• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.13-28
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• 2016

Objectives To investigate anti-obesity effects of Galgeun-tang, an herbal formula, in high fat diet induced obese mice model. Methods 24 Male C57Bl/6J mice were randomly assigned to normal group fed with normal research diet (NOR, n=6), high fat diet control group treated with water (HFD, n=6), high fat diet group treated with Orlistat (ORL, n=6, Orlistat 10 mg/kg), and high fat diet group treated with Galgeun-tang (GGT, n=6, Galgeun-tang 700 mg/kg). 12 weeks later, body weight, fat weight, liver weight, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, ALT, AST, obesity related neuropeptides and adipokines, ratio of gut microbiota, and histopathology of liver were evaluated. Results In the GGT group, 1. body weight gain, liver weight gain, and total fat weight gain were significantly less than those in the HFD group. 2. blood glucose level was significantly lower and insulin level was significantly higher than in the HFD group. 3. total cholesterol level and triglyceride (TG) level were significantly lower and high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was significantly higher than in the HFD group. 4. appetite-promoting ARC neuropeptides such as Agrp and Npy were significantly less and appetite-inhibiting ARC neuropeptide, Cart was significantly more than in the HFD group in qRT-PCR analysis. 5. adiponectin level and visfatin level were significantly higher, and resistin level and leptin level was significantly lower than in the HFD group. 6. the relative level of Bacteroidetes was significantly higher, and the relative level of Firmicutes was significantly lower than in the HFD group. 7. the increase of adipose tissue was significantly more inhibited than in the HFD group. Conclusions The present study showed that Glageun-tang exerts anti-obesity effects in that it. 1. inhibited the increase in body weight, liver weight, and total fat weight. 2. decreased the level of TG, and increased the level of HDL. 3. influenced neuropeptides and adipokines that are important in regulating food intake and changes of body weight. 4. modified the beneficial quantitative changes in gut microbiota suppressing the tendency toward obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2012

The effects of genistein on cell proliferation and adipogenesis were examined in mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. Genistein decreased viability of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Oil Red O staining of these cells also indicated that adipogenesis was inhibited by 50 ${\mu}M$ genistein treatment. We investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the decrease in cell viability in genistein-treated 3T3-L1 cells by conducting an oligo DNA microarray analysis. We selected the sirtuin-1 gene, one of the upregulated genes, for further experimentation because sirtuin-1 belongs to the sirtuin family, which is associated with anti-obesity and anti-inflammation activities. We found that four phytochemicals (resveratrol, capsaicin, daidzein, and genistein) could increase sirtuin-1 expression. Genistein was the strongest inducer of sirtuin-1 among the tested phytochemicals. The inhibition of adipogenesis by genistein was recovered by surtuin-1 siRNA transfection. Overall, these results may further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of proliferation and adipogenesis by genistein in mouse 3T3-L1 cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.822-828
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• 2014

Allium sacculiferum Max. (ASM) is a perennial plant of the Liliaceae family and grows over the entire regions of Korea. Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide and has currently become a prevalent chronic disease. Adipocytes produced by preadipocyte differentiation during adipogenesis and adipocytes combined with abnormal accumulation cause obesity. Recently, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to accelerate lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of ASM methanol extracts on ROS production and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of ASM methanol extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner. ASM methanol extracts suppressed ROS production and lipid accumulation during adipogenesis. In addition, ASM methanol extracts inhibited the mRNA expression of both pro-oxidant enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as well as the transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$. Our results suggest that ASM methanol extracts inhibit ROS production and lipid accumulation by controlling ROS regulatory genes and adipogenic transcription factors. Thus, ASM has potent natural antioxidant, anti-adipogenic properties and have potential in the development of a potent anti-obesity agent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1912-1917
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• 2015

Pancreatic lipase is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of diet-induced obesity in humans. As part of our continuing search for novel bioactive compounds, the convenient enzymatic transformation of caffeic acid into neolignans as well as related oxidized-products enhanced pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity. Enzymatic transformation of caffeic acid (1) using polyphenol oxidase originating from Korean pear yielded four oxidized metabolites, which were identified by different spectroscopic techniques ($^1H$,$^{13}C$ NMR, DEP/T, $^1H-^1H$ COSY, HMBC, HMQC, and NOESY). The anti-obesity efficacy of caffeic acid reactant was tested by in vitro porcine pancreatic lipase assay. All tested samples showed dose-dependent pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Four oxidative products including phellinsin A (2), caffeicinic acid (3), isocaffeicinic acid (4), and 7,8-erythro-caffeicin (5) were isolated and identified. The major metabolites (2~5) were evaluated for their pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity, and oxidized-products (2~3) improved potency against pancreatic lipase when compared to original caffeic acid. This result suggested that the neolignans isolated from oxidative transformation of caffeic acid might be beneficial in the treatment of obesity and relevant diseases, and the convenient enzymatic transformation by polyphenol oxidase may be a valuable method for structural modification and enhancement of activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.895-900
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• 2012

The effects of three fractions, hexane (BHHH), chloroform (BHHC), and ethyl acetate (BHHE), from water extract of Benincasa hispida on the underlying mechanisms of adipogenesis were investigated in 3T3-L1 cells. Intracellular lipid droplets were stained with Oil Red O dye and quantified. Compared to control, lipid accumulation significantly decreased by 11% and 13% upon treatment with BHHC and BHHE, respectively at a concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/mL$. Intracellular triglyceride (TG) levels were also reduced by 21% and 16%, respectively, at the same concentration. To determine the mechanism behind the reductions in TG content and lipid accumulation, glycerol release and expression levels of adipogenic marker genes were measured. The levels of free glycerol released into culture medium increased by 13% and 17% upon treatment with BHHC and BHHE, respectively. In subsequent measurements using real-time polymerization chain reaction, the mRNA levels of $PPAR{\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and leptin significantly decreased upon treatment with BHHE (45%, 67%, and 35%) in comparison with non-treated control. These results suggest that BHHE inhibits adipocyte differentiation by blocking $PPAR{\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and leptin gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells, resulting in reduced lipid accumulation, increased glycerol release, and intracellular triglycerides.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.108-123
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• 2016

Objectives : This comparative study was to investigate on anti-obesity effects of Ephedrae Herba and Cyperi rhizoma in high fat diet(HFD) fed mice. Methods : Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet(normal group, N), high fat 45 cal% diet[HFD, control group, C), HFD with Ephedrae Herba(EH group) and Cyperi rhizoma(CR group) extracts fed for 5 weeks. We were observed as follows : changes of body weight, amount of diet intake, weight of total visceral fats, levels of obesity-related hormones and blood lipids. Results : The change of body weight after EH and CR oral administration significantly more decreased in EH group than that of control group. The FFR(Food Efficiency Ratio) was decreased in EH group, but more increased in CR group than that of control group. The weight of periepididymal and perirenal fats were significantly decreased in EH and CR groups compared to the control group. The levels of serum leptin and insulin were significantly decreased in EH group, and the level of serum adiponectin was increased in EH group compared to control group. The levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were significantly decreased in EH and CR groups, and HDL-cholesterol levels was significantly increased in EH group compared to control group. Conversely in CR group, its values showed the opposite effect. The staining density of lipid droplets within the hepatocytes was widely distributed in CR and control groups, but in EH group, its density was weakly stained. Conclusions : These experimental results suggest that Ephedrae Herba shows conspicuous anti-obesity effect, and Cyperi rhizoma shows weak anti-obesity effect.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.112-118
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• 2013

This study was performed to investigate the possible use of Eisenia bicyclis (EB) ethanol extract to inhibit activity against lipase. In tests, the lipase inhibitory activity of EB ethanol extract was noted as being 43, 27, and 24% at concentrations of 5, 2.5, and 1 mg/ml, respectively. Isolation was carried out by liquid and liquid extraction, silica-gel column chromatography, and HPLC. The results showed that the lipase inhibitory activity of the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction from EB ethanol extract exhibited the strongest lipase inhibitory activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of 1.31 mg/ml. The EA fraction was separated using silica-gel column chromatography and we obtained 22 sub-fractions. Amongst them, the EA1 fraction showed the highest lipase inhibitory activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of 0.54 mg/ml. Eight peaks were obtained from the EA1 fraction by HPLC. Fraction 5 also showed a strong lipase inhibitory activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of 0.37 mg/ml. The fraction 5 was identified as dieckol and the inhibition pattern analyzed from Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed a non-competitive inhibitor. These results suggest that EB has potential as a natural anti-obesity agent.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.57-74
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic Effects of Taeyeumjowee-tang and its modified prescription on the animal model of obesity and hyperlipidemia induced high-fat diet. Method : 1) The extracts of Taeyeumjowee-tang (TJT) and its modified prescription, Taeyeumjoweetang gagam-bang (TJGB) were evaluated for its inhibitory effects on obesity. 2) The body weight and feed weight were determined in the pre-treated and post-treated mice and the lipid profiles in the serum were analyzed in order to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidemia action of the extracts. 3) The effect of each extract was investigated for the influences on monoamine oxidase activity and HMG-CoA reductase activity. Results 1. TJT and TJGB extracts dose-dependently reduced the body weight and feed intake in normal mice. The effect of TJGB extract was better than that of TJT extract. 2. TJGB extract diminished the body weight increase and reduced the feed intake in the pre-treatment or post-treatment of the extract 3. TJGB extract decreased the amount of total cholesterol slightly and triglyceride potently after the pre-treatment or post-treatment, but HDL cholesterol exhibited no remarkable change compared with control. 4. TJGB extract weakly potentiated the monoamine oxidase activity, but its effect was better than that of TJT extract. 5. TJGB extract weakly inhibited the HMG-CoA reductase activity, but its effect was better than that of TJT extract. Conclusion : Taeyeumjowee-tang and its modified prescription can clinically be useful as anti-obesity drug and also for the improvement of hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.642-648
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to investigate Chegameuiin-tang water extracts (CETE) have potent anti-obesity activities in a high fat diet-induced obesity mouse model. In this study, we designed three group (normal diet group, high fat diet group, high fat diet plus CETE group for 13-week oral administration). Increases in body weight and fat storage were inhibited by 13-week oral administration of CETE at a 500 mg/kg concentration in this animal model, while the amount of food intake was not affected. Results from blood lipid analysis showed that the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lowered by CETE administration, also HDL-cholesterol was increased more than high fat diet-induced obese mouse. To understand the underlying mechanism at the molecular level, the effects of CETE were examined on the expression of the genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis by real-time PCR. In epididymal fat of CETE-treated mice, the mRNA level of lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthase were decreased, which was well correlated with the reduction of the epididymal fat weight. Also, CETE administration inhibited decreases of the hormone-sensitve lipase and lipoprotein lipase mRNA expressions, which are genes related with lipolysis. These results suggest that Chegameuiin-tang may have great potential as a novel anti-obesity agent.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.590-596
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• 2016

This study was designed to investigate the antioxidant activities of the ethanol extracts (GBE) of grape branches (Campbell Early). The total polyphenol and flavonoid content of GBE was $201.42{\pm}4.16$ and $11.85{\pm}0.44mg\;GAE/g$, respectively. The antioxidant activity of GBE was measured using the ABTS and DPPH assays, and the $IC_{50}$ values were $45.60{\pm}0.09$ and $299.13{\pm}0.22$, respectively. GBE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, iNOS, $PGE_2$, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, GBE treatment significantly suppressed the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 cytokines in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated HMC-1 human mast cells. Furthermore, the administration of GBE markedly inhibited the scratching behavior induced by the compound 48/80 in ICR mice. These results suggested that GBE has potential as a therapeutic agent against inflammation and itch-related skin diseases.