• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.646-652
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• 2010

Gambejaeseup-tang (GBJST) have recently been used as an anti-obesity herbal medicine but their effect and mechanism of action have not been studied. We modified ingredients of GBJST based on the previous experiments about exploring herbs to suppress triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We investigated the effects of modified GBJST on energy, glucose and lipid homeostasis using female rats with diet-induced obesity and their action mechanism was also determined. Rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were divided into 3 groups: rats in each group received 0.2 or 2 g water extracts of modified GBJST (L-GBJST or H-GBJST) or 2 g cellulose per kg body weight (a negative control) on a daily basis. A further group was fed a low-fat diet (LFD) as a positive control. We found that modified GBJST dose-dependently decreased body weight and mesenteric and retroperitoneal fat more than the control. This decrease was due to the reduction in energy intake and the increase of energy expenditure. HFD increased fat oxidation more than LFD and modified GBJST further increased fat oxidation as a major energy source more than the control in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, H-GBJST improved glucose tolerance without changing serum insulin levels during an oral glucose tolerance test. H-GBJST also suppressed the increase of serum total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels by HFD. In conclusion, modified GBJST have a good anti-obesity effect by decreasing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure mainly as fat in female rats with diet-induced obesity. It also improves glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2009

Background: A major ingredient of green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and this is known to have many beneficial effects for cancer prevention and also on the cardiovascular system and neurodegenerative diseases through its anti-oxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering and neuroprotective properties. Its actions on nociception and the spinal nervous system have been examined in only a few studies, and in these studies EGCG showed an antinociceptive effect on inflammatory and neuropathic pain, and a neuroprotective effect in motor neuron disease. This study was performed to investigate the effect of EGCG on acute thermal pain and the development of morphine tolerance at the spinal level. Methods: The experimental subjects were male Sprague-Dawley rats and the Hot-Box test was employed. A single or double-lumen intrathecal catheter was implanted at the lumbar enlargement for drug administration. An osmotic pump was used to infuse morphine for 7 days for induction of morphine tolerance. EGCG was injected repeatedly for 7 days at twice a day through the intrathecal catheter. Results: Intrathecal EGCG increased the paw withdrawal latency (PWL) after repeated administration for 7 days at twice a day, but this did not happen with administering on single bolus injection of EGCG. In addition, the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal morphine was not affected by co-administration with EGCG. A continuous 7-day infusion of morphine caused a significant decrease of the PWL in the control group (M + S, morphine plus saline). In contrast, intrathecal EGCG injection over 7 days blocked the decrease of the PWL in the experiment group (M + E, morphine plus EGCG). Conclusions: Intrathecal ECGC produced a weak antinociceptive effect for acute thermal pain, but it did not change the morphine's analgesic effect. However, the development of antinociceptive tolerance to morphine was attenuated by administering intrathecal EGCG.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.14-20
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• 2000

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary Platycodon grandiflorum on plasma glucose and lipid metabolism in $KK-A^y$ mice and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Both plasma triglyceride and plasma cholesterol levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats were significantly decreased by dietary Platycodon grandiflorum feeding for 4 weeks compared to those of control rats, but there were no marked differences in $KK-A^y$ mice. However, for plasma glucose values, Platycodon grandiflorum feeding resulted in a significant decrease in both STZ-induced diabetic rats and $KK-A^y$ mice. Also, dietary Platycodon grandiflorum slightly decreased the postprandial glucose level at 30 and 60 mins during oral glucose tolerance test in $KK-A^y$ mice. Although there was no statistical significance, the fasting plasma insulin levels of Platycodon grandiflorum dieted $KK-A^y$ mice tended to decrease when compared to that of control mice. Therefore, the present results suggested that dietary Platycodon grandiflorum may have a beneficial effect on preventing hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1076-1081
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• 2005

Purpose : Insulin resistance is the most important risk factor linked to the development of impaired glucose tolerance(IGT), diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases in childhood and adolescent obesity, The purpose of this study was to see whether insulin resistance of obese adolescent is higher than that of obese children. and to analyze gender difference and affecting factors of insulin resistance. Methods : Of the 9,837 school children from 5 to 16 tears old, 92 obese children and 187 adolescent, underwent a two-hour oral glucose tolerance test and plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, leptin and high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) were measure. Results : Plasma insulin levels of female were higher compared to those of males during oral glucose tolerance test(P<0.05). Four(4.3%) in obese children and twenty five(13.3%) in obese adolescents met the criteria of IGT. Female, leptin, adiponectin and triglyceride concentrations were strongly correlated with homeostatic model assessment insulin-resistance(HOMA-IR) by multiple linear regression analysis(P<0.05). Conclusion : Obese adolescents might have higher insulin concentrations compared to obese children and obese girls higher insulin concentrations than obese boys. Obese boys and children with impaired glucose tolerance have higher insulin concentrations than those with normal glucose tolerance. HOMA-IR was significantly correlated with female, plasma leptin, adiponectin and triglyceride concentrations.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2017

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the effect of Bangkibokryeong-tang (BBT, Fangjifuling-tang) on blood glucose and body fat in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into five groups- normal diet-fed control (ND), high-fat diet-fed control (HFD), HFD+BBT 75, HFD+BBT 150, and HFD+olistat as a positive drug control group. Markers of obesity, such as body weight, organ weight, diet efficiency, and serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid content, leptin, adiponectin, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT)/glutamic pyruvic transferase (GPT)/lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood glucose, and insulin, were measured. Furthermore, results of the oral glucose tolerance test and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibition activity were examined in obese mice. Results Mice treated with BBT demonstrate lower body and organ weight, and reduced weight gain and food efficiency than that in the HFD-only control group. In addition, BBT decreased lipid accumulation in the liver and the levels of enzymes such as GOT, GPT, and LDH in the serum. Furthermore, the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and leptin were decreased in the serum but the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and adiponectin were increased in the BBT-treated group compared with the control group. The BBT-treated group also demonstrated decreased blood glucose and insulin concentrations induced by feeding on a high-fat diet and improved glucose tolerance. Conclusions Based on the results above, BBT may reduce body fat and hyperglycemia in HFD-induced obesity. This suggests that BBT may be clinically useful in the treatment of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.327-336
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• 2008

Many herbal extracts have been reported to have a preventive or therapeutic effect of on diabetes mellitus. Momordica Charantia commonly known as bitter melon or karela has been reported to be a medicinal plant for treating various diseases including cancers and diabetes. The objectives of this study were to investigate anti-diabetic effects of bitter melon (BM) as determined by blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance test (GTT), insulin tolerance test (ITT), insulin and HbA1C activities in serum, serum biochemical and lipid levels, histopathology, immunohistochemistry and AMPK-${\alpha}2$ expression of skeletal muscle in male C57BL/6J db/db mice. There were four experimental groups including vehicle control, BM 10 mg/kg, BM 50 mg/kg, and BM 250 mg/kg. BM at doses of 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg was orally administered to the diabetic mice everyday for 8 weeks. The treatments of BM 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg significantly decreased the blood glucose level in the diabetic mice compared with vehicle control (p < 0.05). The treatments of BM 10 and 50 mg/kg significantly decreased the GTT, ITT and HbA1c levels in the diabetic mice compared with vehicle control (p < 0.05). All BM groups significantly decreased GOT, GPT, BUN, LDL and glucose levels in the diabetic mice compared with the vehicle control mice (p < 0.05). The livers of mice treated with the BM 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg showed a remarkable decrease in the number of lipid droplets compared with the vehicle control. The pancreas of mice treated with the BM 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg showed a remarkable increase in insulin concentration of ${\beta}$-cells compared with the vehicle control. In addition, the treatments of BM 10, 50, and 250 mg/kg actually increased the expression of AMPK-${\alpha}2$ compared with vehicle control. These results suggest that BM has a respectable anti-diabetic effect resulting from inhibition of blood glucose level and lipid level in serum and that consumption of BM may give a benefit for controlling diabetes mellitus in humans.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2016

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of water extract of Coix lacrymajobi var. mayuen on obesity and its associated factors in high fat diet (HFD) induced obese mice. Methods: Male C5BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups, normal group (chow diet), a HFD, HFD with water extract of Coix lacrymajobi var. mayuen 100 mg/kg (W-Coix), and HFD with phentermine 5 mg/kg (Phen) as positive control. Body weight, food intake, fasting blood glucose were checked every week and then organs, blood serums were collected after 16 weeks of treatment. Results: Body weight and adipocyte size were significantly lesser in W-Coix than in HFD group; however energy efficiency in W-Coix were not different with HFD. The oral glucose tolerance test, serum glucose and insulin were significantly decreased in W-Coix, also lipid accumulations in liver tissue and lipid levels (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) were improved with W-Coix treatment. However skeletal muscle loss with HFD was not changed in W-Coix compared with HFD group. Conclusions: The W-Coix treatment decreased body weight, adipocyte size and it is associated with improved glucose and lipid metabolism. Further studies are needed to know the mechanism of antiobesity in W-Coix.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate anti-glycemic and anti-lipid effects of Supungsunkihwan-gagambang, which is composed of Cornus officinalis, Dioscorea Batatas Decaisne, Auantii fructus and Platicodon grandiflorum. Methods: Diabetes was induced in ICR male mice ($24{\pm}1g$) with Surwit's high fat and high sucrose diet. Mice were divided into 3 groups (n=10) of normal, control and Supungsunkihwan-gagambang. The Supungsunkihwan-gagambang group was given 5% herbal medicine in their diet. The animals were fed on each experimental diet for 8 weeks. Body weight was assessed every week. At the 7th week, the fasting blood sugar (FBS) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were conducted in all experimental groups. After 8 weeks, fructosamine, lipid profile, epididymal fat weight, liver weight and white adipose tissue (WAT) size were measured. Results: Supungsunkihwan-gagambang significantly reduced FBS, OGTT and fructosamine. It also increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and significantly reduced triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio and WAT size. Conclusions: These results show that Supungsunkihwan-gagambang improves anti-glycemic and anti-lipid effect in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Therefore we suggest that Supungsunkihwan-gagambang could be an effective treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2009

We have evaluated the effect of long term treatment of Enicostemma littorale (E. littorale) in type 2 diabetic patients taking pills of aqueous extract of E. littorale regularly as a complimentary medicine for at least 9 months. The effects of E. littorale on glycemic control, lipid profile, cardiac function and DNA damage in these patients were compared with those who had not been regular in taking E. littorale but regular in taking other conventional anti-diabetics. Our data suggest that, E. littorale can maintain normal blood glucose, serum insulin, serum triglycerides levels of type 2 diabetic patients if taken regularly. E. littorale also improves insulin sensitivity, and normalize disturbed lipogram and elevated creatinine levels, thereby produces beneficial effect in preventing cardiovascular complications and may preserve the kidney function. The finding that E. littorale also prevents DNA damage suggest a long term effect in diabetic patients. E. littorale thus can be considered as safe supplementary therapy for a long term and effective management of type 2 diabetic patients.