• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 1998

To study e(feces of Korean Binseng (Parfax ginseff C. A. hfeyer) total saponin fraction on spermidine and spermine metabolism in rat reproductive systems, we administrated the saponin fractation to rats for 2 years. Then, we determined the activities of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), the quantitation of the enzyme protein and the amounts of spermidine and spermine contents In prostate and testis. In young sexually immature stage, administration of Korean ginseng saponin fraction showed no effect on SAMDC activities. The stimulatory effect on the activities of SAMDC gradually increased and reached maximal activities in test groups of prostate and testis at sexually mature stage. The amounts of SAMDC protein in test groups were paralleled by the changes of SAMDC activities in test groups, indicating that all of the increased activity occurring in administration of ginseng saponin fraction was not due to the activation of SAMDC activity but to the Increase in enzyme protein. However, the spermidine and spermine contents of test groups showed small increase in compared to that of control groups. From these results, we suggest that administration of ginseng saponin fraction alter the spermidine and spermine metabolism in sexually mature and aged reproductive systems in rats.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 2006

To elucidate the effect of antioxidant complex containing $\beta-carotene$, vitamin E, vitamin C, Ginkgo Biloba leaf extract and selenium on oxygen :tree radical production and detoxification system, rats were fed normal diet and normal diet with antioxidant complex 0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% for 3 weeks. Feed efficiency ratio, changes in body weight, weight gain and amounts of feces of rat are similar in four groups. Liver weight per body weight and hepatic lipid peroxide weight increased in 0.5% group. However, hepatic glutathione contents in all antioxidant complex added groups were significantly increased compare with normal control group. On the other hand, the activity of xanthine oxidase was a little increased due to the amounts of antioxidant complex. Superoxide dismutase and gutathione peroxidase activity of 0.1% antioxidant complex added group were increased about $10{\sim}20%$ in comparison to normal control group. These results suggest that the supplementation of antioxidant complex 0.1% to basal diet may reduce the hepatic damage caused by free radicals.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.304-318
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• 2017

While evaluating fungal diversity in fecal and freshwater samples in Korea, three fungal strains, CNUFC-GHD83-1, CNUFC-RD8126, and CNUFC-YR2-1, were isolated from specific habitats including grasshopper and rat feces, and freshwater samples in Korea. On the basis of the morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 28S rDNA, the isolates CNUFC-GHD83-1, CNUFC-RD8126, and CNUFC-YR2-1 were identified as Albifimbria terrestris, Cephaliophora tropica, and Mariannaea aquaticola, respectively. These species have not been previously described in Korea.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.605-609
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• 2007

The effects of lactic acid fermented yam yogurt (Yam/YG) on colon mucosal tissue were investigated in a loperamide-induced constipation rat models. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 6 weeks with 3 types of diets (normal, supplemented with lactic acid bacteria, and supplemented with Yam/YG), and were then administered loperamide intraperitoneally twice daily for 5 days. Administration of loperamide decreased fecal excretion and the moisture content of feces with increasing of numbers of pellets in the colon. On the histopathologic findings from hematoxylin and eosin (H& E) and alcian blue stainings, supplementation with Yam/YG resulted in the recovery of depleted goblet cells and mucin, and increased the numbers of Ki-67 positive cells, indicating restoration of colonic mucosa through cell proliferation and crypt regeneration against damages observed in crypt epithelial cells of loperamide-induced rats. These results indicate that Yam/YG improves evacuation and mucus production in the gastrointestinal tracts of constipated-induced rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.474-480
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• 2011

Calcium (Ca) is an essential element to maintain body homeostasis. However, many factors disturb calcium absorption. Aspartic acid chelated calcium (AAC) was synthesized by new methods using calcium carbonate and aspartic acid. This study was carried out to investigate the bioavailability of AAC in Ca-deficient rats. The experimental groups were as follows: NC; normal diet control group, CD-C; untreated control group of Ca-deficient (CD) rats, CD-$CaCO_3$; $CaCO_3$ treated group of CD rats, CD-AAC; AAC treated group of CD rats, and CD-SWC; and seaweed-derived Ca treated group of CD rats. The Ca content of various types of Ca was held constant at 32 mg/day, and the four CD groups were fed for 7 days after randomized grouping. Ca content in serum, urine, and feces within feeding periods were analyzed to confirm Ca absorption. Serum Ca content was significantly higher in the CD-AAC (11.24 mg/dL) and CD-SWC (10.12 mg/dL) groups than that in the CD-C (8.6 mg/dL) group 2 hours following the first administration. The Ca content in feces was significantly lower in the CD-AAC (35.4 mg/3 days) and CD-SWC (71.1 mg/3 day) groups than that in the CD-$CaCO_3$ (98.7 mg/3 days) group (p > 0.05). AAC had a 2.3-fold higher absorption rate of Ca than that of SWC. No differences in fibula length were observed in the NC and CD groups. The fibula weights of the CD-AAC (0.33 g) and CD-SWC (0.33 g) groups increased compared to those in the CD-C (0.27 g) group; however, no significant difference was observed between the CD groups. We conclude that bioavailability of AAC is higher than that of seaweed-derived Ca or inorganic Ca. Thus, these findings suggest the AAC has potential as a functional food material related to Ca metabolism.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2003

Pharmacokinetics of eupatilin (an active components of $Stillen^{\circledR}$, a new antigastritic agent) were investigated after both intravenous and oral administration at a dose of 30mg/kg to rats. After intravenous administration, the plasma concentrations of unchanged eupatilin declined rapidly with a mean terminal half-life of 0.101 h. Eupatilin was eliminated fast in rats; the total body clearance was 121 mL/min/kg. Eupatilin was mainly metabolized in rats; the percentage of intravenous dose of eupatilin excreted in 24 h urine and feces as unchanged eupatilin was only 2.5 and 0.919％, respectively. Eupatilin was mainly metabolized to form its glucuronide conjugate; after intravenous administration, 15.9 and 51.7％ of intravenous dose was excreted in 24 h urine and feces, respectively, as eupatilin plus its glucuronide. After oral administration, the absolute bioavailability was only 3.86％ based on $AUC_{0-24h}$ of eupatilin plus its glucuronide. Approximately 68.5％ of oral dose was not absorbed from the entire gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it could be concluded that the superior effect of eupatilin in experimental animal models of gastric ulcer and inflammatory bowel disease after oral administration could be due to the local action of eupatilin. Further pharmacokinetic studies to elucidate the local action of eupatilin are required.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.384-392
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on the cadmium accumulation in body, cadmium excretion and detoxification functions in chronic cadmium poisoned rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal group and three cadmium poisoned groups. Cadmium groups were classified to catechin free diet (Cd-0C group), 0.25% catechin diet(Cd-0.25C group) and 0.5% catechin diet(Cd-0.5C group) according to the levels of catechin supplement. Animals were maintained on 0, 0.25 and 0.5% catechin diets for 20 weeks and simultaneously administered 50ppm Cd(sup)2+ dissolved in the drinking water. Body weight, food intakes and food efficiency ratio in Cd-0C group was lower than the normal group. The accumulation of cadmium in rat liver, kidney, and blood was reduced by catechin supplementation. The excretion of cadmium in urine and feces was increased by catechin supplementation. The metallothionein(MT) contents in liver and kidney were increased in all cadmium groups compared with that of normal group. The ratios of cadmium absorption and retention ratios were significantly decreased in catechin supplementation groups. Accordingly, catechin supplementation resulted to an excretion of cadmium in urine and feces and a lowered accumulation of cadmium in liver and kidney by increasing methallothionein synthesis that led to the significant decrease in cadmium absorption and retention ratios.(Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 384~392, 2001)

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2016

Background : Irregular meals and insufficient exercise are major modern lifestyle-related risk factors for constipation. This study aimed to examine the effects of the aqueous extract of Dendrobium speciosum var. (DM) on the improvement of intestinal function and prevention of constipation in rats. Methods and Results : Constipation in rat was induced by loperamide (4 mg/kg) injection for 5 days and rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: normal control rats (NOR), constipated rats (LOP induced) and constipated rats supplemented with dulcolax-S (POS), DMSG, 100 mg/kg (DMSG-100), 300 mg/kg (DMSG-300) and 500 mg/kg (DMSG-500). The DMSG groups showed increments in the frequency and amount of stools compared to the LOP group. Loperamide treatment markedly reduced the water content of feces, whereas DMSG administration significantly increased fecal water contents. Moreover, DMSG improved intestinal transit speed in constipated-rats. Alcian blue staining revealed increased mucus production by crypt cells and mucus contents in feces and the mucosal surface. Conclusions : In summary, DM extraction significantly improves intestinal function in rats, which indicates the effectiveness of this extract in the prevention and treatment of constipation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.539-546
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• 1989

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of addition of cellulose in the diet on the metabolism in rat fed high and low level of zinc. The experimental animals were consisted of 24 male weaning rats of Sprague-Dawley strain(mean weight 72.3g), and they were devided into 4 groups of 6 rats and fed experimental diets for four weeks. Dietary zinc levels used were 10 ppm, and 300ppm and cellulose levels were 2.5% and 10% of diet by weight. Throughout the experimental period, feed consumption and body weight gain were measured and feed efficiency ratio was calculated. The weight of live, kidney and spleen were measured, and the contents of zinc in feces, urine, liver, kidney, spleen and serum were determined. The results obtained are summarized as following ; 1. Body weight gain in high zinc-adequate cellulose group was significantly higher than the other groups. Feed consumptions were significantly higher in high zinc groups and no significant difference was found with dietary cellulose levels. 2. Fecal zinc excretions of four groups were not different at the first week, but at the end of fourth week, high zinc groups experince significantly more zinc excretion than low zinc groups, and also high cellulose groups had higher zinc contents in the feces than the adequate ones within the same zinc levels(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the urinary zinc excretion. 3. The weights of liver, kidney and spleen were heavier in the high zinc groups than the lower ones, and higher in the high cellulose groups(p<0.05). The liver zinc contents were significantly lower in the low zinc and high cellulose groups. However zinc contents in the kidney and serum were not influenced by dietary zinc level but by cellulouse level. High cellulose diet lowered serum and kidney zinc concentrations(p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.471-478
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• 2016

Background: Constipation is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. The present study examined the ability of water extract of fermented (FRC) and non-fermented (NFRC) roasted Cassia tora to improve intestinal function and reduce constipation in a rat constipation model. Methods and Results: Different concentration of FRC and NFRC were orally administered loperamide (5 mg/kg; LOP) reduced the number, weight, and water content of feces, as well as intestinal transit motility. However, 24 h-(24 hour fermented roasted-Cassia tora) 300 mg/kg FRC administration increased the number, weight, and water concent of feces, compared to that seen in the LOP group, and also improve intestinal transit mitility and, the thickness of distal colon and mucous fluid. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated that LOP-induced constipation was improved by treatment with FRC. Therefore FRC could be used to develop functional foods or natural medicine for constipation. However, further study is needed to clarify how fermentation improves the medicinal properties of roasted C. tora.