• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2016

Objectives: Poncirus trifoliata Rafinesque has been known to have anti-allergic effects in skin diseases. However, anti-atopic dermatitis effects of P. trifoliata Rafinesque have not been studied yet in skin diseases. The present study evaluated the anti-atopic dermatitis effects of P. trifoliata Rafinesque (PTR) using external treatments on AD. Methods: AD lesions were induced by the repeated application of 2, 4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on the shaved back of BALB/c mice. $100{\mu}{\ell}$ of PTR extracts was applied to the AD lesions for 11 days. Histological assessments, mast cells count and serum levels of IgE were analyzed. The anti-pruritic effects of PTR were examined by the change of scratching frequency and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effects of PTR were examined by the expressions of Th2/Th1 cytokines and pro-inflammatory in dorsal skin. Results: Histopathological findings showed that topical application of PTR decreased the thickness of dermal and epidermal skin compared with the DNCB group. PTR also notably decreased the mast cells count and serum IgE. The scratching behavior of mice and expression of NGF were significantly reduced. In addition, PTR group significantly suppressed the IL-4, IL-6, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ cytokines compared to the DNCB group. Conclusions: These results indicated that P. trifoliata Rafinesque possess anti-pruritus and anti-atopic dermatitis properties. Therefore, P. trifoliata Rafinesque might be used for treatment of pruritus and atopic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.60-69
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• 2013

The worldwide prevalence and severity of allergic diseases including atopic and contact dermatitis 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 and anti-pruritic effects of Diospyros lotus leaf extract (DLE). DLE was prepared by extracting with distilled water. In the present study, we investigated the effect of DLE on the production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\alpha}$) and histamine in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs), and on the skin lesion, leukocyte infiltration and scratching behavior in mice. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production compared with media control. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production increased by PMA plus A23187 treatment were significantly inhibited by DLE in a dose-dependent manner. DLE also inhibited the histamine release from RPMCs stimulated by compound 48/80, which promotes histamine release. Moreover, DLE administration had an inhibitory effects on the scratching behavior induced by pruritogen (compound 48/80, histamine) in ICR mice. Furthermore, DLE inhibited the skin lesions, inflammatory and mast cells in hairless mice sensitized by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). DLE administration reduced the IL-4 and IgE production induced by DNFB sensitization in hairless mice. These results suggest that DLE has a potential use as a herb medicine for treatment against allergy and pruritus-related disease.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.30-42
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Angelica gigas Nakai extract(AGNE) and Bacillus polyfermenticus KJS-2 (BP2) on atopic dermatitis (AD) induced by 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in mice. Methods: In the experiment, we divided mice into four groups: a control group, a DNCB group, an AGNE group, and an AGNE+BP2 group. Then we examined the changes in scratching frequency, clinical aspects on dorsum skin, immunoglobulin (IgE), cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6) and expression of COX-2. Resutls: From the experiment, the scratching frequency was significantly dropped in AGNE group and AGNE+BP2 group. Clinical observations of dorsum skin, there were a severe keratotic lesion and drop of dead skin cell in DNCB group, but symptoms of AD were decreased 39.6% in AGNE group and 49.6% in AGNE+BP2 group during 3 weeks. IgE, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 were decreased significantly in both AGNE and AGNE+BP2 group. Expression of COX-2 was also decreased significantly in both groups. Conclusions: In conclusion, these data suggest that AGNE can decrease symptoms of AD and BP2 makes AGNE more effective. So AGNE can be useful herbal therapy for AD.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2011

Voltage dependent calcium channel (VDCC), one of the most important regulator of $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in neuron, play an essential role in the central processing of nociceptive information. The present study investigated the antinociceptive effects of L, T or N type VDCC blockers on the formalin-induced orofacial inflammatory pain. Experiments were carried out on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 220-280 g. Anesthetized rats were individually fixed on a stereotaxic frame and a polyethylene (PE) tube was implanted for intracisternal injection. After 72 hours, 5% formalin ($50 \;{\mu}L$) was applied subcutaneously to the vibrissa pad and nociceptive scratching behavior was recorded for nine successive 5 min intervals. VDCC blockers were administered intracisternally 20 minutes prior to subcutaneous injection of formalin into the orofacial area. The intracisternal administration of 350 or $700{\mu}g$ of verapamil, a blocker of L type VDCC, significantly decreased the number of scratches and duration in the behavioral responses produced by formalin injection. Intracisternal administration of 75 or $150 \;{\mu}g$ of mibefradil, a T type VDCC blocker, or 11 or $22\; {\mu}g$ of cilnidipine, a N type VDCC blocker, also produced significant suppression of the number of scratches and duration of scratching in the first and second phase. Neither intracisternal administration of all VDCC blockers nor vehicle did not affect in motor dysfunction. The present results suggest that central VDCCs play an important role in orofacial nociceptive transmission and a targeted inhibition of the VDCCs is a potentially important treatment approach for inflammatory pain originating in the orofacial area.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.122-125
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• 2005

Paraquat, is a widely used for its great effect as a herbicide. But the mortality rate by paraquat intoxication is known to be very high. It is thought to act by changing form to superoxide and peroxide free radical. Almost paraquat intoxication is through ingestion. A few intoxication of paraquat is through skin absorption. But there was no known death case through skin absorption. We experienced a case of a expired patient by paraquat intoxication through skin abrasion and scratching wound. A 75-year-old man was visited emergency room after motorcycle accident during transporting paraquat. He has multiple abrasion and scratching wound on extremities, and pelvic bone fracture. There was no evidence of ingestion of paraquat. But serum/urine gramoxone level was all positive. In spite of wound irrigation and hemoperfusion, his condition was been gone form bed to worse. 2 days after, multiple organ failure and the respiratory arrest were developed and he was expired. Paraquat intoxication through skin wound is extremely dangerous and death by that could possibly happen

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2015

This study investigated the clinical parameters of atopic dermatitis and evaluated the inhibitory effects of Black currant seed oil for atopic dermatitis by using a Dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB) induced BALB/c mice model. Five-week-old BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: normal group (N, non-treated), control group (C, atopic dermatitis-induced), positive control group (PC, Tacrolimus ointment-treated against induced atopic dermatitis, PC), experiment group (E, Black currant seed oil-treated against induced atopic dermatitis). After induction of atopic dermatitis by DNCB, the erythema, edema, eschar, and scratching were severely observed. The symptoms of atopic dermatitis were improved after 2 weeks, and almost disappeared after 4 weeks in PC and E group. The increased frequencies of scratching in C group were decreased in PC and E group. Transepidermal water loss, erythema index and serum IgE level were significantly decreased in E and PC compared to that in C after 4 weeks of the treatment. The results indicated that Black currant seed oil can relieve atopic dermatitis symptoms effectively, and may be possibly used as a functional material for suppression of atopic dermatitis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.211-216
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• 2009

To understand the relationship between the metabolism of wogonoside from the rhizome of Scutellaria baicalensis, and its anti-pruritic effect, we anaerobically incubated it with human fecal microflora, identified its metabolite identified, and investigated its anti-pruritic effect in compound 48/80 or histamineinduced pruritic mice. Wogonoside was metabolized to wogonin, with metabolic activity of $6.9{\pm}5.1\;nmol/h/mg$ wet weight of fecal microflora. Orally administered wogonoside had more potent anti-scratching behavioral effect in compound 48/80 or histamine-treated mice than intraperitoneally treated one, apart from orally administered its metabolite, wogonin, which was more potent than the orally administered one. Wogonoside showed more potent anti-pruritic effects when administered at 5 h prior to the pruritic agent treatment than when administered at 1 h before. However, wogonin orally administered 1 h before the treatment with pruritic agents showed a more potent anti-pruritic effect than when treated at 5 h before. Orally administered wogonoside may be metabolized to wogonin in the intestine and its anti-scratching behavioral effect may be dependent on its metabolism by intestinal microflora.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.231-242
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• 2016

This study was conducted to evaluate the synergistic protective effects of mixtures of corn silk, perilla leaf and grape stem extract (CPG mixture) against UVB-induced skin damage and compound 48/80-induced pruritus in mice. The results showed that treatment with CPG mixture exhibited much stronger suppressive effect on erythema and melanin index as well as melanin formation than treatment with ascorbic acid (AA) in UVB-irradiated mice. Moreover, the treatment with CPG mixture showed ameliorative effect on immune cell infiltration and collagen fiber destruction in UV-irradiated mice. The treatment with CPG mixture inhibited glutathione (GSH) depletion, lipid peroxidation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in UVB-irradiated mice. Furthermore, the treatment with CPG mixture inhibited compound 48/80-induced scratching behavior and histological changes in mice. Taken together, these results indicated that CPG mixture has potentials as functional and therapeutic materials against skin damage and itch-related skin diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.16-27
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• 2011

Objective : To investigate the effects of Pyeongwi-san-gamibang on atopic dermatitis, this study measured TEWL(transepidermal water loss), observed scratching behaviors and checked levels of Total IgE, IL-4, IFN-${\gamma}$ and conducted skin biopsy on NC/Nga mice with atopic dermatitis. Methods : NC/Nga mice were challenged with DNCB during 5 weeks to develop atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions. The NC/Nga mice with atopic dermatitis were divided into three groups of control group, PW-d, PW-e group. Once a day for 22 days, Pyeongwi-san-GamiBang extract with water was administered for the PW-d group and the extract with 80% ethanol was administered for PW-e group compared with saline solution for control group. During drug administration, sensitization by DNCB had lasted for three times per week. Results : 1. TEWL had no statistical difference among 3 groups. 2. The scratching behaviors had no statistical difference among 3 groups. 3. The levels of Total IgE in PW-d, PW-e group had a statistically significantly higher than that of the control group although difference between the control group and the PW-d, PW-e group were similar. 4. The level of IL-4 had no statistical difference among 3 groups. 5. The level of IFN-${\gamma}$ had no statistical difference among 3 groups. 6. As the observation of toluidine blue stained lesion, both PW-d and PW-e group had lower level of histamine releasement compared with the control group. Conclusion : Result based on these experiments, Pyeongwi-san-GamiBang on atopic dermatitis-like skin inflammation in NC/Nga mice is not effective. But, as the study showed significantly individual differece, we need to repeat these study after supplementing the object number and modified indicator of clinical severity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.827-837
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• 2019

The present study was conducted with the aim to investigate the ameliorative effects of a new soybean product (cheonggukjang) fermented with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SCGB1 (SFBA) in atopic dermatitis (AD) mouse model. Visual evaluation of AD induction in the mice indicated the remarkable control of SFBA in reducing the pathological severity of AD-like skin lesions reported as the SCORAD score of AD clinical symptoms. The results revealed that SFBA reduced dorsal skin and epidermal thickness to a similar extent with prednisolone. Further analysis revealed the dominance of SFBA in restraining mast cell infiltration in the dermis; immunoglobulin-E expression in serum; and TH2 IL-4 cytokine and itch-related IL-31 cytokine in the mice skin and serum. SFBA also suppressed scratching behaviours in mice induced by compound 48/80. Further histological findings also revealed the alleviation of collagen fiber deposition in dermal skin of the AD mice model. These actions of SFBA were examined to be mediated by its suppression of the phosphorylation activation of key signalling molecules such as $NF-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK responsible for the induction of cytokine production. Thus, SFBA can be considered as a promising functional food for managing clinical, histological and immunological spectra associated with AD.