• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1364-1369
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• 2011

Mast cells, the central effector cells involved in the allergic response, release histamine, arachidonic acid, and proinflammatory cytokines. We investigated the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction (EA), derived from Korean rice wine lees, on RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in an animal model. The EA fraction suppressed the release of beta-hexosaminidase, a marker of degranulation, and the mRNA expression of interleukin-3 (IL-3) and IL-13. EA also successfully suppressed the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in mice in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that EA can inhibit mast cell degranulation through the inhibition of IL-3 and IL-13 mRNA expression, and that EA may potentially serve as an anti-allergic agent.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.86-97
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• 2015

Recently, the consumption of dietary supplements has increased because of people’s greater interest in health. Unfortunately, the sales of dietary supplements containing unauthorized substances such as drugs have also increased. We developed a rapid, accurate method for the simultaneous determination of antihistamines using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry with a multiple reaction monitoring mode. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the instrument used in this method were in the ranges 0.0003-0.3 and 0.0009-0.6 µg mL⁻¹, respectively. The linearity of the method was > 0.99. The precision levels of the method were 0.1-9.8% (intra-day) and 0.3-9.6% (inter-day), and the levels of accuracy of the method were 82.7-115.0% (intra-day) and 84.3-113.0% (inter-day). The mean of recovery of the method was in the range of 83.9-117.9% and the RSD of the stability was less than 5.9%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.977-982
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate physiological activities in the extract of Eriobotrya japonica in order to elevate its utilization as a functional material. The maximum total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents were 28.91$\pm$2.1 mg/g and 10.54$\pm$4.6 mg/g, respectively. The nitrite scavenging abilities at pH 1.2 were in the range of $49.52\pm1.04\sim72.52\pm$0.84% whereas they were $35.28\pm0.78\sim51.20\pm$1.10% at pH 4.2 and $27.90\pm0.36\sim32.26\pm$1.20% at pH 6.0. At the concentrations of 100, 200 and 300 $\mu g$/mL of the hot-water extract, the degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells were inhibited 14.58$\pm$0.97%, 43.69$\pm$0.96% and 95.58$\pm$0.75%, respectively. The anti-inflammation activity was the highest as 44.35$\pm$0.63% at a concentration of 400 $\mu g$/mL.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.736-744
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• 2010

The root of Playtcodon grandiflorum, called Platycodi radix, has been a favorite edible plant in Asia and contains a large amount of saponins. Melanoma cells (B16F10) were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of aged black Platycodi radix extract (ABPRE) on oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Platycodon radix has been known to have a variety of medicinal effects such as prevention of gastric ulcers, antiallergenic activities, histamine release inhibition, and antioxidant effects. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear in humans. ABPRE was prepared using ethanol extraction of aged black Platycodi radix. In an antioxidant effect study of ABPRE, it was observed that ABPRE specifically exhibited the scavenging activity of DPPH radical, but did not inhibit the production of malondialdehyde from lipid peroxidation. DNA oxidation was also blocked in the presence of ABPRE. In addition, ABPRE decreased the expression and activation of MMP-2 stimulated by phenazine methosulfate. Furthermore, ABPRE revealed the inhibitory effect on melanin production induced by L-dopa via antioxidant effect and the reduction of tyrosinase expression. Especially, the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD-1 and SOD-2 regulated by Nrf2 was increased in the presence of ABPRE. Therefore, it appears that ABPRE may be a possible chemopreventive agent for the prevention of metastasis related to oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2013

Background: Antihistamine and anti-allergy medications are widely used during pregnancy. Reading label information is one of the easiest ways to get safety information. But there are content gaps among countries. Objective: To compare the risk level and the recommendation level of antihistamine/anti-allergy drug's label information in pregnant women among Korea, the USA, the UK, and Japan. Method: Study drugs of antihistamine/anti-allergy medications were selected according to Korea drug classification codes. Based on the label information of selected product, risk level was classified into 5 categories as follows: 'Definite', 'Probable', 'Possible', and 'Unlikely', 'Unclassified' according to the level of evidence. Recommendation level was classified into 4 categories as follows: 'Contraindicated', 'Cautious', 'Compatible', and 'Unclassified'. Frequency and proportion were presented according to the each category. To estimate agreement of each category among 4 countries, percent agreement and kappa (k) coefficient were calculated. Results: Total 13 drug ingredients were selected for antihistamine/anti-allergy medications. In risk level, Korea (46%) and Japan (69%) were mostly classified in the category of 'Unclassified', but 'Unlikely' category was more frequent in the UK (62%) and the USA (46%). In recommendation level, the proportion of 'Contraindicated' was highest in Korea (46%) compared to other countries. In contrast, the category of 'Cautious' was 77%-85% in the USA, the UK, and Japan. The percent agreement for risk level was highest in the USA-UK (54%). The recommendation level of Korea-USA showed lowest agreement for percent agreement (46%) and kappa coefficient (k=0.02). Conclusion: We confirmed the differences among safety information provided by four different countries. 'Contraindicated' was more likely in Korea compared with other countries.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.469-474
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• 2004

The objective of the current study was to determine the effects of arabinoxylane and polysaccharide peptide (PSP) on the immune cell functions. Both arabinoxylane and PSP increased plaque forming cell (10-15%) and rosette forming cell (10-30%) formation. Stimulation of macrophage with PSP (18%) and arabinoxylane (22%) resulted in increased phagocytic effects. Both arabinoxylane and PSP induced the tumor suppressive effect in mice injected sarcoma-180 cell intracutaneously. When the mice injected intraperitoneal cavity with sarcoma 180 cells, survival ratio was increased in the mice fed on arabinoxylane and PSP. The ratio of PCA was slightly decreased in the mice fed on PSP, especially fed on arabinoxylane than in the control mice. The concentrations of blood histamine were slightly decreased in the mice fed on arabinoxylane and PSP. These results suggest that the capacity of arabinoxylane and PSP seems to act as a potent immunomodulator causing augmentation of immune cell activity, and with the absence of notable side-effects, arabinoxylane and PSP could be used as a biological response modifier having possible therapeutic effects against immunological disorders.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1000-1006
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• 2015

α-Asarone is the main component of Acorus gramineus, which is a widely used oriental traditional medicine. A. gramineus is known to have a variety of medicinal effects, such as anti-gastric ulcer, antiallergy and antioxidant activity. It is also known to inhibit the release of histamine. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear in humans. In this study, the effects of α-asarone on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and its antioxidant effect in a cell-free system were examined in HT1080 cells. In an MTT assay, the effect of α-asarone on cell viability showed no cytotoxicity below 16 μM. In an antioxidant assay, α-asarone increased reducing power in a dose-dependent manner but not the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. In addition, α-asarone exhibited the protective effect against DNA oxidation induced by hydroxyl radicals produced by the Fenton reaction. Furthermore, in a gelatin disk assay, α-asarone enhanced collagenase activity. It also increased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in a gelatin zymography. On the other hand, the activity of MMP-9 stimulated by phenazine methosulfate (PMS) but not that of MMP-2 was increased in the presence of α-asarone. These findings suggest that α-asarone could be a candidate for the prevention and treatment of pathological diseases related to oxidative stress and MMPs.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2014

Objectives : In this report, we investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Syzygium aromaticum(L.) Merr. & Perry.(SAE) on the RBL-2H3 cell-mediated allergic response and studied its possible mechanisms of action. Methods : Cytotoxicity on RBL-2H3 cell was evaluated by MTT assay. Anti-allergic activity of SAE was assessed by ${\beta}$-Hexosaminidase and Histamine secretion, ${\beta}$- Hexosaminidase and Histamine secretion were measured by ELISA assay. Evaluate the mechanisms of effect of SAE on the secretion of degranulate mediators, we examined the effect of SAE on the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases using western blot analysis. Results : SAE had no cytotoxicity on rat basophilic leukemia cell(RBL-2H3). Moreover SAE dose-dependently inhibited RBL-2H3 cell degranulation and histamine release. SAE specifically blocked the IgE-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Conclusions : Our findings provide evidence that Syzygium aromaticum ethanol extract inhibits mast cell derived allergic reaction, and also demonstrate the involvement of p38 MAPK phosphorylation.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.186-191
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• 2012

The sodium hypochlorite is widely used in endodontic treatment. While it is effective solution for disinfection of root canal system, complications during canal irrigation are rarely reported, especially in primary teeth. This report demonstrates that sodium hypochlorite extruding through the root apex might cause severe complications. A 4-year-old female patient was referred from local dental clinic to the emergency room for the management of sudden facial swelling and pain during re-endodontic treatment of the maxillary primary central incisor using sodium hypochlorite. The patient was given systemic steroids, antihistamines, antibiotics and analgesics and the maxillary primary central incisor was extracted to prevent secondary infection. Swelling began to subside after 2 days. A negative result was obtained from skin patch test with sodium hypochlorite. Thorough care must be taken in primary teeth to prevent the inadvertent injection of sodium hypochlorite to periapical tissues during root canal irrigation. When adverse reaction occurs, proper management such as analgesia, cold compression and adequate medication should be done.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.661-667
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• 2001

Though a consensus seems to exist about the regulation of the use of sugar-containing food, however. an unrecognized and significant supply of cariogenic carbohydrate remains in the form of sugar-containing liquid oral medicine to prevent dental caries. children who are taking long-term sugar-containing liquid medicine have an increased risk of developing dental caries. The aim of this study is to get the information about the sugars in liquid medicines prescribed for the children. To get the information, the number and date of all prescriptions of liquid medicines for one month at pediatric hospital of Seoul National University Hospital were investigated. From that data, the most frequently used pediatric oral liquid medicine is presented. Then, for the information of the type and contents of sweeteners in that preferred medicines, the manufacturers of each medicines were asked for the data of sugar types and contents, and the informations about the medicine contents were collected via facsimile. The most frequently used pediatric oral liquid medicine were followed as expectorant, purge, antibiotic, drug for iron deficiency anemia, sedative, antihistamine, anticonvulsant, NSAIDs in order. The mean value of sweetener content in liquid medicines was $52.3{\pm}22.4g/100ml$ and most frequently used sweetener is sucrose.