• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.66-77
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of the mulberry leaf tea fermented by Monascus pilosus on high fat-induced obesity, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver in mice. Non-fermented mulberry leaf tea powder (UM) and fermented mulberry leaf tea powder (FM) were supplemented with high-fat diet at 2% (wt/wt) dosage for 8 weeks. Both UM and FM lowered body weight gain, feed efficiency ratio, epididymal fat, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol increased markedly with high fat diet (HC) in mice. FM showed more significant effects when it was compared with UM. In addition, Hepatic lipid peroxides and xanthin oxidase activities of the UM and FM were significantly lower than those of HC, despite the lack of a big difference in the amount of hepatic GSH. Activities of ROS scavenging enzymes and serum alanine aminotransferase activity were also examined as a parameter of hepatic damage. The UM and FM groups showed a recovery to NC group from significant changes induced by HC. Finally, histopathological analyses of liver samples revealed a decrease of lipid accumulation in hepatocytes in the UM and FM groups. These results suggest that UM and especially FM can reduce the development of obesity, hyperlipidemia and fatty liver.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2006

Effects of garlic powder supplementation on blood lipid profile and antioxidant system were investigated in rats with and without swimming exercise. Sprague-Dawley rats of four experimental groups were fed for 4 weeks diets containing $15\%$ beef tallow and $1\%$ cholesterol; control without garlic and exercise, Go with $2\%$ garlic alone, Ex with exercise alone, GoEx with $2\%$ garlic and exercise. Rats were trained 40 min a days a days a week. Group Ex and GoEx showed significant lowering in body weight gain and fat accumulation. In Go, Ex and GoEx, plasm TG and LDL-C were lower and HDL-C was higher, although not significantly, compared to levels in control. Total cholesterol was significantly reduced in group Go, and Ex and GoEx were lower than control. The total/HDL cholesterol ratio was also found to be significantly different, decreasing the ratios in Go, Ex and GoEx. The hepatic TBARS increased significantly in group Ex $(51.7{\pm}3.43nM/g\;liver)$, while TBARS in Go and GoEx were low $(35.68{\pm}3.61,\;39.30{\pm}5.55nM/g\;liver)$ and similar to control's one. The activity of hepatic SOD in Go and GoEx tended higher than control and Ex without garlic. The hepatic catalase showed significantly the highest activity in Go. Activity of GSH-px was significantly low in Ex with $0.14{\pm}0.03$ unit/mg protein, and control, Go and GoEx had higher activities of $0.23{\pm}0.08,\;0.20{\pm}0.07,\;0.22{\pm}0.01\;unit/mg$ protein, respectively. Lower activities of antioxidant enzymes in Ex are likely to associated with the highest level of TBARS. It seems that a decrease in TBARS in GoEx relative to Ex was related to the increase in GSHpx and SOD with garlic supplemented, which led to compensate the oxidative stress from exercise. The results suggests that exercise or garlic supplement exerts blood lipid attenuating effect. In adition, garlic supplementation could strengthen the antioxidant potential against exercise-induced oxidants, partly by modulating oxidant enzyme activity. These effects of garlic may make it a beneficial agent on CVD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2017

Background: Radiotherapy is one of the most important modalities in cancer treatment; however, normal tissue damage is a serious concern. Drug development for the protection or reduction of normal tissue damage is therefore a clinical issue. Herein, we evaluated the protective properties of Panax ginseng Meyer and its corresponding mechanisms. Methods: C56BL/6 mice were orally pretreated with P. ginseng water extract (PGE; 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, or 100 mg/kg) or intraperitoneally injected melatonin (20 mg/kg) for 4 d consecutively, then exposed to 15-Gy X-ray radiation 1 h after the last administration. After 10 d of irradiation, the biological properties of hematoxicity, fat accumulation, histopathology, oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis signals were examined in the hepatic tissue. Results: The irradiation markedly induced myelosuppression as determined by hematological analysis of the peripheral blood. Steatohepatitis was induced by X-ray irradiations, whereas pretreatment with PGE significantly attenuated it. Oxidative stress was drastically increased, whereas antioxidant components were depleted by irradiation. Irradiation also notably increased serum liver enzymes and hepatic protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Those alterations were markedly normalized by pretreatment with PGE. The degree of irradiation-induced hepatic tissue apoptosis was also attenuated by pretreatment with PGE, which was evidenced by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick-end labeling assay, western blotting, and gene expressions analysis, particularly of apoptotic molecules. Conclusion: We suggest that PGE could be applicable for use against radiation-induced liver injury, and its corresponding mechanisms involve the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and apoptosis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.431-443
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nobiletin (NOB), a citrus flavonoid, is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, there is limited research investigating the effect of long-term supplementation with low-dose NOB on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we investigated the influence of NOB on hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD in HCD-fed mice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HCD (35 kcal% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid) with or without NOB (0.02%) for 20 weeks. RESULTS: HCD feeding markedly reduced the final body weight compared to ND feeding, with no apparent energy intake differences. NOB supplementation suppressed HCD-induced weight loss without altering energy intake. Moreover, NOB significantly decreased the total cholesterol (TC) levels and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very-LDL-cholesterol to TC ratio, and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol/TC ratio in plasma, compared to those for HCD feeding alone. The plasma levels of inflammatory and atherosclerosis markers (C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were significantly lower, whereas those of anti-atherogenic adiponectin and paraoxonase were higher in the NOB-supplemented group than in the HCD control group. Furthermore, NOB significantly decreased liver weight, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents, and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting messenger RNA expression of hepatic genes and activity levels of cholesterol synthesis-, esterification-, and fatty acid synthesis-associated enzymes, concomitantly enhancing fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and enzyme activities. Dietary NOB supplementation may protect against hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD via regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in HCD-fed mice; these effects are associated with the amelioration of inflammation and reductions in the levels of atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that NOB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCD-induced hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2011

Herbal medicines are widely used in many countries for the treatment of many diseases. Although the use of herb extracts as alternative medicine is growing, their toxicological properties have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we have investigated the effects of water and ethanol extracts of 18 herbs on the hepatic lipid metabolism and steatogenic hepatotoxicity. Ethanol extracts of Cirsium japonicum, Carthamus tinctorius, Rehmanniae glutinosa (preparata), Polygala tenuifolia, Foeniculum vulgare, Polygonum multiflorum, and Acorus gramineus and water extracts of Polygonum multiflorum and Rehmanniae glutinosa induced lipid accumulation in Sk-hep1 human hepatoma cells as determined by Nile red staining. These extracts increased the luciferase activity of sterol regulatory element (SRE) and decreased that of peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE), indicating the possibilities of enhanced fatty acid synthesis and decreased fatty acid oxidation. To identify the components responsible for the fat accumulation, we tested 50 chemicals isolated from the nine herbs. Apigenin, luteolin, pectolinarin and lupeol from Cirsium japonicum, 8-methoxypsoralen and umbelliferone from Foeniculum vulgare and pomonic acid and jiocerebroside from Rehmanniae glutinosa significantly increased the accumulation of lipid droplets. These results suggest that ethanol extracts of Cirsium japonicum, Carthamus tinctorius, Rehmanniae glutinosa (preparata), Polygala tenuifolia, Foeniculum vulgare, Polygonum multiflorum, and Acorus gramineus and water extracts of Polygonum multiflorum and Rehmanniae glutinosa can cause fatty liver disease by decreasing ${\beta}$-oxidation of fatty acid and increasing lipogenesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.1270-1278
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• 2010

Dietary effects of chicken treated with Hwangki-Beni Koji sauces (HBS) on serum and hepatic lipid profiles in rats fed high a fat and high cholesterol diet were investigated. Experimental plots (5 rats per each group) were divided into normal control diet group (NC), high fat and high cholesterol diet group (HFC), HFC plus 15% base sauce treated chicken supplemented diet group (HFC-BS), HFC plus 15% HBS-treated chicken supplemented diet group (HFC-HBS), and fed for 5 weeks. Feed intakes in HFC-HBS group were higher than those of HFC and HFC-BS groups, whereas body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio of the HFC-HBS group were lower than those of the HFC and HFC-BS groups. Serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities of HFC-HBS group were significantly lower than those of HFC and HFC-BS groups. Level of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in HFC-HBS group were 34.06%, 6.28% and 31.00% lower than those of HFC-BS group, respectively, whereas HDL-cholesterol level and atherogenic index in HFC-HBS group were 1.72-fold higher and 2.52-fold lower, respectively, than those of HFC-BS group. Level of hepatic total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol in HFC-HBS group were 9.53%, 5.25% and 22.20% lower than those of HFC-BS group, respectively. In the morphological results of liver, the hepatocytes of central vein lesion and intact hepatic cell plate are preserved well from steatosis in HFC-HBS group, whereas the hepatocytes in HFC and HFC-BS groups are distended by accumulation of multiple fat droplets, and sinusoids are occluded. In the above results, we expected that chicken treated with Hwangki-Beni Koji sauce may have functionalities of anti-obesity, anti-cholesterol and also, lowering anti-atherogenic index in high fat and high cholesterol diets.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.762-768
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• 2014

In this study, the ameliorating effects of lactic acid-fermented garlic extract (LAFGE) on non-alcoholic fatty liver were investigated using oleic acid-induced steatotic HepG2 cells. The ameliorating mechanism was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot. Treatment with 1 mg/mL LAFGE decreased intracellular lipid accumulation approximately 1.5-fold, compared to that achieved with non-fermented garlic extract. LAFGE reduced fatty acid influx into hepatocytes through down-regulation of FAT/CD36 mRNA expression in the steatotic HepG2 cells. $PPAR{\alpha}$ and CPT-1 mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated by LAFGE treatment of HepG2 cells as a consequence of activation of beta oxidation. Additionally, the treatment with 1 mg/mL LAFGE highly down-regulated mRNA expression of SREBP-1c and FAS to 51% and 35%, respectively. LAFGE showed concentration-dependent down-regulation patterns in protein expression of SREBP-1c and FAS, as determined by Western blot. These results suggest that LAFGE treatment improves hepatic steatosis triggered by the imbalance of hepatic lipid metabolism owing to oleic acid treatment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.217-223
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• 2019

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feed intake restriction during late pregnancy on the function, anti-oxidation capability and acute phase protein synthesis of ovine liver. Methods: Eighteen time-mated ewes with singleton fetuses were allocated to three groups: restricted group 1 (RG1, 0.18 MJ ME/kg $W^{0.75}$ d, n = 6), restricted group 2 (RG2, 0.33 MJ ME/kg $W^{0.75}$ d), n = 6) and a control group (CG, ad libitum, 0.67 MJ ME/kg $W^{0.75}$ d, n = 6). The feed restriction period was from 90 days to 140 days of pregnancy. Results: The ewe's body weight, liver weights, water, and protein content of liver in the restricted groups were reduced compared with the CG group (p<0.05), but the liver fat contents in the RG1 group were higher than those of the CG group (p<0.05). The increased hepatic collagen fibers and reticular fibers were observed in the restricted groups with the reduction of energy intake. The concentrations of nonesterified free fatty acids in the RG1 and RG2 groups were higher than those of the CG group with the reduction of energy intake (p<0.05), but there were decreased concentrations of lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase in both restricted groups compared with the CG group (p<0.05). In addition, the increased concentrations of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyric acid, triglycerides, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity and activities of superoxide dismutase activity and catalase were found in the RG1 group, and the concentrations of cholinesterase in the RG1 group were reduced compared with the CG group (p<0.05). For the concentrations of acute phase proteins, the C-reactive protein (CRP) in the RG1 group were reduced compared with the CG group, but there were no differences in haptoglobin relative to the controls (p>0.05). Conclusion: The fat accumulation, increased hepatic fibrosis, antioxidant imbalance and modified synthesis of acute phase proteins were induced in ewe's liver by maternal malnutrition during late pregnancy, which were detrimental for liver function to accommodate pregnancy.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.47-59
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• 2011

Objectives : We investigated the effects of gambigyeongsinhwan2(GGH(2)) on body weight and examined whether blood triglyceride levels and visceral fat are inhibited by it in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet-fed obese male mice were divided into 5 groups: C57BL/6N normal, control, GGH(2)-1, GGH(2)-2 and GGH(2)-3. After mice were treated with GGH(2) for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also did histological analysis for liver and fat on the mice. Results : 1. Compared with controls, GGH(2)-treated mice had lower body weight gain and adipose tissue weight, the magnitudes of which were prominent in GGH(2)-3. 2. Compared with controls, GGH(2)-treated mice had lower feeding efficiency ratio, the magnitude of which was prominent in GGH(2)-3. 3. Compared with controls, GGH(2)-treated mice had lower blood plasma triglyceride level. 4. Blood plasma AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by GGH(2), indicating GGH(2) do not show any toxic effects. 5. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, the size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by GGH(2), whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was significantly increased, suggesting that GGH(2) decreased the number of large adipocytes. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by GGH(2). Conclusions : These results demonstrate that GGH(2) effectively reduces body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood plasma triglyceride level and improves abdominal fat.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2012

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Ingecheonggeumdan(ICD) on body weight and examined whether blood lipid levels and visceral fat are inhibited by it in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet-fed obese male mice were divided into 6 groups: C57BL/6N normal, control, ICD-1(150mg/kg), ICD-2(300mg/kg), ICD-3(600mg/kg) and orlistat(10mg/kg). After mice were treated with ICD and orlistat for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also performed histological analysis for liver and fat on the mice. Results : Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had lower body weight gain and adipose tissue weight, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3. Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had lower blood leptin levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in ICD-3. Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had higher blood HDL-cholesterol and lower blood plasma LDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3. Blood plasma AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by ICD and orlistat, indicating ICD and orlistat do not show any toxic effects. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, the size of adipocytes and hepatic lipid accumulation were significantly decreased by ICD and orlistat. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that ICD and orlistat effectively reduce body weight gain, blood plasma LDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels and improves abdominal fat, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3.