• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.11
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• pp.1604-1610
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• 2010

We investigated the anti-obesity effects of Foeniculum fructus water extract on body weight, epididymal adipocyte size, plasma lipid levels and activities of key enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Experimental groups were normal diet group (ND), high fat diet group (HFD), high fat diet with 0.05% orlistat group (HFDO), and high fat diet with 0.5% Foeniculum fructus group (HFDF). Eleven-weeks feeding with HFD resulted in significant increase in lipid levels, body weight, liver and epididymal adipose tissue weight, compared with the ND group. Diet containing Foeniculum fructus water extract significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations as well as body weight, liver and epididymal adipose tissue weights. Plasma LDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the HFDF group than those in HFDO group. LPL activities elevated by a high fat diet were significantly decreased by Foeniculum fructus water extract administration. ACS activities decreased in the high fat diet group and markedly increased in the Foeniculum fructus water extract administered group. All things considered, Foeniculum fructus water extract efficiently inhibits the inflow of fatty acid into the cell, and activates metabolic process that uses fatty acids flowing as an energy source. Thus, Foeniculum fructus water extract may have great potential as a novel anti-obesity agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1012-1018
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to determine whether Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein (APP) is dysregulated in adipose tissues of C57BL/6 male mice by high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity, aging, or streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. APP mRNA expression was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) in subcutaneous (SAT) and epididymal adipose tissues (EAT) from mice in 8 different condition groups. By combining conditions of age (16 weeks/26 weeks of age), diet (normal diet (ND)/high-fat diet), and induction of diabetes (non-diabetic/diabetic), 88 mice were divided into 8 different groups. QPCR demonstrated that APP expression in SAT was significantly increased by about two-fold in HFD-induced obese mice compared to both 16 week-old and 26 week-old mice in the ND group (16 weeks p=0.001; 26 weeks p<0.0001), but no changes in EAT was found. Particular effects of aging on APP gene expression were not observed in either adipose tissue depots. Significantly decreased APP expression was found in SAT in STZ-induced diabetic mice fed on ND or HFD at 16 weeks of age (ND p<0.05; HFD p<0.01). Linear regression analysis demonstrated that APP expression levels correlated with body weight in both the non-diabetic group (R=0.657, p<0.0001, n=39) and the diabetic group (R=0.508, p=<0.0001, n=49), but did not correlate with plasma glucose levels, which suggests that decreased APP expression in STZ-induced diabetic mice is most likely due to weight loss rather than hyperglycemia. These data confirm APP dysregulation by weight changes in humans and suggest a possible role linking midlife obesity with the later development of amyloidogenesis in the brain of older patients with Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.540-547
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• 2007

The current study examined the effects of catechin on lipid composition of serum and liver and adipocyte of epididymal fat pads in obese rats fed high fat diet. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing $100{\pm}10g$ were randomly divided into eight groups, four normal diet groups and four high fat diet groups according to the level of dietary catechin supplement. The rats were fed ad libitum experimental diets for 4 weeks and then they were sacrificed. Body weight in HF group was heavier than that of NC group, but HFCM and HFCH groups were significantly reduced compared to HF group. Relative body weight to abdominal weight and relative body weight to epididymal weight in HF group were increased to 103% and 106%, respectively, compared to NC group, but HFCM and HFCH groups were significantly reduced as compared to HF group. The levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index in HFCH groups were significantly lower than those of HF group, whereas HDL-cholesterol levels were increased. Total lipid contents of liver in HF group was significantly higher than that of NC group, but HFCH group maintained the NC level. There were no significant difference in hepatic triglyceride contents of high fat diet groups. Contents of hepatic cholesterol in HF group was 29% higher than that of NC group, but HFCM and HFCH groups were significantly reduced as compared to HF group. Cell number and cell size of epididymal fat pads in HFCM and HFCH groups were significantly reduced, respectively, compared to HF group. Improved lipid metabolism observed in rats fed catechin may be caused by an alteration of number and size in epididymal fat pad and lipid composition.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.149-162
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of hot pepper extract and capsaicin on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, lipolysis in rat epididymal adipocytes and histological changes in porcine adipose tissue. Methods : Inhibiton of preadipocyte differentiation and/or stimulation of lipolysis play important roles in reducing obesity. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated with adipogenic reagents by incubating for 3 days in the absence or presence of hot pepper extract or capsaicin ranging from 0.01 to $1mg/m{\ell}$. The effects of hot pepper extract and capsaicin on adipogenesis were examined by measuring GPDH activity and by Oil Red O staining. Mature adipocytes from rat epididymal fat pad was incubated with hot pepper extract or capsaicin ranging from 0.01 to $1mg/m{\ell}$ for 3 hrs. The effects of hot pepper extract and capsaicin on lipolysis were examined by measuring free glycerol released. Fat tissue from pig skin was injected with hot pepper extract or capsaicinCFP ranging from 0.1 to $10mg/m{\ell}$ to examine the effects of hot pepper extract and capsaicin on histological changes under light microscopy. Results : The following results were obtained from present study on adipogenesis of preadipocytes, lipolysis of adipocytes and histological changes in fat tissue. 1. Hot pepper extract and capsaicin inhibited adipogenic differentiation at the concentration of 0.1 and $0.01mg/m{\ell}$, respectively, indicating that capsaicin was more effective in inhibiting adipogenesis than hot pepper extract. 2. Hot pepper extract and capsaicin decreased the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GPDH) at the concentration of 0.1 and $0.01mg/m{\ell}$, respectively, indicating that capsaicin was more effective in inhibiting adipogenic differentiation than hot pepper extract. 3. Hot pepper extract and capsaicin increased glycerol release at the concentration of $0.1mg/m{\ell}$. There was no difference in lipolytic activity between hot pepper extract and capsaicin at the corresponding concentration. 4. Hot pepper extract and capsaicin caused shrinkage of fat cells, resulting in cell death at the concentration of $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, although capsaicin exerted this action over wide area than hot pepper extract. Conclusions : These results suggest that hot pepper extract and capsaicin efficiently inhibited adipogenesis, increased lipolysis of adipocytes and caused to shrink fat cells. Future studies are needed to make use of hot pepper extract pharmacopuncture for the treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.411-419
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• 2016

Purpose: Dysregulation of adipokines caused by excess adipose tissue has been implicated in the development of obesity-related metabolic diseases. This study evaluated the effects of mugwort (Artemisia princeps Pampanini) ethanol extract on lipid metabolic changes, insulin resistance, adipokine balance, and body fat reduction in obese rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet (NC), high-fat diet (HF, 40% kcal from fat), or high-fat diet with 1% mugwort extract (HFM) for 6 weeks. Results: Epididymal and retroperitoneal fat mass increased in the HF group compared with the NC group, and epididymal fat mass was reduced in the HFM group (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) among the groups. However, triglyceride (TG), TG/HDL-C ratio, and TC/HDL-C ratio increased in the HF group and significantly decreased in the HFM group. TG and TC levels in the liver were significantly higher in the HF group, whereas these levels were significantly reduced in the HFM group. HF rats had lower insulin sensitivity as indicated by increased homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value. HOMA-IR values significantly decreased in the HFM group. Adiponectin levels were higher in NC rats, and their leptin and PAI-1 levels were lower. Relative balance of adipokines was reversed in the HF group, with lower adiponectin levels but higher leptin and PAI-1 levels. In contrast, the HFM group maintained balance of adiponectin/leptin and adiponectin/PAI-1 levels similar to NC by reducing leptin and PAI-1 levels. Conclusion: Overall data indicated that mugwort extract can be effective in alleviating metabolic dislipidemia, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by a high-fat diet.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.184-199
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• 2012

Objectives: There is a steady increase in the prevalence of obesity worldwide and obesity is often accompanied by inflammation. Although much emphasis has been placed on the adipose tissue inflammation in obesity, a study with herbal medicine is few. This study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effect of a complex herbal medicine (CHM) composed of Cornus officinalis, Dioscorea rhizoma, Aurantii fructus, and Mori Foliumon on obese type 2 diabetes mice. Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity were induced by Surwit's high fat, high sucrose diet for 8 weeks. Mice were divided into ND (normal diet, n=10), HFD (high fat and high sucrose diet, n=10), CHM (high fat and high sucrose diet with complex herbal medicine, n=10) and Met (high fat and high sucrose diet with metformin, n=10) groups. The body weight, fructosamine and OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test) were measured. After 8 weeks the blood samples of all mice were taken from the heart, and lipid profiles were measured. Epididymal fat pad, histological size of the adipocyte tissue and liver weights were measured. Inflammatory markers such as leptin and adipocyte tissue macrophage were measured to evaluate the effect of CHM on adipocyte tissue inflammation. Results: Compared with the HFD group, there was an improvement in OGTT and epididymal fat decreased in the CHM group. White adipocyte size and adipocyte tissue macrophage decreased in CHM group. Conclusions: These results suggest that CHM has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects in high fat, high sucrose diet induced obese mice.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Objectives This study is to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Gastrodia elata extract (GEE) on the high-fat diet-induced obesity model. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=10). Control group was fed normal diet (ND). Obesity group was fed 60% high fat diet (HFD). The other three groups were fed HFD with 100, 200, 500 mg/kg GEE. After five weeks, body weight, liver and epididymal fat weight, triglyceride concentration in liver and serum, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 𝛾 (PPAR-𝛾), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein 𝛼 (C/EBP-𝛼) expression level, insulin concentration in serum were measured. Results The GEE (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg)-treated animals exhibited substantial decreases in body mass, liver weight and epididymal white adipose tissue collate to the HFD-fed group. GEE treatment also reduced hepatic and serum triglyceride level. Furthermore, GEE treatment significantly inhibited adipogenesis in the GEE group by reducing the protein expression of SREBP-1, ACC and the messenger RNA expression of PPAR𝛾, C/EBP-𝛼, which are adipocyte differentiation-related genes. Conclusions These research outcomes recommend that GEE is possibly valuable for the prevention of HFD-induced obesity via modification of various pathways related with adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.491-497
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of alginate oligosaccharide on lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet for 6 weeks. Male apoE mice were assigned to four groups: normal diet group (N), high-cholesterol diet group (HC), HC with 5% alginate oligosaccharide group (HC-AOL), and 10% alginate oligosaccharide group (HC-AOH). Epididymal adipose tissue and kidney adipose tissue weights were significantly reduced in the HC-AOH group by 131.4% and 148.4%, respectively, as compared to the HC group. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and LDL-cholesterol levels were also significantly reduced in the HC-AOH group by 57.5%, 51.4%, and 82.9%, respectively, as compared to the HC group. Hepatic TC and TG levels in the HC-AOH group were significantly reduced by 72.3% and 33.5%, respectively, as compared to the HC group. These results indicate that alginate oligosaccharide might improve lipid metabolism and reduce fat accumulation.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.123-139
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Cheongshimyeonja-tang water extracts(CSYJ) on high fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia in C57BL/6J mice. Methods : The experimental animals were divided into four groups; normal diet-fed control(ND), high fat diet-fed control(HFD), HFD+CSYJ 150 mg/kg(CSYJ 150), and HFD+CSYJ 300 mg/kg(CSYJ 300). Obesity with hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding high fat diet(40%), and CSYJ was administrated orally into mice every day for 5 weeks. The effect of CSYJ on the serological parameters for Obesity with hyperlipidemia was evaluated. Results : CSYJ-treated groups revealed significantly reduced body weight and feed intake, as well as feed efficiency ratio, compared to HFD-fed group in dose-dependent manner. CSYJ reduced significantly the serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol elevated by intake of high fat diet feed, while the increased serum levels of HDL-cholesterol attenuated levels of atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. It also reduced the blood levels of insulin and leptin in HFD group, and inhibited lipid accumulation in organs such as liver and abdomal adipose tissue. Moreover oral administration of CSYJ decreased significantly the blood level of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), and lipid peroxide(LPO), compared to HFD-fed group in dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : These results indicate that CSYJ could reduce high fat diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia, suggesting its clinical usefulness for declining body fat and hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.58-67
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• 2018

This study aimed to identify the effects of extracts of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (A. gigas) with a Monascus purpureus strain on anti-obesity in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven dietary groups (n=8 per group), as follows: a normal diet group (N) and six HFD groups (C: control, HFD and no treatment; AG: HFD +10% A. gigas extracts; FAG2.5: HFD +2.5% fermented A. gigas extracts; FAG5: HFD +5% fermented A. gigas extracts; FAG10: HFD +10% fermented A. gigas extracts; GC: HFD + Garcinia cambogia extracts). FAG-fed rats exhibited effectively lowered rates of increasing body weight and visceral fat accumulation in the HFD-induced obesity model. The activities of several hepatic marker enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were increased with HFD-induced obesity, but levels of these marker enzymes were significantly decreased in FAG-fed rats. The consumption of FAG reduced triglyceride concentrations in serum to normal levels. FAG-fed rats showed effectively increased leptin concentrations in the HFD-induced obesity model. HFD ingestion induced a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which was decreased in FAG-fed rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil Red O staining of the liver showed that the lipid deposits were decreased via FAG feeding. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin staining of epididymal adipose adipose tissue showed that the adipocyte were decreased by feeding FAG.