• 대한약침학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.179-193
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• 2017

Objectives: Nigella sativa (black seed or black cumin), which belongs to the Ranunculacea family, is an annual herb with many pharmacological properties. Among its many active constituents, thymoquinone (TQ) is the most abundant constituent of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seeds, and it is the constituent to which most properties of this herb are attributed. Methods: PubMed-Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) investigating the therapeutic effects of N. sativa and/or TQ. In this review, we investigated the clinical uses of N. sativa and TQ in the prevention and the treatment of different diseases and morbidity conditions in humans. Results: Black seed and TQ are shown to possess multiple useful effects for the treatment of patients with several diseases, such as inflammatory and auto-immune disorders, as well as metabolic syndrome. Also, other advantages, including antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive and anti-epileptic properties, have been documented. The side effects of this herbal medicine appear not to be serious, so it can be applied in clinical trials because of its many advantages. Conclusion: Some effects of N. sativa, such as its hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and bronchodilatory effects, have been sufficiently studied and are sufficiently understood to allow for the next phase of clinical trials or drug developments. However, most of its other effects and applications require further clinical and animal studies.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.127-134
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• 2003

This study investigates the effects of a raw diet (RD) on blood glucose and lipid metabolism in non-diabetic (normal) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley vats were assigned to four groups (normal control, normal RD, diabetic control, and diabetic RD), for the four-week experimental period. The control groups were fed the AIN diet and the RD groups were fed a diet consisting only of raw materials. Weight gain was statistically lower in the RD group than the control. fasting plasma glucose was significantly lower in the diabetic RD group compared to the diabetic control group. The levels of triglycerides (TG), and of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol in the plasma, were lower in the RD groups than the control groups, but not significantly. There was a statistically significant decrease in the levels of TG and TC in the livers of the diabetic RD group, compared to the diabetic control group. The fecal levels of total lipids, TG, and TC were significantly higher in the RD groups, compared to the non-RD groups. It can be postulated that this raw diet may possess substantial hypoglycemic/hypolipidemic properties in diabetic rats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.516-520
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• 2000

The present study was conducted to evaluate effect of fermented chub mackerel extract (FCME) on lipid metabolism of rats fed a diet supplemented with 1% cholesterol. Four week-old male rats were divided into three groups of 15 rats with 0, 0.1% or 0.2% FCME supplementation. In comparison with control, rats fed 0.2% FCME showed reduction of activities of acetyl-Coenzyme A carboxylase (p<0.05), 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl Coenzyme A reductase (p<0.01) and fatty acid synthetase (p<0.01). Rats fed 0.2% FCME also showed reductions in free cholesterol in the liver (p<0.05), and in concentrations of free cholesterol (p<0.05), LDL+VLDL-cholesterol (p<0.05), triglyceride (p<0.01) and phospholipid (p<0.01) in the plasma. Plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher in treatment groups as compared with control group. Atherogenic index was also significantly lower in rats fed 0.1% or fed 0.2% supplement diet, whereas bile acid in feces was not significantly affected. The current study showed that 0.2% inclusion level of the fermented chub mackerel extracts might have hypolipidemic properties.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.556-563
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• 2018

Objective: Spirulina has been recognized formerly as a filamentous spiral-shaped blue- green algae but more recently as a genus of photosynthetic bacteria (Arthrospira). This microorganism is considered as a rich source of essential nutrients for human and animals. The present study was conducted to determine potential application of Spirulina for heat- exposed broilers. Methods: Two hundred and fifty Cobb 500 chicks with male to female in equal ratio with average initial weight of 615.6 g at 17 days of age were divided into 5 treatments with 5 replicates of 10 chicks. Treatment groups were as follows: positive and negative controls with 0% Spirulina supplement and three Spirulina receiving groups with 5 g/kg (0.5%), 10 g/kg (1%), and 20 g/kg (2%) supplementation. Spirulina receiving groups as well as positive control were exposed to high ambient temperature at $36^{\circ}C$ for 6 h/d from 38 to 44 days of age. Biochemical variables were measured in serum samples at 35, 38, 42, and 45 days of broiler chickens age. Results: The results showed that supplementation of the diet with Spirulina decreased concentration of stress hormone and some serum lipid parameters while enhanced humoral immunity response and elevated antioxidant status whereas it didn't meaningfully affect performance characteristics. Nevertheless, feed conversion ratio was improved numerically but not statistically in broilers fed with 1% Spirulina under high ambient temperature. Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that alleviation of adverse impacts due to high ambient temperature at biochemical level including impaired enzymatic antioxidant system, elevated stress hormone and lipid profile can be approached in broiler chickens through supplementation of the diet with Spirulina platensis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.1-19
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and mechanisms of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) herbal acupuncture. Methods : Anti-diabetic and anti-steatotic activity of the AS herbal acupuncture was investigated on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. After random grouping at the age of 9 weeks, the herbal acupuncture groups were injected subcutaneously at the left and right Gansu (BL18) corresponding acupuncture points alternately on exactly the same time every day with 0.1ml of either 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of AS (AS400 and AS800) for 8-week period. As a positive control, metformin was administrated at a dose of 300 mg/kg (MT300). Body weights were measured weekly, and on every other week blood was collected for blood glucose analysis. At the end of study, blood was also collected for determination of plasma insulin and lipid levels, after which they were killed and periepidydimal fat, liver, muscle, and pancreas were immediately removed. The removed tissues were instantly soaked in liquid nitrogen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ for morphological examination and mRNA analysis. Results : The AS herbal acupuncture significantly prevented weight gain on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The AS herbal acupuncture lowered blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The increase of insulin response during the OGTT was inhibited by the AS herbal acupuncture. Insulin sensitivity of skeletal tissue was enhanced. Plasma lipid levels were significantly improved in the AS herbal acupuncture groups. The AS herbal acupuncture decreased hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride production, and increased fatty acid (FA) transporter that involves in FA uptake. The AS herbal acupuncture inhibited the increase of liver mass by prevention of the accumulation of TG but did not inhibit weight gain of fat tissue on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Conclusion : In summary, we have demonstrated several unique properties of the AS herbal acupuncture in decreasing body weight, and reversing insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. This AS herbal acupuncture acts as an insulin sensitizer and specifically decreases circulating glucose and lipids, and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis.