• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1833-1840
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• 2013

Metastasis is one of the hallmarks of malignant neoplasms and is the leading cause of death in many cancer patients. A major challenge in cancer treatment is to find better ways to specifically target tumor metastasis. In this study, the anti-metastatic potential of the methanolic extract of Rhizophora apiculata (R.apiculata) was evaluated using the B16F-10 melanoma induced lung metastasis model in C57BL/6 mice. Metastasis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by injecting highly metastatic B16F-10 melanoma cells through the lateral tail vein. Simultaneous treatment with R.apiculata extract (10 mg/kg b.wt (intraperitoneal) significantly (p<0.01) inhibited pulmonary tumor nodule formation (41.1 %) and also increased the life span (survival rate) 107.3 % of metastatic tumor bearing animals. The administration of R.apiculata extract significantly (p<0.01) reduced biochemical parameters such as lung collagen hydroxyproline, hexosamine, uronic acid content, serum nitric oxide (NO), ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and sialic acid levels when compared to metastasis controls. These results correlated with lung histopathology analysis of R.apiculata extract treated mice showing reduction in lung metastasis and tumor masses. Taken together, our findings support that R.apiculata extract could be used as a potential anti-metastasis agent against lung cancer.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.894-901
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• 2007

This study investigated the effects of cell cultured Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) supplementation and swimming exercise on lipid profiles and carnitine concentrations in C57BL/6J mice fed high fat diets. Male C57BL/6J mice (n=50), aged 4 weeks, were divided into 5 groups based on exercise and/or ASE supplementation (0.5 g/kg of body weight): normal diet (N-C), high fat diet (H-C), high fat diet non-supplement & exercise (H-NSE), high fat diet supplement & no exercise (H-SNE), high fat diet supplement & exercis (H-SE). Liver nonesterified carnitine (NEC) was significantly higher in the H-SNE group than in the H-C group, and liver total carnitine (TCNE) levels were significantly higher in the H-SNE group than in the H-NSE and H-SE groups. Liver and muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I) mRNA levels tended to be higher with ASE supplementation and/or exercise. These results suggest that supplementation with ASE and/or exercise might have a role in improving lipid oxidation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.769-773
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• 1998

Brazilin was examined for its effects on the induction of immunological tolerance. Brazilin was administered to C57BL/6 female mice for 2 consecutive days before the immunization with high dose SRBC (109 cells) which can produce immunological tolerance. Delayed type hypersensitivity, IgM plaque forming cells, ConA induced IL-2 production and mitogen- or antigen-induced proliferation of lymphocytes were measured as evaluation parameters. Administration of brazilin prior to immunization could keep the DTH and IL-2 production almost optimaly immunized levels. Brazilin also inhibited the elevation of non-specific suppressor cell activity. ConA induced proliferation of splenocytes in high dose SRBC immunized mice was significantly decreased by pretreatment of brazilin. And this might be one of the reason for augmentation of DTH by brazilin. However, IgM plaque forming cells were not affected by the treatment of brazilin. These results indicate that brazilin prevents the induction of mmunological tolerance caused by high dose SRBC by suppressing the elevation of suppressor cell activity and by inhibiting the decrease in IL-2 production in C57BL/6 female mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.357-364
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• 2008

Mylabris is the dried body of the chinese blister beetle. The species used in medicine are Mylabris phalerata and M. cichorii. In recent studies, it has been found that Mylabris possesses antitumor properties, increases the number of leukocytes, and has irritant effects on the urinary organs. The crude extracts of Mylabris have been noted for their highly irritant action and other traditional uses of Mylabris include treatment of poor local blood circulation. The active constituent of Mylabris is cantharidin. The chemical is notable for its vesicant properties, but with severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. This experiment examined the effect of extracts and fractions, obtained from Mylabris phalerata Pall. on hair growth activity of the C57BL/6N mice after topical application to skin. First, we examined the effect of an extracts, obtained from the alcohol extracts of dried Mylabris phalerata Pall. on hair growth activity of the C57BL/6N mice after topical application to skin. Second, we examined on hair growth activity of the cantharidin fraction of Mylabris phalerata Pall. compared to the control and 1% minoxidil groups. Third, we investigated the number of hair follicle and mast cells after topical application of extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall. to skin for 16 days. The results were as follows: Hair growth effect from the extracts of Mylabris phalerata Pall.(0.312%) was observed in 80% of mice whose hair had been removed in 13 days. Hair growth effect from the extract of Mylabris phalerata Pall.(0.312 and 0.625%) and 1% minoxidil group was observed in 100% of mice whose hair had been clipped in 20 days. Hair growth effect from the cantharidin fraction(0.5%) and water fraction(0.5%) of Mylabris phalerata Pall. was observed in 100% of mice whose hair had been clipped in 24 days. The hair growth effect on the cantharidin fraction(0.125%) was observed to be strong compared with the minoxidil(3%) group, commercial hair growth agents, in mice whose hair had been clipped in 19 days. In the spontaneous alopecia mice model, the hair growth effect from the cantharidin fraction (0.125%) was observed to be strong as compared with the states before the 13 days experiment. These experiments suggest that extracts and fractions of Mylabris phalerata Pall. may stimulate the topical hair growth activity in low doses.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-19
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and mechanisms of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) herbal acupuncture. Methods : Anti-diabetic and anti-steatotic activity of the AS herbal acupuncture was investigated on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. After random grouping at the age of 9 weeks, the herbal acupuncture groups were injected subcutaneously at the left and right Gansu (BL18) corresponding acupuncture points alternately on exactly the same time every day with 0.1ml of either 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of AS (AS400 and AS800) for 8-week period. As a positive control, metformin was administrated at a dose of 300 mg/kg (MT300). Body weights were measured weekly, and on every other week blood was collected for blood glucose analysis. At the end of study, blood was also collected for determination of plasma insulin and lipid levels, after which they were killed and periepidydimal fat, liver, muscle, and pancreas were immediately removed. The removed tissues were instantly soaked in liquid nitrogen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ for morphological examination and mRNA analysis. Results : The AS herbal acupuncture significantly prevented weight gain on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The AS herbal acupuncture lowered blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The increase of insulin response during the OGTT was inhibited by the AS herbal acupuncture. Insulin sensitivity of skeletal tissue was enhanced. Plasma lipid levels were significantly improved in the AS herbal acupuncture groups. The AS herbal acupuncture decreased hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride production, and increased fatty acid (FA) transporter that involves in FA uptake. The AS herbal acupuncture inhibited the increase of liver mass by prevention of the accumulation of TG but did not inhibit weight gain of fat tissue on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Conclusion : In summary, we have demonstrated several unique properties of the AS herbal acupuncture in decreasing body weight, and reversing insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. This AS herbal acupuncture acts as an insulin sensitizer and specifically decreases circulating glucose and lipids, and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.532-541
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• 2022

Obesity induced by high-fat diet (HFD) is verified as a strong risk factor and negative prognostic factor for prostate cancer in several genetically engineered mice although it was not examined in the normal mice. To investigate whether HFD-induced obesity can affect the development and progression of cancer in the prostate of normal mice, alterations in the weight and histological structure of the prostate as well as the expression of cancer-related proteins were analyzed in obese C57BL/6N mice fed with 60% HFD for 16 weeks. First, HFD-induced obesity, including an increase in organ weight, body weight, fat accumulation, and serum lipid profile, was successfully induced in C57BL/6N mice after HFD treatment. The total weight of the prostate significantly increased HFD-induced obesity in the model mice compared with the control group. Among the four lobes of the prostate, the weight of the ventral prostate (VP) and anterior prostate (AP) were higher in HFD-induced obesity model mice than in the control group, although the weights of the lateral prostate (DLP) and seminal vesicle (SV) were constantly maintained. In addition, the incidences of hyperplasia and non-hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the histological structure were remarkably increased in HFD-induced obesity model mice, while the epithelial thickness was higher in the same group. A significant increase in the phosphorylation levels of key proteins in the AKT (protein kinase B) signaling pathway was detected in HFD-induced obesity model mice. Therefore, these results suggest that HFD-induced obesity can promote hyperplasia and NHL in the prostates of C57BL/6N mice through the activation of the AKT signaling pathway.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2005

This study examined the anti-diabetic effect of a silkworm extract in C57BL/6J mice, an ob/㏈ model, fed a high fat diet for 8 weeks. The body weight was not significantly different with the silkworm-extract supplement, nor did food intake and body weight gains also did not differ significantly among the high-fat diet groups. However, the water intake by the silkworm-extract supplemented groups increased significantly compared with that by the distilled-water supplement group, nonetheless, the FER did not differ significantly. For all groups, the blood glucose increased the most after 30 minutes and yet returned to a fasting level within 90 minutes. The fasting time and resulting glucose tolerance for the silkworm-extract supplemented groups were significantly decreased compared to that for the high fat diet with distilled water supplement group, while the level of blood glucose in silkworm-extract supplemented groups was significantly decreased compared with than in the diabetic control group. The HbA1c and insulin levels were no different among the groups. The sucrase and lactase activities in the proximal small intestine were significantly decreased in the silkworm-extract supplement groups compared to that in the diabetic control group. There was no significant difference in the glycogen contents in the liver and muscle among the groups. In conclusion, it was found that the silkworm-extract supplement repressed the disaccharidase activity in the small intestines mucosa of the C57BL/6J mice.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.183-188
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• 2008

The behavioral phenotypes of out-bred ICR mice were compared with those of in-bred C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. In particular, this study examined the locomotor activity and two forms of hippocampus-dependent learning paradigms, passive avoidance and object recognition memory. The basal open-field activity of the ICR strain was greater than that of the C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains. In the passive avoidance task, all the mice showed a significant increase in the cross-over latency when tested 24 hours after training. The strength of memory retention in the ICR mice was relatively weak and measurable, as indicated by the shorter cross-over latency than the C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. In the object recognition memory test, all strains had a significant preference for the novel object during testing. The index for the preference of a novel object was lower for the ICR and BALB/c mice. Nevertheless, the variance and the standard deviation in these strains were comparable. Overall, these results confirm the strain differences on locomotor activity and hippocampus-dependent learning and memory in mice.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.195-207
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate how Rhei Radix et Rhizoma affects on insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammatory response in high fat diet induced obese C57BL/6 mice. Methods : Obesity was induced in C57BL/6 mice by high fat diet for 12 weeks. Models were divided into 3 groups (n=6) of normal diet, high fat diet (HFD), and high fat diet with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and investigated for 12 weeks. We measured body weight, FBS and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), weight of liver and epididymal fat pad. Inflammatory markers such as adipose tissue macrophage (ATM), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interlukin-10 and CD68 of epididymal adipocyte were determined to evaluate the effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma on adipose tissue inflammation. Results : Compared with the HFD group, we observed loss of body weight and epididymal fat pad weight, improvement of glucose level and HOMA-IR, reduction of ATM and gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, CD68 in the high fat diet with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma group. Conclusions : This study suggests that Rhei Radix et Rhizoma has effects on insulin resistance and adipose tissue inflammatory response in high fat diet induced obese mice.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2007

Obesity is defined as increased mass of adipose tissue, conferring a higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease. To get a better understanding of the role of a male sex hormone testosterone on obesity, we thus measured the effects of testosterone on white adipose tissue (WAT) mass, adipocyte histology and hepatic lipid accumulation in male castrated (CAST) C57BL/6J mice. Compared to male CAST control mice, testosterone-treated mice had the decreased WAT mass and the increased the number of adipocytes. Especially, histological data showed that the adipocyte size was reduced in a dose-dependent manner and was most effective at dose 150 $\mu$g per mouse for testosterone. In addition, the administration of testosterone resulted in the inhibition of hepatic lipid accumulation compared with control mice. Our results suggest that testosterone regulates adipocytes development and hepatic lipid metabolism, resulting in the prevention of obesity in male CAST mice.