• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.31-42
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity potential and mechanisms of action of Rhizoma Atractylodis(RA) herbal acupuncture in high fat diet- induced obese ICR mice. Methods : Sample solutions for herbal acupuncture were prepared from the Rhizoma Atractylodis water extract powder at concentration of 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg with distilled water. Five week-old ICR mice acclimatized to the laboratory environment for 1 week were allocated into four groups: regular diet group (RD), high fat diet group(HFD), groups fed HFD with 150mg/kg RA herbal acupuncture treatment (RAE 150) and with 300mg/kg RA herbal acupuncture treatment(RAE 300). Herbal acupuncture groups were injected with either 150mg/kg or 300mg/kg of Rhizoma Atractylodis(RA) subcutaneously onto both Sinsu($BL_{23}$) alternately on the same time everyday for 30days. Body weight, gross appearance of epididymal fat area, blood glucose, insulin, insulin resistance(HOMA-IR), non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, AST, ALT, histological analysis of white adipose tissue, gene expression responsible for adipocyte differentiation and AMPK activation were analyzed. Results : RA herbal acupuncture inhibited the development of weight gain, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, increases of AST and ALT, and the enlargement of fat cell size induced by HFD. Also, RA herbal acupuncture inhibited the expression of PPAR-${\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, aP2, LPL, FAS, SCD-1 and enhanced the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Conclusions : The results of this study demonstrate that RA herbal acupuncture can exert the anti-obesity effect and it is partially mediated by activation of AMPK and inhibition of the gene expressions responsible for adipocyte differentiation. Further studies will be required to ascertain the nti-obesity effect and mechanisms of action of RA herbal acupuncture in animal models and human for aclinical application.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2011

Target herbal ingredient (THI) is an extract made from two herbs, Scutellariae Radix and Platycodi Radix. It has been developed as a treatment for metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. One component of these two herbs has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-obesity activities. However, there have been no reports about the effects of the mixed extract of these two herbs on metabolic diseases. In this study, we investigated the metabolic effects of THI using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. High-fat diet (HFD) mice were orally administered daily with 250 mg/kg of THI. After 10 weeks of treatment, the THI-administered HFD mice showed reduction of body weights and epididymal white adipose tissue weights as well as improved glucose tolerance. In addition, the level of total cholesterol in the serum was markedly reduced. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the metabolic effects of THI in vitro, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with THI, after which the mRNA levels of adipogenic transcription factors, including C/$EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$, were measured. The results show that the expression of these two transcription factors was down regulated by THI in a dose-dependent manner. We also examined the combinatorial effects of THI and swimming exercise on metabolic status. THI administration simultaneously accompanied by swimming exercise had a synergistic effect on serum cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that THI could be developed as a supplement for improving metabolic status.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.457-469
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• 2017

Obesity is one of the most serious health problem because it induced numerous metabolic syndrome and increases the incidence of various disease, including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cancer. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, increases in reactive oxygens species (ROS) occur with lipid accumulation. NADPH oxidase, producing superoxide anion, may contribute to the development of obesity-associated insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we elucidated the effect of Chaenomeles sinensis koehne extract (CSE) against the development of obesity and the inhibition mechanisms in 3T3-L1 preadiocytes. CSE decreased triglyceride content and inhibited the expression of adipogenic transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR){\gamma}$, CCAT/enhancer binding protein $(C/EBP){\alpha}$ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP-1). In addition, CSE highly increased antioxidant activity in a dose-dependent manner. CSE remarkably reduced intracellular ROS increase and NAD(P)H oxidase activity, NOX1, NOX4, Rac1 protein expression, and phosphorylation of p47phox and p67phox We also studied the effect of CSE on weight gain induced by high-fat diet. The oral treatment of CSE (500 mg/kg, body weight) in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice showed decrease in triglyceride and adipocyte size. Therefore, these results indicate that the effect of CSE on anti-obese effects, adipocyte differentiation and reducing triglyceride contents as well as adipocyte size in obese mice, may be associated with inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase-induced ROS production and adipose transcription factors. These results showed the potential to inhibit the obesity by CSE treatment through controlling the activation of NAD(P)H oxidase in vitro and in vivo obese model.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.108-121
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• 2013

Objective This study was designed to investigate the effects of Gamiygin-tang (GY) extract (GYE) and fermented solution (GYF) on body weight, serum lipid level and adipocyte differentiation in high fat diet-fed obese mice. Materials and Methods High fat diet-fed obese mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes mice were treated with GYE and GYF and obesity related markers were assessed. A cytotoxicity assay was carried out by MTS assay. Inhibitory effects of GYE and GYF on adipocyte differentiation were carried out by Oil Red O staining. The effects of GYE and GYF on the expression of adipocyte differentiation regulatory factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBP-${\alpha}$) were measured by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The effects of GYE and GYF on the expression of adipocyte differentiation regulatory factors were also determined in relation to protein production/protein levels by western blotting. The anti obesity effects of GYE and GYF were measured in high fat-diet induced obese mice. Various factors were measured from the serum of the high fat-diet mice. Results Though GYE did not show toxicity at the concentration of 1mg/ml, GYF showed toxicity at the concentration of 1mg/ml. The GYE at 0.1 and 1mg/ml inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, and the GYF also inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. The effect of GYE on adipocyte differentiation factors including PPAR-${\gamma}$ and CEBP-${\alpha}$ was investigated and compared to the corresponding concentration levels of GYF. GYE and GYF both suppressed the RNA and protein levels of adipocyte differentiation factors. In the animal test both GYE and GYF reduced weight gain. GYE and GYF reduced blood cholesterol, TG and LDL levels. GYF better reduced blood cholesterol levels. Conclusions These results demonstrate that GYE and GYF exerts anti-obesity effect in 3T3-L1 cells and obese mice induced by high-fat diet.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.89-97
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• 2016

Obesity is caused by excess accumulation of body fat and contributes to various pathological disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of a 30% ethanol extract of Fructus Rosae laevigata (RLE) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, measured by triglyceride accumulation and expression of adipogenesis-related transcription factors during differentiation of pre-adipocytes into adipocytes. RLE decreased the intracellular triglyceride contents (assessed by Oil Red-O staining) in a dose-dependent manner. It also downregulated the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and inhibited cell proliferation during the mitotic clonal expansion phase of adipocyte differentiation by inducing G1 phase arrest. We investigated the alterations in the levels of G1 phase arrest-related proteins. The expression of p21 protein significantly increased, while the levels of Cyclin E, Cdk2, and phospho-Rb decreased in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells treated with RLE. These results suggest that RLE inhibits the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by suppressing the expression of adipogenic transcription factors and inducing G1 phase arrest in the early stages of adipocyte differentiation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.599-605
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Citrus flavonoids have a variety of physiological properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity. We investigated whether bioconversion of Citrus unshiu with cytolase (CU-C) ameliorates the anti-adipogenic effects by modulation of adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Glycoside forms of Citrus unshiu (CU) were converted into aglycoside forms with cytolase treatment. Cell viability of CU and CU-C was measured at various concentrations in 3T3L-1 cells. The anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects were examined using Oil red O staining and free glycerol assay, respectively. We performed real time-polymerase chain reaction and western immunoblotting assay to detect mRNA and protein expression of adipogenic transcription factors, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with cytolase decreased flavanone rutinoside forms (narirutin and hesperidin) and instead, increased flavanone aglycoside forms (naringenin and hesperetin). During adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with CU or CU-C at a dose of 0.5 mg/ml. Adipocyte differentiation was inhibited in CU-C group, but not in CU group. CU-C markedly suppressed the insulin-induced protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) as well as the mRNA levels of $CEBP{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\gamma}$, and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c). Both CU and CU-C groups significantly increased the adipolytic activity with the higher release of free glycerol than those of control group in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CU-C is particularly superior in suppression of adipogenesis, whereas CU-C has similar effect to CU on stimulation of lipolysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bioconversion of Citrus unshiu peel extracts with cytolase enhances aglycoside flavonoids and improves the anti-adipogenic metabolism via both inhibition of key adipogenic transcription factors and induction of adipolytic activity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.121-128
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• 2015

Objectives : Ojeok-san (OJS), an oriental herbal formula, has been used in Asian countries including Korea, China and Japan to treat the common cold and illnesses including fatigue and gastrointestinal disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-obesity effect and molecular mechanism of OJS, on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Also, the effects of OJS in obese mice fed a high-fat diet on adiposity were examined.Methods : Preferentially, we analyzed the component of OJS and measured the stability of its component in OJS according to study periods using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with OJS (50 to 200 μg/mL) during differentiation for 8 days. The accumulation of lipid droplets was determined by Oil Red O staining. The expressions of genes related to adipogenesis were measured by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. For anti-obesty effect in vivo, we experimented for 8 weeks with four group (normal diet (CON), high-fat diet (HF), high-fat diet with OJS (HF+OJS) and high-fat diet with Bang-pung-tong-sung-san (HF+BTS) in comparison group HF+OJS).Results : OJS showed inhibitory activity on adipocyte differentiation at 3T3-L1 preadipocytes without affect cell toxicity as assessed by measuring fat accumulation and adipogenesis. In addition, OJS significantly reduced the expression levels of several adipocyte marker genes including proliferator activated receptor-γ(PPAR-γ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α(C/EBP-α). Also OJS-administered mice showed significant inhibitory of body weights and abdominal adipose tissue weights.Conclusions : This study showed that traditional medicine OJS has an anti-obesity effect in vitro and in vivo. Thus, OJS could be developed as a supplement for reduction of body weight gain induced by an obesity.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate evidence-based practice (EBP) for sensory integration (SI) intervention in children with cerebral palsy (CP) through a systematic review and meta analysis. The screening strategy was performed to select studies for analysis after that, a meta-analysis was implemented for calculating the effect size (ES) in group studies. Twenty-four studies were included for a systematic review and included seven case reports, three single-subject designs, and fourteen group experimental design studies(three randomized controlled trials, three two groups nonrandomized studies, and six one group nonrandomized studies). The ES of the experimental group studies was moderate size of 0.272. The results of the ES according to the dependent variables, the ES was the largest in the fine motor development. The effect size of the published papers was greater than the unpublished paper's and two groups nonrandomized studies' size effect was the largest in the design. The ES of the infants was larger than the children. The ES for a period of 8 weeks, the number of five times a week, and time in 90 minutes showed the biggest in SI program. Although the ES of SI intervention in children with CP showed moderate effect, accumulation of research well be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.822-828
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• 2014

Allium sacculiferum Max. (ASM) is a perennial plant of the Liliaceae family and grows over the entire regions of Korea. Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide and has currently become a prevalent chronic disease. Adipocytes produced by preadipocyte differentiation during adipogenesis and adipocytes combined with abnormal accumulation cause obesity. Recently, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to accelerate lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of ASM methanol extracts on ROS production and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of ASM methanol extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner. ASM methanol extracts suppressed ROS production and lipid accumulation during adipogenesis. In addition, ASM methanol extracts inhibited the mRNA expression of both pro-oxidant enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as well as the transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$. Our results suggest that ASM methanol extracts inhibit ROS production and lipid accumulation by controlling ROS regulatory genes and adipogenic transcription factors. Thus, ASM has potent natural antioxidant, anti-adipogenic properties and have potential in the development of a potent anti-obesity agent.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.445-451
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is positively associated with atherosclerosis via elevating macrophage cell death and plaque formation, in which oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. Antioxidative, lipid-lowering, and anti-atherogenic effects of kimchi, a Korean fermented vegetable, have been established, wherein capsaicin, ascorbic acid, quercetin, 3-(4'-hydroxyl-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, and lactic acids were identified. In this study, mechanisms of action of kimchi methanol extracts (KME) on fatty streak formation via suppression of ER stress and apoptosis in aorta were examined in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice fed a high cholesterol diet with an oral administration of KME (KME group, $200 mg{\cdot}kg-bw^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) or distilled water (control group) for 8 weeks (n = 20 for group). Plasma lipid and oxidative stress levels were evaluated. Protein expression was measured by western blot assay. Fatty streak lesion size and the degree of apoptosis were examined in the aorta. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, in the KME group, plasma lipids levels were decreased and oxidative stress was alleviated (P < 0.05). Protein expression levels of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-mediated antioxidants in aorta were increased whereas those for ER stress markers, glucose regulated protein 78, phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit ${\alpha}$, X-box binding protein 1, and C/EBP homologous protein were decreased in the KME group (P < 0.05). Moreover, apoptosis was suppressed via downregulation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, bcl-2-associated X protein, caspases-9, and -3 with a concomitant upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (P < 0.05). Fatty streak lesion size was reduced and the degree of apoptosis was less severe in the KME group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, antioxidant activity of KME might prevent fatty streak formation through, in part, inhibition of ER stress and apoptosis in aortic sinus where macrophages are harbored.