• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Objective The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of Galgeunhwanggeumhwangryeon-tang (PSCG) extract on skin moisturizing, antibacterial, and tight junction recovery in atopic dermatitis-induced mice. Methods In this study, we used 4-week-old NC/Nga mice divided into four groups: control (Ctrl), lipid barrier elimination (LBE), dexamethasone (Dx) after lipid barrier elimination (DEX), and PSCG after lipid barrier elimination (PSC). Ten rats were assigned to each treatment group. Three days after drug administration following lipid barrier elimination, ceramide kinase, caspase 14, sodium hydrogen antiporter (NHE), cathelicidin, claudin, and toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 were observed to confirm the restoration of skin moisturizer production, antimicrobial barriers, and tight junctions in the skin barrier. Results Ceramide kinase and caspase 14 positive reaction were significantly higher in PSC than in LBE and DEX. Both NHE and cathelicidin showed higher positive reactions in PSC than in LBE and DEX. Claudin, and TLR-2 showed higher levels of positive staining in the PSC group than in the LBE and DEX groups. Conclusion It was confirmed that the PSCG extract can have the potential to restore the damaged skin barrier in atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.887-893
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the wound healing effects of Danggwieumja (DG), which is commonly used for skin inflammation, skin wound, skin pruritus, and chronic hives etc. The 1.5 cm ${\times}$ 1.5 cm full-thickness skin wound was induced to two groups, DG (n=16) and Saline (n=16) group. The DG extract and Saline were orally administrated daily for 15 days after skin wound induction. Then, the body weight of rats and the congestion indices were daily measured for 15 days after skin wound induction. The wound contractions and epithelizations were also measured. The wound contractions were daily measured for 15 days after wound induction and wound epithelizations were measured for 8 days from day 7 after wound induction. For evaluating angiogenesis, the immunoreactivities of vWF and VEGF protein were measured immunohistochemistrically on day 15. In results, although the percentage increases in mean body weight of rats in the DG and Saline groups hve no significant differences, DG extract decreased the time of wound healing and congestion around wound, and improved wound contraction and epithelization. The contraction percentage of DG group was significantly increased on day 5 (P<0.05) and day 7 (P<0.01) than that of Saline group. DG group showed significant increase of wound epithelization on day 7 (P<0.05) as compared to Saline group. Moreover, DG extract reduced the inflammation of skin dermis and promoted the growth of vascular vessels of dermis by accelerating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein. These results suggest that DG has the beneficial effects on skin incision wound and can be the suitable wound healing agent for various surgical wounds.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2014

Background: The precise knowledge of anatomy and the region of transverse process (TP) and superior articular processes (AP) and their distance from the skin are important in blocking and treating lumbar facet syndrome. Evaluation of these anatomic distances from 3rd and 5th lumbar vertebrae in both sides and in different body mass index (BMI) in healthy volunteers might improve knowledge of ultrasound (US) lumbar medial branch nerve blocks (LMBB). Methods: Bilateral US in the 3rd and 5th lumbar vertebrae of 64 volunteers carried out and the distance between skin to TP and skin to AP was measured. These distances were compared on both sides and in different BMI groups. The analysis was done using SPSS 11. Analysis of variance was used to compare the means at three vertebral levels (L3-L5) and different BMI groups. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The paired t-test was used to compare the mean distance between skin to TP and skin to AP on both sides. Results: The distance between skin to TP and skin to AP of 3rd vertebrae to 5th vertebrae was increased in both right and left sides (P < 0.001) from up to down. The mean distance from skin to TP were greater on the left side compared to the right in all three vertebral levels from L3 to L5 (P values 0.014, 0.024, and 0.006 respectively). The mean distance from skin to TP and the skin to AP was statistically significant in different BMI groups (P < 0.001). Conclusions: We found many anatomic distances which may increase awareness of US guided LMBB.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.236-242
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• 2009

Background: Melanoma is the most fatal form of skin cancer due to its rapid metastasis. Recently, several studies reported that selenium can induce apoptosis in melanoma cells. However, the precise mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of selenium on cell proliferation in murine melanoma and on tumor growth and metastasis in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay in selenium-treated melanoma cells. Cell cycle distribution was analysized by staining DNA with propidum iodide (PI). mRNA and protein expression related to cell cycle arrest was measured by reverse transcription PCR and western blot. Tumor growth and metastasis was measured by in vivo model. Results: Selenium was suppressed the proliferation of melanoma cells in a dose dependent manner. The growth inhibition of melanoma by selenium was associated with an arrest of cell cycle distribution at G0/G1 stage. The mRNA and protein level of CDK2/CDK4 was suppressed by treatment with selenium in a time-dependent manner. In vivo, tumor growth was not suppressed by selenium; however tumor metastasis was suppressed by selenium in mouse model. Conclusion: These results suggest that selenium might be a potent agent to inhibit proliferative activity of melanoma cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.250-254
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• 2004

Background: It is necessary for human beings to uptake vitamin C through diet or supplements. It is also well-known that vitamin C plays an important role in the prevention of scurvy, enhancement of collagen synthesis and anti-tumor immune response. In addition, there are several recent reports regarding the effective role of vitamin C on the regulation of allergic responses, such as atopic dermatitis and asthma. However, the effective therapeutic and preventive measures using vitamin C are not established yet, since vitamin C is seriously unstable in aqueous solution. Therefore, we have investigated the best way to maintain the stability of vitamin C. Methods: After we making a mixture of polyphenol (0.001, 0.01, 0.1%) and vitamin C (1 mM), the mixtures were placed at room temperature both with/without light protection. And then the concentration of ascorbic acid was measured with HPLC. To analyze the in vivo effect of vitamin C on the regulation of skin allergic reaction, polyphenol (0.1%)-vitamin C (1 mM) mixture was applied to the skin and the production of histamine from mast cell was analyzed by Evans blue dye staining. Results: We have found that the polyphenol has preventive power of oxidation of vitamin C. In addition, the production of histamine was suppressed by the polyphenol (0.1%)-vitamin C (1 mM) mixture. Conclusion: We have reached the conclusion that our study suggests the research guideline for the therapy of atopic dermatitis through vitamin C.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2011

Backgroud: The objective was to evaluate the distance from the skin and the diameter of the piriformis muscle and their relationship to the body mass index (BMI). Methods: The study was a prospective study involving 60 patients. Patients were prepared on a radiological table in the prone position. Several images were obtained of each. In this view, the distance between the subcutaneous tissue and the piriformis muscle, and the diameter of the piriformis, were measured at three points (medially to laterally). Results: The distance to the piriformis from the skin was $6.6{\pm}0.9\;cm$, $6.3{\pm}0.8\;cm$, and $5.2{\pm}0.9\;cm$ in terms of the lateral, center, and medial measurement, respectively. The center of the piriformis had a greater diameter with $1.7{\pm}0.4\;cm$ (0.9-2.5) cm. The distance to the piriformis increased with BMI. Conclusions: This study shows that the lateral of the piriformis muscle has a relatively greater distance from the skin. The center of the piriformis showed a greater diameter than other two portions. We found that the distance of the piriformis from subcutaneous tissues was correlated with BMI, but the diameter of the piriformis was not affected by BMI. These measurements can be used as a reference for determining the piriformis injection site in patients with piriformis syndrome.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.225-228
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• 2002

Bcl-2 is a member of large bcl-2 family and protects cells from apoptosis. Using bcl-2-expressing adenovirus vector (Ad-bc1-2), we investigated the effect of bc1-2 on UVB-induced apoptosis. Adenovirus vector efficiently introduced bc1-2 gene in cultured normal mouse keratinocytes (NMK cells); almost all NMK cells (lx10$^{6}$ ) were transfected at Ixl0$^{8}$ PFU/ml. Bcl-2-transfected NMK cells were significantly resistant to UVB-induced apoptosis with the suppressive effect dependent on bcl-2-expression level. Following UVB irradiation caspase 8, 3, 9 activities were stimulated in NMK cells, while in bc1-2-transfected cells, only caspase 8, but not caspase 3 or 9 activities were stimulated. In order to investigate the effect of bc1-2 in vivo, topical application of Ad-bc1-2 on tape-stripped mouse skin was performed. Following the application, Bc1-2 was efficiently overexpressed in almost all viable keratinocytes. The expression was transient with the maximal expression of Bc1-2 at 1st day following the application of lxl0$^{9}$ PFU in 200ml. The introduced Bc1-2 remained at least for 6 days. UVB irradiation (1250 J/m$^2$) induced apoptosis within 12 h and the maximal effect was observed at 24 h in control mouse skin. Bc1-2-transfected mice skin were resistant to UVB-induced apoptosis. Topical application of empty adenovirus vector alone had no effect on Bc1-2 expression or UVB-induced apoptosis. These results indicate that adenovirus vector is an efficient gene delivery system into keratinocytes and that Bcl-2 is a potent inhibitor of UVB-induced apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.123-134
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• 2017

Wounds are commonly created during almost every kind of surgery, trauma and skin diseases. Delayed wound healing affects a plenty of patients and requires prolonged treatments that seriously reduce the quality of life for patients. Skin damage involving large areas or great severity can lead to disability or even death. Wound healing involves a complicated series of actions, of various tissues and cell lineages, concerning inflammation, migration, proliferation, reepithelialization, and remodeling. Sopung-san is reported to have anti-inflammatory effect and has been used for various skin diseases such as allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. In this study, the hypothesis that oral treatment with Sopung-san could enhances healing potential on rat full thickness skin wounds was tested. Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the studies. A full-thickness skin wound was made on the dorsal skin of the rats. Either Sopung-san water extract (SPS) or saline (Control) was orally administrated every day. The wound area was measured and the percentages of wound contraction, wound healed and wound epithelization were calculated. Wound tissue samples were excised following injection for histopathological and immunohistological examination. Wound area in rats of SPS group significantly was decreased compared to Control. SPS group showed significant promotion of wound healing compared to Cotrol group in the percentages of wound contraction, wound healed and wound epithelization. Histopathological examination revealed that SPS induces neo-vascularization potential in wound healing process. SPS treatment in rats significantly accelerated cutaneous wound healing in the neo-vascularization process by increasing VEGF and $TGF-{\beta}1$ synthesis. The results suggest that Sopung-san affects key cellular processes responsible for wound repair and point to a unique potential for this molecule in the therapy of skin wounds, particularly as an angiogenic agent.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.156-166
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study is to confirm the regulate effect of T helper (Th) 2 differentiation that Baekho-tang extract may produce to improves skin lipid barrier damages. Methods Four-weeks-old NC/Nga mice were divided into four groups: control group (Ctrl, n=10), lipid barrier eliminated group (LBE, n=10), Dexamethasone treatment after lipid barrier elimination group (DxT, n=10), and Baekho-tang extract treatment group after lipid barrier elimination group (BHTT, n=10). Baeko-tang extract was administered for 3 days after removal of the skin fat barrier in BHTT group. Then, we identified changes in external symptoms of the skin, factors affecting skin barrier such as potential of hydrogen (pH), filaggrin (FLG), transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and Th2 differentiation factors like Interleukin (IL)-4, Kallikrein Related Peptidase 7 (KLK7) and protease activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) through our immunohistochemistry. Results After lipid barrier elimination, the reduction of morphological skin inflammations was less in BHTT group than in LBE group and DxT group. Also, pH and TEWL were significantly decreased with BHTT group. However, FLG was significantly increased in BHTT group compared to LBE, DxT, and Ctrl group. All kinds of Th2 differentiation factors (IL-4, KLK7 and PAR-2) were also decreased in BHTT compared to the LBE and DxT. Conclusions As a result of this study, BHT administration decreased pH, TEWL, and increased FLG, thus participating in recovering damaged skin barrier. Since Th2 differentiation factors were decreased as well, BHT's regulatory effect in sequential immune reactions may be a possible explanation of how it enhances recovery of the damaged lipid barrier.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2014

Chios Gum Mastic (CGM) is a natural resin extracted from the leaves of Pistacia lentiscus, a plant endemic to the Greek island of Chios. It has been used by traditional healers, and it has antibacterial, antifungal properties, and therapeutic benefits for the skin. The CGM reduces the formation of dental plaque and bacterial growth in oral saliva, and recent studies have demonstrated the role of antioxidant activity of CGM. Although CGM has been widely investigated, its protective effect against oxidative-damage to keratinocytes, as well as the relationship between CGM and autophagy, has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effect of CGM against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and to evaluate the autophagic features induced by CGM in human keratinocytes. The pretreatment with CGM significantly reduced apoptosis in $H_2O_2$-exposed HaCaT cells. It promoted the degradation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9; and it induced the formation of the processed PARP. The treatment with CGM caused an increase in vesicle formation compared to control group. The level of p62 was reduced and the conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II was increased in CGM treated HaCaT cells. Also, the treatment with CGM increased cleavage of ATG5-ATG12 complex. In summary, CGM helps the cells to survive under stressful conditions by preventing apoptosis and enhancing autophagy. Besides, the present investigation provides evidence to support the antioxidant potential of CGM in vitro and opens up a new horizon for future experiments.