• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.42-65
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• 2010

Objectives : Betula platyphylla var. japonica extract (BPE) was used to determine the modulation of cytokine secretion, the activation of inflammatory and allergic factor and the inhibition of gene expression. Inflammatory and allergic cytokines as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-${\alpha}$, NO and COX-2 were measured to use effectively on improvement or treatment of atopic dermatitis. Methods : We used NC/Nga mouse induced by atopic dermatitis to observe the effects of BPE on the weight, water and feed, blood test, weight of organs, histological change, total IgE and histological change of main organs. Results : BPE is effective on anti-inflammatory and allergic reaction. However, further study is needed to prove which component of BPE indicates effective pharmacological action. Conclusions : The above results suggest that Phellinus igniarius Quel extract could be applicable for improvement of several skin functions.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.60-71
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• 2023

Cockroaches can cause allergic sensitization in humans via contact with their feces or frass. Antibiotics can affect concentration of major allergen and total bacteria production in German cockroaches (Blattella germanica). This study examined the ability of antibiotic-treated German cockroaches to induce allergic airway inflammation and the effect of antibiotics on their lipopolysaccharide and Bla g1, 2, and 5 expression levels. Specifically, we measured the ability of German cockroach extract (with or without prior antibiotic exposure) to induce allergic inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells and a mouse model of asthma. Bacterial 16S rRNA and lipopolysaccharide levels were lower in ampicillin-treated cockroaches than in the control group. The Bla g1, Bla g2, and Bla g5 expression in ampicillin-treated cockroaches decreased at both the protein and RNA levels. In human bronchial epithelial cell lines BEAS-2B exposed to the ampicillin-treated extract, expression levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 were lower than that in the control group. The total cell count and eosinophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was also lower in mice exposed to the ampicillin-treated extract than in those exposed to normal cockroach extract. Mouse lung histopathology showed reduced immune cell infiltration and mucus production in the ampicillin group. Our results showed that ampicillin treatment reduced the symbiont bacterial population and major allergen levels in German cockroaches, leading to reduced airway inflammation in mice. These results can facilitate the preparation of protein extracts for immunotherapy or diagnostics applications.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2010

Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation with intense eosinophil and lymphocyte infiltration, mucus hyperproduction, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Accumulating evidence indicates that antigen-specific Th2 cells and their cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 orchestrate these pathognomonic features of asthma. In addition, we and others have recently shown that IL-17-producing $CD4^+$ T cells (Th17 cells) and IL-23, an IL-12-related cytokine that is essential for survival and functional maturation of Th17 cells, are involved in antigen-induced airway inflammation. In this review, our current understanding of the roles of IL-23 and Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation will be summarized.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.425-433
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• 2004

Background : Induction of oral tolerance (OT) has been known to prevent allergic inflammation in acute asthma model within 4 weeks. However it is remained whether induction of OT may effectively prevent allergic inflammation in chronic asthma model over 4 weeks. We observed the effect of induction of OT on allergic inflammation and airway remodeling in chronic asthma model up to 8 weeks. Methods : 5-week-old female BALB/c mice divided into 4 groups-control group, asthma group, low dose OT group, and high dose OT group. To induce oral tolerance mice were fed ovalbumin (OVA) before sensitization with OVA and aluminum hydroxide-1 mg for 6 consecutive days in the low dose OT group and 25 mg once in the high dose OT group. Mice in the asthma group were fed phosphate buffered saline instead of OVA. After sensitization followed by repeated challenge with aerosolized 1% OVA during 6 weeks, enhanced pause (Penh), inflammatory cells, IL-13, and IFN-${\gamma}$ levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids as well as OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a levels in serum were measured. In addition the degree of goblet cell hyperplasia and peribronchial fibrosis were observed from lung tissues by PAS and Masson's trichrome stain. Results : Both OT groups showed a significant decrease in Penh, inflammatory cells, IL-13, and IFN-${\gamma}$ levels in BAL fluids as well as OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a levels in serum compared with the asthma group (P<0.05). In addition, the degree of goblet cell hyperplasia and peribronchial fibrosis were significantly attenuated in both OT groups compared with the asthma group (P<0.01). Conclusion : These results suggest that induction of OT may effectively prevent allergic inflammation as well as airway remodeling even in chronic asthma model up to 8 weeks.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.123-129
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• 2012

Objectives : Allergy has been described as an inflammatory with hypersensitivity resulting from seasonal or perennial responses to specific allergens. The root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC.(Platycodi Radix; Campanulaceae) has been traditionally used to treat chronic diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we examined the effect of 70% ethanol extract of Platycodi Radix (PR-E) on ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airway inflammation in mice. Methods : Mice were sensitized and challenged by OVA inhalation to induced chronic airway inflammation, and then were intragastrically administered PR-E extract at doses of 50 and 200 mg/kg/day from days 21 to 30 consecutively. The levels of allergic mediators such as histamine, OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and cytokines such as IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured in the sera of mice by ELISA. The histological change of lung tissue was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results : PR-E extract significantly decreased the serum levels of histamine, OVA-specific IgE, and Th2 cytokine, IL-4 compared with those in the OVA-induced group. PE-E extract significantly increased the serum level of Th1 cytokine, IFN-${\gamma}$. Based on lung histopathological studies, inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion were inhibited by PE-E extract administration compared to that in the OVA-induced group. Conclusions : These findings indicate that PE-E extract may be useful as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2015

To explore the anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts of Petasites genus, we studied the effects of s-petasin, a major sesquiterpene from Petasites formosanus (a butterbur species) on asthma and peritonitis models. In an ovalbumin-induced mouse asthma model, s-petasin significantly inhibited the accumulations of eosinophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar fluids. S-petasin inhibited the antigen-induced degranulation of ${\beta}$-hexosamidase but did not inhibit intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase in RBL-2H3 mast cells. S-petasin inhibited the LPS induction of iNOS at the RNA and protein levels in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, s-petasin inhibited the production of NO (the product of iNOS) in a concentration-dependent manner in the macrophages. Furthermore, in an LPS-induced mouse model of peritonitis, s-petasin significantly inhibited the accumulation of polymorpho nuclear and mononuclear leukocytes in peritoneal cavity. This study shows that s-petasin in Petasites genus has therapeutic effects on allergic and inflammatory diseases, such as, asthma and peritonitis through degranulation inhibition in mast cells, suppression of iNOS induction and production of NO in macrophages, and suppression of inflammatory cell accumulation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.96-105
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• 2014

Objective : Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (GUF) has been used as remedy of allergic diseases for a long time in Korea. In the present study, we investigated the anti-allergic effects of GUF on experimental allergic asthma mouse model using ovalbumin (OVA). Methods : BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with 100 ug of OVA and 1 mg of aluminum potassium sulfate of 0.2 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) intraperitoneally on day 1 and 15. Mice were challenged on 3 consecutive days with 5% OVA and AHR was assessed 24 hrs after the last challenge. We examined total inflammatory cell number in bronchoaveloar lavage fluid (BALF), Th2-associated cytokine productions and lung histology. Results : GUF potently inhibited the development of airway hypersensitivity and also reduced the number of BAL cells during OVA-induced allergic asthma. GUF also inhibited cytokine productions such as IL-4, IL-13 in lung tissue. Furthermore, GUF treatment inhibited allergic airway inflammation. Conclusion : These results suggest that GUF may inhibit the production of IL-4, IL-13 and infiltration of inflammatory cell and be beneficial oriental medicine for allergic asthma.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2004

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa which is triggered by an allergic reaction. When exposed to certain allergens, the IgE covered mast cells degranulate releasing inflammatory mediators and cytokines which results in a local inflammatory reaction. In many recent studies, molecular biological methods have been used to investigate the role of cytokines in pathogenesis and new therapeutic targets of allergic rhinitis. This experimental study was done to research effects of Sochungryong-tang. We have studied effect of mice on OVA-induced production of IL-4, IL-5, IFN-${\gamma}$ by murine splenocytes and effect of OVA-induced total IgE and OVA-specific IgE. The results were as follows; 1. In IL-4 study, Sochungryong-tang treated group was proved significant inhibitory effect(p〈0.005). 2. In IL-5 study, Sochungryong-tang treated group was proved significant inhibitory effect(p〈0.05). 3. In JFN-${\gamma}$ study, Sochungryong-tang treated group was proved significant inhibitory effect(p〈0.000001). 4. In Total IgE, Sochungryong-tang treated group was proved significant inhibitory effect(p〈0.000001). 5. In OVA-specific IgE, Sochungryong-tang treated group didn't showed significant inhibitory effect. Depending upon above results, it is considered that Sochungryong-tang has the inhibitory effect on the allergic rhinitis of mice and suggested that it could be used in relieving patients of the symptoms which are caused by allergic rhinitis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.29-42
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• 2007

Objectives : Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes that in the nose. Common symptoms include sneezing; a stuffy or runny nose; itch eyes, nose and throat; and watery eyes. We aimed to determine therapeutic effect of Onpye-tang by observing changes in blood cells and the nasal mucosal tissue. Methods : Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: normal, control, and sample group. Allergic rhinitis was induced in the control and sample group by intraperitoneal and intranasal sensitization with 0.l% Ovalbumin solution. Then Onpye-tang was orally administered only to the sample group for 28days, while the rats in the control group was given normal saline. We observed changes in the number of RBC and WBC; changes of neutrophils, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil proportions; total IgE level and AST & ALT change; also, changes in the nasal mucosal tissue. We used Student T-test statistically(p<0.05). Results : Onpye-tang showed significantly decreased IgE level on the serum of the rat model. Onpye-tang showed significantly decreased eosinophil level on the blood of the rat model. Onpye-tang inhibited the inflammatory reaction on the nasal mucosal tissue, according to nasal mucosal biopsy. Onpye-tang showed an inhibitory effect on the process of allergic rhinitis, according to IgE level, Eosinophil level, nasal mucosal biopsy. Onpye-tang had no hepatoxicity, according to AST and ALT on the serum. Conclusion : According to the above results, it is considered that Onpye-tang has an inhibitory effect on the process of allergic rhinitis and it can be used in relieving symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2012

The number of allergic contact dermatitis patients is steadily increasing but a proper reliability treatment guide is not prepared in Oriental Medicine. Also, the number of clinical cases on allergic contact dermatitis is not sufficient in Oriental medicine. As such, the facial flushing of allergic contact dermatitis which has been improved by infra-red therapy is significant in its treatment purpose. We reported on 43-year old male patient with allergic contact dermatitis. We treated him with herbal concoction, acupuncture, infra-red therapy and cupping therapy. We have received a good result in this case by using the combination of infra-red therapy. We reached a conclusion that using infra-red therapy can improve the facial flushing of patient with allergic contact dermatitis. However, further research on the effect of infra-red therapy for these symptoms is desired.