• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.159-167
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• 2024

Herbal medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris has been traditionally used as tonic medicine for metabolic syndrome. Cordycepin, main extract of C. militaris, has been reported with immunomodulatory, anticancer, and hepatoprotective effects. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective effect of cordycepin-enriched Cordyceps militaris, against high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis (HS) in male obese (ob/ob) mice. HFD was provided to ob/ob mice ad libitum (except negative control). Cordycepin-enriched C. militaris extract powder (CM) was orally administered once daily at dose levels of 0, 125, 250, and 500 mg·kg^-1 for 4 weeks. During the study, body weight gain was statistically increased in all HFD fed groups compared to negative control, but body weight gain in CM 500 mg·kg^-1 treated group shows a low tendency compared to HS model group. In organ weights, absolute and relative weights (to body weight) in liver and perirenal adipose tissue were increased in all HFD treated groups except CM 500 mg·kg^-1 treated group compared to the negative control. In clinical chemistry, serum glucose and total cholesterol levels in CM 250 and/or 500 mg·kg^-1 treated groups were lower than HS model group. In microscopical examination, hepatocyte vacuolation with macrovesicles in HS model group was increased compared to negative control, but this finding was decreased in CM 500 mg·kg^-1 treated group compared to HS model group. In this study, CM exhibited hepatoprotective effects against hepatic steatosis at mg·kg^-1 in ob/ob mice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.782-789
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• 2012

This study was designed to evaluate the anti-metabolic syndrome effects of capsule-filled cheonggukjang (CGJ) added with arrowroot (Pueraria thunbergiana) extracts on body weight, adiposity and lipid metabolism in ob/ob mice. Experimental groups were normal control group (NC: basal diet), positive control group (PC: 2% CGJ), CGJ added with arrowroot extracts group (AR: 2% arrowroot in CGJ), and capsule-filled CGJ added with arrowroot extracts group (ARC: 2% arrowroot CGJ capsule). Each group was fed experimental diet for 10 weeks. Final body weight gain and atherogenic index were significantly lower in the ARC than NC group. Serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides, blood glucose and atherogenic index were significantly lower in the ARC than NC group. Furthermore, fatty liver and regional lipid accumultion in ob/ob mice were inhibited in the ARC group. The hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase were significantly higher in the ARC than NC group. Therefore, the anti-matabolic syndrome effects of the ARC group were higher than the AR group. In conclusion, these results indicated that CGJ added with arrowroot mediates its anti-obesity effects in ob/ob mice by improving lipid metabolism and antioxidant enzyme.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Gyeongshingangjeehwan18 (GGEx18) on obesity using ob/ob male mice. Methods : Eight-week old mice (wild-type C57BL/6J and ob/ob) were used for all experiments. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were used as lean control and obese ob/ob mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: obese control, GGEx15, GGEx16, GGEx17, and GGEx18. After mice were treated with several kinds of GGEx for 11 weeks, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism. Results : 1. Compared with obese controls, GGEx-treated mice had lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio, the magnitudes of which were prominent in GGEx16 and GGEx18. 2. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, GGEx16 and GGEx18 not only decreased plasma triglycerides levels, but also increased HDL-cholesterol concentration. 3. CT analysis revealed that visceral fat areas were decreased in all treatment groups compared with obese control mice. The decrease in visceral fat area was prominent in GGEx16 and GGEx18, although they were not statistically significant. 4. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by GGEx18, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was significantly increased, suggesting that GGEx18 decreased the number of large adipocytes. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by GGEx16 and GGEx18, and the inhibitory effect was most effective in GGEx18. 5. Plasma GOT and GPT concentrations were significantly lower following GGEx16 and GGEx18 treatment compared with obese controls. Organ weights were not changed by GGEx treatment, indicating GGEx do not show any toxic effects. Conclusions : These results suggest that GGEx may regulate obesity. Of the 4 compositions, GGEx18 seems to be most effective in improving obesity and lipid disorders.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

In this study, we investigated the anti-obese activity of sevennight extract in high fat diet-ob/ob C57BL/6J mice by oral administered for 1 weeks. Mate water extract (MATEWi) was found to lower whole body and epididymal adipose tissue weights and lowered plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), HDL and LDL, compared to those in high fat fed ob/ob group. These results suggest that Mate extract ameliorates obesity through activation of lipogenic enzymes and FA oxidation resulting from phosphorylation of AKT and GSK-$3{\beta}$, and could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for obese mices.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.20-42
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate anti-obesity effects the improvement effects of Gyejibongnyeong-hwan and Gyejibongnyeong-hwan-Gangji-hwan (CIPPDF) in a ob/ob mouse model. Methods: Seven-week old mice (wild-type C57BL/6J and ob/ob) were used for all experiments. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were used as normal group and obese ob/ob mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. a normal group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a standard diet with CIPP (300 mg/kg), CIPPDF (1) (300+300 mg/kg), CIPPDF (2) (300+600 mg/kg) respectively. After 10 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood lipid markers, mRNA levels of genes involved in fatty acid ${\beta}-oxidation$ and lipogenesis in in-vivo, were examined. Results: 1. Body weight gain and Feeding efficiency ratio were significantly decreased in CIPPDF (1) compared with control. Fat mass was significantly decreased in CIPPDF (2) in EAT compared with control. 2. Consistent their effects on body weight gain and fat mass, circulating concentrations of LDL-cholesterol were decreased in CIPPDF (1), CIPPDF (2) groups compared with control. 3. MCAD mRNA levels of genes was increased in CIPPDF (1), CIPPDF (2) groups in the liver, epididymal adipose tissue compared with control. VLCAD mRNA levels of genes was increased in CIPPDF (1), CIPPDF (2) groups in the skeletal muscle compared with control. 4. $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA was decreased in CIPPDF (1) in the liver compared with control. SCD1 mRNA was decreased in CIPPDF (1), CIPPDF (2) groups in the epididymal adipose tissue compared with control. Conclusions: In conclusion, These results suggest that CIPPDF not only decrease feeding efficiency ratio, and LDL-cholesterol, but also reduce EAT fat mass contributing to the improvement of ovesity. CIPPDF also were increased in mRNA levels of genes involved in fatty acid ${\beta}-oxidation$ and decreased in mRNA levels of genes involved in lipogenesis.

• 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.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.469-482
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• 2023

Purpose: Obesity has emerged as a critical global public health concern as it is associated with and increases susceptibility to various diseases. This condition is characterized by the excessive enlargement of adipose tissue, primarily stemming from an inequity between energy intake and expenditure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder in mitigating obesity and metabolic disorders in leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice and to compare the effects of raw sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP01) and heat-treated sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP02). Methods: Leptin-deficient obese mice were fed a diet containing 10% HNSP01 and another containing 10% HNSP02 for 6 weeks. Results: The supplementation of ob/ob mice with HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in decreased body weight gain, reduced adipose tissue weight, and a smaller size of lipid droplets in the adipose tissue and liver. Furthermore, the ob/ob-HNSP01 and ob/ob-HNSP02 supplemented groups exhibited lower levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and insulin, as well as a reduced atherogenic index in comparison with the control group. Molecular analysis also demonstrated that the intake of HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in a diminished activation of factors associated with fatty acid synthesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, while concurrently enhancing factors associated with lipolysis, including adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase, in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings collectively demonstrate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder as a functional food ingredient with therapeutic properties against obesity and its associated metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.106-116
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• 2008

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 and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the $ONOO^-$, NO, and $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities of Mori Fructus 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 received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Mori Fructus 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 and anti-iNOS respectively. Results : Mori Fructus inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondria in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and $({\cdot}O2^-)$ were inhibited in the Mori Fructus-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas they improved in the Mori Fructus-administered groups. Mori Fructus inhibited the expression of phospho $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, IKK-$\alpha$, COX-2, iNOS genes, and thereby the activation of NF-$I{\kappa}B$. Conclusions : These results suggest that Mori Fructus is an effective $ONOO^-$, $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ and NO scavenger, and therefore it might be a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation-related diseases.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-19
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and mechanisms of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) herbal acupuncture. Methods : Anti-diabetic and anti-steatotic activity of the AS herbal acupuncture was investigated on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. After random grouping at the age of 9 weeks, the herbal acupuncture groups were injected subcutaneously at the left and right Gansu (BL18) corresponding acupuncture points alternately on exactly the same time every day with 0.1ml of either 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of AS (AS400 and AS800) for 8-week period. As a positive control, metformin was administrated at a dose of 300 mg/kg (MT300). Body weights were measured weekly, and on every other week blood was collected for blood glucose analysis. At the end of study, blood was also collected for determination of plasma insulin and lipid levels, after which they were killed and periepidydimal fat, liver, muscle, and pancreas were immediately removed. The removed tissues were instantly soaked in liquid nitrogen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ for morphological examination and mRNA analysis. Results : The AS herbal acupuncture significantly prevented weight gain on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The AS herbal acupuncture lowered blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The increase of insulin response during the OGTT was inhibited by the AS herbal acupuncture. Insulin sensitivity of skeletal tissue was enhanced. Plasma lipid levels were significantly improved in the AS herbal acupuncture groups. The AS herbal acupuncture decreased hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride production, and increased fatty acid (FA) transporter that involves in FA uptake. The AS herbal acupuncture inhibited the increase of liver mass by prevention of the accumulation of TG but did not inhibit weight gain of fat tissue on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Conclusion : In summary, we have demonstrated several unique properties of the AS herbal acupuncture in decreasing body weight, and reversing insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. This AS herbal acupuncture acts as an insulin sensitizer and specifically decreases circulating glucose and lipids, and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.1477-1483
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• 2014

This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of African mango (Irvingia gabonesis, IGOB $131^{TM}$) extract in leptin-deficient obese mice. Experimental groups were treated with two different doses of IGOB $131^{TM}$ (1% and 2% in each AIN93G supplement) for 8 weeks. Treatment of obese mice with both low and high dose of IGOB $131^{TM}$ significantly reduced body weight gain by 10.9% and 13.3%, respectively, compared to control obese mice. Subcutaneous adipose tissue weight of mice was significantly reduced by 18% by low-dose and 23% by high-dose supplementation. This result was supported by micro-CT analysis around the abdominal regions of mice, indicating that the adipose tissue area and volume were significantly reduced by treatment with IGOB $131^{TM}$. Serum levels of triglycerides in the low- and high-dose groups were reduced by 36.5% and 43.8%, respectively, upon treatment with IGOB $131^{TM}$, whereas total cholesterol levels were reduced by 31.8% and 35.4%. Interestingly, the serum LDL level decreased upon treatment with IGOB $131^{TM}$ while the serum level of HDL dramatically increased upon high-dose treatment with IGOB $131^{TM}$, resulting in a significant reduction in the LDL to HDL ratio of 59.2%. These results were supported by the expression levels of enzymes and proteins related to lipid metabolism assessed by real-time PCR. There was a significant increase of in adiponectin expression as well as significant decreases in the expression of FAS, LPL, and lipid regulatory transcription factors such as PPAR-${\gamma}$, C/EBP, and SREBP upon both low- and high-dose IGOB $131^{TM}$ treatment. However, there was no statistical difference between low- and high-dose treatments. These results suggest that IGOB $131^{TM}$ is able to regulate the serum lipid profiles by reducing triglyceride and increasing HDL levels as well as regulate expression of lipid metabolic factors, resulting in reduction of a weight gain in leptin-deficient obese mice.