• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2016

Background: Adipocyte-macrophage communication plays a critical role regulating white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammatory gene expression. Because WAT inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic diseases, there is significant interest in understanding how exogenous compounds regulate the adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk. An aqueous (AQ) extract of North American (NA) ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) was previously shown to have strong inflammo-regulatory properties in adipocytes. This study examined whether different ginseng extracts influence adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk, as well as WAT inflammatory gene expression. Methods: The effects of AQ and ethanol (EtOH) ginseng extracts ($5{\mu}g/mL$) on adipocyte and macrophage inflammatory gene expression were studied in 3T3-L1 and RAW264.7 cells, respectively, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adipose tissue organ culture was also used to examine the effects of ginseng extracts on epididymal WAT (EWAT) and inguinal subcutaneous WAT (SWAT) inflammatory gene expression. Results: The AQ extract caused significant increases in the expression of common inflammatory genes (e.g., Mcp1, Ccl5, Tnf-${\alpha}$, Nos2) in both cell types. Culturing adipocytes in media from macrophages treated with the AQ extract, and vice versa, also induced inflammatory gene expression. Adipocyte Ppar-${\gamma}$ expression was reduced with the AQ extract. The AQ extract strongly induced inflammatory gene expression in EWAT, but not in SWAT. The EtOH extract had no effect on inflammatory gene expression in either both cell types or WAT. Conclusion: These findings provide important new insights into the inflammo-regulatory role of NA ginseng in WAT.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2009

Objective : Recently, obesity has increased at an alarming rate and is now a worldwide health problem. Natural dietary supplement, $CharmSlim^{(R)}$(C), is mixed pills, which consists of beans, black sesames, kelps, onions, adlay seeds, anchovies, pyogo mushrooms, green tea. Our study was performed to determine the weight-loss effects of natural dietary supplement, based on natural ingredients, in mice fed high-fat diet with an abundance of carbohydrates. Methods : Four groups of male ICR mice were fed different diets during 6 weeks: normal diet(NOR), high-fat (15%, w/w) diet(HF), high-fat supplemented with natural dietary supplement powdered 5%(C5) and 10%(C10) groups. We measured the changes of food intake, body weight and adipose tissues weights. Also we examined levels of lipid profiles in serum. Results : Body weight, liver weight and food efficiency ratio were significantly higher in the HF group than in NOR group. After 6 weeks of treatment, body weight, liver weight and adipose tissues weights (epididymal, perinephric, visceral and BAT) were significantly decreased in the C10 group when compared to the control HF group. The C10 group had markedly lower serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride when compared with HF group. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that this dietary supplement can suppress the increased lipid profiles, body weight and fat gains, thus could be considered as an effective adjunct in the treatment of obesity.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.435-438
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• 2013

This study was performed to investigate the serum lipid and cholesterol lowering effects of kimchi powder or Lactobacillus plantarum when added to fermented sausage in rats. Male SD (Sprague-Dawley) rats were divided in three groups and administered with the following diets for 6 wk: non-fermented sausage added diets (CON), kimchi fermented sausage added diets (KIM), and Lactobacillus plantarum fermented sausage added diets (PLA). The CON has significantly (p<0.05) higher food intake, body weight gains, and final body weight than the other two groups. The body weight of KIM was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of the other groups. The weights of organs (heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, perirenal adipose tissue, and epididymal adipose tissue) were not affected by any treatments. The mean value of serum triglycerides (TG) concentration in KIM and PLA groups was not significantly different compared with CON. Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein levels in serum of KIM were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of CON. The serum free cholesterol level and atherogenic index (AI) in KIM and PLA were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of CON. In conclusion, dietary supplementations with kimchi powder fermented sausages or L. plantarum fermented sausages were effective for lowering serum lipid, cholesterol levels and atherogenic index in 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 $PPAR{\alpha}$.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2017

To investigate the efficacy of extract of Ginkgo Biloba seeds in high fat diet (HFD) in mice, the Ginkgo Biloba seeds extract (GSE) was orally administered to mice with a HFD at 300 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Our results show that GSE significantly inhibited fat accumulation. Moreover, GSE markedly reduced the final body weight with a decrease in epididymal adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size compared with the untreated HFD-induced group. Additionally, GSE ameliorated serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The results show that Ginkgo Biloba seeds possesses hypocholesterolemic effect through down regulating lipid metabolism. Further studies are required in this area to strengthen the anti-obesity effects of GSE with active component, and it can be used a pro-drug instead of whole extract.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2017

To investigate the efficacy of extract of Tartary buckwheat (F. tataricum Gaertn.) in high fat diet (HFD) in mice, the F. tataricum Gaertn. extract (FTE) was orally administered to mice with a HFD at 300 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Our results show that FTE significantly inhibited fat accumulation. Moreover, FTE markedly reduced the final body weight with a decrease in epididymal adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size compared with the untreated HFD-induced group. Additionally, FTE ameliorated serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The results show that Tartary buckwheat possesses hypocholesterolemic effect through downregulating lipid metabolism. Further studies are required in this area to strengthen the anti-obesity effects of FTE with active component, and it can be used a pro-drug instead of whole extract.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.132.2-133
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• 2003

The biological effects of NADPH-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDPc) inhibitor, DA-11004, was investigated in obese diabetic (ob/ ob) mice. DA-11004, metformin, and oxalomalate were daily injected (ip) for 8 weeks and after completing an 8-week period of experiment, mice were sacrificed at 1 hr after the last drugs treatment to collect their blood, liver, and adipose tissues(epididymal and retroperitoneal fat). (omitted)

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.206-212
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• 2013

The herbal composition Gyeongshingangjeehwan 18 (GGEx18), which is composed of three herbs, Laminaria japonica Aresch (Laminariaceae), Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae), and Ephedra sinica Stapf (Ephedraceae), has been used as an anti-obesity drug in Korean local clinics. Thus, we investigated whether GGEx18 regulates obesity by suppressing appetite in high fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Administration of GGEx18 to obese mice for 9 weeks significantly decreased body weight gain, epididymal adipose tissue weight, and food efficiency ratio. GGEx18 also caused a significant decrease in the circulating levels of leptin, which were increased by about 450% in obese control mice compared with normal lean mice. Concomitantly, GGEx18 decreased mRNA levels of a potent appetite-stimulating hormone neuropeptide Y, but increased an appetite-suppressing hormone pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA levels. These results suggest that GGEx18 may prevent obesity through regulating appetite in nutritionally obese mice.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2009

The anti-stress effects of kimchi were studied in the Sprague-Dawley rats dosed with kimchi. The rats in the stress groups were subjected to immobilization stress for 2 hr/day for 5 days. At the end of the experimental period, daily average food intake and body weight (BW) gain had been reduced in the stress group compared to the control group. Daily average food intake was significantly increased in the stress-kimchi diet group compared to the stress-only group. The weights of the thymus and spleen were decreased by immobilization stress, but this reduction was partially suppressed by the addition of kimchi. The weights of the adrenal gland and epididymal adipose tissue were increased in the stress group, but ingestion of kimchi completely and partially suppressed these stress-induced changes, respectively. Serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride, and plasma levels of corticosterone were increased in the stress group, but at control levels in the stress-kimchi diet group.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1978.09a
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• pp.75-77
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• 1978

It was found that water extract of Panax ginseng strongly inhibited adrenaline-induced lipolysis in isolated fat cells of rat epididymal adipose tissue. An antilipolytic action of the water extract was easily inactivated by treatment with pronase, suggesting that the active principle might be a protein or a peptide. Experiments were designed to purify the antilipolytic substance, or insulin-like substance, of the water extract. The water extract was dialyzed against disti'led water. The outer dialysate was subjected to DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, gelfuaration on sephadex G-50 column, avicel cellulose column chromatography and phospho-cellulose column chromatography, successively. The finally purified substance gave one spot on thin layer chromatography. The molecular weight was found to be around 1000. Experiments are now in progress to elucidate the structure of this insulin-like peptide.