• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.298-302
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• 2009

We investigated the anti-obesity effect of berberine in mice fed a high fat diet and focused on the analysis of adipogenesis in epdidymal adipose tissue. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups, which were fed either a normal diet (Nor), a high fat diet (HFD), or a high fat diet plus orally administered berberine (0.2 g /kg body weight) (HFD+B) for 8 weeks. Relative to mice in the HFD group, mice in the HFD+B group showed significant reductions in weight gain and adipose tissue weight. Serum triglyceride levels in mice from the HFD+B group were significantly lower than those of the HFD mice, as were the levels of serum insulin and leptin. An effect of berberine to reduce epididymal adipose mass was revealed by H&E staining. Berberine inhibited the high fat diet-induced increase in levels of the proteins CD36 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein $\alpha$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) observed in epididymal adipose tissues of mice from the HFD group. These results suggest that berberine has an anti-obesity effect in mice and that the effect is mediated by inhibition of adipogenesis.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.69-69
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• 2023

Safflower seeds, classified as a member of the Asteraceae family, a dicotyledonous plant, contain linoleic acid as a major component, known for its pharmacological effect of strengthening bones. Additionally, safflower seeds have been reported to have pharmacological effects on vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of safflower seed extract by examining its impact on adipocyte differentiation using Oil Red O staining, triglyceride quantification, and GPDH activity measurement. The results showed that safflower seed extract significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, we confirmed that safflower seed extract improved body weight, liver weight, adipose tissue size, glucose, and triglyceride levels in a high-fat diet-induced mouse model. These findings suggest that safflower seed extract exhibits potent anti-obesity activity both in vitro and in vivo and has the potential to be developed as a material for future anti-obesity therapies.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.836-843
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• 2014

Obesity, a condition in which an abnormally large amount of fat is stored in adipose tissue, causing an increase in body weight, has become a major public health concern worldwide. The purpose of this study was to optimize the process for fermented milk for the production of a functional product with an anti-obesity effect by using Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 isolated from human feces. We used a 3-factor, 3-level central composite design (CCD) combined with the response surface methodology (RSM). Concentration of skim milk powder (%, $X_1$), incubation temperature ($^{\circ}C$, $X_2$), and incubation time (h, $X_3$) were used as the independent factors, whereas pH (pH, $Y_1$), anti-lipase activity (%, $Y_2$) and anti-adipogenetic activity (%, $Y_3$) were used as the dependent factors. The optimal conditions of fermented milk for the highest anti-lipase and anti-adipogenetic activity with pH 4.4 were the 9.5% of skim milk powder, $37^{\circ}C$ of incubation temperature, 28 h of incubation time. In the fermentation condition, the predicted values of pH, anti-lipase activity and anti-adipogenetic activity were 4.47, 55.55, and 20.48%, respectively. However, the actual values of pH, anti-lipase activity and anti-adipogenetic activity were 4.50, 52.86, and 19.25%, respectively. These results demonstrate that 9.5% of skim milk powder and incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 28 h were the optimum conditions for producing functional fermented milk with an anti-obesity effect.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.62-72
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• 2018

This study investigated the anti-obesity effect of a pear (Fructus Pyri Pyrifoliae) extract fermented by lactic-acid bacteria on obesity induced by a high-fat diet in rats. Body-weight measurement, blood analysis, and light microscope observation of adipose tissue in liver and epididymis were conducted after 8 weeks. Gene expression of leptin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) in liver cells were also investigated. Compared to CON, PFA and PFB showed 8% weight reduction along with weight reduction of adipose tissue in liver and epididymis. Observing the microstructure of liver cells showed that lipid droplets were smaller in PFA and PFB than in CON. We confirmed that Fructus Pyri Pyrifoliae extract fermented by lactic-acid bacteria can affect gene expression of leptin, adiponectin, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in liver cells, showing an obesity treatment effect. From the results above, it was observed that weight gain from increased gene expression in adipose cells as well as from the increased proportion of adipose cells caused by a high-fat diet can be statistically significantly reduced by taking Fructus Pyri Pyrifoliae extract fermented by lactic-acid bacteria. Therefore, Fructus Pyri Pyrifoliae extract fermented by lactic-acid bacteria can be effective for preventing and treating obesity by reducing weight and adipose cells.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.403-414
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine the anti-obesity effect of adding Wolfiporia extensa Ginns (W) to fermented pollack skin products in an obesity-induced animal model. The experimental groups were the normal diet group (C), high-fat diet group (HF), dried pollack skin (H1), fermented pollack skin (H2), and W of 0.1 (F2-WL), 0.3 (F2-WM), and 0.5 (F2), respectively. It was confirmed that adding W to fermented pollack skin reduced blood triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL levels, while increasing HDL levels. Wolfiporia extensa Ginns was effective in controlling weight and improving blood lipids in a dose-dependent manner. In histological analysis, findings of fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet were improved by the addition of H2 and W. Size and density of fat globules in the epididymis were decreased. In addition, the concentration of TNF-α was increased in the high-fat diet group, but decreased by the addition of fermented pollack skin and W. In conclusion, adding fermented dried pollack skin and Wolfiporia extensa Ginns was effective for weight control and blood lipid improvement. Thus, the use of by-products in functional foods is expected to have a high value in the future.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.341-349
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• 2013

In this study, the anti-oxidative and anti-obesity activities of two medicinal herb extracts, Tetrapanax papyriferus (TP) and Siegesbeckia pubescens (SP), were evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging activity assay, lipase enzyme inhibition assay, and the cell culture model system. Both methanol extracts of TP and SP showed DPPH radical scavenging activities dose-dependently, and the $IC_{50}$ of DPPH radical scavenging activities of the two medicinal herbs were 65.23 and 47.79 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Furthermore, both extracts suppressed effectively lipase enzyme activity dose-dependently. Moreover, TP and SP extracts significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, triglyceride (TG) contents on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Their anti-obesity effect was modulated by cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) gene and protein expressions. Furthermore, TP and SP possessed a synergistic effect on anti-obesity activity. The identification of the active compounds that confer the anti-obesity activity of TP and SP might be needed.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Objective : Obesity in modern society has a significant impact on pathological, psychological and social problems. Therefore, many studies on obesity treatment using herbal extracts with fewer side effects have been conducted. This study was designed to investigate the effect of inhibiting fat accumulation in vitro in order to Mongolian medicinal plants find anti-obesity candidate among. Methods : We measured pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in Mongolian medicinal plants extract. Cytotoxicity of these extracts was monitored in 3T3-L1 cells by MTT assay. In addition, the anti-obesity effects was confirmed at concentrations of 0.2, 0.1 and 0.05 mg/㎖ through Oil red O staining. Results : Among Mongolian medicinal plants, Rheum undulatum roots in September (RURS), Paeonia anomala L. (PAL), and Fragaria orientalis (FO) showed the highest pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity. As a result of the MTT assay, more than 80% was judged to be non-toxic, and the concentration was determined, and as a result of evaluating the lipid accumulation inhibitory effect, 6 types were selected as candidates. Conclusion : Based on these results, the top 7 species expected to be used as anti-obesity functional materials were selected. However, additional efficacy verification and mechanism of action need to be established in the future. So, it is expected that the medicinal plants verified through this will be used as functional materials for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1079-1087
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• 2021

Gentisic acid (GA), a benzoic acid derivative present in various food ingredients, has been shown to have diverse pharmaceutical activities such as anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective effects. In this study, we used a co-culture system to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic effects of GA on macrophages and adipocytes, respectively, as well as its effect on obesity-related chronic inflammation. We found that GA effectively suppressed lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory responses by controlling the production of nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating inflammation-related protein pathways. GA treatment also inhibited lipid accumulation in adipocytes by modulating the expression of major adipogenic transcription factors and their upstream protein pathways. Furthermore, in the macrophage-adipocyte co-culture system, GA decreased the production of obesity-related cytokines. These results indicate that GA possesses effective anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic activities and may be used in developing treatments for the management of obesity-related chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 2024

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from kimchi have various functions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-obesity activities, and are therefore widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and medical fields. To date, the health functionalities of LAB have been widely reported; however, those of kimchi fermented with LAB as a starter have rarely been reported. Therefore, research on the selection of LAB with anti-obesity activity and the health functionality of kimchi fermented with LAB is needed. In the present study, LAB with anti-obesity activity were initially selected by measuring the Oil-Red O intensity. Among the four LAB strains, anti-obesity activity was confirmed by measuring cell viability, lipid levels, and lipid accumulation. Then, starter kimchi (SK) was prepared by inoculating selected LABs, and its pH, total acidity, and salinity were compared with those of naturally fermented kimchi (NK). Lastly, anti-obesity activity was also investigated in 3T3-L1 cells. Selected LAB showed no cytotoxicity up to 10⁷ CFU/ml, with Lactobacillus brevis JC7 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides KCKM0828 having higher inhibitory effects on TG, TC content and lipid accumulation. Most SKs showed fermentation properties similar to those of the NK. SKs showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations of up to 1,000 ㎍/ml. SKs showed strong inhibitory effects on TG content, lipid accumulation, and obesity-related gene and protein expressions. Taken together, the utilization of LAB as a starter could improve the health benefits of kimchi.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2024

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the anti-obesity effect of Cydonia oblonga Miller fruit extract (COME) and to compare its anti-obesity efficacy with Garcinia cambogia extract (GCE) in diet-induced obese mice. Methods: Five-week-old male C57BL/6 were allocated into four groups: control diet (CD), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + 400 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day COME (H+C), or HFD + 400 mg/kg BW/day GCE (H+G) groups. COME or GCE was administered once a day by oral gavage for eight weeks. Body weight, body fat percentage, fat weight, and biochemical parameters in serum were measured. The expressions of transcription factors and their target genes in epididymal adipose tissues were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: COME reduced body weight, weight gain, body fat percentage, total white adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size, and serum levels of insulin and leptin in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. COME suppressed the mRNA expressions of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteinα, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ, sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and adipocyte protein 2 and increased carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 mRNA expression in epidydimal adipose tissues. The anti-obesity efficacy of COME was found to be similar to that of GCE at the same dose. However, COME more effectively decreased adipose tissue weights, epididymal adipocyte size, serum insulin and leptin compared to GCE. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that COME is not toxic and exhibits anti-obesity efficacy at a level similar to that of GCE, suggesting that COME may be applicable as an anti-obesity agent.