Earticle

Wounds are common prevalent clinical problem found in day to day life. Although numerous studies have been conducted in this field but only few studies address about the mineral effect on wound healing process. To explore the therapeutic effect of the high mineral spring water (HMW) on the wound healing process, we carried out an animal injury model for that female SKH-1 mice were divided into five groups: normal control (NC, n=10), untreated control (NT, n=10), 100 % Pure HMW (PHMW, n=10) group, 10% HMW experimental (DHMW, n=10) and two round wounds (approximately 5 mm in diameter) total of 6 round wounds were punched into each side of the superior region of the posterior extremity by biopsy puncher to each mouse. We found that HMW spraying led to an enhanced healing speed compared to untreated control group. Reactive oxygen species was suppressed in both PHMW and DHMW group compared to NT group. Collectively, our results provide the evidence that HMW might be beneficial for the treatment of skin wound injury.

Human skin is full of normal flora, most of the flora has a beneficial effect on human skin. In certain condition, cutaneous flora can trigger pathologic conditions like acne vulgaris. Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis were recognized as pus-forming bacteria triggering an inflammation causing acne. The present study conducted to evaluate antibacterial activities of non- thermal plasma water against these etiologic agents of acne vularis. we tested both aerobic and anaerobic load of facial bacteria especially from cheek and forehead before and after application of non-thermal plasma water. These results shows effective antibacterial effect on both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria from all the participants. Therefore, this plasma water is recognizable in functional and could be a possible alternative treatment for acne.

Mineral rich spring water has been used in spa and bathing purpose that often belong to traditional medicinal therapies. It also considered as a classical alternative medicine to cure the immunological disease. Recently, mineral rich containing medicine and cosmetics has been widely applied in hair loss purpose but not tried by mineral water. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to observe the hair growth promoting effects of mineral rich spring water in SKH-1 hairless mice. We designed this study to evaluate the mineral water has hair growth promoting effect. The experimental SKH-1 hairless mice were divided into a normal control group (NC: No treatment), a positive control group (M: 3% Minoxidil), and different concentrations of mineral water group as a treatment group (MW: 2.5%, 5%, and 10%). All the test samples were topically sprayed on the three distinct parts of the leg, dorsal and a shoulder portion (about 1 cm2 areas) of the mice skin (100 L per application), twice a day, for μ 21 days. The number of hair and length was measured by taking a photograph of using the scale bar tools of the DinoCapture 2.0 digital microscope windows software. The thickness of the hair was measured by using scanning electron microscope. After 21 days of the experiment, mice treated with 2.5% mineral water showed the preferable effect on the number of hair, length, and thickness compared to the PC group and other concentration groups. However, the positive control minoxidil has no mineral containing ingredient but it has strong activity in hair growth. In our study, we found minoxidil had shown less active in hair growth effects in SKH-1 hairless mice. These results suggest that the using of optimum concentration of mineral rich spring water might have a remarked hair growth promoting effect, as observed morphologically. Collectively, according to our studies, we hypothesized that the topical application of mineral rich spring water might represent a novel strategy for the management and therapy for hair falling purpose. However, furthermore, studies could be more assured this hair growth promoting effects.

Alkaline mineral water has various beneficial effects via antioxidant mechanism. But there is no study about beneficial effects of reflux esophagitis. The effectiveness of alkaline mineral water on reflux esophagitis was evaluated through endoscopy, question investigation and medical examination by interview. Alkaline mineral water was used Doctor M(Sung Min Korea Co. Ltd., Chuncheon, Korea). Alkaline mineral water were drank of 15mL/kg a day for 2 months. Under endoscopic observation, inflammation and ulcer have improved after 2 months of drinking of alkaline mineral water. In question investigation and medical examination by interview, the symptom has improved in 93% of participants. Effectiveness of alkaline mineral water on reflux esophagitis was around 78% equal or higher than taking certain medicines.

Hydrotherapy is a field of alternative medicines which treats diseases using an efficacious functional water having various physical and chemical properties, and its demand is currently increasing. Hypochlorous acid water is verified to be biologically safe and eco-friendly, so is highly regarded as a effective disinfectant. This study was performed to confirm the effect of hydrogen-rich sterilization water (HRSW) generated by electrolysis of water on the athletes food in human. Resultingly, HRSW revealed improvement effect of 90% (very effective: 48%, a little effective: 42%) on tinea pedis during 2 weeks of food bath, and 64% (very effective: 18%, a little effective: 46%) on toenail onychomycosis after 1 month or more. In this study, most of participants answered to have partial improvement of symptom after food bath in HRSW during experimental period, and their satisfaction was very high despite of repetition of deterioration and improvement. it suggests that long-term foot bath in HRSW may improve the symptoms of tinea pedis and toenail onychomycosis which especially requires prolonged treatment. Consequently, our study indicates that HRSW containing electrolyzed hypochloric acid may have a therapeutic effect on various bacterial and mycotic infections including tinea corporis and tinea capitis due to its strong sterilization power. Further, it is expected to play important roll for the health management of immunodepressed patients and elderly persons in daily life due to its effectiveness, accessibility and safety.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritic and eczematous skin lesion, and can subsequently progress to allergic rhinitis and asthma. Currently, various alternative therapies are interested for management of AD due to side effect concerns of antibiotic ointment and especially bathing remedy is the most popular. This study was performed to confirm the bathing effect of hydrogen-rich sterilization water (HRSW) generated through non-thermal plasma discharge in water on AD patients. 40 people diagnosed as an AD patient by doctor were recruited and ranged in age from 3 to 19 years old. Patients bathed for 30 min a day in HRSW for 8 weeks, and survey investigation, skin test at an interval of 2 weeks and multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST) were conducted before and after experiment. In the survey result, itching, inflammation and redness were significantly improved and satisfaction of patients was significantly high. In the measurement of skin condition, moisture, elasticity, roughness, pore size and wrinkle were significantly improved respectively. For the result of MAST, allergic response against D. farinae, birch, D. pteronyssinus and house dust showed significantly decrease compared to before experiment. These results suggest that bathing in HRSW may have the positive benefits on the management of atopic dermatitis patients as a alternative remedy. However, more evidences are required for the safety use.

Acute fatigue is a condition defined as a sudden onset of physical and mental exhaustion particularly after a short but strenuous period of physical exercise due to effect of waste product of muscle contraction within muscle fiber and accumulation of metabolites within the muscle fiber. Until recently, it’s believed that lactic acid build-up and reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting oxidative stress are the most common causes of muscle fatigue. With prevalence of this condition and due to the lack of effective therapeutics, fatigue-related disorders turn to alternative medicine and other non-traditional practices. Previous studies on molecular hydrogen have reported that hydrogen exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and metabolic modulation properties that are beneficial to the cell. Herein we hypothesized that hydrogen-rich water (HW) might ameliorate various impairment of acute fatigue through ROS scavenging activity and elevation of metabolic profile which were related to fatigue such as blood lactate and increasing storage of muscle glycogen, thereby improving physical endurance.

The Korean life expectancy in 1911 was 24 years old and extended almost two times as of 45 years at the end of colonial period in 1945. It might be attributed by installation of tap water system in Korea. So we say ‘Water is life’. Nowadays people live longer than the past. So it is called ‘Centenarian generation’. The major roles of tap water are preventing water borne diseases such as diarrhea and heavy metal poisoning. Most of developed country equipped tap water system in each house and solved most of water borne disease. That the reason why people do not life drinking tap water anymore. People want effective water to make their life healthy by just drinking water. People living in modern society want Functional water that the water having several effects on senile disease and anti-aging process. Some people want functional water effective of non-curable disease. There are several functional water useful in daily life. Among them hydrogen water getting popularity these days. Because anti-oxidative effect of the hydrogen water has confirmed at clinical trials. Specially, effect on dementia has proved by 2 year’s clinical trial in Korea. Application of hydrogen are increasing in the medical institution and health related facilities in Korea. The modes of hydrogen usage are expanded so drinking, breathing, spraying and bathing of hydrogen are popular. Especially, bathing of hydrogen are used for two reasons, one is anti-oxidant and the other is sterilization. Product of hydrogen are being utilized for anti-aging, wrinkle improvement, symptom improvement of atopic dermatitis and alleviation of dementia etc. Especially, department of dermatology and plastic surgery hospital utilize hydrogen water for cosmetic purpose.

Far-West Nepal is naturally beautiful and life is beautiful here. The culture is rich and relatively untouched, from the nomadic Rautes to the Rana Tharu, who travelled all the way from Rajasthan when the Moghuls invaded India. About 300 Km western from mountain area of Far west Nepal the life in Terai village is different. Every village here gives us experience of different feel with the maturity of the ethnic tribe lives. Tharu peopleare anethnic groupindigenousto the southern foothills of theHimalayas. Tharus here have their old culture and customs. Tharu community usually catches fish for food founding rivers. They prepare different dishes from fish. Shakhiya, Humra, Hutunguwa and Kathariya dances are main attraction of ancient salivations. The dress worn by them are typical and called Lehenga which is the ancient customs. Plough, Yoke, Leveler, Harrow, Mallot are the tillage implements tools of farmers. Khilna, Kudali are the intercultural operation tools of farmers. Sickle is the main harvesting tools. Wooden Pin, wooden pole, suhaga, bamboo basket(Kilta), tokri, hand mill (Jutaro/Jato), water mill (ghatta), winnower, sieve, sack, shearer, skinner and pineare the post harvest tools and implements. These are the ancient tools of agriculture system of farmers in far west Nepal still using. The ancient life in far west Nepal is the attraction to the world community where they can have unique experience of ancient life with all culture and customs in far west Nepal. To accomplish the different feel of every village in short time, the far west Nepal is an idol destination for experiencing the feeling of ancient life.

This presentation specifically deals with the summary information about Mahima Group in Tikapur. It further highlights the activities of Mahima group and the areas of work that Mahima group have accomplished in many regions specifically Tikapur. The presentation in general highlights the different aspects of Mahima group, its working modality and issues while working in the community. It is seen that how Mahima group is playing role for the wellbeing of women and young people in Tikapur. A very effective group of women who are involved in various aspects of society like income generation, environment, health issues, social issues identification and problem solving. The presentation highlights the activities that Mahima Group is involved in working in a community, how they run and also how they generate resource for the conduct Literacy classes, social awareness program and micro entrepreneurship program for the women group and community people especially Tharu community by involving them directly in "Mahima's Ho Hee Bakery". The presentation briefly highlights the actions of Mahima group members to collect fund for the continuation of the programs in community people for development of well being of the community. Mahima Group is very efficient in addressing various problems of society, encouraging people to start small income according to their interest and skills for their better lifestyle for well being life and human care in rural community like Tikapur.

This study was performed to evaluate anti-fatigue effect of hydrogen water (HW) drinking in chronic forced exercise mice model. Twelve-week old C57BL6 female mice were separated into non-stressed normal control (NC) group, and stressed group: purified water (PW)-treated group and HW treated group. Stress groups were supplied with PW and HW respectively ad libitum, and forced to swim for the stress induction every day for 4 consecutive weeks. Gross anti-fatigue effects of HW were assessed by swimming endurance capacity, metabolic activities, and immune-redox activities. Metabolic activities such as blood glucose, lactate, glycogen, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as immune-redox activities such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and the related cytokines were evaluated to elucidate underlying mechanism. HW group showed a higher swimming endurance capacity (p<0.001) than NC and PW groups. Positive metabolic effects in HW group were revealed by the significant reduction of blood glucose, lactate, and BUN after 4 weeks (p<0.01), as well as the significant increase of liver glycogen (p<0.001) and serum LDH (p<0.05). In parallel, redox balance was represented by lower ROS, NO (p<0.01), and increased level of GPx (p<0.05) and liver catalase (p<0.05) than PW group. In line, the decreased levels of TNF-α (p<0.01), IL-6 (p<0.001), and IL-23 (p<0.05) in HW group revealed positive cytokine profile compared to PW. This study shows anti-fatigue effects of hydrogen water (HW) drinking in chronic forced swimming mice via metabolic coordination and immune-redox balance. In that context, HW could be applied to the alternative and safety fluid remedy for chronic fatigue control.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing allergic inflammatory skin disease that currently affects millions of children and adults worldwide. Drugs used to treat these inflammatory diseases include anti-histamines, corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors but these drugs have their limitations such as adverse effects with their long-term usage. Thus, researcher’s interest in several alternative and complementary therapies are continually growing and balneotherapy is one of these approaches. Therefore, we investigate the bathing effect of high concentration mineral spring water (HMW) on redox balance and immune modulation in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis like inflammation in hairless mice. We induced AD-like inflammation by application of DNCB on the dorsal skin of female skh-1 hairless mice. The mice were treated with 100% pure HMW (PHMW) and 10% diluted HMW (DHMW) through bathing once a day for 4 weeks. Tacrolimus ointment (0.1%) was used as positive control (PC) and only DNCB treatment as negative control (NeC) group. The severity of skin lesion inflammation was assessed through clinical scoring and observing scratching behavior. Levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and inflammatory cytokines in serum were detected by ELISA and multiplex bead array system, and the levels of oxidative stress-related biomarkers and antioxidant enzyme were also measured. We found that HMW significantly decreased the scratching behavior in PHMW and DHMW groups at the 2nd week and in PHMW group at 4th week compared to NeC group. Likewise, serum IgE level was significantly decreased in DHMW group as compared to NeC group. In line, the level of inflammatory cytokines in serum such as interleukin (IL)-1 , IL-13 and tumor necrosis factor- β α were significantly inhibited in PHMW and DHMW groups compared to NeC group. In parallel, total reactive oxygen species (ROS) of serum level was significantly decreased in PHMW treatment groups compared to NeC group. Consistently, serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level in PHMW group was lower than in NeC group. By contrast, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly enhanced in PHMW than NeC. Collectively, our study indicates a balneotherapeutic effect of HMW on DNCB-induced AD like inflammation in hairless mice via immunomodulation and redox balance.

Acidic water is known to inactivate microbes, fungus, viruses, toxins, is used for disinfecting food equipments, vegetables, fruits, poultry and meat. Some studies were also done to show its effect in wound healing. However, the mechanism is not fully understood. This study aimed to unravel the mechanism behind the wound healing effect of strong electrolyzed acidic water (SEAW). The study was conducted to identify the effect of SEAW on cutaneous wounds using a punch removing 5mm skin plug resulting in elliptical wound (Disposable Biopsy Punch, Integra-Miltex, PA, USA). SEAW was generated from a device (HDR Co. Bucheon, Korea), with characteristics of having pH from 5.0 to 6.5, ORP around 800 mV and chlorine concentration of 10 to 30 mg/L. SEAW was sprayed daily for 7 days to the cutaneous wounds of hairless mice and was compared to other treatments such as saline, alcohol and betadine treated groups. Wound areas were measured and digital photographs were conducted daily. Serum and skin lysate were collected on the seventh day, thereafter, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) assays, oxidative stress assays, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expressions were analyzed. The results showed that among all groups, SEAW had the highest wound size reduction especially on day 4. ROS in serum was significantly lower than other groups and ROS in skin lysate was lower and comparable to the positive control groups. SEAW has the highest NO activity among all groups which may mean that SEAW can have the most significant action on remodelling stage through the production of NO, and through phagocytosis. Consistently, antioxidant assays of skin lysate shows that GPx, Catalase and MPO activities group treated with SEAW compensate the total ROS in skin. Immunoblotting of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1 and MMP9), the enzymes responsible for extracellular matrix degradation, were also upregulated in SEAW treated group. Collectively, it is shown that comparable to potent medicine in wound healing such as betadine and alcohol, strong acidic water is similarly effective in wound healing and is shown to act through the immune defense and upregulation of enzymes such as MMPs. However, more studies are still need to be done to confirm these mechanisms.

Hydrogen has been reported to relieve damage in many disease models, and is a potential additive in drinking water to provide protective effects for patients as several clinical studies revealed. Studies have demonstrated that hydrogen-dissolved water exhibits ROS-scavenging activity. In this report, we investigate the intracellular ROS scavenging and antioxidant activity of hydrogen rich alkaline water. In this study, we used hydrogen rich alkaline water (HAW) which was generated by reaction with tap water using disposable alkaline hydrogen water generator (Dr. ALKASTONE, COSTEC ECOSOO Ltd., Korea) containing natural mineral stone balls for 30 min with 20 adults. The intracellular ROS scavenging and antioxidant activity of HAW was tested by FORD test and the 2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay before and after 5 min of drinking HAW (Experimental) and tap water (Control) drinking group. Our results confirm that, HAW suppresses the intracellular ROS level significantly than control group. In line, drinking HAW detect radical-scavenging activity significantly in experimental group than control group. Overall, our clinical results strongly recommended that drinking hydrogen rich alkaline water might have some promising protective effect related to oxidative stress related diseases and have an enormous impact on future healthcare system.

Hydrogen water (HW) produced by electrolysis of water has characteristics of extremely low oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) value and high dissolved hydrogen (DH). It has been proved to have various beneficial effects including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; however, HW effect on Alzheimer's disease (AD), type of dementia that is associated with cognitive impairment and memory loss, is poorly documented. In the present study, we investigated the drinking effects of hydrogen water on alzheimer’s patient for prevention of AD through oxidative stress and immuno redox mechanism. Alzheimer’s patients were administered with HW and purified water (PW) for 6 months. Further, we evaluated the drinking effect of hydrogen water on the cognitive impairment of AD patients by checking the serum concentration of AD biomarkers (Amyloid ; (A ) 40, 42 and tau), pro-β β inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-13), anti-inflammatory (IL-6, IL-10), macrophage activated Th1 (IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-12p70), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5,) cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) level. We found that HW treatment significantly decrease the serum level of AD biomarker (Aβ- 40) during 6 month of treatment. In parallel, pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly inhibited in experimental group than control group. In line, macrophage activated TH1 cytokine, Th2 cytokines and ROS level were significantly decreased in HW than PW group. Likewise, HW treatment shows reduction in nitric oxide level than control group. Overall our clinical results strongly recommended that drinking hydrogen water might be a promising preventative approach for age-related neurodegenerative disease like AD and have an enormous impact on future healthcare for the elderly patients. This is the first note on the clinical application of drinking HW on the serum of AD patients.