• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1056-1069
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Grifola frondosa, commonly referred to as the maitake mushroom, has been studied extensively to explore its potential health benefits. However, its anti-inflammatory effects in skin disorders have not been sufficiently elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the anti-inflammatory role of the ethanol extract of G. frondosa in atopic dermatitis (AD) using in vivo and in vitro models. MATERIALS/METHODS: We investigated its impact on skin and spleen inflammatory responses in Dermatophagoides farinae extract (DFE)/1-chloro-2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like skin lesions in a mouse model. Additionally, we determined the immunosuppressive response and mechanism of G. frondosa by inducing atopic-like immune reactions in keratinocytes through tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ stimulation. RESULTS: Our study revealed that G. frondosa ameliorates clinical symptoms in an AD-like mouse model. These effects contributed to the suppression of Th1, Th2, Th17, and Th22 immune responses in the skin and spleen, leading to protection against cutaneous inflammation. Furthermore, G. frondosa inhibited the production of antibodies immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG2a in the serum of AD mice. Importantly, the inhibitory effect of G. frondosa on inflammatory cytokines in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated AD-like keratinocytes was associated with the suppression of MAPK (Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase) pathway activation. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of G. frondosa as a novel therapeutic agent for AD treatment and prevention.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.260-268
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• 2016

Background: During the aging process, skin shows visible changes, characterized by a loss of elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles due to reduced collagen production and decreased elasticity of elastin fibers. Panax ginseng Meyer has been used as a traditional medicine for various diseases due to its wide range of biological activities including skin protective effects. Ginsenosides are the main components responsible for the biological activities of ginseng. However, the protective activities of an enzymatic preparation of red ginseng against human skin aging have not been investigated. Methods: The efficacy of an enzyme-treated powder complex of red ginseng (BG11001) in preventing human skin aging was evaluated by oral administration to 78 randomized individuals. All patients were requested to take three daily capsules containing either 750 mg of BG11001 or a placebo vehicle for 24 wk; at the end of the testing period, skin roughness, elasticity, and skin water content were measured. Results: BG11001 significantly reduced the average roughness of eye wrinkles and the Global Photo Damage Score compared with the placebo, although there were no significant differences in arithmetic roughness average between the groups. In addition, gross elasticity and net elasticity values increased, and transepidermal water loss level decreased, indicating improved skin elasticity and moisture content. Conclusion: In conclusion, enzyme-treated red ginseng extract significantly improved eye wrinkle roughness, skin elasticity, and moisture content. Moreover, enzyme-treated red ginseng extract would be useful substance as a bio-health skin care product.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.349-353
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• 2007

Skin wrinkle formations are associated with collagen synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase-I(MMP-1) activity. This study was carried out to find out skin wrinkle reducing components in Torilis Fructus. Torilis Fructus were extracted with 70% ethanol and the ethanol extracts were systematically fractionated with n-hexane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and distilled water. Among them, antiwrinkle component from n-hexane fraction was purified by several column chromatographies and HPLC, which identified as torilin by $^1H-NMR,\;^{13}C-NMR$ and ESI-MS. To determine cell viability, collagen biosynthesis and MMP-1 activity, human dermal fibroblast was treated with 1-5 ppm concentrations of Torilis Fructus extract fraction and torilin. Cell viability was showed 84-102% at all group treated with 1-5 ppm. Collagen synthesis was increased in all group, especially torilin-treated group was highest amount. Active forms of MMP-1 were decreased in all group. From these results, we consider that Torilis Fructus have several antiwrinkle components and torilin may be one of the effective components.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2009

Objectives : The object of this study is measuring energy (skin capacitance) distribution on the specific acupionts and analyzing change patterns of meridian energy according to time or synchronous time. Methods : To check energy distribution using the meridian energy measurement system(DMM-1000), ten specific acupoints(ST34, ST36, ST40, ST41, ST42, ST43, ST44, ST45, BL21, CV12) were chosen. We checked the energy distribution and analyzed the change patterns before and after meal. We checked the state of the energy of ST meridian which is considered to have relation to stomach organ activity. Based on the hypothesis regarding energy difference due to Qi flowing, we compared energy potential on 10 specific acupoints. Results and Conclusions : Electric energy of each specific acupoint was different according to subjects and time. Through this study, we proposed an indispensable condition of energy difference due to Qi flowing through meridian.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

Objectives: This study examined the safety of tattoo ink by analyzing the phenol contents in tattoo inks and its risk assessment of selected phenol. Methods: A sample of 30 tattoo inks was purchased, the phenol contents were analyzed, and a risk assessment on dermal exposure from tattooing was carried out. Hazard identification was collected from toxicity data on systemic effects caused by dermal exposure to phenol, and the most sensitive toxicity value was adopted. Exposure assessment ($Exposure_{phenol}$) was calculated by applying phenol contents and standard exposure factors, while dose-response assessment was based on the collected toxicity data and skin absorption rate of phenol, assessment factors (AFs) for derived no-effect level ($DNEL_{demal}$). In addition, the risk characterization was calculated by comparing the risk characterization ratio (RCR) with $Exposure_{phenol}$ and $DNEL_{dermal}$ Results: The phenol concentration in the 30 products was from 1.4 to $649.1{\mu}g/g$. The toxicity value for systemic effects of phenol was adopted at 107 mg/kg. $Exposure_{phenol}$ in tattooing was from 0.000087 to 0.040442 mg/kg. $DNEL_{dermal}$ was calculated at 0.0072 mg/kg (=toxicity value 107 mg/kg ${\div}$ AFs 650 ${\times}$ skin absorption rate 4.4%). Thirteen out of 30 products showed an RCR between 1.02 and 5.62. The RCR of all red inks was above 1. Conclusions: Phenol was detected in all of the 30 tattoo inks, and the RCR of 13 products above 1 indicates a high level of risk concern, making it necessary to prepare safety management standards for phenol in tattoo inks.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.240-249
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• 2022

Background: Widespread pain partially depends upon sensitization of central pain mechanisms. However, mechanisms controlling pain distribution are not completely known. The present study sought to assess skin temperature variations in the area of experimentally-induced pain and potential sex differences. Methods: Pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured on the right infraspinatus muscle. At the end of Day 0, all participants performed an eccentric exercise of the shoulder external rotators to induce muscle soreness 24 hours after. On Day 1, participants indicated on a body chart the area of pain induced by 60 seconds of suprathreshold pressure stimulation (STPS; PPT + 20%) on the right infraspinatus muscle. Skin temperature variations in the area of referred pain were recorded with an infrared thermography camera, immediately before and after the STPS. Results: Twenty healthy, pain-free individuals (10 females) participated. On Day 0, the pre-STPS temperature was higher than the post-STPS temperature on the arm (P = 0.001) and forearm (P = 0.003). On Day 1, the pre-STPS temperature was higher than the post-STPS temperature on the shoulder (P = 0.015), arm (P = 0.001), and forearm (P = 0.010). On Day 0, the temperature decrease after STPS in females was greater than in males on the forearm (P = 0.039). On Day 1, a greater temperature decrease was found amongst females compared with males at the shoulder (P = 0.018), arm (P = 0.046), and forearm (P = 0.005). Conclusions: These findings indicate that sympathetic vasomotor responses contribute to expand pressure-induced referred pain, especially among females.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.695-699
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• 2009

UV irradiation causes skin-aging involving coarse wrinkles, thickening, dyspigmentation, and rough skin surface. This study was carried out to develop health & functional food by using Korean red ginsneg and Fagopyrum esculentum extract mixture (RGFE) for prevention of skin wrinkles. The RGFE-treated group showed the more effective collagenase inhibition rate than the red ginseng (RG)-treated group. To investigate photo protective effects of RGFE on UV-induced damaged skin, SKH hairless male mice were orally administerd RGFE and regional treatment and irradiated with UV for up to 8 weeks. In RGFE-treated group, better skin, and less wrinkle formation were observed compared with UV group. Epidermal thickness of hairless mouse was significantly decreased in RGFE, RG, and Fagopyrum esculentum (FE) groups compared with UV group. These results demonstrate RGFE have photo-protective effects on UV-damaged hairless mouse skin.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.141-158
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• 2020

Skin is a major thermoregulatory organ in the body controlling homeothermy, a critical function for climate adaptation. We compared genes expressed between tropical- and temperate-adapted cattle to better understand genes involved in climate adaptation and hence thermoregulation. We profiled the skin of representative tropical and temperate cattle using RNA-seq. A total of 214,754,759 reads were generated and assembled into 72,993,478 reads and were mapped to unique regions in the bovine genome. Gene coverage of unique regions of the reference genome showed that of 24,616 genes, only 13,130 genes (53.34%) displayed more than one count per million reads for at least two libraries and were considered suitable for downstream analyses. Our results revealed that of 255 genes expressed differentially, 98 genes were upregulated in tropically-adapted White Fulani (WF; Bos indicus) and 157 genes were down regulated in WF compared to Angus, AG (Bos taurus). Fifteen pathways were identified from the differential gene sets through gene ontology and pathway analyses. These include the significantly enriched melanin metabolic process, proteinaceous extracellular matrix, inflammatory response, defense response, calcium ion binding and response to wounding. Quantitative PCR was used to validate six representative genes which are associated with skin thermoregulation and epithelia dysfunction (mean correlation 0.92; p < 0.001). Our results contribute to identifying genes and understanding molecular mechanisms of skin thermoregulation that may influence strategic genomic selection in cattle to withstand climate adaptation, microbial invasion and mechanical damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.645-650
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• 2019

Skin plays important roles in protecting the internal organs from the chemical-biological risk factors and ultraviolet light. Exposure to the chemical and biological stimuli has a detrimental effect on skin's structure and physiological regulation. Therefore, much attention has been paid to natural products that show biological activities such as anti-oxidation, anti-aging and anti-bacterial activities. In this study, we investigated the skin-related biological activities of Oenothera lamarckiana aerial part extract. The extract contained 229.35 mg TAE (tannic acid equivalents)/g total polyphenolic compounds and the extract showed relative high antioxidant activity ($SC_{50}$ value: $8.52{\mu}g/mL$). The $IC_{50}$ value against tyrosinase and elastase were 307.94 and $181.51{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. This suggested that O. lamarckiana can be applied to whiten skin and slow the aging of skin. O. lamarckiana extract showed a growth inhibitory effect on Staphylococcu epidermidis (minimum inhibitory concentration: $250{\mu}g/mL$). Interestingly, O. lamarckiana extract showed no inhibitory effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the paper disc assay. Yet the extract inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the broth dilution assay in a dose-dependent manners. Taken together, O. lamarckiana could have good potential for development as an additive in the cosmetic industry.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.271-276
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• 2018

A 60-year-old male presented with a three-month history of redness and swelling on his left little finger. His medical history was not informative. Wound culture revealed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. After vancomycin administration, the skin lesions became worse and whole body bullae and desquamation occurred. This was initially suspected to be a drug eruption; thus, we switched antibiotics from vancomycin to teicoplanin. However, biopsy revealed Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS). After several days, generalized skin symptoms improved. The patient recovered and is in good physical health without recurrence six months later. We describe a localized form of SSSS, which is very rare in healthy adults. Consequently, there is a high risk of misdiagnosis. Thus, we report a rare case of SSSS in a healthy adult and the importance of early histological examination for accurate diagnosis.