Bioactivity-guided isolation of a crude extract from a culture broth of Bacillus sp. has led to the isolation of (-)-4-hydroxysattabacin (1). The inhibitory effect of (-)-4-hydroxysattabacin (1) was investigated on melanogenesis in the murine melanoma cell line, B16F10, and human melanoma cell line, MNT-1, as well as a pigmented 3D-human skin model. (-)-4-Hydroxysattabacin treatment decreased melanin contents in a dose-dependent manner in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16F10 cells. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT–PCR) demonstrated that treatment with (-)-4-hydroxysattabacin down-regulated several melanogenic genes, including tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) while their enzymatic activities were unaffected. The anti-melanogenic effects of (-)-4-hydroxysattabacin were further demonstrated in a pigmented 3D human epidermal skin model, MelanodermTM, and manifested as whitening and regression of melanocyte activation in the tissue.

Gastric syphilis has non-specific symptoms and various endoscopic and radiographic findings. Spirochetes are seen infrequently in biopsy specimens and the pathological findings are often non-specific. So it is very difficult to make a definitive diagnosis of gastric syphilis based on clinical symptoms and biopsy findings. We report the case of a gastric syphilis with neurosyphilis presented with epigastric pain. This case reminds us that gastric syphilis is one possibility in ulcerative gastric lesions.

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Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a common condition characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal fullness and epigastric pain. With the limitations of conventional Western medical treatments, symptoms often recur and lead to poor quality of life. Soyo-san (SYS) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been frequently used to treat indigestion. This protocol was designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of SYS for treating FD through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Trials will be searched from the following 11 electronic databases, up to March 2020: EMBASE, Medline (via PubMED), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Korean Medical Database (KMbase), KoreaMed, Korean Studies Information Service System (KISS), National Digital Science Library (NDSL), Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), and Citation Information by Nii (CiNii). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of SYS or modified SYS for FD will be included in this systematic review. The effects of control interventions such as placebo, no-treatment, and conventional Western medicine will be compared with those of SYS. RCTs investigating the synergetic effect of SYS and Western medicine compared with conventional Western medicine alone will also be evaluated. Two investigators will independently extract the data and assess the risk of bias in the included studies. The total clinical effective rate will be measured as the main outcome. Results: This systematic review will provide data on the use of SYS in the treatment of FD, based on indicators such as dyspepsia-related symptom score, recurrence rate, and adverse events. Conclusion: This study will determine the safety and efficacy of SYS for the treatment of FD. Review Registry Unique Identifying Number: reviewregistry969.

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is characterized by persistent and recurrent dyspeptic symptoms, such as postprandial fullness and epigastric pain. Although it is rarely severe or life-threatening, it can degrade the quality of life and cause social and economic issues. As symptoms often persist despite the treatment with conventional Western medicine, herbal medicine can be considered as an alternative for treating FD. Siho-sogan-san (SHS) is a traditional herbal formula prescribed for dyspepsia for hundreds of years. This protocol for a systematic review was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SHS for the treatment of FD through a meta-analysis. Methods: Studies will be searched from the following electronic databases up to March 2020: Embase, MEDLINE (via PubMED), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Korean Medical Database, KoreaMed, Korean Studies Information Service System, National Digital Science Library, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, and Citation Information by Nii. Randomized controlled trials of SHS and herb-added SHS for treating FD will be selected in this review. The control groups of no-treatment, placebo, and conventional Western medicine will be compared with SHS for its efficacy. The synergetic effect of SHS with Western medicine will also be analyzed in comparison with conventional Western medicine alone. Two independent reviewers will collect the data and assess the risk of bias in individual studies. The total clinical effectiveness rate will be synthesized and evaluated as primary outcome. Results: This systematic review will present an adequate clinical evidence of SHS for the treatment of FD based on specific parameters, including dyspepsia-related symptoms, gastric emptying, and adverse events. Conclusion: This study will provide evidence for the safety and efficacy of SHS for the treatment of patients with FD. Review Registry Unique Identifying Number: reviewregistry952.