• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 2006

Efforts have been made to explore the possibility of using garlic as an antimicrobial therapeutic agent since garlic extract and its individual sulfur compounds show antimicrobial activities against all kinds of microorganisms including bacteria, molds, yeasts and protozoa. Staphylococcus aureus has been the most studied bacteria along with many other Gram positive and negative pathogenic bacteria, including species of the genera Clostridium, Mycobacterium, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Bacillus, Salmonella and Shigella. Candida albicans has been the most studied among the eukaryotic microorganisms. A pathogenic protozoa, Giardia intestinalis, was also tested. All the microorganisms tested was inhibited by garlic extract or its sulfur components. Garlic has been known to be growth inhibitory only when fresh garlic is crushed, since allicin-generating reaction is enzyme-catalyzed. Allicin is known to be growth inhibitory through a non-specific reaction with sulfhydryl groups of enzyme proteins that are crucial to the metabolism of microorganisms. Another plausible hypothesis is that allicin inhibits specific enzymes in certain biological processes, e.g. acetyl CoA synthetase in fatty acid synthesis in microorganisms. Allicin transforms into other compounds like ajoene and various sulfides which are also inhibitory to microorganisms, but not as potent as their mother compound. It is reported recently that garlic heated at cooking temperatures is growth inhibitory especially against yeasts, and that the growth inhibitory compound is allyl alcohol thermally generated from alliin in garlic.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.76-91
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• 2002

The lipid lowering and antioxidant effects of Gansoo(BL18), Pungji(GB20) and Eumnungcheun(SP9) acupuncture in rats fed high fat diet were analyzed in biochemical and molecular biological aspects. The results obtained from this study are as follows : 1. In the body weight reduction, all acupuncture groups showed a high reduction compared to those of control group and in acupuncture groups, Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups showed a high reduction. 2. The concentration of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol with acupuncture groups showed a little decrease and in acupuncture groups, Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) groups showed a low values compared to those of other acupuncture groups. However, the tendency of HDL-cholesterol concentration showed no significant different. 3. The concentration of plasma ${\beta}-lipoprotein$ and free fatty acids showed a lowest values in the Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups and the glucose concentration showed to decrease in all treated acupuncture groups. 4. The concentration of liver total cholesterol and triglyceride in Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups showed a lower values than those of control group. 5. In all the acupuncture groups, the plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT) activity showed a little decrease. In the glutamic pyruvate activity(GPT), Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups showed a lower values than those of control groups. However the values of eumneungcheun acupuncture only group showed no significant difference to those of control group. 6. The plasma and liver Thiobabituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentration in Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups were a lower than those of control group. However the values of eumneungcheun acupuncture group showed no significant difference to control group. 7. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in Gansoo(BL18) acupuncture group and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) acupuncture groups showed a high values. The catalase (CAT) activity in all the acupuncture groups showed a higher values than those of control group. 8. In acupuncture groups, DNA expression of Apo-B and Apo-E showed a tendency to decrease, however DNA expression of leptin showed no significant difference in all treatment groups. DNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ showed a increase in acupuncture groups. These results indicate that Gansoo(BL18) and Pungji(GB20) (especially Gansoo(BL18)) acupuncture affect the lipid metabolism and showed possibility of lowering adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2018

The gut microbiome has been studied extensively over the past decade with most scientific reports focused on the adverse role of the gut microbiome on gastrointestinal diseases. For example, the altered gut microbiome exacerbates the development of immune system-mediated damage in many diseases. The most studied pathologies include irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colitis-associated cancer. On the other hand, intestinal microflora is also beneficial and contributes to the intestinal physiology by the synthesis of vitamins, production of short chain fatty acids and bile acid metabolism, thereby maintaining gut homeostasis. Therefore, the balance between commensal and pathogenic bacteria populations influences mainly the maintenance of intestinal health. Changes in the intestinal microflora have been suspected to be the underlying causes of multiple diseases. Despite the immense amount of published data, the optimal gut microbiome composition is still controversial. This review briefly outlines the connection between the gut microbiome and critical gastrointestinal diseases focusing on three prominent intestinal disorders: irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and colitis-associated cancer disorders. Finally, intervention strategies using natural products for the alleviation of these diseases and the maintenance of a health gut microbiome are suggested.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.455-461
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• 2013

Retinoids regulate not only various cell functions including proliferation and differentiation but also glucose and lipid metabolism. After we observed a marked up-regulation of cellular retinol-binding protein-I (CRBP-I) in the liver of hepatitis B virus x antigen (HBx)-transgenic (HBx Tg) mice which are prone to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and fatty liver, we aimed to evaluate retinoid pathway, including genes for the retinoid physiology, CRBP-I protein expression, and retinoid levels, in the liver of HBx Tg mice. We also assessed the effect of chronic metformin treatment on HCC development in the mice. Many genes involved in hepatic retinoid physiology, including CRBP-I, were altered and the tissue levels of retinol and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) were elevated in the liver of HBx Tg mice compared to those of wild type (WT) control mice. CRBP-I protein expression in liver, but not in white adipose tissue, of HBx Tg mice was significantly elevated compared to WT control mice while CRBP-I protein expressions in the liver and WAT of high-fat fed obese and db/db mice were comparable to WT control mice. Chronic treatment of HBx Tg mice with metformin did not affect the incidence of HCC, but slightly increased hepatic CRBP-I level. In conclusion, hepatic CRBP-I level was markedly up-regulated in HCC-prone HBx Tg mice and neither hepatic CRBP-I nor the development of HCC was suppressed by metformin treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.1342-1348
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• 2014

Seeds of Korean pine cone (Pinus koraiensis) have long been consumed as an edible food in countries located in North-East Asia, On the other hand, Korean pine cone, containing various polyphenols, is discarded as a useless garbage after removing seeds. This study investigated the lipolytic effects of pine cone extract in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Intracellular lipid accumulation was measured by Oil red O staining, free glycerol release by colorimetric reaction, and expression of genes related to lipid metabolism by real-time PCR. Compared to control, pine cone extract reduced intracellular lipid accumulation by 8.8% and increased free glycerol release by 8.2% a concentration of $5{\mu}g/mL$ in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. mRNA levels of fatty acid synthesis were not significantly different between control and pine cone extract, but mRNA levels of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) significantly increased by 38.7% and 94.1% at a concentration of $5{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Thus, pine cone extract is suggested to have lipolytic effects through induction of LPL and HSL gene expression.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1422-1427
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• 2002

Fifteen crossbred cattle bulls of about 22-24 months age (mean body weight ranged from 291.0 to 298.1 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 animals following randomized block design. Animals in group 1 were fed concentrate mixture containing wheat bran 97%, mineral mixture 2% and salt 1% plus ad libitum chopped green sugarcane tops (SCT) as a roughage source. Animals in group 2 were fed concentrate mixture containing lentil chuni 97%, mineral mixture 2% and salt 1% while group 3 concentrate contained wheat bran 48.5%, lentil chuni 48.5%, mineral mixture 2% and salt 1% plus ad libitum chopped green SCT to meet their maintenance requirements. During metabolism trial period, the mean total intake and digestibility of DM in groups 1, 2 and 3 was $8.09{\pm}0.41$, $8.41{\pm}0.49$ and $7.86{\pm}0.16kg/d$ and 60.24, 63.24 and 65.05%, respectively. The intake of CP (p<0.05) and EE (p<0.01) was significantly higher in group 2 and group 1, respectively as compared to remaining 2 groups, which were comparable. Digestibility of CP and EE was significantly (p<0.01) higher in group 3 and that of CP was comparable with group 2. The intake and digestibility of total carbohydrates, NDF, ADF, Hemi-cellulose and cellulose were similar among 3 groups. The mean body weight changes in group 1, 2 and 3 were 173.4, 253.4 and 203.4 g/d, respectively, which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in group 2. The total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) intakes were significantly higher in group 2 and group 1, respectively. The total volatile fatty acids, ammonia-N, trichloro-acetic acid precipitable nitrogen (TCA ppt.-N; p<0.05), total-N concentrations and pH were significantly (p<0.01) higher in group 3, however, pH and TCA ppt.-N was comparable with group 2 and 1, respectively. From the results, it may be deduced that the feeding of chopped green SCT supplemented with a concentrate mixture having both wheat bran (48.5%) and lentil chuni (48.5%) has shown a better performance with respect to intake and digestibility of nutrients and growth as well.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.102-109
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• 1993

Backgrounds Diabetes mellitus is associated with accelerated atherosc lerosis and predispose to specific microvascular problems. This study was performed to evaluate the usefulness of red ginseng as adjunctive therapeutic agent of NIDDM especially in preventing chronic diabetic complications. Materials and Methods We treated 50 patients with NIDDM for 5 month with 2 regimens: 1)oralhypoglycemic drug therapy only(the control group), 2)oral hypoglycemic group). The patients were recruited at Korea university hospital from June, 1992 to October, 1992 and the following inclusion criteria were used: l)age above 35 years 2)initial body weight within or above ideal body weight 3)fasting blood glucose level greater than 140mg/dl 4)no previous history of diabetes mellitus or no history of blood glucose control for recent 3 months of more. The patients were seen every 2 weeks for remaining 3 months. At every visit FBS and PP2hr blood glucose were measured with blood pressure and body weight. Lipid profiles were checked every 4 weeks and platelet function test was perfomed with aggregometer after administration of ADP, epineprine and collagen every 4 weeks. Free fatty acid were also analyzed every 8 weeks and glycosylated hemoglobin was measured every 12 weeks. Results The results were as follows: 1. The mean values for fasting and PP2hr blood glucose decreased significantly in the control group than in the ginseng group. 2. The weight gain was less in the ginseng group than in the control group. The levels of systolic blood pressure decreased' significantly in the ginseng group than in the control group. 3. There was no significant differences of lipid profiles in both groups. 4. The platelet hyperaggregation was improved more significantly in the ginseng group than in the control group. Conclusions In patients with NIDDM who were recieving oral hypoglycemic drug therapy, the addition of red ginseng improved platelet function and blood pressure, but induced less weight gain. The data suggests that red ginseng may be useful as a therapeutic adjunct especially in preventing chronic complications of NIDDM.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.383-387
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• 2006

To investigate the effect of GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1(GGT1) frequently used as an anti-obesity herbal medicine in oriental medicine on the expression of obesity-related genes, we measured the changes in mRNA levels of these genes by GGT1 in human growth hormone transgenic (hGHTg) obese female rats, and these effects by GGT1 were compared with those of reductil (RD), an anti-obesity drug approved by FDA. Rats received once daily oral administrations of autoclaved water, RD, or GGT1 for 8 weeks. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed and tissues were harvested. Total RNA from adipose tissue, liver and kidney was prepared and the mRNA levels for LPL (lipoprotein lipase), $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma), $PPAR{\delta}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-delta), leptin, $TNF{\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and internal standard G3PDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Compared with control group, $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA levels of liver and kidney were decreased in both RD and GGT1 groups, and the effects were more prominent in GGT1 group than in RD group, suggesting that GGT1 is effective in the inhibition of lipid storage by decreasing the $PPAR{\gamma}$ expression. $PPAR{\delta}$ mRNA levels of adipose tissue were increased by RD and GGT1 compared with DW, and the magnitude of increase were higher in GGT1 group than in RD group, indicating that GGT1 stimulates fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism by activating $PPAR{\delta}$ expression. GGT1 group had higher concentrations of serum leptin, a well-known inhibitor of appetite, than control and RD groups. However, The mRNA levels of leptin, LPL, and $TNF{\alpha}$ were not changed by GGT1. These results indicate that GGT1 can prevent obesity in hGHTg obese female rats by down-regulating and up-regulating the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$, respectively, and that this anti-obesity effects were more pronounced in GGT1 group compared with RD group. In addition, GGT1 seems to inhibit obesity by increasing the circulating leptin levels.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.724-731
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• 2012

This study was designed to elucidate whether combination with Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. (MPM), traditional treatment for diabetes, ameliorates on high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. Animals were divided into four groups; Control receiving tap water, fructose-fed, rosiglitazone-treated fructose-fed rats, and MPM-treated fructose-fed rats both receiving supplemented with 60% fructose (n=10). The MPM or rosiglitazone groups initially received a high-fructose diet alone for 8 weeks, with supplementation with MPM or rosiglitazone, peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) agonist, occurring during the final 6 weeks. Treatment with MPM significantly prevented the increase in c-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the high fructose group. MPM suppressed high fructose diet-induced vascular inflammation marker expression such as intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. MPM also reduced intima/media thickness of thoracic aorta. Histologic observation and oil red O staining demonstrated hepatic tissue damage and lipid accumulation were severe in high fructose group. Treatment with MPM ameliorated hepatic tissue morphology with minimized steatosis. In addition, MPM attenuated hepatitis by inhibition of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression. MPM-fed group showed lower serum GOT and GPT levels comparing with high fructose group. MPM and rosiglitazone (positive control) significantly decreased the size of epididymal adipocytes. Taken together, the administration of MPM inhibited high fructose-induced steatohepatitis and vascular inflammation. These results suggested that MPM is useful in the prevention or treatment of metabolic syndrome-related disorders such as fatty acid metabolism and vascular homeostasis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.1 no.3_4
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• pp.201-205
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• 1968

The authors has observed the histopathologically and histochemically on the effect of the garlic and garlic oil to the liver and kidney of rats. In order to confirm the histochemical changes of the metabolism of polysaccarides, the periodic acid Schiff reaction was applied. The 30 albino adult male rats weighing about 150 grames from the National Institute of Health were housed individualy and devide into 3 experimental groups: Group C: stock diet group Group B: stock diet-garlic group Group A: stock diet-garlic oil group Group C was fed with stock diet only through out this experimental period, Group B was fed with stock diet supplemented with garlic homogenator to be 1%, and Group A was fed with stock diet supplemented with the garlic oil to 0.05%. The garlic oil used in this experiments was extracted by author. And all rats was fed during 10 weeks. The histopathological and histochemical results were shown in each figure. According to the all results, the following concIusions were drawn. 1) In the garlic oil administrated groups, congestion of the sinusoid was subsided and the liberation of the Kupffer's cells were observed. 2) In garlic administrated groups, fatty metamorphosis in hepatic cells, and slight liberation of Kupffer's cells in sinusoidal walls were observed. Connective tissue proliferation and collagen bundle were observed. 3) The connective tissue and blood vessel wall in portal area Were reacted intensely with PAS stain. The hepatic cells Were reacted intensely with PAS stain in control group and moderately or slightly in garlic and garlic oil administrated group. 4) There were no significant differences in collecting and Henle's loops in each groups, but narrowing of lumen of the distal tubules were observed in garlic oil administrated group. 5) The basement membrane of the tubules and the connective tissues of the vessel wall in Kideny were reacted intensely with PAS stain in each groups. In control and garlic administrated groups. the brush border of the proximal tubules were reacted intensely with PAS stain, but epithelium of the Heine's loop, proximal, distal and collecting tubules were reacted moderately. In garlic oil administrated-group, there were tendency of decreasing of PAS stain in each tubules.