• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1771-1778
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• 2015

The study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of 1% Rhus verniciflua vinegar (RV) supplementation in high-fat-diet (60% fat)-induced obese rats. A total of 50 4-wk-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed normal chow diet or maintained on high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to induce obesity and were then randomized into five groups as follows: normal diet+ultra-pure water (CON), HFD+ultra-pure water (OB-DW), HFD+1% acetic acid (OBAA), HFD+1% RV (OB-RV), and HFD+0.1% caffeine (OB-CF). AA was used as a control for RV, and caffeine was used as a positive control due to its weight reducing effect. After 2 months, body weight, organ and adipose tissue weights, serum lipids, hepatic lipids, adipocyte size, and cell number per spot level were analyzed. As a result, food efficiency ratio, abdominal adipose tissue weight, serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, free fatty acids, coronary artery index, and fecal lipid were significantly reduced in the RV treatment group. In this study, we found that dietary RV improved obesity by increasing lipid excretion and reducing lipogenesis. These results suggest that RV has potential as a functional anti-obesity food.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.47-59
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• 2011

Objectives : We investigated the effects of gambigyeongsinhwan2(GGH(2)) on body weight and examined whether blood triglyceride levels and visceral fat are inhibited by it in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet-fed obese male mice were divided into 5 groups: C57BL/6N normal, control, GGH(2)-1, GGH(2)-2 and GGH(2)-3. After mice were treated with GGH(2) for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also did histological analysis for liver and fat on the mice. Results : 1. Compared with controls, GGH(2)-treated mice had lower body weight gain and adipose tissue weight, the magnitudes of which were prominent in GGH(2)-3. 2. Compared with controls, GGH(2)-treated mice had lower feeding efficiency ratio, the magnitude of which was prominent in GGH(2)-3. 3. Compared with controls, GGH(2)-treated mice had lower blood plasma triglyceride level. 4. Blood plasma AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by GGH(2), indicating GGH(2) do not show any toxic effects. 5. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, the size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by GGH(2), whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was significantly increased, suggesting that GGH(2) decreased the number of large adipocytes. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by GGH(2). Conclusions : These results demonstrate that GGH(2) effectively reduces body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood plasma triglyceride level and improves abdominal fat.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.53-68
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• 2010

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Sopungsungj-won(Shufengshunqjvuan) (SSEx1, SSEx2) on the metabolic syndrome in high-fat diet induced obese mice. Methods: 8 weeks old, high fat diet induced obese male mice were divided into 4 groups: C57BL/6 lean control, obese vehicle control, SSEx1, SSEx2. After mice were treated with SSExl, SSEx2 for 12 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin, insulin, glucose and lipid levels. We also observe the morphology and count for the numbers of Adipocyte and evaluate the weight of organs and it's function. Results: 1. Compared to Obese Control Group, SSEx1 gained significantly lower body weight and showed lower Feeding Efficiency Ratio. 2. Compared to Obese Control Group, SSEx1 showed lower weights of epididymal adipose tissue, troperitoneal adipose tissue, inguinal adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue. SSEx2 showed higher weights of epididymal adipose tissue, troperitoneal adipose tissue, inguinal adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue. 3. Compared to Obese Control Group, the size of adipocytes was significantly decreased by SSEx1, whereas the number of adipocites per unit was significantly increased. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased significantly by SSEx1. 4. Concerning the weights of Liver, Heart, Spleen, Kidney and Pancreas, SSEx1, SSEx2 showed little differences with those of Lean Control, Obese Control. 5. Compared to Obese Control Group, SSEX1, SSEx2 showed lower level of plasma triglyceride, but SSEx1 had significance only. SSEx1, SSEx2 showed little lower level of plasma HDL-cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, but had no significances. 6. Concerning the levels of plasma glucose, insulin and leptin, SSEx1 and SSEx2 showed littele changes with those of Lean Control, Obese Control. 7. The leves of Plasma AST, AST, ALT, free fatty acid, BUN, creatinine were in the physiological range at 4 groups all: Lean Control, Obese Control, SSEx1, SSEx2. Conclusions : These results showed SSEx1 can be used as therapeutic agent for Obesity and metabolic syndrome caused by long-period high fat diet.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.661-667
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• 2010

Astragali Radix (AR) has been used in traditional medicinal herb, which is known to tonify the qi and blood. It has been asserted to be a tonic that can improve the function of the lungs, adrenal glands and the gastrointestinal tract, increase metabolism, promote healing and reduce fatigue. Also, Plantago asiatica (PA) has the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, cardiac, diuretic, expectorant, haemostatic effects, though it is considered to be less powerful than the seed. Recent research is showing that it is promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes. Obesity is characterized at the cellular level by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from fibroblastic preadipocytes in adipose tissue. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 3 to 7 extracts of mixed medicinal herbs (water and ethanol extract of Astragali Radix; ARW and ARE, water and ethanol extract of Plantago asitica; PAW and PAE, and those mixed extracts; ARW+PAE, ARW+PAW and ARE+PAE) on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by MTT assay, Oil-Red-O staining and TUNEL assay. And then, we determined total contents of phenolic compounds and flavonoid compounds in mixed herbal extracts. These result showed that herbal extracts (ARW, PAE and ARW+PAE) affected on adipogenesis and apoptosis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes among 3 to 7 extracts tested. Especially herbal mixed extracts (ARW+PAE) had the highest inhibition on differentiation of preadipocytes and lipoid accumulation of maturing adipocytes. And it did not affect cell viability of mature adipocytes, but herbal mixed extracts (ARW+PAE) increased apoptosis in mature adipocytes, as proved by highest concentration $200\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ using TUNEL assay. In addition, contents of total phenoilc compounds and flavonoids showed the highest level in ARE+PAE and PAE than ARW. These results suggest that this main target for adipocyte functions could be effective in improving the metabolic syndrome including obesity.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2015

We investigated the anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus C isolated from kimchi and red ginseng and black raspberry mixture fermented by this strain. Experimental samples were prepared with 10% skim milk, 1% red ginseng extract and 1% immature black raspberry powder and without red ginseng extract and black raspberry fermented by this strain at $37^{\circ}C$ for 24 hour. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (a normal diet group (N), a high-fat diet group (HF), a high fat diet with L. acidophilus C (C), and a high fat diet with fermented mixture (CEx)) and were orally administered daily for 6 weeks at concentration of 2,000 mg/kg body weight. The results showed that weight gain, weight of periepididymal fat and perirenal fat, adipocyte size, lipid accumulation in liver, serum glucose concentration, serum GOT and GPT concentration and serum leptin were decreased and concentration of HDL-cholesterol and serum adiponectin were increased compared to HF group. These results suggest that fermented mixture (CEx) might be helpful in improvement of high-fat diet-induced obesity than only L. acidophilus C intake.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2011

Known as a female hormone, estrogen, has an effect on the male reproductive organs. The estrogen has to combine with the estrogen receptor to communicate a signal. Propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) is an estrogen receptor alpha selective agonist with a 410-, or 1,000-fold relative binding affinity for estrogen receptor alpha versus estrogen receptor beta. In this study, adult male mice were treated weekly with subcutaneously injections of PPT (0.01 mg, 0.1 mg, 1mg and 4 mg) suspended in castor oil (as control) for 8 weeks and observed histologically changes in testis, efferent ductule and epididymis. In the high concentrations of PPT 4 mg treatment group, a remarkable reduction was observed in the weight of the body, testis and epididymis. Microscopic examination revealed a reduction in seminiferous tubular diameter of the testis, and epithelial cell height of the epididymis in treated group during the experiment. In addition, as the diameter of the efferent ductule increased gradually, the height of epithelial cells was decreased. PPT 4 mg treatment group caused inhibition of spermatogenesis due to atrophied germinal epithelium in the testis, and decrease of adipocyte size attached to the epididymis. Sperm was not observed in the caudal epididymis of PPT 4 mg treated group. In conclusion, the injection of high concentrations of PPT into adult male mice induced physiological changes, such as an inhibition of spermatogenesis, and also histological changes within the reproductive organs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1357-1368
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-inflammation effect of the cheonggukjang (a soybean paste fermented for only a few days) in diet induced obesity mice. Weight gain was significantly decreased in the mice fed cheonggukjang compared High Fat Diets (HFD). The HFD plus cheonggukjang (CGJ) were also effective in improving the lipid metabolism. The levels of plasma triglyceride, cholesterol, ALT, AST, leptin, glucose, and insulin were significantly lower in CGJ than HFD group (p<0.05). The adiponectin level of CGJ group was significantly increased compared to the HFD group (p<0.05). In the CGJ group, the mRNA expression of adipogenic genes in the liver and adipose tissues, which are transcription factors crucial for adipogenesis, were significantly suppressed (p<0.05). The number of $CD11b^+F4/80^+$ T cells, $Gr-1^{int}CD11b^{high}$ cells, and $Gr-1^{int}CD11b^{high}$ cells were significantly higher in HFD group than CGJ group (p<0.05). The size of adipocyte was significantly reduced in CGJ group compared to HFD group. In addition, the contents of liver lipid droplets were significantly downregulated in the CGJ mice than HFD mice (p<0.05). Collectively, these data suggest the novel function of cheonggukjang in modulating adipogenesis through an immune function-alteration involving downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors and macrophage activation.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.201-213
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• 2010

Objectives : We investigated the effects of fermented soybean(FSOB) on body weight and examined whether hepatic lipid accumulation are inhibited by it in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet-fed obese male mice were divided into 5 groups: C57BL/6N normal, control, FSOB(1), (2) and (3). After mice were treated with FSOB for 9 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also did histological analysis for liver and fat on the mice. Results : 1. Compared with controls, FSOB-treated mice had lower body weight gain and adipose tissue weight, the magnitudes of which were prominent in FSOB(3) and FSOB(1). 2. Compared with controls, FSOB-treated mice had lower feeding efficiency ratio and blood plasma leptin levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in FSOB(3). 3. Compared with controls, FSOB-treated mice had lower blood plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. 4. Blood plasma AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by FSOB, indicating FSOB do not show any toxic effects. 5. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, the size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by FSOB, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was significantly increased, suggesting that FSOB decreased the number of large adipocytes. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by FSOB. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that FSOB effectively reduces body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood plasma leptin level and improves hepatic lipid accumulation.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Wolbigachul-tang1(WBCEx1) on obesity using high fat diet-induced male mice and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods : 8-week old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; lean control, obese control, WBCEx1, 2, 3. After mice were treated with WBCEx1(water extract), 2(30% ethanol extract), 3(water extract; Ephedra sinica Stapf., Gypsum fibrosum) for 12 weeks, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism, the messenger RNA(mRNA) expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor(PPAR)$\alpha$ target genes were measured. In addition, $PPAR{\alpha}$ target gene expression was examined in liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Results : 1. WBCEx1-treated mice had significantly lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio. 2. Consistent with the effects on body weight gain, WBCEx1 decreased the weights of epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue, inguinal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and brown adipose tissue. 3. WBCEx1 significantly decreased plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. 4. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by WBCEx1, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by WBCEx1. 5. WBCEx1 did not affect the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\alpha}$ target genes in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. 6. Plasma asparate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatine concentrations were in the physiological range. Liver and kidney weights were significantly lower following WBCEx treatment compared with obese controls, indicating that WBCEx does not show any toxic effects on liver and kidney. Conclusions : These results suggest that WBCEx1-induced body weight reduction is associated with appetite control and mediated by a mechanism other than the activation of $PPAR{\alpha}$.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-23
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was investigated the improvement effects of Pakistani Ephedra herba-containing Gangji-hwan-1, 2, 3 (Di-fatty; DF-1, 2, 3), Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan-4 (DF-4) and combination of DF-1 and Gamisoche-hwan (GSH) on obesity in a high fat diet-fed obese mouse model. Methods: Eight-week-old C57BL/6N mice were divided into seven groups: a normal lean group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a high fat diet, and DF-1, 2, 3, 4, and DF-1+GSH groups given a high fat diet with DF-1, 2, 3, 4 (40, 80, 160, 80 mg/kg), and DF-1+ GSH (80 mg/kg), respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio (FER), blood lipid markers, liver histology, and fat weight and histology were examined. Results: Body weight gain was significantly decreased in DF and DF-1+GSH groups compared with control. The extent of decreases was eminent in DF-1+GSH group. FER and circulating concentration of leptin were decreased in DF and DF-1+GSH groups compared with control. Circulating concentrations of triglyceride, glucose and insulin were decreased in DF and DF-1+GSH groups compared with control. The size of adipocytes were decreased by DF and DF-1+GSH groups compared with control, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased by them, suggesting that DF and DF-1+GSH groups decreased the number of large adipocytes. Conclusions: In conclusion, these results suggest that DF and DF-1+GSH groups decrease FER, plasma leptin concentration, blood anti-obesity biomarkers and fat mass, improves body weight gain. In addition, these effects were more effective in DF-1+GSH combination group than in DF-1, 2, 3, 4 groups.