• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the hypoglycemic and kidney protective effect of black ginseng in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods and Results: Diabetes was induced by treating mice with streptozotocin (STZ) for four weeks. In vivo studies were performed in order to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the black ginseng prosapogenin (GBG05-FF) extract. The body weight and blood glucose level were measured. Moreover, after the mice were sacrificed, the kidneys were isolated and histological changes were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were also measured. The results showed that administration of black ginseng increased body weight. Compared to blood glucose levels in STZ mice, blood glucose levels were reduced by 48% in STZ mice supplemented with 300 mg/kg of black ginseng, and by 69% in STZ mice supplemented with 900 mg/kg. Furthermore, histopathological examination of STZ mouse kidneys revealed, changes in the kidneys, epithelial cell damages, inflammatory cell infiltration and glomerulus hypertrophy. However, a significant reduction of glomerular water droplets (indicative of glomerulus hypertrophy) was observed in the kidneys of STZ mice supplemented with black ginseng extract. Conclusions: These results suggest that black prosapogenin (GBG05-FF) ginseng extract has a significant hypoglycemic effect and can be used as an anti-diabetic substance and renal protective agents as part of dietary supplements or novel drugs.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.240-264
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• 2017

The present study was carried out to identify traditional konwledges on Korean Campanulaceae plants and conduct a comprehensive review of them through analyzing phytochemistry and pharmacology of Korean Campanulaceae plants. According to the literature study, the ethnobotanical plants of Korean Campanulacae consisted of a total 18 taxa. Of them, 12 taxa including Platycodon grandiflorus, Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, Codonopsis lanceolata and others have been used as ethnomedicinal plants. These plants have been used for the treatment of 49 diseases such as cold, asthma and postnatal care. Phytochemical studies have identified the constituents present from Korean Campanulaceae (Adenophora, Codonopsis, Platycodon, Campanula and Asyneuma). A wide range of chemical compounds comprised 109 triterpenes, 8 sterols, 4 polyacetylenes, 21 alkaloids, 14 flavonoids, 14 phenolic acids, 11 phenolic glycosides, 8 phenylpropanoids and 22 other compounds. Pharmacological studies of these compounds have demonstrated immuno-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, apophlegmatic and anti-allergic effects. They have also shown antioxidant, estrogenic, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antinociception and anti-tumor activities, as well as anti-obesity and cardiovascular effects. In light of traditional knowledge and phytochemical and pharmacological studies summarized, uses of Korean Campanulaceae based on traditional knowledge (for the treatment diseases and conditions of respiratory, pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium, genitourinary, circulatory, musculoskeletal and other systems) have been supported by phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.330-340
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• 2014

Coprinellus micaceus, belongs to family Psathyrellaceae of Agaricales, Basidiomycota, has been used for edible purposes in the world. This study was initiated to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-cholinesterase, anti-tyrosinase, and nitric oxide inhibitory activities of fruiting bodies from C. micaceus extracted with methanol and hot water. The HPLC analysis of phenolic compounds from the mushroom extracts identified 4 phenolic compounds including procatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, (-)-epicatechin, and naringin. In 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, the scavenging activities of methanol and hot water extracts were lower than that of positive control, BHT. The chelating effects of methanol and hot water extracts were significantly higher than that of BHT, the positive control at the all concentrations tested. In the reducing power assay, methanol and hot water extracts exhibited the lower activities compared with positive control at the 0.125-0.2 mg/ml. The methanol and hot water extracts of the mushroom inhibited the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity by 62.26% and 67.59%, respectively at the 2.0 mg/ml, while acarbose, the positive control, inhibited the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity by 81.81% at the same concentration. In the acetylcholinesterase(AChE) inhibitory activity assay, methanol and hot water extracts of the mushroom inhibited the AChE by 94.64% and 74.19%, respectively at 1.0 mg/ml, whereas the galanthamine, standard drug, inhibited the AChE activity by 97.80% at the same concentration. The tyrosinase inhibitory activities of methanol and hot water extracts were 91.33% and 91.99% at 2.0 mg/ml, while the inhibitory activity of kojic acid, the positive control, was 99.61% at the same concentration. Nitric oxide(NO) production in lipopolysaccahride (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 cells were inhibited by the methanol and hot water extracts in a concentration dependent manner. Therefore, it is concluded that fruiting bodies of C. micaceus contained natural antioxidant, anti-acetylcholinesterase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase substances which might be used for promoting human health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.681-686
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to measure total phenolic compounds as a measure of antioxidant activity as well as ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities as a measure of anti-diabetic efficacy in methanol extracts from 23 kinds of medicinal plants. Extracts of three medicinal plant species showing high total polyphenol contents were selected (Euonymus alatus stem, Taxus cuspidata fruit, and Eucommia ulmoides leaf). Extracts of six medicinal plant species showing over 60% DPPH radical scavenging activity were also selected [Eucommia ulmoides barks (80.10%), Lycium chinense roots (64.25%), Euonymus alatus stem (73.59%), Lespedeza cuneata (78.20%), Taxus cuspidata fruits (70.52%), and Tilia taquetii leaf and stem (67.81%)]. Regarding ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory activities acarbose showing approximately 80% inhibitory activity was selected as a control group, and six species (Eucommia ulmoides heartwood, Eucommia ulmoides bark, Euonymus alatus stem, Dioscorea batatas, Coix lachryma-jobi, and Phaseolus radiatus) showed greater than 80% ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Extracts of nine medicinal plant. species showing over 80% ${\alpha}$-amylase inhibitory activity (Pueraria thunbergiana root, Eucommia ulmoides bark, Eucommia ulmoides leaf, Lycium chinense fruits, Euonymus alatus leaf and stem, Euonymus alatus stem, Sasa borealis whole, Dioscorea batatas leaf and stem, and Tilia taquetii leaf and stem). Based on these results, medicinal plants showing high antioxidant and antidiabetic activities can be used as fundamental products in developing new medicines, as well as functional foods to prevent adult disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.1257-1262
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• 2010

This study investigated the anti-diabetic effects of the mixed water extract (JDG 100) composed of Lycii Cortex, Acanthopanax senticosus and Cordyceps militaris on glucose-regulating key enzymes such as glucokinase (GK), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In the current study, HepG2 cells were exposed to pathological condition such as hyperglycemic condition (4.5 g glucose/L) with JDG 100 and then experiments such as RT-PCR and Western blotting were carried out. JDG 100 treated cells increased to $168{\pm}0.04%$ and $182.4{\pm}0.03%$ in GK mRNA and protein expressions, respectively, compared to control. Treatment of the JDG 100 up-regulated ACC mRNA ($127.3{\pm}0.02%$) and protein ($126.7{\pm}0.24%$) of HepG2 cells in the high glucose media. These observations suggest that JDG 100 mixed water extract may have a potential as an anti-diabetic agent in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.879-884
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• 2017

In a continuing screening of selected medicinal plants native to Mongolia, the antioxidant and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities of methanol extract of Iris bungei were investigated. After extraction with 80% of methanol, the methanol fraction was further extracted with n-hexane, EtOAc and n-BuOH in order to obtain four different solvent-soluble fractions, namely n-hexane-soluble, EtOAc-soluble, n-BuOH-soluble and $H_2O$ residue. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by radical scavenging assay using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ($ABTS^+$) radicals. The anti-diabetic efficacy of I. bungei extract was investigated by ${\alpha}$-glucosidase assay. All tested samples showed dose-dependent radical scavenging and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Among the tested extracts, the EtOAc-soluble fractions showed the greatest radical scavenging activity and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory properties among other solvent-soluble fractions. This result suggested that there was a significant relationship between the total phenolic content and biological efficacy. Thus, I. bungei extract might be considered as a new potential source of natural antioxidant and as a ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory source. A more systematic investigation of this biomass sill be performed for further investigation of activity against antioxidative and anti-diabetic effects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2013

We studied the anti-diabetic effects of medicinal herb water extracts on expression of hepatic glucokinase (GCK), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) mRNA. The medicinal herbs used for experiments were Cornus officinalis (CO), Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (PSA), Discorea japonica Thunb. (DJ), Rehmannia glutinosa (RG), Lycium chinense (LC), and Pyrus pyrifolia (PP). For GCK mRNA expression, CO, RG, and LC water extracts exhibited a more effective activity than other extracts. Cells treated with RG and LC water extracts showed an increase in expression of PDH mRNA to 191% and 124%, respectively, compared to control. Expression of ACC mRNA was significantly higher in LC water extract. These data indicate that CO, RG, and LC water extracts stimulates expression of hepatic GCK, PDH, and ACC mRNA.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.964-971
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• 2019

Hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance increases in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Piperine is a major compound found in black pepper (Piper nigrum) and long pepper (P. longum). Piperine has been used in fine chemical for its anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. However, the signaling-based mechanism of piperine and its role as an inhibitor of lipogenesis and insulin resistance in human hepatocyte cells remains ill-defined. In the present study, we explored the effects of piperine on lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, and explored the potential underlying molecular mechanisms in palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. Piperine treatment resulted in a significant reduction of triglyceride content. Furthermore, piperine treatment decreased palmitate-treated intracellular lipid deposition by inhibiting the lipogenic target genes, sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS); whereas the expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT-1) and phosphorylation of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) gene involved in fatty acid oxidation was increased. Moreover, piperine also inhibited the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 (Ser307). Piperine treatment modulated palmitate-treated lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in HepG2 cells with concomitant reduction of lipogenic target genes, such as SREBP-1 and FAS, and induction of CPT-1-ACC and phosphorylation of IRS-1 (Tyr632)-Akt pathways. Therefore, piperine represents a promising treatment for the prevention of lipid accumulation and insulin resistance.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.273-281
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• 2011

Our previous study demonstrated that the Korean traditional medicine Gyeongshingangjeehwan (GGEx) inhibits obesity and insulin resistance in obese type 2 diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. We investigated whether GGEx may affect AMP-activated protein kinase ${\alpha}$ ($AMPK{\alpha}$) since $AMPK{\alpha}$ activation is known to stimulate fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle of obese rodents. After OLETF rats were treated with GGEx, we studied the effects of GGEx on $AMPK{\alpha}$ and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, and the expression of $AMPK{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\alpha}$, and $PPAR{\alpha}$ target genes. The effects of GGEx on mRNA expression of the above genes were also measured in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Administration of GGEx to OLETF rats for 8 weeks increased phosphorylation of $AMPK{\alpha}$ and ACC in skeletal muscle. GGEx also elevated skeletal muscle mRNA levels of $AMPK{\alpha}1$ and $AMPK{\alpha}2$ as well as $PPAR{\alpha}$ and its target genes. Consistent with the in vivo data, similar activation of genes was observed in GGEx-treated C2C12 cells. These results suggest that GGEx stimulates skeletal muscle $AMPK{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\alpha}$ activation, leading to alleviation of obesity and related disorders.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.599-611
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Hwanggi-tang on glucose digestion, uptake, and metabolism in murine C2C12 myotubes. Methods: Hwanggi-tang was prepared according to the Dong-ui-bo-gam (≪東醫寶鑑≫) prescription by 70% ethanol extraction. The effect on glucose digestion was examined by determining the inhibitory effect of Hwanggi-tang on α-glucosidase activity. We also compared and verified the gene and protein expression of genes related to glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes treated with Hwanggi-tang or insulin. Glucose metabolism was assessed by the expression levels of associated enzymes. Results: Hwanggi-tang caused a dose-dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase activity, induced glucose uptake by activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in the insulin signaling pathway, and promoted glucose oxidation and β-oxidation. Conclusions: Hwanggi-tang exerts an anti-diabetic effect on murine myotubes by inhibiting glucose digestion and inducing glucose uptake and consumption.