• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2008

The 3T3-L1 cell line is a well-established and commonly used in vitro model to assess adipocyte differentiation. Over the course of several days, confluent 3T3-L1 cells can be converted to adipocytes in the presence of an adipogenic cocktail. In this study, the effects of chitosan oligosaccharides (CO) on adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells were studied. The CO significantly decreased lipid accumulation, a marker of adipogenesis, in a dose-dependent manner. The low molecular mass CO (1-3 kDa) were the most effective at inhibiting adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, mRNA expression levels of both CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) ${\alpha}$ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\gamma}$, the key adipogenic transcription factors, were markedly decreased by CO treatments. CO also significantly down regulated adipogenic marker proteins such as leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. Our results suggest a role for CO as antiobesity agents by inhibiting adipocyte differentiation mediated through the down regulated expression of adipogenic transcription factors and other specific genes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rc (G-Rc) is one of the major protopanaxadiol-type saponins isolated from Panax ginseng, a well-known medicinal herb with many beneficial properties including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of G-Rc on inflammatory responses in vitro and examined the mechanisms of these effects. Methods: The in vitro inflammation system used lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}/interferon-{\gamma}-treated$ synovial cells, and HEK293 cells transfected with various inducers of inflammation. Results: G-Rc significantly inhibited the expression of macrophage-derived cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. G-Rc also markedly suppressed the activation of TANK-binding kinase $1/I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\varepsilon}/interferon$ regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2 signaling in activated RAW264.7 macrophages, human synovial cells, and HEK293 cells. Conclusion: G-Rc exerts its anti-inflammatory actions by suppressing TANK-binding kinase $1/I{\kappa}B$ kinase ${\varepsilon}/interferon$ regulatory factor-3 and p38/ATF-2 signaling.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.653-659
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• 2015

High-protein fermented whey beverage (FWB) was manufactured using whey protein concentrate (WPC) and Lactobacillus plantarum DK211 isolated from kimchi. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-obesity activity of FWB in male rats fed a high-fat diet. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to three groups (n=8 per group). The three groups differed in their diet; one group received a normal diet (ND), another, a high-fat diet (HD), and the third, a HD plus fermented whey beverage (HDFWB), for 4 wk. Supplementation with FWB (the HDFWB group) prevented weight gain and body fat accumulation. The food intake in the HDWFB group was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the HD group. The HDWFB group also showed a significant decrease in organ weights (p<0.05), except for the weight of the testis. There was a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in the HDFWB group compared with the HD group (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in serum HDL-cholesterol levels among the experimental groups. Rats ingesting FWB (the HDFWB group) also showed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels, and plasma levels of insulin, leptin, and ghrelin compared to HD group (p<0.05). These results indicate that FWB has beneficial effects on dietary control, weight control, and reduction in fat composition and serum lipid level; consequently, it may provide antiobesity and hypolipidemic activity against high fat diet-induced obesity in rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2015

Background: Adipocytes, which are the main cellular component of adipose tissue, are the building blocks of obesity. The nuclear hormone receptor $PPAR{\gamma}$ is a major regulator of adipocyte differentiation and development. Obesity, which is one of the most dangerous yet silent diseases of all time, is fast becoming a critical area of research focus. Methods: In this study, we initially aimed to investigate whether the ginsenoside Rf, a compound that is only present in Panax ginseng Meyer, interacts with $PPAR{\gamma}$ by molecular docking simulations. After we performed the docking simulation the result has been analyzed with several different software programs, including Discovery Studio, Pymol, Chimera, Ligplus, and Pose View. All of the programs identified the same mechanism of interaction between $PPAR{\gamma}$ and Rf, at the same active site. To determine the drug-like and biological activities of Rf, we calculate its absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxic (ADMET) and prediction of activity spectra for substances (PASS) properties. Considering the results obtained from the computational investigations, the focus was on the in vitro experiments. Results: Because the docking simulations predicted the formation of structural bonds between Rf and $PPAR{\gamma}$, we also investigated whether any evidence for these bonds could be observed at the cellular level. These experiments revealed that Rf treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes downregulated the expression levels of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and perilipin, and also decreased the amount of lipid accumulated at different doses. Conclusion: The ginsenoside Rf appears to be promising compound that could prove useful in antiobesity treatments.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 2015

Background: The biological actions of various ginseng extracts have been studied for treating obesity and diabetes mellitus. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of fermented Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) on metabolic syndrome. The present study evaluated the antiobesity and antidiabetic effects of fermented red ginseng (FRG) on old-aged, obese, leptin-deficient (B6.V-Lepob, "ob/ob") mice. Methods: The animals were divided into three groups and given water containing 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% FRG for 16 wk. The effect of FRG on ob/ob mice was determined by measuring changes in body weight, levels of blood glucose, serum contents of triglycerides, total cholesterol and free fatty acids, messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of key factors associated with insulin action, such as insulin receptor (IR), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glucose transporter 1 and 4 (GLUT1 and GLUT4), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR-{\gamma}$), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver and in muscle, and histology of the liver and pancreas. Results: FRG-treated mice had decreased body weight and blood glucose levels compared with control ob/ob mice. However, anti-obesity effect of FRG was not evident rather than hypoglycemic effect in old aged ob/ob mice. The hyperlipidemia in control group was attenuated in FRG-treated ob/ob mice. The mRNA expressions of IR, LPL, GLUT1, GLUT4, $PPAR-{\gamma}$, and PEPCK in the liver and in muscle were increased in the FRG-treated groups compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that FRG may play a vital role in improving insulin sensitivity relative to reducing body weight in old-aged ob/ob mice.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was to investigate the antioxiative capacity, antiobesity effects of Atractylodes Rhizoma Alba, Houttuyniae Herba, Lonicerae Flos, Scutellariae Radix, and Coptidis Rhizoma on Raw 264.7 and 3T3-L1 cell lines. Methods: Three different types of herb extracts (A. Rhizoma Alba, H. Herba, L. Flos, S. Radix, and C. Rhizoma; water 100%, ethanol 30%, ethanol 100%) were used in this study. Total polyphenol compound, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, NO production and cell proliferation were measured. Results: Total polyphenol compound measurement of L. Flos, A. Rhizogenes, and C. Rhizoma extracts were higher than A. Rhizoma Alba, H. Herba. DPPH radical scavenging activity, ROS activity and NO production of S. Radix, C. Rhizoma extracts were lower than L. Flos, A. Rhizoma, and H. Herba. Conclusions: Metformin and S. Radix, C. Rhizoma, A. Rhizoma Alba, and L. Flos extracts combination groups showed synergistic effect on adipocyte differentiation inhibition and antioxidative activity.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2007

Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In our case study using animal models for disease states such as obesity or hypertension, we found that, Isaria sinclairii remarkably reduced body weight and ameliorated metabolic abnormalities in Zucker and SHR rats. Genetically obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats were one animal model chosen for this study. Four groups of rats received a standard diet and were treated orally with the following test samples daily for 8 weeks: saline (negative control), ethanol extracts of I. sinclairii, hot water extract of I. sinclairii, or $Xenical^{(R)}$ (30 mg/kg, positive control). Mild reductions (6.3%) in body weight gain were observed in the groups treated with the hot water extract of I. sinclairii compared to the control after 8 weeks. Interestingly, organ weight was greatly reduced by this Dongchunghacho (I. sinclairii), in parallel with the mild reductions in body weight gain and reductions in abdominal fat (adipose tissue). Also observed was a 4.1 % decrease in the ratio of heart weight/body weight compared to the control group. As a hypertensive animal model, SHR (spontaneously hypertensive rat) and WKY (Wistar Kyoto) rats were also administered these extracts for one month. Treatment with the hot water extract of I. sinclairii caused greater reductions in body weight gain for the SHR group (10.9%) compared to the WKY group's (5.2%). Based on these results, I. sinclairii extracts contain selective action for anti-obesity activity, naturally occurring candidate for regulation of body weight increase, as demonstrated in the present study.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.267-272
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the antiobesity effects of lactic acid bacteria-fermented Dioscoreae Rhizoma powder (LDR) in Sprague-Dawley rats with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Rats were divided into 5 groups: normal diet group, control (high fat diet-vehicle) group, 0.4 g/kg LDR (high fat diet + 0.4 g/kg lactic acid bacteria-fermented Dioscoreae Rhizoma powder) group, 1 g/kg LDR (high fat diet + lactic acid bacteria-fermented Dioscoreae Rhizoma powder) group, 2.5g/kg LDR (high fat diet + lactic acid bacteria-fermented Dioscoreae Rhizoma powder) group. Our results indicate that LDR administration has effects on decreasing of body weight, fat weight, blood parameters and adipocyte size in the obesity animals. In addition, verified that fat degeneration and ballooning degeneration were alleviated in the experimental group fed on a high fat diet combined with LDR groups. These results indicate that lactic acid bacteria-fermented Dioscoreae Rhizoma powder may reduce elevating body weight and lipid accumulation in rat fed a high fat diet, suggesting its usefulness as a functional food for reducing body fat and obesity.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.173-182
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• 2010

A fiber fraction (Aloe cellulose), the by-product obtained from Aloe vera gel processing was freeze dried and investigated for in vitro glucose/ bile acid retarding effects of powdered sample (100 mesh) comparing with commercial $\alpha$-cellulose as a reference sample. We also examined the effectiveness of physiological functionality such as the antiobesity and anti-constipation on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. The Aloe cellulose powders during in vitro dialysis experiment for 2 hours exhibited the glucose and bile acid retarding index of 20.32-35.2% and 53.13-28.30%, respectively. Especially, freeze dried aloe cellulose showed the 2.5 and 1.2-6 times higher effect on in vitro glucose and bile acid retardation than those of $\alpha$-cellulose. These relatively good retarding effects on glucose and bile acid diffusion suggest a potential of preventing from diabetes and arteriosclerosis of some extent. Also, the results from animal experiments on SD rats fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks suggested that Aloe cellulose might be used as a novel dietary fiber showing an effective anti-obesity and anti-constipation effect.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.503-511
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ginger, a root vegetable, is known to have antioxidant and antiobesity effects. Preparation, such as by steaming, can affect the chemical composition of prepared root vegetables or herbs and can change their functional activities. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of steamed ginger against oxidative stress and steatosis in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. MATERIAL/METHODS: The levels of polyphenols and flavonoids in two different extracts of steamed ginger, i.e., water extract (SGW) and ethanolic extract (SGE); as well, their antioxidant activities were examined. Forty male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND, n = 10), high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat, w/w, n = 10), HFD supplemented with 200 mg/kg of SGE or garcinia (GAR) by weight (SGED or GARD, respectively, n = 10) for 12 weeks. Serum chemistry was examined, and the expressions of genes involved in lipid metabolism were determined in the liver. Histological analysis was performed to identify lipid accumulations in epididymal fat pads and liver. RESULTS: The SGE had higher contents of polyphenols and flavonoids and higher DPPH and $ABTS^+$ free radical scavenging activities compared to those of SGW. Treatment with SGE or GAR significantly decreased the HFD-induced weight gain. Both SGE and GAR significantly reduced the high serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein levels induced by HFD. Compared to ND, HFD significantly increased hepatic TC and TG levels. SGE or GAR supplementation significantly decreased the increase of hepatic lipids by HFD. Interestingly, SGE had a more significant effect in reducing hepatic TC and TG levels than GAR. Furthermore, hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis were altered in both the SGED and GARD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that steamed ginger supplementation can decrease plasma TC and TG and can inhibit liver steatosis by regulating the expressions of hepatic genes.