• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.71-77
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• 2016

Objectives : Adipogenesis was defined as a differentiation process of preadipocytes into the adipocytes. Thus, to control of this process can be one of the most important strategies to prevent obesity. Korean ginseng(Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the most widely used medicinal herbs. Although multiple biological activities of Korean ginseng, particularly ginsenosides, have been known, the anti-adipogenic role and function of polysaccharides from Korean ginseng are still unclear. In this study, we examined anti-adipogenic activity of polysaccharides and its molecular basis mechanisms are further investigated.Methods : The cytotoxicity of KGP in 3T3-L1 was evaluated by MTT assay. Anti-adipogenic effect of KGP was examined by Oil Red O (ORO) staining and microscopy observation in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. The mRNA expression levels of adipogenic transcriptional factors were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymer chain reaction (RT-PCR). To elucidate the adipogenic molecular mechanism of KGT, SB431542 (TGF-β specific inhibitor) was used.Results : We found that polysaccharides showed no effect on the viability of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Dose dependent inhibitory effect of polysaccharides on 3T3-L1 adipogenesis was observed as judged by ORO staining and microscopic image analysis. To obtain further mechanistic insight into anti-adipogenic function of polysaccharides, we then tested the effect of polysaccharides treatment on the adipogenic marker genes. The mRNA expressions level of C/EBPα, PPARγ, C/EBPβ, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were dose-dependently inhibited by KGP treatment in 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes.Conclusions : In conclusion, these findings suggest that the KGP could be used in treatment of obesity and overweight related diseases.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.136-153
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• 2017

Objectives This experimental study was designed to investigate the effect of Phaseolus angularis shell on metabolic syndrome. Methods Each 5 C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to normal diet group, high-fat diet(HFD) control group, high-fat diet plus 15.6 mg/kg/day of Orlistat(HFD-Orlistat) group, high-fat diet plus 100mg/kg/day of Phaseolus angularis shell extract(HFD-PAS_E) group. Weight, the blood chemical and hematologic parameter was med. The mRNA expression was assayed through Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results In HFD-PAS_E group, the body weight gain, weight of liver, and the level of LDL-Cholesterol were significantly decreased and the level of HDL-Cholesterol were significantly increased. The size of adipocyte in HFD-PAS_E group was smaller than HFD group's. In HFD-PAS_E group, the expression of leptin, PPAR-${\gamma}$, AP2/FABP4 mRNA in liver adipocyte tissue was decreased, the expression of Adiponectin, UCP-2 mRNA in liver adipocyte tissue was increased and the expression of Leptin, C/EBP-a, AP2/FABP4 mRNA in epididymal adipocyte tissue was decreased. Conclusion These results suggest that Phaseolus angularis shell has inhibitory effects on metabolic syndrome by reducing the body weight and the levels of lipid contents in high-fat-diet induced obese mice.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.41-49
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate Daesiho-tang(Dachaihu-tang) water extracts (DSTE) have potent anti-obesity activities in a high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model. Methods : In this study, we designed three groups (normal diet group, high-fat diet group, high-fat diet plus DSTE group for 7-weeks oral administration). Results : Increases in body weight were inhibited by 7-weeks oral administration of DSTE at a 500 mg/kg concentration in this animal model. Results from blood lipid analysis showed that the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lowered by DSTE administration, also HDL-cholesterol was increased more than high-fat diet-induced obese mouse. To understand the underlying mechanism at the molecular level, the effects of DSTE were examined on the expression of the genes involved in lipogenesis by real-time PCR. In epididymal fat and liver of DSTE-treated mice, the mRNA level of lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthase were decreased, which was well correlated with the reduction of the tissues weight. Conclusions : These results suggest that DSTE may have great potential as a novel anti-obesity agent.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2014

The roots of Paeonia lactiflora (PL) has been traditionally used as analgesic, spasmolytic and tonic in Korea, China, and Japan. As part of a search for herbal medicine to treat diabetes and obesity, we confirmed hypoglycemic effect of PL through high fat diet-induced obese and diabetic mice experiments in vivo. Treatment of ethanolic extract from PL led to a significant decrease in glucose level, which is comparable to that of an antidiabetic drug metformin. In addition, PL selectively stimulates the transcriptional activities of both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR){\alpha}$ and ${\gamma}$, and inhibits enzymatic activity of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), which are predicted to be therapeutic target in treatment of type2 diabetes and obesity. Especially, the n-hexane fraction (Hx) from PL ethanol extract showed more potent activities on $PPAR{\alpha}$ and than others and exihibited moderate inhibitory activity against PTP1B.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2024

Objective : Obesity, which has recently been rapidly increasing in the obese population, is caused by an imbalance in energy intake and consumption. The reason why we need to manage obesity well is that the prevalence of complications such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease increases. In this study, the effect of FO (Fragaria orientalis) water extract on fat metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells was observed to develop a new anti-obesity material based on Mongolian medical books. Methods : The effect of FO extract on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells was observed using DPPH scavenging, pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity, MTT analysis and Oil-red-O staining method. And the expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism was analyzed by Western blot. Results : The FO group significantly increased the DPPH radical scavenging activity at 5 mg/ml compared to the positive control BHA at 0.1 mg/ml. In oil red O staining at a safe concentration without cytotoxicity, lipid accumulation was significantly inhibited by less than 80% compared to the control group at all concentrations. Moreover, treatment of FO significantly increased the expression of proteins related to lipid metabolism, such as p-AMPK and p-ACC, in 3T3-L1 cells, and the expression of CPT-1 tended to increase in a dose-dependent manner. However, the expression of PPAR-γ was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion : These results suggest that FO water extract has a potential anti-obesity effect and are expected to be utilized in the development of materials for obesity prevention and treatment.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2015

Anti-obese effects of mulberry (Morus alba L.) root bark was investigated in vitro by measuring its inhibitory effect against 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and digestive enzymes such as ${\alpha}$-amylase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. Ethanol extract of mulberry root bark (MRE) showed the potent inhibitory activities on ${\alpha}$-amylase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase with $IC_{50}$ values of $7.86{\pm}0.36$, $0.12{\pm}0.03$ and $7.93{\pm}0.11mg/mL$, respectively. Furthermore, MRE significantly suppressed cellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the mechanism of MRE, we performed qRT-PCR and Western blotting for the expression of genes related with adipogenesis and lipogenesis. Treatment of MRE markedly suppressed the protein expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and SREBP-1c, as well as FAS and ACC, which are the key transcription factors and metabolic enzymes in adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In addition, qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the anti-adipogenesis effect of MRE might be due to its inhibition at transcription levels. These results demonstrate that MRE can effectively suppress adipocyte differentiation and inhibit key enzymes related to obesity. Our findings suggest that mulberry root bark may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.18-44
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• 2017

Purpose: The object of this study was to observe the anti-climacterium activity of Gagamguibiondam-tang (GGOT) on ovariectomized (OVX) rats, a well-documented rodent models resembles with women postmenopausal climacterium symptoms, as including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, organ steatosis and mental disorders. Methods: In this study, anti-climacteric effects were evaluated separated into three categories; 1) anti-obese, 2) anti-uterine atrophy and 3) anti-osteoporotic effects. Five groups were used (8 rats in each group); sham control, OVX control, GGOT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg administered groups. Twenty-eight days after bilateral OVX surgery, GGOT were orally administered, once a day for 84 days, and then the changes on the body weight and gain during experimental periods, serum estradiol levels, abdominal fat pad and uterus weights with histopathology of abdominal fat pads (total thickness and mean adipocyte diameters) and uterus (total, epithelial and mucosal thickness, percentages of uterine gland regions) for anti-obese and estrogenic effects. In addition, femur, tibia and fourth or fifth lumbar vertebrae (L4 or L5) wet, dry and ash weights, mineral density (BMD), bone strength (failure load), serum osteocalcin and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) contents, histological and histomorphometrical analyses - bone mass and structure with bone resorption, were monitored for anti-osteoporosis activity. Results: As a result of OVX, noticeable increases of body weight and gains, food and water consumption, weights of abdominal fat pad deposited in dorsal abdominal cavity, serum osteocalcin levels were demonstrated in this experiment with decrease of uterus, femur, tibia and L5 weights, serum bALP and estradiol levels. In addition, marked hypertrophic changes of adipocytes located in deposited abdominal fat pads, uterine disused atrophic changes, decreases of bone mass and structures of femur, tibia and L4 were also observed in OVX control rats with dramatic increases of bone resorption markers, the Ocn and OS/BS at histopathological and histomorphometrical analysis in this study as compared with sham-operated control rats, suggesting the estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms - obese and osteoporosis were induced by OVX, respectively. However, these estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms induced by bilateral OVX in rats were significantly inhibited by 84 days of continuous oral treatment of GGOT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg, respectively. Especially, GGOT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg showed clear dose-dependent inhibitory activities on the OVX-induced climacterium signs. Conclusion: The results suggest that oral administration of GGOT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg has clear dose-dependent favorable anti-climacterium effects - estrogenic, anti-obese and anti-osteoporotic activities in OVX rats in this experiment.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.123-139
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Cheongshimyeonja-tang water extracts(CSYJ) on high fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia in C57BL/6J mice. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into four groups; normal diet-fed control(ND), high fat diet-fed control(HFD), HFD+CSYJ 150 mg/kg(CSYJ 150), and HFD+CSYJ 300 mg/kg(CSYJ 300). Obesity with hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding high fat diet(40%), and CSYJ was administrated orally into mice every day for 5 weeks. The effect of CSYJ on the serological parameters for Obesity with hyperlipidemia was evaluated. Results : CSYJ-treated groups revealed significantly reduced body weight and feed intake, as well as feed efficiency ratio, compared to HFD-fed group in dose-dependent manner. CSYJ reduced significantly the serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol elevated by intake of high fat diet feed, while the increased serum levels of HDL-cholesterol attenuated levels of atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. It also reduced the blood levels of insulin and leptin in HFD group, and inhibited lipid accumulation in organs such as liver and abdomal adipose tissue. Moreover oral administration of CSYJ decreased significantly the blood level of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), and lipid peroxide(LPO), compared to HFD-fed group in dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : These results indicate that CSYJ could reduce high fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia, suggesting its clinical usefulness for declining body fat and hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.464-472
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Cheonghyul-san on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical ( ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$), and on the expression of NF-${\kappa}$B-dependent proinflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57BL/6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Cheonghyul-san per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein-2 (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-IKK-${\alpha}$, anti-phospho I${\kappa}$B-${\alpha}$, anti-NF-${\kappa}$B (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 antibodies, respectively. Cheonghyul-san prevented $H_2O_2$-induced cell death. Cheonghyul-san inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ in the $H_2O_2$-treated LLC-$PK_1$ cells. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ were inhibited in the Cheonghyul-san-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas the ratio was improved in the Cheonghyul-san-administered groups. Cheonghyul-san inhibited the protein expression levels of phospho-I${\kappa}$B-${\alpha}$, IKK-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}$B (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS and VCAM-1 genes. These results suggest that Cheonghyul-san is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;O_2^-$ and NO, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of NF-${\kappa}$B-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Cheonghyul-san might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the diabetes- and obesity-related proinflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1202-1209
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• 2008

Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$) and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ojunghwan on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$), and on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Ojung-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $anti-IKK-{\alpha}$, $anti-NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies, respectively. Ojunghwan inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondrial fraction in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ and $PGE_2$ were inhibited in the Ojunghwan-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas that were improved in the Ojunghwan-administered groups. Ojunghwan inhibited the expression of $phospho-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $IKK-{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 genes. These results suggest that Ojunghwan is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$, NO and $PGE_2$, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Ojunghwan might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation- related diseases.