• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.634-643
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• 2024

Juglans mandshurica Maxim. walnut (JMW) is well-known for the treatment of dermatosis, cancer, gastritis, diarrhea, and leukorrhea in Korea. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its antiobesity activity remains unknown. In the current study, we aimed to determine whether JMW can influence adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and high-fat diet rats and determine the antioxidant activity. The 20% ethanol extract of JMW (JMWE) had a total polyphenol content of 133.33 ± 2.60 mg GAE/g. Considering the antioxidant capacity, the ABTS and DPPH values of 200 ㎍/ml of JMWE were 95.69 ± 0.94 and 79.38 ± 1.55%, respectively. To assess the anti-obesity activity of JMWE, we analyzed the cell viability, fat accumulation, and adipogenesis-related factors, including CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). We found that total lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels were reduced, and the fat accumulation rate decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, JMWE suppressed adipogenesis-related factors C/EBPα, PPARγ, and SREBP1c, as well as FAS and ACC, both related to lipogenesis. Moreover, animal experiments revealed that JMWE could be employed to prevent and treat obesity-related diseases. Hence, JMWE could be developed as a healthy functional food and further explored as an anti-obesity drug.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.575-582
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• 2016

BACKGROUNG/OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of action of high maysin corn silk extract on body weight and fat deposition in experimental animals. MATERIALS/METHODS: A total of 30 male C57BL/6J mice, 4-weeks-old, were purchased and divided into three groups by weight using a randomized block design. The normal-fat (NF) group received 7% fat (diet weight basis), the high-fat (HF) group received 25% fat and 0.5% cholesterol, and the high-fat corn silk (HFCS) group received high-fat diet and high maysin corn silk extract at 100 mg/kg body weight through daily oral administration. Body weight and body fat were measured, and mRNA expression levels of proteins involved in adipocyte differentiation, fat accumulation, fat synthesis, lipolysis, and fat oxidation in adipose tissue and the liver were measured. RESULTS: After experimental diet intake for 8 weeks, body weight was significantly lower in the HFCS group compared to the HF group (P < 0.05), and kidney fat and epididymal fat pad weights were significantly lower in the HFCS group compared to the HF group (P < 0.05). In the HFCS group, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-${\beta}$, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}1$ (PPAR-${\gamma}1$), and PPAR-${\gamma}2$ mRNA expression levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the epididymal fat pad, whereas cluster of differentiation 36, lipoprotein lipase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme-4, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased in liver and adipose tissues (P < 0.05). In the HFCS group, mRNA expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase, hormone-sensitive lipase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 were elevated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that high maysin corn silk extract inhibits expression of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation, fat accumulation, and fat synthesis as well as promotes expression of genes involved in lipolysis and fat oxidation, further inhibiting body fat accumulation and body weight elevation in experimental animals.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2012

The Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway regulates diverse developmental processes and adult tissue homeostasis. Inappropriate regulation of this pathway has been associated with human diseases, such as cancers, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Using a cell-based chemical screening with natural compounds, we discovered silybin, a plant flavonoid isolated from the Silybum marianum, which activated the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway in a synergy with Wnt3a-conditioned medium (Wnt3a-CM). In the presence of Wnt3a-CM, silybin up-regulated ${\beta}$-catenin response transcription (CRT) in HEK293-FL reporter cells and 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through stabilization of intracellular ${\beta}$-catenin protein. Silybin and Wnt3a-CM synergistically reduced expression of important adipocyte marker genes including peroxisome-proliferator-activated $receptor{\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CAATT enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ (C/$EBP{\alpha}$) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, accompanied by the activation of Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that silybin is a small-molecule synergist of the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway and can be used as a controllable reagent for investigating biological processes that involve the Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling pathway.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.494-502
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Reducing the number of adipocytes by inducing apoptosis of mature adipocytes as well as suppressing differentiation of preadipocytes plays an important role in preventing obesity. This study examines the anti-adipogenic and pro-apoptotic effect of red pepper seed water extract (RPS) prepared at $4^{\circ}C$ (RPS4) in 3T3-L1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Effect of RPS4 or its fractions on lipid accumulation was determined in 3T3-L1 cells using oil red O (ORO) staining. The expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and adipogenic associated proteins [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR-{\gamma}$), CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ (C/EBP ${\alpha}$), sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)] were measured in 3T3-L1 cells treated with RPS4. Apoptosis and the expression of Akt and Bcl-2 family proteins [B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated death promoter (Bad), Bcl-2 like protein 4 (Bax), Bal-2 homologous antagonist/killer (Bak)] were measured in mature 3T3-L1 cells treated with RPS4. RESULTS: Treatment of RPS4 ($0-75{\mu}g/mL$) or its fractions ($0-50{\mu}g/mL$) for 24 h did not have an apparent cytotoxicity on pre and mature 3T3-L1 cells. RPS4 significantly suppressed differentiation and cellular lipid accumulation by increasing the phosphorylation of AMPK and reducing the expression of $PPAR-{\gamma}$, C/EBP ${\alpha}$, SREBP-1c, FAS, and ACC. In addition, all fractions except ethyl acetate fraction significantly suppressed cellular lipid accumulation. RPS4 induced the apoptosis of mature adipocytes by hypophosphorylating Akt, increasing the expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins, Bak, Bax, and Bad, and reducing the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-2 and p-Bad. CONCLUSIONS: These finding suggest that RPS4 can reduce the numbers as well as the size of adipocytes and might useful for preventing and treating obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2014

BACKGROUD/OBEJECTIVES: This study aims to find out the effects of peanut sprout extracts on weight controls and protein expressions of transcription factors related to adipocyte differentiation and adipocytokine in rats under high-fat diets. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four week-old Sparague-Dawley (SD) were assigned to 4 groups; normal-fat (NF) diets (7% fat diet), high-fat (HF) diets (20% fat diet), high fat diets with low peanut sprout extract (HF + PSEL) diet (20% fat and 0.025% peanut sprout extract), and high fat diets with high peanut sprout extract (HF + PSEH) diet (20% fat and 0.05% peanut sprout extract). Body weight changes, lipid profiles in adipose tissue, and the mRNA protein expressions, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), CCAAT element binding protein ${\alpha}$ (C/EBP ${\alpha}$), leptin, and adiponectin, were determined. RESULTS: After 9 weeks of feeding, the HF + PSEH group had significantly less weight gains than the HF group (P < 0.05). However, the total dietary intakes or food efficiency ratios among groups were not significantly different. The weight of epididymal fat in HF + PSEH group, $3.61{\pm}0.5g$, or HF + PSEL group, $3.80{\pm}0.7g$, was significantly lower than the HF group, $4.39{\pm}0.4g$, (P < 0.05). Total lipids and total cholesterol in adipose tissue were significantly decreased in HF + PSEH group compared to those in the HF group, respectively (P < 0.05). PSEH supplementation caused AST and ALT levels to decrease when it compared to HF group, but it was not statistically significant. The protein expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$ in HF + PSEH group was significantly lower than the HF group (P < 0.05). Comparing with the HF group, the protein expression of adiponectin in HF + PSEH group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The protein expressions of C/EBP ${\alpha}$ and leptin in HF + PSEH group were lower than the HF group, but it was not statistical significant. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, peanut sprout extract has anti-obesity effect by lowering the expressions of $PPAR{\gamma}$ which regulates the expression of adiponectin.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2019

Purpose: Obesity is a major health problem of global significance because it is clearly associated with an increased risk of health problems, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Lonicera caerulea (LC) originates from high mountains or wet areas and has been used as a traditional medicine in northern Russia, China, and Japan. LC contains a range of bioactive constituents, such as vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols. This study examined the anti-obesity effects of LC during differentiation in preadipocytes. Methods: The cell viability assay was performed after the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells for 7 days. Oil Red O staining was used to visualize the changes in lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 cells and mouse adipose-derived stem cells (MADSCs). The mRNA expression of obesity-related genes was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: According to the results of Oil Red O staining, the lipid levels and size of lipid droplets in the adipocytes were reduced and the LC extract (LCE, 0.25-1 mg/mL) markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of LCE also decreased the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) in 3T3-L1 cells. Western blot analysis showed that the $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and SREBP1 protein levels in both 3T3-L1 and MADSC were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that LCE can inhibit adipogenic differentiation through the regulation of adipogenesis-related markers.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.411-419
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated in vitro immune-enhancing and anti-obesity activity of Abelmoschus manihot roots (AMR) in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells and mouse adipocytes 3T3-L1 cells. AMR increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells. The inhibition of toll like receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 blocked AMR-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway reduced AMR-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors. From these results, AMR is considered to have immune-enhancing activity through TLR2/4-mediated activation of MAPKs signaling pathway. In addition, AMR inhibited lipid accumulation and reduced the protein level such as CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), perilipin-1, adiponectin and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) associated with lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells, indicating that AMR may have anti-obesity activity. Based on these results, AMR is expected to be used as a potential functional agent for immune enhancement and anti-obesity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2015

In the present study, the phenolic compound level, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of lipid accumulation in Aspergillus oryzae-fermented water extracts of the Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) root and the Curcuma longa (CL) root were determined. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were decreased after fermentation. However, the flavonoid content of the fermented PG (FPG) was increased by 2.9-fold that of the PG before fermentation. In addition, the antioxidant activities were significantly decreased following fermentation. The potential anti-obesity activity was assessed by determining lipid accumulation and mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) in 3T3-L1 cells. Aspergillus-fermented extracts of PG and CL roots decreased lipid accumulation, and mRNA expression of SREBP-1c and $PPAR{\gamma}$ in 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that Aspergillus fermentation augments the anti-obesity activity of PG and CL by regulating the expression of the genes involved in lipid accumulation and cell differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.927-931
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of defatted grape seed extract (DGSE) on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. DGSE at 100 ${\mu}g$/mL significantly suppressed lipid accumulation and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in hormonally stimulated adipocytes, an indicator of adipocyte differentiation. In order to understand the anti-adipogenic effects of DGSE, the changes in the expression of several adipogenic transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) $\gamma$, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) $\alpha$ and $\beta$ were investigated using immunoblotting. DGSE suppressed the expression of PPAR$\gamma$, C/EBP$\alpha$, and C/EBP$\beta$ proteins compared with control adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. This results indicated that DGSE may alter fat mass by directly affecting adipogensis in maturing preadipocytes and thus may have applications for the treatment of obesity.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.549-555
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• 2009

4 kinds of Regional Special Natural Products (RSNPs), such as Anthrisci radix, Psoraleae semen, Siegesbeckiae herba and Corni fructus were examined to verify for anti-obesity effect. $PPAR\gamma$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\gamma$) from 3T3-L1 cell concerning adipocyte differentiation was suppressed by different concentraton of 4 RSNPs with western blot, when treated RSNPs' extract and MDI (IBMX, Dexamethasone, Insulin) at the same time. Also, SREBP-1 (Sterol regulatory element binding protein) controlling lipogenesis and $PPAR\gamma$ expression levels were reduced by these 4 RSNPs' extract, when these chemicals after differentiation of 3T3-L1 cell. And lipid droplets were reduced by 7.5%, 14.4%, 18.3% and 30% at different concentration of Anthrisci radix from Oil Red O staining. Also, it was reduced by 2%, 4.9%, 9.3% and 38% at different concentration of Psoraleae semen. For Siegesbeckiae herba, it was inhibited by 1.4%, 6.4%, 16.4% and 30.1%, respectively. And Corni fructus was also showed by 0.9%, 6.3%, 13.7% and 33% at same concentration of Siegesbeckiae herba. These 4 kinds of RSNPs were expected for a useful material for anti-obesity materials.