• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2008

Objective Sweet bee venom is made by removing allergen from the bee venom through gel filtration chromatography and propionic acid/urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The aim of this study was to verify allergy inhibitory action in Sweet Bee Venom(SBV) and New Sweet Bee Venom(NSBV) removed enzymes and compounds of low molecular weight. Methods 84 healthy adult men and women were selected through a survey whom had never received the bee venom therapy in the past. The concentration of Normal Saline, SBV and NSBV pharmacopuncture was equally at 0.1mg/mL and the experiment was conducted as the double blind test. Results Participants of the study was comprised of 63 men and 21 women with the average age of 28.3 years. According to results of pain sense, SBV group showed significant higher score compared with NS group and NSBV group using VAS in treating time. And SBV and NSBV group showed significant higher score compared with NS group after 30 minutes. Other allergic responses were insignificant between the groups. Conclusions As a result of removed allergen and compounds of low molecular weight, NSBV significantly inhibits pain sense in treating time compared with SBV. This indicates wider and easier application of NSBV for the useful application in clinical treatment. Further comparative studies should be conducted to yield more objective verification.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.463-477
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Many studies have suggested that Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) and its extract are anticancer agents. However, RVS had limited use because it contains urushiol, an allergenic toxin. By improving an existing allergen-removal extraction method, we developed a new allergen-free Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract (RVSE) with higher flavonoid content. In this study, we examined whether RVSE inhibits the ability of AGS gastric cancer cells to migrate and invade. MATERIALS/METHODS: The flavonoids content of RVSE was analyzed by HPLC. The effects of RVSE on migration and invasion in AGS cells were analyzed by each assay kit. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) protein expression was analyzed by protein antibody array. The Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 were assayed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: RVSE treatment with 0-100 ㎍/mL dose-dependently reduced the ability of AGS cells to migrate and invade. Notably, treatment with RVSE strongly inhibited the expression of MMP-9 and uPA and the phosphorylation of STAT3. In contrast, RVSE treatment dramatically increased the expression of PAI-1. These results indicate that the inhibition of MMP-9 and uPA expression and STAT3 phosphorylation and the stimulation of PAI-1 expression contributed to the decreased migration and invasion of AGS cells treated with RVSE. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that RVSE may be used as a natural herbal agent to reduce gastric cancer metastasis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.39-42
• /
• 2014

Asthma is an allergic inflammation and house dust mite (HDM) is a major allergen to induce asthma pathogenesis. Regulation of eosinophil apoptosis is an essential immune process and its dysregulation is implicated in asthma. In the present study, we examined the effects of HDM on spontaneous apoptosis of asthmatic eosinophils and on cytokine secretion in eosinophils of normal subjects including non-atopic and atopic normal. Extract of Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (DP) inhibited eosinophil apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. DP increased the secretion of G-CSF, GM-SCF, and IL-4, which is involved in suppression of eosinophil apoptosis, but IL-5 expression was not altered after DP stimulation. DP also elevated the release of IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and CCL2, which are anti-apoptotic or survival factors. The secretion of G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-${\alpha}$ due to DP is higher in atopic normal than that in non-atopic normal. In conclusion, DP increases the survival of eosinophils and its mechanism may be associated with cytokine release. These findings may enable elucidation of asthma pathogenesis induced by HDM.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.8 s.88
• /
• pp.1034-1038
• /
• 2007

Hypericin (HyH) is a substance which is isolated a medicinal herb, Hypericum perforatum L., commonly known as St. John's Wort. Hypericum erectum is a long-lived herb that is distributed in Korea. Cloned HyH genes H. erectum of were conformed by sequencing. The cDNA Hyp-1 sequence has 732 bp with an open reading frame of 567. Thus coding for a protein of 152 amino acid residues. A BLAST re-search using the deduced nucleotide sequences in HyH gene produced significant alignments with the H. perforatum. Sequences in HyH gene showed significant homology with Rubus idaeus putative allergen Rub-i-1 mRNA, Protein sequence comparisons revealed significant homology between Hyp-1 and the phenolic oxidative coupling protein hyp-1 of H. perforatum (98%). Additionally, Hyp-1 showed sig-nificant homology with various other classes of allergens, including Pru-av-1 (62%) from Prunus avium and allergen Bet-vl-Sc3 from Betula pendula (60%). Thus, the result of this study may offer an important information to establish an assay system for chemicals of the herbal medicines for H. erectum as well as H. perforatum.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.6
• /
• pp.954-958
• /
• 2006

A comprehensive safety evaluation was conducted to assess the potential allergenicity of newly introduced proteins in genetically modified (GM) crops. We assessed the allergenicity of CP4 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) in GM soybeans. This assessment was performed by IgE immunoblotting with soy-allergic children's sera, amino acid sequence homology with known allergens, and the digestibility of CP4 EPSPS. No differences in IgE-antigen binding by immunoblotting were found between GM soy samples and the corresponding non-GM samples. Based on the comparison of EPSPS amino acid sequence homology with current allergen databases, no known allergen was found. In addition, CP4 EPSPS protein was rapidly digested by simulated gastric fluid (SGF). Taken together, these results indicate that GM soybeans have no allergenicity in children and are as safe as conventional soybeans.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
• /
• 1982.05a
• /
• pp.16.3-17
• /
• 1982

Nasal polyps were apparently common in many parts of the world and treated for nearly three thousand years. Nasal polyps are round, smooth, soft, semi-translucent, yellow or pale glistening structures, usually attached to the nasal or sinus mucosa by a relatively narrow stalk or pedicle. The incidence of nasal polyps is increased in patients with atopic diseases; it varies from 15% to 25% and now increased using allergy therapy for nasal polyposis treatment. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the sinuses. Many agents can cause an inflammatory response, including organisms such as bacteria and viruses, physical and chemical trauma, and antigen antibody reactions. The role of antigen antibody interactions (allergy) in simusitis is not completely understood ; however, patients with allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps have a high incidence of sinusitis. Recently authors have experienced two cured cases of nasal polyposis combined with chronic sinusitis by allergy therapy, that cases were treated only allergy thereapy after Caldwell Luc operation with ethmoidectomy and polypectomy. At now cases were not recur of nasal polyps and nasal symptoms. So the cases were reported with a brief review of literature.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.157-162
• /
• 2009

Objectives: The purpose of this study is reporting the possibility of the treatment of metastatic brain tumors with allergen removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes (aRVS) after gamma knife radiosurgery. Methods: A patient with lung cancer felt a headache about one year after conventional therapies, and metastatic brain tumors were diagnosed. He received gamma knife radiosurgery twice but refused to get more conventional therapies afterwards. So he has been treating with aRVS since then. Results: During 143 weeks of administration of aRVS, the size of brain masses has decreased continuously without extracranial metastasis and the patient has maintained a good performance status. Conclusions: This report suggests that aRVS may play a therapeutic role in the treatment of metastatic brain tumors. Further studies will be needed to determine the effect of aRVS on metastatic brain tumors.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.152-159
• /
• 2015

Der p 2, which is a major allergen of house dust mite, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. There is controversy regarding whether Der p 2 binds to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and its inflammatory effect has not yet been elucidated. In the current study, we examined the interaction of Der p 2 with TLR4 and the effect of Der p 2 on cytokine release in THP-1 cells and lymphocytes. Among house dust mite extracts, recombinant TLR4 protein interacted with Der p 2. The overall structure of Der p 2 is characteristic of the immunoglobulin superfamily and contains ten ${\beta}-strands$, forming a ${\beta}-cup$ fold with two anti-parallel ${\beta}-sheets$, and a short 310 helix. The two sheets can be separated, further allowing the formation of a large internal pocket, which is narrow and suitable for binding large flat molecules such as lipid-like molecules. Der p 2 caused increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, which are neutrophil survival factors, in human monocytic THP-1 cells in a time-dependent manner. Der p 2 also induces the release of cytokines in normal and allergic lymphocytes. Supernatant after treatment with Der p 2 inhibited neutrophil apoptosis. In coculture of lymphocytes with neutrophils, Der p 2 inhibited spontaneous apoptosis of allergic neutrophils. In summary, Der p 2 binds to TLR4 and induces an inflammatory response such as cytokine secretion in immune cells. These findings may enable elucidation of allergy pathogenesis by specific allergen of house dust mite.

• Journal of Species Research
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.159-168
• /
• 2015

Although airborne pollen is invisible to the eye, it has been known as a major source to respiratory allergic reactions. For this reason, airborne pollen is monitoring in many countries to predict pollen concentration based on locality and season. However, the morphological characteristics of airborne pollen and their potential tendency as an allergen are still obscure. In the present study, we selected 52 airborne pollen samples based on previously reported data and investigated their detail pollen characteristics using LM and SEM. Major airborne pollen in Korea has sorted in 19 families (most angiosperms except four gymnosperm families), and all pollen grains are small to medium in size ($P=17.34-49.86{\mu}m$) apart from the bisaccate pollen grains of Pinaceae ($P=46.49-106.20{\mu}m$). The aperture number and shape vary from sulcate to polyporate. While the inaperture pollen has found only in gymnosperm (Cupressaceae and Taxaceae), triporate or polyporate is common pollen type in angiosperm. The sexine ornamentations could divide into several types, but the most sculpturing types are inconspicuous like psilate, rugulate and granulate. Reticulate pollen grains as a semitectum have occurred the species of genera Platanus and Fraxinus only. To estimate the possible relationships between pollen features and allergen, the results are discussed in botanical context.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.376-382
• /
• 2002

호주의 많은 소동물 임상수의사들이 최근에 관심을 갖고 있는 부분은 개의 아토피(Canine Atopy)에서의 알러지-특이성(Allergen-specific)IgE에 쓰이는 혈청 ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay, 효소결합면역흡착검사)테스트의 활용 가능성에 관한 것이다. 희망사항은 개 아토피의 진단과 치료에 있어서 도움이 되도록 접근할 수 있는 시험(Accessible test)일 것이다. 아토피(Atopy)는 진단과 치료를 실패시키는 질병이며, 새로운 ELISA라도 이 문제를 쉽게 해결하여 주지 못한다. 개의 아토피에서 알려진(Allergens)들을 분석하는 데 쓰이는 혈청 ELISA처럼 아주 정확하게 특성화되어져야 한다. 해당 개는 아토피성(Atopic)으로서 진단되어져야만 되고 그 다음에 치료에 지침이 되도록 개별 알러진 동정(Individual allergen identification)용 ELISA로 개의 혈액을 스크린하는데 적합하여야 한다. ELISA와 피내접종시험(Internal testing)방법은 상관도가 낮고 그렇기 때문에 어떤 시험이 더 신뢰할 수 있는 것일까? 이러한 사실은 논쟁의 여지가 있으며 이상의 2가지 시험들이 옳다면 각각의 상응하는 각각 다른 아형(Subtypes)의 아토피라고 볼 수있다. 아마도 알러진들은 경피적으로 흡수되어 아토피성피부염으로 되어진다. 그것은 인체에서 건초열(Hay fever)이나 천식(Asthma)과 같이 흡입에 의해 일으키는 유사한 증후군동종 (Syndrome akin)과 같은 접근의 초기양식(Primary mode of access)으로부터 생기는 다른 유사한 질병과정이 되어질 수도 있다. 이러한 2가지 증후군은 함께 병발하는 경우가 있다. 의학에서는 피부 반점시험방법의 예비조사연구(Preliminary research with skin patch testing in medicine)는 아토피성 피부염을 야기하는 알러진들의 경피흡수경로의 개념을 지지해준다. 흡인 알러진들을 사용한 개들에서의 도전 시험(Challenge tests)들은 거의 대부분이 비-피부학적 임상증상들을 발현하였다. 모든 증거가 분명히 나타나도록 미래의 조사연구를 인도해 주는 게 필요하며 개 아토피의 정의와 진단을 둘러싼 수수께끼를 해결하는데 도움이 될 것이다.