• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.411-429
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• 1997

Recent survey shows that chronic liver disease such as chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatoma is the third leading causes for death in Korea. In oriental medicine, viral hepatitis is related to Hwangdal(黃疸) and alcoholic liver disease is related to Joosang(酒傷). ARTEMISIAE HERBA and PUERARIAE RADIX have long been used in treating those symptoms. This study was done to evaluate the effect of AR1EMISIAE HERBA and PUERARIAE RADIX on viral and alcoholic hepatitis. ARTEMISIAE HERBA and PUERARIAE RADIX were decocted respectively with water and followed by vaccum evaporation. The solution was diluted to adequate concentration. Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experiment. Each group was given PUERARIAE RADIX or ARTEMISIAE HERBA solution orally and CCl4, d-galactosamine or alcohol was given orally 30 minutes later. After 24 hours of starvation, blood samples were taken to check serum GOT, GPT, LDH and ALP activities, TC, TG, glucose and BUN levels. These results show that ARTEMISIAE HERBA has better effect on liver injury induced by d-Galactosamine than PUERARIAE RADIX and that both ARTEMISIAE HERBA and PUERARlAE RADIX have good effect on acute alcoholic liver disease while in the liver injury induced by $CCl_{4}$, PUERARIAE RADIX has better inhibitory effect on serum AST, ALT and ALP levels and ARTEMISIAE HERBA has better inhibitory effect on serum total cholesterol and triglyceride. And the result that high concentration group has better effect shows these effects are concentration-dependent. Further study on the mechanism of these herbs is still required.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2013

Recent studies have shown that Rosa canina L. and tiliroside, the principal constituent of its seeds, exhibit anti-obesity and anti-diabetic activities via enhancement of fatty acid oxidation in the liver and skeletal muscle. However, the effects of rosehip, the fruit of this plant, extract (RHE), or tiliroside on lipid accumulation in adipocytes have not been analyzed. We investigated the effects of RHE and tiliroside on lipid accumulation and protein expression of key transcription factors in both in vitro and in vivo models. RHE and tiliroside inhibited lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells. We also analyzed the inhibitory effect of RHE on white adipose tissue (WAT) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice model. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed HFD or HFD supplemented with 1% RHE (HFDRH) for 8 weeks. The HFDRH-fed group gained less body weight and had less visceral fat than the HFD-fed group. Liver weight was significantly lower in the HFDRH-fed group and total hepatic lipid and triglyceride (TG) content was also reduced. A significant reduction in the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR${\gamma}$) was observed in epididymal fat in the HFDRH-fed group, in comparison with controls, through Western blotting. These results suggest that downregulation of PPAR${\gamma}$ expression is involved, at least in part, in the suppressive effect of RHE on lipid accumulation in WAT.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.113-129
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• 2007

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effect of acupuncture using invasive low level laser therapy (LLLT) at Yolgyol (LU7) + Yogu (LR5) on weight gain, food intake, food efficiency, lipid metabolism, atherogenic index, HTR (HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio) and morphological change of hepatic tissue in hyperlipdemia rats. Methods : Experimental groups were divided into high fat diet group (Control group), high fat diet and acupuncture therapy group at LU7 + LR5 (AT group), high fat diet and acupuncture group using 10 mW LLLT at LU7 +LR5 (LA10 group), high fat diet and acupuncture group using 20 mW LLLT at LU7+LR5(LA20 group), high fat diet and acupuncture group using 60 mW LLLT at LU7 + LR5 (LA60 group), once per 3 days during 9 weeks. Results : Body weight was decreased significantly in AT and LA20 groups compared with Control group. Food intake was increased significantly in LA60 group compared with Control group. Food efficiency was decreased significantly in LA10, LA20 and LA60 groups compared with control group. In the lipid metabolism, total cholesterol was decreased significantly in AT, LA10, LA20 and LA60 groups, triglyceride was decreased significantly in LA10, LA20 and LA60 groups, TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio was decreased significantly in LA 60 group compared with control group. In the morphological change, hepatic tissue were not showed balloning degeneration and irregular arrangement of hepatic cell in LA10 and LA20 groups with control group. Conclusions : Acupuncture using LLLT at LU7+LR5 can manage hyperlipemia by controlling body weight, food intake, food efficiency ratio and lipid metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Salvia plebeia R. Br. ethanolic extract with different aspects (stem/leaf and whole plant) on differentiation and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The morphological changes and the degrees of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells were measured by Oil Red O staining and intra-cellular triglyceride (TG) assay. The mRNA expressions of special peroxisome proliferation activated receptor- genes (PPAR), CCAAT/ enhancer-binding protein (C/$EBP{\alpha}$), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The 50% ethanolic extracts ($100{\mu}g/mL$) of stem and leaf (SALE) and 30% ethanolic extracts (100 g/mL) of whole plant (SAE) from Salvia plebeia R. Br. were significantly attenuated lipid accumulation during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Ethyl acetate-soluble fractions ($50{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited lipid droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, SALE induced down-regulation of specific adipogenic transcriptional factors (C/$EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$) and target genes (FAS and LPL) during adipogenesis. Salvia plebeia R. Br. may be used as a safe and efficient natural substance to manage obesity.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.202-208
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• 2007

Persimmon is well-known as a Korean traditional medicine for alleviating coughs and enhancing blood circulation; it is also used for treatment of hypertension, cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis. To evaluate the protective properties of persimmon leaf methanol extract (PLME) and persimmon fruit methanol extract (PFME) administration on acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity, C57BL/6 male mice were gavaged with or without persimmon extracts for 1 week. Hepatotoxicity was then induced by gavage of 5 g/kg BW ethanol. After 12 hr of ethanol administration, blood and liver were collected and analyzed for biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity. The results showed PLME and PFME treatments decreased the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) compared with ethanol control. Both PLME and PFME reduced serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, but elevated alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity. Serum triglyceride (TG) and hepatic cholesterol levels were significantly decreased when treated with PLME and PFME. Liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased in PLME and PFME groups compared with ethanol control. Furthermore, the administration of PLME and PFME significantly increased the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSH-red). In summary, PLME and PFME appeared to prevent hepatic injury by accelerating alcohol metabolism by increasing alcohol-metabolizing enzyme activities, by activating the antioxidative enzyme system against oxidative stress, and by decreasing fat accumulation, which is evidenced by decreased hepatotoxic indices in serum.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2020

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of crude saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum on Clinical chemical parameters in male rats acutely exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-ρ-dioxin (TCDD). Crude saponin was prepared from Korean Platycodon grandiflorum with Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography after extraction of 80% ethanol at 75℃. The crude saponin was confirmed by thin layer chrmatography. When compared with ginseng saponins, the crude saponin had both a few number of saponins and a broad distribution. Forty male rats (200±20 g) were divided into 4 groups. Normal control (NC) group received vehicle and saline; TCDD-treated (TT) group received TCDD (40 ㎍/kg, single dose) intraperitoneally; Platycodon grandiflorum saponin (PG5 and PG10) groups received crude saponin 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (p.o), respectively, for 2 weeks before 1 week of TCDD-exposure. Increase of body weight was retarded greatly by TCDD-exposure. Body weight of animals in TT group was significantly decrease after 2 days of TCDD-exposure. However, body weights of animals in PG groups increased through the experimental perimental period, although the increasing rate was slower than that of NC group. Increases in contents of blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) and activities of amylase, lipase, AST, ALT and LDH by toxic action of TCDD were significantly attenuated by crude saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum (P<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that crude saponin prepared from Korean Platycodon grandiflorum might be a member of useful protective agents against TCDD, which is one of the environmental hormones.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.345-354
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of Korean red ginseng extract through transcriptomics in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. The db/db mice were randomly divided into six groups: diabetic control group (DC), red ginseng extract low dose group (RGL, 100 mg/kg), red ginseng extract high dose group (RGH, 200 mg/kg), metformin group (MET, 300 mg/kg), glipizide group (GPZ, 15 mg/kg) and pioglitazone group (PIO, 30 mg/kg), and treated with drugs once per day for 10 weeks. At the end of treatment, we measured blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), adiponectin, leptin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). RGL-treated group lowered the blood glucose and HbA1c levels by 19.6% and 11.4% compared to those in diabetic control group. In addition, plasma adiponectin and leptin levels in RGL-treated groups were increased by 20% and 12%, respectively, compared to those in diabetic control. Morphological analyses of liver, pancreas and epidydimal adipose tissue were done by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and pancreatic islet insulin and glucagon levels were detected by double-immunofluorescence staining. RGL-treated group revealed higher insulin contents and lower glucagon contents compared to diabetic control. To elucidate an action mechanism of Korean red ginseng, DNA microarray analyses were performed in liver and fat tissues, and western blot and RT-PCR were conducted in liver for validation. According to hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis of gene expression Korean red ginseng treated groups were close to metformin treated group. In summary, Korean red ginseng lowered the blood glucose level through protecting destruction of islet cells and shifting glucose metabolism from hepatic glucose production to glucose utilization and improving insulin sensitivity through enhancing plasma adiponectin and leptin levels.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.15-25
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the anti-obesity effects in local area adipose tissue using by pharmacopuncture of Eriobotryae Folium on mice fed high fat diet. Methods : Male ICR mouse were divided into three groups. Normal diet group (N), High-fat diet(HFD) group, HFD+E(pharmacopuncture of the Eriobotryae Folium) group for 8 weeks. HFD+E group was injected in the concentration of 50 mg/kg once a day for 4 weeks and every other day during the next 4 weeks. We measured body weight, food intake, absolute weight and relative weight in the liver and adipose tissue. Also, we analyzed hematological levels and histopathological changes on adipose tissue. Results : 1. We observed no difference in food intake among three groups. 2. HFD+E group significantly decreased body weight gain and absolute weight and relative weight in the liver and adipose tissue compared with HFD group. 3. Blood AST and ALT were no differences among the experiment groups. However, HFD group was significantly increased higher TG, TC, HDL and LDL than in N group and HDL/LDL ratio was remarkably decreased. On the other hand, HFD+E group was significantly decreased in obesity markers and HDL/LDL ratio was remarkably increased. 4. Levels of adiponectin in serum of HFD+E group was remarkably increased compared with those of HFD group. 5. HFD group was significantly decreased compared with N group in adipocyte number. Compared with the HFD group, HFD+E group was displayed a significant increase by adipocyte number. Conclusions : We suggest that pharmacopuncture of the Leaves of Eriobotrya japonica can play the anti-obesity effects in local area adipose tissue.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.289-298
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• 2006

We studied the effects of intake of the steamed bean powder(SB) and chungkukjang powder(CK) on blood parameters such as glucose, albumin, GOT, GPT, hematocrit, hemoglobin, total-/HDL-/LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride, and blood antioxidant nutrients such as retinol, tocopherols and carotenes in 26 college women. There were 2 groups, one group had 13 participants who consumed 30g SP and second group (13 participants) consumed 30g CK daily for 4 weeks. The study compared before with after SP/CK intake. The average age of the participants was 22.1 years, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of all parameters before the study. The energy intake showed no significant differences between before and after SP/CK intake. C(carbohydrate) propotion was reduced, and P(protein) and F(fat) ratio were increased after 4 week intake of SP/CK. Indices of nutritional quality(INQ) of protein(p<0.01), iron(p<0.05), zinc(p<0.05), vitamin C(p<0.05) were significantly increased after SP intake, and those of protein(p<0.05) and zinc also increased after CK intake. There were no significant differences in TG, total-/HDL-/LDL-cholesterol before and after SP/CK intake. The CK intake group showed the reduction only in retinol level in blood(p<0.05). Some students reported the improvement of the constipation and the regularity of the bowel elemination, and some students experienced the prolongation effects on one's monthly days after SP/CK intake. In this study, we could see the effect of improvement in some nutrients intake, but no effect in blood parameters by SP/CK intake for 4 weeks. That reason might be that the participants were healthy young women, or the trail period was not enough long to change.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1113-1120
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• 2010

This study investigated the efficacy of macelignan and hot water with Chinese traditional herb (CTH) extract on altering severe diabetic conditions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. Previously, the anti-diabetic effects of macelignan were partly reported as a PPAR $\alpha/\gamma$-dual agonist. Here, we futher studied whether a combination of macelignan and CTH had more beneficial effects or not. The macelignan and CTH compound significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and HbA1c compared to macelignan-treated mice, and also significantly improved postprandial glucose, insulin sensitivity, and plasma lipid profiles (FFA, and TG). On the other hand, insulin levels were not significantly changed compared to the diabetic control group. There were no significant changes in the concentrations of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, but there were changes in HTR and AI. These results suggest that the macelignan and CTH compound ameliorates hyperglycemia and efficiently improves postprandial glucose, insulin sensitivity, and hyperlipidemia compared with macelignan in db/db mice. Moreover, the macelignan and CTH compound seems to be more potent in affecting diabetic complications than macelignan.