• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.107-114
• /
• 2012

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects of water extract from leaves of Ligustrum japonicum (WLJ) in db/db mouse. Methods : The db/db mice were treated orally with WLJ (300 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks to examine the long-term effects on hyperglycemia and glomerular tissue as well as biochemical and functional abnormalities in the kidney. Results : WLJ treatment markedly reduced plasma levels of glucose, triglyceride, creatinine, and systolic blood pressure in diabetic db/db mouse. Treatment of WLJ significantly increased plasma level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. We also found that overexpressions of vascular cellular adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 and endothelin (ET)-1 were observed in aortic tissue of db/db mouse, whereas, WLJ suppressed both expression of VCAM-1 and ET-1 in aorta. In renal tissue, overexpressions of ICAM-1 and TGF-${\beta}1$ were found in untreated db/db mouse, however, significantly decreased those levels by WLJ treatment. The insulin immunoreactivity of the pancreatic islets remarkably increased in WLJ treated db/db mouse compared with untreated db/db mouse. Taken together, WLJ treatment ameliorated hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia via improvement of insulin secretion and lipid metabolism, respectively. Furthermore, WLJ treatment also ameliorated hypertension via inhibition of inflammatory process in vascular and renal tissues. Conclusions : Ligustrum japonicum has an anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects in db/db mouse. Thus, these results suggested a beneficial effect of Ligustrum japonicum in treatment with diabetes and diabetic vasculopathy.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.59-67
• /
• 2018

Objective : Plantago asiatica L. has been used for many years in Korea, China, and Japan for the treatment of many diseases such as anti-inflammatory, anti-asthma and diuretic. But the anti-obesity effect of Plantaginis asiaticae Folium has not been studied yet. Thus, this study aimed to demonstrate the anti-obesity efficacy of Plantaginis asiaticae Folium water extract (PAF) in high fat diet-induced obesity animal model. Method : Male, five-weeks old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; ND (normal diet + 0.9% saline), HFD (high-fat diet + 0.9% saline), PC (high-fat diet + Garcinia cambogia 500 mg/kg), PAF 100, 300 (high-fat diet + PAF 100, 300 mg/kg. Treatments were performed daily for 6 weeks per os. We evaluated the changes of body weight, white adipose tissues weight, hepatic and fecal lipids level, pancreatic lipase activity and lipid profiles in plasma. Result : Body weights, adipose tissue weights and FER were significantly lower in mice fed the high-fat diet with PAF treatment than in mice fed the high-fat diet alone. In plasma, TG, TC, LDL-C, ATS and ALT levels significantly decreased in PAF groups compared with HFD group. Also, hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels decreased and fecal TG increased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. In addition, the activity of pancreatic lipase was decreased in the PAF groups compared to that of HFD group. Conclusion: These results suggest PAF extract is effective in preventing and improvement obesity, so it might be a potential and safe material for anti-obesity agent of weight control or functional supplements.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.24-34
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to increase worldwide, and blood glucose control may reduce mortality from diabetic complications and healthcare costs. Mulberry twig (MT) has been used as a herbal medicine in Asia, and its antidiabetic efficacy has recently been reported, but research in this area is still limited. This study examined the antidiabetic effects of water extracts of MT in diabetic animals. Methods: Six weeks old male ICR mice were divided randomly into three groups; normal control (NC, n = 10), DM control (DC, n = 10), and MT (n = 10). Streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally into mice in the DC and MT groups for 5 consecutive days. After 10 days of the last STZ injection, the mice in the MT group were administered orally with MT water extracts (5 g/kg body weight) for 16 days. Results: The MT water extracts ameliorated the swelling of the liver in the diabetic mice and reduced the elevated levels of fasting blood and plasma glucose, total cholesterol (T-CHO), low density lipoprotein-CHO, and the ratio of high density lipotrotein (HDL)-CHO/T-CHO. The liver triglyceride (TG) and glycogen contents were also significantly lower in the MT group mice than in the DC group. The small intestine disaccharidase activity was analyzed to understand the therapeutic effects and the mechanism of MT water extracts in diabetic animals. MT group mice showed reduced lactase and sucrase activity in the proximal part of the small intestine. On the other hand, body weight, plasma insulin, TG, HDL-CHO, and hepatic T-CHO levels were similar in the DC and MT groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that MT water extracts have antidiabetic effects and can be developed as a functional source to reduce the postprandial blood glucose or to prevent DM incidence.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.43 no.5
• /
• pp.805-825
• /
• 2023

This experiment aims to investigate the impact of probiotic feed on growth performance, carcass traits, plasma lipid biochemical parameters, intramuscular fat and triglyceride content, fatty acid composition, mRNA expression levels of genes related to lipid metabolism, and the activity of the enzyme in Sunit sheep. In this experiment, 12 of 96 randomly selected Sunit sheep were assigned to receive the basic diet or the basic diet supplemented with probiotics. The results showed that supplementation with probiotics significantly increased the loin eye area, and decreased plasma triglycerides and free fatty acids, increasing the content of intramuscular fat and triglycerides in the muscle and improving the composition of the fatty acids. The inclusion of probiotics in the diet reduced the expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase alpha 2 (AMPKα2) mRNA and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B) mRNA, while increasing the expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACCα) mRNA, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) mRNA, fatty acid synthase mRNA, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 mRNA. The results of this study indicate that supplementation with probiotics can regulate fat deposition and improves the composition of fatty acids in Sunit sheep through the signaling pathways AMPK-ACC-CPT1B and AMPK-SREBP-1c. This regulatory mechanism leads to an increase in intramuscular fat content, a restructuring of muscle composition of the fatty acids, and an enhancement of the nutritional value of meat. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the food science of animal resources and provide valuable references for the production of meat of higher nutritional value.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.12
• /
• pp.967-977
• /
• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC) is a traditional Asian medicinal plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The fruits of RC are known to prevent adult diseases through antioxidants. In this study, the effects of RC extract (RCex) on obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were evaluated in animal models. Twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were induced to become obese for 8 weeks and then the extract was orally administered for 8 weeks. RCex reduced body weight, adipose tissue, liver weight. RCex improved biochemical biomarkers including lipid metabolism (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol). The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) reduced the expression of adipogenesis genes (liver × receptor (LXR), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthesis (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and the effect of enhancing carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity by RCex was verified. RCex also influence on plasma production of hormones (adiponectin & leptin) related on energy expenditure and metabolism. In addition, we confirmed that RCex improved glucose intolerance in HFD-induced obese rats. RCex was first demonstrated to have anti-obesity as well as anti-NAFLD effects by regulating fatty acid oxidation and fatty acid synthesis by phosphorylation of AMPK. This suggests that RCex could be a good supplement for the prevention of obesity and related NAFLD.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2005

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of isoflavone supplementation on hormone levels, lipid profiles and total antioxidant status in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: Total 11 women with polycystic ovary syndrome were supplemented daily with 150mg of isoflavone for 6 months. Blood samples were collected 0, 3, and 6 months after supplement of isoflavone for analysis of LH, FSH, E2, testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG levels, serum lipid profiles, and total antioxidant status (TAS). Results: After 6 months isoflavone supplementation, the hormone levels did not change significantly. Serum lipid profiles did not show any significant change in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, lipoprotein(a), and free fatty acid levels. However, there was significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05) for 3 months. Total antioxidant status was increased significantly after isoflavone supplementation for 6 months (p<0.05). Conclusion: Isoflavone supplementation showed positive effects on the HDL-cholesterol and total antioxidant status. it is implicated that isoflavone supplementation will may have a effect on cardiovascular disease in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.140-145
• /
• 2003

The present study was designed to examine whether the fermented extract using the leaves of Pinus densiflora (FPD), has an ameliorative effect on the lipid metabolism in rats with hyperlipidemia. The body weight gain was attenuated by the adminstration of either 1-dose (2 ml/kg/day) or 2-dose (4 ml/kg/day) of FPD for 2 weeks compared with that of control or hyperlipidemia rats, while blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, sGOT, and sGPT were not altered. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and athelosclerotic index were partially restored by the administration of 2-dose of FPD in rats with hyperlipidemia without changes of serum HDL-cholesterol, total lipid, and triglyceride concentration. The FPD also partially ameliorated renal functional parameters including plasma cleatinine and creatinine clearance which were attenuated in rats with hyperlipidemia. These results suggest that FPD has an ameliorative effect on the lipid metabolism and renal function in rats with hyperlipidemia.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.11
• /
• pp.5759-5762
• /
• 2012

The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a health check-up program among Thai people at the National Cancer Institute in the years 2008-2009. The program included history taking, physical examination, chest X-ray, EKG, and laboratory tests. A total of 28,240 women and 9,665 men were included in the study, with mean ages of 44.5 and 46.9 years, respectively. The study showed that obesity, as assessed by a BMI over 25.0 kg/m2, in men and women was present in 41.4% and 30%, respectively. Biochemical study revealed that anemia was prevalent in 21.6% of men and 20.1% of women. High plasma glucose level (>115 mg/dL), cholesterol level (>200 mg/dL), triglyceride level (>190 mg/dL) in men was 13.8%, 63.8%, 22.6% and 7.7%, 61.1%, 8.9% in women. Hepatitis B virus infection was found 7.5% in men and 4.1% in women. In this study, 177 new cancer cases were detected, of which 35 were breast, 19 were cervical and 26 were colorectal, most of these cancers being detected at early stage. In addition, precancerous states was also found including 718 cases of benign and 99 cases of adenoma in situ. In conclusion, an annual check up may detect abnormalities that have no obvious clinical symptoms of disease. Early detection of asymptomatic neoplasms and precursor lesions should contribute to a prompt provision of treatment and further decline of death from cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.404-414
• /
• 2015

Taurine is one of the most abundant free ${\beta}$-amino acids in the human body that accounts for 0.1% of the human body weight. It has a sulfonic acid group in place of the more common carboxylic acid group. Mollusks and meat are the major dietary source of taurine, and mother's milks also include high levels of this amino acid. The leukocytes, heart, muscle, retina, kidney, bone, and brain contain more taurine than other organs. Furthermore, taurine can be synthesized in the brain and liver from cysteine. There are no side effects of excessive taurine intake in humans; however, in case of taurine deficiency, retinal abnormalities, reduced plasma taurine concentration, and other abnormalities may occur. Taurine enters the cell via a cell membrane receptor. It is excreted in the urine (approximately 95%) and feces (approximately 5%). Taurine has a number of features and functions, including conjugation with bile acid, reduction of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, promotion of neuron cell differentiation and growth, antioxidant effects, maintenance of cell membrane stability, retinal development, energy generation, depressant effects, regulation of calcium level, muscle contraction and relaxation, bone formation, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-cancer and anti-atherogenic effects, and osmotic pressure control. However, the properties, functions, and effects of taurine require further studies in future.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.209-215
• /
• 2003

This research was performed to investigate the effects of the supplementation of multi-extracts of mori folium (MF) and of exercise on blood lipid profiles and tissue differentiation in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The animal groups consisted of a normal-control group, a STZ-control group, three STZ-induced diabetic groups supplemented ad libitum with various amounts of MF extracts (MF-720, MF-360, and MF-180 groups), and a STZ-induced diabetic group supplemented with MF-360 combined with exercise; eight male Sprague-Dawley rats, 4 weeks old, were assigned to each experimental group and were raised in the laboratory for a 10 week experimental period. The MF supplementation group showed a significant reduction in levels of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride compared to the STZ-control group. HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the MF supplementation group compared to STZ-control group. The ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol was significantly higher in MF supplementation group compared to the STZ-control group. The Atherogenic Index (AI) values in the MF supplementation groups were found to be significantly lower than in the STZ-control group. Serum AST and ALT levels were significantly reduced in the MF-supplementation groups compared to the STZ-control group. Total cholesterol level in the liver tissue was significantly decreased in the MF-360 group and in the MF-360 + exercise group compared to the STZ-control group. In immunohistochemical staining of the pancreatic islets of the MF-supplemented groups, a significantly higher number of insulin-immunoreactive cells were observed compared to the STZ-control group. In the MF supplementation groups, Bowman's capsules were clearly observed as hypertrophy of the glomeruli was not obvious. In the MF supplementation groups, a relative reduction in the hypertrophy of the basement membrane of the glomeruli and a significant reduction in the mesangium were observed compared to the STZ-control group. The results of this study suggest that supplementation of MF has beneficial effect in improving plasma lipid and tissue metabolism in streptozotocin-induced rats.