• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1391-1400
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• 2018

Angelica tenuissima root has historically been used as a traditional medicine in Korea. Previous studies have identified the anti-melanogenic effects of the extract of A. tenuissima root fermented by Aspergillus oryzae (FAT). This study investigated the protective effects of FAT against ultraviolet light B exposure (UVB; $30mJ/cm^2$) in HaCaT (human keratinocyte) or Hs68 (human foreskin fibroblast) skin cells. FAT treatment was able to stimulate wound healing rate at the basal condition. FAT also favored the maintenance and/or improvement of extracellular matrix impairment caused by UVB irradiation through: 1) upregulation of procollagen Type-1 synthesis and secretion; 2) suppression of MMP-1 and elastase expression. FAT was able to play a role in the attenuation of inflammatory responses caused by UVB irradiation via upregulation of photo-protective hemeoxygease-1 and suppression of proinflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 expression. After further verification of the anti-photoaging potential of FAT, it could be utilized as an effective ingredient in anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.220-227
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• 2019

Stevia rebaudiana (Asteraceae), a perennial plant, has been used as a low-calorie sweetener and is being developed as a therapeutic agent for diabetes, hypertension, myocardial diseases, and microbial infections. Despite the common use of its leaves and stem, the bioavailability of the components present in S. rebaudiana flowers, when used as ingredients of cosmetics, has not been well investigated. Herein, we investigated the antioxidative and antimelanogenic effects of an aqueous extract of S. rebaudiana flowers (Stevia-F). Total flavonoid and phenolic content in Stevia-F were determined to be $8.64{\pm}0.23mg$ of quercetin equivalents/100 g and $631.5{\pm}2.01mg$ of gallic acid equivalents/100 g, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ values of Stevia-F for reducing power, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate radical, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide scavenging activities were 5541.96, 131.39, 466.34, and $10.44{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Stevia-F showed inhibitory effects on the tyrosinase ($IC_{50}=134.74{\mu}g/mL$) and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase ($IC_{50}=114.81{\mu}g/mL$) activities. No significant cytotoxicity of Stevia-F was observed in B16F10 cells, treated with up to $100{\mu}g/mL$ of the extract for 24 and 48 h (p > 0.05). Stevia-F ($1-100{\mu}g/mL$) suppressed ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone-induced melanin production in B16F10 cells (p < 0.05) and also inhibited the cellular tyrosinase activity (p < 0.05). Overall, our results show that Stevia-F possesses potential for inhibiting tyrosinase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activities and has significant antioxidant capacity. The antimelanogenic potential of Stevia-F should extend the usage of S. rebaudiana flowers in the development of skin-whitening products.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.74-86
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• 2015

Objectives To identify whether Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier (君臣佐使) Theory and Meridian Tropism (歸經) Theory of oral herbal medicine can be applied to trans-dermal medicine and whether pharmaceutical efficacy can be delivered to skin by Courier herb (使藥). Methods We reviewed previous studies related to Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier Theory. And we examined whether prescription compositions based on Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier Theory correspond with efficacy results of trans-dermal medicine experimentally identified. Results When Sovereign-Minister-Assistant-Courier Theory is applied to trans-dermal medicine, Courier herb act as delivering the effective components to the lesion penetrating skin barrier. And we identified that medicine absorbed through the digestive processes may not correspond with Courier herb applied topically. Conclusions We identified that Courier herb act as delivering the effective components to the lesion. But to strength evidences, additional studies on this action will be needed.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2020

Objectives : US extract is a mixture of each extract of Ulmi cortex and Smilacis rhizoma. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and ovoprotective effects of US extract in in vitro model to identify potential candidates for improving female reproductive function. Methods : The antioxidant activity of US extract was measured using 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assays. The anti-inflammatory effect of US extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were determined with a nitric oxide (NO) assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays, and western blots analysis. The antibacterial activity of US extract against vaginitis infection microorganisms were determined with disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration assays. The ovoprotective effect of US extract on 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells were evaluated with a cell viability assay. Result : US extract showed good antioxidant capacity and inhibited LPS-induced NO production as well as iNOS and COX-2 expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 without affecting the cell viability. It showed significant clear zones for Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans but did not indicate the clear zones for Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. VCD-induced ovotoxicity in CHO-K1 cells was significantly reduced by US extract pre-treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that US extract has antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects on the LPS-stimulated macrophages, antibacterial activity against vaginitis infection microorganisms, and protective effects on the ovarian cells against VCD-induced ovotoxicity. These findings suggest that the US extract can be used as new prescriptions, supplements, functional foods, and cosmetics for improving female reproductive function.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.325-329
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• 2012

The present study investigated the antimicrobial properties of medicinal herbs including Scutellariae Radix (SR: dried root of Scutellariae bicalensis Georgi). Among hot-water extracts of medicinal herbs tested in this study, SR extract showed the most potent antimicrobial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.625 mg/mL. In particular, synergistic effects of antimicrobial activity were observed upon combined application of SR and chitooligosaccharide as indicated by MIC of 0.125 mg/mL and FIC (fractional inhibitory concentration) index of 0.45. Thermal stability analysis indicated that the components responsible for antimicrobial activity was stable for 8 months at $45^{\circ}C$. Antimicrobial activity was proven to be effective in foods as well as in cosmetics as comparable to that of the chemical preservatives.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.466-474
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• 2017

The Omija (Schizandra chinensis Baillon) is a fruit native to northeast Asia that is cultivated in South Korea and China. Using 1,938 valid patents of 6 group countries, we analyzed the patent trend based on year, countries, applicants, and technology. The technologies are categorized the 10 sub-technologies such as medicine, quasi-drugs, food, feed, cosmetics, cultivation, genome, manufacture, preprocessing, and etc. The technology level and competitiveness are analyzed using patent index such as cites per patent, patent impact index, patent family size and technology strength. In Korea, patent number rapidly increasing and individual technical level is lower than other countries. However, overall technical competitiveness is estimated high due to multiple patents. We suggest that cosmetics and cultivation fields are most likely to be developed in future omiza technology development in Korea. Our study will provides to the information of technical trend to support performing of new projects for Omija plant.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.111-121
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this study is to assess the effect of Korean Herbal Cosmetic on quality of life (QoL) of Korean Herbal Cosmetics Using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) stratified by blind versus non-blinded option.Methods : Forty five healthy females aged 30's to 40's were recruited for this study. Volunteers were divided into two groups : Group A (n=22) was provided an anti-aging cream with ginseng extract in the original packaging including the brand name and logo. Group B (n=23) were provided same cream in a plain white normal jar without any package decoration or logo.Results : All females except two volunteers in group A completed a DLQI questionnaire, baseline, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment. The baseline of DLQI scores of all groups was 3.23±2.72. There was a significant difference in DLQI scores between before, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after in both groups ; The scores changed from 4.25±3.45 to 0.95±1.15 at 4 weeks, 1.00±1.72 at 8 weeks in group A, The scores of group B changed from 2.35±1.47 to 0.83±1.23 at 4 weeks, 0.65±0.98 at 8 weeks. But both had no interaction effect between follow up times and groups. Subscale DLQI scores improved after 4weeks were 'Symptoms and feelings', only in group BConclusions : Both groups showed significant improvements in QoL quality scores evaluated by DLQI. However, interaction was not observed for whether the participants knew the brand and content of the cream.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2023

This study aimed to confirm the potential as a material for food, medicine, and cosmetics by measuring the physiological activity of the complex extract(Leonurus japonicus Houtt., Houttuynia cordata Thunberg and Citrus unshiu Markovich). The complex extract was with hot water, The evaluation of cytotoxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and MAPKs of the extract was performed by using ELISA and western blot. Total polyphenols and flavonoid contents of complex extracts were 126.16 mg/g and 105.84 mg/g, respectively. The scavenging activities of DPPH and ABTS radical significantly increased in a dose-dependent in complex extracts. Compared to the control group, the complex extracts treatments significantly reduced concentrations of nitric oxide and inflammatory cytokine (i.e., IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6). Furthermore, the complex extracts treatments significantly reduced protein expression levels of MAPKs (i.e., ERK, JNK, and p38). The results indicate that the complex extract can be used for oxidative damage and inflammation. Thus, the results of this study can be used as basic data for composite materials for food, medicine, and cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the use of new bio-materials with enhanced value and functionality, which were derived from fermented wild ginseng cultures. Methods and Results: To examine the antioxidant activity associated with biological functions, radical scavenging analyses (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, ABTS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity analyses were conducted. Furthermore, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of wild ginseng fermented with microorganisms (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis subsp. inaquosorum) were evaluated to determine the antioxidant activity increment. Regarding ginseng fermented with B. licheniformis, values of $70.6{\pm}1.4%$, $44.3{\pm}1.7%$, and $88.4{\pm}1.3%$ were measured using DPPH, ABTS, and SOD-like antioxdiant activity analyses, respectively. The total phenolic content in ginseng fermented with B. licheniformis was $184.5{\pm}0.9{\mu}g{\cdot}GAE/m{\ell}$, and the total flavonoid contents was $108.5{\pm}1.8{\mu}g{\cdot}QE/m{\ell}$ in ginseng fermented with L. mesenteroides. Conclusions: Of the four types of lactic acid bacteria examined, the use of B. licheniformis to ferment ginseng resulted in greatest increase in antioxidant activity. Therefore, ginseng fermented by microorganisms might be used to produce functional bio-materials.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.636-642
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• 2014

In the theory of Korean medicine, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (ADR) can expel wind and relieve exterior syndrome, and eliminate dampness. Recently, ADR has been reported to have possibilities as anti-inflammatory agent and cosmetics. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ADR on contact dermatitis (CD). In order to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ADR on CD, we investigated the effects of ADR on ear thickness, ear weight, skin lesion and histopathological changes in mice with CD induced by 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). In addition, the effect on spleen weight was also measured. In our results, topical application of ADR lowered ear thickness and weight respectively. ADR treatment also improved skin lesions such as erythema and scale. In the histopathological observation, ADR-treated group showed diminished epidermal hyperplasia and immune cell infiltration in inflammed tissues compared to those of non-treated control group. In conclusion, These data suggest that ADR has anti-inflammatory action in inflammed skin tissue, resulting in improving skin lesion and histopathological abnormalities of CD.