• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.354-360
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• 2014

In this study, the anti-obesity activity of Smilax china methanol extract (SCME) was evaluated using a pancreatic lipase enzyme inhibition assay, and a cell culture model system. Results indicated that, SCME effectively inhibited pancreatic lipase enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SCME significantly suppressed insulin, dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine-induced adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and triglyceride contents on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-adipogenic effect was modulated by cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBP) ${\alpha}$, $C/EBP{\beta}$, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ gene and protein expressions. Moreover, SCME triggered lipolysis effects dose-dependently on adipocyte. Taken together, these results provide an important new insight into SCME, indicating that it possesses anti-obesity activity through pancreatic lipase inhibition, anti-adipogenic and lipolysis effects. SCME may therefore be utilized as a promising source in the field of nutraceuticals. The identification of active compounds that confer the anti-obesity activities of SCME may be a logical next step.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2010

This study investigated the inhibitory effects of sea mustard on high-fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Sea mustard (Undaria pinnatifida) powder, sea mustard ethanol extract, and sea mustard ethanol-extracted residue were tested. The ethanol extracted residue had the most beneficial anti-hyperlipidemic activity. Alginate in the sea mustard was considered to be the key component. The ethanol-extracted residue of sea mustard also had antioxidant activity, which may be effective in preventing hyperlipidemia by increasing the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase, which can remove active oxygen from the bloodstream.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2013

Obesity, an intractable metabolic disease, currently has no medical treatment without side effects, so studies have been actively carried out to find natural compounds that have anti-obesity activity with minimum side effects. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of water extracts of seven Capsicum annuum L. varieties being Putgochu (Pca), Oyee gochu (Oca), Kwari putgochu (Kca), Green pepper (Gca), Yellow paprika (Yca), Red paprika (Rca) and Cheongyang gochu (Cca), were examined through the evaluation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA expression level in 3T3-L1 cells (mouse pre-adipocytes). After capsaicin elimination by chloroform defatting, freeze-dried powder of Cca was treated to 3T3-L1 cells and anti-obesity effects were examined by determining the LPL mRNA level using the RT-PCR method. Of the primary fractions, only proven fractions underwent secondary and tertiary refractionating to determine anti-obesity effects. From seven different Capsicum annuum L., there was a significant decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level of 50.9% in Cca treatment compared to the control group. A significant decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level was shown in primary fractions (Fr) 5 (36.2% decrease) and 6 (30.5% decrease) of the Cca water extracts. Due to the impurities checked by UPLC chromatography, Fr 5 and 6 were refractionated to determine the LPL mRNA expression level. Treatment of Fr 6-6 (35.8% decrease) and Fr 5-6 (35.3% decrease) showed a significant decrease in the LPL mRNA expression level. When analyzed using UPLC, major compounds of Fr 6-6 and Fr 5-6 were very similar. Subsequently, we refractionated Fr 6-6 and Fr 5-6 to isolate the major peak for structure elucidation. Treatment of Fr 5-6-1 (26.6% decrease) and Fr 6-6-1 (29.7% decrease) showed a significant decrease in the LPL mRNA expression level. Consequently, the fractions may have a possibility to ameliorate obesity through the decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1267-1271
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• 2005

To investigate the effect of the frequently used anti-obese medicine GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1 (GGT1), in food intake, body weight and food efficiency ratio for high fat diet induced obese male rats. Also, to value the diffences between GyeogshinhaeGihwan 1 and FDA approved Sibutramine in anti-obesity effect. High fat diet induced obese male rats were classified into four groups - positive control group, negative control group, GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1 group and Sibutramine group - and their food intake and body weight were observed for eight weeks. Anti-obesity effect was estimated with food efficiency ratio which is calculated by weight inclose divided by food intake. The result shown in Fig. 2 suggests that the GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1 group is more effective on food intake control than the Sibutramine group. Average weight variation shows an increase in both positive/negative control group and medication group. Also, the result in Fig. 3 indicates that average food efficiency ratio decreases contrary to the average weight variation. In addition, repeatedly estimated variance analysis on average food efficiency ratio of the GyeonushinhaeGihwan 1 group shows (1) the result corollary to the time of observation of food efficiency ratio was effective under 0.05 variance (P-value 0.000). The differences between each groups were not shown under 0.05 variance. Compared to the control group, medication groups were visually more effective on food intake control. Although both groups had a tendency of weight increasing, food efficiency ratio considering food intake and weight variation rate showed a decrease. Especially, the medication group variated less than the control group corollary to the point of time, proving the individuals react less sensitive to the medicine. Moreover, there were no differences in the anti-obesity effect between GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1 group and Sibutramine group studied by repeatedly estimating variance analysis(P-value: 0.610). When considering Sibutramine as an anti-obesity medicine approved by FDA, the point of being classifed in the same group proves the effect of GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1 as an anti-obesity medicine.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Objective : Plantago asiatica L. has been used for many years in Korea, China, and Japan for the treatment of many diseases such as anti-inflammatory, anti-asthma and diuretic. But the anti-obesity effect of Plantaginis asiaticae Folium has not been studied yet. Thus, this study aimed to demonstrate the anti-obesity efficacy of Plantaginis asiaticae Folium water extract (PAF) in high fat diet-induced obesity animal model. Method : Male, five-weeks old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; ND (normal diet + 0.9% saline), HFD (high-fat diet + 0.9% saline), PC (high-fat diet + Garcinia cambogia 500 mg/kg), PAF 100, 300 (high-fat diet + PAF 100, 300 mg/kg. Treatments were performed daily for 6 weeks per os. We evaluated the changes of body weight, white adipose tissues weight, hepatic and fecal lipids level, pancreatic lipase activity and lipid profiles in plasma. Result : Body weights, adipose tissue weights and FER were significantly lower in mice fed the high-fat diet with PAF treatment than in mice fed the high-fat diet alone. In plasma, TG, TC, LDL-C, ATS and ALT levels significantly decreased in PAF groups compared with HFD group. Also, hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels decreased and fecal TG increased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. In addition, the activity of pancreatic lipase was decreased in the PAF groups compared to that of HFD group. Conclusion: These results suggest PAF extract is effective in preventing and improvement obesity, so it might be a potential and safe material for anti-obesity agent of weight control or functional supplements.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.647-655
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• 2014

Obesity is strongly associated with several metabolic and chronic diseases and has become a major public health problem of worldwide concern. This study aimed to investigate the physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus plantarum Q180. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 was isolated from the faces of healthy adults and found to have a lipase inhibitory activity of $83.61{\pm}2.32%$ and inhibited adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells ($14.63{\pm}1.37%$) at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. The strain was investigated for its physiological characteristics. The optimum growth temperature of L. plantarum Q180 was $37^{\circ}C$. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 showed higher sensitivity to novobiocin in a comparison of fifteen different antibiotics and showed the highest resistance to rifampicin, polymyxin B and vancomycin. The strain showed higher ${\beta}$-galactosidase and N-acetyl-${\beta}$-glucosaminidase activities. It also did not produce carcinogenic enzymes such as ${\beta}$-glucuronidase. The survival rate of L. plantarum Q180 in MRS broth containing 0.3% bile was 97.8%. Moreover, the strain showed a 97.2% survival rate after incubation for 3 h in pH 2.0. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 was displayed resistance to Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus with rates of 55.6%, 38.0% and 47.6%, respectively. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum Q180 has potential as a probiotic with anti-obesity effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.71-77
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• 2016

Objectives : Adipogenesis was defined as a differentiation process of preadipocytes into the adipocytes. Thus, to control of this process can be one of the most important strategies to prevent obesity. Korean ginseng(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs. Although multiple biological activities of Korean ginseng, particularly ginsenosides, have been known, the anti-adipogenic role and function of polysaccharides from Korean ginseng are still unclear. In this study, we examined anti-adipogenic activity of polysaccharides and its molecular basis mechanisms are further investigated.Methods : The cytotoxicity of KGP in 3T3-L1 was evaluated by MTT assay. Anti-adipogenic effect of KGP was examined by Oil Red O (ORO) staining and microscopy observation in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. The mRNA expression levels of adipogenic transcriptional factors were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR). To elucidate the adipogenic molecular mechanism of KGT, SB431542 (TGF-β specific inhibitor) was used.Results : We found that polysaccharides showed no effect on the viability of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Dose dependent inhibitory effect of polysaccharides on 3T3-L1 adipogenesis was observed as judged by ORO staining and microscopic image analysis. To obtain further mechanistic insight into anti-adipogenic function of polysaccharides, we then tested the effect of polysaccharides treatment on the adipogenic marker genes. The mRNA expressions level of C/EBPα, PPARγ, C/EBPβ, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were dose-dependently inhibited by KGP treatment in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes.Conclusions : In conclusion, these findings suggest that the KGP could be used in treatment of obesity and overweight related diseases.

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.66-73
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• 2022

Obesity is an increasing public health and medical issue worldwide. It has been associated with several comorbidities, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is another important comorbidity of obesity. Other major causes of CKD include hypertension and diabetes. However, the association between obesity and CKD is often overlooked. Among patients with CKD, patients with obesity were more vulnerable to have rapid kidney function decline than that of those with normal weight. Additionally, CKD is more prevalent among patients with obesity. These aggravations are induced through multiple mechanisms, specifically metabolic impairment of obesity and mechanical burden because of increasing intraabdominal renal pressure. Furthermore, the inflammation and lipotoxicity, caused by obesity, are critical in the CKD aggravation in patients with obesity. To prevent this, all adult patients with obesity are tested for CKD. The workup includes the estimated glomerular filtration rate and regular follow-up. Step-wise management is required for patients with obesity with CKD. Prompt reduction and management of obesity effectively delay CKD progression among patients with obesity and CKD. Therefore, weight loss is a core management for patients with obesity and CKD. Based on several studies, this article focused on the association between CKD and obesity, as well as the diagnosis and weight management of patients with obesity and CKD.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2011

This study was carried out to investigate the dietary effects of Monascus pilosus mycelial extract on obesity in high-fat with cholesterol-induced obese rat models. It was observed that M. pilosus mycelial extract contains $25.85{\pm}1.98mg%$ of total monacolin K without citrinin by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The rats were randomly divided into 2 groups; normal control and a high-fat with cholesterol diet group. The high-fat with cholesterol diet group was fed a 5L79 diet with an added 15% lard and 1% cholesterol supplemented diet for 3 weeks for induction of obesity. After induction, obesity was confirmed by checking obesity indexes, the animals were divided into 4 groups (n=5); first, the normal control (NC), and then taken from the obese model of rats, a high-fat with cholesterol diet obesity control group (HF), 0.5% M. pilosus mycelial extract supplemented high-fat with cholesterol diet group (MPMs), 2% conjugated linoleic acid supplemented high-fat with cholesterol diet group (CLA) for 7 weeks. Body weight gains, obesity indexes, and body fat contents in the experimental groups (MPMs and CLA) were decreased compared with HF group. Feed Efficiency Ratio (FER) in MPMs was significantly lower than that of HF without change of feed intake. These results suggested that the anti-obesity effects of the M. pilosus mycelial extracts (MPMs) could prevent obesity induced by high-fat with cholesterol diet possibly via inhibition of lipid absorption.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.59-68
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• 2021

Objectives: We investigated the effects of Clean-DM4 (C-DM4), a polyherbal extract consisting of Coptidis Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhiza Radix, and Cinnamomi Cortex on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and diabetes in mice. Methods: The C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks) were fed a HFD for 8 weeks and then administrated with C-DM4 extract at 500 mg/kg (p.o.) once daily for 4 weeks. The changes of body weights, calorie intakes, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured in mice. The serum levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured in mice by enzyme-based assay. It was also observed the histological changes of pancreas, liver, and fat tissues with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results: The increase of calorie intakes and FBG levels in HFD-induced obesity mice was significantly decreased by oral administration of C-DM4 extract. C-DM4 extract administration was significantly reduced the increased levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, AST, and ALT in obesity mice. In addition, C-DM4 extract inhibited lipid droplet accumulation in liver tissues of obesity mice, hyperplasia of pancreatic islets, and enlargement of adipocytes in adipose tissues. Conclusions: Our study indicates that C-DM4 extract could help improve obesity and to prevent diabetes progression.