• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2017

To investigate the efficacy of extract of Tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum Gaertn.) in high fat diet (HFD) in mice, the F. tataricum Gaertn. extract (FTE) was orally administered to mice with a HFD at 300 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Our results show that FTE significantly inhibited fat accumulation. Moreover, FTE markedly reduced the final body weight with a decrease in epididymal adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size compared with the untreated HFD-induced group. Additionally, FTE ameliorated serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The results show that Tartary buckwheat possesses hypocholesterolemic effect through downregulating lipid metabolism. Further studies are required in this area to strengthen the anti-obesity effects of FTE with active component, and it can be used a pro-drug instead of whole extract.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

$5HT_{2C}$ receptor among fourteen 5-HT subtypes plays important roles in several disorders such as depression, anxiety, epilepsy, schizophrenia and sleep disorders. The purpose of the study is to investigate pharmacokinetic parameters and bioavailability of a newly synthesized selective agonist of $5-HT_{2C}$ receptor, KOPC-20010 (KP10) in rats after intravenous and oral administration for the development of therapeutic anti-obesity agents. KP10 was administered orally (40 mg/kg) or intravenously (20 mg/kg), blood was collected via a catheter, and analyzed by GC/MSD. The calibration curve of KP10 in plasma and urine showed high linearity ($r^2$ >0.999). The retention times of KP10 in plasma and urine were 8.7 and 9.7 min, respectively. After oral administration of 40 mg/kg, pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated as follows; $C_{max}$ value was $1242.9{\pm}1195.5$ ng/mL at $1.1{\pm}0.6$ hr ($T_{max}$). $AUC_{0->24hr}$ and $AUC_{0>{\infty}}$ were $8034.2{\pm}960.7$ and $10464.1{\pm}681.5\;ng{\cdot}hr/mL$, respectively. The terminal half-life was $21.9{\pm}7.6$ hr. $AUC_{0->24hr}$ and $AUC_{0>{\infty}}$ were $4292.4{\pm}523.0$ and $6111.2{\pm}756.2\;ng{\cdot}hr/mL$, respectively, after 20 mg/kg of intravenous administration. The terminal half-life after intravenous administration was $25.1{\pm}9.4$ hr. Bioavailability of KP10 was determined to 86%. The excretion amount into the urine within 48 hr was approximately 4.7 to 6.7% of the dose administered. These data may be beneficial to the anti-obesity drug development of KP10.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-31
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• 2016

Objectives In this study, it was investigated whether Gami-Handayeolso-Tang (HDYST) medication has anti-obesity effects in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into five groups-normal diet-fed (ND), high fat diet-fed control (HFD), HFD+HDYST 150, HFD+HDYST 300, and HFD+orlistat as a positive drug. The obese markers such as body weight, diet efficiency ratio, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid contents, leptin, adiponectin, and GOT/GPT were measured. Also, white adipose tissue, liver weight, abdominal fat mass, hepatic lipid contents, and mRNA expression of obese-associating genes were examined in obese mice. Results In high fat diet-fed mice, HDYST administration significantly decreased body weight, diet efficiency ratio, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, as well as leptin and GOT/GPT, compared to the HFD group in a dose-dependent manner. HDYST increased significantly the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin. It also reduced the accumulation of lipids, such as total lipid and triglycerides, in organs such as liver and abdominal adipose tissue. Moreover, HDYST administration significantly decreased the expression levels of fatty acid synthetic genes, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), FAS and Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD-1), in the liver tissues, while it increased the messenger RAN (mRNA) levels of fatty acid catalytic genes, such as Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR-${\alpha}$), acyl-COA oxidase (ACO), and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a (CPT-1a). Conclusions Based on the results above, HDYST reveals anti-obesity effects declining body fat accumulation through the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and leptin/adiponectin serum levels. It therefore suggests that HDYST can be clinically useful for the treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2017

The prevalence of obesity has noticeably increased worldwide over several decades with various complication. Even though anti-obesity drug treatments have been spotlighted by resulting in effective mean weight losses, its adverse effects cannot be overlooked. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of multi-frequency whole body vibration, one of the mechanical stimulus, as a countermeasure against obesity. Thirty-two-6-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were equally assigned to four groups: the Control group (CON, n = 8), the Sham group (Sham, n = 8), the sham with single frequency whole body vibration (S+V, n = 8), and the sham with multi frequency whole body vibration (S+MV, n = 8). After 4 weeks, morphologic changes in the adipose tissue were evaluated from three-dimensional images using in vivo micro-computed tomography. At 4 weeks, the volume of the abdominal adipose tissue, which had the highest value in Sham group, noticeably reduced in S+MV group compared to it in S+V group. These results implied that the accumulation of abdominal adipose tissue can be effectively reduced through applying multi-frequency whole body vibration.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1152-1157
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• 2008

Hyperlipidemia has been treated as one of the most important etiological cause factor in 21th century. The cortex and root of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus (AR), a herbal medicine, have been used for several diseases including cardiovascular diseases in Oriental countries. Recently, we reported that AR has anti-hyperlipidemic action. BS-01 was made using extract from AR. For these reasons, we investigated the effects of BS-01 as anti-hyperlipidemic drug through measurement of body weights, cholesterol levels, total lipid, phospholipid in serum. In our results, mice induced by high fat diet elevated body weight level compared to naive group. And total lipid in serum was also elevated by induction of hyperlipidemia. In BS-01 group, body weight of mice was lowered significantly compared to that of control group. Oral administration of BS-01 decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride level back to that of naive mice. HDL and LDL cholesterol levels were not affected by BS-01. In addition, total lipid level, which elevated by induction of hyperlipidemia was also lowered by oral administration of BS-01. Finally, free fatty acid level was lowered in BS-01 group. These results demonstrate that BS-01 lowered body weight and titers involved in hyperlipdemia such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, free fatty acid and total lipid. In these results, we demonstrate that BS-01 has anti-hyperlipidemic action.

• 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 Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.138-148
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Bangpungtongseong-san (Fangfengtongsheng-san, BTS) and Daesiho-tang (Dachaihu-tang, DST) on weight loss and improvement in lipid metabolism and glucose metabolism. Furthermore, we intend to develop a prediction model for drug effects through the analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), gut-microbiota, and the expression of immune-related biomarkers. Methods: This study is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel-design clinical trial. One hundred twenty-eight participants will be assigned to the BTS group (n=64) and DST group (n=64). Both groups will be administered 4 g medication three times a day for up to 2 weeks. The primary outcomes is weight loss. The secondary outcomes include bioelectrical impedance analysis, waist circumstance, body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, insulin resistance. The exploratory outcomes include 3-day dietary recall, food frequency questionnaire, quality of life questionnaire, gut microbiota analysis, immune biomarkers analysis, and SNP analysis. Assessment will be made at baseline and at week 4, 8, and 12. Conclusions: This protocol will be implemented by approval of the Institutional Review Board of Dongguk University. The results of this trial will provide a systematic evidence for the treatment of obesity and enable more precise herbal medicine prescriptions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.287-294
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• 2023

Healthy adipose tissue is critical for preventing obesity by maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Adipose tissue plays an important role in energy homeostasis through glucose and lipid metabolism. Depending on nutritional status, adipose tissue expands to store lipids or can be consumed by lipolysis. The role of adipose tissue as an endocrine organ is emerging, and many studies have reported that there are various adipose tissue hormones that communicate with other organs and tissues through metabolic signaling. For example, leptin, a representative peptide hormone secreted from adipose tissues (adipokine), circulates and targets the central nervous system of the brain for appetite regression. Furthermore, adipocytes secrete inflammatory cytokines to target immune cells in adipose tissues. Not surprisingly, adipocytes can secrete fatty acid-derived hormones (lipokine) that bind to their specific receptors for paracrine and endocrine action. To understand organ crosstalk by adipose tissue hor- mones, specific metabolic signaling in adipocytes and other communicating cells should be defined. The dysfunction of metabolic signaling in adipocytes occurs in unhealthy adipose tissue in overweight and obese conditions. Therapy targeting novel adipose metabolic signaling could potentially lead to the development of an effective anti-obesity drug. This review summarizes the latest updates on adipose tissue hormone and metabolic signaling in terms of obesity and metabolic diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-63
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• 2009

Objectives: Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ scavenging and NF-${\kappa}B$ related anti-inflammatory activities of Sotosaja-hwan in ob/ob mice. Methods: Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Sotosaja-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blotting was performed using anti-phospho-$I{\kappa}B$-${\alpha}$, anti-IKK-${\alpha}$, anti-NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-YCAM-1 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies, respectively. Results: Sotosaja-hwan inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondrial fraction in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ and PGE2 were inhibited in the Sotosaja-hwan-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas the ratio was improved in the Sotosaja-hwan-administered groups. Sotosaja-hwan inhibited the protein expression levels of phospho-$I{\kappa}B$-${\alpha}$, IKK-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, YCAM-1 and MMP-9 genes. Conclusions: These results suggest that Sotosaja-hwan is an effective $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}{O_2}^-$ and NO scavenger and has NF-kB related anti-inflammatory activity in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Sotosaja-hwan might be a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation-related diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1202-1209
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• 2008

Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$) and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ojunghwan on the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$), and on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory proteins in ob/ob mice. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups have received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Ojung-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blot was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $anti-IKK-{\alpha}$, $anti-NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2, anti-iNOS, anti-VCAM-1 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies, respectively. Ojunghwan inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondrial fraction in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$ and $PGE_2$ were inhibited in the Ojunghwan-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas that were improved in the Ojunghwan-administered groups. Ojunghwan inhibited the expression of $phospho-I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, $IKK-{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), COX-2, iNOS, VCAM-1 and MMP-9 genes. These results suggest that Ojunghwan is an effective scavenger of $ONOO^-$, ${\cdot}\;{O_2}^-$, NO and $PGE_2$, and has an inhibitory effect on the expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory genes in ob/ob mice. Therefore, Ojunghwan might be used as a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation- related diseases.