• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.533-542
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• 2010

Skin aging is a natural phenomenon. There are internal and external factors of skin aging. The internal factor of skin aging is from the wearing down of the body over time. The external factors are more noticeable from habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol, malnutrition, and extended exposure to UV rays. Completely stopping skin from aging is impossible but one can slow down and treat external signs of skin aging. In western medicine, the following methods are used to reduce the appearance of skin aging: applying lotions and creams containing ingredients such as fruit acid, antioxidants, plant exracts, depigmentation, moisturizer, retinoids, and sun block; botulinum toxin injections; chemical peels, laser and other painful methods remove the top layer of skin to promote new skin growth; fillers are injected to increase soft tissue growth; surgery. In oriental medicine, the following methods are used: acupuncture into facial muscles which stimulates acupuncture point; applying topical treatments and cosmetics containing herbs are effective of preventing skin aging and wrinkles. Above all thing, medicine that helps maintain essence and blood in the skin can be fundamental.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.536-542
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• 2022

Background: In aged skin, reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to visible aging signs. Collagens in the ECM are cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Syringaresinol (SYR), isolated from Panax ginseng berry, has various physiological activities, including anti-inflammatory action. However, the anti-aging effects of SYR via antioxidant and autophagy regulation have not been elucidated. Methods: The preventive effect of SYR on skin aging was investigated in human HaCaT keratinocytes in the presence of H₂O₂, and the keratinocyte cells were treated with SYR (0-200 ㎍/mL). mRNA and protein levels of MMP-2 and -9 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Radical scavenging activity was researched by 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays. LC3B level was assessed by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Results: SYR significantly reduced gene expression and protein levels of MMP-9 and -2 in both H₂O₂-treated and untreated HaCaT cells. SYR did not show cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. SYR exhibited DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities with an EC₅₀ value of 10.77 and 10.35 ㎍/mL, respectively. SYR elevated total levels of endogenous and exogenous LC3B in H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells. 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, counteracted the inhibitory effect of SYR on MMP-2 expression. Conclusion: SYR showed antioxidant activity and up-regulated autophagy activity in H₂O₂-stimulated HaCaT cells, lowering the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 associated with skin aging. Our results suggest that SYR has potential value as a cosmetic additive for prevention of skin aging.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7189-7193
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• 2015

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death throughout the world. Increasing life expectancy and aging population are important factors for increasing cancer incidences in developing countries. National programs are essential for prevention and control of cancer in any society. This study aimed to investigate cancer epidemiology and trends in the province of Hamadan, located in Northwest Iran. Materials and Methods: This analytical study was carried out based on cancer registry data from 2004 to 2009 in the province of Hamadan, analyzed using STATA (version 12) software for descriptive tests and Join point 4.1.1.1 software for analytical tests. Results: There were 7,767 registered cases of cancer during the 6 years studied. Of the total cases registered, 59.1% (4,592 cases) involved men and 40.9% (3,175 cases) occurred in women. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) increased from 72.9 to 132.0 in males and 48.2 to 115.0 in females during the 6 years of the study (p<0.001). The most common cancers were skin, stomach, breast, bladder, and leukemia. In women, teh most common were breast, skin, stomach, colorectal, and leukemia, in that order, and in men skin, stomach, bladder, leukemia, and prostate cancers. Conclusions: The cancer incidence is greater in men that women in this region but with increasing trends in both sexes. Planning regarding education in prevention of exposure to risk factors and control strategies is required to decrease the incident cases. Screening programs for common cancers in older age groups might be helpful to reduce the disease impact.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.59-67
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• 2021

Objectives : Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is rich in antioxidants such as flavonoids and anthocyanins and is known to have anti-inflammatory activity and anti-aging function of the skin, but there is no study on its effect on the skin barrier. This study aim to investigate the positive effect on the skin barrier by confirming the effect of water extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (WEHS) on the tight junction-related gene expression. Methods : The antioxidant efficacy of WEHS was investigated through ABTS and DPPH assays, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium was performed to examine the effect on cell viability. quantitative Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis were performed to confirm the effect of WEHS on the expression of tight junction-related genes, and immunofluorescence microscopy was used to confirm the movement of Claudin 1 protein into tight junctions. Results : WEHS showed strong antioxidant activity and induced an increase in both mRNA and protein expression levels of Claudin 1 among tight junction-related genes. The strong localization of Claudine 1 protein increased by WEHS to the tight junction was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. Conclusions : Hibiscus was confirmed through this study to show antioxidant activity and the function of promoting the expression of the tight junction Claudin 1 gene, suggesting that Hibiscus can be used as a material for the prevention and treatment of skin moisturizing and atopy, which have an important influence on tight junction.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.77-86
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• 2016

Objectives : This study aims to investigate the current situation of domestic patents in Korea on natural products and to provide directions for developing and applying herbal medicinal products by in-depth analyses. Methods : Combinations of words, such as "A61K" or "A61P", "herb" or "Korean medicinal herb" or "Korean medicine" or "traditional" or "natural" or "$botanic^*$" or "China", and "medicine" or "treatment" or "prevention" or "improvement", were used to search patents in the World Intellectual Property Service (WIPS) database. Three methods were applied to analyze natural products patents. First, the number of patent registrations was sorted by year. Second, the assignees were analyzed by count and country of origin. Finally, cluster map analysis was conducted to explore frequently emerging words in natural products and the relationship amongst those words to treat corresponding diseases/technologies. Results : Results showed that, first, the total number of patents had been increasing. Among the patents, 76.4% were registered by domestic institutes/companies, and 23.6% by foreign institutes/companies. Second, USA, Japan, and China possess a considerable number of Korean patents and, therefore, domestic institutes/companies can seek joint technological development opportunities with their counterparts from those countries in the future. Finally, a total of four clusters were identified by cluster map analysis. Each of the clusters includes natural products related to diseases involving skin, aging, and blood sugar, as well as adult diseases. Conclusions : In this study, natural products patents registered in the Korean Intellectual Property Office were analyzed. The analyses results showed the kinds of natural products that had been employed for the treatment of certain diseases. However, natural products included in existing patents were minimal given that 4,174 species of indigenous plants are found in Korea. Thus, Korean institutes/companies should utilize unexplored plants to develop more value-added drugs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.275-284
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• 2022

Background Population aging has led to an increased incidence of pressure ulcers, resulting in a social burden and economic costs. We developed a three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF) with a pressure-reducing function that can be applied topically in the early stages of pressure ulcers to prevent progression. Methods We evaluated the effects of the 3-DKF in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus pressure ulcer mouse model, and the fabric was preliminarily applied to patients. Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used for the animal experiments. In the pressure ulcer mouse model, an ischemia-reperfusion injury was created using a magnet on the dorsa of the mice. Pressure was measured with BodiTrak before and after applying the 3-DKF to 14 patients at risk of sacral pressure ulcers. Results In the 3-DKF-applied mice group, the ulcers were shallower and smaller than those in the control group. Compared with the mice in the control group, the 3-DKF group had lower platelet-derived growth factor-α and neutrophil elastase expression, as parameters related to inflammation, and increased levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin, which are related to growth factors and proliferation. Additionally, typical normal tissue staining patterns were observed in the 3-DKF group. In the preliminary clinical analysis, the average skin pressure was 26.2 mm Hg before applying the 3-DKF, but it decreased to an average of 23.4 mm Hg after 3-DKF application. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the newly developed 3-DKF was effective in preventing pressure ulcers through testing in a pressure ulcer animal model and preliminary clinical application.