• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.978-983
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• 2006

We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of mycelial culture extract from Phellinus linteus (MCPL) for suppression in the process of ethanol-induced inflammation in rat liver. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly increased in the serum of ethanol-treated rats compared to normal. However, the level of ALT was arrested markedly in ethanol-treated rats with MCPL compared to ethanol alone treated control ones. Severe histopathological changes of liver such as cloudy swelling, inflammatory cells infiltration, Kupffer cell reaction and focal necrosis were demonstrated in the rats challenged with ethanol compared with normal. Fewer scores of these changes were observed in MCPL-treated rat with recovered glycogen in centrolobular region of hepatic lobule. The Western analysis showed that the expression of inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ were increased in the ethanol-treated rat. But decline of COX-2 and iNOS expression were observed in MCPL-treated rat. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of COX-2 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ tended to increase in ethanol-treated rat, but decrease of these reactions were induced by MCPL treatment. These results suggest that MCPL may act as a protective agent for alcohol-induced liver injury through a regulating inflammation-related proteins.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.405-414
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• 2001

Protaetia brevitarsis has been utilized as an ingredient of the description for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatic diseases in oriental medicine. This study was attempted to investigate whether Protaetia brevitarsis extract(PBE) protects or modulates the liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride or ethanol in Sprageue-Dawley rate. The liver injuries of rats induced by the treatment of carbon tetrachloride or ethanol were manifested by the observation of the significant changes in liver weight, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and microsomal detocification enzymes(cytochrome P_450), cytochrome b$_{5}$, and cytochrome b$_{5}$ reductase).The effect of PBF on the liver damage induced by the chemicals was evaluated with the extent modulated in change of biochemical parameters above. Exposure to ethanol alone resulted a significant change in the ration of liver per body weight, ALT activity, and microsomal detoxification enzymes (cytochrome P_450, cytochrome b$_{5}$, and cytochrome b$_{5}$ reductase), but did not significantly changes in the levels of serum AST activity and TBARS. Pretreatment coith PBE did not modulate the alteration of the ratio of liver to body weigth, and the activities of serum aminotransferascs (AST. ALT), TBARS, and micro somal detoxification enzyme (cytochrome p_450, cytochrome b$_{5}$,and cytochrome b$_{5}$ reductase. These result suggested that PBE has not appreciable therapeutic effect on carbon tetrachloride or ethanol induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.90-108
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• 2003

Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) has been developed as prescriptions for the Soyeumin constitution. The hepatoprotective effect of the water extract of Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage. A single intra-peritoneal injection of CCl4 produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the significant rise of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in serum as compared to those of untreated normal group. Pretreatments of rats with Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) 500 mg/kg for 7 days) were significantly reduced AST, ALT, and ALP levels compared with CCl4-treated control group. Treatment of rats with CCl4 led to significantly increase in lipid peroxidation and significantly decrease in cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase. The oral administration of Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract significantly inhibited the accumulation of microsomal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and increased the cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase activity. All these biochemical alterations resulting from CCl4 administration were inhibited by the pretreatment with Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SG1) extract. These results suggest that Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract can be useful as a hepatoprotective agent. And the effect of NO modulation by NO synthesis or precursors, and Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang (SGT) water extract was researched on chronic liver damage induced by CCl4 administration. It was observed that endogenous NO protected the liver from lipid peroxidation, fibrosis, and damage. Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract showed the hepatoprotective effect on the chronic liver cirrhosis model and relationship with NO modulation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.970-974
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• 2015

This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of quercetin against radiation-induced hepatocellular and hematopoiectic damage in BALB/c mice. Mice were exposed to 6 Gy of ${\gamma}$-radiation and orally administered quercetin (25, 50 mg/kg b.w.) for 7 consecutive days. ${\gamma}$-Irradiation caused marked elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, levels as well as reduction of spleen index, thymus index, and the number of white blood cells. In addition, ${\gamma}$-irradiation induced significant elevation of lipid peroxidation as well as reduction of antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, post-treatment with quercetin resulted in a significant recovery of all of these parameters. These results suggest that quercetin acts as a potent radioprotector against irradiation-induced cellular damage in mice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.350-355
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• 2010

The hepatoprotective effects of theanine on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The effects of theanine on liver toxicity induced by APAP were assessed by blood biochemical and histopathological analyses. APAP treatment (400 mg/kg) caused severe liver injury in mice as indicated by their significantly elevated plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Pretreatment with theanine for 3 days attenuated the increase in ALT and AST when challenged with APAP. These protective effects of theanine against APAP-induced toxicity were consistent with the results from the histopathological examinations. We next examined the effects of theanine on the GSH concentration in liver plasma. The hepatic GSH level was significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner by theanine treatment. The results suggest that the protective effects of theanine APAP-induced hapatotoxicity by antioxidative effect and GSH induction, implying that theanine should be considered a potential chemopreventive agent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.201-208
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• 1999

To evaluate an effect of growth periods on the bromobenzene-induced liver damage, bromobenzene was administrated to 5-week-old rats and 10-week-old rats pretreated with bromobenzene 5 times every other day for 10 days and then the animals were sacrificed. The results were obtained as follows; The increasing rate of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, xanthine oxidase activity, hepatic lipid peroxide contents, liver weight per body weight (％) and decreasing rate of hepatic contents of protein to each control group were higher in 10-week-old rats than 5-week-old rats by the pretreatment of bromobenzene. According to the above results, 10-week-old rats indicated more severe liver injury than 5-week-old those in case of bromobenzene pretreatment. On the other hand, hepatic aniline hydroxylase activity was more increased in 10-week-old rats than 5-week-old rats both in control and bromobnezene pretreated rats where as the reverse in hepatic glutathione S-transferase. In case of hepatic GSH determination at the intervals of 2, 4, 8, 24 hours throughout 24 hr after administration of single dose of bromobenzene to 5-week-old and 10-week-old rats both in control and bromobnezene pretreated, the rate of GSH utilization was lower in 10-week-old rats than 5-week-old rats. In conclusion, from the above experimental, it is deduce that the 10-week-old rats showed more severe liver injury than 5-week-old rats by the bromobenzene treatment because the disposal ability of bromobenzene in liver was lower in 10-week-old rats than 5-week-old rats.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Wolbigachul-tang1(WBCEx1) on obesity using high fat diet-induced male mice and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods : 8-week old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; lean control, obese control, WBCEx1, 2, 3. After mice were treated with WBCEx1(water extract), 2(30% ethanol extract), 3(water extract; Ephedra sinica Stapf., Gypsum fibrosum) for 12 weeks, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism, the messenger RNA(mRNA) expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor(PPAR)$\alpha$ target genes were measured. In addition, $PPAR{\alpha}$ target gene expression was examined in liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Results : 1. WBCEx1-treated mice had significantly lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio. 2. Consistent with the effects on body weight gain, WBCEx1 decreased the weights of epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue, inguinal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and brown adipose tissue. 3. WBCEx1 significantly decreased plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. 4. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by WBCEx1, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by WBCEx1. 5. WBCEx1 did not affect the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\alpha}$ target genes in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. 6. Plasma asparate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatine concentrations were in the physiological range. Liver and kidney weights were significantly lower following WBCEx treatment compared with obese controls, indicating that WBCEx does not show any toxic effects on liver and kidney. Conclusions : These results suggest that WBCEx1-induced body weight reduction is associated with appetite control and mediated by a mechanism other than the activation of $PPAR{\alpha}$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.95-100
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Salicornia herbacea L. (SH) on carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)-induced$ hepatotoxicity. Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered the SH at 100 mg/kg per day for two weeks. Then single dose of $CCl_4$ (3.3 ml/kg) was injected into rats. Twelve hours later, they were anesthesized with ether and dissected. $SH-CCl_4-administered$ group showed $65.56\%\;and\;59.04\%$ of inhibitory effects in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, compared to $CCl_4-treated$ group (p<0.05). Malonedialdehyde (MDA) levels of $SH-CCl_4-administered$ group in liver homogenate and mitochondria were significantly inhibited by $53.74\%,\;89.86\%$, and respectively, compared to $CCl_4-treated$ group (p<0.05). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of $SH-CCl_4-administered$ group in liver homogenate and mitochondria were significantly inhibited by $42.51\%,\;and\;38.42\%$, respectively, compared to $CCl_4-treated$ group (p<0.05). The histological examinations showed that the liver cell necrosis and centrilobular congestive aggregation induced by $CCl_4$ were clearly eliminated by the administration of SH. These results suggest that SH could have the protective effects against hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.637-648
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the effect of feeding garcinia cambogia extract (HCA) and/or L-carnitine and exercise (swimming) on body weight in rats. Forty-eight male rats (Charles River CD (SD) IGS) of eight weeks old and weighing $323.5\pm2.4g$ were raised for two months with high fat diet ($40\%$ fat as calorie) to induce obesity. After induction of obesity, rats weighing $552.8\pm5.8g$ were blocked into eight groups according to body weight and raised for six weeks with diet containing HCA and/or L-carnitine. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total protein and albumin levels were in normal ranges. Food and calorie intakes of H + C and H + C/H groups were highest among non-exercise (m) groups and exercise (I) groups. Food and calorie intakes of m groups were higher than those of I groups. E groups showed significantly lower body weight gain and calorie efficiency ratio than m groups and H/E group was the lowest among all groups. Perirenal fat pad weights of E groups were lower than m groups, and epididymal fat pad weights of H and H + C groups were lower than CO and C groups among m groups regardless of exercise treatment. Brown adipose tissue weights of I groups were higher than fn groups and highest in H/E group among all groups. Liver citrate lyase activities of H and C groups were lower than CO and H + C groups regardless of exercise treatment. The differences between NE groups and E groups were not found to be significantly. Liver carnitine acyltranferase activity was not significantly different among all groups. Fecal total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol excretions were found to be higher in H and H + C uoups compared to CO and C groups both in NE and E animals, those of lipid excretions of NE groups were higher than E groups. In conclusion, HCA was more effective in reduction of body weight and body fat than L-carnitine or HCA + L-carnitine. HCA ingestion with exercise was far more effective than without exercise treatment in reducing body weight and body fat.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.544-552
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• 2021

This study investigated the anti-fibrotic and antioxidant effects of Paeonia Radix Alba water extract (PR) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in a mouse model and its underlying mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of TAA (three times a week) for 8 weeks. Furthermore, silymarin (50 mg/kg body weight) and PR (200 mg/kg body weight) were administered for 8 weeks. PR treatment downregulated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ammonia, and myeloperoxidase levels. Moreover, PR treatment downregulated NOX2 and p47phox and upregulated antioxidant enzymes by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, PR inhibited the factors associated with fibrosis, such as α-SMA and collagen I. AMPK/SIRT1 was upregulated by PR treatment. Overall, these results suggest that PR attenuates liver fibrosis by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1 and AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathways through the inhibition of oxidative stress. Hence, PR has potential as a remedy for preventing and treating liver fibrosis.