• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 1999

We have studied the transdermal flux of prostaglandin $E_1$ $(PGE_1)$ from a hydrogel patch through hairless mouse skin, to test the possibility of developing a transdermal delivery system. Karaya gum patch containing $PGE_1$ was prepared by casting method. $PGE_1$ was stable in the patch for 10 weeks. The effect of current application, enhancer (propylene glycol monolaurate : PGML), adhesive and patch thickness on the flux was studied using side-by-side diffusion cell. Passive flux of $PGE_1$ was negligible. Cathodal delivery increased the flux about 20 fold. As the concentrations of PGML increased, flux increased. When 5% PGML was used as the enhancer, maximum flux by cathodal iontophoresis was $55\;{\mu}g/cm^2\;hr$. It increased about 2 folds to $100\;{\mu}g/cm^2\;hr$, when the amount of PGML used was 9%. Large increase in flux and the decrease in time to reach maximum flux were observed when the skin was pretreated with neat PGML (maximum flux obtained was about $200\;{\mu}g/cm^2\;hr$). Use of adhesive decreased the flux significantly. To the contrary of our expectation, increase in current density decreased the flux. These flux data together with the stability data indicate that, though the onset of sufficient delivery occur after 1-2 hours of application, therapeutic amount of $PGE_1$ can be delivered through skin using iontophoresis and penetration enhancer.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2010

In our previous work on levodopa delivery at pH 2.5 using iontophoresis, we found that cathodal delivery showed higher permeation than anodal delivery and electroosmosis plays more dominant role than electrorepulsion. In this work, we studied the transdermal transport of levodopa at very low pH (pH=1.0) where all levodopa molecules are cations, and evaluated some factors which affect the transdermal transport. The transport study at pH 2.5 was also conducted for comparison. The contribution of electrorepulsion and electroosmosis on flux was also evaluated. Using stable aqueous solution, the effect of electrode polarity, current density, current type and drug concentration on transport through skin were studied and the results were compared. We also investigated the iontophoretic flux from hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) hydrogel containing levodopa. In vitro flux study was performed at $33^{\circ}C$, using side-by-side diffusion cell. Full thickness hairless mouse skin were used. Current densities applied were 0.2, 0.4 or $0.6\;mA/cm^2$. Contrary to the pH 2.5 result, anodal delivery showed higher flux, indicating that electrorepulsion is the dominant force for the transport, overcoming the electroosmotic flow which is acting against the direction of electrorepulsion. Cumulative amount of levodopa transported was increased as the current density or drug concentration was increased. When amount of current dose was constant, continuous current was more beneficial than pulsed current in promoting levodopa permeation. Similar transport results were obtained when hydrogel was used as the donor phase. These results indicate that iontophoretic delivery of zwitterion such as levodopa is much complicated than that can be expected from small ionic molecules. The results also indicate that, only at very low pH like pH 1.0, electrorepulsion can be the dominant force over the electroosmosis in the levodopa transport.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.13-26
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• 2005

Experimental drug was applied to a white male mouse taken ill with allergic contact dermatitis to investigate the effects of Yanghyulsamultanggamibang. 1. In case of skin moisture, when it was checked 72 hours later, there showed up meaningful differences among the normal, control, and sample groups. Especially, the moisture increased more noticeably in the sample group than in the control group. 2. With regards to RBC count in blood, it increased more in the control and sample groups than in the normal group when it was checked both in 24 hours and 72 hours. When it was checked in 48 hours, the number of RBC in the sample group increased the most, and the count in the control group increased more than in the normal group. 3. About the neutrophil rate in WBC count, it increased meaningfully more both on the control and sample groups than in the normal group in 24 hours. When the rate was checked in 48 hours, it increased the most in the sample group, and it increased more in the control group than in the normal group. When in checked72 hours later, it increased substantially more in the control group than both the sample and normal group. 4. As of the lymphocyte rate in WBC count, when measured in 24 hours, it increased in the normal group than in the control and sample groups. In 48 hours, it increased the most in the normal group, and it increased meaningfully more in the control group than in the sample group. 5. Regarding the total IgE, when measured 24 hours later, it increased noticeably more in the normal group than in the control and sample groups. In 48 hours, there showed up substantial differences among the normal, control and sample groups. In particular, it increased meaningfully more in the control group than in the sample group. 6. When the sample of skin tissue was examined, the corneal layer restoration increased more in the sample group than in the normal group. The above-mentioned results prove that Yanghyulsamultanggamibang can be taken when allergic contact dermatitis develops on the skin. Long-term observation afterward is also advised.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.73-80
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• 2012

Objectives : Under normal condition melanin protects the skin from extracellular stimuli including ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative skin damages, but excess production and accumulation of melanin can induce hyperpigmentation causing esthetic problems. Therefore, in this study we tried to search for natural skin whitening materials from marine natural resources. Methods : Water and ethanol extracts of marine natural resources were prepared from Porphyra thalli (PT), Laminariae thallus (LT), Ostreae concha (OC), Sargassum thallus (ST), Undaria thallus (UT), Codium thalli (CT), Enteromorpha thalli (ET), Syngnathoides biaculeatus (SB), and Hippocampus coronatus (Hc). Their effects against UVB and ${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH)-induced melanogenesis were investigated based on melanin formation in B16 mouse melanoma cells. The mRNA and protein expression of enzymes involved in the melanogenic process were further examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results : Water extract of Ostreae concha (OCW/E) effectively inhibited UVB and ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanin production in B16 melanocytes, which seemed to be mediated by inhibition of mRNA expression of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1). In another experiment, ethanol extracts from Porphyra thalli (PTE/E), Laminariae thallus (LTE/E), Sargassum thallus (STE/E), Undaria thallus (UTE/E), Codium thalli (CTE/E), Syngnathoides biaculeatus (SBE/E), and Hippocampus coronatus (HcE/E) significantly suppressed UVB and ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced melanin formation. Furthermore, ethylacetate fraction isolated form LTE/E (LTE/EEt) decreased UVB and ${\alpha}$-MSH-elevated extracellular melanin levels via inhibition of tyrosinase protein expression. Conclutions : These results suggest that marine natural resources such as Porphyra thalli, Laminariae thallus, Ostreae concha, Sargassum thallus, Undaria thallus, Codium thalli, Syngnathoides biaculeatus and Hippocampus coronatus have anti-melanogenic effects, thereby exhibiting high potentials to be utilized as one of the ingredients for the development of new whitening functional cosmetics.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.141-151
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• 2009

We investigated the inhibitory effect of an oral administration of a Sophora flavescens Aiton ethanol extract (SFE) on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD) by using NC/Nga model mice. The induction of atopic dermatitis-like lesion was conducted by the removal of the back hairs and topical application of a mite antigen (Dermatophagoides farinae, Df) on to the back skin twice a week for 8 weeks. SFE was orally administered at a different doses (100-400 mg/kg). Atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions were evaluated by dermatitis scores, skin histology and immunological parameters (serum levels of IgE, TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and CTACK/CCL27). Oral administration of SFE significantly inhibited the clinical sign of Df-induced atopic dermatitis, including dermatitis score and leukocyte infiltration. Moreover, SFE suppressed significantly the serum IgE and Th2 chemokine (TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and CTACK/CCL27) levels in a concentration dependent manner. These results suggest that oral administration of SFE could reduce significantly the clinical signs and Th2 chemokines in Df-induced atopic dermatitis model mice. Therefore, SFE may be effective substances for the management of AD in human.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.163-178
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• 2011

Objective : This study is conducted to evaluate the efficiency of ethanol extracts of 4 mixed herbs(CP001 or CP002) on mouse model of atopic dermatitis induced by ovalbumin. Methods : Female BALB/c mice were internally sensitized with ovalbumin($20{\mu}g$) plus aluminum hydroxide hydrate(4mg) once per week. After 3 weeks, they were dermally challenged with patches containing ovalbumin ($100{\mu}g$) plus aluminum hydroxide hydrate(20mg) every other day for 3 weeks. After induction of atopic dermatitis, mice back skin were gently rubbed with CP001 or CP002(200mg/$m{\ell}$, $100{\mu}{\ell}$) for two weeks(every 2 days). Results : In CP001 or CP002 treated group, there was a remarkable reduction in infiltration of eosinophils on the skin areas and diminution of mast cells and total T cells in blood samples as compared with control group. Cutaneous expressions of interleukin-13, 17 were also decreased by CP001 or CP002. Moreover, blood immunoglobulin E level was decreased by drug administration while there was no decrease in OVA sensitization group. Conclusion : In summary, our result shows that herbal extracts(CP001 and CP002) could be potential candidates for the treatment of chronic atopic dermatitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.328-333
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• 2014

Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder induced by a loss of melanocytes. In addition to replacement of pure melanocytes, cocultures of melanocytes with keratinocytes have been used to improve the repigmentation outcome in vitiligo treatment. We previously identified by in vitro studies, that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) could be a potential substitute for keratinocytes in cocultures with melanocytes. In this study, the efficacy of pigmentation including durability of grafted melanocytes and short-term safety was examined in the nude mouse and Sprague-Dawley rat after grafting of primary cultured human melanocytes, with or without different ratios of primary cultured human ADSCs. Simultaneous grafting of melanocytes and ADSCs, which were separately cultured and mixed on grafting at the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3, showed better efficacy than that of pure melanocytes. Grafting of melanocytes cocultured with ADSCs resulted in a similar outcome as the grafting of cell mixtures. Skin pigmentation by melanocytes : ADSCs at the ratios of 1:1 and 1:2 was better than at 1:3. No significant difference was observed between the 1-week and 2-week durations in coculturing. Time-course microscopic examination showed that the grafted melanocytes remained a little longer than 6-week post-grafting. No inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the grafted skin and no melanocytes were detectable in other organs. Collectively, grafting of melanocytes and ADSCs was equally safe and more effective than grafting of melanocytes alone. Despite the absence of significant differences in efficacy between the group of 1:1 and that of 1:2 ratio, 1:2 ratio for 1-week coculturing may be better for clinical use from the cost-benefit viewpoint.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.171-179
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• 1999

Non-biting midges are known to contain potent inhalant allergens. IgE antibody responses to the crude extract of Chironomus kiiensis adults, a dominant chironomid species in Korea, were examined. With the IgE-ELISA or passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions, increased levels of chironomid-specific IgE were detected in the skin test positived human sera, or immunized BALB/c mouse sera with the crude extract adsorbed to alum. IgE-immunoblot analysis showed mafor IgE-reacting protein band patterns, which reacted with more than 50% of the skin test positive human sera, at 110, 80, 46, 40, 37, 34 and 31 kDa. The reactive band patterns were larely similar between skin test positive humans and immune BALB/c mice. However, the bands of 55, 31, 27, 26, 24 and 23 kDa were found only in sensitized humans, but not in immunized mice.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

In this paper, we proposed the skin color based hand and finger detection technology for the gesture recognition in CCTV surveillance. The aim of this paper is to present the methodology for hand detection and propose the finger detection method. The detected hand and finger can be used to implement the non-contact mouse. This technology can be used to control the home devices such as home-theater and television. Skin color is used to segment the hand region from background and contour is extracted from the segmented hand. Analysis of contour gives us the location of finger tip in the hand. After detecting the location of the fingertip, this system tracks the fingertip by using only R channel alone, and in recognition of hand motions to apply differential image, such as the removal of useless image shows a robust side. We explain about experiment which relates in fingertip tracking and finger gestures recognition, and experiment result shows the accuracy above 96%.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.7-10
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• 2012

Objectives: The root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (Lithospermi Radix, LR) is a kind of heat clearing and blood cooling medicinal herbs. It can clear away heat and cool the blood, reduce toxins and disperse maculae. LR has long been used as efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Methods: In the present study, we investigate anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of LR by using the 1-fluoro-2, 4- dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis mouse model. Results: Topical application of 10 mg/mL of LR effectively inhibited skin lesions induced by repeated paintings with DNFB. Topical application of LR also inhibited hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis and infiltrations of mononuclear cells. In addition, production levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG1 in serum were decreased by using LR in vivo. Conclusions: These data suggest that LR acts as an antiinflammatory agent, improving skin lesions in CD mice.