• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2016

This study was designed to investigate whether or not onion peel extract can lower blood lipid levels in rats exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) extract with a high-fat diet. Initially, male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed individually in a stainless steel, wire-bottomed cage with free access to AIN-93G diet. Rats were weight-matched and assigned to the following five groups: 1) control rats (CT) fed standard AIN-93G diet alone, 2) control rats exposed to CS extract (CT+CS), 3) high-fat group (HF) fed standard AIN-93 diet supplemented with 3% lard and 0.2% cholesterol, 4) high-fat group exposed to CS extract (HF+CS) fed standard AIN-93 diet supplemented with 3% lard and 0.2% cholesterol plus CS extract, and 5) high-fat plus onion peel (OP) extract group exposed to CS extract (HF+CS+OP) fed standard AIN-93 diet supplemented with 3% lard, 0.2% cholesterol, and onion peel extract (20 mg/17 g diet) plus CS extract. Using this feeding protocol, all animals completely consumed their respective diets throughout the 6 week duration. Blood was collected via the orbital sinus at weeks 0, 3, and 6, following overnight food deprivation. OP extract feeding resulted in significant reductions in blood triglyceride, total cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol. Further, serum activities of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were significantly reduced by OP extract at 6 weeks. These results provide clear evidence that onion peel extract has a profound inhibitory effect on blood lipids in rats exposed to CS extract. These findings suggest that OP extract can be used as an effective means in alleviating the serum lipid concentration after CS exposure.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.235-241
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• 2011

Although the vegetable Angelica keiskei (AK) has widely been utilized for the purpose of general health improvement among Korean population, its functionalities are not very well defined. In this study, we examined the effects of methanol extract of AK in rats on the biochemical changes induced by two hepatotoxins, D-galactosamine (GalN) and carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$). AK was orally administered once daily for 7 days to male rats at 200 and 500 mg/kg, before hepatotoxins. Effects of AK were assessed 24 hr later. AK pretreatments at 200 and 500 mg/kg significantly blunted GalN-induced elevation in liver lipid peroxidation, plasma aspartate-transaminase (AST) and alanine-transaminase (ALT) activities. AK also prevented, after 500 mg/kg but not after 200 mg/kg, the GalN-induced elevation in triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. Differently from against GalN-induced toxicity, AK did further elevate the $CCl_4$-induced rise in AST, ALT and lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that AK, when pre-administered prior to GalN, exerted protective effects against GalN-induced hepatotoxicity, in contrast however, AK exacerbated that induced by $CCl_4$. To explore possible mechanism for the toxicity-potentiating effects of AK on $CCl_4$, the activity of hepatic drug metabolism after AK treatment was assessed. It was observed that AK increased the activity of aniline hydroxaylase, a cytochrome P450 isoenzyme responsible for metabolic activation of $CCl_4$. This finding suggests that hepatoprotective effects of AK are not equally expected depending on hepatotoxins employed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.416-428
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• 2006

Objectives : Arterial stiffness and pulse pressure are related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular survival and longevity. This study is aimed at examining the effects of Chungpyesagan-tang on arterial stiffness and Pulse pressure in acute stroke Patients. Methods: The subject of this study was acute strike Patients within 1 week after ictus, with Cardio-ankle vascular index(CAVI) higher than 9.0. They were divided into two groups: A treatment group (n=44) and a control group(n=46). For two weeks, Chungpyesagan-tang was given to the former, other herbal medicines to the latter. used for stroke patients for the control group for 2 weeks. At the end of first and second week, CAVI, pulse Pressure, National Institute of Health stroke scale(NIHSS), Modified Barthel Index(MBI) were measured. Serum lipid Profile, aspartate transaminase(AST), alanine transaminase(ALT). blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine were also measured at the end of the study. Results : After 2 weeks, CAVI and Pulse Pressure in Chungpyesagan-tane group were significantly tower than those in the control group(P<0.05). NIHSS and MBI were improved in both groups. But there was no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in terms of the NIHSS and MBI. Conclusions : We suggest Chungpyesagan-tanghas desirable effects on arterial stiffness and Pulse Pressure of acute stroke patients. It can improve morbidity and mortality of patients on the basis of influencing vascular stiffness and increased pulse pressure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1569-1576
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• 2010

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is widely used in Indonesia and other countries as a traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM). The MeOH extract of white skinned sweet potatoes (WSSP) was administered orally in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ (45 mg/kg, i.p.) injection. Oxidative stress was measured by tissue lipid peroxide (LPO) levels, serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and by antioxidative enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione S-transferase in the liver. An increase in blood glucose, LPO level, AST, ALT, TG and TC levels was observed in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Administration of MeOH extract of WSSP at a dose of 200 mg/kg for two weeks caused a significant reduction in blood glucose, LPO levels, AST, ALT, TG and TC levels in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, oral administration of MeOH extract showed significant improvement in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and CAT) compared to STZ-induced diabetic rats. In conclusion, the obtained results clearly indicate the role of oxidative stress in the induction of diabetes, and that the protective effects of MeOH extracts of WSSP could be used to benefit diabetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effects and detoxification of oriental herb extracts mixture (Saururus chinensis, Taraxacum platycarpum, Ulmus macrocarpa, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Rhynchosia nulubilis) on TCDD-induced oxidative stress. Thirty five male rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control group received saline; vehicle control group received DMSO and acetone; only TCDD-treated group received multiple intraperitoneal injection of TCDD ($100{\mu}g/kg$) and saline; post-treated group of OHEM (400 mg/kg/day) received oral administration for 5 weeks after TCDD treatment; and pre-treated group of OHEM (400 mg/kg/day) received oral administration for 6 weeks from 1 week before TCDD treatment. The elevated serum activities of alanine transaminase (AST), aspartate transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and atherorganic index due to TCDD were significantly decreased by the treatment of OHEM (p<0.05); the pre-treatment of OHEM was especially effective. Hydropic lesions and cytoplasmic vacuolizations in the liver of TCDD-treated rats were inhibited by the treatment of OHEM. Also, OHEM treatment reduced edemas in small intestine villus of TCDD-treated rats. These results suggest that OHEM from various oriental herb extracts might be a useful protective and detoxification agent against TCDD.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2022

Hepatic diseases are divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic liver injury finally induces fatty liver and damages liver function. Many studies have demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. We conducted a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the efficacy of E. stolonifera extracts (ESE) on biochemical markers of hepatic function. Sixty-five subjects with mild or moderate liver injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 420 mg/d of ESE or a placebo for 12 weeks. Fifty-five participants completed the trial. No significant adverse events were observed among the subjects during the study. The primary end points were changes in plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The secondary end points were changes in lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Compared with the baseline, AST and ALT levels decreased significantly in the ESE group compared to those in the placebo group (P<0.001). In addition, γ-GT levels in the ESE group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (P=0.016). There were no differences in the TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels between groups. In conclusion, ESE consumption for 12 weeks improved liver parameters in subjects with liver injury. Regular consumption of ESE could maintain liver health in individuals at risk of hepatic damage.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.275-285
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• 2009

During an 8 month period from January to August 2007, complete blood count (CBC) samples were taken from various wards and from the outpatient department at Samsung Medical Center. In order to determine whether or not the total white blood cells were over counted, results were obtained from both the 4Diff/channel and the white blood cell channel from the automated blood analysis equipment from S company for comparison. Among patients who were on long term treatments, the number of cases determined to be over counted by comparing the WBC counts during this 8 month period was 25. Clinical chemistry tests were also conducted on the same day on the 25 samples taken. 68% of the patients showed to exceed normal range of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) indicating abnormal liver function, and the total bilirubin range were also in excess in 60% of the total samples taken. Further clinical information which was obtained from the patients showed 98% of the patients were administered with cefepime which is the 4th generation cephalosporin at the time when the WEC were over counted. It is assumed that a multiple of factors investigated caused the over count of the WEC rather than a single factor.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1477-1482
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• 2007

The antidiabetic effect of Gastrodia elata blume was investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley 30 rats, were divided into five groups, normal group(n=6), group Ⅰ was diabetic groups(n=6), group Ⅱ was diabetic induced and oral administration of Gastrodia elata blume extract 0.1 g/kg body weight(n=6) and group Ⅲ was diabetic induced and oral administration of Gastrodia elata blume extract 0.3 g/kg(n=6) and group Ⅳ was 0.5 g/kg(n=6) body weight for 28 days on Diabetic rats. Analysis the body weight, level of serum glucose, serum insulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), aspartate transminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT). Oral administrations of the Gastrodia elata blume extract significantly decreased weight, serum glucose, TC, TG, AST, and ALT levels, while increased in normal group. (p<0.05). TC and TG was significantly decreased in group Ⅲ and group Ⅳ. and AST, LT was no significantly in any groups. It is concluded that the Gastrodia elata blume must be considered as excellent candidate for future studies on diabetes mellitus.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.15.1-15.8
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• 2019

Corexit 9500 is a dispersant commercially available in Nigeria that is used to change the inherent chemical and physical properties of oil, thereby changing the oil's transport and fate with potential effects on the environment. The aim of this study was to assess the biochemical (enzymes and electrolyte) toxicity of Corexit 9500 dispersant on the gills, liver and kidney of juveniles of Clarias gariepinus after exposure for 21 days. One hundred sixty fish were used without gender consideration. Range-finding tests were conducted over a 96-h period after acclimatisation of the test organisms in the laboratory. The test organisms (10/treatment) were exposed to Corexit 9500 in the following concentrations-0.00, 0.0125, 0.025 and 0.05 ml/l in triplicate. Twenty-one days later, fish was dissected. 0.5 g from each of the following organs-gills, liver and kidney tissues-was removed, homogenised and tested for enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)], urea, creatinine and electrolytes (sodium ($Na^+$), potassium ($K^+$), chloride ($Cl^-$), bicarbonate ($HCO_3{^-}$)) following standard methods. In the gills, SOD and ALT to AST ratio were significantly lower than in control while the creatinine was significantly higher in the toxicant. In the kidney, creatinine was significantly higher in fish exposed to the toxicant. In the liver, ALP increased in the toxicant while urea was decreased. The mean electrolyte concentrations ($Na^+$, $K^+$, $Cl^-$ and $HCO_3{^-}$) increased significantly in the concentration of the toxicant (P < 0.05). The alterations observed in the activities of these electrolytes and enzymes indicated that Corexit 9500 interfered with transamination and metabolic functions of the fish.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.425-435
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• 2024

Schisandra chinensis extract (SCE) protects against hypocholesterolemia by inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) protein stabilization. We hypothesized that the hypocholesterolemic activity of SCE can be attributable to upregulation of the PCSK9 inhibition-associated low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR). Male mice were fed a low-fat diet or a Western diet (WD) containing SCE at 1% for 12 weeks. WD increased final body weight and blood LDL cholesterol levels as well as alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase expression. However, SCE supplementation significantly attenuated the increase in blood markers caused by WD. SCE also attenuated WD-mediated increases in hepatic LDLR protein expression in the obese mice. In addition, SCE increased LDLR protein expression and attenuated cellular PCSK9 levels in HepG2 cells supplemented with delipidated serum (DLPS). Non-toxic concentrations of schisandrin A (SA), one of the active components of SCE, significantly increased LDLR expression and tended to decrease PCSK9 protein levels in DLPS-treated HepG2 cells. High levels of SA-mediated PCSK9 attenuation was not attributable to reduced PCSK9 gene expression, but was associated with free PCSK9 protein degradation in this cell model. Our findings show that PCSK9 secretion can be significantly reduced by SA treatment, contributing to reductions in free cholesterol levels.