• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.1071-1077
• /
• 2017

A rise in the occurrence of allergic diseases is attributed to the dysregulated balance of type 1/type 2 immunity, where type 2 T-helper (Th2) cells predominate over type 1 T-helper (Th1) cells, leading to an abnormally increased production of IgE in response to unharmful antigens. Kimchi, a traditional Korean fermented food, is a rich source of beneficial lactic acid bacteria. In this study, we investigated the ability of Enterococcus faecium FC-K derived from kimchi to induce type I immunity in the presence of Th2 polarizing conditions in vitro and in vivo. Stimulation of mouse peritoneal macrophages with E. faecium FC-K induced the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12. Under the in vitro Th2 conditions in which splenic T cells were activated in the presence of IL-4, E. faecium FC-K enhanced the ability of T cells to produce interferon $(IFN)-{\gamma}$. Using the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergy model, male BALB/c mice receiving E. faecium FC-K reduced the serum level of total IgE, but not that of OVA-specific IgE. Furthermore, the population of activated splenic B cells during OVA immunization was decreased in E. faecium FC-K-treated mice, accounting for a reduction of total IgE in the serum. Restimulating splenocytes from OVA-immunized mice with OVA ex vivo resulted in an increased production of $IFN-{\gamma}$, with no effect on IL-4, in E. faecium FC-K-treated mice. These observations provide the evidence that E. faecium FC-K can be a beneficial probiotic strain that can modulate the Th2-mediated pathologic response.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.137-142
• /
• 2009

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of drug induced anaphylactis and anaphylactic shock in patients who were admitted to the emergency department Methods: We retrospectively collected the data on patients with drug induced anaphylaxis and who were admitted to the emergency department from January 2001 to June 2009. The study group was divided into the non-shock and shock groups according to whether the systolic blood pressure more than 90mmHg. The initial demographic data, the causes of drug-induced anaphylaxis, the clinical manifestations, the treatment and the prognosis were reviewed for 72 patients. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was $47.9P{\pm}14.2$ years old and there were 40 male patients and 32 female patients. There were 26 patients in the non-shock group and 46 in the shock group. The mean age was older in the shock group than in the non-shock group ($51.5{\pm}15.1$ vs $42.5{\pm}10.6$, p-0.002). A history of drug allergy was more common in the shock group, but no difference was found for the comorbid chronic diseases between the two groups. Radio-contrast media was the most common cause, followed non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, but there is no difference in the causes between the two groups. The symptoms of cyanosis, syncope, sweating and dizziness were more frequently manifested in the shock group. The administration of intravenous fluid and injection of subcutaneous epinephrine at the emergency department were more frequent in the shock group than in the non-shock group. Conclusion: For the patients who were admitted to the emergency department with drug induced anaphylaxis, the mean age was older and the symptoms of cyanosis, syncope, sweating, dizziness were more frequent in the anaphylactic shock patients than in the non-shock group. More treatments were given at the emergency department to the anaphylactic shock patients.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.233-241
• /
• 2022

Objectives: Asthma is a chronic disease, and the demand for herbal medicines in this field has increased in recent years. The new findings highlight the role of the gut-lung axis in the pathophysiology of asthma. Hence, this study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Glasthma syrup, an herbal formula based on Persian medicine, in improving asthma and regulating intestinal permeability. The formula consists of five herbal ingredients that have anti-inflammatory effects on the respiratory tract, also known as gut tonics. Methods: The study will be conducted as a placebo-controlled, triple-blind, randomized trial. It will consist of a 4-week intervention followed by a 4-week follow-up period. The target sample size is 20 patients with moderate asthma aged 18 to 60 years. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group in equal numbers. Patients in the experimental group will take Glasthma syrup (7.5 mL, twice a day), while patients in the control group will take a matching placebo. Both groups will receive a 4-week combination of a long-acting beta2 agonist and a leukotriene modulator as standard of care. Inhaled corticosteroids can be used as rescue medication as needed. Results: The primary outcomes are asthma symptom scale, lung function, and intestinal permeability. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, symptom recurrence rates, and blood tests. A safety assessment will also be conducted during the trial. Conclusion: In this trial, the effects of Glasthma syrup in patients with moderate asthma will be examined. The study will also assess the effects of the formulation on the gut-lung axis by simultaneously monitoring the gut permeability index, asthma symptoms, and lung function.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.129-153
• /
• 2001

Background: SMG (升麻葛根湯加味方) is an herbal medicine which has been used in oriental medicine as a traditional therapeutic agent of pruritus and skin disease. Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of SMG on the anti-hypersensitivity and immune response in the murine of type I hypersensitivity induced by the experiment. Materials and Methods: Laboratory rats were primary sensitized with OA (ovalbumin); on day 1, rats of a Control group and Sample group (SMG group) were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1mg OA and 300mg of Al(OH)3 in a total volume of 2ml saline. The rats of the sample group were orally administered with an SMG water extract for 14 days after primary immunization. On day 14 after the systemic immunization, rats received local immunization by inhaling $0.9\%$ saline aerosol containing $2\%$(wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BAL fluid and peripheral blood were collected from the rats. Total cell, lymphocyte, $CD4^+\;T\;cell,\;CD8^+\;T\;cell,\;CD4^+/CD8^+$ ratio in the BALF, and IgE, $CD4^+\;T\;cell,\;CD8^+$ T cell in the peripheral blood were measured and evaluated. Results: SMG showed a suppressive effect on the immune response in the rats. 1. Total Cells in the BALF decreased in the SMG treated group in comparison group, but statistic differences were not observed. 2. Total lymphocytes in the BALF were statistically decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group. 3. CD4+ T cells in the BALF were statistically decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group. 4. CD8+ T cells in the BALF were decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group, but statistic differences were not observed. 5. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in the BALF was statistically decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group. 6. The IgE level in serum was statistically decreased in SMG treated group in comparison to the control group. 7. The ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ in peripheral blood showed undetectable differences between each group of rats. From the experiment cited above, this study shows that SMG has both anti-hypersensitivity effects and immunoregulatory effects when administered to rats. Based on this experiment, it is suggested that SMG could be a useful immunomodulator and anti-allergy agent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.1391-1398
• /
• 2005

The anti-thrombic properties of the oriental herbal medicine Daejowhan(DJW, 大造丸) which consists of 11 kinds of herbs (indicated as ratio) of Rehmanniae Radix 24%, Hominis Placenta 5%, Testudinis Carapax 9%, Eucommiae Cortex 9%, Asparagi Radix 9%, Phellodendri Cortex 9%, Achyranthis Radix 7%, Liriopis Tuber 7%, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 7%, Ginseng Radix 5% and Schizandrae Fructus 3% were investigated. The water extracts from DJW inhibited Platelet-activating factor(PAF) induced platelet aggregation. DJW was extracted with methanol and further fractionated by ethylacetate. A 70% methanol extract showed a strong inhibition against PAF-induced aggregation in vitro and in vivo assays. The ethylacetate soluble fraction was shown to have inhibitory effect on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in vitro assay. The ethylacetate soluble fraction specially protected against the lethality of PAF, while verapamil did not afford any protection. These results indicate that the water extracts and alcoholic-fractions inhibit the action of PAF in vivo by an antagonistic effect on PAF, so that it may be useful in treating disorders caused by PAF, such as acute allergy, inflammation, asthma, gastrointestinal ulceration, toxic shock and so forth. DJW was investigated regarding its assumed anti-thrombic action on human platelets which was deduced from its ability to suppress Arachidonic acid(AA)-induced aggregation, exocytosis of ATP, and inhibition of Cyclooxygenase(COX) and Thromboxane synthase(TXS) activity. The latter two effects were estimated from the generation of Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and Thromboxane $A_2(TXA_2)$ respectively. Exogenously applied AA ($100{\mu}mol/{\ell}$) provoked a $89\%$ aggregation of platelets, the release of 14 pmol ATP, and the formation of either 225 pg $TXA_2$ or 45 pg $PGE_2$, each parameter being related to 106 platelets. An application of DJW 5 min before AA dose-dependently diminished aggregation, ATP-release and the synthesis of $TXA_2$ and $PGE_2$ with $IC_{50}$ values of 74, 108, 65, $72{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively. The similarity of the $IC_{50}$ values suggest an inhibition of COX by DJW as primary target, thus suppressing the generation of $TXA_2$ which induces aggregation of platelets and exocytosis of ATP by its binding on $TXA_2$-receptors.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1208-1217
• /
• 2019

Saposhnikovia has been used as a traditional medicinal herb in Asia because of the reported anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic rhinitis, pro-whitening, anti-atopy, anti-allergy, and anti-dermatopathy effects of the phytochemical compounds it contains. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant effects of a Saposhnikovia extract after fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum BHN-LAB 33. Saposhnikovia powder was inoculated with L. plantarum BHN-LAB 33 and fermented at $37^{\circ}C$ for 72 hr. After fermentation, the total polyphenol content of the Saposhnikovia extract increased by about 14%, and the total flavonoid content increased by about 9%. The superoxide dismutase-like activities, DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power activity, and tyrosinase inhibition activity also increased after fermentation by approximately 70%, 80%, 45%, 39%, and 44%, respectively. The results confirmed that fermentation of a Saposhnikovia extract by L. plantarum BHN-LAB 33 is an effective way to increase the antioxidant effects of the extract. The bioconversion process investigated in this study may have the potential to produce phytochemical-enriched natural antioxidant agents with high added value from Saposhnikovia matrices. These results can also be applied to the development of improved foods and cosmetic materials.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.283-294
• /
• 2020

In this study, in order to increase the utilization of Citrus junos seeds, which account for 13% of the weight ratio of Citrus junos ripened fruit, but are mostly discarded and not utilized, the efficacy of skin beauty of Citrus junos seed oil extracted by cold pressing was studied. Citrus junos seed oil was found to contain approximately 74% of unsaturated fatty acids consisting mainly of oleic acid and linoleic acid, and limonene, which is mainly contained in Citrus junos peel, contained a very low content of about 0.0187%. As a result of evaluating the DPPH radical scavenging activity of Citrus junos seed oil, 26% of DPPH radical scavenging ability was confirmed at 5% concentration of Citrus junos seed oil. To confirm the anti-inflammatory effect, as a result of testing RAW 264.7 cytotoxicity test and NO production for Citrus junos seed oil, NO production was suppressed by 53% at a concentration of 0.05% that does not show cytotoxicity. In addition, in the RBL-2H3 cytotoxicity and β-hexosaminidase release inhibitory efficacy test for anti-allergic efficacy confirmation, it was confirmed that β-hexosaminidas release was suppressed by 26% at a concentration of 0.05% that did not show cytotoxicity. Lastly, in the human skin application test result of O/W emulsion containing 5% of Citrus junos seed oil, it showed higher skin moisturizing effect than the control emulsion containing the same amount of caprylic/capric triglyceride. Therefore, it is thought that Citrus junos seed oil might be used as a excellent skin care material.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-allergy activities of persimmon leaf extract (PLE) on a phthalic anhydride (PA)-induced allergic mouse model. A human leukemic mast cell line (HMC-1) was used to examine the inhibitory activity of PLE on the histamine release by human leukemic mast cells. PLE inhibited histamine release from HMC-1 cells in response to cross-linkage of high-affinity IgE receptor-${\alpha}$ ($Fc{\varepsilon}RI{\alpha}$). Additionally, a PA-induced allergic mouse model was used to investigate the effects of PLE in vivo. Mice were orally administrated with or without PLE of single dose (250 mg/kg/day) for 31 days. Oral intake of PLE significantly inhibited passive cutaneous reactions. Oral administration of PLE to PA-induced allergic mice also led to a striking suppression of the development of contact dermatitis, ear swelling and lymph node weight. In addition, PA-specific IL-4 production of draining lymph node cells was markedly diminished by PLE oral administration, but not IFN-${\gamma}$. Furthermore, PLE treatment suppressed PA-induced thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (CCL17) and cutaneous T cell-attracting chemokine (CCL27) expressions in ear tissues. Based on these results, we suggest that PLE may have therapeutic potential as an effective material for management of irritant contact dermatitis or related inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.33 no.7
• /
• pp.1169-1174
• /
• 2004

This study was carried out to assess the effects of electron beam (EB) radiation on the conformational changes of ovalbumin (OVA), based on the early works using gamma irradiation. The applied doses of OVA used were 3,5,7, and 10 kGy, respectively. The conformational alterations were measured with SDS-PAGE, GPC-HPLC, and competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ci-ELISA) using monoclonal anti-OVA IgG antibody. Irradiation caused a degradation and/or an aggregation of OVA molecule. Immunochemical structures of irradiated OVA were altered by irradiation. Effects of gamma and electron beam radiation were similar at the same absorbed doses. These results may be used for inhibition of food allergy and development of immunogen with EB radiation.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.139-146
• /
• 2010

The inhibitory effects of 25 polyphenols against in vitro allergic reactions were compared using biochemical and cell assays. Three polyphenols including curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin suppressed the release of $\beta$-hexosaminidase from ionophore A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells more effectively (>50% inhibition at $100{\mu}M$ concentration). They were found to have potencies in suppressing the release of histamine not only from ionophore A23187-, but also from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells. Moreover, such suppressive effects of the three polyphenols were also observed in A23187 plus PMA-costimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. The extent of inhibition were quantified as the respective polyphenol concentration that inhibit 50% ($IC_{50}$) of $\beta$-hexosaminidase or histamine release, showing an inhibition tendency with decreasing order of curcumin>gallic acid>quercetin. Down-regulation of $Ca^{2+}$ influx was suggested as the cause of the inhibition of $\beta$-hexosaminidase and histamine releases in these cells. The immune process inhibition was confirmed by the observed reduction in the gene expressions and release of pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1\beta$, and IL-4, due probably to antioxidant activity of the polyphenols. These findings illustrate that curcumin, gallic acid, and quercetin may be beneficial against allergic inflammatory diseases.