• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.341-348
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• 2014

We investigated the anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic effects of extracts of two roasted coffee beans (Vietnam robusta and Ethiopia mocha sidamo G2) and fermented coffee beans with Monascus rubber mycelium (MR) by solid-state culture. C57B/L6 mice were divided into seven groups: normal diet (ND) group, high fat diet (HFD) group, and HFD groups with hot water extracts from Vietnam robusta coffee beans (HFD-VR), MR-fermented Vietnam robusta coffee beans (HFD-VR-MR), MR-fermented Vietnam robusta coffee beans with 10% brown rice (HFD-VR-MR-BR10), Ethiopia mocha sidamo G2 coffee beans (HFD-ES), and MR-fermented Ethiopia mocha sidamo G2 coffee beans (HFD-ES-MR). After 6 weeks, body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were higher in the HFD group, but significantly reduced in the coffee extracts-fed groups. The HFD-ES-MR group showed greater body weight reduction than the HFD-ES group. The serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels as well as the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor all tended to decrease in groups fed Vietnam robusta coffee extracts compared to the HFD group. These results suggest that Vietnam robusta and Ethiopia mocha sidamo G2 may be used to make functional coffee beverages with anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic activities.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.259-266
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• 2008

Objectives : To learn the effects of $CV_{12}\;{\cdot}\;CV_9$ and $LI_4\;{\cdot}\;LI_{11}$ electroacupuncture stimulation on high fat diet induced-obese mouse. Methods : The control group was provided with high fat diet without electroacupuncture stimulation, while the experimental group $CV_{12}\;{\cdot}\;CV_9$ and $LI_4\;{\cdot}\;LI_{11}$ with three frequencies(10Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz) for 5 times a week during five week periods with the high fat diet. We investigated the body weight, weight gain, and food intake. Results : After the electroacupuncture stimulation, a significant loss of increasement in weight was found in the experimental group compared with the high fat diet group. But there was no significant difference made by the change of acupoint combinations and frequencies. After the electroacupuncture stimulation, no significant change was found in the food intakes, but the weight gain a week was decreased compared with high fat diet group. Conclusions : These results suggest that electroacupuncture stimulation on $CV_{12}\;{\cdot}\;CV_9$ and $LI_4\;{\cdot}\;LI_{11}$ might be effective in treatments of obesity to high fat diet.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.515-521
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the liver lipid and antioxidant metabolism in obese rats following ingestion of Orostachys japonicus (OJ) hot water extract. The rats were fed a high fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity. In the experimental group, 2.5% or 5% OJ hot water extract was added to the diets for 6 weeks. To determine the changes in the liver lipid and antioxidant metabolism in obese rats, the livers were collected and weighed, lipid content was measured, and antioxidant enzyme activity was determined. A significant decrease in liver weight was observed in the group fed with OJ hot water extracts and decreased lipid accumulation was observed in the morphological observation of liver tissue. Total cholesterol and triglyceride contents were also decreased. Both OJ extracts significantly decreased 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Further, the levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly increased in rats treated with OJ extracts. These results suggest that the intake of OJ hot water extracts may improve liver lipid metabolism by activating antioxidant enzymes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.350-355
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• 2012

This study investigated the physiological effects of three species of Auricularia known as Auricularia polytricha (JNM21001), Auricularia auricula-judae black (JNM21002), and Auricularia auricula-judae brown (JNM21012). In the ORAC assay, Auricularia spp. showed antioxidant activities in the order of JNM21001>JNM21012>JNM21002. All Auricularia spp. strongly inhibited the action of ${\alpha}$-amyloglucosidase up to 60%. In order to further test in vivo anti-obesity effects, high fat diet induced ICR obese mice fed a diet containing 20% fat were used. All Auricularia spp. supplementation during high fat diet feeding significantly reduced body weight gain, epididymal fat pads weight, and lowered the food efficiency ratio compared to the high fat control (HFC) group. In particular, the group fed with JNM21012 had a lower average daily body weight gain of 0.45 g/day, demonstrating similar levels to the normal diet fed group. The group fed with JNM21012 significantly reduced lowered serum triglycerides (42%), total cholesterol (81%), and LDL-cholesterol level (66%) compared with the HFC group.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

Objectives We evaluated the improving effects of Taeksa-tang (TST) using 3T3-L1 cells and C57BL/6 mice were fed on a high-fat diet. Methods The anti-radical activities of TST were studied using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid). The content of total polyphenol was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, whereas aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used for the content of total flavonoid. Moreover, the factors related to lipid profile and the protein expressions such as 𝛽-oxidation and anti-oxidant enzyme were analyzed using serum and western blotting of 3T3-L1 cells. Additionally, we examined lipolysis through glycerol appearance in mouse adipose tissue. Results TST treatment showed strong free radical scavenging activities with half maximal inhibitory concentration and the presence of a amount of total polyphenol and total flavonoid. TST treatment significantly increased factors related to 𝛽-oxidation such as carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 and uncoupling protein 2 via the phosphorlyation of liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Moreover, the protein expressions of anti-oxidant enzyme and lipolysis were significantly elevated by TST administration. In addition, TST supplementation lowered serum malondialdehyde, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels compared with the control group. Taken together, these data suggest that TST treatment regulated lipid parameters via the increase of 𝛽-oxidation by LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway. Conclusions TST may have a potential remedy in the prevention and treatment of obesity. Therefore, this study may provide the scientific basis for TST use.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

Objectives : Commiphora myrrha (CM) has been used in traditional medicine for treating disease such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoarthritis. However, the protective effects of CM on acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of CM water extract on cerulein-induced AP. Methods : AP was induced in mice via intraperitoneal injection of supramaximal concentrations of the stable cholecystokinin analogue cerulein ($50{\mu}g/kg$) every hour for 6 times. Water extract of CM (0.1, 0.2, or 0.5 g/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally 1 h prior to the first injection of cerulein. The mice were killed at 6 h after the final cerulein injection. Pancreas was rapidly removed for morphologic and histochemical examination, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Blood samples were taken to determine serum amylase and lipase activities. Results : Administration of CM significantly inhibited pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, pancreas histological injury. And CM administration inhibited the serum digestive enzyme elevation such as amylase and lipase on cerulein-induced pancreatitis. In addition, Pancreas MPO activity which indicates neutrophil infiltration was inhibited by CM extract on cerulein-induced pancreatitis. Conclusions : In conclusion, our results could suggest that pre-treatment of CM reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP. Therefore, CM could be used as a protective agent against AP. Also, this study could give a clinical basis that CM could be a drug or agent to prevent AP.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.2146-2152
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• 2015

Apios americana Medik (hereinafter Apios) has been reported to treat diseases, including cancer, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. The therapeutic effect of Apios is likely to be associated with its anti-inflammatory activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of Apios in animal models of acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1). Mice were exposed to LPS or H1N1 for 2-4 days to induce acute lung injury. The treatment groups were administered Apios extracts via oral injection for 8 weeks before LPS treatment or H1N1 infection. To investigate the effects of Apios, we assessed the mice for in vivo effects of Apios on immune cell infiltration and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and histopathological changes in the lung. After induction of acute lung injury, the numbers of neutrophils and total cells were lower in the Apios-treated groups than in the non-Apios-treated LPS and H1N1 groups. The Apios groups tended to have lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6 in BAL fluid. In addition, the histopathological changes in the lungs were markedly reduced in the Apios-treated groups. These data suggest that Apios treatment reduces LPS- and H1N1-induced lung inflammation. These protective effects of Apios suggest that it may have therapeutic potential in acute lung injury.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1057-1064
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• 1999

Cortex Mori radicis has been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In this study, the antihyperglycemic effect of Cortex Mori radicis was observed in obese diabetic mice(C57BLKsJ db/db). Cold water extract of Cortex Mori radicis was supplied in tab water(500, 1000 mg/kg/day) with normal chow for 5 weeks. Food intake and body weight gain were decreased significantly in experimental group. Also experimental group exhibited lower fasting serum glucose level when compaired to control group. Hb Alc level and triglyceride level were lowered in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of small intestinal disaccharidases was decreased at most segments. In conclusion, Cortex Mori radicis has anti-obesity effect to reduce food intake and body weight gain. And it is able to decrease the activity of small intestinal disaccharides and thus it can reduce serum glucose level and triglyceride level.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.780-789
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• 2022

Background: Incretin impairment, characterized by insufficient secretion of L-cell-derived glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), is a defining step of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ginsenoside compound K (CK) can stimulate GLP-1 secretion; however, the potential mechanism underlying this effect has not been established. Methods: CK (40 mg/kg) was administered orally to male db/db mice for 4 weeks. The body weight, oral glucose tolerance, GLP-1 secretion, gut microbiota sequencing, bile acid (BA) profiles, and BA synthesis markers of each subject were then analyzed. Moreover, TGR5 expression was evaluated by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, and L-cell lineage markers involved in L-cell abundance were analyzed. Results: CK ameliorated obesity and impaired glucose tolerance in db/db mice by altering the gut microbiota, especially Ruminococcaceae family, and this changed microbe was positively correlated with secondary BA synthesis. Additionally, CK treatment resulted in the up-regulation of CYP7B1 and CYP27A1 and the down-regulation of CYP8B1, thereby shifting BA biosynthesis from the classical pathway to the alternative pathway. CK altered the BA pool by mainly increasing LCA and DCA. Furthermore, CK induced L-cell number expansion leading to enhanced GLP-1 release through TGR5 activation. These increases were supported by the upregulation of genes governing GLP-1 secretion and L-cell differentiation. Conclusions: The results indicate that CK improves glucose homeostasis by increasing L-cell numbers, which enhances GLP-1 release through a mechanism partially mediated by the gut microbiota-BA-TGR5 pathway. Therefore, that therapeutic attempts with CK might be useful for patients with T2DM.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.371-377
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• 2017

Muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in the mass of the muscle. With an increase in life expectancy and chronic illnesses, the incidence of muscle atrophy is increasing and the quality of life of patients is decreasing. Thus, reducing muscle atrophy is of high clinical and socio-economic importance. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that has been used as a traditional medicine in many countries to treat various human illnesses. It has been reported that Korean mistletoe extract (KME) has diverse biological functions including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity properties, and extension of lifespan. Especially, we have recently reported that KME improves exercise endurance in mice, indicating its beneficial roles in enhancing the capacity of skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated whether KME could activate the signaling pathway related to protein synthesis in a mouse model of muscle atrophy. Interestingly, KME efficiently activated the Akt/mTOR pathway, and Akt and mTOR are important signaling hub molecules for the acceleration of protein synthesis in muscle cells. In addition, KME also increased the activity of S6 kinase which is involved in the regulation of muscle cell size. Moreover, the ERK activity, required for transcription of ribosomal RNA for protein synthesis, was also enhanced in KME-treated mouse muscle. These data support the idea that KME increases muscle mass via increased protein synthesis. Our findings also suggest that Korean mistletoe might be a promising candidate for the development of functional foods that are beneficial for preventing muscle atrophy.