• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.1008-1013
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• 2011

Osteoporosis is the leading underlying cause of fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women, due to the loss of estrogen-mediated suppression of bone resorption. More than 50% of adults 50 years of age or older are estimated to have osteoporosis. Osteoclast which is main target for treatment of osteoporosis is originated from hematopoietic cell line. Aloe has been widely used in worldwide country as a coadjuvant medicine. Extracts of the leaves of Aloe have been used in condition to improve dermatologic problem such as seborrheic dermatitis, aphthous stomatitis, xerosis, lichen planus and has been known to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-tumor effects. However, despite the popularity of aloe as a plant food supplements, the evaluation of its efficacy as a possible therapeutic option for osteoporosis remains scarce. Thus, we evaluated the effect of Aloe on receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Here we found that Aloe significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation induced by RANKL. Aloe suppressed the activation of p38 pathway and $NF{\kappa}B$ in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) treated with RANKL. Also, Aloe significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of c-Fos, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c1 and cathepsin K in BMMs treated with RANKL. Particularly, Aloe greatly inhibited the protein expression of c-fos and NFATc1. Taken together, our results suggested that Aloe may be useful tool for treatment of osteoporosis by inhibition of osteoclast differentiation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.145-163
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• 2003

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the depigmentation effects of Aloe, Camellia sinensis and Mel. Methods : Inhibition of tyrosinase activity, melanin production & melanoma cell viability in cultured B16 melanoma cells, UV screen and cytoprotective effects on PC12 cells injured by hydrogen peroxide were measured. Results : Aloe has some inhibitory effects on tyrosinase activity, on the other hand Camellia sinensis and Mel do not have. They did not show any inhibitory effects on melanin production in melanoma cells and cytoprotective effects on PC12 cells injured by hydrogen peroxide. Aloe and Camellia sinensis have some inhibitory effects on UV screen. Conclusions : This study shows that Aloe and Camellia sinensis which were generally used for external application have some depigmentation effects. Following this, We should use them for whitening agents and the depigmentation effects of the other natural subjects which were generally used for external application should be examined.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.153-166
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• 2004

In addition to antiseptic／antibiotic regimens, current therapies such as topical and systemic corticosteroids, anti-histamine agents, immune suppressing agent are generally used in the western medicine to treat atopic dermatitis(AD). However, there is almost a complete lack of effective strategies to achieve long-term control of disease, oriental medical treatments are proposed an alternative measure. It has been proved by experimental and clinical study that Oriental medical atopic dermatitis(AD) treatments such as herb-medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, and steam therapy are effective in long-term treatment. Nevertheless, oriental medical therapy has some limitations to treat acute stage of the disease. Recently developed No-Hoe(蘆？: Aloe vera L.) extract dressings will be a supplementary methods to the oriental medical therapy. The dressing can subside pruritus, exudation, erythema and scaling in the acute stage of atopic dermatitis(AD). We applied the No-Hoe(蘆？: Aloe vera L.) extract dressings to eight atopic dermatitis patients and got some good effects. This reports will provide an alternative choice for the oriental and westernal medical therapy for long-term AD treatment.