• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.97-102
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• 2009

Objectives : We determined the anti-inflammatory activity of KCNS-001 that is a herbal formula including 6 medicinal plants and that are used to mitigate atopic dermatitis in oriental medicine. Methods : To evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of KCNS-001, we measured the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The concentrations of ROS and relative level of NO were measured with DPPH assay and Griess reagent, respectively. COX-2 and TNF-$\alpha$ were detected by enzyme immuno assay (EIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results : ROS and NO production were reduced by KCNS-001 in a dose-dependent manner. KCNS-001 significantly inhibited activity of COX-2 and suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-$\alpha$). Conclusions : These results indicate that the KCNS-001 may have an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of various inflammatory disease.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.34 no.3 s.134
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• pp.228-232
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• 2003

For effective management of atopic dermatitis, it is important to introduce a therapeutic agent although having the fewest side effects, has the greatest anti- inflammatory effect. In the course of screening anti-inflammatory agents, we obtained BSASM composed of several plant extracts. This study was designed to investigate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of BSASM. As a first step, $NF-{\kappa}B$ luciferase reporter assay was performed to know the involvement of BSASM in the production of proinflammatory cytokines because $NF-{\kappa}B$ element has been known to play a major role in expression of cytokine genes such as interleukin-8 (IL-8) or tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$. LPS (lipolysaccharide)-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation was inhibited by BSASM. In addition, we found the fact that BSASM inhibits LPS-induced produced production of IL-8 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ proinflammatory cytokines, indicating BSASM has anti-inflammatory effect. In interleukin-2 (IL-2) luciferase reporter assay in Jurkat T cells, BSASM reduced PHA (Phytohemagglutinin)-induced IL-2 luciferase activity, suggesting the possibility that BSASM might also have an immunomodulatory function in T cell-mediated immune response. Based on these results, we suggest the possibility that BSASM can be introduced to improve symptom of immune-related skin diseases, namely, atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.682-692
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• 2012

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cough, indigestion, circulatory problems and pain. The associated anti-inflammatory effect of this agent is achieved via the inhibition of Nf-${\kappa}B$ signaling, a property that has been demonstrated to effectively control the symptoms of various skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Sea Buckthorn in reducing the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated nitric oxide (NO) by inhibiting the Nf-${\kappa}B$ pathway, as measured by the symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) occurring secondarily to inflammation and immune dysregulation. Our data demonstrate that Sea Buckthorn significantly decreased the LPS-induced production of NO (p<0.001). Atopic dermatitis was induced by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene to the dorsal skin of mice. Topical application of 5% Sea Buckthorn extract improved the symptoms of AD, specifically reducing disease severity scores, scratching behaviors and epidermal thickness. When compared to the control group, animals treated with Sea Buckthorn exhibited increased serum IL-12 levels and decreased serum TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4 and IL-5 levels. Such a modulation of biphasic T-helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokines may result in a reduction in serum IgE levels. Our findings suggest that mechanism of action of Sea Buckthorn in the treatment of AD is associated with a marked anti-inflammatory effect as well as an inhibition of Th2-mediated IgE overproduction via the modulation of biphasic Th1/Th2 cytokines. Such results suggest that topical Sea Buckthorn extract may prove to be a novel therapy for AD symptoms with few side effects.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.363-368
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• 2010

Allergies are immediate hypersensitive responses to antigens and interleukin (IL)-4 is involved in the initiation and development of allergic responses. $Rb_1$ has been known to have a variety of biological activities including anti-inflammatory activity, but the effect of $Rb_1$ on allergic responses is not known yet. The present study was undertaken to examine whether $Rb_1$ has an inhibitory effect on allergic response in mouse model. In allergic mouse model, our results showed that topical application of $Rb_1$ on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions improved skin condition and inhibited starching behaviors. In addition, $Rb_1$ application not only suppressed mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-10, but also prevented the nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 transcription. Moreover, $Rb_1$ application suppressed IL-4's secretion. Taken together, these results suggest that $Rb_1$ has a potent inhibitory effect in AD-related T cell cytokine production and may be a candidate for therapeutic agent in allergy.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.119-132
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of natural carbonated hot spring water (NCHW) on DNCB-induced NC/Nga mice, an atopic dermatitis (AD) model. Methods :At first, NC/Nga mice were prepared and induced to have atopic lesion on their back skin by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). They swam for 20 minutes everyday in tanks where the one is filled with $28^{\circ}C$ NCHW, the other is with $25^{\circ}C$ carbonated hot spring water and another is with artificial carbonated hot spring water (ACHW). After 3 weeks, We assessed the skin clinical score and macroscopic appearance, total IgE, IgG1 levels, WBC differential counting, IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ production levels and histological changes. Results : There are meaningful results of improving atopic lesion-state by relieving the count of total IgE, IgG1 levels, WBC differential counting, IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-13, TNF-${\alpha}$ production levels and recovering skin clinical score in the group with $28^{\circ}C$ NCHW in comparison with the other groups. Conclusions : The NCHW may have potential as an effective treatment for atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.341-348
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Torreyae semen extract against antimicrobial and allergic contact dermatitis to explore its utility as a herbal resource. To this end, the antibacterial effects of Torreyae Semend extracted with hot water and ethanol (30%, 60%, 90%) were investigated using Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Propionibacterium acnes. And observed the anti-atopic dermatitis efficacy with a mouse model that allergic contact dermatitis induced by DNCB. Experimental results showed that the antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa was significantly higher in the hot water extract of Torreyae Semen. We observed that the extracts of 30% ethanol and hot water of Torreyae Semen inhibited growth in a concentration-dependent manner in P. acnes & S. epidermidis. We observed that the administration of hot water extracts and 30% ethanol extract of Torreyae Semen significantly reduce the thickness of ear & back and gross skin condition compared to the control group in the mice with allergic contact dermatitis. As a result of H & E histological staining, it was observed that the Torreyae Semen extraction group had markedly reduced epidermis and skin thickness, granules, and keratinization compared to the control group. The groups administrated with Torreyae Semen hot water extracts had decreased TNF-α and IL-10 contents compared with the control group. As a result, Torreyae Semen may be used as a useful herbal resource because it has a certain level of antibacterial and anti-atopic effects.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.257-264
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of 70% ethanol extract (DR) on the mast cell-mediated allergic contact dermatitis induced by dinitrofluorobenzene in BALB / c mice, which affects the cell activity by antigen in RBL-2H3 mast cells Respectively. The ethanol extracts of RBL-2H3 cells activated by DNP-HSA and anti-DNP IgE antibodies inhibited the secretion of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, histamine, and IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ Production was suppressed. In the DNFB-induced contact allergic dermatitis animal model, treatment with ethanol extract reduced ear swelling and inhibited serum histamine and IL-4 secretion, and DR treatment effectively prevented mast cell infiltration in dermatitis-induced areas. As a result, the ethanol extract may be used as a therapeutic agent for mast cell-mediated allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.147-169
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• 2007

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of BGG on atopic dermatitis, we investigated the composition of immune cells of lymph node, PBMC and skin of Dermatophagoides farinae-induced NC/Nga mice. The levels of immunoglobulins in serum were analyzed at the protein level and the amount of pathologic cytokines were investigated using CD3/CD28 stimulated splenocytes. The results are summarized below; 1. BGG showed no cytotoxic effect up to $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ on mLFC in vitro. 2. BGG showed no hepatotoxicity in vivo based on the levels of ALT and AST. 3. Atopic dermatitis was improved through naked eye examination. BGG reduced the skin clinical index from 2.9 to 1.3 (p<0.01). 4. H&E and toluidine blue staining of tissue biopsies revealed that BGG inhibited the infiltration of lymphocytes and mast cells to skin. 5. BGG reduced the number of CD19 positive B cells in PBMCs by 16% (p<0.01), whereas cells were increased by 26% (p<0.05) in lymph nodes. 6. BGG reduced the numbers of B220+/CD23+ cells by 15% (p<0.01) and 33% in PBMCs and lymph node, respectively. 7. BGG reduced the numbers of B220+/IgE+ cells in PBMCs and lymph node by 21% and 33% (p<0.01), respectively. 8. BGG suppressed the levels of IgE (13%, p<0.001) as well as IgM (34%, p<0.001), IgG2a (40%, p<0.001) and IgG2b (26%, p<0.05). 9. BGG reduced the levels of IL-4 and IFN-$\gamma$ by 7% (p<0.05) and 13% (p<0.001) in anti-CD3 and anti-CD28-activated splenocytes, respectively. 10. BGG considerably inhibited the production of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 by 42% (p<0.01) and 15% in the serum, respectively. Based on the results above, we concluded that BGG has therapeutic effects on atopic dermatitis by regulating the differentiation of B cells and isotype switching of IgE. Further investigations on the molecular mechanisms of BGG on atopic dermatitis are anticipated.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2016

Allergic skin inflammation such as atopic dermatitis is characterized by skin barrier dysfunction, edema, and infiltration with various inflammatory cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of Apo-9'-fucoxanthinone, isolated from Sargassum muticum, have been described in many diseases, but the mechanism by which it modulates the immune system is poorly understood. In this study, the ability of Apo-9'-fucoxanthinone to suppress allergic reactions was investigated using a mouse model of atopic dermatitis. The Apo-9'-fucoxanthinone-treated group showed significantly decreased immunoglobulin E in serum. Also, Apo-9'-fucoxanthinone treatment resulted in a smaller lymph node size with reduced the thickness and length compared to the induction group. In addition, Apo-9'-fucoxanthinone inhibited the expression of interleukin-4, interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin-stimulated lymphocytes. These results suggest that Apo-9'-fucoxanthinone may be a useful therapeutic strategy for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.365-370
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• 2016

Atopic dermatitis refers to a chronic, recurrent, skin condition, typically typified by itching, inflamed skin. It precedes other allergic diseases, such as asthma, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis, and is usually accompanied by various other immune disorders and secondary symptoms. In this study, we discovered that when treating TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$-stimulated HaCaT cells with various concentrations of Picea wilsonii Mast (PwM) extracts, the cell viability was excellent. In addition, we measured the inflammatory cytokines associated with atopic dermatitis, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, and MCP-1. The production of IL-6, IL-13, and MCP-1 decreased in the presence of PwM extracts, whereas there was no significant difference in the production of IL-8. Further studies are necessary to develop an effective cure for atopic dermatitis and inflammation using foreign plant extracts, and PwM efficacy should be determined with an in-depth, objective verification process using protein and mechanism analysis.