• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 2024

Objectives: Nitric oxide is the most important mediator of penile erection after the onset of sexual excitement. It activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), increasing penile blood flow. Most pharmaceutical medications prevent enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) from breaking down cGMP, thus keeping its level high. However, due to the adverse effects of pharmacological therapies, herbal drugs that improve sexual function have gained attention recently. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine amino acid on the sexual performance of individuals with erectile dysfunction (ED) using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Methods: Over three months, 98 men with erectile dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of herbal supplements or placebo pills. Each herbal tablet contained 100 mg of protodioscin, 35 mg of ginsenosides, and 250 mg of L-arginine. Results: The results showed that the changes in the average scores of ILEF-5 within each group before and after the intervention indicated that all parameters related to the improvement of sexual function in patients with erectile dysfunction improved in the herbal treatment group (p < 0.001). The herbal group significantly improved IIEF-5 scores in nondiabetics (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes of IIEF-5 scores between the two intervention and control groups in diabetic patients. Conclusion: In conclusion, ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine have properties that increase energy and strengthen sexual function, making them suitable for patients with sexual disorders.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.221-232
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• 1988

Studies were conducted to determine whether reduced renal blood flow (RBF) exhibited by rats with uncontrolled, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes is attributable to diabetes-associated, enhanced renal vasoconstrictor influence of endogenous thromboxane $(TX)A_2$. Rats which were injected with STZ after pretreatment with 3-O-methyl glucose (3OMG), an agent which prevents STZ-induced hyperglycemia, were also studied. Basal values of total RBF (RBF; ml $min^{-1}$ $gKw^{-1}$; electromagnetic flow probe), systemic arterial pressure (BP; mm Hg) and renal vascular resistance (RVR;BP $RBF^{-1})$in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats during a control period were $5.9{\pm}0.3$(P<0.1_{VS}. CR), $115{\pm}3$ and $20.3{\pm}1.0$(P<0.1_{VS}. CR) for STZR (n=15), and $8.4{\pm}0.4$, $123{\pm}3$ and $15.1{\pm}0.8$ for age-matched control rats (CR; n= 15), respectively. Basal values of RBF, BP and RVR in 3OMG pretreated STZR were identical to CR. In preparations shown capable of renal vasodilatation, OKY 1581 (1 mg/kg, i.v. followed by 0.4 mg/kg min infusion) abolished arachidonate-induced $(TX)A_2$ synthesis, but did not alter basal BP, RBF or RVR in either STZR or CR (n=4/group). Similarly, i.r.a. infusion of SQ29548 (100 ng/ml RBF) abolished renal vasoconstriction induced by a TX/prostaglandin endoperoxide mimic, U46619, but had no discern able affect on RVR in either STZR (n=8) or CR (n=8). The data indicates that $TXA_2$ does not participate in the elevated basal RVR of STZR which are associated with the diabetic state.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.806-813
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• 2013

Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb. is a medicinal plant with anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemic activities. However, few studies of the anti-diabetic effect of A. pilosa on insulin resistance status have been performed. In the present study, the anti-diabetic effect of A. pilosa water extract (AP) was determined by investigating its ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory property, glucose utilization, and uptake, as well as insulin resistance mechanism of action in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Compared to positive control (acarbose), AP ($10mg/m{\ell}$) showed a similar ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory capacity. Glucose uptake was significantly increased by $1{\mu}m$ insulin treatment (p<0.05). However, palmitic acid (FFA, 1 mM) induced muscle insulin resistance and glucose uptake dysfunction. On the other hand, AP ($10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) was capable of reversing the FFA-induced insulin resistance in C2C12 myotubes. Compared to control, AP ($100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ without insulin) significantly increased the utilization of glucose (p<0.05) in C2Cl2 myotubes cultured in normal glucose (7 mM). AP treatment significantly increased the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of Akt. In particular, the effect of A. pilosa on the insulin signaling system is associated with the up-regulation of Akt genes and glucose uptake in C2Cl2 myotubes. These results suggest that A. pilosa is useful in the prevention of diabetes and the treatment of hyperglycemic disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.1401-1407
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• 2008

1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) is a strong $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitor which inhibits hyperglycemia in animals. To select the Bacillus strains highly producing DNJ, 4,000 strains were isolated from soil and grain samples. By the inhibitory activity against $\alpha$-glucosidase, nine Bacillus strains were selected and then identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. B. subtilis S10 was finally selected as the best strain for the production of DNJ. Various carbon sources and nitrogen sources in culture medium were evaluated for the highest production of DNJ. As the results, the optimized concentration of carbon source and nitrogen source was 1.0% galactose and 1.6% polypeptone and the concentration of DNJ produced was 0.75 g/L. The effect of culture supernatant of B. subtilis S10 on lowering blood glucose level was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice model. Mice were randomly assigned to control group (saline) and three test groups such as acarbose group, silkworm powder group and B. subtilis S10 group. After eight-week oral feeding, blood glucose levels of the B. subtilis S10 and silkworm powder groups were respectively $209.1{\pm}19.6\;mg/dL$ (59.1%) and $208.6{\pm}39.8\;mg/dL$ (59.0%) lower than $510{\pm}10\;mg/dL$ of the control group. These results indicated that the culture supernatant of B. subtilis S10 was able to reduce the blood glucose level in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.386-399
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined whether the supply of healthy Korean diets for 12 weeks is effective in improving the risk factors related to serum GGT and cardiovascular diseases in patients with hypertension and diabetes. Methods: This study selected 41 patients, who were treated with hypertension and diabetes. The Korean diet was composed of cooked-rice, soup, kimchi, and various banchan with one serving called bapsang, which emphasize proportionally high consumption of vegetables and fermented foods, moderate to high consumption of legumes and fish, and low consumption of animal foods. The control group was instead instructed to "eat and exercise as usual" while following the Korean Diabetes Association's dietary guidelines with an intake that can assist in glycemic control, maintain adequate weight, and meet the nutritional requirements. The Korean diet group (21 patients) were served three healthy Korean meals a day for 12 weeks, and the control group (20 patients, who trained in the diet guideline of diabetes) maintained their usual diabetic diet. The serum GGT, blood pressure, heart rate, glycemic control data, cardiovascular risk indicators, and changes in diet measured at the four visits (week 0, 4, 8, and 12) during the course of 12 weeks were compared and evaluated. Results: The serum GGT (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p = 0.004), heart rate (p = 0.007), weight (p = 0.002), Body Mass Index (p = 0.002), body fat mass (p < 0.001), body fat (%) (p < 0.001), and free fatty acid (p = 0.007) in the Korean diet group decreased significantly after the dietary intervention compared to the control group. The amount of intake of rice, whole grains, green vegetables, Kimchi, and soybean fermented food were increased significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The Korean diet group showed significant decreases (p < 0.001) in the intake of animal protein, lipid, and cholesterol derived from animal foods compared to the control group but significant increases (p < 0.001) in the intake of total calories, folic acid, dietary fiber, sodium, potassium, and vitamins A, E, and C. Conclusion: In patients with hypertension and diabetes, it was confirmed that regular eating of a healthy Korean diet helps improve the risk factors for GGT and cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.1336-1341
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the effects of rice added with mulberry leaves and fruit on blood glucose, body fat and serum lipid levels in Sprague-Dawley male rats for 4 weeks. Mulberry rice diet was prepared with mixture of 50% of purified AIN-diet and 50% of formulated rice consisting of soybean, barley, polished rice, black rice, uncleaned rice bud, mulberry leaves and fruit. The experimental animals were fed the mulberry rice diet (group A) and the purified AIN-diet (group B, diabetic control) for 4 weeks in rats injected with streptozotocin. In terms of observing hypolipidemic effect of mulberry rice, rats were fed either high-fat diet (13% fat) with additional lard, corn oil, cholesterol to AIN-diet (group C, control) or mulberry rice diet mixed with high fat diet (group D) for 4 weeks. Blood glucose level at the 4th week of group A had increased 5 mg/dL compared with that of day 0, while group B increased 51 mg/dL. However, the glucose levels of the groups A and B at the final day were 156 mg/dL (12.4% decrease compared with B) and 178 mg/dL, respectively. As for hypolipidemic effect, weight gain and body fat were 8% lower in the group D and serum triglyceride level also 19% lower in the group D compared with those of group C (p<0.05).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2016

The objective was to investigate the hypoglycemic action of catalpol in spontaneous diabetes db/db mice. 40 db/db mice were randomly divided into five groups: model control gourp; db/db plus catalpol 40, 80, 120 mg/kg body wt. groups and db/db plus metformin 250 mg/kg group. Age-matched db/m mice were selected as normal control group. The mice were administered with corresponding drugs or solvent by gavage for 4 weeks. The oral glucose tolerance test was carried out at the end of $3^{rd}$ week. After 4 weeks of treatment, the concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated serum protein (GSP), insulin (INS), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and adiponection (APN) in serum were detected. The protein expressions of phosphorylation-$AMPK{\alpha}$1/2 in liver, phosphorylation-$AMPK{\alpha}$1/2 and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) in skeletal muscle and adipose tissues were detected by western blot. Real time RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and Hydroxymethyl glutaric acid acyl CoA reductase (HMGCR) in liver. Our results showed that catalpol could significantly improve the insulin resistance, decrease the serum concentrations of INS, GSP, TG, and TC. The concentrations of APN in serum, the protein expression of phosphorylation-$AMPK{\alpha}$1/2 in liver, phosphorylation-$AMPK{\alpha}$1/2 and GLUT-4 in peripheral tissue were increased. Catalpol could also down regulate the mRNA expressions of ACC and HMGCR in liver. In conclusion, catalpol ameliorates diabetes in db/db mice. It has benefit effects against lipid/glucose metabolism disorder and insulin resistance. The mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of phosphorylation-$AMPK{\alpha}$1/2.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.435-442
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• 2011

At present, lifestyle-related diseases are one of the most critical health issues worldwide. It has been reported that lipopolysaccharide derived from a Gram-negative bacteria (IP-PA1) symbiotic with wheat exhibited several advantageous biological effects, such as the reduction of plasma glucose levels in NOD mice and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in WHHL rabbits. In this study, the beneficial effects on plasma glucose and lipids of a tea (SI tea) consisting of IP-PA1 and Salacia (which contains an inhibitor of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase) were investigated in the KK-Ay/TaJcl type 2 diabetic model mice and in human subjects with premetabolic syndrome in a double-blind, randomized study. S1 tea significantly decreased plasma glucose levels in KK-Ay/TaJcl mice. A clinical trial of SI tea was performed with 41 subjects between the ages of 40 and 69, who belonged either to a high plasma glucose group (HG: FPG 100-125 mg/dl) or to a hyperlipidemia group (HL: TG ${\geq}$ 150 mg/dl, or LDL ${\geq}$ 120 mg/dl, or HDL <40 mg/dl). These subjects ingested either Salacia without IP-PA1 (the control) or SI tea. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, and 60 days after initiating SI tea treatment, and were measured for FPG, HbA1c, TG, LDL, and HDL. These results showed that SI tea reduced FPG and HbA1c more rapidly than the control in the HL group, and also significantly improved LDL and HDL levels in the HG group. Thus, SI tea may be helpful in preventing lifestyle-related diseases.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2008

Dandelion has been frequently used as a remedy for women's disease, inflammatory diseases and disorders of the liver and gallbladder. Dandelion extracts water extract, an herbal medication, may have an effect on the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes in diabetic rat. This study aims demonstrate the effect of dandelion extracts, one of the natural chelator, on the biochemical and enzyme activity changes in the mouse liver caused by $HgCl_2$. Mice approximately 30 gm in weight were grouped into the control, mercury chloride-treated, and the dandelion extracts-treated after mercury chloride groups. $HgCl_2$ (5 mg/kg) and dandelion extracts (3 g/kg) were delivered orally. Serum AST and ALT were measured, enzyme activity of liver were examined by spectrophotometer and ultrastructural alteration of liver were examined by light and electron microscopy. Dandelion extracts were decreased the increase of serum AST and ALT level induced by mercury. The catalase activity was decreased in the dandelion extracts group. The activity of SOD was dereased, but did not show significant differences. Mercury chloride-treated hepatic cell were irregular nucleus, enlarged and reduced number of mitochodria, enlarged rough endoplasmic reticulum, loss of ribosomes. Cells treated with dandelion extracts were similar to those of the control group. In conclusion, dandelion extracts may protect the mercury-induced toxicity on Liver.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.909-922
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high glucose on prostaglandin E2 production in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells in vitro. In control group, the cells($5{\times}10^4\;cells/ml$) were cultured with Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium contained with 10% fetal bovine serum, 45mg/dl glucose. In experimental groups, glucose was added to the above culture condition at the final glucose concentrations of 100mg/dl(Test group 1), 200mg/dl (Test group 2) and 400mg/dl (Test group 3). Then each group was tested for the cell proliferation rate, protein levels, and prostaglandin E2 production at $\frac{1}{2}$, 1, 2, 5 days. The results were as follows : 1. As glucose concentration increased, cell proliferation rate decreased significantly at 1, 2, 5 days in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells(P<0.01). 2. In human gingival fibroblasts, test group 2 and 3 showed significantly decreased protein levels as compared to control group at 5 days (P<0.01). 3. In human periodontal ligament cells, as glucose concentration increased, protein levels decreased significantly at 2 days and 5 days(P<0.01). 4. Prostaglandin $E_2$ production in human gingival fibroblasts and human periodontal ligament cells significantly increased as glucose concentration increased(P<0.01). results at 5 days showed obvious difference as compared to those at 2 days. From the above results, high glucose appeared to affect cellular activities including cell proliferation rate, protein levels and enhance prostaglandin $E_2$ production. It was assumed that prostaglandin E2 production by high glucose enhances inflammatory reaction and has a toxic effect on human gingival fibroblasts and human periodontal ligament cells. This study suggests that periodontal disease in diabetic patient is related to prostaglandin $E_2$ production.