• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.1-30
• /
• 2016

Objectives Previous studies have found out that Forsythiae Fructus (FF) extracts have anti-atopic activities by in vitro experiment. In order to understand more about FF extracts' benefit, we subdivided FF extracts depending on systematic fractionation method by using Methylene chloride (MC), Ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-BuOH and n-hexane (n-Hx). This study is designed to examine the effect of FF fractions on the PMA- ionomycin-induced activation of RBL-2H3 mast cell lines in vitro and on the DNCB-induced activation of NC/Nga mice in vivo. Methods For this study, we examined IL-4, IL-13 production by ELISA analysis, IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31RA and TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression by real-time PCR and manifestations of AP-1 and MAPKs transcription factors by western blotting in vitro. Through in vitro experiment, we selected FF n-BuOH fraction that seems the best effective in atopic dermatitis then induced it on NC/Nga mice by DNCB. We measured mice's WBC, eosinophil and neutrophil in heart blood, IL-4, IL-5, IFN-${\gamma}$ in the spleenocyte culture supernatant, the absolute cell numbers of CD4+, CD8+, B220+CD23+, CD3+CD69+ and Gr-1+CD11b+ in the PBMCs, ALN and dorsal skin, IL-5, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31RA in the dorsal skin by real-time PCR and the distribution of immune cells by H&E on dorsal skin and ANL and toluidine blue staining on dorsal skin. Results FF n-BuOH fraction suppressed IL-4, IL-13 production and mRNA expression of IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31RA and TNF-${\alpha}$. Results from the western blot analysis showed that FF n-BuOH fraction reduced the activation of the mast cell specific transduction factors involved in AP-1 by suppressing JNK and ERK phosphorylation. In the gross, atopic dermatitis induced by DNCB in NC/Nga mice were improved by oral administration of FF n-BuOH fraction. Oral FF n-BuOH fraction also decreased the level of IgE in mice's serum and the level of IL-4 and IL-5 in the spleenocyte culture supernatant, cell numbers of CD8+, B220+CD23+ in the PBMCs, CD4+ in the ALN and CD4+, Gr-1+CD11b+ in the dorsal skin and suppressed mRNA expression of IL-5, IL-13, IL-31, IL-31RA in the dorsal skin. Histological examination showed that infiltration levels of immune cells in atopic dermatitis induced NC/Nga mice were improved by FF n-BuOH fraction. Conclusions FF n-BuOH fraction can reduce pruritus by suppressing IL-31, IL-31RA secretion and modulate molecular mediators and immune cells associated with atopic dermatitis induced in NC/Nga mice which may have played a significant role in recovering atopic dermatitis symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.80-90
• /
• 2008

Atopic dennatitis (AD) is one of the major public health problem. It has been reported that the prevalence of AD in children and adults are 10-20% and 1-3%, respectively. Westernization of food habits, urbanization, and environmental pollution are contributing factors toward the recent rise in prevalence. Excessive dietary restriction leads to chronic malnutrition in atopic dermatitis patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) on quality of diet and blood immune parameters in atopic dermatitis patients. The 19 atopic dermatitis patients (7 men and 12 women) admitted to K University Medical Center were studied. During the 12 weeks of intervention, the subjects were given MNT by a dietitian for 30-45 minutes every other week. MNT was comprised with general dietary therapy, intake of balanced meals, emphasis on n-3 fatty acid contents in foods, and food allergies. Anthropometric and dietary assessment and blood analysis were taken at baseline and after 12 weeks of MNT. After 12 weeks of MNT, the subjects' dietary qualities, including dietary diversity score (DDS), meal balance score (MBS) and dietary variety score (DVS) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). According to significantly increased intake of EPA and DHA, dietary n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio decreased to the recommended level for the atopic dermatitis patients (p < 0.05). These changes of dietary fatty acid consumption were reflected erythrocyte fatty acid composition. After 12 weeks of MNT, serum levels of IgE and IL-4 levels were significantly decreased, however, the levers of INF-$\{gamma}$, WBC, lymphocyte and TLC were not changed. As a conclusion, the individualized MNT improved the quality of diet in atopic dermatitis patients thereby influenced RBC fatty acid composition and IgE and IL-4 levels.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study is to examine the effect of external application containing herbal extracts (Betula platyphyllae Cortex, Viticis Fructus, Agrimoniae herba) to patients with atopic dermatitis. Methods : Twenty patients (experiment group) were treated with the external application containing herbal extracts (Betula platyphyllae Cortex, Viticis Fructus, Agrimoniae herba) and other twenty patients (control group) were treated with normal external application that doesn't contain herbal extracts for 2weeks. We observed comparisons between experiment and control group after 1week, 2weeks. Degrees of severity of atopic dermatitis were measured by SCORAD index (Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis Index). Statistical significance was achieved if the probability was less than 5% (p<0.05). Results : 1. After 1week of external application treatment, SCORAD Index in experiment group was significantly decreased comparing with control group, which is a marginally significant result between two groups. But after 2weeks the experiment group showed no statistically significant result. 2. After 1week of external application treatment, Intensity Criteria (Erythema, Edema/papulation, Total) in experiment group was significantly decreased comparing with control group, which is a statistically significant result between two groups. But after 2weeks the experiment group showed no statistically significant result. 3. After 1week and 2weeks of external application treatment, comparison of changes in Subjective Symptoms (Pruritus, Insomnia) indicated that the experiment group showed no statistically significant result. 4. After 1week of external application treatment, Total Quality of life through Skindex-29 in experiment group was significantly decreased comparing with control group, which is a marginally significant result between two groups. But after 2weeks the experiment group showed no statistically significant result. Conclusions : As a result of applying the external application containing herbal extracts to patients with atopic dermatitis and watching the progress, we can speculate that the external application containing herbal extracts has especially short-term therapeutical effects in mitigating the symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis. Thus, it is concluded and considered that the external application containing herbal extracts can be used by atopic patients effectively with almost no side-effect.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.122-137
• /
• 2010

Objective : Atopic dermatitis (AD) in children may profoundly affect the quality of life (QOL), and also cause financial burden, to the families of those suffering from this ailment. The aim of our study was to examine the quality of life and the financial burden of atopic dermatitis in children and their families to evaluate this relationship with the degree of AD. Methods : 37 infant and child atopic dermatitis patients were included and evaluated using the SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) Index and Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). Patients and carers were asked to fill in the questionnaires about their quality of life and financial costs during the past year. Data about sleep disturbance and pruritus were also obtained. Pearson's correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results : 1. The mean score of Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was $10.52{\pm}4.82$, Infants' Dermatologic Quality of Life (IDQOL) was $8.21{\pm}3.95$. 2. The mean score of Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) was $13.30{\pm}5.72$, Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) was $12.5{\pm}4.98$. 3. By analyzing the questionnaire, the monthly average cost was determined to be 730,800 won for each patient : the direct cost was 283,500 won, and the indirect cost was 447,300 won. 4. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and QOL, subjective SCORAD were significantly and positively correlated with QOL(IDQOL, FDLQI, DFI, CDLQI). 5. By analyzing the correlation between the severity of AD and any economic impact, EASI were significantly and positively correlated with the direct cost. Conclusion : The above results show that the QOL of the patients and carers is significantly related to their disease severity. Atopic dermatitis patients pay an average of 730,800 won a month, and the economic impact on the patients is significantly related to their disease severity. The CDLQI, IDQOL, FDLQI and DFImay potentially be of value to help in the appropriate management of AD and can be used as an added measurement in clinical trials involving AD management.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.634-640
• /
• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder mediated by inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. Rifampicin is mainly used for the treatment of tuberculosis. Recently, it was reported that rifampicin has anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of rifampicin on atopic dermatitis in vivo and in vitro. AD was induced by treatment with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in NC/Nga mice. A subset of mice was then treated with rifampicin by oral administration. The severity score and scratching behavior were alleviated in the rifampicin-treated group. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were also ameliorated in mice treated with rifampicin. We next examined whether rifampicin has anti-atopic activity via suppression of mast cell activation. Rifampicin suppressed the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine from human mast cell (HMC)-1 cultures stimulated with compound 48/80. Treatment with rifampicin also inhibited secretion of inflammatory mediators, such tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$), in mast cells activated by compound 48/80. The mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) was reduced in the cells treated with rifampicin in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that rifampicin can be used to treat atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.679-687
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study is to examine closely effect that Onchung-eum(OC) and Samhwangseze-gamibang(SG) used to atopic dermatitis disease patient get in atopy eruption control experimentally. Atopic dermatitis(AD) of molecular mechanism underlying it's effectiveness is unknown. We analyzed the expression the clinical severities in 13 and 16 weeks old NC/Nga mice, and the spleen weight of OC with SG treated NC/Nga mice, and mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5, and CCR3 in the skin tissues of OC with SG treated NC/Nga mice, and IL-1${\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 express of gene, and Histological observation of the ear and skin tissues, and than IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM, IgGl levels in the serum of OC with SG treated NC/Nga mouse group compared to the untreated control mouse group. Also, We examined cell toxicity that of OC is safety the strength of 10, 50, 100ppm and inflammatory RAW 264.7 in the serum of OC. Thus in these present study diverse immune responses in terms of chemical mediators related to AD were investigated using an atopic mouse model NC/Nga after OC along with 5G. At the result that OC along with SG treat is can effective use for the treatment of atopic dermatitis(AD).

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.85-100
• /
• 2011

In order to investigate the efficacy of HYGBH on atopic dermatitis, various immune related factors were studied. The results and conclusions are as follows. Atopic dermatitis symptoms were improved in HYGBH treated group and significant decrease in dermatitis index were observed in 12 and 14 weeks. HYGBH treated group showed significant decrease in CD4+, CD3+/CD69+ immune cell ratio in PBMC by 18% and 40.6% respectively. HYGBH treated group showed significant decrease in CD3+, CD11b+/Gr-1+ immune cell ratio in dorsal skin by 44.6% and 53.1% respectively. HYGBH treated group showed significant decrease in IL-4, IFN-${\gamma}$ in spleen by 29.5%, 7.7% respectively. HYGBH treated group showed decrease in the expression of IL-5, IL-13, IL-17 and histamine by 21%, 9.6%, 14%, and 32.2% respectively. Also the group showed decrease in the expression of IgE by 6.8% respectively. HYGBH treated group showed significant decrease in the transcription of IL-5 and IL-3 mRNA in skin by 35.5% and 23.2% respectively. The results above indicated that treatment of HYGBH improved atopic dermatitis symptoms by anti-oxidant activity as well as immune modulation activity as a clinical evidence. Also, to increase the application of fermented oriental medicine, different fermentation conditions using various microbial strains should be accumulated as the clinical evidence in the future.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.65-83
• /
• 2011

Various related factors and tissue changes in vitro and in vivo were observed to investigate the efficacy of HYBH on atopic dermatitis. The results are described below. HYBH improved the atopic dermatitis symptoms by naked eye examination, and significantly decreased dermatitis clinical index at 14 weeks. HYBH significantly decreased CD4+/CD45+, CD4+, CD8+, CD3+/CD69+ immune cell ratios in PBMC by 28%, 16%, 30%, 26% and 22% respectively. HYBH significantly decreased CD11b+/Gr-1+, CD3 immune cell ratios in dorsal skin by 35.3% and 67.5% respectively. HYBH significantly decreased the expression of IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in spleen by 23% and 15% respectively. HYBH significantly decreased the production rate of IL-5, IL-13 and histamine in serum by 17%, 23%, and 8.8% respectively and increased IL-17 production by 17%. HYBH significantly decreased immunoglubulins IgG1 and IgE production in serum. The results above indicated that treatment of HYBH improved atopic dermatitis symptoms by anti-oxidant activity and immune modulation activity as a clinical evidence. Also, different fermentation conditions using various microbial strains should be accumulated as the clinical evidence for broad application in the future.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.67-79
• /
• 2014

In order to investigate the efficacy of BJBB on atopic dermatitis, various immune related factors were studied. The results and conclusions are as follows. Atopic dermatitis symptoms were improved in BJBB treated group and significant decrease in dermatitis index were observed in 13 weeks. ALT, AST and BUN, Cr levels were all with in the normal ranges in BJBB treated group, indicating no induced toxicity. BJBB treated group showed significant decrease in CD4+, CD11b+/Gr-1+ immune cell ratio in dorsal skin by 33% and 62% respectively. BJBB treated group showed significant decrease in the expression of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and histamine by 83%, 62%, 53% and 61% respectively. Also the group showed decrease in the transcription of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 mRNA in spleen by 41%, 52% and 50% respectively. BJBB treated group showed decrease in the expression of IgE by 57% respectively. The results above indicated that treatment of BJBB improved atopic dermatitis symptoms by immune modulation activity a clinical evidence. thus, BJBB has a potential use as a composition of medicinal plants for treatment against inflammation related disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2013

Objectives: Galgeun-tang (GGT, gegen-tang, kakkon-to), an herbal formula, is used to treat the common cold, fevers, headaches, hangovers and neck and upper back stiffness. The drugs currently used to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) are limited by the significant adverse effects associated with their long-term usage. The need to efficiently manage the AD response while reducing side effects has led to the development of alternative remedies. Methods: To assess the effects of GGT on AD, the anti-inflammatory and anti-AD properties of GGT were evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo systems. Results: Nitric oxide (NO) and histamine production on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells and phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/A23187-treated MC/9 cells, respectively, were inhibited by GGT. GGT reduced thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) release on TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$ stimulated HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. GGT reduced both plasma levels of IgE and histamine and the dermatitis score in house dust mite induced atopic dermatitis-like lesions on NC/Nga mice. However, there were no significant histopathological differences observed between the GGT group and the AD-induced group, such as AD-like lesions in the dorsal skin or ear or mast cell infiltration in the dorsal skin. Conclusions: These results indicate that GGT inhibits chemokine production by keratinocytes and the atopic dermatitis response in NC/Nga mice, suggesting that GGT may be useful as a therapeutic remedy for treating AD and allergic inflammation-related diseases.