• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.11
• /
• pp.1360-1364
• /
• 2013

Petasin extracted from Petasites japonicus leaves has been well known to be effective in the treatment of allergic asthma. This study was carried out to optimize the extraction process of petasin from P. japonicus leaves by response surface methodology (RSM). The dried powder of P. japonicus leaves was extracted at ethanol concentrations ranging from 40% to 80%, extraction rpm ranging from 125 rpm to 225 rpm, and extraction time ranging from 1 to 3 hours. The effects of the extraction conditions on the dry yield and petasin content of the extracts were investigated using a second-order Box-Behnken design. The petasin content was significantly affected by ethanol concentration, extraction rpm, and extraction time, tending to increase more with increasing ethanol concentration. The optimum condition for petasin extraction from Petasites japonicus leaves was 79.92% in ethanol concentration, 178.10 rpm in extraction rpm, and 2.06 hours in extraction time, respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.49-58
• /
• 1977

For the assessment of antithyroid effect of lithium carbonate, it was administered to the 17 hyperthyroid and 5 euthyroid patients, who visited the Seoul National University Hospital from Jan. to Aug., 1977. Thyroid function tests were performed just before the administration of Lithium carbonate, 2 weeks and 2 months after lithium treatment. The results were as follows; 1) In the 5 euthyroid patients, no significant changes in thyroid function tests were obtained before and after lithium treatment. 2) In the 17 hyperthyroid patients, the values of the $T_3RIA$ were $370{\pm}121ng/dl$ 2 weeks after lithium treatment as compared with $506{\pm}121ng/dl$ before the administration, of which the mean percentage fall was 26.9%. $T_3RU$ was varied from $56.8{\pm}8.0%\;to\;47.3{\pm}8.1%$ (16.7% in mean percentage fall), $T_4$ was changed from $24.2{\pm}2.4ug/dl\;to\;22.0{\pm}4.2ug/dl$ (9.1% in mean fall), and $T_7$, from $13.82{\pm}2.25\;to\;10.55{\pm}3.12$ (23.7% in mean fall). 3) In the 5 hyperthyroid patients, serial thyroid function tests were performed 2 weeks and 2 months later. The mean percentage falls of $T_3RIA$ were 36.6 and 61.3%, 2 weeks and 2 months after lithium treatment respectively. Those of $T_3RU$ were 17.5 and 35.1%, those of $T_4$ were 20.4 and 44.0%, $T_7$, 35.0 and 60.7%. 4) Approximately $45{\sim}60%$ of mean fall in thyroid function tests were obtained within the second week. Normal thyroid function tests were observed in 2 among 17 patients within the second week, and 2 among 5 patients within the second month. 18 patients, however, became clinically euthyroid within the 4th week. 5) Single case of hypothyroidism was experienced, and 5 patients (29.4%) complained mild side effects. Lithium salts could be safely administered to hyperthyroid patients who are allergic to thioamides or iodine. Its use is indicated in cases of acute thyrotoxicosis in which it's necessary to reduce hormone levels very rapidly, and lithium-thioamides drug combination is a highly effective and safe means of initial routine control of hyperthyroidism.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.675-685
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of house dust mite (HDM)-sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in elderly patients with AR. Methods: A total of 45 patients aged ${\geq}60years$ with HDM-induced AR who had ${\geq}3$ A/H ratio on skin prick test and/or ${\geq}0.35IU/L$ to both Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus by ImmunoCAP were enrolled in 4 university hospitals. To evaluate additional effects of HDM-SLIT, they were randomized to the SLIT-treated group (n = 30) or control group (n = 15). Rhinoconjunctivitis total symptom score (RTSS), rhinoscopy score, Korean rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, rhinitis control assessment test, asthma control test scores, and adverse reactions, were assessed at the first visit (V1) and after 1 year of treatment (V5); for immunological evaluation, serum levels of HDM-specific immunoglobulin A/IgE/IgG1/IgG4 antibodies and basophil response to HDMs were compared between V1 and V5 in both groups. Results: There were no significant differences in demographics, RTSS, skin reactivity to HDMs, or serum total/specific IgE levels to HDMs (P > 0.05, respectively) between the 2 groups. Nasal symptom score and RTSS decreased significantly at year 1 in the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in percent decrease in nasal symptom score and RTSS at year 1 between the 2 groups (P > 0.05); however, rhinoscopic nasal symptom score decreased significantly in the SLIT-treated group (P < 0.05). Immunological studies showed that serum specific IgA levels (not specific IgE/IgG) and CD203c expression on basophils decreased significantly at V5 in the SLIT-treated group (P = 0.011 and P = 0.001, respectively), not in the control group. The control group required more medications compared to the treatment group, but there were no differences in adverse reactions. Conclusions: It is suggested that HDM-SLIT for 1 year could induce symptom improvement and may induce immunomodulation in elderly rhinitis patients.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.188-194
• /
• 2008

Fexofenadine, ($\pm$)-4-1-hydroxy-4-{4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1-piperidinyl}-butyl-a,a-dimethyl benzeneacetic acid, is a selective histamine $H_1$ receptor antagonist, and is clinically effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria as a first-line therapeutic agent. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets, $Allegra^{(R)}$ (Handok Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.) and Alecort (Samchundang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The release of fexofenadine from the two fexofenadine hydrochloride formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with various dissolution media. Twenty six healthy male subjects, 25.62$\pm$3.35 years in age and 70.05$\pm$11.71 kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized 2$\times$2 cross-over study was employed. After a single tablet containing 120 mg as fexofenadine hydrochloride was orally administered, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of fexofenadine in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar in all tested dissolution media. The harmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated, and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, $Allegra^{(R)}$, were -1.37, 5.22 and 16.50% for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 (e.g., log 0.83$\sim$log 1.08 and log 0.81$\sim$log 1.03 for $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Alecort tablet was bioequivalent to $Allegra^{(R)}$ tablet.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.478-483
• /
• 2019

The use of fermented soy curd as a functional substance has been actively studied due to the anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activity of soybean protein hydrolyzate by enzymes of lactic acid bacteria. The present study investigated the potential of soy curd as a treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD). Pediococcus inopinatus Y2 (P. inopinatus Y2) lactic acid bacteria were inoculated into soy milk and fermented ($30^{\circ}C$, 24 hr). Changes in body weights, ear thicknesses, IgE concentrations, and weights of immune organs in ICR female mice were quantified. Moderate weight gain occurred in most of the groups. The ear thickness was lowest in the untreated group (no group), and it was allergic and thickened in the phthalic anhydride (PA) treatment group. Based on visual observations, as compared with the skin condition of the PA-induced AD group, the skin condition of the animals in the fermented soy curd (FSC) group was improved. Therefore, FSC by lactic acid bacteria seemed to improve AD. Based on the comparison of the weights of the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, as well as the results of the IgE analysis, soy milk, in addition to FSC, had a therapeutic effect. However, the antiallergy effects of FSC in terms of AD were far superior to those of soy milk. These results indicated that FSC can be used as a treatment for AD.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.105-112
• /
• 2022

2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL) is the most abundant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) present in breast milk, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the gut and aiding in the relief of allergic and inflammatory reactions. In this study, the anti-melanogenic effects of 2'-FL, and its potential for application in whitening cosmetics, were evaluated. MTT assay was performed on MNT-1 cells, human-derived melanocytes. 2'-FL was treated and replaced at 48 h intervals for 7 days, and it was confirmed that there was no cytotoxicity at 20 g/L or less, while a 40% reduction in melanin production was also observed. Western blot analysis of TYR and TYRP1, factors involved in melanogenesis, revealed that 2'-FL treatment reduced their expression levels. In addition, 2'-FL application and observation of the autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) revealed it was converted from LC3-I to LC3-𝚷, indicating increased autophagy. Likewise, confocal microscopy revealed an increase in LC3 puncta after 2'-FL treatment. Therefore, it is suggested that 2'-FL-mediated activation of autophagy reduces melanogenesis by inhibiting the expression levels of TYR and TYRP1 proteins. In conclusion, it has been confirmed that 2'-FL induces autophagy and suppresses melanin production, so its potential as a whitening cosmetic material is expected.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.418-428
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Ojeok-san, a traditional herbal formula, has been used for the treatment of cold illness and its related symptoms such as headache, nausea and indigestion. This study was performed to compare effects of water (OJSW) and 70% ethanol extracts (OJSE) of Ojeok-san on inflammation and its related diseases atopy, asthma and obesity in vitro. Methods : We performed HPLC to investigate contents of index components of OJSW and OJSE. We investigated the effects of OJSW and OJSE with an in vitro model, using 5 cell lines, specifically RAW 264. 7, HaCaT, MC/9, BEAS-2B and 3T3-L1. Results : HPLC analysis displayed that the contents of index components were higher in OJSE than OJSW. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages, OJSE significantly inhibited productions of interleukin (IL)-6, nitrite and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PEG_2$). In TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$-treated HaCaT keratinocytes, OJSE significantly lowered levels of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) as well as regulated and normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). OJSE also had a protective effect on inflammatory response by decreasing RANTES secretion in TNF-${\alpha}$-stimulated BEAS-2B cells. Conclusions : We conclude that OJSE could be more appropriate to enhance the biological activities against inflammation and its related diseases, and could be applied as a bioactive material for developing the potent anti-inflammatory agents.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.219-227
• /
• 1992

Background: Acute and chronic airway inflammation are important in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Corticosteroids have proved to be very effective in the management of asthma. Although the mechanism by which they produce this effect is still debated, suppression of the inflammatory response is thought to be the most likely. Although inhaled steroids are known to be safe and have less side effects than oral steroids, the extent which inhaled steroids have beneficial and the detrimental effects in the treatment of asthma has remained open to question. Budesonide is a recently developed corticosteroid for inhalation treatment with a strong local effect combined with rapid inactivation in the systemic circulation. We set out to look in more detail at the time course of change in bronchial reactivity, clinical symptoms and the effects on the adrenal function during 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide (800 ug per day). Methods: Clinical symptoms, pulmonary function test, histamine $PC_{20}$, serum ACTH and cortisol (8 AM and 4 PM) were measured in 23 allergic asthmatic patients before and after 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide. Results: 1) Pulmonary function test; PEFR, FEV1 and FVC after 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide were higher than those before treatment. 2) Clinical symptoms; Clinical symptoms were significantly improved after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide. 3) Histamine provocation; Histamine $PC_{20}$ after 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide was significantly higher than that before treatment. 4) Adrenal function; 6 weeks of budesonide therapy did not significantly affect the level of serum ACTH and cortisol. Conclusion: From these results, it is concluded that budesonide therapy improved the clinical symptoms, pulmonary function and bronchial hyperreactivity after 3 weeks of treatment and the improvement after 6 weeks of treatment was higher than that after 3 weeks of treatment. During 6 weeks of treatment with budesonide, the inhibitory effect on the adrenal function was not obvious.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2008

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease that often has asthma and allergic rhinitis. Magnesium salts, the important component of minerals in Dead Sea water, are known to exhibit beneficial effects in inflammatory disease. Favorable effects of magnesium ions and sea water treated to the skin of patients with contact dermatitis have been reported. But histological and immunological investigations are insufficient. This study was performed to examine the inhibitory effect of magnesium-rich sea mineral water on the development of AD-like skin lesions in hairless mice. AD-like skin lesions are induced by the repeated application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Local application of magnesium-rich sea mineral water on hairless mice skin applied with DNCB inhibited the development of AD-like skin lesions as exemplified by a significant increase in skin hydration (p<0.01), and a decrease in epidermal water loss (p<0.01). Serum IgE level was also significantly decreased (p<0.01). These results suggest that magnesium-rich sea mineral water inhibits the development of DNCB-induced AD-like skin lesions in hairless mice. These observations indicate that magnesium-rich sea mineral water may be alternative and assistant substances for the management of AD.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.410-417
• /
• 2010

Various functional foods, marketing health and functional effects, have been distributed in the market. These products, being in forms of foods, tablets, and capsules, are likely to be mistaken as drugs. In addition, non-experts may sell these as foods, or use these for therapy. Efforts for creating health food regulations or building regulatory system for improving the current status of functional foods have been made, but these have not been communicated to consumers yet. As a result, problems of circulating functional foods for therapy or adding illegal medical to such products have persisted, which has become worse by internet media. The cause of this problem can be categorized into (1) product itself and (2) its use, but in either case, one possible cause is lack of communications with consumers. Potential problems that can be caused by functional foods include illegal substances, hazardous substances, allergic reactions, considerations when administered to patients, drug interactions, ingredients with purity or concentrations too low to be detected, products with metabolic activations, health risks from over- or under-dose of vitamin and minerals, and products with alkaloids. (Journal of Health Science, 56, Supplement (2010)). The reason why side effects related to functional foods have been increasing is that under-qualified functional food companies are exaggerating the functionality for marketing purposes. KFDA has been informing consumers, through its web pages, to address the above mentioned issues related to functional foods, but there still is room for improvement, to promote proper use of functional foods and avoid drug interactions. Specifically, to address these issues, institutionalizing to collect information on approved products and their side effects, settling reevaluation systems, and standardizing preclinical tests and clinical tests are becoming urgent. Also to provide crucial information, unified database systems, seamlessly aggregating heterogeneous data in different domains, with user interfaces enabling effective one-stop search, are crucial.