• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1015-1021
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• 2013

Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, an important species of licorice, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants for over 4000 years. Glycyrrhiza plant species has been well known for its various therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-ulcer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal ethanol extracts (GBE) on adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation. Mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with sub-cytotoxic doses of GBE, and its effects on adipocyte differentiation were assessed. We found that GBE dose-dependently increased lipid accumulation and also induced the expression of adipocyte markers, such as $PPAR{\gamma}$ and its target genes, aP2, and adiponectin, in C3H10T1/2 cells. Consistently, similar effects of GBE on lipid accumulation were also observed in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells that further supports the pro-adipogenic activities of GBE. We also investigated the effects of GBE on osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. As a results, we found that GBE increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase in a dose-dependent manner and also promoted the expression of osteoblast markers, such as ALP and RUNX2, during osteoblast differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells. Similar pro-osteogenic effects of GBE were also observed in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Finally, our data show that a major bioactive compound found in Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, licochalcone A (LA) but not glycyrrhizic acid (GA), can mediate the pro-adipogenic and pro-osteogenic effects of GBE. Taken together, this study provides data to show the possibility of GBE and its bioactive component LA as putative strategies for type 2 diabetes and bone diseases.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2023

We validated the physiological activity of Syzygium claviflorum (Roxb.) Wall. ex A.M. Cowan & Cowan (S. claviflorum) extracts (leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers) as a cosmetic ingredient. Firstly, S. claviflorum extracts removed over 80% of free radicals at various concentrations in antioxidant experiments using the DPPH and ABTS assay. In cytotoxicity experiments using human epidermal keratinocytes, S. claviflorum extracts showed low cytotoxicity. In addition, S. claviflorum extracts significantly increased the expression of keratin (KRT)1, KRT2, KRT9, KRT10, which are differentiation markers of keratinocytes, as well as genes involved in the maintenance of skin barrier function, including involucrin (IVL), loricrin (LOR), filaggrin (FLG), and claudin1 (CLDN1). In particular, the expression of FLG protein, inhibited by interleukin (IL)-4/IL-13 in atopic dermatitis, was restored by S. claviflorum extracts in in vitro experiments. Therefore, S. claviflorum extracts with excellent antioxidant efficacy and skin barrier improvement function will be useful materials for the development of future atopic dermatitis treatments and cosmetics.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 2021

Mandarin peel (MP) is a by-product of the processing of citrus juice or other products. This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-obesity effect of an enzymatic extract of MP on the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The enzymatic extract (MPCE) was prepared using the commercial food-grade carbohydrase Celluclast. Lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in MPCE-treated cells than in untreated cells. In addition, MPCE treatment reduced the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, and fatty acid-binding protein 4. These results suggest that MPCE inhibits adipogenesis by downregulating the expression levels of adipogenesis-related proteins. Therefore, the current findings demonstrate that MPCE possesses potent anti-obesity properties and could be a potential ingredient in functional food industries.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.476-484
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• 2014

Obesity, which is characterized by a state of mild chronic inflammation, is known to cause metabolic diseases. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of lyophilized dropwort vinegar powder (DVP) on adipocyte differentiation and inflammation in T3-L1 preadipocyte and RAW 264.7 macrophage cell lines. DVP inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes induced by a mixture of IBMX, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI). Western blot analysis of cell lysates showed that DVP decreased the levels of two major transcription factors involved in adipogenesis, peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$) and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$). DVP also significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), and this was accompanied by a decrease in inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. These results demonstrate that DVP inhibits MDI-induced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The findings indicate that this natural product may be a good candidate as to prevent metabolic diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.200-206
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• 2014

We investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti-obesity effects of extracts from young Akebia quinata D. leaves, including hot water (AQH) and 80% ethanol (AQE) extracts. The inhibitory effects of AQH and AQE on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells were examined by Oil Red O staining. Compared to control, lipid accumulation was significantly reduced by 18.3% with the treatment upon AQE at a concentration of $5{\mu}g/mL$. The levels of intracellular triglycerides and free glycerol were also reduced by 52.8% and 9.1% at the same concentration of AQE. The in vivo anti-obesity effect of AQE was evaluated in terms of body and white adipose tissue weights in ICR mice. Experimental groups were divided into the following five groups: normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD), high fat diet with 60 mg/kg/day of Orlistat (HFD-RF), high fat diet with 200 mg/kg/day of AQE (HFD-AL), and high fat diet with 600 mg/kg/day of AQE (HFD-AH). Feeding of HFD for eight weeks resulted in significant increases in body weight as well as weight gain compared to the ND group. HFD-AH group showed reduced body weight, weight gain, epididymal white adipose tissue weight, and perirenal white adipose weight as compared to the HFD group. These results indicate that AQE supplementation might have beneficial effects on anti-obesity by inhibiting lipid accumulation.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-94
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyze the process of vertical fragmentation of regional industries in Korea using Revealed Comparative Advantage index (RCA) and Average Propagation Length (APL). First of all, the competitiveness in regional export and substitution of regional imports were strong in the Electricity, Gas, and Water supply sector in Gyeongnam, and consumer-oriented Manufacturing sector in Incheon, Gyeongnam, and Gwangju. The high values of the APL were also found in the regions with common similarity with respect to the industrial structure and the sectors with indirect effects. In addition, the industrial sectors with high quality of infrastructure, and endowed services tended to be located in the beginning of the production chain. FInally, since manufacturing and service sectors in Seoul has higher APL, they could lead the growth of other related industries as key sectors, in the production fragmentation.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.455-461
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• 2012

Obesity, a strong risk factor for the development of chronic diseases, is characterized by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from precursor cells, preadipocytes. Recent research suggests that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in 3T3-L1 adipocyte facilitates adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation. This study was to investigate whether reduced ROS production by Sargassum micracanthum extract (SME) could protect the development of obesity through inhibition of adipogenesis. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated SME for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. The extent of differentiation reflected by amount of lipid accumulation and ROS production was determined by Oil red O staining and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay. Treatment of SME significantly inhibited ROS production and adipocyte differentiation that is depend on down regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), a major ROS generator, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), a key adipogenic transcription factor. These results indicate that SME can inhibit adipogenesis through a reduced ROS level that involves down-regulation of NOX4 expression or via modulation of adipogenic transcription factor.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.744-750
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• 2015

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of hot water and ethanol extracts of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower on lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with both hot water and ethanol extracts for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. Regarding anti-adipogenic activity, compared with the control, the hot water and ethanol extracts significantly inhibited lipid accumulation (37.4 and 66.6%, respectively) and ROS production (46.4 and 46.8%, respectively) during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment with hot water and ethanol extracts significantly inhibited mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), thereby reducing the mRNA expression of adipocyte-specific fatty acid binding protein (aP2). Moreover, both the extracts significantly inhibited mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX4). Overall, our research suggests that N. nucifera Gaertner flower extracts might be a valuable source of bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-adipogenic activity and could have applications in the field of medicine and food industry.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.90-96
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• 2013

The anti-obesity effect of ethanol xtract and their fractions from Rumex Crispus L. on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to adipocytes was investigated by suppressing adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation with Oil red O assay, western blot and real-time PCR analysis. Ethyl acetate fraction of Rumex crispus L. significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation when treated during the adipocyte differentiation process, as assessed by measuring fat accumulation using Oil red O staining. In inducing differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in the presence of an adipogenic cocktail, isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX), dexamethasone- and insulin-along with ethyl acetate fraction residue processing treatment significantly decreased protein expression of obesity-related proteins, such as peroxisome-proliferators-activated-receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT enhancer-binding-proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$). These results indicate that ethyl acetate fraction of Rumex crispus L. is the most effective candidate for preventing obesity. However further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-obesity activity of ethyl acetate fraction from Rumex crispus L.

• 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.