• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.57-68
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• 2010

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts on the inflammatory cytokines gene expression by the bacteria of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) which elicits acne in human monocytes, THP-1 cell line. Experiment : Cytotoxicity of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts was analyzed by XTT assay. Real time RT-PCR was applied to analyze the cytokines gene expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. Translocation of transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$ from cytoplasm into nucleus was observed using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Results : Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts did not show cytotoxicity as high as in $1,000\;{\mu}g/ml$ of concentration. Transcription levels of inflammatory cytokines, IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$ were increased by P. acnes in THP-1 and Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts decreased the upregulated transcription levels. Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts significantly inhibited the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ into nucleus by P. acnes. Conclusion : This study suggests that Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts have anti-inflammatory effects on P. acnes treated THP-1 as decreasing the mRNA expressions of IL-8, MCP-1 and TNF-$\alpha$. This anti-inflammatory effect of Lithospermum erythrorhizon extracts may be useful in therapeutic treatments for acne vulgaris.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2003

Antimicrobial effect of Schizandra chinensis and pine neddle against various pathogens relate to acne (comedones). Ethanol extracts of Schizandra chinensis and pine neddle showed antimicrobial activity against Malassezia furfur Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes . The growth of M. fufur and S. epidermidis was inhibited completely by addition of 0.12% Schizandra chinensis extract to YM broth (YM) and tryptic soy broth (TSB) after 24 h incubation. The growth of Propionibacterium acnes was completely inhibited on YM and TSB containing 0.06% of ethanol extract of Schizandra chinensis and pine neddle, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Schizandra chinensis and pine neddle against P. acnes was 0.0075% (75 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL). The antimicrobial activities of Schizandra chinensis and pine noddle did not decrease apparantly by heat treatment at $80^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, 10$0^{\circ}C$ for 30 min and $121^{\circ}C$ for 15 min, respectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2020

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is critical for host defense as well as the progression of inflammatory diseases through the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, which is cleaved by active caspase-1. It has been reported that overactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to the development and pathology of acne vulgaris. Therefore, inhibiting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome may provide a new therapeutic strategy for acne vulgaris. In this study, we investigated whether auranofin, an anti-rheumatoid arthritis agent, inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thereby effectively treating acne vulgaris. Auranofin suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by Propionibacterium acnes, reducing the production of IL-1β in primary mouse macrophages and human sebocytes. In a P. acnes-induced acne mouse model, injection of P. acnes into the ears of mice induced acne symptoms such as redness, swelling, and neutrophil infiltration. Topical application of auranofin (0.5 or 1%) to mouse ears significantly reduced the inflammatory symptoms of acne vulgaris induced by P. acnes injection. Topical application of auranofin led to the downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome activated by P. acnes in mouse ear skin. These results show that auranofin inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome, the activation of which is associated with acne symptoms. The results further suggest that topical application of auranofin could be a new therapeutic strategy for treating acne vulgaris by targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.271-280
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to conduct a subjective and objective evaluation to verify the improvements in acne skin conditions followed by the use of foam cleanser, skin toner, and a facial pack that contains bamboo vinegar. The research targets are 20 male and female high school students in Gwangju and Jeolla regions with acne skin of grade II and above based on the Korean Acne Grading System (KAGS). For the experiment, the subjects were classified between an experimental group with 10 subjects who used bamboo vinegar foam cleanser, skin toner, and facial pack and a control group with 10 subjects who used foam cleanser, skin toner, and facial pack without bamboo vinegar, and the subjects had to use the foam cleanser, skin toner, and facial pack for 12 weeks. In the case of skin improvement effects founded upon the objective measurement values, the experimental group showed a greater improvement for reducing the pores in the forehead, nose ridge, and left cheek (p<.001) compared to the control group, and the experiment group had higher satisfaction overall even for the skin improvement effects based on the subjective evaluation tool (p<.05, p<.001). The overall values of the satisfaction of the cosmetics showed that the experiment group had higher values (p<.01, p<.001) compared to the control group for the foam cleanser, skin toner, and facial pack, and there were statistically significant differences for usability in details (p<.01, p<.001). In conclusion, it was proven that bamboo vinegar is an effective natural cosmetic product material to improve acne skin conditions.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.589-593
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• 2016

Propionibacterium acnes infection in skin tissue often causes acne vulgaris, commonly characterized by inflammatory papules, pustules, and nodules. Chitosan and its derivatives possess strong anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of chitosan-phytochemical conjugates on P. acnes-infected human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) was evaluated. We designed a model of P. acnes-induced inflammation in viable HaCaT cells. Nitric oxide (NO), an inflammatory marker, was successfully elevated by P. acnes infection in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the levels of NO were reduced by treatment with chitosan-phytochemical conjugates (chitosan-caffeic acid, -ferulic acid and -sinapic acid) in a dose-dependent manner. Among these conjugates, chitosan-caffeic acid exhibited the strongest NO suppression in HaCaT cells infected with P. acnes. The results obtained in this study suggest that chitosan-phytochemical conjugates could be used as a potential therapeutic agent against acne vulgaris.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.182-190
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• 2009

Purpose: The pilot study was done for checking the efficacy of using functional soap, containing medicinal herbs on acne skin. Methods: 30 participants with acne skin was recruited. They used functional soap during 8 weeks. Before and after the study, we checked the KAGS(Korean Acne Grading System) grade, and compared those score. For examining the clinical effect, global evaluation was done by both investigator and participants. Results: KAGS grade decreased from 1.6316 to 1.4211(p value = 0.042). And the clinical global evaluation was improved. Conclusion: This pilot test showed that using functional soap, containing medicinal herbs would be one of treatment on acne skin.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.80-84
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• 2009

The in vitro antibacterial activities of anti-acne agents prepared from the extracts of natural sources were investigated against several bacteria including antibiotic-susceptible and -resistant Propionibacterium acnes. SD-1 and SD-2 were prepared with different formulations and they showed strong antibacterial activities. The anti-acne agents completely inhibited the growth of the tested strains at the concentration of 0.5%. There was no difference in antibacterial activity between antibiotic-susceptible and -resistant P. acnes. The inhibitory activities of two agents showed time-dependent manner. In S. aureus, time-kill curve demonstrated 2.8- and 3.4-$log_{10}$-unit killing after 8 h with SD-1 and SD-2, respectively. In P. acnes, time-killing curve demonstrated 5.1- and 6.1-$log_{10}$-unit killing after 24 h with SD-1 and SD-2, respectively. SD-2 showed stronger antimicrobial activity than SD-1. From these results, we expect that SD-1 and SD-2 have strong antibacterial activities and have advantages for treating acne.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.98-101
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• 2011

Acne, one of the most common skin disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease and is caused by uncertain and multiple factors. Propionibacterium acnes belongs to the human cutaneous normal flora and is a major etiologic agent of acne vulgaris. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial effect of 19 medicinal plants. Antibacterial activity of extracts prepared from the 19 medicinal plants was investigated against bacteria related to acnes, Propionibacterium acnes. Among them, some medicinal plants inhibited the growth of the P. acnes. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Polygonum aviculare (Herb) was 0.2 mg/ml against P. acnes. MIC of Dianthus chinensis (Aerial Part), Forsythia viridissima (Fruit), Lygodium japonicum (Spore) and Sophora flavescens (Root) were 0.4 mg/ml. Based on these results, Polygonum aviculare (Herb), Dianthus chinensis (Aerial Part), Forsythia viridissima (Fruit), Lygodium japonicum (Spore) and Sophora flavescens (Root) may be considered as a candidate for a good medicine for acne.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2010

Objective : I want to examine the antimicrobial activity of Samhwangsasimtang against pseudomonas aeruginosa 38 isolated from an acne patient. Method : Antimicrobial activity was assayed through the hot water extract from Samhwangsasimtang against pseudomonas aeruginosa 38 isolated from an acne patient. Result : The size of inhibition zone of Samhwangsasimtang extract was $12.6\;{\pm}\;0.04\;mm$. The optimal pH and temperature for the growth of isolated pseudomonas aeruginosa 38 were 6.0 and $37^{\circ}C$, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Samhwangsasimtang extract was $10\;{\pm}\;0.06\;{\mu\ell}$ and the antimicrobial activity of Samhwangsasimtang extract was not destroyed by the heat ($121^{\circ}C$ for 15 min) and not affected by pH. Conclusion : Reviewing this experimental result, it appeared that Samhwangsasimtang had efficacy against pseudomonas aeruginosa 38 isolated from an acne patient.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2020

Aim of the study: The objective of this systematic review is to critically evaluate the evidence of the effectiveness and safety of external application of herbal medicines (EAHM) for acne vurgalis (AV). Methods: English, Chinese and Korean language databases were searched up to May 2018. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that reported the effects of EAHM for AV were included and analysed. Results: A total of 10 randomized trials with 656 AV patients were identified. A meta-analysis of two RCTs indicated that EAHM had a significant effect on improving primary outcome 'global assessment' compared with placebo (mean difference (MD) = -2.62, confidence interval (CI) = -4.84 to -0.40, p = 0.02). Furthermore, data extracted from two RCTs showed that EAHM significantly reduce primary outcome 'inflammatory lesion count of acne' (MD = -1.25, CI = -1.68 to -0.83, p < 0.00001) and 'non-inflammatory lesion count of acne' (MD = -1.32, CI = -1.75 to -0.90, p < 0.00001). No significant difference was observed between groups in secondary outcome 'sebum of skin' (MD = -0.21, CI = -0.53 to 0.11, p = 0.20) and 'patient-reported changes in symptom' (relative risk (RR) = 2.56, CI = 0.43 to 15.22, p = 0.30). No severe adverse events (AEs) were found and no treatment was stopped due to AEs of EAHM. Conclusions: EAHM seems to have affirmative effects, but quality of evidence, and non-standardized use of EAHM make our conclusion weak. Our suggestion is rigorously designed RCTs and standardization of EAHM are required in the future.