• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.790-800
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• 2017

As men get older, total testosterone levels decline gradually, and concentrations of free and bioavailable testosterone decline sharply with each decade beyond their 30s. Andropause or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is defined as a decrease in sexual satisfaction or decline in general well-being accompanied by low levels of testosterone in older men. This male climacteric is characterized by nervousness, reduced potency, decreased libido, irritability, fatigue, depression, memory problems, sleep disturbances, and hot flushes. Cirsium japonicum (CJ) is used as a traditional medicine for hemorrhage, blood congestion, and inflammation in Korea. However, there is no report on the efficacy of CJ treatment for TDS. In this study, we observed the mitigating effect of CJ extract (CE) and fermented CJ extract (FCE) on symptoms of TDS. In elderly male rats, total and testosterone levels, hind limbs muscles, forced swimming time, and total and motile sperm counts significantly increased after daily intake of CE and FCE for 6 weeks. In contrast, sex hormone binding globulin, retroperitoneal fat, total serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in CE and FCE groups. However, there was no difference in prostate specific antigen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels among all groups, which means CE and FCE did not have putative adverse effects. In a cell experiment, we also observed that CE and FCE enhanced expression of genes related to testosterone biosynthesis but reduced genes involved in testosterone conversion. On the whole, these positive effects on TDS were greater in FCE compared to CE. Thus, these results suggest the potential of FCE as a promising natural product for recovering testosterone levels and alleviating TDS.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2014

The present study was designed to explore the antioxidant effect of Bamboo powder and its immunoreactivity in pigs. We investigated the functional properties of Bamboo extracts by means of measuring the contents of total polyphenols and flavonoid as well as determining ABST, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and anticancer activity. The total phenolic compound and flavonoids contents of Bamboo extracts were 171.25 mg/g and 127.5 mg/g, respectively. The DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, ABST radical scavenging activity of Bamboo extracts were 17.3%, 12.5% and 21.5%, respectively. Evidenced by MTT and cell cycle assay, Bamboo dose-dependently inhibited the cell proliferation and induced G0/G1-phase arrest in CHO cells at concentrations of 100, 250, and 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ Bamboo extracts. More than 80% of apoptotic cells were observed by staining with annexin V in 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ Bamboo-treated CHO cells, indicating that Bamboo had potent anticancer activities. Next, to investigate the effect of Bamboo on cytokine, immunoglobulin concentration, and blood compositions, flatting pigs were fed with Bamboo powder for 38 days. Flatting pigs were divided into 4 groups; basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with 1% Bamboo powder (T1), 2% Bamboo powder (T2), and 3% Bamboo powder (T3). The level of hemoglobin increased in the all Bamboo-fed groups compared with the normal control group. In particular, platelet levels in the all Bamboo-treated groups increased by approximately 90% compared with the levels from pig on a normal control. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA) in the pigs fed Bamboo powder were modestly increased, and the interferon-${\gamma}$ level also was strongly increased in 2% or 3% Bamboo-fed groups compared with the levels in control groups. Together, these results demonstrated that Bamboo extracts had an effective capacity of scavenging for ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals and showed correlation with potent phenol and flavonoid contents, thus suggesting its antioxidant potential. Moreover, administration of Bamboo in 2~3% improved blood parameters and platelets, and especially immunity-related ones such as IgG, IgA, and interferon-${\gamma}$, leading to be potential feed additives in flatting pigs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.696-703
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• 2011

We performed a randomized placebo-controlled trial to determine whether or not fermented red ginseng supplementation modulates blood glucose and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. A total of 38 patients were randomized to either a fermented red ginseng group or placebo group. The patients in the experimental or placebo group consumed 780 mg of fermented red ginseng or cellulose supplement per day for 12 weeks, respectively. Lifestyle factors and dietary intakes of the patients were not altered during the 12-weeks period. In the fermented red ginseng group after 12 weeks, the fasting blood glucose levels were significantly decreased ($136.29{\pm}16.45$ mg/dL to $127.71{\pm}17.74$ mg/dL) and $HbA_1c$ was also decreased. Especially, high HbA1c (HbA1c $\geq$8%, $8.45{\pm}0.56%$ to $7.82{\pm}0.53%$) was significantly decreased compared to low HbA1c (HbA1c <8%, $6.71{\pm}0.85%$ to $6.44{\pm}0.49%$) in the fermented red ginseng group. Serum low-density lipoprotein was slightly decreased in the fermented red ginseng group compared to the placebo group. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance was significantly reduced in the fermented red ginseng group compared to the placebo group. These results suggest that fermented red ginseng supplementation could be helpful to reduce blood glucose by improving insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.1099-1106
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• 2011

Cucumber fermentation has been used as a means of preservation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of fermented cucumber beverage (CF) containing beneficial materials for an ethanol hangover based on Hovenia dulcis (SKM) on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: ethanol control, ethanol plus SKM, and ethanol plus CF+SKM. SKM or CF+SKM was orally administered at a dose of 7 mL/kg body weight once per day for 5 weeks. Control rats were given an equal amount of water. CF+SKM significantly lowered plasma ethanol levels, whereas SKM tended to decrease the levels compared to the control. Both SKM and CF+SKM significantly lowered the plasma acetaldehyde levels and serum transaminase activities compared to those in the control. SKM and CF+SKM did not affect hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity; however, it significantly inhibited cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity. Hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was significantly higher in the SKM and CF+SKM groups than that in the control group. Plasma acetaldehyde concentration was significantly correlated with hepatic CYP2E1 (r=0.566, p<0.01) activity and ALDH (r=-0.564, p<0.01) activity. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities as well as glutathione content increased with the SKM and CF+SKM administration, whereas lipid peroxide content decreased significantly. Furthermore, SKM and CF+SKM lowered plasma and hepatic lipid content and lipid droplets compared to those in the control group. These results indicate that SKM and CF+SKM exhibit hepatoprotective properties partly by inhibiting CYP2E1 activity, enhancing ALDH activity and stimulating the antioxidant defense systems in ethanol-treated rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1446-1451
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• 2010

Silk sericin protein was hydrolyzed by seven proteolytic enzymes to examine the effectiveness of the hydrolysates to bind iron. The amino acid nitrogen contents of hydrolysates by Flavourzyme were higher than the others enzymes, and its iron binding capacity showed dose-dependent increase. The bioavailability of iron binding peptide from sericin hydolysates was investigated in iron-deficient rats. Three-week-old male rats were fed iron-deficient diet for three weeks. Rats were divided into four groups (DD: no treated group on iron deficient diet, DD+HI: heme-iron treated group, DD+OI: sericin-Fe, and DD+II: inorganic iron ($FeSO_4$) treated group, and then iron supplemented by injection for one week. After oral administration for one week, the iron contents of serum and liver were significantly higher in DD+OI ($4.2\;{\mu}g/mL$ and $80.1\;{\mu}g/mL$) and DD+HI ($3.2\;{\mu}g/mL$ and $70.6\;{\mu}g/mL$) than DD ($2.0\;{\mu}g/mL$ and $47.9\;{\mu}g/mL$). Hemoglobin content of treated groups was significantly higher than DD, but the significant difference among groups was not shown. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels did not show any significant difference among all groups. Binding iron to peptide from sericin hydolysates seems to improve its bioavailability and to hasten the cure of iron deficiency in experimental rat.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.428-434
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• 2009

This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-hypertensive effect of Lactobacillus sp. isolated from Kimchi by examining its effects on renal angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, lipid components and blood pressure using the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) system. Most Lactobacillus sp. extracts (lysozyme, sonication and ethyl acetate extracts) showed higher capacities for the inhibition of ACE activity than those of cultured media. Particularly, LG 7, 8 and 42 of Lactobacillus sp. showed the strongest inhibitory activity among the Lactobacillus sp. extracts. The concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum were lower in the Lactobacillus sp. administration groups than in the control group, but these differences were not significant. The HDL-cholesterol concentrations of the LG 42 administration groups (IX, X) were significantly higher than that of the control group. At 4 weeks, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the LG 42 Lactobacillus sp. ($1{\times}10^9$ cfu/mL) group (XI) was about 27% lower than that of the control group (V). No adverse effects were observed on the liver and there was no difference in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values among groups. The results of this study suggest that long term consumption of LG 42 Lactobacillus sp. may be beneficial to the prevention of high blood pressure.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2012

The anti-obese, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of post-fermented green tea by Monascus pilosus was tested with mice fed with high-fat diet for 7 weeks. The body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio (FER) in normal control group (NC), CHA (2% non-fermented green tea powder supplemented high-fat diet group) and mCHA (2% green tea powder post-fermented by M. pilosus supplemented high fat diet group) groups were significantly lower than those of high fat diet control group (HC). Epididymal fat weight in mCHA and NC were significantly lower than HC. The hepatic lipid peroxide was dramatically higher in HC than that of NC and was significantly lower in CHA and mCHA. In addition, dehydrogenase type activity of xanthine oxidoreductase in HC was lower than that of NC, but significantly higher than CHA and mCHA. In histopathological findings, hepatic fat accumulation in HC was higher than that of NC, CHA and mCHA. Antiobese, hypolipidemic and antifatty liver effect of green tea powder post-fermented by M. pilosus was slightly higher than that of non-fermented green tea. In conclusion, the constituents of green tea fermented by M. pilosus has been proven to not only inhibit obesity and hyperlipidemia but also decrease the hepatic fat accumulation in high fat diet-induced obese mice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.437-444
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• 2008

Anti-obesity effects of ginseng and herbal plant mixtures were investigated to develop natural materials for anti-obesity. After inducing obesity with high fat diet for 8 weeks in male SD rats, ginseng and herbal plant mixtures DM1 (ginseng, puer tea, opuntia) and DM2 (ginseng, puer tea) were administrated orally to rats for another 8 weeks. During administration, food efficacy ratio and body weight of rat were measured twice weekly. After administration, body weight, body fat contents, and serum lipid level were estimated for anti-obesity effect and hematological analysis blood level of ALP and ASP was checked for safety. Body weight in rats fed high fat diet was significantly increased. Body weight in obese rats induced by high fat diet was significantly decreased by DM1 and DM2 feedings. The amount of body fat (epididymal, perirenal and visceral fat, brown adipose tissue) was significantly reduced by DM1 and DM2 treatments. The amount of TG, the concentration of leptin in blood plasma, and the concentration of insulin in blood plasma were significantly diminished by DM1 and DM2. Lipid accumulation on liver was reduced in DM2. There were no side effects among all groups according to blood analysis, hematological findings, and body weight. The findings of this study suggest that DM1 and DM2 may be effective materials for anti-obesity through reducing plasma triglyceride and body fats, and also decreasing body weight without side effects.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2016

In this study, 4-week-old rats were fed bread supplemented with Terminalia chebula (TC), Plantago asiatica (PA), Linder obtusiloba (LO), and Capsosiphon fulvescens (CF) ethanol extracts, to determine the decrease in blood glucose levels, as well as the anti-inflammatory and lipid-enhancing effects. Previous studies have demonstrated the antioxidative effects of these ethanol extracts. After sacrifice, the liver tissue, whole blood, and serum samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The results showed a significant decrease in blood glucose level, lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, HbA1c level, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (p<0.05) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in rats fed bread supplemented with LO and CF ethanol extracts (p<0.05). Therefore, the results of this study demonstrate that bread supplemented with LO and CF ethanol extracts can potentially affect the blood glucose level and lead to lipid enhancement.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the toxicity of food Red No.2 in the Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rat for 4 weeks. SD rats were orally administered for 28 days, with dosage of 500, 1,000, 2,000 mg/kg/day. Animals treated with food Red No.2 did not cause any death and show any clinical signs. They did not show any significant changes of body weight, feed uptake and water consumption. There were not significantly different from the control group in urinalysis, hematological, serum biochemical value and histopathological examination. In conclusion, 4 weeks of the repetitive oral medication of food Red No.2 has resulted no alteration of toxicity according to the test materials in the group of female rats with injection of 2,000 mg/kg. Therefore, food Red No.2 was not indicated to have any toxic effect in the SD rats, when it was orally administered below the dosage 2,000 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks.