• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.573-587
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• 2014

Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillary blood vessels, is a tightly regulated process. Under normal physiological conditions, angiogenesis only takes place during embryonic development, wound healing, and female menstruation. Dysregulation of angiogenesis is associated with many diseases, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and proliferative retinopathy. The growth and expansion of adipose tissue require the formation of new blood vessels. Adipose tissue is probably the most highly vascularized tissue in the body, as each adipocyte is surrounded by capillaries, and the angiogenic vessels supply nutrients and oxygen to adipocytes. Accumulating evidence shows that capillary endothelial cells communicate with adipocytes via paracrine signaling pathways, extracellular components, and direct cell-cell interactions. Activated adipocytes produce multiple angiogenic factors, including VEGF, FGF-2, leptin, and HGF, which either alone or cooperatively stimulate the expansion and metabolism of adipose tissue by increasing adipose tissue vasculature. Recently, it was demonstrated that antiangiogenic herbal Ob-X extracts and Korean red ginseng extracts reduce adipose tissue mass and suppress obesity by inhibiting angiogenesis in obese mice. Thus, angiogenesis inhibitors provide a promising therapeutic approach for controlling human obesity and related disorders.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.73-88
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• 2010

Traditionally, the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc(L.E) has been used as efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin ailments (e.g eczema and psoriasis). It contains isohexenylnaphthoquinone derivatives (shikonin and its esters) and furylhydroquinones (shikonofurans) in lipophilic fractions and caffeic acid oligomers (rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid B) in polar fractions. Recently, new preparative isolation and analysis procedures of shikonin along with its oligomers from the extract of L. erythrorhizon by the combination of high-speed counter-current chromatography with high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection have also been introduced. Although there have been many reports on the wound healing, antiinflammatory, and anticancer effects, the research on the effects of anti-atopic dermatitis of the root of L. erythrorhizon were relatively scarce. However, in recent years, new information gathered from research efforts, on the anti-atopic dermatitis properties of the extract or constituents of L. erythrorhizon has been accumulated. In this paper, the findings and advance on the in vitro and in vivo activities of L. erythrorhizon and its constituents especially focused on antiinflammatory and anti-atopic dermatitis effects are summarized. The phytochemical constituents of L. erythrorhizon or its tissue cultures are also presented. Although there are few to verify or refute its activity in human, one result of clinical study of the extract of L. erythrorhizon on the atopic dermatitis patients was introduced to assess the possibility of its clinical use. The reported mechanisms of action and in vivo pharmacological studies in different animal models for the various types of extracts or constituents of L. erythrorhizon are supportive of its therapeutic potential or dietary supplement, however, more evidence from clinically relevant models, as well as systemic studies on the active constituents or the various types of standardized extracts at the cellular and molecular level, are required.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.79-87
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• 2006

Purpose: The present study purposed to examine induced characteristic or erythema and safety by medium wave ultra violet(UVB) lamp. Methods: We compared sunshine and UVB lamp using spectroradiometer and UV radiometer. For measuring sunshine irradiation, we used spectoradiometer and detected from 8 to 18 o'clock every each hour on the beach, playground and rooftop of a 5 story building. The subjects for erythema examination were 5 healthy subjects who have no pathologic history of photosensitivity reaction, psoriasis and vitiligo. They were exposed to UVB radiation at the abdominal area for 2 hours and after irradiation, we observed the change of skin color every 12 hours over a period of 1 week. Results: Between sunshine and UVB lamp, sunshine had higher data on the chromaticity coordinates, dominant and peak wavelength, bandwidth and purity than the UVB lamp but on the color temperature, brightness the UVB lamp had higher data than the sunshine. In comparison of sunshine and UVB lamp, UVB lamp irradiated constantly such as $3.9-4.4{\mu}W/cm^2$ at a distance of 100cm between bed and lamp which was same as early morning irradiation on the sunshine. The erythema didn't appear to any subject. Conclusion: This results suggest that the UVB lamp has lower irradiance as much as early sunshine. Therefore the UVB lamp had no influence of inducing erythema at a distance of 100cm between bed and lamp.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.247-251
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• 1999

Background : Iron deficiency anemia(IDA) is a very common condition, and its underlying causes are diverse. Gastrointestinal blood loss, pregnancy, menorrhagia are known as common causes of IDA. However, especially in the IDA case of unknown origin, we must consider the culture specific cause of IDA as a possible cause of IDA. As I found an unusual cause of IDA related to a cultural behavior, I would like to report two cases of IDA occurred by negative therapy in Korea. It is possible to explain these cases by explanatory model. Case 1 : With a chief complaint of dyspnea, a 27-year-old woman visited our clinic. She had multiple treatment histories of negative therapy for her psoriasis. The blood loss during this procedure is the cause of present IDA. Case 2 : A 70-year-old man visited our clinic complaining of anorexia and dizziness. The history of treatment showed that he had an IDA 9 month ago. The IDA developed again because of repeated negative therapy after previous treatment of IDA. He has used the negative therapy intermittently to treat tinea pedis for 5 years. Conclusion : We must consider the negative therapy as a possible cause of IDA in Korea.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.243-247
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• 2007

Retinoids have many important and diverse functions and particularly, have been widely used as anti-aging agent and for the treatment of acne and psoriasis in cosmetics. However, retinoids have low stability against the air, light, water, oxygen and heat, thus, to stabilize the retinoids in formulations is very critical procedure. In this study, cubic liquid crystalline phase of monoolein was applied to stabilize the retinylpalmitate (RP) and to enhance the transdermal permeation. Cubic liquid crystalline phase significantly enhanced the stability of RP. After 15 days, the content of RP in the cubic formulation was 94.7% while the content of RP in ethanol solution was below 0.5% at room temperature. Although BHT containing crystalline phase showed the slightly increased stability of RP, there were no significant differences in RP stability between with or without antioxidants (ascorbic acid, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, BHT, BHA) at $40^{\circ}C$. The skin retention of RP in crystalline formulations was approximately $5.3{\sim}6.4$ times greater than that of o/w cream formulation. Incorporation of RP into cubic liquid crystalline phase of monoolein effectively stabilized the RP and worked as excellent topical vehicle for RP. Liquid crystalline phase is considered to be suitable formulation for RP for topical delivery system as a stabilizer and permeation enhancing agent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.261-263
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• 2009

Methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid which is usually taken intravenously for many neurosurgical diseases which cause edema including brain tumor, and trauma including spinal cord injury. Methylprednisolone reduces swelling and decreases the body's immune response. It is also used to treat many immune and allergic disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. To identify genes expressed during methylprednisolone treatment against neurons of rats (PC12 cells), DNA microarray method was used. We have isolated 2 gene groups (up- or down-regulated genes) which are methylprednisolone differentially expressed in neurons. Lipocalin 3 is the gene most significantly increased among 772 up-regulated genes (more than 2 fold over-expression) and Aristaless 3 is the gene most dramatically decreased among 959 down-regulated genes (more than 2 fold down-expression). The gene increased expression of Fgb, Thbd, Cfi, F3, Kngl, Serpinel, C3, Tnfrsf4 and Il8rb are involved stress-response gene, and Nfkbia, Casp7, Pik3rl, I11b, Unc5a, Tgfb2, Kitl and Fgf15 are strongly associated with development. Cell cycle associated genes (Mcm6, Ccnb2, Plk1, Ccnd1, E2f1, Cdc2a, Tgfa, Dusp6, Id3) and cell proliferation associated genes (Ccl2, Tnfsf13, Csf2, Kit, Pim1, Nr3c1, Chrm4, Fosl1, Spp1) are down-regulated more than 2 times by methylprednisolone treatment. Among the genes described above, 4 up-regulated genes are confirmed those expression by RT-PCR. We found that methylprednisolone is related to expression of many genes associated with stress response, development, cell cycle, and cell proliferation by DNA microarray analysis. However, We think further experimental molecular studies will be needed to figure out the exact biological function of various genes described above and the physiological change of neuronal cells by methylprednisolone. The resulting data will give the one of the good clues for understanding of methylprednisolone under molecular level in the neurons.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.506-512
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• 2016

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is used in traditional herbal medicine in many Asian countries for the treatment of several diseases such as diabetes, eczema, night blindness, psoriasis, and rheumatism. Especially, most reports concerning the biological activities of bitter melon have focused on its effects on diabetes and hyperglycemia. Also, bitter melon is regarded as a longevity food, suggesting that it has several beneficial effects on anti-aging and the maintenance of a healthy state. Thus, we investigated whether bitter melon could increase the capacity of exercise in this study. Interestingly, bitter melon fruit extract activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is important for regulating glucose homeostasis, mitochondrial content and exercise capacity. In addition, bitter melon extract increased the expression of enzymes involved in fatty acid oxidation such as mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3), carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1b (CPT1b), and pyruvate dehydrogenase lipoamide kinase isozyme 4 (PDK4). Moreover, exercise tolerance was much more enhanced in bitter melon treated animals compared to the non-treated control group. These results suggest that bitter melon is a promising candidate for the development of functional foods beneficial for physical strength and the enhancement of exercise capacity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.623-628
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• 2006

Sopung-san(SPS; prescription No. DO27), a herbal medicine prescribed by oriental hospital of Daegu fanny University, has been used as cure for pruritus and psoriasis. To evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of Sopung-san, we treated Sopung-san extract in animal model system induced contact hypersensitivity. Contact hypersensitivity, a local inflammatory response of the skin, was induced by 1% DNCB on the right ear of BALB/C mouse. Sopung-san was prepared as water extract and administrated everyday for 2 weeks per oral. A right ear of mouse was potently swelled by 1% of DNCB treatment, but a mouse ear thickness was significantly reduced by Sopung-san after 2 weeks. treatment. Sopung-san reduced IgG in serum obtained from blood of 1 % DNCB-treated mouse. IgE in serum was not changed by DNCB and/or Sopung-san treatment. $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 from ear tissue were significantly increased by DNCB, Dut were not reduced by Sopung-san. From these results, anti-inflammatory effect of Sopung-san, especially reduction of ear swelling, might be partly due to reduction of IgG in serum.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.7-10
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• 2012

Objectives: The root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. et Zucc. (Lithospermi Radix, LR) is a kind of heat clearing and blood cooling medicinal herbs. It can clear away heat and cool the blood, reduce toxins and disperse maculae. LR has long been used as efficacious therapy for inflammation, burns, frostbite and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Methods: In the present study, we investigate anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of LR by using the 1-fluoro-2, 4- dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced contact dermatitis mouse model. Results: Topical application of 10 mg/mL of LR effectively inhibited skin lesions induced by repeated paintings with DNFB. Topical application of LR also inhibited hyperplasia, edema, spongiosis and infiltrations of mononuclear cells. In addition, production levels of total immunoglobulin and IgG1 in serum were decreased by using LR in vivo. Conclusions: These data suggest that LR acts as an antiinflammatory agent, improving skin lesions in CD mice.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.425-437
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• 2004

Medicinal plants are of great importance in providing healthcare to a large portion of the population in Korea. A number of plants are described in Dong-Ui-Bo-Gam for use in the treatment of allergic disorders, namely psoriasis, eczema, bronchial asthma, etc. In this study, we evaluated the effect of AllerQ, which is multi-complexes of various plants extracts such like Mori folium, Scutellaria baicallensis, Glycyrrhiza uralnsis, Mentha sacharinensis and Poncirus trifoliata on compound 48/80 induced anaphylactic shock, ovalbumin induced asthma in vivo and anti-IgE antibody induced hypersensitivity in vitro. We found antianaphylactic or antiallergic properties of AllerQ when given orally. AllerQ for prophylactic treatment for anaphylactic shocks have produced good results. AllerQ may modulate various aspects of immune function and allergic inflammation. In the present study, we analyse the effects of AllerQ on mast cell degranulation, mortality, cAMP/cGMP, O₂, H₂O₂ level, cyokine production and on the elicitation of IgE-mediated mast cell-dependent allergic inflammation in vivo and in vitro. We have established that AllerQ inhibited histamine release, cAMP/cGMP, O₂, H₂O₂ level, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) and IL-6 production without having any significant physical change. These effects have been observed in mast cell(in vitro) and serum(in vivo) derived from three different origins that were activated by either immunological or non-immunological stimuli. These results suggest that the antianaphylactic and antiasthma tic action of AllerQ may be associated with an increase in the intracellular inhibition of the cAMP phosphodiesterase. Furthermore, AllerQ identified as potent inhibitors on O₂, H₂O₂ and cytokine activity. these data suggest that AllerQ may have an inhibitory role in mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation, and thus might be considered as an useful functional food.