• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.246-251
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• 2009

This study examined the possible hypoglycemic effects Angelica gigas Naki extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats(STZ+50%, STZ+100% EtOH and STZ+water). The studies showed that administration of the Angelica gigas Naki extract decreased high blood glucose levels(more than 300 mg/$d{\ell}$) to a normal level(104 mg/$d{\ell}$) in the STZ+50% EtOH group. Liver glucokinase levels were significantly increased in STZ+50% EtOH and STZ+100% EtOH groups compared to the STZ group. Moreover, the liver acetyl CoA carboxylase level was significantly increased in STZ+50% EtOH, STZ+100% EtOH and STZ+water groups compared to the STZ group. These results suggest that the Angelica gigas Naki extract in the STZ+50% EtOH group exerted an ameliorable effect and can be used as an anti-diabetic substance, either as a dietary supplements or as a new drug.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2013

We screened the pharmacological effects of a 50% ethanol extract of Yacon tubers and leaves on spermatogenesis in rats. As a result, we found that Yacon tuber extracts increased sperm number and serum testosterone level in rats. It has been reported that the crude extract of Yacon tubers and leaves contain phenolic acids, such as, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid by HPLC/MS analysis. We were interested in the contributions made by phenolic acid, particularly chlorogenic acid of Yacon tuber extract to the spermatogenic activity. After administering Yacon tuber extract or chlorogenic acid to rats for 5 weeks, numbers of sperm in epididymis were increased by 34% and 20%, respectively. We also administered ferulic acid, which has been reported to be a metabolite of chlorogenic acid and a constituent of Yacon tuber extract to investigate its spermatogenic activity in rats. Yacon tuber extract and ferulic acid increased sperm numbers by 43% and 37%, respectively. And, Yacon tuber extract, and chlorogenic acid showed significantly inhibition effect of testoeterone degradation in rat liver homogenate. We considered that the spermatogenic effect of Yacon tuber extract might be related to phenolic compounds and their inhibitory effect of testosterone degradation. Yacon showed the possibility as ameliorable agents of infertility by sperm deficiency and late onset hypogonadism syndrome with low level of testosterone.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.241-249
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• 2013

We reported previously that the extracts of Yacon tuber and leaf have spermatogenic activity and testosterone level increasing effect in men. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of testosterone level increasing effect of Yacon tuber and leaf extracts. In this study, we found that Yacon leaf extracts and chlorogenic acid, a constituent of Yacon extracts showed significantly inhibition effect of testosterone degradation in rat liver homogenate. We suggest that this could be a part of direct mechanism about increasing effect of testosterone level. Futhermore, we evaluated the inhibition effect of testosterone metabolism of Torilis japonica and Coix lacryma-jobi have been reported as $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibitor. The inhibition ratio of testosterone metabolism of these were Torilis japonica>Coix lacryma-jobi>Yacon. We also evaluated the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) score with the preparation composed of these natural product, Yacon pill. It showed the decreased the BPH score in men. Rats with BPH showed significantly increased dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the serum; however, Yacon pill extracts treated rats showed significant reduction of DHT levels compared with the BPH group. Conclusively, Yacon pill showed the possibility as ameliorable agents of BPH symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2014

We evaluated the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with Yacon pill, the preparation composed of Smallanthus sonchifolius, Torilis japonica and Acorus gramineus. A total of 45 rats were divided into five groups. One group was used as a control and the other groups received subcutaneous injections of testosterone for 4 weeks to induce BPH. Yacon pill extract (200 or 400 mg/kg) was administered daily for 4 weeks to two groups by oral gavage concurrently with testosterone. The rats euthanized, the prostate and body weights were recorded, and tissues were subjected to hormone assay. In addition, we investigated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in the prostate using immunoblotting. Rats with BPH showed significantly increased prostate weights, increased dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the serum and increased PCNA expression in the prostate; however, Yacon pill extracts treated rats showed significant reduction of prostate weights, DHT levels and PCNA expression compared with the BPH group. Conclusively, Yacon pill showed the possibility as ameliorable agents of BPH symptoms.