• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2015

Objectives This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of Dai-saiko-to (DSH) on differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and body weight, serum lipid levels in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Materials and Methods Cells were incubated with DSH at an indicated concentration (0.01-1 mg/ml) for 24h, then the growth rate was assessed by MTS assay. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were incubated in DMEM for 2 days with the indicated concentrations of DSH. On Day 6, the cells were fixed and the cellular lipid contents were assessed by Oil-Red-O staining. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymine (CCAAT)/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) as adipocyte-specific proteins were determined by real time RT-PCR and western blotting. Four-weeks old mice (wild-type C57BL/6) were used for all experiments. Body weight gain and serum lipid levels were measured in the obesity-induced mice. Results DSH did not show toxicity even at the concentration of 1 mg/ml and DSH significantly inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Also, DSH significantly reduced the expressions of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, DSH significantly reduced body weight gain, serum glucose, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol contents in obesity-induced mice. Conclusions These results demonstrated that DSH inhibited 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiations and high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.17-30
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• 2013

Objectives This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of Mulberry leaves contained herbal mixture (MLHM) on body weight, serum lipid level and adipocyte differentiation in high fat diet-fed obese mice. Methods Four-week old mice (wild-type C57/BL6) were used for all experiments. Cells were incubated with MLHM at the indicated concentration (0.04-4mg/ml) for 24h, and growth rate was assessed by MTT ((3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were incubated in DMEM for 2 days with the indicated concentrations of MLHM, and on Day 6, the cells were fixed and the cellular lipid contents were assessed by Oil-Red-O staining. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR ${\gamma}$) and cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymine (CCAAT)/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ (C/EBP ${\alpha}$) as adipocyte-specific proteins were determined by real time RT-PCR and western blotting. In addition, body weight gain and serum lipid levels were measured in the mice with obesity induced by the high fat-diet for four weeks. Results Though MLHM did not show toxicity even at the concentration of 4mg/ml, MLHM significantly inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocites in a dose-dependent manner. Also, MLHM significantly reduced the expressions of PPAR ${\gamma}$ and C/EBP ${\alpha}$ in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MLHM significantly reduced body weight gain and LDL-cholesterol contents in high fat diet-fed obese mice. Conclusions These results demonstrate that MLHM exerts anti-obesity effect in 3T3-L1 cells and mice with obesity by high-fat diet.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.133-145
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of present study was to investigate recovery effects of Hirudo, which has been used clinically in diabetes therapy. Methods: We established three groups: normal, control, Hirudo, and assigned 6 rats to each group. The normal group was not treated by any process and fed by normal saline. The control & Hirudo groups were administered streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Hirudo extract was orally administered to the Hirudo group for 10 days. After 8 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and their body weight, 24hrs urinary protein excretion, glucose, albumin, BUN, creatinine, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride in blood, and level of glycation end-product (AGE) and transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}1$) in serum were measured. Morphological profiles and morphometric studies of the kidney cortex, renal transforming growth factor (TGF-${\beta}1$) expression, and renal receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) expression were studied. Results: The following results were obtained. The protein amount in urine per 24hrs of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly reduced. The BUN and creatinine level in serum of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited. The construction change in kidney of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited. The factor of the Hirudo-treated group as compared to the control group was significantly inhibited, which induced the construction change in kidney. Conclusions: The above results suggest that Hirudo partially improved the function of the kidney.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.520-525
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• 2018

Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Lipid-lowering agents have been developed in order to treat hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, indicating a need to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment agents. Adenosine receptors (ARs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, ischemia, and inflammatory diseases. This study assessed whether LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out ($ApoE^{-/-}$) mice who are fed a western diet. Plaque formation was significantly lower in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 than in mice not administered LJ-1888, without any associated liver damage. LJ-1888 treatment of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice prevented western diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by markedly reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Reduced hypercholesterolemia in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 was associated with the enhanced expression of genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, may be a novel candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.45-50
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• 2020

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the toxicity after a single oral administration of black raspberry extract to male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and to determine the approximate lethal dose (ALD). Methods : We previously showed that the black raspberry extract repressed the simvastatin-mediated expression of Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and improved Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) uptake by hepatocytes through the induction of the Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor expression in hepatocytes. The groups consisted of black raspberry extract groups, as an oral dose of 2,000 mg/kg and a control group. 5 weeks SD rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 5 rats. Each male and female SD rats were administered orally once. For 14 days after the administration, mortality, clinical signs, changes in body weight, and necropsy findings were observed according to the "Standard for Toxicity Study of Pharmaceuticals" of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) guideline and "Acute Oral Toxicity- Fixed Dose Procedure" of OECD Test Guideline. Results : There were no cases of mortality in the group administered with 2,000 mg/kg of male and female, and no abnormalities in body weight change and clinical signs. Also, no gross abnormalities were observed at the autopsy. Conclusions : As a result of a single oral administration of the black raspberry extract to SD rats, the ALD was determined to exceed 2,000 mg/kg for both male and female SD rats.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2015

Objectives : Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Jeokhasuo in Korean) is a Oriental traditional herbs widely used in East Asian countries. Overconsumption of fructose results in hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and impaired glucose tolerance which have documented as a risk of cardiovascular diseases. This experimental study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of an ethanol extract from Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) in high-fructose (HF) diet-induced metabolic syndrome rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into three groups; Control group, receiving regular diet and tap water, HF group, and HF + PMR group both receiving supplemented with 65% fructose (n=10), respectively. The HF + PMR group initially received HF diet with PMR (100 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Results : PMR significantly prevented the metabolic disturbances such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance. Chronic treatment with PMR significantly decreased body weight, fat weight and adipocyte size, suggesting a role of anti-obesity effect. PMR led to improve the hyperlipidemia through the increase in HDL cholesterol level as well as the decrease in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol level. In addition, PMR suppressed adhesion molecules and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in aorta resulting in the decrease of hypertension. In muscle tissue, PMR significantly recovered the HF-induced insulin resistance through increase of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), p-$AMPK{\alpha}1/2$, and p-Akt expression. PMR improved HF-induced metabolic disorders and its action was caused by energy metabolism-mediated insulin signaling activation. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that PMR may be a beneficial therapeutic for metabolic syndrome through the improvement of hyperlipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance and hypertension.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.85-95
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• 2024

Objectives : We proposed the hypothesis that administering Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract (TSE) could alleviate menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis resulting from estrogen deficiency. Methods : Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were administered TSE at doses of 300 or 600 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks, followed by measurement of serum lipid profile and serum bone markers using ELISA kits. Additionally, analysis of related genes in the femur and uterus was performed using Western blot and real-time PCR. Additionally, micro-CT analysis was performed to investigate the protective effect of TSE against bone loss due to oophorectomy. Results : The administration of TSE led to significant reductions in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and glucose levels in the serum of OVX rats. Furthermore, TSE increased estradiol levels in the serum and notably improved the levels of biochemical markers associated with bone metabolism. Additionally, TSE exerted significant regulatory effects on the mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-genes closely associated with bone metabolism in the femur. TSE also demonstrated pronounced effects on uterine tissue, with improvements observed in gene expression related to estrogen receptors. Conclusion : Our findings confirm the efficacy of TSE in ameliorating menopause symptoms by modulating elements associated with both bone and lipid metabolism in the serum, uterine tissue, and femur of OVX rats. The present findings suggest that TSE may offer potential therapeutic effects for symptoms related to menopause and osteoporosis in females.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.333-340
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop functional lotus root bugak with plasma lipid reduction capacity by controlling the color of batter used for bugak preparation. Lotus root, nearly colorless, was selected to observe color effects. Gardeniae fructus (GF), Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten (OF), and green tea (GT), which are colored yellow, red, and green, respectively, were used as coloring agents. Fermented glutinous rice was prepared naturally during winter season by placing glutinous rice and water (1:2, w/w) together in a crock pot for 7 days. Coloring materials (10%, w/w) were blended with glue made from fermented glutinous rice flour to prepare the batter. Cooked lotus root was then mixed with a 1.1-fold amount of batter (w/w) and dried at room temperature. Lotus root bugak (LRB) is pan-fried with un-roasted sesame oil, which is traditionally used as frying oil in Korea. Low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout ($LDLr^{-/-}$) mice (n=36) were fed an atherogenic diet (AD) containing various types of LRB (10 g%) for 10 weeks. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-C concentrations decreased significantly in mice fed LRB prepared with OF batter (OFB) and GT batter (GTB) (P<0.05). Protein expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) in the OFB and GTB groups were suppressed compared with the LRB group (P<0.05). In accordance with the results on FAS and HMGCR expression, sterol regulatory element binding protein-I and II (SREBP-I and II), which are responsible for the regulation of FAS and HMGCR gene expression, respectively, were down-regulated compared to the LRB group (P<0.05). In conclusion, the plasma lipid reduction activities of OFB and GTB could be mediated through down-regulation of FAS and HMGCR mRNA expression via suppression of regulatory molecules, SREBP-I and II, in $LDLr^{-/-}$ mice.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-31
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• 2016

Objectives In this study, it was investigated whether Gami-Handayeolso-Tang (HDYST) medication has anti-obesity effects in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into five groups-normal diet-fed (ND), high fat diet-fed control (HFD), HFD+HDYST 150, HFD+HDYST 300, and HFD+orlistat as a positive drug. The obese markers such as body weight, diet efficiency ratio, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid contents, leptin, adiponectin, and GOT/GPT were measured. Also, white adipose tissue, liver weight, abdominal fat mass, hepatic lipid contents, and mRNA expression of obese-associating genes were examined in obese mice. Results In high fat diet-fed mice, HDYST administration significantly decreased body weight, diet efficiency ratio, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, as well as leptin and GOT/GPT, compared to the HFD group in a dose-dependent manner. HDYST increased significantly the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin. It also reduced the accumulation of lipids, such as total lipid and triglycerides, in organs such as liver and abdominal adipose tissue. Moreover, HDYST administration significantly decreased the expression levels of fatty acid synthetic genes, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), FAS and Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD-1), in the liver tissues, while it increased the messenger RAN (mRNA) levels of fatty acid catalytic genes, such as Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR-${\alpha}$), acyl-COA oxidase (ACO), and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a (CPT-1a). Conclusions Based on the results above, HDYST reveals anti-obesity effects declining body fat accumulation through the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and leptin/adiponectin serum levels. It therefore suggests that HDYST can be clinically useful for the treatment of obesity.