• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2017

Vitiligo is an intriguing depigmentary disorder and is notoriously difficult to be treated. The ultimate goal of vitiligo treatment is to replenish the lost melanocytes by immigration from hair follicle and to restore the normal function of melanogenesis by residual melanocytes. There are two types of topical calcineurin inhibitors called tacrolimus and pimecrolimus, and are recommended as the first-line treatments in vitiligo. Although pimecrolimus is efficacious for the repigmentation of vitiligo, its intrinsic mechanisms have never been investigated in vitro. This research aimed to study the ability of pimecrolimus on stimulating melanogenesis, melanocyte migration and MITF (microphthalmia associated transcription factor) protein expression. Results showed that pimecrolimus at the dosages of 1, 10, $10^2$nM were neither mitogenic nor cytotoxic to melanocytes. The addition of pimecrolimus at 10, $10^2$ and $10^3nM$ significantly increased intracellular tyrosinase activity, which was consistent with the elevated content of melanin content at the same concentrations. The peak effect was seen at 72 h in response to $10^2$nM pimecrolimus. Results of the wound scratch assay and Transwell assays indicate that pimecrolimus is effective in facilitating melanocyte migration on a collagen IV-coated surface. In addition, MITF protein yield reached the highest by pimecrolimus at $10^2nM$. In brief, pimecrolimus enhances melanin synthesis as well as promotes migration of melanocytes directly, possibly via their effects on MITF protein expression.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2024

A two-year-old, spayed female, 22.5 kg Pungsan was referred with chronic crusts and erosion on the nose. A referring veterinarian prescribed an anti-inflammatory dose (0.5-1 mg/kg/day) of oral glucocorticoids for 5 months, but skin lesions showed no meaningful improvement. A dermatological evaluation revealed a crust, depigmentation, erosion, and erythematous lesion over the nasal planum with a loss of the normal cobblestone texture. Also, firm and multifocal plaques over the thigh, groin, axilla, and dorsum were detected. A cytology examination on the nose, thigh, groin, axilla, and dorsum revealed moderate neutrophilic inflammation and bacterial infection. Abdominal radiography and ultrasonography revealed subcutaneous calcified materials along the thigh, groin, axilla, and dorsum. Calcinosis cutis was suspected because of the adverse effect of previous prolonged corticosteroid therapy. A histopathology examination of the nose lesion revealed moderate to severe degenerative or apoptotic changes of the basal layer and lymphoplasmacytic interface dermatitis. Facial discoid lupus erythematosus (FDLE) was diagnosed based on the history and the clinical, cytological, and histopathological results. Minocycline (7 mg/kg PO q 12 h) and niacinamide (500 mg/dog PO q 12 h) were prescribed as initial treatment. Glucocorticoids were not administered due to the presence of calcinosis cutis induced by previous corticosteroid treatment. After 6 weeks of treatment, the clinical signs on the nose were mildly improved. At this time, topical 1% pimecrolimus cream (twice daily) was initiated, while minocycline and niacinamide were continued at the same dose. The nasal planum markedly improved after 6 weeks of additional treatment, hence minocycline and niacinamide were prescribed for an additional 2 weeks and stopped, and the patient was continued solely on topical pimecrolimus. The dog's skin lesion has been maintained in clinical remission with topical 1% pimecrolimus twice daily for more than 5 months.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2003

아스코마이신(ascomycin)의 macrolactam 유도체인 피메크로리무스(pimecrolimus; 엘리델 [Elidel], SDZ ASM 981; Novartis Pharma AG, 바젤, 스위스)는 세포선택성을 지닌 염증성 사이토카인(cytokines) 억제제로서 아토피피부염, 알레르기성 접촉피부염, 자극성 접촉피부염 및 판형 건선 등 염증성 피부질환의 치료제로 개발되었다. T세포와 비만세포의 염증성 사이토카인 생산 분비를 억제하고 사전 형성된 염증성 매개물질의 비만 세포 분비를 저해한다. 국소 투여된 피메크로리무스는 알레르기성 접촉피부염(allergic contact dermatitis [ACD]) 돼지 모델에서 고역가 코르티코스테로이드 클로베타졸-17-propionate(corticosteroid clobetasol-17-propionate)와 동등한 효과를 나타낸다. 하지만 피메크로리무스는 클로베타졸과는 달리 피부 위축을 일으키지 않는다. 경구 투여시 피메크로리무스는 마우스와 랫트 ACD 치료에 있어서 타크로림무스(tacrolimus [FK 506])와 동등한 혹은 더 우수한 효과를 나타낸다. 또한 피메크로리무스는 아토피피부염 급성 징후 유사 모델인 저마그네슘 혈증 탈모 랫트(hypomagnesemic hairless rat)의 피부 염증과 소양증을 효과적으로 감소시킨다. 피메크로리무스는 랫트에서 다음과 같은 측면의 전신 면역반응 손상 효과가 타크로리무스 와 비교하여 낮게 평가된다: (1)국소 이식편대 숙주 반응, (2)양(sheep) 적혈구에 대한 항체 형성, (3)신장이식. 시험관내 평가시 돼지 피부를 통한 피메크로리무스 투과 속도가 타크로리무스보다 10배 낮게 측정되므로 생체에서 경피 흡수가 더 적게 될 것으로 판단된다. 상기 자료로 판단컨대 피메크로 리무스는 피부에 대한 항염증 활성이 높을 뿐 아니라 전신 면역반응 손상 부작용이 낮은것으로 사료된다.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2012

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of preceding the development of allergic disorders. The incidence of AD is increasing and it causes problems with administrative costs. Therefore, no side effects, easyto- use development of AD treatment is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PBMCAT, a functional extract from herbal complex was effective to treat the AD mice. AD was induced by patching ovoalbumin on the backside in BALB/ c mouse and then mice were topically treated with PBMCAT. Elidel $cream^{(R)}$ (pimecrolimus, PL) was used as a control. Scratching counts (SC) and clinical skin severity (CSS) were measured, and total serum IgE level was also measured. After inducing AD, SC and CSS were increased. The total serum IgE level was also increased in AD-induced mice. Treatment with PBMCAT significantly decreased SC, CSS, and serum IgE concentration in mice. Especially, treatment of PBMCAT 0.1% in BALB/c mice more effected than PL. These results suggest that the ointment of PBMCAT may enhance the process of AD healing by influencing phase of allergic reacting.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.92-98
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• 2012

This study was conducted to determine if YJ-1, a novel herbal complex from a mixture of six oriental herbs (Hydnocarpi Semen, Sesami Semen, Dictamni Radicis Cortex, Momordicae Semen, Xanthii Fructus, and Sophorae Radix), has therapeutic properties for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Using AD like symptom-induced NC/Nga mice by 1-chloro 2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), the effectiveness of YJ-1 on AD was evaluated. Elidel cream$^{(R)}$ (1% pimecrolimus) was used as a control. Dermal application of YJ-1 reduced major clinical signs of AD such as erythema, pruritus, lichenification, edema/escoriations, and dryness. Interestingly, YJ-1 more improved AD-related symptoms including decrease of spleen weight, IL-4, and IgE level in the serum as well as reduction of scratching counts and clinical skin severity in the NC/Nga AD mouse model. Especially, treatment of YJ-1 at 20% in NC/Nga mice more effected than Elidel cream. These results suggest that the ointment of YJ-1 may enhance the process of AD healing by alleviating allergic reaction and has potential for therapeutic reagent for the treatment of AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.1-14
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of Syzygium aromaticum (SAE) spread on the allergic contact dermatitis caused by 2,4-dinitro-chlorobezene (DNCB). Methods : Forty-two mice were divided into six groups ; normal, negative control (DNCB-treated), positive control (DNCB + 1% pimecrolimus), experimental group I, II and III. control and experimental groups were induced allergic contact dermatitis by DNCB. Experimental group I(DNCB + 0.2% SAE), II(DNCB + 1% SAE) and III(DNCB + 5% SAE) were spread SAE and positive control was spread the 1% pimecrolimus. In this study, effect of SAE on clinical aspects on the skin, histopathological change, the blood level of IgE, cytokines, histamine were investigated. In addition, effect of SAE on spleen $CD4^+/CD8^+$ T cell subset was investigated. Results : 1. In experimental group I, II and III, erythemas and edema were more reduced than negative control. 2. In experimental group I, II and III inflammatory edema and the numbers of infiltrated inflammatory cells were more reduced than negative control. 3. In experimental group I, II and III, clinical skin score was more reduced than negative control. 4. In experimental group II and III, the thickness of skin was statistically significant reduced than negative control. 5. In experimental group II and III, histamine release was statistically significant reduced than negative control in dose-dependantly. 6. In experimental group II and III, cytokines (IL-1${\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) were statistically significant reduced than negative control in dose-dependantly. 7. In experimental group I, II and III, the level of total IgE was statistically significant reduced than negative control in dose-dependantly. 8. In experimental group III, $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ T cells were statistically significant decreased similar to the positive control. Conclusions : According to above experiments, Syzygium aromaticum(SAE) was effective on allergic contact dermatitis.