• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2010

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is deciduous shrubs in the genus Hippophae, mainly cultivated in Europe and Asia. Sea buckthorn berries have a high vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, carbohydrates, protein, organic acids, dietary minerals, triterpenoids, polyphenolic acids and amino acids. Extracts of sea buckthorn berries have anti- obesity, anti-oxidantive, anti-microbial, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-diabetic and nutritional effects. Sea buckthorn used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of cough, aid digestion, invigorate blood circulation and alleviate pain. Extracts of sea buckthorn branches and leaves was administered to humans and animals to treat gastrointestinal distress in Mongolia. This paper briefly reviews the most relevant experimental data on the pharmacological effects and isolated component of sea buckthorn. And, we also describe the importance of sea buckthorn as the environmental-friendly crops.

• 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.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2019

Objectives : Obesity is a public health concern associated with chronic diseases including hyperlipidemia, diabetes, fatty liver, atherosclerosis and cancer. As several anti-obesity drugs have been limited owing to their side effects, the development of new anti-obesity drugs through herbal medicines has been increasing. Cynanchum Wilfordii Radix (CW) traditionally is consumed for various health benefits including immune enhancing, anti-inflammation and anti-tumor activities. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of CW on High fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods : The mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=7). The mice were respectively fed a normal diet (ND), a high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus CW (50 mg/kg/day), HFD plus CW (100 mg/kg/day). All groups were assayed for body weights, food efficiency ratio, blood biochemistry parameters, and organic tissue weights. Results : HFD-fed mice showed an increase in the body weight and serum biochemistry parameters levels (total cholesterol and triglycerides) as well as organic tissue weights. However, the administration of CW to obese mice induced a reduction in their body weight, food efficiency ratio, blood biochemistry parameters and weight of liver and fat compared with the HFD fed mice. Additionally, we observed that CW inhibited the lipid accumulation in liver and serum lipid parameter induced by HFD. Conclusions : Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that CW may be a potential agent for use in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.55-55
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• 2023

With the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increasing interest in anti-obesity strategies. According to the National Statistical Office, the obesity rate in Korea was 38.3% in 2020 and 37.1% in 2021. Obesity is a risk factor for several severe diseases, including stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Pinus rigida × Pinus taeda is a hybrid of Pinus rigida Mill and Pinus taeda Linn, and its cones are considered a by-product. Although previous studies have investigated their pharmacological effects on antioxidant activity and protection against oxidative DNA damage, few researchers have explored their potential as functional natural materials. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-obesity effects of the cone of ethyl acetate fraction of P. rigida × P. taeda (ERT), specifically its ability to inhibit lipid accumulation. Our analysis showed that ERT contains phytochemicals (catechin and caffeic acid) which are known to improve immune function and inhibit cell damage. ERT inhibited lipid droplet accumulation at the cellular levels through Oil Red O staining. Furthermore, ERT suppressed the expression of adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ and CEBP/α) as well as downstream lipogenic target genes (FAS and SREBP-1) thereby inhibiting adipogenesis. ERT also down-regulated key adipogenic markers, including aP2α, while inducing the phosphorylation of AMPK. It has been reported that PPARγ and CEBP/α are expressed in the early stages of adipose differentiation, while SREBP-1 is expressed in the late stage. Therefore, our findings suggest that ERT activates AMPK signaling pathways, which inhibits adipogenic transcription factors (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1) and lipogenic genes (FAS and aP2α), thereby blocking lipid accumulation and preventing obesity and related disorders. ERT showed potential as a new resource for developing a functional material for anti-obesity agents.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2008

In order to develop a functionally improved kochujang with antiobesity effects, garlic-added kochujang was prepared with freeze-dried garlic powder and followed by fermentation for 60 days at $30^{\circ}C$. Antiobesity effect of the garlic-added kochujang was investigated by measuring the leptin secretions and mRNA expression levels of obesity-related gene such as TNF${\alpha}$, PPAR${\gamma}$, C/EBP${\alpha}$, and SREBP1c, in cultured 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Fermentation of garlic-added kochujang led to decreased levels of leptin secretions and reduced the mRNA expression levels of TNF${\alpha}$, PPAR${\gamma}$, C/EBP${\alpha}$, and SREBP1c in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Accordingly, these results suggest that the addition of garlic to kochujang has a potential as a valuable functional food for controlling obesity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2016

Objectives : The researcher investigated the anti-obesity effect of Platycodi Radix (P), Platycodi Radix and Cyperi Rhizoma combination water extract (PC) in mice fed a high fat diet and focused on the analysis of local area adipose tissue.Methods : Male ICR mice were divided into four groups, which were fed either a normal AIN diet (N group), a high fat diet (HFD group), or a high fat diet and orally administration with a concentraion of 300 mg/kg body weight (P group or PC group) for eight weeks.Results : Compared to mice in the HFD group, mice in the P group or PC group showed significant reductions in weight gain and relative weight of total fat. Compared to mice in the HFD group, mice in the P group showed significant reductions in relative weight of liver. In blood biochemistry analysis, AST, ALT, triglyceride, total-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol, AI levels of P group or PC group were significantly lower than those of the control group AI. But serum serum high density lipoprotein(HDL)-cholesterol levels from the P group or PC group were significantly higher than those of the HFD mice in serum. And serum adiponectin levels from the P group or PC group were significantly increased that those of the HFD mice. And adipocyte number in the fat tissue from the P group or PC group was significantly higher than those of the HFD mice.Conclusions : Platycodi Radix, Platycodi Radix-Cyperi Rhizoma have an anti-obesity effect in mice and the effect is mediated by inhibition of fat gain.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.303-311
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• 2007

As obesity is known to be related to hyperlipidemia, diabetes and coronary heart disease, and other chronic diseases, many researches have focused on functional food materials showing anti-obesity activity. The adipokines secreted by adipose tissue, resistin and adiponectin are known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases directly. C-reactive protein and homocysteine are molecules regulated by adipose tissue indirectly also relate to the chronic diseases. This study was performed to study of the anti-obesity effects of Sasa borealis in diet-induced obese mice (C57/BL6J). The mice were divided into four group: NFD (Normal fat diet), HFD (High fat diet), BSE (High fat diet containing 5% of 70% ethanol extract of Sasa borealis leaves), BLW (High fat diet containing 5% of water extract of Sasa borealis leaves). The experimental diets were fed for 11 weeks. The final body weight of the mice in the groups of BSE and BLW groups were significantly lower than the HFD group. The effects of weight reduction were due to reduced body fat accumulation. The adiponectin levels are significantly decreased in HFD group compared than NFD group and increased taken by Sasa borealis containing diet. The resistin levels are not significantly different between experimental groups. The CRP and homocyteine levels are significantly higher in HFD group than NFD group and significantly decreased by Sasa borealis containing diet, especially BLW group. These results indicate that orally administered Sasa borealis not only has the effect of reducing the body weight and total fat weight, but preferable effect in adiponectin levels and related molecules as CRP and homocysteine. Therefore we expect the Sasa borealis may have an anti-obesity function and anti-metabolic syndrome effect in diet-induced obese mice.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.283-288
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• 2015

In this study, we investigated anti-obesity effect of isoegomaketone (IK) isolated from leaves extract of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. cv. We verified differentiation and lipid accumulation by Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 cells after IK treatment with differentiation media. IK inhibited mRNA expression of adipocyte specific genes that were related with differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. We confirmed the effects of IK on body weight and visceral fat mass in obese mice. Mice were randomly divided into three groups; normal diet group (ND), high-fat diet group (HFD) and high-fat diet with IK group (HFD-IK). The obesity mice were induced by feeding the 45% high-fat diet to the C57BL/6J mice during 4 weeks. After HFD-IK was orally administered 10 mg/kg of IK. As a result, the body weight of HFD and HFD-IK was increased 2.4 times and 1.7 times of ND, respectively. Also visceral fat mass of HFD was increased 24 times but in the case of HFD-IK was increased to 13 times in comparison with ND. Taken together, our findings suggest that IK reduced differentiation and adiogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, decreased the body weight and visceral fat mass in obesity mice. These results suggest that IK may have a potential benefit as anti-obesity material.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Objective : In this study, the anti-obesity effect of Fragaria orientalis (FO) on high-fat diet-induced obese mice was investigated. Drug treatment methods are widely used as obesity treatment methods, but research using various natural products is being conducted due to safety concerns. This study aims to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of FO extract, a natural product derived from Mongolia. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were used and divided into three groups, normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and high-fat diet with FO oral treatment group at a dose of 300 mg/kg. Extract was orally provided everyday for 6 weeks. Body Weight and food intake were measured every 2 days and blood lipid profiles and liver function in the sacrificed mice were evaluated. In addition, protein expression in hepatic tissue and histomorphological changes in liver and adipose tissue were observed. Results : Body weight, adipose tissue weight and FER were significantly lower in a high-fat diet with FO treatment than fed only high-fat diet. There was a significant difference between the high-fat diet and the FO-treated high-fat diet mice. As a result of analyzing lipid metabolism-related genes in hepatic tissue, all of p-AMPK, p-ACC, PPAR-α, CPT-1, and UCP-1 showed significant increases, and PPAR-γ also decreased significantly compared to the high-fat diet group. Conclusion : Overall, these results indicate that FO is effectual in improving obesity, suggesting that it can be used as a possible material for anti-obesity agents or functional supplements for weight control.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.380-389
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• 2021

Metabolic syndrome (MS) refers to a clustering of at least three of the following medical conditions: high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, low high-density lipoprotein level, and high serum triglycerides. MS is related to a wide range of diseases which includes obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. There remains an ongoing need for improved treatment strategies for MS. The most important risk factors are dietary pattern, genetics, old age, lack of exercise, disrupted biology, medication usage, and excessive alcohol consumption, but pathophysiology of MS has not been completely identified. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) refers to steamed/dried ginseng, traditionally associated with beneficial effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-fatigue, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. KRG has been often used in traditional medicine to treat multiple metabolic conditions. This paper summarizes the effects of KRG in MS and related diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease based on experimental research and clinical studies.