• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.786-794
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• 2018

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae have been widely worked in wound dressing, hepatoprotective activity, antigenotoxicity, control of glucose level and anti-cancer activity. To investigate the anti-obesity activity of ethanol extract of silkworm pupae powder fermented with Cordyceps militaris (ESfC), the free glycerol release and cAMP concentration as well as fat accumulation were measured in the primary adipocytes of SD (Sprague Dawley) rats and high fat diet (HFD)-treated C57BL/6 mice treated with 12 weeks. Firstly, the presence of the cordycepin with lipid lowering effect was confirmed in ESfC using HPLC analysis. The level of free glycerol and cAMP concentration was significantly increased in the primary adipocytes treated with high dose of ESfC ($400{\mu}g/ml$) although these levels were consistently maintained in other dose ESfC treated groups. In HFD-induced obesity model, the increased fat weight and size of adipocytes in HFD+Vehicle treated group was recovered in HFD+ESfC treated group. Also, the liver weight and the number of lipid droplets were higher in HFD+Vehicle treated group than No treated group. But, this level was significantly decreased in HFD+ESfC treated group compared with HFD+Vehicle treated group. Furthermore, a similar recovery was detected on the phosphorylation of periliphin and HSL, and ATGL expression. Overall, the results of the present study provide some scientific evidences that ESfC can stimulate lipolysis in primary adipocytes and prevent fat accumulation in HFD-treated obesity model, and therefore have the potential for use as anti-obesity agents to treat obese patient.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.1548-1555
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• 2011

Persimmons are shown to contain high levels of phenolics. The present study was designed to investigate if a sweet persimmon wine (SPW) would affect the development of alcoholic fatty liver in rats. Initially, male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed singly in stainless steel wire-bottomed cages in a room of controlled temperature and lighting. The rats had free access to a nutritionally adequate AIN-93G diet and deionized water. After the acclimatization period, rats were weight-matched and assigned to the following three groups: two groups were fed 6.7% ethanol or the caloric equivalent of maltose-dextrin in a Lieber-DeCarli diet and the other group was fed the isocaloric Lieber-DeCarli diet containing SPW at the same ethanol level. All three groups were fed their respective diets for 6 weeks. Serum transaminase, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were measured. Liver lipids and histology were assessed at 6 weeks. The total phenolic content and the antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of SPW were determined. SPW significantly increased antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. As markers of liver injury, serum alanine and aspartate transminases were markedly lowered by SPW at 6 weeks. SPW significantly reduced the serum levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride compared to ethanol treatment. SPW delayed the development of an alcoholic fatty liver by reversing fat accumulation in the liver, as evidenced in histological observations. Taken together, SPW seems to protect the liver from becoming fatty by alleviating fatty liver symptoms and lowering hepatic and serum lipid levels. Such a protective effect of SPW appears to be in part due to its phenolics.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.720-725
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• 2003

Effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on serum lipids and body fat in rats fed high-fat diet supplemented with 10% (w/w) lard during 11-week experimental period were investigated. Ninety-six male rats were randomly divided into eight groups: A, negative control (lard 10%); B, positive control (lard 10%+rat chow+5 brix water extract); C, lard 10%+1% G. Rhizoma powder; D, lard 10%+5% G. Rhizoma powder; E, lard 10%+2 brix 50% ethanol extract; F, lard 10%+10 brix 50% ethanol extract; G, lard 10%+2 brix water extract; H, lard 10%+10 brix water extract. Body weight gain, although slightly higher in groups A, B, and G, did not differ significantly among dietary groups. Weights of liver, spleen, kidney, and testis were significantly higher among dietary groups. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were markedly higher in both control groups than group H (p<0.05). Serum HDL concentration was significantly higher in group E, and lower in group A (p<0.05). Serum LDL+VLDL concentration was significantly lower in groups E, G, and H (p<0.05). Serum testosterone level was slightly higher in groups E, D, and H. Blood glucose level was significantly higher in groups B and G, whereas lower in group H (p<0.05). Epididymal fat pad (EFP) was markedly higher in control groups than G. Rhizoma diet-fed groups (p<0.05). The results indicated that decrease in serum lipids (TC, TG, LDL+VLDL) and body fat, and increase in serum HDL and testosterone levels were higher in groups E and H extracts than groups fed G. Rhizoma powder.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2016

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-characterized medicinal herb listed in the classic oriental herbal dictionary as "Shin-nong-bon-cho-kyung." Ginseng has diverse pharmacologic and therapeutic properties. Black ginseng (BG, Ginseng Radix nigra) is produced by repeatedly steaming fresh ginseng nine times. Studies of BG have shown that prolonged heat treatment enhances the antioxidant activity with increased radical scavenging activity. Several recent studies have showed the effects of BG on increased lipid profiles in mice. In this study report the effects of water and ethanol extracts of BG on hypercholesterolemia in rats. To our knowledge, this is the first time such an effect has been reported. Methods: Experiments were conducted on male Sprague Dawley rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with the water and ethanol extracts of BG (200 mg/kg). Their blood cholesterol levels, serum white blood cell levels, and cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were determined. Liver and adipose tissues were histologically analyzed. Results: We found that BG extracts efficiently reduced the total serum cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels with increased food efficiency ratio and increased number of neutrophil cells. It also attenuated the key genes responsible for lipogenesis, that is, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) acetyltransferase 2, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, at the mRNA level inside liver cells. Furthermore, the BG extract also reduced the accumulation of fat in adipose tissues, and inhibited the neutral fat content in liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Conclusion: Administration of BG extracts to Sprague Dawley rats fed with high-cholesterol diet ameliorated hypercholesterolemia, which was mediated via modulation of cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes. This data throw a light on BG's cardioprotective effects.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2011

This study was conducted to gather the basic data on the alpine leek (Allium victorialis) for the expand of consumption and the production of its manufactured goods. Amino acid content in alpine leek leaves and various physiological activities were examined. Seventeen component amino acids and 38 free amino acids from alpine leek leaves were analyzed, and the total contents were 2,693.28 mg/100g for component amino acids and 535.39 mg/100g for free amino acids. Total phenolic compounds in the leaves of alpine leek showed the highest level from the methanol extract (37.7 mg/l), and followed by ethanol extract (31.9 mg/l) and hot water extract (25.4 mg/l). Total flavonoid contents in 1,000 mg/l extract was the highest in the methanol extract (22.2 mg/l). DPPH radical scavenging activity at 1,000 mg/l extract was high in the order of ethanol extract (51.6%), methanol extract (47.3%) and hot water extract (37.2%). nitrite radical scavenging activity Methanol extract from Allium victorialis leaves was the highest nitrite radical scavenging activity (79.5%). Hyperplasia suppression of lung cancer cells (Calu-6) and gastric cancer cells (SNU-601) by the methanol extract from the bulb of alpine leek were 99.9% in the extracting concentration of over 200 mg/l. No significant difference in antimicrobial activity among the 3 different solvents and extract concentrations was observed, and the inhibition zones against the gram-positive and negative microorganisms were ranged from 8.23 to 10.15 mm. It was concluded that physiological activities in a human body could be improved by the intake of alpine leek as a pharmaceutical material, and that it would be useful for the prevention of health risk such as lung and gastric cancers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.664-672
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• 1993

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of alcohol administration on selenium concentration and cell morphology in tissurs of rats fed with the different levels of selenium (Se) and vitamin E. Seventy two male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing about 58~62g were divided into 12 groups. The dietary Se levels were 0mg(L-), 0.4mg(C-) and 10mg(H-), and the dietary vitamin E levels were 0mg(-L) and 150mg(-C) per kg diet, respectively. Alcohol-adminstrated groups(--A) received the triple distilled potable water solution containing 10% of ethanol from the 3rd week of experimental periods. The obtained experimental results are summarized as follows. Se concentration in blood and urine made difference in accordance with Se level in diet and tended to be low in alcohol administrated groups. Se concentration in liver and kidney was also directly proportional to the dietary Se level, and it tended to be low in each alcohol group, but Se concentration in kidney tended to be increased by alcohol administration. Myocardium in rats showed lysosome increasing, fat droplet, mitochondrial swelling, and in particular, bad intracellular edema, in H-group fed with high Se and in L-group with low Se. It also showed such phenomena in the alcohol administrated group. In HC-group fed with excessive Se and normal vitamin E. there appeared no noticeable change in liver tissue. However, in the alcohol administrated HCA-group, there came out fat droplet. Especially, in the alcohol administrated LLA-group, not fed with sufficient Se and vitamin, E, there were found lysosome increasing and a number of fat droplet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.570-582
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• 2020

Purpose: Obesity is a risk factor for various adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. With an increasing obesity population worldwide, the prevention of obesity with natural components has emerged as an alternative health care strategy. Ramulus mori (Sangzhi, RM) is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. It contains various phytochemicals, including stilbenes and 2-arylbenzofurans. In this study, we compared the anti-obesity effects of RM extracts and its major stilbene components (mulberroside A [MSA] and oxyresveratrol [ORT]) in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods: Five week-old, male C57BL/6J mice were grouped into 7 experimental groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD + 1% RM water extracts (MW), HFD + 0.1% MSA, HFD + 1% RM ethanol extracts (ME), HFD + 0.1% ORT, and HFD + 1% Garcinia cambogia extracts (GC) as a positive control. All mice were fed experimental diet for 13 weeks. Results: Compared to the HFD group, total body weight and weekly body weight gain were significantly decreased in the ME, ORT, and GC groups. Glucose tolerance level was significantly decreased in all experimental groups, whereas plasma insulin level was decreased in MSA, ME, ORT and GC groups. Plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased in the MSA, ORT, and GC groups. Hepatic TG accumulation was also significantly decreased in the MSA, ME, ORT, and GC groups. Adipose tissue weight and size of adipocytes were significantly decreased in the MSA, ME and ORT groups, and were comparable to values obtained in the GC group. The levels of adiponectin and SREBP1c mRNA expressions were increased in the ORT and GC groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME, ORT and MSA exert significant anti-obesity effect, and have the potential to be developed as a weight control ingredient of functional foods.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The anti-diabetic activity of pear through inhibition of ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ has been demonstrated. However, little has been reported about the effect of pear on insulin signaling pathway in obesity. The aims of this study are to establish pear pomace 50% ethanol extract (PPE)-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity and characterize its action mechanism in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Lipid accumulation, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion and glucose uptake were measure in 3T3-L1 cells. Mice were fed HFD (60% kcal from fat) and orally ingested PPE once daily for 8 weeks and body weight, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum lipids were measured. The expression of proteins involved in insulin signaling pathway was evaluated by western blot assay in 3T3-L1 cells and adipose tissue of mice. RESULTS: In 3T3-L1 cells, without affecting cell viability and lipid accumulation, PPE inhibited MCP-1 secretion, improved glucose uptake, and increased protein expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 [p-IRS-1, ($Tyr^{632})$)], p-Akt, and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). Additionally, in HFD-fed mice, PPE reduced body weight, HOMA-IR, and serum lipids including triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol. Furthermore, in adipose tissue, PPE up-regulated GLUT4 expression and expression ratio of p-IRS-1 ($Tyr^{632})/IRS$, whereas, down-regulated p-IRS-1 ($Ser^{307})/IRS$. CONCLUSIONS: Our results collectively show that PPE improves glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells and insulin sensitivity in mice fed a HFD through stimulation of the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, PPE-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity was not accompanied with lipid accumulation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2017

Increased alcohol consumption is a burden on the world because it is associated with various health problems. However, the effects of silkworms on alcohol metabolism have not been studied yet. The hard-to-eat mature silkworms have become easier to ingest recently due to the development of technology, steam-lyophilising mature silkworm larvae. In this study, we investigated and compared the effects of SMSPs from three silkworm varieties, Baekokjam, Golden-silk and Yeonnokjam weaving white, golden, and light green cocoons on alcohol metabolism in vivo. Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with three SMSPs (0.1 g/kg or 1 g/kg body weight) or normal diet (AIN-76A) for 2 weeks were subjected to intragastric administration of absolute ethanol (3 g/kg body weight, 3 h). Three SMSPs did not affect the final body weight and liver weight. All 3 SMSPs were effective to reduce the enzymes in alcohol metabolism, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), and liver damage and enzymes involved in liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Among SMSP from 3 varieties of silkworm, preadministration of 1 g/kg Baekokjam SMSP showed the most effective suppressive effect on the activities of ADH, ALDH, AST and ALT. The Baekokjam SMSP contained higher amounts of beneficial amino acids than Golden-silk or Yeonnokjam SMSP. These results suggest that Baekokjam SMSP might be used as a new and promising candidate for improving alcohol metabolism and liver injury through promoting rapid alcohol metabolism.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2007

Red seaweed (Callophyllis japonica) has long formed part of the diet of Asians, but the pharmacological properties of this plant have not been evaluated. In this study, we examined the effect of an ethanol extract of C. japonica on the generation of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells. The C. japonica extract increased the generation of NO and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), which were detected by the Griess method and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The increased production of NO by C. japonica extract was inhibited by $N^G$-monomethyl-L-arginine ($100{\mu}M$), a specific inhibitor of NO production in the L-arginine-dependent pathway, and by the nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate ($10-100{\mu}M$) in a dose-dependent manner. These findings demonstrate that C. japonica extract stimulates the production of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in RAW 264.7 cells through the activation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and that this extract might also inhibit the growth of the human leukemic cells.