• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 2011

Immediate-type hypersensitivity is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and anaphylaxis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of allergic disease is an important subject in human health. Stimulation of mast cells releases inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and pro-inflammatory cytokines with immune regulatory properties. We investigated the effect of the aqueous extract of Schizonepeta tenuifolia (AEST) (Labiatae) on the immediate-type allergic reaction. AEST inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic allergic reaction. AEST attenuated immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated skin allergic reaction and histamine release from human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells. In addition, AEST decreased the gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187)-stimulated HMC-1 cells. Our results indicate that AEST inhibits the mast cell-derived allergic reactions and involvement of histamine and pro-inflammatory cytokines in these effects.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.47-50
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• 2008

To evaluate the antiallergic effect of the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (AM) (Leguminosae), which inhibited the mouse passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in a preliminary experiment, its main constituents, astragalosides I and IV, were isolated and their antiallergic effects were investigated. Astragalosides I and IV inhibited the PCA reaction induced by the IgE-antigen complex, and the scratching behaviors induced by compound 48/80. These constituents reduced the protein expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4 in IgE-induced RBL-2H3 cells. These findings suggest that astragalosides I and IV as well as AM can improve IgE-induced anaphylaxis and scratching behaviors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.5
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• pp.266-272
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• 2012

Background: Limited data on the incidence and clinical characteristics of adult pertussis infections are available in Korea. Methods: Thirty-one hospitals and the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of pertussis infections among adults with a bothersome cough in non-outbreak, ordinary outpatient settings. Nasopharyngeal aspirates or nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture tests. Results: The study enrolled 934 patients between September 2009 and April 2011. Five patients were diagnosed as confirmed cases, satisfying both clinical and laboratory criteria (five positive PCR and one concurrent positive culture). Among 607 patients with cough duration of at least 2 weeks, 504 satisfied the clinical criteria of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (i.e., probable case). The clinical pertussis cases (i.e., both probable and confirmed cases) had a wide age distribution ($45.7{\pm}15.5$ years) and cough duration (median, 30 days; interquartile range, 18.0~50.0 days). In addition, sputum, rhinorrhea, and myalgia were less common and dyspnea was more common in the clinical cases, compared to the others (p=0.037, p=0.006, p=0.005, and p=0.030, respectively). Conclusion: The positive rate of pertussis infection may be low in non-outbreak, ordinary clinical settings if a PCR-based method is used. However, further prospective, well-designed, multicenter studies are needed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2008

To evaluate the antiatopic effect of Korea red ginseng (RG, steamed root of Panax ginseng CA Meyer, Family Araliaceae) fermented by Bifidobacterium longum H-1 (FRG), its inhibitory effect on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction and itching in mice was measured. FRG and its ingredient saponin fraction (FSF) potently inhibited PCA reaction and scratching behaviors. FRG at a dose of 200 mg/kg and FSF at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly inhibited the scratching frequency by 45% and 47%, respectively. FRG and FSF also inhibited the degranulation and protein expression of tumor-necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and interleukin-4 of RBL-2H3 cells induced by IgE-complex. However, polysaccharide fraction of FRG (FPF) weakly inhibited it, compared with FSF. The inhibitory effect of FRG against PCA reaction and scratching behaviors more potently inhibited than that of RG. Based on these findings, FRG can improve allergic skin disorders atopic dermatitis by the regulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-4 produced by mast cells and basophils and its degranulation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.154-162
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• 2004

The flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae) have been used as a traditional effective drug in treating bacillary dysentery, purulence. However, the exact role of Lonicera japonica in allergic reaction has not been clarified yet. Immediate hypersensitivity, popularly known as allergy, is a major clinical problem in humans. It has been found that the histamine release from mast cells is an essential step in the pathological process of immediate hypersensitivity. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of Lonicera japonica (AELJ) on allergic reaction was investigated. AELJ inhibited the compound 48／80-induced anaphylactic reactions and antigen-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). AELJ in vitro exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of degranulation in RPMC stimulated by compound 48／80. AELJ also suppressed the morphological changes and the increase of intracellular free calcium level induced by compound 48／80. These results suggest that inhibitory effect of AELJ on allergic reaction may be mediated through the decrease of intracellular free calcium levels, and AELJ importantly contributes to the treatment of anaphylaxis and may be useful for other allergic disease.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.82-89
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• 2008

Background: Although a skin test is the primary option for detecting allergen-specific IgE in clinics, the serum IgE immunoassay is also important because it allows for the diagnosis of allergy without any accompanying adverse effect on the patient. However, the low detection limit of IgE levels by immunoassay may restrict the use of the method in some occasions, and improving its sensitivity would thus have a significant implication in allergy-immunology clinics. Methods: In this study, we attempted to detect specific serum IgE by using immuno-polymerase chain reaction (IPCR) which combines the antigen-antibody specificity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with the amplification power of PCR. Results: Our results demonstrated that Blo t5-specific serum IgE can be detected by IPCR with a 100-fold higher sensitivity than ELISA, and cross-reactivity of serum IgE to other mite allergens is able to be analyzed by using only $0.3{\mu}l$ of serum sample. Use of real-time IPCR seemed to permit more convenient determination of specific serum IgE as well. Conclusion: We believe that IPCR can serve as a valuable tool in determining specific serum IgE, especially when the amount of serum sample is limited.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2017

Objectives : Recently the case of lactobacillus mixture culture fluid appliment was reported. In this study, anti-inflamation effects and anti-allergy effects were studied by stimulus of lactobacillus mixture culture fluid extracts in HaCaT cells. Methods : The atopic dermatitis were induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ and interferon-${\gamma}$ in HaCaT cells. TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, RANTES/CCL5 and ROS production were investigated to explain anti-inflamation and allergy effects of lactobacillus mixture culture fluid with cell-enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay in 450 nm, 485 nm, 535 nm with spectro-fluorometer. Results : The extracts of lactobacillus mixture culture fluid were decreased TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, RANTES/CCL5 expressions and ROS production with a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : The effects mechanism of Lactobacillus mixed culture fluid for atopic dermatitis symptoms were considered to be explain anti-inflamation and allergy effects via control of cytokine, chemokine and ROS production, and the fluid could be applied in skin cells directly. But classified AD symptom degrees reported in clinical case before as Reaction Period, Reduction Period, Effect Period, Reproduction Period and Rebound Period could not be explained. Further study will be expected.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.80-84
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• 2006

Rice allergen has low antigenicity, and thus, anaphylactoid reactions to rice are exceedingly rare. We experienced a case of isolated rice allergy in a 5 month-old girl who had been fed a milk formula without incident. However, after feeding a powdered weaning milk formula containing rice, she developed symptoms of projectile vomiting and diarrhea, at this time rice specific antigen tests were all negative. One month later a challenge test was performed using a rice gruel, and her symptoms recurred. Endoscopic and microscopic findings showed hyperemic mucosa in the duodenum and subtotal villous atrophy. Thereafter, she showed no adverse reaction to almost all foods appropriate for her age, but after feeding rice gruel at 10 months, she developed symptoms of cyanosis and vomiting. However, none of the allergic symptoms were demonstrated at 13 months upon repeated challenge test. Currently, she is 28 months old and tolerates all foods including rice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1260-1270
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• 2007

The discovery of drugs on the treatment of mast cell-mediated allergic disease is a very important subject in human heath. The Socheongyoug-tang(SCYT) has been used for centruries as a traditional medicine in Korea and is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, its specific mechanism of action is still unknown. In this report, we investigated the effect of hot water extract from SCYT on RBL-2H3 mast cell-mediated allergic reaction and studied its possible mechanism of action. SCYT inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis and serum histamine release in mice. SCYT decreased the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction activated by Anti-lgE antibody-HSA. SCYT dose-dependently reduced histamine release from mice peritoneal mast cells activated by Anti-lgE antibody-HSA. SCYT increased cAMP and decreased compound 48/80-induced intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ levels. Our findings provide evidence that SCYT inhibits mast-derived allergic reactions, and also demonstrate the involvement of cAMP and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in these effects.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.724-730
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• 2013

We investigated the effects of orally administered probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus species) as allergic immune modulators in ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice. BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with OVA twice at a 2-week interval for allergy sensitization. The mice were then orally administered Lactobacillus casei YIT9029 (L1), L. casei HY7201 (L2), L. brevis HY7401 (L3), or L. plantarum HY20301 (L4) every 2 days for 3 weeks. Total IgE levels significantly decreased in sera of L3-administered mice but increased in the other groups. OVA-specific IgE levels decreased slightly in sera of mice administered L1, L3, and L4 but increased significantly in L2-administered mice. In passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) using sera from administered mice, only the L3-administered group showed reaction inhibition. High expression of TLR-2 with interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ stimulation on peripheral blood mononuclear cells occurred in L3- or L4-administered mice. Th1 cytokines, including IFN-${\gamma}$ and interleukin (IL)-12, increased in splenocytes of L3-administered mice; however, IL-4 decreased in L1- and L4-administered groups; IL-5 decreased in all experimental groups. IL-6 decreased in the L3-administered group; and IL-10 decreased in L1-, L2-, and L3-administered groups. L3 induced antiallergic effects by increasing Th1 cytokines, decreasing Th2 cytokines, and inhibiting the PCA reaction, whereas L2 administration increased allergic effects.