• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2001

Background : In recent years, pediatric chronic sinusitis patients who didn't respond with antibiotics were increasing, but there were a few reports on recurrence rate of the herbal medicine therapy treating pediatric chronic sinusitis, so this report was studied. Objective : To know the recurrence rate of herbal medicine therapy in the chronic sinusitis using follow-up investigation. Materials and methods : Thirty four patients(16 male and 18 female) treated in our hospital between December 1998 and August 1999 were studied. Ages ranged from 4 to 13 years (mean age :7.7 years). Twenty five patients(66%) had a underlying family history (allergy or sinusitis of family). In the past history, 32 patients (86%) had asthma, allergy of milk, atopic dermatitis, bronchiolitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Duration of treatment were from eleven to eighteen month (mean:14.3 month). Results : Of the 34 patients, 31 patients were improvement, 3 patients not. Of the 31 patients, thirty patients showed not recurrent (91%). Two patients showed no significant interval change(6%) and one patient was aggrevated(3%). The degree of the Health, thinking of protector for the herb medicine therapy and improvement of sinusitis were significant statistically. (significant <0.005) Conclusion : We know that herbal medicine therapy is the effective treatment of pediatric chronic sinusitis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.303-313
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• 2009

Traditionally, Cham dang-gui (Angelica gigas Nakai) is one of the most popular herbal medicines in Asian countries including Korea. A. gigas has been used as a functional food product for treatment anemia, women's health care, a sedative, an anodyne or a tonic agent. Decursin and decursinol angelate isolated from the roots of A. gigas are pyranocoumarin compounds. Recently, as the global herbal medication market is increasing, investigations about pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate are rapidly increasing. We summarized previous studies about pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate, and reviewed relation with pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate on human disorder, focused on the approach for new drug development. Pharmacological effects of decursin and decursinol angelate were classified as anti-tumor activity, anti-bacterial activity, improvements of the circulating system, inhibition of cytochrome P-450 activity, anti-inflammation activity, anti-oxidant activity and cognitive-enhancing activites. The activity of A. gigas with improvement of the circulating system may have wide therapeutic potential for circulatory diseases, including diabetes, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Also, anti-inflammation activity A. gigas may be beneficial for the treatment and prevention of asthma, atopic dermatitis and rheumatism arthritis. This relation could potentially lead to the development of herbal new drugs. In order to development a new drug containing decursin and decursinol angelate, it is also necessary to consider the safety profile, and the information in this review would contribute to development a new drug from herbal medicine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.7
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• pp.919-925
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• 2013

Human thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLPR) might play an important role in the development of inflammatory and allergic responses. We previously identified eleven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two variation sites in the TSLPR gene and showed that all the SNPs of the TSLPR gene are associated with susceptibility to atopic asthma. The present study aimed to investigate whether the TSLPR gene SNPs are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We compared the genotype and the allele frequencies of the TSLPR SNPs in 457 RA patients and 570 healthy controls. The genotype and the allele frequencies of the TSLPR gene SNPs in the RA patients were not significantly different from the respective frequencies of the healthy controls. Additional analysis showed that the genotype and the allele frequencies of the TSLPR gene SNPs did not appear to be associated with RA in female RA patients. The TSLPR gene SNPs in the RA patients did not affect the production of rheumatoid factor (RF) and antisynthetic cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP). Our results suggest that the TSLPR gene SNPs are not associated with susceptibility to RA in the Korean population.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng (KRG) is reported to have anti-allergic properties, including beneficial effects on asthma and atopic dermatitis. However, its effect on allergic rhinitis has not been studied extensively. This study examined how KRG affected allergic inflammation of the nasal cavity in an allergic mouse model. A total of 40 Balb/c female mice were divided into four experimental groups according to treatment and allergic state: group 1 (G1), saline only; group 2 (G2), ovalbumin (OVA); group 3 (G3), OVA+KRG; and group 4 (G4), OVA+dexamethasone. Serum IgE levels were significantly lower in the KRG treatment group (G3) than in the allergic group (G2). However, serum IgG1 levels did not differ between G2 and G3. In the nasal lavage fluid, IL-4 and IL-5 levels were significantly lower in G3 than in G2 (p<0.05). H&E and Luna staining revealed that the eosinophil count was lower in G3 and G4 than in G2 (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that there were fewer IL-4-, IL-5-, and MUC5AC-positive cells in G3 and G4 than in G2 (p<0.05). These results indicate that KRG reduces the nasal allergic inflammatory reaction in an allergic murine model by reducing Th2 cytokines.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.93-96
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• 2009

House dust mites (HDMs) play an important role in the occurrence of allergic diseases such as asthma and atopic dermatitis. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) is one of the most prevalent HDMs. It mediates the activation of T cells and monocytes, and induces the elevation of immunoglobulin E levels in allergic diseases. However, the effects of Der p on human monocytes have not been fully understood. In the present study, we investigated whether or not Der p has a great effect on the chemotactic activity of the human monocytic cell line, THP-1 cells, as induced by CC chemokines. We also show that the Der p extract (DpE) increased the chemotactic activity of THP-1 cells in response to MCP-1, RANTES, MIP-1${\alpha}$, and TARC, but had no effect on the expressions of CC chemokine receptors (CCRs) binding to CC chemokines in THP-1 cells. Protease inhibitors, such as aprotinin and E64, blocked the increased chemotaxis, while cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ influx mediated by these chemokines was inhibited by DpE. These results indicate that DpE increases the chemotactic activity of THP-1 cells in response to CC chemokines by regulating the cells' protease-dependent mechanism. This finding may be useful in identifying the pathogenesis of allergic diseases induced by Der p.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.239-245
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was conducted to clarify the effects of agarwood on histamine release from mast cells in rats and on the scratching behaviors in mice. Methods: Histamine release from rat mast cells induced by compound 48/80 or concanavalin A (Con A) and compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice were examined to investigate the effects of agarwood. The hyaluronidase activity and the 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in mast cells were examined to investigate the mechanisms for the inhibition of histamine release. The correlation between the inhibitory effects of agarwood on histamine release and the content of its typical ingredients, a 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives, was analyzed using thin-layer chromatography. Results: Agarwood showed an inhibitory effect on mast-cell histamine release induced by compound 48/80 or Con A without any effect on hyaluronidase activity; this effect involves an increase in the cAMP levels in mast cells. Oral administration of agarwood showed an inhibitory effect on compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice. The inhibitory effects of agarwood on histamine release were quite different, depending on the area where the agarwood was produced, its quality, and its market price. No correlation was found between the inhibitory effects of agarwood on histamine release and the typical ingredients of agarwood, which are 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives. Conclusion: These results show that agarwood inhibits histamine release from mast cells partially through an increase in the cAMP levels in cells. We suggest that some active ingredients of agarwood must be effective on oral intake and that agarwood can be used to treat patients with a number of conditions, including urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and bronchial asthma, in which an increase in histamine release occurs. Differences in the pharmacological effects of this crude drug among markets may provide important information for the quality control of this herbal medicine.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.902-907
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• 2012

The worldwide prevalence and severity of allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis and asthma has increased dramatically over the past decade, especially in developed countries. Mast cells are important effector cells in allergic reactions. The purpose of this study was undertaken to investigate the anti-allergic activities of the extract of Duchesnea chrysantha (DCE). DCE was prepared by extracting with 80% ethanol. In the present study, we investigate the effect of DCE on the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, and histamine in the human mast cell line (HMC-1 cells) and on the scratching behavior in hairless mice. Various concentrations of DCE were treated before the activation of HMC-1 cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187. PMA plus A23187 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8 production compared with media control. We also show that the increased cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8 were significantly inhibited by DCE in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, DCE inhibited the histamine release from HMC-1 cells stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. Futhermore, the administration of DCE reduced the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80 or histamine) in hairless mice. These results suggest that DCE has a potential use as a medicinal plant for treatment against allergy-related disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2018

Purpose: This review article provides an overview of the trends of research papers on the health benefits of kimchi and kimchi lactic acid bacteria published from 1995 to 2017. Methods: All publications from 1995 to 2017 regarding kimchi and kimchi lactic acid bacteria were collected, reviewed, and classified. This review article covers the publications of the health benefits of kimchi and kimchi lactic acid bacteria on experimental, clinical trials, and epidemiology studies. Results: The number of publications on kimchi over the period were 590: 385 publications in Korean and 205 publications in English. The number of publications on the health benefits of kimchi and kimchi lactic acid bacteria were 95 in Korean and 54 in English. The number of publications on kimchi and kimchi lactic acid bacteria were 84 and 38, respectively, in the experimental models. Ten research papers on kimchi in clinical trials and 7 publications in epidemiology were found. Kimchi or kimchi lactic acid bacteria had protective effects against oxidative stress, mutagenicity, toxicity, cancer, dyslipidemia, hypertension, immunity, and inflammation in in vitro, cellular, and in vivo animal models. Moreover, kimchi had effects on the serum lipids, intestinal microbiota, iron status, obesity, and metabolic parameters in human clinical trials. In epidemiology, kimchi had effects on hypertension, asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, cholesterol levels, and free radicals. Conclusion: This review focused on the publications regarding the health benefits of kimchi and kimchi lactic acid bacteria, suggesting the future directions of studies about kimchi and kimchi lactic acid bacteria by producing a database for an evaluation of the health benefits of kimchi.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.58-66
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations and influences of occupation, concomitant allergic diseases, various aggravating factors and seasonal changes for patients with dyshidrotic eczema. Methods : A total of 219 patients who showed clinical manifestations of dyshidrotic eczema were included in this study. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical characteristics of all the patients. Results : 1. Among 219 patients, there were 76 male patients (34.7%), 143 female patients (65.3%), male to female ratio was 1: 1.88. The average age of the patients at admission was $31.9{\pm}9.8$ years, had a lot of 20s and 30s the distribution. 2. The average of duration of the admission to the clinic after the onset was $4.01{\pm}4.42$ years. 3. Common accompaning diseases dyshidrotic eczema patients have were allergic rhinitis(87 cases), and atopic dermatitis(55 cases), sweating(45 cases), and asthma(10 cases) in order. 4. The most commonly occurring sites for dyshidrotic eczema patients are fingers(60.3%), palm(53.4%), dorsum of hand(19.2%) and nails(5.5%) in order. 5. The most commonly contacted materials for dyshidrotic eczema patients are water(130 cases), cosmetics(40 cases) and rubber gloves(34 cases) in order. The aggravating factors of dyshidrotic eczema patients are emotional stress(110 cases), fatty food(22 cases) and alcohol(22 cases) in order. 6. The number of patients showing seasonal changes in symptoms was 111. The season with the most severe symptom was summer with 76 cases, which was statistically significant. Conclusions : This study demonstrated the various clinical characteristics of Korean patients with dyshidrotic eczema.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.492-499
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• 2021

Purpose: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten proteins and is often characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms. Food allergy (FA) is an adverse immune sensitivity to ingested food proteins leading to inflammation in various organs including the gastrointestinal tract. The relationship between CD and FA remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical relevance of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food sensitization in children with CD. Methods: Fifty-nine children diagnosed with CD were reviewed for clinical symptoms and evidence of IgE-sensitization to food and airborne allergens using the PolyCheck method. Results: IgE-mediated sensitization has been diagnosed in 20.3% of children with CD (CD/A). In the CD/A group, 58.3% of children were sensitized to food and 66.7% to airborne allergens. Further, 41.7% of patients with CD and allergy reported gastrointestinal tract symptoms associated with the ingestion of sensitizing foods. Analysis of the clinical status revealed that the incidence of other allergic disorders in the CD/A group was as follows: atopic dermatitis (33.3%), asthma (25.0%), and allergic rhinitis (16.7%). The percentage of eosinophils was significantly higher in the CD/A group than in the CD group (0.33±0.25 vs. 0.11±0.09; p=0.006). Conclusion: The diagnosis of CD does not exclude FA. The gastrointestinal symptoms in children with CD may be the result of both CD and FA; therefore, children with CD should be evaluated for the presence of FA regardless of age.