• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 2015

Objectives: A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is characterized by back pain and fracture of a vertebral body on spinal radiography. VCFs of the thoraco lumbar spine are common in the elderly. In general, appropriate analgesics should be prescribed to reduce pain and, thus, promote early mobilization. The ideal treatment approach for VCFs has not been determined. In Korea, acupuncture and herbal medication have been used to treat VCFs for many years. There is empirical evidence that acupuncture might benefit patients with a VCF. However, no randomized, controlled, clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and the safety of acupuncture for treating a VCF have been published. Therefore, we designed a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial to obtain information for the design of a further full scale trial. Methods: A five week protocol for a randomized, controlled, pilot, clinical trial is presented. Fourteen patients will be recruited and randomly allocated to two groups: a control group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections once a week for three weeks, and an experimental group receiving interlaminar epidural steroid injections plus acupuncture treatment (three acupuncture sessions per week for three weeks, nine sessions in total). The primary outcomes will be the pain intensity (visual analogue scale and PainVision$^{TM}$ system). The secondary outcome measurements will be the answers on the short form McGill pain questionnaire and the oswestry disability index. Assessments will be made at baseline and at one, three, and five weeks. The last assessment (week five) will take place two weeks after treatment cessation. This study will provide both an indication of feasibility and a clinical foundation for a future large scale trial. The outcomes will provide additional resources for incorporating acupuncture into existing treatments, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, narcotics and vertebral augmentation. This article describes the protocol.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2014

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease preceding the development of allergic disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Sargassum micracanthum ethanol extract (SMEE) on AD. AD was induced by spreading 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzen (DNCB) on the back sides of BALB/c mice. The efficacy of SMEE was tested by observing the skin clinical severity score, proliferations of Raw 264.7 cells and the secretion of cytokines and IgE. The secretion of IL-4, and IgE was significantly decreased by SMEE in a dose dependent manner, while IFN-${\gamma}$ was increased. In addition, SMEE alleviated the AD symptoms better when compared to the positive controls. In conclusion, these results suggest that SMEE has an inhibitory effect on AD, and may serve as a useful biomaterial for the development of cosmeceuticals.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2016

Red ginseng is known to have many beneficial effects. Cisplatin, an effective antineoplastic drug, can cause many side effects like irreversible sensorineural hearing loss and serious tinnitus in humans. This study is aimed to reduce a cisplatin's side effect, nephrotoxicity by fermentated korean red ginseng. Korea ginseng was produced by steaming and dring and fermentation. And mice were divided into 4 groups- (A) normal mice, (B) Vehicle treated cisplatin mice, (C) RG0F0-treated cisplatin mice, (D) RG8F3-treated cisplatin mice. C and D groups were feed each material 200 mg/kg/day during 4 days. And cisplatin 20 mg/kg injected to B, C, and D groups as abdominal injection. After 24 h, blood sample was collected. The kidneys were harvested for histological, immuno histochemical and western blot analysis. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was depended on steaming hours. RG0F0 and RG8F3 (ginseng-8 h steamed and fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were showed antioxidants effect in DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity. Component amounts according to steaming hours. 8 h steamed red ginseng had the most ingredients of ginsenoside. Treatments with RG8F3 reduced cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in the mice resulting in increase of GSH and decrease of ROS, BUN, creatinine, and inflammatory mediators. This result seems to be involved with the restriction of the inflammation in the kidney. Therefore, fermented red ginseng might have therapeutic efficacy in reduce kidney injury induced by cisplatin treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.468-478
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of cordyceps militaris extracts for the improvement of cognitive dysfunction in PC12 and BV2 cells. Cordyceps militaris extracts was prepared by extracting with distilled water. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay using PC12 cells and BV2 cells. Confirmed effects of L-glutamate induced cytotoxicity test, Acetylcoline (ACh) concentration, and Acetylcolinestase (AChE) activity in PC12 cells. Anti-inflammatory activities of cordyceps militaris extracts was measured through changes in the levels of nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced BV2 cell. In addition, we measured the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$, p38, JNK, and caspase-3 in western blot analysis. Cordyceps militaris extracts showed no cytotoxicity at the concentrations of 1, 10, and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ except for the concentration of $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Cordyceps militaris extracts protected the cell and exhibited significant increases in the ACh concentration and a significant decrease in the AChE activity in L-glutamate induced PC12 cells. Moreover, cordyceps militaris extracts inhibited the productions NO, and PGE2 level and the protein expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$, p38, JNK, caspase-3 in LPS-induced BV2 cells. These results indicate that cordyceps militaris extracts possible prevented and improved cognitive dysfuction symptoms. Thus, cordyceps militaris extracts may be a novel natural material option for the improvement of cognitive dysfunction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 2021

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is widely used in cancer and lymphoma treatments and as an immunosuppressant drug. CP is a DNA alkylating agent that metabolizes into 4-hydrocyclophosphamide (4H-CYP) and aldophosphamide in hepatocytes. However, its metabolites cause DNA synthesis disorder, leading to apoptosis and toxic side effects. The development of technology to minimize this side effect is essential to improve CP's clinical application. Various bioactive compounds have been reported to have anti-cancer and antioxidant functions and preventive or therapeutic roles in metabolic diseases. Many researchers have attempted to minimize the side effects and improve the efficacy of these drugs together with the use of bioactive compounds. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance has been used for the treatment of edema, mastitis, stomach pain, tumors, cystitis, and other inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate at the histological level the protective function of U. macrocarpa Hance against CP's side effects and any potential toxic effect of U. macrocarpa Hance in the liver and kidney. Water extracts of U. macrocarpa Hance reduced CP-induced toxicity and did not induce any histological damage in the liver and kidney. Therefore, U. macrocarpa Hance would be applicable in the pharmaceutical industry.

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

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2022

Hepatic diseases are divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic liver injury finally induces fatty liver and damages liver function. Many studies have demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. We conducted a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the efficacy of E. stolonifera extracts (ESE) on biochemical markers of hepatic function. Sixty-five subjects with mild or moderate liver injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 420 mg/d of ESE or a placebo for 12 weeks. Fifty-five participants completed the trial. No significant adverse events were observed among the subjects during the study. The primary end points were changes in plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The secondary end points were changes in lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Compared with the baseline, AST and ALT levels decreased significantly in the ESE group compared to those in the placebo group (P<0.001). In addition, γ-GT levels in the ESE group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (P=0.016). There were no differences in the TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels between groups. In conclusion, ESE consumption for 12 weeks improved liver parameters in subjects with liver injury. Regular consumption of ESE could maintain liver health in individuals at risk of hepatic damage.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.185-192
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• 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic intractable skin disease caused by various inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, CXCL8, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, as well as IL-17A secreted from Th17 cells and is characterized by hyperkeratosis and chronic inflammation of the epidermis. Brazilin, an active ingredient of Caesalpinia sappan L., is known to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and function in skin barrier improvement. In particular, it was shown as a potential material for treating psoriasis in a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocyte model. However, the direct regulation of the C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 20, a psoriasis-inducing factor, by brazilin has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the suppression of CCL20 and the regulatory mechanism by brazilin using a psoriasis-like model. First, brazilin downregulated CCL20 and CXCL8 in IL-17A-stimulated HaCaT cells in a concentration-dependent manner by inhibiting signal transducer and transcription (STAT)3 phosphorylation. In addition, brazilin significantly inhibited the expression of psoriasis-related genes CXCL8, CCL20, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. Moreover, brazilin also had a positive effect on improving the skin barrier in TNF-α/IL-17A/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. The above results indicated that brazilin ultimately downregulated CCL20 expression by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation, and also suppressed the expression of psoriasis-induced cytokines. If the efficacy of brazilin in improving psoriasis is verified through animal models and clinical trials in the future, it may represent a potentially therapeutic substance for psoriasis patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.158-168
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• 2023

Natural products have been used to mitigate the effects of cancer and infectious diseases, as they feature diverse bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Here, we chose 10 natural products that are well-known as pulmonary enhancers and investigated their bactericidal effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the disk diffusion assay, the growth of S. pneumoniae was significantly regulated by G. fructus treatment regardless of extraction method used. We first adopted spraying as a novel delivery method for G. fructus. Interestingly, mice exposed to G. fructus three times a day for 2 weeks were resistant to S. pneumoniae intranasal infection (shown both through body weight loss and survival rates compared to the control group). Moreover, we confirmed that exposure to G. fructus regulated the colonization of the bacteria despite the sustained inflammation in the lung after exposure to S. pneumoniae, indicating that migrated inflammatory immune cells may involve a host defense mechanism against pulmonary infectious diseases. While a similar number of granulocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C⁺Ly6G⁺), neutrophils (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G⁺), and monocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G^-) were found between groups, a significantly increased number of alveolar macrophages (CD11b⁺CD11c^hiF4/80⁺) was detected in BAL fluids of mice pre-exposed to G. fructus at 5 days after S. pneumonia infection. Taken together, our data suggest that this usage of G. fructus can induce protective immunity against bacterial infection, indicating that facial spray may be helpful in enhancing the defense mechanism against pulmonary inflammation and in evaluating the efficacy of natural products as immune enhancers against respiratory diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.629-641
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• 1999

Background: Corticosteroid is most potent and effective anti-inflammatory medication currently available and inhaled form has been used in the long-tenn control of asthma. Fluticasone propionate(Flixotide/Flovent: FP) is highly potent and topically active inhaled corticosteroid and has at least twice the potency of beclomethasone dipropionate(BDP) in the control of asthma. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of FP and BDP in several aspects. Method: Fifty patients with asthma were treated in a randomized, parallel group study of 4 weeks duration. During 2-week run-in period $\beta_2$-agonist was administered. After run-in period, FP $500{\mu}g/day$ was administered via Diskhaler or BDP $800{\mu}g/day$ via reservoir dry-power device. During the run-in and treatment period, morning and evening peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) were measured daily. Daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms, daytime and night-time rescue bronchodilator use were checked daily. $FEV_{1.0}$ and FVC were measured biweekly in both groups. Results: Three patients treated with FP and seven patient treated with BDP were dropped out. Therefore forty patients completed the study. Morning and evening PEFR was increased and diurnal variation of PEFR decreased significantly in both groups. $FEV_{1.0}$ increased significantly in FP treatment group but not in BDP group. There were also improvements in daytime and night-time asthma symptoms, daytime and night-time rescue bronchodilator use in both groups after treatment There were no significant difference between groups in any of the efficacy parameters. Therapeutic effects were demonstrated earlier in patient treated with FP than BDP. Conclusion: In this study, $500{\mu}g/day$ fluticasone propionate was as effective as $800{\mu}g/day$ beclomethasone dipropionate in the control of asthma. Therapeutic effects were demonstrated earlier in patient treated with FP than BDP without adverse effect.