Hyung-Sik Seo

Hwangryunhaedoktang in adult patients with Atopic Dermatitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-centre trial - study protocol

BackgroundAtopic Dermatitis is a chronic relapsing eczematous skin disease with increasing prevalence and rising costs. It has a clear impact on a patients quality of life. Many patients are worried about the use of usual care techniques, such as corticosteroids and antihistamine due to the widespread fear of adverse effects. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been employed to relieve symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis. Hwangryunhaedoktang is among the most strongly preferred and widely used herbal medicines for Atopic Dermatitis in Korea, as it causes very few serious adverse effects.We aim to establish basic clinical efficacy and safety data for Hwangryunhaedoktang, which is approved as an herbal medication by the Korean Food and Drug Administration, in adult patients with Atopic Dermatitis.Methods/DesignsThis study is a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled, two-centre trial with two parallel arms (Hwangryunhaedoktang and a placebo). The diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis will be made according to the criteria of Hanifin and Rajka by two different Oriental medicine doctors. We will include participants experiencing typical conditions of intermittent or continuous Atopic Eczema for six or more months. Participants will receive Hwangryunhaedoktang or a placebo-drug for eight weeks. The total duration of each arm is eleven weeks. Each participant will be examined for signs and symptoms of Atopic Dermatitis before and after taking medication. A follow-up to evaluate the maintenance of safety will be performed two weeks after the final administration of medication.DiscussionThis trial will utilize high quality trial methodologies in accordance with consolidated standards of reporting trials guidelines. It will provide evidence for the clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of Hwangryunhaedoktang in adult patients with Atopic Dermatitis. Moreover, we will also employ health-related quality of life questionnaires to assess the changes in quality of life.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN26218532

The Experimental study of safety and efficacy in using Soyeom Pharmacopuncture solution as eyedrops

Objective : This experimental study was performed to investigate the safety of Soyeom Pharmacopunture solution manufactured by extraction of alcohol and water. To identify the use of it as eyedrops, the eye irritation test of rabbits and antibacterial test of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Candida albicans was performed. Methods : 1. The eye irritation test of this material was performed according to the Regulation of Korea Food & Drug Administration(2005. 10. 21, KFDA 2005-60). After Soyeom pharmacopuncture solution was administered in the left eye of the rabbits, eye irritation of the cornea, iris and conjunctiva was observed at 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7day. 2. After administering Soyeom Pharmacopuncture solution on bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Candida albicans) which cause Keratitis, MIC(Minimum Inhibition Concentration) and the size of inhibition zone were measured. Anti-bacterial potency was also measured using the size of inhibition zone. Results : 1. After Soyeom pharmacopuncture solution was administered in the left eye of the rabbits, it was found that none of nine rabbits have abnormal signs and weight changes. 2. After Soyeom pharmacopuncture solution was medicated in the left eye of the rabbits, no eye irritation of the cornea, iris and conjunctiva was observed at 1, 2, 3, 4 & 7day. 3. There was no response to MIC on bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Candida albicans) after Soyeom pharmacopuncture solution was medicated. Conclusions : The present study suggests that Soyeom pharmacopuncture solution is a non-toxic and non-irritant medicine, which does not cause eye irritation in rabbits, but dosen`t have anti-bacterial effects on bacterial species which cause Keratitis. These study result recommends that more research on other herbal medicines of eye drop for Keratitis are required.

The Success of Thread-embedding Therapy in Generating Hair Re-growth in Mice Points to Its Possibly Having a Similar Effect in Humans.

Objectives: Recently, thread-embedding therapy (TET) has been widely applied in Korean medicine for cosmetic purposes such as reducing skin wrinkles. An inserted thread was reported to have induced continuous stimulation, followed by support for connective tissue regeneration. However, the potential role of TET in hairgrowth has not yet been reported. Methods: We designed this study to evaluate whether TET has a hair-growth-promoting effect. C57 black 6 (C57BL/6) mice were divided into three groups: normal saline-treated, minoxidil-treated, and thread-embedded groups. Normal saline or 5% minoxidil was topically sprayed on the dorsal skin of the mice once a day for 16 days. Medical threads were embedded into the dorsal skin of the mice in a single application. Hair growth activity was evaluated by using dermoscopic and microscopic observations. Sections of the dorsal skin were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Expressions of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7), and fibroblast growth factor-5 (FGF-5) were detected by using immunohistochemical staining. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was adopted to measure the messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of FGF-7 and FGF-5. Results: TET enhanced anagen development in the hair follicles of C57BL/6 mice. The expressions of BrdU and PCNA, both of which imply active cellular proliferation, were increased by using TET. Moreover, TET increased the expression of FGF-7, an anagen-inducing growth factor, while decreasing the expression of FGF-5, an anagen-cessation growth factor, both at the protein and the mRNA levels. Conclusion: TET enhanced hair re-growth in C57BL/6 mice. TET regulated the expressions of anagen-associated growth factors and activated the proliferation of hair follicular cells in depilated skin lesions. Considering its long-lasting effect, TET may be a good alternative therapeutic for the treatment of alopecia.

The Comparative Study of Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Effects with Regard to the Extraction Solvents of Cuscutae Semen

Objective : This study was performed to compare anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and anti-bacterial effects of Cuscutae Semen(CS) extracted with two kinds of solvents, ethanol and distilled water. Methods : Two kinds of CS extractions were prepared 20, 50, 100 . The cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay in Raw 264.7 cell. The anti-inflammation effect was measured by inhibitory efficacy of NO Production in Raw 264.7 cell. The anti-oxidation effect was measured by DPPH Radical scavenging ability in HaCaT cell. The anti-bacterial effect was measured by inhibition zone diameter on Propionibacterium acnes. Results : 1. Two kinds(100 ) of CS extraction groups had 50% cytotoxicity in Raw 264.7 cell. 2. All of CS extraction groups were not showed significantly inhibitory effect on NO production. 3. All of CS extracted with ethanol only showed dose-dependently significantly scavenging effect of DPPH radicals. 4. Two kinds of CS extractions did not have a inhibitory effect on Propionibactrium acnes. Conclusion : Two kinds(100 ) of CS extraction groups have 50% cytotoxicity. Two kinds of CS extractions have not the inhibitory effect on NO production and Propionibactrium acnes. CS groups extracted with ethanol only have a significantly scavenging ability of DPPH radicals. This study suggests that CS extracted with ethanol was effective in anti-oxidation.

The Experimental Study on Anti-bacterial Potency of Soyum Herbal-acupuncture on Staphylococcus aureus & Staphylococcus epidermidis

Objective : This experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of Soyum Herbal-acupuncture on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis that induce keratitis. Methods : MIC was measured by dropping to according to density Soyum Herbal-acupuncture(100%, 10%, 1%, 0.1%). Antibacterial potency was measured by the size of inhibition zone with change of volume. Results : 1. MIC on Staphylococcus aureus in Soyum Herbal-acupuncture disappear all sample. 2. MIC on Staphylococcus epidermidis in Soyum Herbal-acupuncture disappear all sample. Conclusions : The present author think that Soyum Herbal-acupuncture must be extract a new method for anti-bacterial potency.

The Experimental Study on Anti-bacterial Potency of Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-acupuncture & extract on Staphylococcus aureus & Staphylococcus epidermidis

Objective : This experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-acupuncture & extract on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis that induce keratitis. Methods : MIC was measured by dropping to according to density Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-acupuncture & extract(100%, 10%, 1%, 0.1%). Anti-bacterial potency was measured by the size of inhibition zone With change of volume. Results : 1. MIC on Staphylococcus aureus in Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-acupuncture & extract were not disappear all sample. 2. MIC on Staphylococcus epidermidis in Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-acupuncture & extract were not disappear all sample. Conclusions : The present author think that Hwangryunhaedoktang Herbal-acupuncture must be extract a new method for anti-bacterial potency.

The Comparative Study on Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant and Antibacterial Effects with Regard to the Extraction Solvents of Ligustici Rhizoma

Objective : This study was performed to compare anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and anti-bacterial effects of Ligustici Rhizoma (LR) extracted with two kinds of solvents, ethanol and distilled water. Methods : It is prepared two kinds of LR extracts 20, 50, 100 by first. MTT assay way to measure cytotoxicity is formed in Raw 264.7 cell. The anti-inflammation effect is measured by ability to inhibit production of NO in Raw 264.7 cell. The anti-oxidation effect was measured by DPPH Radical scavenging ability in HaCaT cell. The anti-bacterial effect was measured by inhibition zone diameter on Propionibacterium acnes. Results : 1. LR (20 ) extracted with ethanol was showed 80% cytotoxicity, LR (50 ) extracted with ethanol and LR (20, 50 ) extracted with water were showed 70% cytotoxicity, LR (100 ) extracted with ethanol and LR (100 ) extracted with water were showed 60% cytotoxicity in Raw 264.7 cell. 2. LR (100 ) extracted with ethanol was showed more significantly inhibitory effect on NO production than the water extraction. 3. Two kinds of LR extraction groups did not show significantly scavenging effect of DPPH radicals. 4. Two kinds of LR extractions did not have a inhibitory effect on Propionibactrium acnes. Conclusion : Two kinds of LR extracts have not cytotoxicity, statistically significant ability to scavenge DPPH radicals and effect to inhibit Propionibactrium acnes. LR extracted with ethanol only have a little effect to inhibit NO production. This study proposes that LR extracted with ethanol is more effective in anti-inflammation.

The Experimental Study on Anti-bacterial Potency of Soyum Herbal-acupuncture, Hwangryunhaedoktang & Coptidis rhizoma on Staphylococcus aureus

Objective : This experimental study was performed to investigate the effect of Soyum Herbal-acupuncture, Hwangryunhaedoktang & Coptidis rhizoma on Staphylococcus aureus that induce keratitis. Methods : MIC was measured by dropping to according to density Soyum Herbal-acupuncture, Hwangryunhaedoktang & Coptidis rhizoma(100%, 10%, 1%, 0.1%). Anti-bacterial potency was measured by the size of inhibition zone with change of volume. Results : 1. MIC on Staphylococcus aureus in Soyum Herbal-acupuncture disappear all sample. 2. MIC on Staphylococcus aureus in Hwangryunhaedoktang disappear all sample. 3. MIC on Staphylococcus aureus in Coptidis rhizoma was 100%, and anti-bacterial potency increase compare with quantity. Conclusions : The present author think that Soyum Herbal-acupuncture must be extracted a new method for anti-bacterial potency and Coptidis rhizoma was made Herbal-acupuncture for eye drops.

Kaposi's Varicelliform Eruption in Atopic Dermatitis treated with Korean medicine

Objectives: This case report is to present a complete recovery from Kaposi’s varicelliform eruption (KVE) that occurred in a patient with atopic dermatitis by applying Korean Medicine therapies. Methods: Hwangyeonhaedoktang pharmacopuncture (HP), 0.3 mL, and 25% bee venom pharmacopuncture (BVP), 0.1 mL, were injected, 0.2 mL each, at both BL13 acupoints once a day in the morning. Acupuncture was applied at Sama Upper, Middle and Lower of the Master Tung acupuncture points and at ST44 on the left lateral for 30 minutes twice a day. The affected face was gauze dressed with mixture of 2.0 mL HP and 1.0 mL 25% BVP with 20 mL of normal saline twice a day. Herbal Medicine, Seungmagalgeuntang, was administered three times a day after each meal. Results: Rashes and papules on the face were completely cleared after 10 days of treatments. Conclusion: KVE, an acute and urgent dermatitis, can be effectively treated with Korean medicine.

An Experimental Study of the Anti-oxidant and the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Alum and Burnt Alum

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Alum (AL) and Burnt Alum (BAL), which are commonly used as external ointments. Methods: Extracts of AL and BAL were classified into three groups: 20, 50, and 100 ㎎/㎕. The cytotoxicity was measured by using MTT assays in human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). The anti-oxidant effect was measured by using the DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) radical scavenger. The anti-inflammatory effect was measured by using the inhibitory efficacy for the amount of nitric-oxide (NO) produced in mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). Results: BAL showed a higher level of cytotoxicity than AL. The AL groups showed a concentration-dependent scavenging effect on DPPH radicals, but no significant relevance was found. The BAL groups showed a concentration-dependent scavenging effect on DPPH radicals. The scavenging effects of the BAL groups were almost insignificant, but the values for the 20, 50, and 100 ㎍/㎖ trials were different. The BAL groups showed significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on NO production, but the AL groups did not. Conclusions: AL showed an anti-oxidant effect more efficiently than BAL did, which demonstrated a superior anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, for external usage, AL must be distinguished from BAL.