• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.192-198
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• 2021

Red yeast rice has been extensively used as food and traditional medicine for thousands of years in East Asian countries. It is produced by the fermentation of a particular yeast (in general, Monascus purpureus) as rice and various cereals (barley, soybean, etc.). Monascus sp. produces many secondary metabolites during its growth, including pigments, monacolins, and γ-aminobutyric acid. Some metabolites―specifically, monacolin K, γ-aminobutyric acid, dimerumic acid, and monascus pigments―have been reported to lower cholesterol and blood pressure while showing anti-obesity effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of ethanol extract from red yeast barley (RYB) fermented with Monascus sp. BHN-MK 2 on 3T3-L1 cells. The anti-obesity effects of RYB extract were examined: its lipid accumulation inhibitory effect was tested by Oil Red O staining, and obesity-related mRNA expression levels were tested by real-time RT-PCR in MDI stimulated 3T3-L1 cells. The intracellular lipid content of MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 cells decreased significantly to 5.04%, 12.24%, and 23.52% in response to 200, 400, and 800 ㎍/ml RYB, respectively. Moreovers, we evaluated that RYB extract significantly downregulated the expression of C/EBPα, SREBP-1, and PPAR-γ gene in a dose-dependent manner. As a result, red yeast barley ethanol extracts exerted the strongest anti-obesity effects. Also, the results indicate that red yeast barley could be used as a functional anti-obesity food material.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Objectives : Although the anti-obesity effect of Schizandrae Fructus water extract has been demonstrated, its underlying mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of Schizandrae Fructus water extract through the p-AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), sirtuin1 (Sirt1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) signaling in 60% high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. Methods : Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups. The Normal group was fed a normal diet and the obese groups were fed 60% HFD. Except for the Control group, the GG group was supplemented with 0.5% Garcinia gummigutta and the SCW group was supplemented with 0.5% Schizandrae Fructus water extract. After 6 weeks, obesity-related biomarkers in serum were measured and the expressions of protein for lipid-related factors in liver tissue were analyzed by western blot. Results : Treatment with SCW significantly down-regulated body weight compared to the Control group. SCW down-regulated levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in serum and significantly increased p-AMPK, Sirt1, and PGC-1α in liver tissue. In addition, the expressions of fatty acid oxidation-related proteins such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT-1A), uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) were significantly up-regulated. However, fatty acid synthesis-related proteins including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), phospho-Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (p-ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were significantly down-regulated. Conclusions : Taken together, SCW treatment showed anti-obesity effect by regulating both fatty acid oxidation-related and fatty acid synthesis-related proteins through AMPK/Sirt1/PGC-1α signaling in 60% HFD-induced obese mice.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.29-35
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• 2024

Objectives : Obesity is an imbalance between energy intake and consumption due to overeating and lack of exercise, and if it persists, it increases non-infectious diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we tried to investigate the possibility of using Chamaeneron angustifolia (CA) as a material for anti-obesity by confirming the effect of inhibiting lipid differentiation. Methods : We measured the effects of CA extract on oil-red-o staining, cell cytotoxicity evaluation activity using 3T3-L1 cells. Additionally, we assessed fat decomposition and metabolism-related protein expression through Western blot analysis. Results : In this study, the anti-obesity effects of CA extract were experimentally assessed. Results showed significant inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and accumulation at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/ml of oil-red-o staining, with reductions of 80% or more. CA notably increased the phosphorylation of AMPK protein expression compared to the control group across all concentrations. Additionally, phosphorylation of ACC significantly increased at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml compared to the control. PPAR-γ, which regulates adipogenesis, exhibited a significant decrease compared to the control, while protein expression of CPT-1, involved in fatty acid oxidation, showed a concentration-dependent increase across all groups. Therefore, CA extract demonstrates potential as a functional material for anti-obesity by increasing the expression of proteins related to fat decomposition and synthesis while decreasing others. Conclusions : These results suggest that CA may also be useful as an anti-obesity functional substance.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.796-804
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• 2004

We found previously that dietary high fat caused obesity, and levan supplementation to the regular diet reduced adiposity and serum lipids. In the present study, we examined the effects of levan [high-molecular-mass $\beta$-(2,6)-linked fructose polymer] supplement on the development of obesity and lipid metabolism in rats fed with high-fat diet. Thus, to determine whether the dietary levan may have the anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects, 4-wk-old Sprague Dawley male rats were fed with high-fat diet for 6 wk to induce obesity, and subsequently fed with 0, 1, 5, or 10% levan supplemented high-fat diets (w/w) for another 4 wk. For the comparison, a normal control group was fed with AIN-76A diet. Supplementation with levan resulted in a significant reduction of high-fat-induced body weight gain, white fat (i.e., epididymal, visceral, and peritoneal fat) development, adipocyte hypertrophy, and the development of hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia in a dose-dependent manner. Serum triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were greatly reduced by levan supplementation. Serum total cholesterol level was reduced, whereas the HDL cholesterol level was increased by dietary levan. The expression of uncoupling protein (UCP) was increased by dietary high fat, and was further induced by levan supplementation. The mRNA level of UCP1, 2, and 3 in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and UCP3 in skeletal muscle was upregulated in rats fed with dietary levan. In conclusion, upregulated UCP mRNA expression may contribute to suppression of development of obesity through increased energy expenditure. The present results suggest that levan supplementation to the diet is beneficial in suppressing diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.752-758
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and anti-obesity activity of ethanol extracts from fermented Arctium lappa L. Arctium lappa fermented twice with Phellinus linteus ($2^{nd}$ FA) showed more DPPH radical scavenging activity than non-fermented Arctium lappa (NFA), and Arctium lappa fermented once ($1^{st}$ FA) at a concentration of 62.5 ppm. The $2^{nd}$ FA showed the highest level of ABTS radical scavenging activity at concentration range of 31.5~125 ppm. The ABTS free radical scavenging activities of $1^{st}$ FA and $2^{nd}$ FA were similar to that of BHA, a synthetic antioxidant, at a concentration of 250 ppm. The total polyphenol content of $2^{nd}$ FA was higher than those of NFA and $1^{st}$ FA. The flavonoid content was significantly increased in $1^{st}$ FA and $2^{nd}$ FA than NFA. During adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells was significantly decreased in the order of NFA, $1^{st}$ FA, and $2^{nd}$ FA at all concentrations. In conclusion, the antioxidant and anti-obesity activities of A. lappa were increased depending on the degree of fermentation. It is suggested that fermented Arctium lappa, especially $2^{nd}$ FA, could be used as a natural ingredient for functional foods and medicine.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.44-52
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• 2013

Objectives : Samhwangsasim-tang (SST), Hwangryeonhaedok-tang (HHT), Ukgan-san (UGS), Onjunghwadam-hwan (OHH) and Samul-tang (SMT) have been used for the treatment of various diseases. This study was performed to compare the anti-obesity effects of 5 herbal formulas in high fat diet-(HFD) induced obese mice. Methods : The mice were randomly divided into seven groups that were fed a normal diet (ND), a HFD, a HFD plus SST (HFD + SST), a HFD plus HHT (HFD + HHT), a HFD plus UGS (HFD + UGS), a HFD plus OHH (HFD + OHH), or HFD plus SMT (HFD + SMT) at 300 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks. All groups were assayed for body weights, food efficiency ratio (FER), final liver and fat weight and blood biochemical parameters. Results : The increased body weights, food efficiency ratio (FER), and serum total triglyceride were decreased in HFD + OHH group relative to the same measurements in HFD group. Furthermore, the HFD + SST group significantly reduced FER, liver and abdominal subcutaneous fat weight gains, and serum total triglyceride, whereas HDL-cholesterol level was increased compared to HFD group. Conclusions : These results suggested that HFD + OHH and HFD + SST exert anti-obesity effects in HFD-induced obese mice.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.175-179
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity activity of extracts collected from wild plants in Jeju island. The inhibitory effect of plant extracts on the differentiation of preadipocyte 3T3-L1 was examined by oil red-O staining. We found that extracts collected from 6 plants among 31 plants, namely, Aralia elata(Miq.) Seem, Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg, Artemisia asiatica, platycodon grandiflorum(Jacq.) A. Dc., Polygonum cuspidatum S. et Z., Magnolia obovata Thunb, significantly inhibited preadipocyte differentiation. Additionally, 4 plant extracts were also found to have antioxidant activities in DPPH radical scavenging assay. Taken together, these results show that 6 plant extracts suppress the differentiation of preadipocytes, suggesting the potential use of 6 plant extracts as anti-obesity agents.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.298-302
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• 2015

The anti-obesity effects of starter (Leuconostoc mesenteroides+Lactobacillus plantarum) fermented kimchi on 3T3-L1 adipocyte were studied using naturally fermented kimchi (NK), a functional kimchi (FK, NK supplemented with green tea), and FK supplemented with added starters (FKS). Oil red O staining and cellular levels of triglyceride (TG) and glycerol were used to evaluate the in vitro anti-obesity effects of these kimchis in 3T3-L1 cells. The expressions of adipogenesis/lipogenesis-related genes of peroxisome proliferator-active receptor (PPAR)-${\gamma}$, CCAAT/enhance-binding protein (C/EBP)-${\alpha}$, and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were determined by RT-PCR. Kimchis, especially FKS, markedly decreased TG levels and increased levels of intracellular glycerol and lipid lipolysis. In addition, FKS also reduced the mRNA levels of PPAR-${\gamma}$, C/EBP-${\alpha}$, and FAS, which are related to adipogenesis/lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggest the anti-obesity effects of FKS were to due to enhanced lipolysis and reduced adipogenesis/lipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.554-569
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• 2018

This study aimed to investigate the physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus plantarum K10. The ${\alpha}-amylase$ inhibitory activity, ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activity, and lipase inhibitory activity of L. plantarum K10 was $94.66{\pm}4.34%$, $99.78{\pm}0.12%$, and $87.40{\pm}1.41%$, respectively. Moreover, the strain inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells ($32.61{\pm}8.32%$) at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. In order to determine its potential for use as a probiotic, we investigated the physiological characteristics of L. plantarum K10. L. plantarum K10 was resistant to gentamycin, kanamycin, streptomycin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, vancomycin, and chloramphenicol. It also showed higher Leucine arylamidase, Valine arylamidase, and ${\beta}-galactosidase$ activities. Moreover, it was comparatively tolerant to bile juice and acid, exhibiting resistance to Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus with rates of 90.71%, 11.86%, 14.19%, and 23.08%, respectively. The strain did not produce biogenic amines and showed higher adhesion to HT-29 cells compared to L. rhamnosus GG. As a result of the animal study, L. plantarum K10 showed significantly lower body weight compared to the high-fat diet group. The administration of L. plantarum K10 resulted in a reduction of subcutaneous fat mass and mesenteric fat mass compared to the high-fat diet (HFD) group. L. plantarum K10 also showed improvement in gut permeability compared to the HFD positive control group. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum K10 has potential as a probiotic with anti-obesity effects.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.54-56
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• 2010

This study was performed to develop anti-obesity Phellineus linteus powder for application as food additives. P. linteus powders which contained anti-obesity lipase inhibitor were prepared by freeze drying and spray drying. Effects of various additives on the quality of their powders were investigated. 10% over addition of dextrin and gum-arabia was good in the rheological properties of their powders and optimal spray temperature was near $130^{\circ}C$. When their powders were sealed and storaged at room temperature for 6 months, its characteristics were not changed. Especially, changes of its colors was repressed by addition of 0.3 M oxalic acid, citric acid and ascorbic acid than those by non-treatment.