• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.674-682
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• 2011

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of acupuncture & moxibustion therapy on the hair follicle growth of skin 5 days and 10 days by macroscopic, microscopic and immunohistochemical methods. The results were as follows : Macroscopic hair follicle growth of plum-blossom needle treated group and strong moxibustion treated group was more increase than that of control group. Microscopic hair follicle growth of plum-blossom needle treated group and strong moxibustion treated group was hair growing cycle, anagen phase VI and that of control group and weak moxibustion treated group was hair growing cycle, anagen phase IV. Immunohistochemical observations on the expression of various growth factors, enzyme and receptor in hair follicle cycle after local treatment of acupuncture & moxibustion therapy are as follows: Expression of fibroblast growth factor was more intense in epidermis in plum-blossom needle treated group, epidermis and secondary hair germ cells in strong moxibustion treated group than control group. Expression of epidermal growth factor was more intense in epidermis in all experimental groups, and secondary hair germ cells in moxibustion treated group than control group. Expression of c-kit receptor was more intense in epidermis, secondary hair germ cells, outer root sheath in all experimental groups than control group. Expression of protein kinase C-${\alpha}$ was more intense in epidermis, secondary hair germ cells, outer root sheath in all experimental groups than control group. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was more intense in epidermis, bulge, secondary hair germ cells, outer root sheath in plum-blossom needle treated group and strong moxibustion treated group than control group. We concluded that acupuncture & moxibustion therapy related to the expression of various growth factors, enzymes and receptor on the hair growth cycle for hair growth.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.241-247
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• 2013

This study was carried out to examine the action mechanism of Chamaecyparis obtusa oil (CO) on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice. For alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase (${\gamma}$-GT) activities in the skin tissue, at week 4, the 3% minoxidil (MXD) and 3% CO treatment groups showed an ALP activity that was significantly higher by 85% (p < 0.001) and 48% (p < 0.05) and an ${\gamma}$-GT activity that was significantly higher by 294% (p < 0.01) and 254% (p < 0.05) respectively, as compared to the saline (SA) treatment group. For insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA expression in the skin tissue, at week 4, the MXD and CO groups showed a significantly higher expression by 204% (p < 0.05) and 426% (p < 0.01) respectively, as compared to the SA group. At week 4, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the MXD and CO groups showed a significantly higher expression by 74% and 96% (p < 0.05) respectively, however, epidermal growth factor (EGF) expression in the MXD and CO groups showed a significantly lower expression by 66% and 61% (p < 0.05) respectively, as compared to the SA group. Stem cell factor (SCF) expression in the MXD and CO groups was observed by immunohis-tochemistry as significant in a part of the bulge around the hair follicle and in a part of the basal layer of the epidermis. Taking all the results together, on the basis of effects on ALP and ${\gamma}$-GT activity, and the expression of IGF-1, VEGF and SCF, which are related to the promotion of hair growth, it can be concluded that CO induced a proliferation and division of hair follicle cells and maintained the anagen phase. Because EGF expression was decreased significantly, CO could delay the transition to the catagen phase.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.261-264
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• 2003

Leiden), no mutation was detected in either group. Allele frequencies of A2379G and G2391 A mutations were not significantly different between CAD patients and controls. Non-Caucasian populations have a considerably lower factor Ⅴ Leiden allele frequency than Caucasian populations. Thus, it may be due to differences in the genetic background as well as environmental factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5049-5053
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the expression of CD44v3 and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and their relationship with lymph node metastasis in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the uterine cervix. Materials and Methods: Expression of CD44v3 and VEGF-C was analyzed in 109 cases of cervical SCC by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship was analyzed between expression and the patient age, histological differentiation, formation of tumor emboli in lymphoid vessels, lymph node metastasis, FIGO staging, and TNM classification. Results: Expression rates for both CD44v3 and VEGF-C were 43.1% in cervical SCC. The cells with positive immunohistochemical staining of CD44v3 were distributed mainly around the keratin pearls in well differentiated carcinomas, but distributed diffusely in the moderately and poorly differentiated lesions. VEGF-C was found stained positively in most of the tumor cells. There were differences in expression between normal epithelium and atypical hyperplasia as well as carcinoma. Both CD44v3 and VEGF-C were found to be associated positively with lymph node metastasis and TNM classification (both p=0.000). Neither CD44v3 nor VEGF-C was found to be associated with patient age, histological differentiation, formation of tumor emboli in lymphoid vessels and FIGO staging. CD44v3 was found to be associated with VEGF-C positively (p=0.000). Conclusions: Abnormal expression of CD44v3 and VEGF-C is associated closely with the lymph node metastasis in cervical SCC, and these agents may cooperate in carcinogenesis and development of metastatic lesions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 2015

Objectives : The experiment was performed to investigate promotive effects of haeae-tang (HET) extract, a traditional Korean medicinal recipe, on hair growth, protein and gene expression in hair-removed C57BL/6. Methods : In experiment, animals were divided into 3 groups including normal (vehicle), HET ethanol extract and 5% minoxidil-treated groups (Minoxidil, positive control). The vehicle or testing samples were daily treated with 0.2ml per on hair-shaved dorsal skin of C57BL/6mice for 15 days. Effects of testing samples on hair growth was monitored through phototrichogram analysis by folliscope on the initial, $5^{th}$, $10^{th}$, $15^{th}$ day, respectively. Also, gene and protein expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), relevant to hair growth, were examined. Results : Hair density and hair thickness of Minoxidil treated-group was significantly increased compared to that of vehicle application on the $15^{th}$day, respectively. Dorsal hair density of HET treated-group was significantly increased compared to that of vehicle application on the $15^{th}$day. In addition, the Minoxidil group significantly increased the expression of cutaneous IGF-1 protein and mRNA compared to that of the vehicle-applied group on the $15^{th}$ day. And HET-treated group significantly increased the expression of dorsal VEGF protein compared to that of the vehicle-applied group on the $15^{th}$ day. Conclusions : These results suggest that this Korean medicinal recipe, HET has promoting activity on hair growth in an Alopecia animal model thus it can be used as a material of agent or products for improvement or prevention of alopecia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.3 s.31
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• pp.34-54
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• 2006

The effects of four extracts of medicinal herbs, Rubus coreanum, Acorus calamus, Morus alba and Rehmannia glutinosa on hair growth activity and acnes control were investigated. In the course of screening natural extracts for hair growth, we found that the extract of dried root of Rubus coreanum has the hair growth promoting effect. After topical application of these extracts to the back of C57BL/6 mice, the earlier conversion of telogen-to-anagen phase was induced. The growth of dermal papilla cells and mouse vibrissae hair follicle cultured in vitro, however, was not affected by treatment of these extracts. Furthermore these extracts do not possesspotent inhibitory effect on $5{\alpha}-reductase$ I and II activity and anti-bacterial effect on Escherichia coli , Propionibacterium acnes, Pityrosporum ovale, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidemidis, and Candida albicans. RT-PCR analysis showed that these extracts did notinduce mRNA levels of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-I, keratinocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in dermal papilla cells. These results suggest that Rubus coreanum has hair growth promoting effect. However, the effects of these materials on the hair growth promotion are not mediated through inhibition of $5{\alpha}-reductase$ I and II activity, stimulation of hair follicle cells and expression of growth factors in the dermal papilla cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.9-18
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to determine the transdermal effects of ethanol extract from medicinal herbal mixture (SHJ) on hair growth in C57BL/6 mice and melanogenesis in melanoma cells. Methods : Mice were divided into 3 experimental groups including vehicle (CON), SHJ extract and 5% minoxidil (MNXD, positive control)-treated group. SHJ was applied topically on the hair-shaved skin of C57BL/6 mice everyday for 15 days. The thickness and density of hair with a folliscope and morphometry of hair follicle with a H&E staining were monitored at last day. Also then, hair growth-associated gene expressions were measured by immunoblot assay. Results : The MNXD or SHJ-treated group promoted on hair growth compared to that of vehicle-treated group (CON). Hair density and thickness of MNXD or SHJ treated-group increased compared to that of vehicle application on the 15 days, respectively. Induction of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also accelerated by application of SHJ extract compared to those of CON group. But expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ decreased in SHJ treated-group compared to that of CON group. Furthermore, SHJ extract showed to increase melanin contents in a dose-dependent manner. Tyrosinase activity significantly increased in SHJ-treated group compared with CON group in dose-dependant manner. Conclusions : These results suggest that SHJ can be used as a component of cosmeceuticals for hair care via promoting growth and melanogenesis of hair.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.542-547
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• 2009

Brine mineral water(BMW) has recently gained attention as a new water resource due to its biological activities. In this study, BMW from the Geumjin area(Gangneung-city, Korea) was evaluated for its growth inhibition, anti-metastasis and anti-angiogenesis activity against cancer cells. The in vitro cytotoxicity was measured by CCK assay, and the anti-metastasis activity was estimated by lung metastasis in vivo. The in vitro incubation of mouse splenic cells with BMW that had been diluted more than 4-fold showed no effect on the cell growth when compared to a control group. Additionally, BMW inhibited the growth of the EL-4, L5178Y-R and colon26-M3.1 cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo evaluation of the anti-metastasis activity of BMW in BALB/c mice inoculated with the colon26-M3.1 cell line revealed dose-dependent inhibition in response to treatment with samples that were diluted by up to 9 times. Finally, treatment with BMW effectively suppressed the growth of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) added human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Overall, these results suggest that BMW has anti-cancer activity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.2053-2058
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• 2013

Background: Formation of new blood vessels is necessary for the development and spread of neoplasms more than 1 mm3 in volume, angiogenesis being responsible for formation of new from pre-existing blood vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is pivotal and the best studied angiogenic factor in all human cancers. Therefore we designed this study to investigate the role of VEGF-A and VEGF-C in prostate cancer in comparison with BPH controls in a north Indian population. Methods: In this case-control study a total of 100 subjects were included on the basis of confirmed histopathological reports, out of which 50 were prostate cancer patients and the other 50 were BPH patients with PSA levels >2 ng/ml and abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) findings during September 2009 to August 2011 from the Department of Urology, KGMU, Lucknow, India. Plasma levels of VEGF were determined using quantitative immunoassay (ELISA-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 15.0 version. Results: The mean age of prostate cancer ($67.6{\pm}5.72$) patients was significantly higher (p=0.005) than BPH ($63.6{\pm}7.92$) patients. Expression of VEGF-A was not significantly higher in disease stage C1 than D1 or D2 and A or B (p=0.13) while the level of VEGF-A was significantly higher (p=0.04) in prostate cancer as compared to BPH subjects (PCa=13.0 pg/ml, BPH=6.8 pg/ml). Levels of VEGF-C were similar in both groups (PCa=832.6 pg/ml, BPH=823.7 pg/ml). In ROC curve, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.70 (95%CI: 0.60-0.80) and the cut-off value for which a higher proportion of patients was correctly classified (20%) was 26.0 pg/mL. Conclusion: Although VEGF-A is increased in cancer prostate patients a statistically significant correlation could not be established in this study. VEGF-C was not found to be a useful biomarker.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.498-505
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• 2016

Background Algae have traditionally been used for promotion of hair growth. Use of hair regrowth drugs, such as minoxidil, is limited due to side effects. The aim of this study was to examine a mixture of Saccharina japonica and Undaria pinnatifida (L-U mixture) on hair growth and to compare the promoting effect of hair growth by a 3% minoxidil and a L-U mixture. Methods To evaluate the hair growth-promoting activity, saline, 50% ethanol, 3% minoxidil, and the L-U mixture were applied 2 times a day for a total of 14 days on the dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice after depilation. Analysis was determined by using a high-resolution hair analysis system, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and H&E staining. Results On day 14, the hair growth effect of the L-U mixture was the same as that of the 3% minoxidil treatment. The L-U mixture significantly (P<0.05) stimulated hair growth-promoting genes, as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor -1. Increase of VEGF was observed in the L-U mixture group compared with minoxidil and the negative control. In contrast, the L-U mixture suppressed the expression of transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$, which is the hair loss-related gene. In histological examination in the L-U mixture and minoxidil groups, the induction of an anagen stage of hair follicles was faster than that of control groups. Conclusions This study provides evidence that the L-U mixture can promote hair growth in mice, similar to the effect from minoxidil, and suggests that there is potential application for hair loss treatments.