• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic intractable skin disease caused by various inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, CXCL8, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, as well as IL-17A secreted from Th17 cells and is characterized by hyperkeratosis and chronic inflammation of the epidermis. Brazilin, an active ingredient of Caesalpinia sappan L., is known to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and function in skin barrier improvement. In particular, it was shown as a potential material for treating psoriasis in a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocyte model. However, the direct regulation of the C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 20, a psoriasis-inducing factor, by brazilin has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the suppression of CCL20 and the regulatory mechanism by brazilin using a psoriasis-like model. First, brazilin downregulated CCL20 and CXCL8 in IL-17A-stimulated HaCaT cells in a concentration-dependent manner by inhibiting signal transducer and transcription (STAT)3 phosphorylation. In addition, brazilin significantly inhibited the expression of psoriasis-related genes CXCL8, CCL20, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, brazilin also had a positive effect on improving the skin barrier in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. The above results indicated that brazilin ultimately downregulated CCL20 expression by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, and also suppressed the expression of psoriasis-induced cytokines. If the efficacy of brazilin in improving psoriasis is verified through animal models and clinical trials in the future, it may represent a potentially therapeutic substance for psoriasis patients.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2021

Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is a perennial plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. Its root has been utilized as a traditional medicine especially in Korea. This study was carried out to evaluate the potential use of extracts from AGN root parts as a cosmetic material. The dried AGN roots are divided into body (B), thick root (TkR), medium root(MR) and thin root (TnR) according to their diameter before cutting into medicine. B, TkR and MR of AGN are combined and used as medicinal herbs (MH). The extracts from AGN each root part (B, TkR, MR, TnR, MH) were used to test the effect on cell viability using MTS assay and to examine inhibitory effect on melanin accumulation in B16F10 melanoma cells. All extracts (50 - 200 ㎍/mL) from the each root part did not affect the cell viability. And inhibitory effect of all root extracts (200 ㎍/mL) on melanin accumulation was 12-19%. Especially, TnR showed similar inhibitory effect on melanin accumulation to MH. In addition, DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity were higher in the TnR extract compared to MH. This study showed that the TnR extract exhibit high inhibitory effect on melanin accumulation and antioxidant activity compared to MH, suggesting that TnR extract has potential as a cosmetic ingredient.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.430-437
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• 2022

We conducted a study on the whitening activity of Abies nephrolepis MAX. extracts. The electron-donating ability of 70% ethanol extracts from A. nephrolepis MAX. Stem (AN-S) and A. nephrolepis MAX. Leaf (AN-L) were found to be 89.4% and 90.9% at 1,000 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. Their ABTS⁺ radical scavenging abilities were found to be 88.8% and 96% 500 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. Their tyrosinase inhibitory effects were found to be 48.5% and 31.1% at 500 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. Cell survival rates measured in B16F10 were examined with the AN-S and AN-L extracts. Results showed cell viabilities of 98.3% and 94.4% at 500 ㎍/ml concentration, respectively. The protein and mRNA expression inhibitory effects of AN-S and AN-L extracts were measured by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively, at 25, 50 and 100 ㎍/ml concentrations. The results of western blotting showed that the AN-S extract at 100 ㎍/ml concentration decreased the TRP-1 protein expression rate by 46%. The results of Western blotting also showed that the AN-L extract at 100 ㎍/ml concentration decreased the MITF protein expression rate was by 54.6%. Consequently, in the case of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase, the amount of mRNA expressed decreased as the concentration of the extracts increased. Our results suggested that A. nephrolepis MAX. extracts can be used as a functional cosmetic material by confirming that they can be used as a whitening material.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.347-357
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• 2023

The succulent plant Aeonium sedifolium leaves contain several compounds that are of interest for their cosmetic uses on the skin. This study measured the inhibitory effects of enzyme production and antioxidant, astringent effects and skin wrinkles using Aeonium sedifolium leaves (ASL). The total phenolics compounds (TPC) content of ASL under optimal extraction conditions was 34.49 mg/g for hot water extract (ASLW) and 61.64 mg/g for 50% ethanol extract (ASLE). The ASLW and ASLE extracts were freeze-dried, powdered, and used as solids. TPC content, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazy (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylben-zothiazoline 6-sulfonate) (ABTS) radical inhibition of the ASL phenolics were tested. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of ASLW and ASLE were tested at a TPC of 100 ㎍/mL. ABTS radical inhibition showed antioxidant activity of 100.00% in ASLW and ASLE, and the antioxidant protection factor of ASLW and ASLE was 1.07 and 1.22, respectively. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) inhibitory activity of ASLW and ASLE was 77.00%. The elastase inhibitory activity of ASLE was 69.03%, and collagenase inhibition activity for ASLW and ASLE was 29.82% and 54.76%, respectively. The astringent effect of ASLE was 89.82% at a TPC of 200 ㎍/mL. Thus, we concluded that ASL has the potential as a functional cosmetic ingredient with anti-aging effects on the skin.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.149-160
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• 2023

Objectives This study is for reporting current status and strategies of thread embedding acupuncture (TEA) in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) using web-based survey. Methods Survey was conducted online via E-mail among Korean medicine doctors registered with the Association of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire is developed by Korean medicine doctor in Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong. The survey consisted mainly of multiple-choice questions on the current status and strategies of TEA for TMD. Results Total of 427 doctors responded. TEA was mostly used for 'Cosmetic purpose and others' with 287 respondents (67.2%), and 102 respondents (23.9%) having experience with TEA for TMD. The most common purpose for TEA for TMD was 'Improving muscle contraction and tension' with 290 respondents (67.9%). The average interval was reported 2.12 weeks, and the most common response for the number of treatments was five sessions with 127 respondents (29.7%). The most common criterion for determining the treatment site was based on anatomical structure, accounting for 92.7%. The most effective anatomical structure was the 'Masseter muscle' with 83.1%, followed by the 'Temporal muscle' with 51.8%. TEA direction for TMD was dominant in 'affected side' for all muscles. Conclusions Through a survey, we can investigate clinical usage of TEA for TMD. This study can be helpful in creating standardized criteria for TEA on TMD in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Objectives : The objective of this study is to identify the characteristics of outpatients and the frequently diagnosed diseases in dermatology of Korean medicine through periodic research and comparison with previous studies. Methods : We analyzed medical records of new outpatients who visited department of dermatology at Kyung Hee university Korean medicine hospital between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2022. We analyzed the patient demographic characteristics and the frequency of diagnosed diseases. Then we compared these results with previous studies in 2000, 2007 and 2016. Results : 1. Average number of patients and proportion of male patients have increased from 1996 to 2022. 2. From 1996 to 2022, there was a decrease in the proportion of patients aged 0-39 and an increase in the proportion of patients aged over 40. 3. The distribution proportions of eczema, atopic dermatitis, and rosacea during 2018-2022 have increased compared to those during 2011-2015. 4. The distribution of diseases according to age appears to vary based on the epidemiological characteristics of the diseases. 5. The distribution of diseases according to gender also appears to vary based on the epidemiological characteristics of the diseases, as well as cosmetic issues related to the affected areas. Conclusions : Considering the sustained trend of a high proportion of non-infectious inflammatory diseases since 1996, it is important to enhance treatment capacity through continuous research.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.20-25
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• 2015

Objectives: Recently, thread-embedding therapy (TET) has been widely applied in Korean medicine for cosmetic purposes such as reducing skin wrinkles. An inserted thread was reported to have induced continuous stimulation, followed by support for connective tissue regeneration. However, the potential role of TET in hair-growth has not yet been reported. Methods: We designed this study to evaluate whether TET has a hair-growth-promoting effect. C57 black 6 (C57BL/6) mice were divided into three groups: normal saline-treated, minoxidil-treated, and thread-embedded groups. Normal saline or 5% minoxidil was topically sprayed on the dorsal skin of the mice once a day for 16 days. Medical threads were embedded into the dorsal skin of the mice in a single application. Hair growth activity was evaluated by using dermoscopic and microscopic observations. Sections of the dorsal skin were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Expressions of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7), and fibroblast growth factor-5 (FGF-5) were detected by using immunohistochemical staining. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was adopted to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of FGF-7 and FGF-5. Results: TET enhanced anagen development in the hair follicles of C57BL/6 mice. The expressions of BrdU and PCNA, both of which imply active cellular proliferation, were increased by using TET. Moreover, TET increased the expression of FGF-7, an anagen-inducing growth factor, while decreasing the expression of FGF-5, an anagen-cessation growth factor, both at the protein and the mRNA levels. Conclusion: TET enhanced hair re-growth in C57BL/6 mice. TET regulated the expressions of anagen-associated growth factors and activated the proliferation of hair follicular cells in depilated skin lesions. Considering its long-lasting effect, TET may be a good alternative therapeutic for the treatment of alopecia.

• International Area Studies Review
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.141-172
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to view Korean Hallyu stars, the advertisement models of Korean cosmetics brands, as human brands in the Chinese cosmetics market. Furthermore, this study attempted to verify whether the attributes of human brands, such as reliability, professionalism, attraction, intimacy, similarity and favorable impression, affect Chinese consumers' affection toward Korean celebrities, and whether such Chinese consumers recognize the authenticity of the products, sellers, and companies of Korean cosmetics brands advertised by Korean stars. The results of empirical analysis indicated that among the attributes of Korean stars, the advertisement models of Korean cosmetics companies, Chinese consumers' affection toward Korean stars was positively affected by reliability, attraction and similarity, but not by professionalism, intimacy and favorable impression. Furthermore, results showed that the consumers' affection toward Korean stars positively affected the authenticity of the brands advertised by the celebrities.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigated the anti-aging and anti-wrinkles effects of the pinus koreaiensis seed(PKS) oil. Methods : The anti-oxidant effect was performed by beta-carotene bleaching assay and the intracellular proteome was analyzed expression of each 15 proteins by 2-D electrophoresis. And fatty acid was analysed by gas chromatography. Anti-wrinkle effect was analyzing human skin by the PRIMOS system. Results : Fatty acid analysis of PKS oil has shown oleic acid was 49.7% and linoleic acid was 34.1%. And the antioxidant effect was about 125% compared with alpha-tocoperol(0.1%) by beta carotene bleaching assay. In 2D PAGE analysis, fifteen protein changes in five mechanisms which was collagen synthesis pathway, MMPs, ECM-cell interaction, cytokine, antioxidant enzymes were analyzed. In case of anti-wrinkle effect was proved in vivo by analyzing human skin by the PRIMOS system. The analysis results of eye wrinkles for 4 weeks showed an improvement effect of over 6%. Conclusions : In this study, the amount of protein change in the five mechanism through the cell experiment and the skin anti wrinkle efficacy by the human in vivo test were investigated. As a result pinus koreaiensis seed oil by supercritical extraction could be used as a anti-aging and anti-wrinkle substance for the skin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1838-1843
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• 2010

Skin aging is related to genetic and environmental factors (e.g., gene mutation and UV radiation respectively). To develop a new anti-wrinkle cosmetic or functional food by using Korean rice wine cake, we examined the effects of Korean rice wine cake, a brewery byproduct, on antioxidant effect, collagen synthesis and expression of MMP-1. Interestingly, we found that Korean rice wine cake has the ability to promote scavenging activity of DPPH radical. We also found that the cell proliferation and synthesis of collagen in HS27 cells was increased by Korean rice wine cake in a concentration-dependent manner. However, elastase inhibitory activity was not changed. In addition, the expression of MMP-1 was inhibited by Korean rice wine cake in a concentration-dependent manner. All these results suggest that Korean rice wine cake can be effectively used for the prevention of wrinkles in human skin.