• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1339-1343
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• 2012

Atopic dermatitis is characterized by chronically pruritic and inflammatory dermatitis. In this study, we investigated the effect of Platycodon grandiflorum including platycodin D (PG-Platycodin D) in an atopic dermatitis-like mouse model. An atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion was induced by repeated treatment of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on the dorsal skin of ICR mice. The efficacy of PG-Platycodin D was tested by observing scratching behavior, the skin severity score, and histopathologic analysis. PG-Platycodin D reduced the DNCB-induced increase in scratching behavior and the skin severity score. In addition, histopathologic analysis revealed a reduction in the thickening of the epidermis in the PG-Platycodin D group. These results may contribute to the development of a therapeutic drug for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 2014

Background: The diagnostic criteria of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) have mainly focused on dichotomous (yes/no) categorization, which makes it difficult to compare the inter-patient's condition and to evaluate the intra-patient's subtle severity over the course of time. To overcome this limitation, many efforts have been made to create laboratory methods or scoring systems to reflect the severity of CRPS; measurement of the skin temperature asymmetry is one of the former, and the CRPS severity score (CSS) is one of the latter. However, there has been no study on the correlations among the CSS, temperature asymmetry and subjective pain score. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there is any correlation between the CSS, skin temperature asymmetry and subjective pain score. Methods: Patients affected with CRPS in a unilateral limb were included in this study. After making a diagnosis of CRPS according to the Budapest criteria, the CSS and skin temperature difference between the affected and unaffected limb (${\Delta}T$) was measured in each patient. Finally, we conducted a correlation analysis among the CSS, ${\Delta}T$ and visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the patients. Results: A total of 42 patients were included in this study. There was no significant correlation between the ${\Delta}T$ and VAS score (Spearman's rho = 0.066, P = 0.677). Also, the CSS and VAS score showed no significant correlation (Spearman's rho = 0.163, P = 0.303). Conclusions: The ${\Delta}T$ and CSS do not seem to reflect the degree of subjective pain in CRPS patients.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2004

Objectives : This study was designed to identify the possibility of aroma oils as the complementary medical goods specially for the effects of aromatheraphy on xerosis cutis. Materials and Methods : The participants were 23 adult patients and all participants of this study use aroma oils which is known to effect on xerosis cutis. The subjects consist of voluntary patients with xerosis cutis in Seong-So Hospital in Andong Kyoungbuk, Korea. From April 1st to April 30th, 2004 for 4 weeks, the subjects massaged aroma oils on itching parts or the whole body. Aroma oils were Lavender, Losemary, Jasmine and blended drop by drop per 10ml jojoba oil which used a carrier oil. Skin pH was measured with a skin pH meter(Model : HI98110, Se-Chang instruments, made in Portuga. After 4weeks using aroma oils, the participants answered questions about the feeling of satisfaction with aroma oils. Results : Changes in the physiological indices. The mean deviation of skin pH was $5.58{\pm}0.47$ points before using aroma oils and $5.53{\pm}0.45$ points after 2 weeks, no statistical significance was found(p=0.221). MD was $5.36{\pm}0.41$ points after 4 weeks using aroma oils, which was statistically significant decrease of 0.22 points(p=0.001) Changes on the Pruritus Score Scale. A modified scale of the Pruritus Score Scale(Duo, 1987) was used to measure the severity, location, frequency, and the inconveniences of daily life due to prurius. The maximum scale of severity was 4 points, the full marks of location was 2 points, the full marks of frequency was 3 points, the full marks of inconveniences of daily life due to pruritus was 3 points. The scores ranged from 0 to 12, with 12 indicating the most severe pruritus. There was no statistical difference in severity and frequency score at 4 weeks later(severity p=0.097, frequency p=0.633). A statistically significant difference was found in the score of location and the inconveniences of daily life due to pruritus(each p=0.003). Conclusion : Generally speaking, the patient suffering from renal itch is the higher than normal in skin pH levels. that means to show alkaline condition of skin surface. In some case in this study, skin pH levels was rather lower than normal levels when measured actually patients suffering from renal itch by skin pH meter. But in this study post-test skin pH levels decreased, showing the contribution of aromathrapy to acidic condition of skin surface in suffering from renal itch. It seems to be some help to cure a pruritus and also have no ill effects on aroma oils.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2023

Objectives : Biofeedback is a useful non-pharmacological treatment for panic disorder (PD), but no studies have identified physiological markers related to the treatment response. This study investigated predictors of the treatment response for biofeedback in patients with PD. Methods : A retrospective study based on the electronic medical records of 372 adult patients with PD was performed. Patients received biofeedback treatment at least once, and physiological markers including heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, skin conductance, skin temperature, and electromyography were collected before the treatment began. The patients were classified as responders or non-responders based on the change in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) score. Results : The response rate to biofeedback treatment was 30.4%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a higher CGI-S score at baseline and fewer benzodiazepine prescriptions were associated with a better response to biofeedback treatment. According to subgroup analyses, the baseline CGI-S score, dose of benzodiazepines, and skin conductance are candidate predictors of the response to biofeedback treatment in men, while only baseline disease severity was associated with the treatment response in women. Conclusions : The present results suggest that skin conductance may be target marker and predictor for biofeedback in male patients with PD.

• 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.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.232-239
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate if a composition of herb extracts, PLX-PLS was effective to treat atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. SPZZC is a composition of herb extracts containing the roots of Scopolia parviflora and Paeonia lactiflora, the herb of Zizania caudiflora, the fruit of Ziziphus jujuba and the leaf of Chinese arborvitae. AD in BALB/c mouse was induced by patching ovoalbumin on the backside, while it in NC/Nga mouse was induced by repeated application of 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB). Mice were topically treated with SPZZC or Domohorn ointment on the backside for 2 weeks (BALB/c) or 1 week (NC/Nga). Scratching behavior, clinical skin severity and the levels of WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil and total serum IgE were measured. After AD induction, scores of scratching behavior and clinical skin severity and the levels of WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil and total serum IgE were increased. Treatment with SPZZC significantly decreased scores of scratching behavior and clinical skin severity in a dose dependent manner in NC/Nga and BALB/c mice. Treatment with SPZZC 2% significantly decreased also the levels of WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil and total serum IgE. Especially, treatment of SPZZC 2% reduced more rapidly score of clinical skin severity than clobetasol cream. These results suggest that the SPZZC may be an alternative substance for the management of AD.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2003

Purpose The cold hypersensitivity is a subjective symptom and it is very difficult to evaluate the severity. It is possible to detect cold hypersensitivity by measuring the skin temperature on DITI, but there is limitation only using DITI to find the objective grade of the symptom. To set a new objective standard for the diagnosis of cold hypersensitivity, we examined the relationship between the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for the cold hypersensitivity and the change of skin temperature on hands by cold stress test Method 23 patients with symptom of cold hypersensitivity were participated as subjects who visited the women medical center of Kangnam Kyunghee Korean Hospital, Kyung Hee Univ. from May 1, 2002 to August 31, 2002. There were all carefully examined to rule out other disease such as obesity, skin diseases, spinal nerve lesions and external wounds. Thermographic observations for this study were made using DITI. We performed cold stress test three times to compare with the results from thermographic observations by DITI: first, after 15 minutes-resting, second, right after 1 minutes soak in $20^{\circ}C$ water, the third for last, 10 minutes after the soak. VAS score was chosen to determine the severity of cold hypersensitivity. Result 1 male and 22 female patients were participated ranging in age from 22.17 to 45.21. There was a significant negative correlation between the recovery rate of finger skin temperature after cold stress test and the VAS score. And there was a significant positive correlation between the difference of finger skin temperature and the back and palm of hands after cold stress test and the VAS score. Conclusion In cold hypersensitivity patients, the cold stress test combined with DITI could be a accurate method for the objective evaluation of cold hypersensitivity, especially good at deciding the severity by numeric values. Using a more strict criterion, as diagnosing of cold hypersensitivity, and longer follow-up may improve the validity of the results attained in clinical trials.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2015

This study was intended to evaluate the anti-atopic effect of Sargassum fulvellum water extract (SFWE). Atopic dermatitis (AD) was induced in BALB/c mice by spreading 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to the dorsal skin area. The production of IL-4 and total IgE of the SFWE treated group was significantly less than the DNCB only group. On the other hand, the production of the IFN-γ of SFWE treated group was greater than that of the DNCB only group. In addition, SFWE alleviated the AD symptoms when compared to the DNCB only group and reduced the epidermal thickness and the number of mast cells in histological analysis. In conclusion, these results suggest that the application of SFWE has an anti-atopic activity through the modulation of IL-4 and IFN-γ cytokines, and the total IgE in DNCB-induced BALB/c mice. Therefore, SFWE can be utilized with atopic disease therapies.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.447-453
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• 2014

In this study, a test for the immunity control effect by ethanolic extract of Eurya emarginata (EE-70E) on NC/Nga mice as the models for atopic dermatitis was conducted with the following results. Atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice was induced by repeated application of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) for 5 weeks. Mice were orally administered EE-70E or terfenadine, positive control for 3 weeks. Scratching behavior, clinical skin severity, and the levels of IL-4, L-13, IL-17, total serum IgG1, and total serum IgE were measured. The oral administration with EE-70E doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg significantly decreased scratching behavior scores and clinical skin severity score in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). The administration of EE-70E at 400 mg/kg significantly decreased cytokines within the blood serum, that is, IL-4, L-13, and IL-17 compared to the control group (p<0.05). The level of blood histamine was statistically significantly decreased. Administration of EE-70E at 400 mg/kg significantly decreased the levels of total serum IgE (p<0.05). The above results indicated that EE-70E was effective in improving the symptoms of atopic dermatitis through various immunity control mechanisms.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.94-106
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• 2019

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Gwakhyangjeonggi-san(GJS) on atopic dermatitis(AD) induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB) in mice. Methods : The mice(Balb/c mice) were divided into three groups; normal Balb/c mice with oil treatment(Sham group), DNCB-induced AD mice(AD group), and GJS treated AD mice(GJS group). GJS group were orally administered GJS daily for 2 weeks. We observed changes of clinical skin severity score, the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP), interleukin(IL)-4 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ in skin and mast cell infiltration. Also, serum immunoglobulinE(IgE), IL-4, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 were evaluated. Results : The clinical skin severity score of GJS group was decreased compared to AD group. In hematoxylin and eosin staining results, GJS group showed a significant reduction of epithelial skin thickness. In addition, expression of TSLP and mast cell infiltration in skin were also reduced by GJS treatment compared to those of AD group. Thus, we evaluated expression of IL-4, Th2-dependent cytokine, and $TNF-{\alpha}$, pro-inflammatory cytokine in skin. GJS significantly reduced both IL-4 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ compared to AD mice. Moreover, levels of IgE, IL-4, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 in plasma also significantly decreased by oral GJS treatment. Conclusion : The present study suggests that GJS can significantly reduced symptoms of AD, therefore it can be a promising candidate for anti-atopic dermatitis treatment.