Clinical efficacy of herbal extract cream on the skin hydration, elasticity, thickness, and dermis density for aged skin: A randomized controlled double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: Traditional medicine herbal prescriptions used for the treatment of skin disease have been developed into cosmetics. Sang-Hyul-Yun-Boo-Em (SHYBE) is a mixed herbal formula prescribed for patients with yin or blood deficiency patterns of skin disease. A previous study reported that SHYBE exercises anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects. To date, no study has reported the efficacy of cosmetics containing the SHYBE extract. AIMS: To observe the efficacy of SHYBE extract cream on hydration, elasticity, thickness, and dermis density in aged skin. METHODS: This was a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled parallel-group trial. The trial consisted of an 8-week topical application of the test or placebo products with two visits at 4-week intervals. A total of 46 healthy Korean females, aged 40-59, were enrolled in this study. Objective skin assessments for hydration, elasticity, thickness and dermis density, self-assessment, and safety assessment were conducted. RESULTS: Sang-Hyul-Yun-Boo-Em extract cream improved skin hydration, elasticity, and dermal density in Asian middle-aged females compared with placebo cream, which excluded SHYBE extract and contained other cosmetic materials. CONCLUSIONS: Sang-Hyul-Yun-Boo-Em extract cream showed anti-aging properties in middle-aged women. It could be recommended for aging skin with dryness, and loss of elasticity and density.

Ameliorative effect of atractylenolide III in the mast cell proliferation induced by TSLP.

Atractylenolide III (ATL-III) is an active compound of Atractylodes lancea, which has been widely used for the treatment of cancer. Cancer is closely connected with inflammation, and many anti-inflammatory agents are also used to treat cancer. We investigated the influence of ATL-III on thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)-induced inflammatory reactions. Pretreatment with ATL-III suppressed murine double minute 2 levels and promoted p53 levels in TSLP-treated human mast cell, HMC-1 cells. Mast cell proliferation increased by TSLP or IL-3 stimulation was significantly decreased by ATL-III pretreatment. Interleukin (IL)-13 and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, 5, and 6 levels in TSLP-treated HMC-1 cells were also decreased by ATL-III pretreatment. In addition, ATL-III decreased the TSLP-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-8). ATL-III decreased the levels of Bcl2 and procaspase-3 and increased caspase-3 activation and cleaved PARP levels. Furthermore, ATL-III decreased TSLP-induced mast cell proliferation and the production of inflammatory cytokine by LAD2 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that ATL-III plays a useful role as an anti-inflammatory agent and should be viewed as a potential anti-cancer agent.

Inhibitory effect of imperatorin on insulin-like growth factor-1-induced sebum production in human sebocytes cultured in vitro.

AIMS: Acne is a common skin disease that originates in the sebaceous gland. The pathogenesis of acne is very complex, involving the increase of sebum production and perifollicular inflammation. In this study, we screened the anti-lipogenic material and demonstrated its effect using cultured human sebocytes. MAIN METHODS: Normal human sebocytes were cultured by explanting the sebaceous glands. To evaluate the anti-lipogenic effect, sebocytes were treated with test materials and (14)C-acetate incorporation assay was performed. KEY FINDINGS: To screen the anti-lipogenic materials, we tested the effect of many herbal plant extracts. We found that Angelica dahurica extract inhibited the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-induced sebum production in terms of squalene synthesis in sebocytes. Furthermore, imperatorin isolated from A. dahurica showed remarkable inhibitory effect on squalene production as well as squalene synthase promoter activity. To investigate the putative action mechanism, we tested the effect of imperatorin on intracellular signaling. The results showed that imperatorin inhibited IGF-1-induced phosphorylation of Akt. In addition, imperatorin significantly down-regulated PPAR-γ and SREBP-1, the important transcription factors for lipid synthesis. SIGNIFICANCE: These results suggest that imperatorin has a potential for reducing sebum production in sebocytes, and can be applicable for acne treatment.

Anticholinesterase activity of plastoquinones from Sargassum sagamianum: lead compounds for Alzheimer's disease therapy.

During the search for anticholinesterase compounds from marine organisms, two known plastoquinones, sargaquinoic acid (1) and sargachromenol (2), were isolated from Sargassum sagamianum. Both compounds showed moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity in a micromole range (IC(50) 23.2 and 32.7 microm, respectively). However, for butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), a new target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), compound 1 showed particularly potent inhibitory activity (IC(50) 26 nm), which is 1000-fold greater than for AChE. Hence, sargaquinoic acid represents an effective and selective inhibitor of BuChE with a potency similar to or greater than the anticholinesterases in current clinical use, making it an interesting potential drug candidate for AD.

Inhibition of mast cell-dependent allergy reaction by extract of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa).

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) has been used as therapeutics for pain and inflammation in Korean folk medicine. The potential effects of black cohosh extract (BCE) on mast cell-dependent allergy reaction, however, have not been well elucidated yet. In the present study, we investigated the effect of BCE on the allergy reaction using mast cell-dependent in vivo and in vitro models. BCE showed no potential of skin sensitization in local lymph node assay (LLNA). The oral administration of BCE significantly inhibited the anti-IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. BCE also showed inhibitory potential on the compound 48/80-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. In addition, BCE inhibited the IL-4, IL-5 and TNF-alpha mRNA induction by PMA and A23187 in human leukemia mast cells, HMC-1. These results demonstrated that BCE has an anti-allergic potential and it may be due to the inhibition of histamine release and cytokine gene expression in the mast cells.

Anti-allergic action of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) grain extract.

The anti-allergic action of buckwheat grain extract (BGE) was investigated using rodent experimental models. The oral, intraperitoneal and intradermal administration of BGE significantly inhibited the compound 48/80-induced vascular permeability documented by Evans blue extravasation. In addition, BGE showed potent inhibitory effect on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) activated by anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE when orally administered. In an in vitro study, BGE revealed to possess inhibitory potential on the compound 48/80-induced histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC). Moreover, BGE inhibited the IL-4 and TNF-alpha mRNA induction by PMA and A23187 in human leukemia mast cells, HMC-1. Taken together, these results suggest that anti-allergic action of BGE may be due to the inhibition of histamine release and cytokine gene expression in the mast cells.

The hair growth promoting effect of Sophora flavescens extract and its molecular regulation.

In search of natural extracts for hair growth, we found that the extract of dried root of Sophora flavescens has outstanding hair growth promoting effect. After topical application of Sophora flavescens extract onto the back of C57BL/6 mice, the earlier conversion of telogen-to-anagen was induced. The growth of dermal papilla cells cultured in vitro, however, was not affected by Sophora flavescens extract treatment. RT-PCR analysis showed that Sophora flavescens extract induced mRNA levels of growth factors such as IGF-1 and KGF in dermal papilla cells, suggesting that the effects of Sophora flavescens extract on hair growth may be mediated through the regulation of growth factors in dermal papilla cells. In addition, the Sophora flavescens extract revealed to possess potent inhibitory effect on the type II 5alpha-reductase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that Sophora flavescens extract has hair growth promoting potential and can be used for hair growing products.