• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.308-315
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• 2012

Opuntia humifusa known as the Eastern prickly pear have been used as a treatment of burns, diarrhea, asthma, rheumatism, gonorrhea, and diabetes in alternative medicine. O. humifusa is widely cultivated in the middle and southern provinces of Korea and distributed in North America. The aim of this study is to investigate anti-diabetic effect of O. humifusa stem (OHS) water or 80% MeOH extract using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and db/db mice animal models. OHS 80% MeOH extract at a dose of $250{\mu}g/ml$ significantly increased the glucose uptake and lipid accumulation compared with the control in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Blood glucose, plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced by oral treatment of OHS 80% MeOH extract (200 mg/kg BW) for 6 weeks in db/db mice. Also, the oral treatment of OHS 80% MeOH extract slightly changed the plasma insulin and insulin resistance levels in db/db mice, but were no significance in comparison to control. Glucose transporter(GLUT)4 expressions of adipose tissue and muscle were significantly increased more than that in the control. Therefore, these results suggest that OHS 80% MeOH extract inhibits the blood glucose level through regulation of lipid profile, insulin resistance, and GLUT4 expression in db/db mice and its diabetic effect is effective more than water extract.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.212-221
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• 1999

Tongue examination is the most unique and important diagnostic method of oriental medicine. It reveals patients condition and give some information about direction of therapy and background of disease as well as produces clue of duration of disease changing that grasps it from outside. The aims of this study show that results of tongue examination is related to somewhat special pattern. we study 27 patients(age of means: 63.01 years old, male: 14, female: 13) who come to Wonkwang University Oriental-Medicine Hospital at Chonju with diabetes mellitus or diabetes mellitus complications. Tongue colors of this study result in pale-red 8 cases, pale 6 cases, red 6 cases, crimson 5 cases, blue-green-purple 2 cases and tongue fur of this study result in white-fur 16 cases, yellow-fur 7 cases, black-fur 1 case, none-fur 3 cases. And the condition of tongue fur with grimy and thin result in thin-white-fur 12 cases, white-grimy-fur 4 cases, thin-yellow-fur 5 cases, grimy-yellow-fur 2 cases, black-fur 1 case. Means level of fasting glucose during 7 days was $223.24{\pm}32.l7mg/dl$ and postprandial 2hours was $286.37{\pm}24.54mg/dl$ There were no changes in tongue body and tongue color but changes occur in tongue fur with 9cases in this period. 5 cases of patient make a difference between FBS(fasting blood glucose) and postprandial blood glucose level more than l00mg/dl (2 cases of patient with thin-white-fur gradually turned to slight-yellow-fur. There were no changes in 2 cases of patient with crimson-none-fur and pale-white-fur. 1 case of patient with slimy-yellow-fur turned to black fur.) 11 cases of patient had lesser than $10\%$ hemoglobin $A_lC$ and tongue color of these patient were pale-red 5cases, pale 2 cases, red 2 cases, crimson 2 cases. 16 cases of patient had more than $10\%$ Hemoglobin $A_1C$ and tongue color of these patients were pale-red 3 cases, pale 4 cases, red 4 cases, crimson 3 cases, blue 2 cases. This result shows that quantity of Hemoglobin $A_1C$ make a somewhat role in tongue color. The above results show that tongue color, fur color, condition and change of fur in diabetes mellitus patients is various in pale-red, pale, crimson, none-fur. So it is difficult to give an exact diagnosis on pathology of diabetes mellitus only with tongue examination because there are a little matches between blood glucose level, prevalence-period, short-term blood glucose regulation and tongue and fur colors.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2013

Alloxan administration in rats is used as a model for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). NIDDM is a multifactorial disease, characterized by hyperglycemia and lipoprotein abnormalities. In this study, we evaluated the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of fermented Rhynchosia nulubilis (FRN) through the regulation of glucose uptake in alloxan-induced rats. Fermented R. nulubilis was administered orally for 28 d at 500 mg/kg of body weight. Body weight and food intake were monitored every day. Biochemical parameters were quantified after 4 week. In the diabetic + FRN group, body weight increased significantly and blood glucose concentrations decreased when compared to those of the diabetic group. After 2 hr of administration, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) indicated a significant reduction in the diabetic + FRN group compared to diabetic group. The diabetic + FRN group experienced a significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, coronary risk factors, and malondialdehyde concentrations, with significantly increased high density lipoprotein compared to those of diabetic group. These results demonstrate that fermented R. nulubilis possesses potent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2020

Silibinin exhibits antidiabetic potential by preserving the mass and function of pancreatic β-cells through up-regulation of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) expression. However, the underlying protective mechanism of silibinin in pancreatic β-cells is still unclear. In the current study, we sought to determine whether ERα acts as the target of silibinin for the modulation of antioxidative response in pancreatic β-cells under high glucose and high fat conditions. Our in vivo study revealed that a 4-week oral administration of silibinin (100 mg/kg/day) decreased fasting blood glucose with a concurrent increase in levels of serum insulin in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats. Moreover, expression of ERα, NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in pancreatic β-cells in pancreatic islets was increased by silibinin treatment. Accordingly, silibinin (10 μM) elevated viability, insulin biosynthesis, and insulin secretion of high glucose/palmitate-treated INS-1 cells accompanied by increased expression of ERα, Nrf2, and HO-1 as well as decreased reactive oxygen species production in vitro. Treatment using an ERα antagonist (MPP) in INS-1 cells or silencing ERα expression in INS-1 and NIT-1 cells with siRNA abolished the protective effects of silibinin. Our study suggests that silibinin activates the Nrf2-antioxidative pathways in pancreatic β-cells through regulation of ERα expression.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2018

Anti-diabetes activity of Catharsius molossus (Ca, a type of dung beetle) glycosaminoglycan (G) was evaluated to reduce glucose, creatinine kinase, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels in db mice. Diabetic mice in six groups were administrated intraperitoneally: Db heterozygous (Normal), Db homozygous (CON), Heuchys sanguinea glycosaminoglycan (HEG, 5 mg/kg), dung beetle glycosaminoglycan (CaG, 5 mg/kg), bumblebee (Bombus ignitus) queen glycosaminoglycan (IQG, 5 mg/kg) and metformin (10 mg/kg), for 1 month. Biochemical analyses in the serum were evaluated to determine their anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory actions in db mice after 1 month treatment with HEG, CaG or IQG treatments. Blood glucose level was decreased by treatment with CaG. CaG produced significant anti-diabetic actions by inhiting creatinine kinase and alkaline phosphatase levels. As diabetic parameters, serum glucose level, total cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in CaG5-treated group compared to the controls. Dung beetle glycosaminoglycan, compared to the control, could be a potential therapeutic agent with anti-diabetic activity in diabetic mice. CaG5-treated group, compared to the control, showed the up-regulation of 48 genes including mitochondrial yen coded tRNA lysine (mt-TK), cytochrome P450, family 8/2, subfamily b, polypeptide 1 (Cyp8b1), and down-regulation of 79 genes including S100 calcium binding protein A9 (S100a9) and immunoglobulin kappa chain complex (Igk), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoenzymeAsynthase1 (Hmgcs1). Moreover, mitochondrial thymidine kinase (mt-TK), was up-regulated, and calgranulin A (S100a9) were down-regulated by CaG5 treatment, indicating a potential therapeutic use for anti-diabetic agent.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the effects of jaceosidin on blood glucose regulation in type 1 diabetic mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups; normal control (Normal), diabetes control (D-Control), diabetes low-jaceosidin (D-0.005%), and diabetes high-jaceosidin (D-0.02%). Type 1 diabetes was induced by streptozotocin and mice were then fed a diet containing jaceosidin for eight weeks. Fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed. Results: Jaceosidin supplementation for eight weeks had no effect on body weight, organ weight, and blood lipid profiles. However, jaceosidin supplementation significantly lowered fasting blood glucose level and reduced insulin resistance. We also found that jaceosidin supplementation increased antioxidant capacity by enhancement of catalase and GSH-px activities. Conclusion: These results suggest that jaceosidin could be a therapeutic candidate to ameliorate hyperglycemia through increase of antioxidant enzyme activity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.336-342
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• 2010

Obesity-induced disorders contribute to the development of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, fatty liver diseases, and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we evaluated the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of aloe formula in high fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6N mice. Male mice fed HFD for 28 weeks received a supplement of aloe formula, PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and an Aloe QDM complex for a further 8 weeks and were then compared with regular diet fed mice. After the experimental period, the blood glucose levels of the Aloe QDM complex-and PGZ-supplemented mice were significantly lower than those of the HFD-fed mice. Aloe formula, especially the Aloe QDM complex, and the PGZ treatment group profoundly affected the IPGTT and HOMA-IR. Immunochemistry was done for the morphological observation and the resulting sizes of adipocytes around the epididymis were significantly decreased when comparing the aloe formula-treated and HFD-fed groups. Further, aloe formula decreased mRNA expression of fatty acid synthesis enzymes and led to reduced hepatic steatosis in both liver and WAT. These results suggest that supplementation of Aloe QDM complex in the HFD-fed mice improved insulin resistance by lowering blood glucose levels and reducing adipocytes. Our data suggest that dietary aloe formula reduces obesity-induced glucose tolerance by suppressing fatty acid synthesis in the WAT and liver, both of which are important peripheral tissues affecting insulin resistance. The Aloe QDM complex could be used as a nutritional intervention against T2D.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.102-114
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• 2022

Objectives: We investigated the effects of Allii Fistulosi Bulbus (AFB) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice and the regulation of energy metabolism in muscle tissues of mice. Methods: The C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks, male) were fed a HFD for 8 weeks and then administrated with AFB extract at 500 mg/kg (p.o.) once daily for 4 weeks. The body weight (BW), muscle weight, calorie intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum glucose, insulin, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured in mice. It was also observed the histological changes of pancreas, liver, and fat tissues with hematoxylin and eosin staining. It was investigated the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), Ser/Thr kinase (AKT), and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), and sirtuin1 (Sirt1) in gastrocnemius tissues by western blot, respectively. Results: The increases of BWs, calorie intakes and FBG levels in obesity mice were decreased significantly by the administration of AFB extract. The AFB extract administration was reduced significantly serum levels of glucose, insulin, and LDL-C in obesity mice. The AFB extract inhibited lipid accumulation in liver tissues, hyperplasia of pancreatic islets, and enlargement of fat tissues in obesity mice. The phosphorylation of IRS-1 and AKT was increased significantly in muscle tissues and AMPK phosphorylation and the GLUT4 and Sirt1 expression were decreased significantly in muscle tissues after the AFB administration. Conclusions: Our study indicates that AFB extract improves symptoms of obesity through regulation of energy regulating proteins in muscle tissues.

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2023

Despite the emergence of obesity as a significant public health concern, artificial sweeteners have made their way into various food products due to the perception, that they serve as substitutes for sugar. Artificial sweeteners are used to supposedly achieve weight management and health improvement. However, their efficacy and safety remain debatable. Commonly used artificial sweeteners include aspartame, acesulfame potassium, saccharin, and sucralose. This article discusses the effects of artificial sweetener consumption on weight loss, appetite regulation, blood glucose control, and gut microbiota. Research findings, concerning the consumption of artificial sweeteners and their association with body weight, have shown inconsistencies between randomized controlled trials and cohort studies. Studies, comparing artificial sweeteners to sugar, have reported no significant differences in satiety. Although artificial sweeteners have no calories, they can affect blood sugar levels through the cephalic phase insulin response. A recent study suggested that artificial sweeteners influenced the occurrence of diabetes. Due to limitations in the study design, excluding diabetes-influencing factors was not feasible. The evidence showed that artificial sweeteners harbored potential health risks, necessitating further investigation. According to recent studies, the consumption of artificial sweeteners was associated with gut microbiota changes and individual blood sugar responses. It is important to note that artificial sweeteners cannot be considered safe alternatives to sugar, and further research is required.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.180-192
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• 2022

Nuclear receptor coactivator 6 (NCOA6) is a transcriptional coactivator of nuclear receptors and other transcription factors. A general Ncoa6 knockout mouse was previously shown to be embryonic lethal, but we here generated liver-specific Ncoa6 knockout (Ncoa6 LKO) mice to investigate the metabolic function of NCOA6 in the liver. These Ncoa6 LKO mice exhibited similar blood glucose and insulin levels to wild type but showed improvements in glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and pyruvate tolerance. The decrease in glucose production from pyruvate in these LKO mice was consistent with the abrogation of the fasting-stimulated induction of gluconeogenic genes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pck1) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6pc). The forskolin-stimulated inductions of Pck1 and G6pc were also dramatically reduced in primary hepatocytes isolated from Ncoa6 LKO mice, whereas the expression levels of other gluconeogenic gene regulators, including cAMP response element binding protein (Creb), forkhead box protein O1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α, were unaltered in the LKO mouse livers. CREB phosphorylation via fasting or forskolin stimulation was normal in the livers and primary hepatocytes of the LKO mice. Notably, it was observed that CREB interacts with NCOA6. The transcriptional activity of CREB was found to be enhanced by NCOA6 in the context of Pck1 and G6pc promoters. NCOA6-dependent augmentation was abolished in cAMP response element (CRE) mutant promoters of the Pck1 and G6pc genes. Our present results suggest that NCOA6 regulates hepatic gluconeogenesis by modulating glucagon/cAMP-dependent gluconeogenic gene transcription through an interaction with CREB.