• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.227-236
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• 2019

In this study, the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities of an ethanol extracts of Ulmus divididiana var. japonica (UDE) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. UDE anti-oxidant activity was evaluated with an Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectrometer, which measured 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Cell viabilities were estimated using 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia were used to study the production of nitric oxide (NO). Cells stimulated with LPS produce more NO than normal control cells. However, cells treated with the UDE decreased this production in a concentration dependent manner (100, 250, 500, $1,000{\mu}g/mL$). Also, we investigated the anti-obese activity of UDE in SD rats. The SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: 10% low fat diet (N), 45% high fat diet (H), 45% high fat diet + garcinia extracts 200 mg/kg/day (HG200), high fat diet + UDE 200 mg/kg/day (HU200), high fat diet + UDE 400 mg/kg/day (HU400). UDE was found to lower whole body and abdominal and epididymal adipose tissue weights and lowered plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), compared to those in H group. Histological analyses of the liver and fat tissues of rat treated with UDE revealed significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and decreased size of adipocytes compared to the H group. These results suggest that UDE might be used to develop potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity agents, and may be useful as ingredients for related new functional raw materials.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.49-55
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• 2021

Atypical antipsychotics are more effective than typical antipsychotics and have fewer side effects such as tardive dyskinesia and extrapyramidal symptoms; therefore, prescriptions of atypical antipsychotics are increasing. However, recently, it has been reported that atypical antipsychotics have a higher incidence of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and obesity than typical antipsychotics. Atypical antipsychotics induce obesity-inhibiting appetite-related receptors such as serotonin and dopamine. Decreased exercise due to improving psychotic symptoms, and genetic characterictics can also cause weight gain. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia were another metabolic problem related to treatment with atypical antipsychotics. The mechanisms of hyperglycemia were mainly related obesity, decreased anorexigenic hormones, and increased insulin resistance in multiple organs. There are also reports that genes related to diabetes have an effect on the incidence of diabetes mellitus treated with atypical antipsychotics. On the other hand, although it is not clear why hypoglycemia occurs, it documented in case reports all over the world. There are more reports of atypical antipsychotics than typical antipsychotics and these are frequently reported in Asians. Further research on the mechanism of hypoglycemia related to atypical antipsychotics is strongly recommended.

• 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 Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.64-73
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• 2018

Objectives: This study investigated the effect on microbial ecology, fermentation characteristics and anti-obesity of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) fermentation with salt. Methods: PG was fermented for four weeks with 2.5% salt and the characteristics of fermented PG were performed by measuring pH, total sugar content, viable bacteria number and microbial profiling. Also, we measured total polyphenol, flavonoid and the percent of inhibition of lipase activity and lipid accumulation. Results: Salt added to PG for fermentation had an effect on pH, total sugar, total and the number of lactic acid bacteria. Total sugar and pH were reduced and number of total and lactic acid bacteria were increased after fermentation. The majority of bacteria for fermentation were Lactobacillus plantarum, Leuconostoc psedomesenteroides and Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis regardless of salt addition. However, microbial compositions were altered by added salt and additional bacteria including Weissella koreensis, W. viridescens, Lactobacillus sakei and Lactobacillus cuvatus were found in fermented PG with salt. Total flavonoid was increased in fermented PG and lipid accumulation on HepG2 cells treated with fermented PG was reduced regardless of salt addition. Moreover, fermented PG without salt suppressed lipase activity. Conclusions: Addition of salt for PG fermentation had influence on fermentation characteristics including pH and sugar content as well as number of bacteria and microbial composition. In addition, fermented PG showed anti-obesity effect by increasing flavonoid content and inhibition of lipase activity and lipid accumulation.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.175-179
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity activity of extracts collected from wild plants in Jeju island. The inhibitory effect of plant extracts on the differentiation of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 was examined by oil red-O staining. We found that extracts collected from 6 plants among 31 plants, namely, Aralia elata(Miq.) Seem, Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg, Artemisia asiatica, platycodon grandiflorum(Jacq.) A. Dc., Polygonum cuspidatum S. et Z., Magnolia obovata Thunb, significantly inhibited preadipocyte differentiation. Additionally, 4 plant extracts were also found to have antioxidant activities in DPPH radical scavenging assay. Taken together, these results show that 6 plant extracts suppress the differentiation of preadipocytes, suggesting the potential use of 6 plant extracts as anti-obesity agents.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.267-277
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between Cold-Heat pattern tendency and demographic traits, physical character, and vital signs in hypertensive patients taking anti-hypertensive agents. Methods : 28 hypertensive patients 30 to 69 years old were recruited. We assessed their general characteristics, physical characteristics (height, weight, waist circumference, etc.), vital signs without respiratory rate (blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature) and administered a Cold-Heat pattern questionnaire. After that, we analyzed statistical data on separate groups according to Cold-Heat characteristics or other criteria. Results : 1. Heat group patients had statistically higher scores in waist, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and pulse rate. 2. Over weighted group patients had statistically lower scores in cold Pattern Identification. 3. Higher BMI group (above 23/25) patients had statistically significantly higher Heat scores and lower Cold scores, higher waist circumference group patients had lower Cold scores. Conclusions : From the above result in hypertensive patients taking hypertensive agents, Heat group had a obesity tendency and the inverse is also valid. Later, progressed study based on more samples and varied data will contribute to diagnosis the Cold-heat Pattern identification in hypertensive patients.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.141-146
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• 2012

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is important in the regulation of metabolic diseases and has emerged as a promising signaling target. Previously, we reported the PTP1B inhibitory activity of Rheum undulatum (RU). In the present study, we investigated the metabolic regulatory effects of RU in a high-fat diet (HFD) model. RU treatment significantly blocked body weight gain, which was accompanied by a reduction of feed efficiency. In addition, it led to a reduction of liver weight mediated by overexpression of PPAR${\alpha}$ and CPT1 in the liver, and an increase in the expression of adiponectin, aP2, and UCP3 in adipose tissue responsible for the reduction of total and LDL-cholesterol levels. Chrysophanol and physcion from RU significantly inhibited PTP1B activity and strongly enhanced insulin sensitivity. Altogether, our findings strongly suggest that 2 compounds are novel PTP1B inhibitors and might be considered as anti-obesity agents that are effective for suppressing body weight gain and improving lipid homeostasis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2020

In this study, we investigated the dose-dependent effects of mixtures of Atractylodes macrocephala (AM) and Amomum villosum (AV) water extracts in a ratio of 3:1 on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model. Oral administration of various concentrations with mixtures of AM and AV extracts in a ratio of 3:1 for 6 weeks inhibited HFD-induced increases of body, liver and epididymal fat weights in a dose-dependent fashions. Those effects may be mediated by decreased expressions of lipogenesis-related genes such as acetyl coA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in liver. Also, increase of insulin and decrease of adiponectin in serum by HFD supply were inhibited by three different dosages of mixtures of AM and AV extracts in a ratio of 3:1. HFD supply induced increases of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL cholesterol. However, hyperlipidemia was significantly decreased in dose-dependent manners by treatment with mixtures of AM and AV extracts. Based on the results of the present study, hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effects by mixtures of AM and AV extracts were found in HFD-induced obesity model. Further clinical investigation is needed to develop anti-obesity therapeutic or preventive agents by using mixtures of AM and AV extracts.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.395-411
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• 2020

Background: This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of the flavonoid rich fraction (FRF) and its constituent, rutin obtained from the leaf of Morus alba L., on the lipid accumulation mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and C57BL/6 mouse models. Methods and Results: In Oil Red O staining, FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) treatments showed inhibition rate of 35.39% in lipid accumulation compared to that in the control. AdipoRedTM assay indicated that the triglyceride content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with FRF (1,000 ㎍/㎖) was reduced to 23.22%, and free glycerol content was increased to 106.04% that of the control. FRF and its major constituent, rutin affected mRNA gene expression. Rutin contributed to the inhibition of Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) gene expression, and inhibited the transcription factors SREBP-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In addition, the effect of FRF administration on obesity development in C57BL/6 mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated. FRF suppressed weight gain, and reduced liver triglyceride and leptin secretion. FRF exerted potential anti-inflammatory effects by improving insulin resistance and adiponectin levels, and could thus be used to help counteract obesity. The mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ, FAS, ACC, and CPT-1 were determined in liver tissue. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was also performed to evaluate the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in epididymal adipose tissue. Compared to the control group, mice fed the HFD showed the up-regulation in PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α genes, and down-regulation in CPT1 gene expression. FRF treatement markedly reduced the expression of PPAR-γ, FAS, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to those in HFD control, whereas increased the expression level of CPT1. Conclusions: These results suggest that the FRF and its major active constituent, rutin, can be used as effective anti-obesity agents.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.837-844
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• 2014

This study was carried out to analyze the differences in p-hydroxylbenzyl alcohol (HBA) content, antitumor and anti-obesity activities and tyrosinase inhibitory activity between non-fermented G. elata (NFGP) and fermented G. elata powder. The HBA content, which is an index-component of G. elata decreased from 1.58 mg/g before fermentation to 1.07, 0.32, and 0.13 mg/g after the $1^{st}$ fermentation ($1^{st}$ FGP), $2^{nd}$ fermentation ($2^{nd}$ FGP) and $3^{rd}$ fermentation ($3^{rd}$ FGP), respectively. The anti-proliferation effects on the cell lines HT29 and AGS were significantly higher for the fermented G. elata than the NFGP. The antitumor activity was also increased in a fermentation number-dependent manner. During adipocyte differentiation, the ethanol extract of the $3^{rd}$ FGP inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells significantly better than NFGP and the $1^{st}$ FGP, treated at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the $2^{nd}$ FGP at $600{\mu}g/mL$ over was higher than that of kojic acid. At the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity was increased in a fermentation number-dependent manner. From these results, the fermented G. elata, especially the $3^{rd}$ FGP, is expected to be good candidate for the development of functional food and agents with antitumor, anti-obesity, and tyrosinase inhibitory potential.