Purpose: Smoking is a way of coping with anxiety and stress. This study aimed to identify the effects of forest-thermal combined therapy on anxiety and depression in smokers who desire to quit smoking. Methods: Thirty participants were included in the study, 15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group. Those in the experimental group participated in a three-day forest-thermal combined therapy program. The program includes forest walks, meditation and thermal therapy in the charcoal kiln. Results: Before and after the program, physiological indicators such as cortisol, heart rate variability, and serotonin anxiety level using the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), and stress level using the psychosocial well-being index (PWI) were measured in both groups. The differences in STAI (p = .012) and PWI (p = .006) scores between the experimental and control groups were statistically significant. However, cortisol, heart rate variability, and serotonin were not significantly different between the two groups after the program. Conclusion These results show that forest-thermal combination therapy effectively reduces anxiety and stress in smokers. It suggests that forest-thermal therapy can potentially increase smoking cessation rates.

Oxidative stress in skin cells can induce the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are critical for pathogenic processes such as immunosuppression, inflammation, and skin aging. In this study, we confirmed improvements from gamma-irradiated silk sericin (I-sericin) and gamma-irradiated silk fibroin (I-fibroin) to skin cells damaged by oxidative stress. We found that I-sericin and I-fibroin effectively attenuated oxidative stress-induced ROS generation and decreased oxidative stress-induced inflammatory factors COX-2, iNOS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β compared to the use of non-irradiated sericin or fibroin. I-sericin and Ifibroin effects were balanced by competition with skin regenerative protein factors reacting to oxidative stress. Taken together, our results indicated that, compared to non-irradiated sericin or fibroin, I-sericin, and I-fibroin had anti-oxidation and antiinflammation activity and protective effects against skin cell damage from oxidative stress. Therefore, gamma-irradiation may be useful in the development of cosmetics to maintain skin health.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that cause health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. MetS is characterized by insulin resistance, which leads to abnormal insulin sensitivity. Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJ) is perennial herbaceous species found in Asia that exhibits antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to measure the effects of CJ on MetS by improving insulin resistance in a db/db type 2 diabetes mouse model. After administrating CJ extract (CJE) for db/db mouse for 6 weeks, we measured with the evaluation of Insulin resistance, lipid profiles, histological analysis of liver, damage of liver and kideny. Results: The results showed that CJE was effective in reducing body weight and fat mas and showed a positive effect on lowering blood glucose and improving insulin sensitivity. CJE improved dyslipidemia by increasing serum-HDL levels and decreasing serum-LDL levels. In addition, CJE reduced liver and kidney damage in histological analysis. Conclusions These results demonstrate the anti-diabetic effects of CJE and suggest its potential for improving MetS.Therefore, CJE may have potential values as a functional food material for managing MetS.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that cause health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. MetS is characterized by insulin resistance, which leads to abnormal insulin sensitivity. Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJ) is perennial herbaceous species found in Asia that exhibits antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to measure the effects of CJ on MetS by improving insulin resistance in a db/db type 2 diabetes mouse model. After administrating CJ extract (CJE) for db/db mouse for 6 weeks, we measured with the evaluation of Insulin resistance, lipid profiles, histological analysis of liver, damage of liver and kideny. Results: The results showed that CJE was effective in reducing body weight and fat mas and showed a positive effect on lowering blood glucose and improving insulin sensitivity. CJE improved dyslipidemia by increasing serum-HDL levels and decreasing serum-LDL levels. In addition, CJE reduced liver and kidney damage in histological analysis. Conclusions These results demonstrate the anti-diabetic effects of CJE and suggest its potential for improving MetS.Therefore, CJE may have potential values as a functional food material for managing MetS.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that cause health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. MetS is characterized by insulin resistance, which leads to abnormal insulin sensitivity. Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJ) is perennial herbaceous species found in Asia that exhibits antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to measure the effects of CJ on MetS by improving insulin resistance in a db/db type 2 diabetes mouse model. After administrating CJ extract (CJE) for db/db mouse for 6 weeks, we measured with the evaluation of Insulin resistance, lipid profiles, histological analysis of liver, damage of liver and kideny. Results: The results showed that CJE was effective in reducing body weight and fat mas and showed a positive effect on lowering blood glucose and improving insulin sensitivity. CJE improved dyslipidemia by increasing serum-HDL levels and decreasing serum-LDL levels. In addition, CJE reduced liver and kidney damage in histological analysis. Conclusions These results demonstrate the anti-diabetic effects of CJE and suggest its potential for improving MetS.Therefore, CJE may have potential values as a functional food material for managing MetS.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that cause health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. MetS is characterized by insulin resistance, which leads to abnormal insulin sensitivity. Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJ) is perennial herbaceous species found in Asia that exhibits antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to measure the effects of CJ on MetS by improving insulin resistance in a db/db type 2 diabetes mouse model. After administrating CJ extract (CJE) for db/db mouse for 6 weeks, we measured with the evaluation of Insulin resistance, lipid profiles, histological analysis of liver, damage of liver and kideny. Results: The results showed that CJE was effective in reducing body weight and fat mas and showed a positive effect on lowering blood glucose and improving insulin sensitivity. CJE improved dyslipidemia by increasing serum-HDL levels and decreasing serum-LDL levels. In addition, CJE reduced liver and kidney damage in histological analysis. Conclusions These results demonstrate the anti-diabetic effects of CJE and suggest its potential for improving MetS.Therefore, CJE may have potential values as a functional food material for managing MetS.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a group of risk factors that cause health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia. MetS is characterized by insulin resistance, which leads to abnormal insulin sensitivity. Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJ) is perennial herbaceous species found in Asia that exhibits antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we aimed to measure the effects of CJ on MetS by improving insulin resistance in a db/db type 2 diabetes mouse model. After administrating CJ extract (CJE) for db/db mouse for 6 weeks, we measured with the evaluation of Insulin resistance, lipid profiles, histological analysis of liver, damage of liver and kideny. Results: The results showed that CJE was effective in reducing body weight and fat mas and showed a positive effect on lowering blood glucose and improving insulin sensitivity. CJE improved dyslipidemia by increasing serum-HDL levels and decreasing serum-LDL levels. In addition, CJE reduced liver and kidney damage in histological analysis. Conclusions These results demonstrate the anti-diabetic effects of CJE and suggest its potential for improving MetS.Therefore, CJE may have potential values as a functional food material for managing MetS.