• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2009

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by typically distributed eczematous skin lesion with pruritus, lichenification and dry skin. In this study, we performed to assess the therapeutic effects of co-treatment of Chenilyeomgamibang (CGB) and Chenggihaedok-san (CHS, C&C) on the TNCB(trinitrochlorobenzene)-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice, characterized by the onset of atopic dermatitis along with an increase the number of inflammatory cells and dysregulation of Th2 cytokines. Methods : Defined amount of CGB was sprayed on mice skin and CHS was simultaneously orally administrated to TNCB treated NC/Nga mice for 5 weeks. The immune cell types were caracterized by flow cytometry using each specific antibody. The amount of Th2 cytokines in serum and splenocytes culture supernatant were measured by ELISA. Results : Administration of C&C significantly reduced clinical dermatitis severity including pruritus, edema, eczematous and erythema. Histological findings indicated that the thickening of epidermis/dermis and dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells were dramatically reduced. Flow cytometry analysis showed that infiltrated immune cell numbers of CCR3+, B220+/IgE+, Gr-1+/CD11b+, and CD117+ were significantly reduced in C&C-treated dorsal skin lesion. Furthermore, T cell composition rate in PBMC was also dramatically decreased by the treatment. C&C greatly down-regulated production of Th2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 in the serum. The down- regulatory effects of C&C on these Th2 cytokines production were also detected in CD3/ CD28 activated splenocytes. Conclusions : These results indicated that C&C is a plausible therapeutic agent for treatment of atopic dermatitis through regulating the Th2 skewed immune system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1027-1034
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• 2017

The immune system is a complex process within the body that protects against disease. Recently, many studies have attempted to discover immunomodulative compounds from natural sources. Pinus koraiensis (PK) cone shell is a by-product of PK. One of the major compounds of PK cone shell is dehydroabietic acid, which has bioactivity, including antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the immunomodulative effects of PK cone shell. The immunomodulatory effects of PK cone shell extracted with 20% ethanol (EtOH) in vivo were examined initially by measuring the natural killer (NK) cell activity, phagocytic activity, Th1/Th2 cytokines release, serum immunoglobulin, and T/B cell proliferation. The NK cell activity and phagocytic activity were increased significantly by a treatment with a 20% EtOH extract of PK cone shell. Th1 type cytokine and T cell proliferation increased and Th2 type cytokine, B cell proliferation and serum immunoglobulin A, G, and E decreased after a treatment with PK cone shell extract. The 20% EtOH extract of the PK cone shell normalized the unbalanced production of Th1/Th2 type cytokine. This suggests that a 20% EtOH extract of PK cone shell has great potential as a health food.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.14-29
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• 2015

Objectives : The extract of Sagunja-tang has been traditionally used for restorative treatment of constitutional weakness, vascular and immune disorder, and nervous disease in Oriental country. This study investigated the regulatory effects of Sagunja-tang on the expression, production, and activity of immune mediators.Methods : In this study, the extract of Sagunja-tang was prepared by extracting with distilled water at 100$^{\circ}C$ for 2.5h. The extract was freeze-dried following filtration through 0.45${{\mu}m}$ filter. The extract was dissolved in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) and filtered again through 0.45${{\mu}m}$ filter before use. The level of nitrite, an oxidative product of nitric oxide(NO) was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The levels of prostaglandin E₂(PGE₂), Th1 cytokines (IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-2) and Th2 cytokines(IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Also examined the effects of the extract on T-cell proliferation and cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells.Results : In this investigation, Production levels of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by treatment with the extract. I also found that the extract increased T-cell proliferation and cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells in a dose-dependent manner.Conculsions : These results suggest that the water extract of Sagunja-tang may be useful for a therapeutic drug against a sickly constitution and immune diseases, probably by regulating the production of immune mediators.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.76-103
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• 2021

Objectives This study was designed to examine the effect of Gleditsiae Fructus n-hexane (GSF_Hx) on two different groups (on the LPS-induced activation of Raw264.7 cells in vitro, and on the DNCB-induced activation of atopic dermatitis NC/Nga Tnd mice in vivo) to find index components and active components of Gleditsiae Fructus. Methods GSF_Hx was analyzed by HPLC profiling and confirmed echinocystic acid (EA), oleanolic acid (OA) as index components of Gleditsiae Fructus. Using GSF_Hx, EA, OA, we investigated IL-6, TNF-α, NO production by ELISA analysis and evaluated manifestations of MAPKs transcription factors and NF-κB p65 translocation by western blotting. During In vivo study, atopic dermatitis was induced on NC/Nga Tnd mice by DNCB and administered GSF_Hx, EA, OA orally, and checked skin lesions and measured skin clinical score. Serum IgE level, Th1 and Th2 cytokines secretion and modulating molecular mediators and immune cells in the spleenocyte culture supernatant, PBMCs, ALN and dorsal skin were also measured by real-time PCR. Then, skin rash was evaluated and mast cell distribution was verified by H&E and toluidine blue staining on dorsal skin. Results It is possible that GSF_Hx, EA and OA reduce inflammation and allergic response of atopic dermatitis by suppressing Th1 and Th2 cytokines secretion and modulating molecular mediators and immune cells. They also had moisturizing effect by raising vitality of ceramide in dorsal skin of atopic dermatitis NC/Nga Tnd mice. However, EA particularly had better overall activity data than OA, that EA could be a more effective active component of Gleditsiae Fructus than OA. Conclusions Based on the inflammatory reduction property with moisturizing effect, GSF_Hx may play a role in effective treatment for atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1140-1146
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the comparison of immunomodualtory effects of water-extracted Ginseng Radix(GR), Pilose Asia-bell(PA), Astragali Radix(AR), Astractylodes Rhizoma alba(AA) and Dioscoreae Rhizoma (DR). The parameter examined to assess apparent immunomodulatory effect of the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR included the regulation of Nitric oxide (NO), the expression of Th1/Th2 type cytokine, the change of B cell phenotype. The water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR inhibited NO production and iNOS protein expression in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In the Th1 and Th2 cytokine expression, the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR induced IL-2 and IFNr mRNA gene expression. Therefore, it seems that the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR have a inducing effect of Th1 type cytokines. In the Flow cytometry analysis, the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR did not change B cell phenotype (CD45R/B220). The water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR have a reducing effect of immune suppression cause by Methotrexate (MTX), an agent of immune suppression. These results suggest that the immunomodulatory effects of the water-extracted GR, PA, AR, AA and DR may be, in part, associated with the inducing IL-2 and IFNr mRNA gene expression in and regulation of NO production in macrophage cells.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.363-370
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• 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammation associated with skin hypersensitivity caused by environmental factors. The objent of this study was to assess the hot water extracts of Sargassum horneri (SHHWE) on AD. AD was induced by spreading 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on the BALB/c mice. The efficacy of SHHWE was tested by observing the immunoglobulin E (IgE), cytokine, skin clinical severity score and cytokine secretions in concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocytes. The levels of interleukine (IL)-4, IL-5 and IgE, the pro-inflammatory cytokines that are closely related, were notably suppressed in a does-dependent manner by SHHWE, whereas the level of interferon γ (IFN-γ), the atopy-related Th1 cytokine inhibiting the production of Th2 cytokines, was increased. Therefore, these results show that SHHWE has a potent anti- inhibitory effect on AD and is highly valuable for cosmetic development.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2011

Objectives: SaengRyoSaMulTang is a herbal formula in Oriental Medicine, known anti-allergens. However, its mechanism and cellular targets have not been found yet. Thus the study has developed to investigate the suppressive effect of SaengRyoSaMulTang. Methods: In the study, cellular viability, IL-4, IL-13 mRNA expression, IL-4, IL-13 production, manifestations of GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT1, NF-AT2, AP-1 and NF-${\kappa}$B p65 transcription factors were examined by Real-Time PCR, ELISA analysis and western blotting. Results: As a result of treating with SaengRyoSaMulTang extract(SRSMT), the study has shown that the amount of Th2 cytokines, which include PI induced IL-4 and IL-13, plays a significant role in suppressing effect. RBL-2H3 mast cells significantly suppressed the PI-induced Th2 cytokine production including IL-4 and IL-13 in a dose dependent manner. PI-induced IL-4 and IL-13 production was significantly suppressed by SRSMT intervention. Western blot analysis of transcription factors involving IL-4 and IL-13 expression also revealed a prominent decreases of mast cell's specific transcription factors including GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT2, c-Jun and c-Fos, but NF-${\kappa}$B p65. Conclusions: The study suggests that the anti-allergenic activities of SRSMT may regulate the transcription factors GATA-1, GATA-2, NF-AT2, c-Jun and c-Fos inhibiting Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 in mast cells.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2006

Allergic inflammation is thought to be a Th2 cell-dominant immune response during which tissue-resident fibroblasts produce chemokines which contribute to the recruitment of migratory leukocytes to sites of tissue injury. Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC; CCL17) is a potent member of the CC chemokine family and a selective chemoattractant for Th2 cells. In order to study the regulatory profiles of TARC production by $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and Il-4 in human normal skin fibroblast, CCD-986sk cell line was used. The expression of TARC protein was measured using ELISA, and mRNA level was detected by RT-PCR. The combination of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-4 induced a time-and dose-dependent synergistic increase in the expression of TARC at both protein and mRNA levels in the cultured human skin fibroblasts. Exposure of the cells to single cytokine had no effect on TARC expression. The high concentration (100 ng/ml) and long incubation time (72 h) of $IFN-{\gamma}$ further enhanced the TARC production induced by $TNF-{\alpha}$/lL-4 in the skin fibroblast. This synergistic effect of Th1 and Th2 type cytokines on TARC production by skin fibroblasts may contribute to the inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue damage with allergic inflammation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2005

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of airways that is induced by Th2 cytokines and inhibited by Th1 cytokines. In this study we wanted to investigate the effect of SCT and BJT on eosinophilla and cytokines of BALF in a mouse model established airway inflammmation. Asthma was induced to male c57/bl6 mice. Allergen-specific antibody responses, cytokine$(IL-4,\;IL-5,\;INF-{\gamma})$, and eosinophil inflammation of the airways were investigated on the BALF and splenocyte. SCT and BJT effectively induced $INF-{\gamma}$ and inhibited IL-4, IL-5 as well as eosinophilic inflammation when SCT and BJT were administered. Total Ig E level in the BALF decreased. SCT was more effectiveness than BJT. It is considered that SCT and BJT have faborable effect on the asthma because the asthma specific series of abnormalities in respiratory system were decreased.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.40-54
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• 2006

Objective: This study aimed to identify the different effects of GMCSBHT water-extract and ethanol-extract on Th1/Th2 differentiation by monitoring Th1/Th2 specific cytokine secretion patterns and the transcriptional activities of T-bet, GATA-3, c-maf, $INF{\gamma}$ and IL-4. Materials and Methods: Spleen cells from eight week-old BALB/c mice were cultured in GMCSBHT extracts containing medium without activation for 24 hours and with activation for 48 hours. CD4+ T cells were isolated and mRNA expression levels of $INF{\gamma}$, IL-4, T-bet, GATA-3, c-maf by RT-PCR and secretion cytokines levels of $IFN{\gamma}$, IL-4 by ELISA were analyzed. Results: GMCSBHT extracts didn't have mitogenic effects on the unstimulated CD4+ T cells. In Th1 skewed condition, GMCSBAHT water extract had no significant effects on mRNA expression levels of $IFN{\gamma}$, T-bet and c-maf, but inhibited mRNA expression levels of IL-4, GATA-3. It showed significantly increased secretion cytokine levels of $IFN{\gamma}$, but had no significant effect on secretion cytokine levels of IL-4. In Th2 skewed condition, GMCSBHT ethanol extract inhibited mRNA expression levels of $INF{\gamma}$, IL-4, GATA-3 and c-maf significantly, but had no significant effects on mRNA expression levels of T-bet. It had no significant effects on secretion cytokine levels of $INF{\gamma}$, but showed remarkable inhibitory effects on secretion cytokine levels of IL-4. Conclusion: Results suggest that on Th1/Th2 deviation, GMCSBHT water extract has both amplifying effects on Th1 differentiation and inhibitory effects on Th2, but GMCSBHT ethanol extract has stronger inhibitory effects on Th2 differentiation than on Th1.