• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2011

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic eczema and mechanical injury to the skin, caused by scratching. Korean red ginseng (RG) has diverse biological activities, but the molecular effects of RG on allergic diseases, like AD, are unclear. The present study was designed to investigate whether RG inhibits 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD in a mouse model. DNCB was applied topically on the dorsal surface of Balb/c mice to induce AD-like skin lesions. We observed the scratching behavior and examined the serum IgE level and interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 in splenocytes compared with dexamethasone. We also evaluated the DNCB-induced mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), NF-${\kappa}B$, and Ikaros activities after RG treatment using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and ELISA. Our data showed that the topical application of RG significantly improved the AD-like skin lesions and scratching behavior. RG decreased not only the mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-10, but also the secretion of IL-4 protein and serum IgE in mice. Additionally, RG treatment decreased the DNCB-induced MAPKs activity and subsequent Ikaros translocation irrespective of NF-${\kappa}B$. We suggest that RG may be useful as a therapeutic nutrition for the treatment of AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.19 no.3 s.31
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• pp.34-54
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• 2006

The effects of four extracts of medicinal herbs, Rubus coreanum, Acorus calamus, Morus alba and Rehmannia glutinosa on hair growth activity and acnes control were investigated. In the course of screening natural extracts for hair growth, we found that the extract of dried root of Rubus coreanum has the hair growth promoting effect. After topical application of these extracts to the back of C57BL/6 mice, the earlier conversion of telogen-to-anagen phase was induced. The growth of dermal papilla cells and mouse vibrissae hair follicle cultured in vitro, however, was not affected by treatment of these extracts. Furthermore these extracts do not possesspotent inhibitory effect on $5{\alpha}-reductase$ I and II activity and anti-bacterial effect on Escherichia coli , Propionibacterium acnes, Pityrosporum ovale, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidemidis, and Candida albicans. RT-PCR analysis showed that these extracts did notinduce mRNA levels of growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-I, keratinocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in dermal papilla cells. These results suggest that Rubus coreanum has hair growth promoting effect. However, the effects of these materials on the hair growth promotion are not mediated through inhibition of $5{\alpha}-reductase$ I and II activity, stimulation of hair follicle cells and expression of growth factors in the dermal papilla cells.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.445-448
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• 2006

Purpose: The nose is the most prominent skeletal feature of the face and is thus prone to frequent injury. Closed reduction of nasal bone fractures can be performed under general or local anesthesia. However, the benefits and the drawbacks in either form of anesthesia chosen are seldom perceived by the surgeon. A retrospective study was performed to assess the differences in the outcome among the two groups subjected to surgery under different type of anesthesia and to introduce our method of local anesthesia and its adequacy. Methods: Two hundred and fifteen patients during a 2-year period were included in the study. 2% Lidocaine mixed with 1:100,000 epinephrine was injected on the anterior ethmoid nerve and the periosteum. Assessment factors included intra-operative adequacy of analgesia, post-operative analgesic requirement and functional and aesthetic outcome of surgery. Results: 19 patients were manipulated under general anesthesia and 196 patients were manipulated under local anesthesia on the anterior ethmoidal nerve and dorsal periosteum. No statistically signigicant variable in performance of surgery could be attributed to the mode of anesthesia employed(p > 0.05). Four patients experienced complications after reduction. One developed septal deviation and three nasal obstruction. But, no secondary operations were needed. Conclusion: Anterior ethmoidal nerve block and dorsal periosteal injection of 2% Xylocaine, combined with topical intranasal 4% lidocaine and epinephrine provided sufficient analgesia comparable to that of general anesthesia.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.643-648
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• 2012

Background Aggressive treatment of sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) infection involves systemic antibiotics, surgical drainage and resection if indicated. The purpose of this paper is to describe a classification of post resectional SCJ defects and highlight our reconstructive algorithm. Defects were classified into A, where closure was possible often with the aid of topical negative pressure dressing; B, where parts of the manubrium, calvicular head, and first rib were excised; and C, where both clavicular, first ribs and most of the manubrium were resected. Methods Twelve patients (age range, 42 to 72 years) over the last 8 years underwent reconstruction after SCJ infection. There was 1 case of a type A defect, 10 type B defects, and 1 type C defect. Reconstruction was performed using the pectoralis major flap in 6 cases (50%), the latissimus dorsi flap in 4 cases (33%), secondary closure in 1 case and; the latissimus and the rectus flap in 1 case. Results All wounds healed uneventfully with no flap failure. Nine patients had good shoulder motion. Three patients with extensive clavicular resection had restricted shoulder abduction and were unable to abduct their arm past $90^{\circ}$. Internal and external rotation were not affected. Conclusions We highlight our reconstructive algorithm which is summarised as follows: for an isolated type B SCJ defect we recommend the ipsilateral pectoralis major muscle for closure. For a type C bilateral defect, we suggest the latissimum dorsi flap. In cases of extensive infection where the thoracoacromial and internal mammary vessels are thrombosed, the pectoralis major and rectus abdominus cannot be used; and the latissimus dorsi flap is chosen.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.395-401
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• 2016

Background Some of the relatively newer, more efficacious, and potent topical wound dressing solutions include tetrachlorodecaoxide and super-oxidised solution. This study compares the efficacy and safety of these two drugs. Methods This is a block-randomised, double blind, parallel-arm, post-marketing study. One hundred fifty patients with ulcers (75 blocks uniform for sex, ulcer aetiology, diabetes mellitus, and wound area score) were randomised into the two treatment arms. Patients were observed for eight weeks with weekly assessments. One hundred and twenty patients completed the study. Wound healing was objectively assessed by measurement of wound area, scoring of wound exudation and tissue type, and using the pressure ulcer scale of healing Tool (validated for multiple wound aetiologies). Subjective improvement in pain was noted using a visual analogue scale. Both groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test on all indicators. Results Difference in change in wound tissue type in the two groups was significant (${\alpha}$=0.05) by intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis at the end of week two (ITT and PP, P<0.001) and week four (ITT, P=0.010; PP, P=0.009). P-values for other comparisons were not significant (P>0.05). No study-related adverse events were observed. Conclusions Both drugs are efficacious. Tetrachlorodecaoxide yields healthy granulation tissue earlier. Both drugs appear to be safe for application.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.428-435
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• 2006

Cortex Mori radicis has been used as a components of antidiabetics, antiasthma and diuresis in Oriental Medicine. This experiment examined the effect of an extracts, obtained from the acetone(CM-A) and aqueous(CM-W) extracts of Cortex Mori radicis, on hair growing activity of the C57BL/6N mice after topical application to skin. We investigated the number of hair follicle and mast cells, and changes of subpopulation of splenocytes and thymocytes in skin for 16 day. The results were as follows : The Hair growing effect in experimental groups was more increased in 85%(CM-A) and 90%(CM-W) than control group(10%) in hair depilated area. The number of hair follicle in experimental groups(CM-A and CM-W) was more increased than control group. Splenic B/T lymphocytes of CM-A group were decreased compare to control group. CD4/CD8 positive TH cells in splenic T lymphocytes of CM-W group were increased compare to control group. These results suggest that CM-A and CM-W may be used in treatment of alopecia areata.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of charge carrier lipid on the skin penetration, retention, and hair growth of topically applied finasteride-containing liposomes. Finasteride-containing liposomes were prepared by traditional thin film hydration method using Phospholipon$^{(R)}$ 85 G and cholesterol with or without charge carrier lipid (1,2 dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate or 1,2-dioleoyl-trimethylammonium-propane for anionic and cationic charge, respectively). Freshly prepared finasteride-containing liposome suspension was applied on the hairless mouse skin, and skin penetration and retention were measured using Keshary-Chien diffusion cell. Non-liposomal formulation (ethanol 10% solution containing 0.5 mg/ml of FNS) was also used as a control. The amount of finasteride in the diffusion cell and mouse skin was measured by HPLC. The hair growth was evaluated using depilated male C57BL/6N mice. Mean particle size of all finasteride-containing liposomes was less than a micron, and polydispersity index revealed size homogeneity. Skin penetration and retention studies showed that significantly less amount of finasteride was penetrated when applied as anionic liposome while more amount of the drug was retained. Specifically, in liposome prepared with 10% anionic charge carrier lipid, penetration was 12.99 ${\mu}g/cm^2$ while retention was 79.23 ${\mu}g/cm^2$ after 24 h of application. In hair growth study, finasteride-containing anionic liposomes showed moderate efficacy, but the efficacy was not found when applied as cationic liposomes. In conclusion, topical application of finasteride using anionic liposome formulation appears to be useful option for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia to avoid systemic side effects of the drug.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.438-444
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• 2014

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold. (B. kazinoki) has long been used in the manufacture of paper in Asian countries. Although B. kazinoki leaves (BK) have been employed in dermatological therapy, use of BK has not been tested in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Using Nc/Nga mice, which are genetically predisposed to develop AD-like skin lesions, we confirmed the efficacy of BK in AD treatment. BK extract was applied topically to Dermatophagoides farinae-induced AD-like lesions in Nc/Nga mice, and the effects were assessed both clinically and by measuring skin thickness on the back and ears. We measured the effects of BK extract on plasma levels of IgE and IL-4. We also measured the ability of BK extract to inhibit the secretion of hTARC in HaCaT cells after stimulation by TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$. We found that BK extract significantly reduced ear and dorsal skin thickness and the clinical signs of AD, as well as significantly down-regulating the plasma levels of IgE and IL-4 (p<0.01 for each comparison). Moreover, $500{\mu}g/mL$ of BK extract inhibited hTARC secretion in HaCaT cells by activated TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$ by about 87%. These findings suggest that topical application of BK extract has excellent potential in the treatment of AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.431-437
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• 2014

Synthetic compounds that are used in the clinic to regulate skin hyperpigmentation, such as arbutin, hydroquinone, and kojic acid, are only moderately effective. But, their use is limited by side effects. As part of an effort to overcome the limitations, we developed resveratrol-enriched rice (RR) using genetic engineering technique. Each of resveratrol and rice has been reported to produce anti-melanogenic effects. Therefore, we hypothesized that RR would show more anti-melanogenic effects than those of resveratrol or rice alone. Anti-melanogenic effect of RR was done by using melan-a mouse melanocytes. The depigmenting efficacy was then observed following topical application of the RR to UVB-stimulated hyperpigmented dorsal skin of guinea pigs. Treatment with RR extract resulted a $21.4{\pm}0.7%$ decrease in tyrosinase expression at melan-a cells. Colorimetric analysis showed a significantly lower depigmenting value by day 9 following treatment with RR in UVB-irradiated guinea pigs the dorsal skin (p<0.01), indicating that RR produced a depigmentation effect. By staining with Fontana-Masson stain, we found that the RR-treated group had more effect histopathologically in epidermal melanin production than resveratrol or rice alone-treated group. RR was associated with reduction in the levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), and downregulation of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein (TRP-2) expression, leading to inhibit epidermal melanin production by western blot analysis. This study suggests that the resveratrol-enriched rice may be a promising candidate in regulating skin pigmentation with UVB exposure.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.470-475
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• 2013

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major environmental factor that leads to acute and chronic reactions in the human skin. UV exposure induces wrinkle formation, DNA damage, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Most mechanistic studies of skin physiology and pharmacology related with UV-irradiated skin have focused on proteins and their related gene expression or single-targeted small molecules. The present study identified and analyzed the alteration of skin metabolites following UVB irradiation and topical retinyl palmitate (RP, 5%) treatment in hairless mice using direct analysis in real time (DART) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) with multivariate analysis. Under the negative ion mode, the DART ion source successfully ionized various fatty acids including palmitoleic and linolenic acid. From DART-TOF-MS fingerprints measured in positive mode, the prominent dehydrated ion peak (m/z: 369, M+H-$H_2O$) of cholesterol was characterized in all three groups. In positive mode, the discrimination among three groups was much clearer than that in negative mode by using multivariate analysis of orthogonal partial-least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). DART-TOF-MS can ionize various small organic molecules in living tissues and is an efficient alternative analytical tool for acquiring full chemical fingerprints from living tissues without requiring sample preparation. DART-MS measurement of skin tissue with multivariate analysis proved to be a powerful method to discriminate between experimental groups and to find biomarkers for various experiment models in skin dermatological research.