• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2002

In order to search for insulin-like substances from the constituted herbs of Sogal prescriptions, we selected 19 traditional herbs, based on a review of the Donguibogam. The effects of the hot-water extract from the selected herbs on the proliferation and the differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts were tested. The various water-extracts from Pinellia ternata, Magnolia obovata, Rheum palmatum, Acanthopanax sessiliflorun, Atractylodes japonica and Strychnos ignatii inhibited the proliferation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, did not influence entirely in differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts. Treatment of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts with the extract from Ephedra sinica, Trichosanthes kirilowii, Scrophularia buergeriana and Sophora flavescens significantly increased the differentiation of the cells. In conclusion, these may contain such compounds that play a role of insulin-like action.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.451-456
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• 2004

Based on the data from our previous studies, four new diabetic remedies were composed with the addition of Coicis Semen into Okchun-san (OCH), Commelinae Herba into Gangsim-tang (GST) , Scrophulariae Radix into Sunki-san (SKS), and Erythrinae Cortex into Yukmijihuang-hwan (YMG). The water extracts of these new remedies were treated in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes in order to investigate insulin-like substances and insulin sensitizers, respectively. With and without differentiation inducers, unmodified SKS (SKS-O) treatment induced 3T3-L1 fibroblasts into adipocytes more than the control. However, without inducers, YMG treatment, but not SKS, induced the differentiation more than the control among modified remedies. Without inducers, SKS, OCH as well as YMG increased the induction of differentiation from 3T3-L1 fibroblasts into adipocytes, compared to the control. The treatment of OCH and YMG with 1 ng/mL insulin increased glucose uptake much more than only insulin 1 ng/mL treatment. Thus, OCH and YMG contained increased insulin actions. In conclusions, the modified remedies, OCH and YMG, contained insulin-like substances and insulin sensitizers, and they can be improved the hypoglycemic effects.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.258-264
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• 2004

Hypoglycemic effect of Schizandrae Fructus (SF) extract containing in Okchun-san was determined on 3T3-L1 fibroblasts and adipocytes by investigating insulin-like activity, insulin sensitizing activity and ${\alpha}-glucoamylase$ suppressing activity. SF were extracted by using 70% ethanol followed by XAD-4 column chromatography with a mixture solvent of methanol and water, and the fractional extractions were utilized for assaying hypoglycemic effect. No inhibition of ${\alpha}-glucoamylase$ activity of SF was observed. Insulin-like activity 3T3-L1 adipocytes was not shown by SF. A significant insulin sensitizing activity of SF extractions was observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, giving SF extractions with 1 ng/ml insulin to reach glucose uptake level increased by 50 ng/ml of insulin alone. When cells were treated with SF (Fr. 4 or 5) plus 1 ng/ml insulin, glucose uptake was increased more than seven times as compared to 1 ng/ml of insulin alone, suggesting that SF extracts increased GLUT4 content by enhancing insulin signaling. These data suggest that SF extracts (especially Fr. 4 and 5) contains an effective insulin sensitizing compounds for hypoglycemic activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.951-957
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• 2004

Hypoglycemic effect of Prunus mume (PM) extract containing in Sangjinyangheul-tang and Hwangkeumtang, one of the diabetic herbal medicines, was determined by investigating insulin-like action, insulin sensitizing action and a-glucoamylase suppressing action. Insulin-like activity of 3T3-L1 fibroblast was not shown with the treatment of PM methanol extracts. However, treatment with 20% or 40% PM methanol extracts and differentiation inducers significantly decreased the differentiation of 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to adipocytes. A significant insulin sensitizing activity was observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, giving PM extracts (60%, 80% and 100%) with 1 ng/mL insulin to reach glucose uptake level increased by 50 ng/mL of insulin alone. In addition, 20% and 40% methanol extracts of PM suppressed the a-glucoamylase activity by 30% in vitro. However, there was no significant differences in the peak of serum glucose levels and area under the curve in Sprague Dawley male rats treated with PM ethanol extract or cellulose and 2 g maltose or dextrin/kg body weight. These data suggested that PM extracts contain effective insulin sensitizing compounds, lipid synthesis suppressing compounds and possibly a-glucoamylase suppressing compounds. Therefore, PM extracts are beneficial for anti-diabetic treatment in obese diabetic patients.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.472-477
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• 2004

Hypoglycemie effect of Moutan Radicis Cortex (MRC) extract contained in Yukmijihuang-hwan was determined by investigating insulin-sensitizing and ${\alpha}-glucoamylase-suppressing$ actions. MRC was extracted with 70% ethanol, fractionated by XAD-4 column chromatography with mixture solvent of methanol and water, and utilized for hypoglycemic effect assay. Significant insulin sensitizing activities of MRC extracts were observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, giving MRC extracts with 1 ng/mL insulin reach glucose uptake level increased by 50 ng/mL of insulin alone. MRC methanol extracts of 20, 40, 60, and 80% suppressed ${\alpha}-glucoamylase$ activity in vitro. Peak serum glucose levels and area under curve were lower in Sprague Dawley male rats treated with MRC ethanol extract than those treated with cellulose in oral glucose tolerance test using 2 g dextrin/kg body weight. These data suggest MRC extracts contain effective insulin -sensitizing and ${\alpha}-glucoamylase-suppressing$ compounds for hypoglycemic activity.