDS, more strongly attenuated the NO production induced by LPS treatment. When the cells were pretreated with LPS for 2 hr followed by PDS or PTS treatment for 24 hr, both ginseng saponins strongly reduced NO release. The pretreatment of RAW264.7 cells with PDS or PTS for 2 hr followed by LPS treatment for 24 hr significantly attenuated the LPS-induced production of NO. PTS showed stronger inhibitory potency to NO generation than PDS. Our western blot experiment showed that both PDS and PTS ($150{\mu}g/ml$) also significantly down-regulated the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 induced by LPS treatment. Our results suggest that both PDS and PTS possess strong protective effects against LPS-stimulated inflammation and that their protective effects are mediated by the suppression of NO synthesis via down-regulation of pro-inflammatory enzymes, iNOS, and COX-2 in the RAW264.7 cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1357-1363
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of chicken egg containing IgY against H. pylori in patients with gastritis. Sixty three H. pylori-infected volunteers (20∼43 year, Male Female=49 : 14) were randomized into four groups which were treated with one chicken egg containing IgY b.i.d. (IgY group; n=17) or omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1.0 g b.i.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. (OAC group; n=17) or omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1.0 g b.i.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d. and one chicken egg containing IgY b.i.d. (OAC with IgY group; n=16) for 2 weeks or lyophilized IgY 1 g b.i.d (lyophilized IgY group) for 1 month. $\Delta$$^{13}$ $CO_2$ before and after treatment, the eradication rate of H. pylori and histologic change including H. pylori density, acute and chronic inflammation activity, intestinal metaplasia and glandular atrophy by updated sydney system were evaluated. Eradication rate of OAC with IgY group (94%) was higher than IgY group (0%), lyophilized IgY group (0%) and OAC group (88%). $\Delta$$^{13}$ $CO_2$at 2 weeks after treatment in one patient of IgY group was decreased. But that was not changed in the other patients. $\Delta$$^{13}$ $CO_2$ at 1 week after treatment in 15 patients of OAC with IgY group was significantly lower than pretreatment level (p<0.05), and $\Delta$$^{13}$ $CO_2$ at 1 week and 2 week after treatment was decreased in the other patient. Acute inflammation activity at antrum was significantly decreased after treatment in IgY and lyophilized IgY group (p<0.01), H. pylori density at antrum was significantly decreased after treatment in IgY and lyophilized IgY group (p<0.05). Chronic inflammation activity at body was decreased after treatment in lyophilized IgY group. Intestinal metaplasia and glandular atrophy at antrum and body were not changed after treatment in IgY group. Mild intestinal metaplasia in one patient of lyophilized IgY group changed to normal after 1 month treatment. Gandular atrophy at antrum and body were not changed after treatment in lyophilized IgY group.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.583-591
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• 2013

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease associated with a cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction to an allergen. Although the incidence of AD is increasing these days, therapeutics has yet to be developed for its treatment. The aim of this study was conducted in order to compare and investigate the characteristic between the Castanea crenata inner shell extract (CS) and the Castanea crenata inner shell extract fermented by Lactobacillus bifermentans (FCS) for an anti-atopic medication. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were similar to CS and FCS. In the DPPH and superoxide anion radical scavenging, the CS and FCS had the potential for antioxidant activities. Both of them did not exhibit cytotoxicity to HS68 cells. The evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity in Raw264.7 cells demonstrated that the FCS has inhibited the LPS-induced production of nitric oxide as compared to the CS. The anti-atopic dermatitis test was done through the induction of DNCB in AD hairless mice. The FCS has inhibited the development of the atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion by transdermal water loss, melanin and erythema of the skin as compared to the CS. Moreover, the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in hairless mice were inhibited by the FCS treatment. It indicates that the fermentation of the Castanea crenata inner shell has the potential for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.495-509
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• 2003

Background : Neutrophil-mediated inflammation is usually self-limiting, because neutrophils have a remarkably short life span. Prolonged neutrophil survival, which is caused by decreased spontaneous apoptosis, leads to persistent inflammation in sepsis. Because many inflammatory cytokines, which generate signals that delay apoptosis, are regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ transcription factor, we hypothesized that nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ might be related to the reduced neutrophil apoptosis observed in sepsis. Methods : Neutrophils of healthy volunteers and sepsis patients were freshly isolated from venous blood. Neutrophil apoptosis was assayed with two approaches : by counting apoptotic cells under a microscope and by flow cytometry using Annexin V. The activity of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was assessed by immunofluorescent staining or electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis was measured by western blot assay. Results : We confirmed reduced spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis in patients with sepsis. The number of apoptotic neutrophils in patients with sepsis increased to the level of that in healthy controls after cycloheximide treatment, suggesting that decreased spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis is dependent on de novo protein synthesis. In patients with sepsis, basal neutrophil nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was activated compared to the level in healthy controls. Moreover, a blockade of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activity reversed the decreased spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis in sepsis patients. Meanwhile, X-linked inhibition of apoptosis expression, which is regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, decreased 24 hours after incubation in healthy persons, but persisted for 24 hours in patients with sepsis. Conclusion : These observations suggest that the reduced spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis observed in patients with sepsis may be related to the induction of survival protein by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.484-491
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• 2019

Proanthocyanidins are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds abundant in many vegetables, plant skins (rind/bark), seeds, flowers, fruits, and nuts. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated myriad effects potentially beneficial to human health, such as antioxidation, immunomodulation, DNA repair, and antitumor activity. Among immune cells, macrophages are crucial players in a variety of inflammatory responses to environmental conditions. However, it has been widely reported that macrophages cause chronic inflammation and are involved in a variety of diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. In this study, we report the suppressive effect of proanthocyanidins via the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-related system, on the immune response of the LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Increased HO-1 expression at mRNA and protein levels were found in proanthocyanidins-treated RAW264.7 cells. Further, proanthocyanidins enhanced nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 translocation into the nucleus. RAW264.7 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without proanthocyanidins, and inflammatory mediator expression levels were assessed. Proanthocyanidins treatment resulted in the attenuation of nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, mRNA and protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-6, was inhibited by proanthocyanidins treatment in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. These findings support proanthocyanidins as a promising anti-inflammatory agent.