• 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.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.216-220
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• 2010

Obesity is an important risk factor that significantly increases mortality and disease rates in the cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various diseases. So far, the most powerful way to inhibit fat absorption is pancreatic lipase inhibitors. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of the extract of Juniperus rigida. Juniperus rigida extract (JRE) had a inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase activity ($IC_{50}$=8.63 ${\mu}g$/ml). In in vivo oil-emulsion loading test, this extract also inhibited the intestinal fat absorption. In addition, we measured inhibitory effects of JRE on activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE) and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) among the important enzymes associated with lipolysis. JRE strongly inhibited PDE activity ($IC_{50}$=4.56 ${\mu}g$/ml), whereas inhibitory effect on HSL activity was very weak compared with orlistat. As a result, JRE inhibited the absorption of fat by inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase and induced lipolysis through inhibition of PDE activity. Therefore, we suggest that Juniperus rigida may be a potential therapeutic agent improving obesity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.61-64
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• 2013

A ten-year-old dog was presented with pancreatitis and increased hepatic enzymes. On necropsy a large firm mass was observed in the liver extending to the gall bladder. Smaller masses with similar texture were found in multiple organs including lung, stomach, pancreas, lymph nodes, omentum, and mesentery. Neoplastic cells were spindle shaped with prominent osteoid production and occasional trabeculae of woven bone. Tumor cell emboli were observed in the blood vessels and lymphatics of the omentum and stomach. Hepatic osteosarcoma with systemic metastasis is very rare and may serve to broaden the diagnostic spectrum of hepatic and pancreatic diseases in dogs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 2021

Chlorfenapyr is a widely used insecticide, that is very lethal if ingested. It exhibits delayed toxicity in which there are few symptoms at first which suddenly worsen after a few days. A 66-year-old female patient ingested about 90 mL of chlorfenapyr liquid hydrating agent (Chlofenapyr 10%) and showed stable vital signs with no specific symptoms and findings other than a mild fever, vomiting, and nausea. From the 3rd day of ingestion, creatine kinase was high, and rhabdomyolysis was suspected. From the 4th day of ingestion, pancreatic enzymes began to gradually increase. A diffusion-weighted image showed a multifocal high signal intensity in the white matter and corpus callosum area. On the 8th day after ingestion, she suffered a high fever and a heart attack and died. Thus, if a patient is suspected of taking chlorfenapyr, he/she needs active treatment and monitoring even if he/she does not exhibit any symptoms.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1017-1024
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study is to report the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment for abdominal pain with acute kidney injury. Methods: A 80-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain. Blood test results showed increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, amylase, and lipase. The patient was treated with acupuncture and herbal medicine, specifically Hyangsayukgunja-tang-gahwangryeon for 4 days and Gagam-gunbi-tang for 11 days. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale, Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, and abdominal examination. Results: Gastrointestinal symptoms improved after taking Korean herbal medicine. Additionally, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, amylase, and lipase levels showed improvement compared to values before treatment. Conclusions: Korean medicine treatment can improve clinical symptoms without damaging the kidneys of patients with acute kidney injuries.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.1 s.17
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• pp.47-53
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• 1975

The metabolism of many drugs and also of steroid hormones is mediated by enzymes located in the microsomal fraction in smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum of mammalian liver. The duration and intensity of action of many drugs are largely determined by the speed at which they are metabolized in the body. Repeated administration of phenobarbital results in the induction of enzymes that metabolize a number of drugs. Lee et al. reported that daily administration of phenobarbital in rats significantly increased the activities of amylase in the pancreatobiliary juice, but the concentration of cholate in the bile was significantly lower in the treated group than that in the control group. After animals were treated with $CCl_4$, histological changes were shown in the endoplasmic reticulum, decreased microsomal enzyme activity and decreased hepatic protein synthesis were apparent. The purpose of the present report was to study the interaction between a 'microsomal-stimulating' agent such as phenobarbital and a 'microsomal- depressing' agent such as $CCl_4$ on hepatic and pancreatic functions in rats. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The mortality rate of $CCl_4$ treated group was 34% and was decreased this figure to 15% with phenobarbital pretreatment. 2. In animals treated with phenobarbital the volume of biliary-pancreatic secretion was markedly elevated but the volume was decreased significantly in animals treated with $CCl_4$. 3. Total bilirubin output was elevated markedly in the $CCl_4$ treated group of rats pretreated with phenobarbital. The bilirubin concentration was increased in $CCl_4$ treated group and decreased in the group treated phenobarbital alone. 4. The concentration and total output of cholate in the bile were significantly lower in the all experimental group than control group. 5. In the animals treated with phenobarbital alone and phenobarbital plus $CCl_4$, the activity of lipase in pancreatobiliary juice was elevated, while in the animals treated with $CCl_4$ alone no change was observed. 6. The activity of amylase in the pancreatobiliary juice was decreased in the $CCl_4$ treated group, but elevated markedly in phenobarbital group and also elevated in phenobarbital-$CCl_4$ group. By the above results, it is concluded, when the liver was damaged by $CCl_4$, the exocrine function of pancreas and liver was decreased simultaneously. However, in the animals pretreated with phenobarbital, the toxicity of $CCl_4$ on the liver and pancreas was reduced.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.619-628
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• 2023

In the modern era, chronic kidney failure due to diabetes has spread across the globe. Prunetin (PRU), a component of herbal medicines, has a broad variety of pharmacological activities; these may help to slow the onset of diabetic kidney disease. The anti-nephropathic effects of PRU have not yet been reported. The present study explored the potential nephroprotective actions of PRU in diabetic rats. For 28 days, nephropathic rats were given oral doses of PRU (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg). Body weight, blood urea, creatinine, total protein, lipid profile, liver marker enzymes, carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, C-reactive protein, antioxidants, lipid peroxidative indicators, and the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) mRNA genes were all examined. Histological examinations of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas were also performed. The oral treatment of PRU drastically lowered the blood glucose, HbA1c, blood urea, creatinine, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile, and hexokinase. Meanwhile, the levels of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase were all elevated, but glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase dropped significantly. Inflammatory marker antioxidants and lipid peroxidative markers were also less persistent due to this administration. PRU upregulated the IRS-1 and GLUT-2 gene expression in the nephropathic group. The possible renoprotective properties of PRU were validated by histopathology of the liver, kidney, and pancreatic tissues. It is therefore proposed that PRU (80 mg/kg) has considerable renoprotective benefits in diabetic nephropathy in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1 s.28
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• pp.17-25
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• 1981

No evidence has accumulated that lead compound is an essential component for biological function in animals. Lead is absorbed primarily through the epithelial mucosal cells in duodenum and the absorption can be enhanced by the substances which bind lead and increase its solubility. Iron, zinc and calcium ions, however, decrease the absorption of lead without affecting its solubility, probably by competing for shared absorptive receptors in the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, the absorption of lead is increased in iron deficient animals. Lead shows a strong affinity for ligands such as phosphate, cysteinyl and histidyl side chains of proteins, pterins and porphyrins. Hence lead can act on various active sites of enzymes, inhibiting the enzymes which has functional sulfhydryl groups. lead inhibits the activity of ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase for the biosynthesis of hemoproteins and cytochrome, which catalyzed the synthesis of monopyrrole prophobilinogen from ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid. Accordingly lead decrease hepatic cytochrome p-450 content, resulting an inhibition of the activity of demethylase and hydroxylase in liver. Little informations are available on the effect of lead on digestive system although the catastrophic effects of lead intoxication are well documented. The present study was, therefore, attempted to investigate the effect of lead on pancreaticobiliary secretion in rats. Albino rats of both sexes weighing $170{\sim}230g$ were used for this study. The animals were divided into one control and three treated groups, i.e., control (physiologic saline 1.5ml/kg i.p.), lead acetate $(l0{\mu}mole/kg/day\;i.p.)$, $Pb(Ac)_2$ and EDTA$(each\;10{\mu}mole/kg/day\;i.p.)$, $Pb(Ac)_2$ and $FeSO_4(each\;l0{\mu}mole/kg/day\;hp)$. The pancreatico-biliary juice was collected under urethane anesthesia, and activities of amylase and lipase were determined by employing Sumner's and Cherry and Crandall's methods. The summarized results are follows. 1) In the experiment for acute toxicity of lead acetate, 20% of mortality was observed in rat treated with lead acetate as well as inhibition of the activity of amylase in the juice at the 3 rd day of the treatment. 2) No increases in body weight were observed in rats treated with lead acetate, while in control group the significant increases were observed. However, the body weights of animals were increased in the group lead acetate plus EDTA or $FeSO_4$. 3) Lead acetate decreased significantly the volume of pancreatico-biliary juice whereas additional treatment of EDTA and $FeSO_4$ prevented it. 4) Total activity of amylase was markedly reduced due to lead acetate treatment, but no change was showed following additional treatment with EDTA and $FeSO_4$. 5) No changes in the cholate and lipase output were observed in rats treated with lead acetate as compared with that of control rats. 6) Increase in bilirubin output in rats treated with lead acetate was shown on the 2nd and 3rd weeks treatment. 7) In the case of in vitro experiment, lead acetate also markedly inhibited release of amylase from pancreatic fragment. 8) Histologic finding indicated that acini vacuolation was induced in the pancreatic tissue of rat treated with lead acete. From the above results, it might be concluded that lead acetate decreases the volume of pancreatico-biliary secretion and inhibits the amylase activity, by acting directly on pancreatic cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.286-292
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the anti-obese activity of HPJ extract in C57BL/6J mice. The C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (Con), high fat diet control group (HFD), treatment groups with HPJ at 125 mg/kg (HPJ125), 250 mg/kg (HPJ250), or 500 mg/kg (HPJ500). To induce an obesity, mice were fed by a high fat diet for 6 weeks, and mice were administered with HPJ extract once a day for 8 weeks. At the end of treatment, we examined the effect of HPJ extract on body weight, plasma lipid, and lipogenic enzymes. HPJ extract was found to lower whole body and epididymal adipose tissue weights and lowered plasma levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and leptin, compared to those in HFD group. Histological analyses of the liver and fat tissues of mice treated with HPJ extract revealed significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and decreased size of adipocytes compared to the HFD group. In addition, HPJ extract preserved the morphological integrity of pancreatic islets. To elucidate an action mechanism of HPJ extract, Western blot and RT-PCR were performed using epididymal adipose tissues. HPJ extract up-regulated the levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylasse (ACC). HPJ extract also attenuated lipogenic gene expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein $1{\alpha}$ (SREBP$1{\alpha}$), fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in dose-dependent manners. In contrast, expressions of lipolytic genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\alpha$ (PPAR-${\alpha}$) and CD36, and fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation gene, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) were increased. These results suggest that HPJ extract ameliorates obesity through inhibiting synthesis of lipogenic enzymes as well as stimulating fatty acid oxidation resulting from activation of AMPK, and HPJ extract could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for obese patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1280-1287
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• 2013

The current study investigated the effects of [6]-gingerol, a ginger phytochemical, on the expression of autophagy-related genes and the activation of antioxidative enzymes in the pancreas of mice with cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. The following were studied: pancreatic edema, ${\alpha}$-amylase activity in serum, expression of autophagy genes, activities of antioxidative defense enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the production of lipid peroxidation (LPO). The results revealed that cerulein-induced edema in the pancreas and ${\alpha}$-amylase activity in the cerulein group significantly increased compared with that of the control. However, that of the [6]-gingerol pretreated group was significantly decreased compared with that of the cerulein-alone injected group (positive control). There was no significant difference compared with that of control. The expression of autophagy-related proteins, including Beclin-1 and cleaved microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3, were significantly increased in the positive control but significantly decreased in the [6]-gingerol-pretreated group. Furthermore, the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in the positive control were decreased compared with those of the control. However, those of the [6]-gingerol pretreated group were significantly increased compared with those of the cerulein-alone group. The mRNA levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were similar. The production of LPO in the cerulein with and without [6]-gingerol groups was increased by 133.1% and 26.3%, respectively, compared with that of the control, whereas that of the [6]-gingerol-pretreated group was significantly decreased by 48.5% compared with that of the positive control. Therefore, [6]-gingerol may be a strong candidate in reducing autophagy and LPO production and in enhancing antioxidative enzyme activities to help prevent acute and chronic pancreatitis.