• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.641-649
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• 2014

The antiobesity effect of commercial kochujang and fermented wheat grains in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was studied. The experiment was consisted of 6 groups. Normal, high fat diet (HFD), HFD+raw wheat grains, HFD+first fermented wheat grains (FFWG, with Aspergillus oryzae) HFD+final fermented wheat grains (FiFWG, fermented more for 30~40 days), and HFD+ commercial kochujang. The results showed that final body weight, weight gain, food efficiency ratio, and adipose tissue weight were markedly decreased by the commercial kochujang and the fermented wheat grains, whereas non-fermented raw wheat grains had no such effect. Lipid contents such as total lipid, total triglyceride and total cholesterol decreased in the serum and organs of liver and adipose tissues by the commercial kochujang and the fermented wheat grains as well. These results also indicated that fermented wheat grains exhibited more suppressive effects on high fat induced-obesity than raw wheat grains. Increased fermentation time and adding the red pepper powder resulted in increased the anti-obesity effect. Especially, commercial kochujang showed higher antiobestic effects than fermented wheat grains. These in vivo findings suggested that well-fermented end products of the wheat grains and red pepper powder in kochujang could be useful in the prevention of obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.282-287
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of various mixtures of Atractylodes macrocephala (AM) and Amomum villosum (AV) water extracts on high-fat diet (HFD) induced mouse model. We classified five groups as follows; control, HFD, HFD + AM extracts : AV extracts (100mg/kg) (1:1), HFD + AM extracts : AV extracts (100mg/kg) (2:1), HFD + AM extracts : AV extracts (100mg/kg) (3:1). Oral administration of various mixtures of AM and AV extracts for 6 weeks inhibited HFD-induced increases of body, liver and epididymal fat weights. Also, lipid profiles including LDL cholesterol were improved by various mixtures of AM and AV extracts treatment compared with HFD-fed group. Lipogenesis-related genes such as acetyl coA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in liver changed in a favorable way for lipid biosynthesis by HFD compared to control, but various mixtures of AM and AV extracts-treated groups did not. Our results show that various mixtures of AM and AV extracts can prevent HFD-induced obesity in mice and suggests that the mechanisms are involved in expressions and modifications of lipogenesis-related genes such as ACC and FAS in liver.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of Daecheongryoung-tang (DCR) therapy on body weight, serum total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid, total lipid, phospholipid level and complete blood cell count of obese rats. Methods: 34 rats are divided into 4 groups, the rats in the normal group are 7 and the rats in the other group are 9 per group; Normal group (general fat diet and no medication), Control group (high-fat diet and no medication), DCR_L group (high-fat diet and DCR 250 mg medication) and DCR_H group (high-fat diet and DCR 500 mg medication). DCR is administrated for 6 weeks. Results: There is significant statistical difference between Control group and DCR-H group for the body weight, the total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid level. Also, there is significant statistical difference among Control group, DCR_L group and DCR_H group for body weight, triglyceride, free fatty acid and phospholipid level. Conclusions: These results suggest that medication of DCR_L and DCR_H is effective for the treatment of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2023

Tenebrio molitor, rich in protein, is used as an alternative protein source. Many studies have evaluated Tenebrio molitor larvae (TML) for anti-obesity effects, fatty liver relief, antithrombosis, and antioxidant effects. In this study, we prepared an experimental diet by adding Tenebrio molitor larvae oil (TMLO) to feed and administered it to adult male ICR mice for six weeks. The study assessed the weight gain of mice, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), blood coagulation time, and the activities of coagulation factor VII and coagulation factor XII. The weight gain of mice was suppressed in the groups fed with TMLO, indicating a potential anti-obesity effect. The blood coagulation time was delayed in the TMLO-fed groups, as evidenced by amplified PT and aPTT values. Furthermore, the activities of coagulation factor VII and coagulation factor XII were diminished in the TMLO-treated groups, indicating a potential thrombosis relieving effect. The concentrations of thromboxane B2 and serotonin declined in the TMLO-fed groups, signifying potential blood circulation effects. Finally, blood triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were reduced in the TMLO-fed groups. In summary, TMLO supplementation may have an inhibitory effect on liver damage and blood clot formation caused by obesity.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.227-235
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• 2016

Obesity is a major risk factor for various metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we prepared ethanol extracts from Agastache rugosa (ARE), Chrysanthemum zawadskii (CZE), Mentha arvensis (MAE), Perilla frutescens (PFE), Leonurus sibiricus (LSE), Gardenia jasminoides (GJE), and Lycopus coreanus (LCE). The anti-oxidant and anti-adipogenic effects were evaluated. The $IC_{50}$ values for ascorbic acid and LCE against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals were $246.2{\mu}g/mL$ and $166.2{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, followed by ARE ($186.6{\mu}g/mL$), CZE ($198.6{\mu}g/mL$), MAE ($337.1{\mu}g/mL$), PFE ($415.3{\mu}g/mL$), LSE ($548.2{\mu}g/mL$), and GJE ($626.3{\mu}g/mL$). In non-toxic concentration ranges, CZE had a strong inhibitory effect against 3T3-L1 adipogenes (84.5%) than those of the other extracts. Furthermore, the anti-adipogenic effect of CZE is largely limited in the early stage of adipogenesis, and we revealed that the inhibitory role of CZE in adipogenesis is required for the activation of Wnt signaling. Our results provide scientific evidence that the anti-adipogenic effect of CZE can be applied as an ingredient for the development of functional foods and nutri-cosmetics for obesity prevention.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2019

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly know as lemongrass, prossesses strong antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Howerver, its anti-obesity activity remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Cymbopogon citratus on adipogenesis, and its underlying mechanism, in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The results demonstrated that ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus effectively suppressed intercellular lipid accumulation at non-toxic concentrations, and was associated with the down-regulation of adipocyte-specific transcription factors, including $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$, and phosphorylation of $AMPK{\alpha}$. Furthermore, ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus increased p21 and p21 expression, while the expression of CDK2, cyclin A and cyclin B1 was reduced. As a result, ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus seems to induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of 3T3-L1 cells. On the other hand, ERK and Akt signaling pathways were not involved in anti-adipogenesis by ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus. Taken together, theses results suggest that ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and can be used as a safe and efficient natural substance to manage anti-obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.835-843
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• 2020

Obesity, the world's leading metabolic disease, is a serious health problem in both industrialized and developing countries. Natural substances are of great interest in preventative medicine, especially in the field of metabolic syndromes-from insulin resistance to obesity and diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the effect of A. pullulans SM-2001 Extract (Polycan^®) on the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the anti-obesity effect of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Although β-glucan has been found to have health benefits in the regulation of the immune system and blood cholesterol levels, its role in obesity has not been fully investigated. Polycan^® suppressed lipid accumulation and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity without affecting cell viability in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes. Polycan^® also inhibited cellular lipid accumulation through down-regulation of transcription factors, such as PPARγ and C/EBPα, and induced dose-dependent phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-a cellular energy sensor-while the total AMPK protein content remained unchanged. Taken together, this shows that the activation of AMPK by Polycan^® in adipocytes plays a critical role in Polycan^®-induced inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Our results show that Polycan^® has an anti-obesity action in vitro, suggesting a potential novel preventative agent for obesity and other metabolic diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.383-387
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• 2006

To investigate the effect of GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1(GGT1) frequently used as an anti-obesity herbal medicine in oriental medicine on the expression of obesity-related genes, we measured the changes in mRNA levels of these genes by GGT1 in human growth hormone transgenic (hGHTg) obese female rats, and these effects by GGT1 were compared with those of reductil (RD), an anti-obesity drug approved by FDA. Rats received once daily oral administrations of autoclaved water, RD, or GGT1 for 8 weeks. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed and tissues were harvested. Total RNA from adipose tissue, liver and kidney was prepared and the mRNA levels for LPL (lipoprotein lipase), $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma), $PPAR{\delta}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-delta), leptin, $TNF{\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and internal standard G3PDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Compared with control group, $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA levels of liver and kidney were decreased in both RD and GGT1 groups, and the effects were more prominent in GGT1 group than in RD group, suggesting that GGT1 is effective in the inhibition of lipid storage by decreasing the $PPAR{\gamma}$ expression. $PPAR{\delta}$ mRNA levels of adipose tissue were increased by RD and GGT1 compared with DW, and the magnitude of increase were higher in GGT1 group than in RD group, indicating that GGT1 stimulates fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism by activating $PPAR{\delta}$ expression. GGT1 group had higher concentrations of serum leptin, a well-known inhibitor of appetite, than control and RD groups. However, The mRNA levels of leptin, LPL, and $TNF{\alpha}$ were not changed by GGT1. These results indicate that GGT1 can prevent obesity in hGHTg obese female rats by down-regulating and up-regulating the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$, respectively, and that this anti-obesity effects were more pronounced in GGT1 group compared with RD group. In addition, GGT1 seems to inhibit obesity by increasing the circulating leptin levels.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2013

Objectives : Gambigyeongsinhwan 16 (GGEx16), gambigyeongsinhwan 18 (GGEx18) and gambitongseong capsule are shown to be involved in the regulation of obesity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the reporter activity of anti-obesity genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$ ($PPAR{\alpha}$) and $PPAR{\delta}$ by GGEx16, GGEx18 and gambitongseong capsule. Methods : After NMu2Li liver cells, C2C12 skeletal muscle cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with GGEx16 (1 ${\mu}g/ml$), GGEx18 (1 ${\mu}g/ml$) and different concentrations of gambitongseong capsule, the transactivation of $PPAR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$ was measured by a luciferase reporter gene assay. Results : $PPAR{\alpha}$ reporter gene activity in NMu2Li liver cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was significantly increased by GGEx16, GGEx18 and gambitongseong capsule compared with control, whereas $PPAR{\alpha}$ reporter gene activity in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells was significantly increased by GGEx18 only compared with control. Similarly, $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was also significantly increased by GGEx18 compared with control. $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells was significantly increased by GGEx16 and GGEx18 compared with control although $PPAR{\delta}$ reporter gene activity in NMu2Li liver cells was not changed by these three formulas. Conclusions : These results suggest that all three formulas have the ability to stimulate $PPAR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$ transactivation in animal cell lines with high metabolic rates. In particular, this effects were most prominent in GGEx18-treated cells. In addition, it is likely that GGEx18 may be used as an effective anti-obesity composition.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2011

Effect of Sargassum confusum extract on the reduction of body weight gain and lipid contents in obese rats were evaluated to find natural materials with anti-obesity benefits. After inducing obesity by feeding 42.5% high-fat diet for 5 weeks, each 10 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to high-fat diet control (HFD) group and high-fat diet group containing 3% Sargassum confusum extract (HFDSC). Weight gain of HFD group ($2.96{\pm}0.31g/day$) was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to that of normal diet (ND) group ($2.19{\pm}0.17g/day$). Weights of adipose tissues of HFD group were higher than those of ND group. Body weight gain of HFDSC group, however, was $2.36{\pm}0.24g/day$, which was significantly (p<0.05) lower by 21% than that of HFD group. In addition, weights of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissues were lower by 15% and 16%, respectively, as compared to those of HFD group. Biochemical analyses showed that concentration of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and fatty acids were significantly (p<0.05) lower in HFDSC group. These results suggest that Sargassum confusum extract has a high potential as an anti-obesity material by reducing weight gain and obesity-related factors in serum.