• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.253-270
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• 2007

Objectives : This study has been carried out to understand the effect of Cimicifugae Rhizoma and Seungmagalgeuntang on the hyperglycemic mice induced with Streptozotocin(STZ). Methods : The 60mg/kg of STZ was fed into mice twice by 24 h interval and then 120mg/kg STZ was fed again 3 days after the earlier feeding, Control group was administered mice with 0.9% saline(2mL/kg/day), and experimental groups were administered Cimicifugae Rhizoma extract(CA group, 10mg/kg/day; CB group, 30mg/kg/day) or Seungmagalgeuntang(SA group, 10mg/kg/day; SB group, 30mg/kg/day) after hyperglycemic induction for 6 weeks. Results : The body weight of experimental groups higher than control. The blood glucose concentration of the control group increased continuously reaching to 298.9 mg/dL after 6 weeks, however, significantly(p<0.01 or p<0.05) decreased in the SA and SB groups compared with control group. Blood insulin level significantly(p<0.01) increased in the experimental groups. The activities of SOD and catalase were more decreased in the experimental group than control group compared with normal group. In the point of pancreatic immunohistochemical change, the experimental group's pancreatic islets have increased and enlarged and the concentration of insulin-positive beta cells has also increased, comparing with the control group. Meanwhile forms of nucleus and mitochondria in the experimental group's hepatic cells were almost similar to the normal group. Conclusion : The result from the six weeks of observation demonstrates that the extracts from Cimicifugae Rhizoma and Seungmagalgeuntang have positive effects on lowering blood sugar level and elevating insulin concentration. The extract had also effects on recovering and regenerating pancreatic tissue of the hyperglycemic mice induced with STZ. At the same time, it had a protective effect against hepatotoxicity as well.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1204-1209
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• 2001

As a basic study to find bioactive principles for the hypolipidemic effect from natural sources, various biological influences of MeOH extracts of Thuja accidentalis L. and Juniperus chinensis var. horizontalis Nakai on rats were examined. The concentrates obtained from the organic layer and aqueous layer fractions of each species were orally administered to rats and then their effect on the body weight, organ weight, serum lipids profile, and blood glucose concentration were examined. Among the samples tested, the organic layer of Juniperus chinensis var. horizontalis exhibited the possibility of the hypolipidemic effects. The corresponding layer was chromatographed to give three fractions and reexamined their effects on rats. The results demonstrated that the fraction corresponding for the R$_{f}$ 0.4~0.7 which was the mixture of many minor components showed the effect of lowering the blood-lipid bevel effectively without any side effects. Besides, communic acid, identified from and isolated as a major component of the species exhibited the possibe hypolipidemic effects.s.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.121-131
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• 2005

During last few decades dietary guidelines for the weight management mainly have focused on a low-fat, high carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrate was supposed to be low-dense, highly satiating as well as it affects little on the lipogenesis. Although low-fat diet has significant weight-reducing effect, the loss was modest and usually regained after cessation of the diet. Furthermore, low-fat, modest-carbohydrate diet did not impact on the ever increasing rates of overweight and obesity. Alternative approaches include low-carbohydrate diet, high-carbohydrate diet and low-glycemic index diet. Although none of above mentioned diet have sufficient evidence for standard weight management diet, short-term efficacy and safety are being approved continuously. Low-carbohydrate diet contains less than 45% of carbohydrate in daily energy consumption, it is claimed to have more satiating effect and to improve metabolism. However, low compliance due to the limitation of food choice should be considered on prescribing the diet. High-carbohydrate which contains 90% of carbohydrate in total daily energy consumption, is effective in providing satiety and lowering total calorie intake and cholesterol. On the other hand, nutritional unbalance should be took into account. Low-glycemic index diet is based on the theory that contemporary diet contains significantly less fiber and unrefined carbohydrate, therefore insulin secretion is disturbed. Because low glycemic index food slowly increase blood glucose and insulin level, it induces much satiating effect and may decrease calorie ultimate intake. However, poor standardization of glycemic index is one of the main obstacle for the diet to be applied in the clinic. Meanwhile, high fructose food and beverage should be discouraged because it has little satiating effect and may cause insulin resistance. High fiber food is another recommendation for healthy, lean diet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.960-967
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• 1998

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of sea tangle and hypoglycemic agent on lipid metabolism in normal and dabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawely rats were fed AIN-76 based experimental diets containing 5%(w/w) cellulose or 15%(w/w) sea tangle for 3 weeks, after which diabetic groups were made diabetic by intramuscular injection of streptozotocin(STZ, 45mg/kg BW). Metformin(350mg/kg BW) as a hypoglycemic agent was given once a day using a feeding tube for 5 days. Body weight grains were reduced significantly by STZ treatment, but not influenced by metformin feeding. Blood glucosel levels in sea tangle groups were reduced, compared with those in cellulose groups. Metformin feeding showed the lowering effect of blood glucose. Plasma levels of triglyceride were increased significantly in diabetic rats, but decreased in metformin group by sea tangel feeding. Total cholestero contents showed a similar tendency with triglyceride, but were reduced in diabetic groups without metformin by sea tangle feeding. Plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol were reduced in diabetic rats, compared with those in normal rats. There was a significant increase in fecal weights in diabetic rats fed sea tangle. Fecal contents of cholesterol were lower in diabetic rats than in normal rats. In normal rats, it tended to increase by sea tangle feeding, but not significantly. Fecal excretions of coprostanol and coprostanone were reduced significantly in diabetic rats, compared with those of normal rats. It tended to increase in diabetic rats by simultaneous feeding of sea tangle and metformin, but not significantly. Diabetes reduced fecal excretion of bile acid, but it was increased by sea tangle and metformin feeding.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2001

Silk sericin protein was extracted by treatment with enzyme or NaOH solution from raw silk and culled-cocoon shell. The extracted sericin was characterized and examined the functional properties as well as subjective properties for its use as a soap and a body cleaner. The optimum extraction conditions on specimen are NaOH (0.02 wt.%) or enzyme, Flavourzyme 3% under N2 gas. Molecular weights of sericin was decreased by treatment with enzyme, Actinase, from 10,000-30,000 to 2,700-4,200. Sericin showed important bioactive properties, for instance, lowering effect on blood glucose and alcohol. Subjective test of sericin soap and body cleaner showed superior in washability, foamability, and skin hydration, etc., to commercial soap and body cleaner. Therefore, it is thought that silk sericin can be expected as the source of bioactive and skin-compatible materials.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1144-1153
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• 2021

A released exopolysaccharide (rEPS)-producing strain (LM187) with good acid resistance, bile salt resistance, and cholesterol-lowering properties was isolated from Sichuan paocai and identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides. The purified rEPS, designated as rEPS414, had a uniform molecular weight of 7.757 × 10⁵ Da. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition revealed that the molecule was mainly composed of glucose. The Fourier transform-infrared spectrum showed that rEPS414 contained both α-type and β-type glycosidic bonds. ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra analysis showed that the purified rEPS contained arabinose, galactose, and rhamnose, but less uronic acid. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the exopolysaccharide displayed a large number of scattered, fluffy, porous cellular network flake structures. In addition, rEPS414 exhibited strong in vitro antioxidant activity. These results showed that strain LM187 and its rEPS are promising probiotics with broad prospects in industry.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2022

Objectives: Juknyeok (JN) is natural liquor extracted from bamboo stems (Phyllostachys bambusoides) and has been used as a traditional Korean medicine for improving vascular function, blood glucose, and treating stroke. Until now, the JN's lipid-lowering effect and underlying mechanism in adipocytes are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to scrutinize the effect of a standardized commercial JN on lipid accumulation during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Methods: Lipid and triglyceride (TG) accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were measured by Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay, respectively. Cell count analysis was used to ascertain 3T3-L1 cytotoxicity. Immunoblotting and Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis were used to assess protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels in 3T3-L1 cells, respectively. Results: Treatment with JN at 25 𝜇l/ml after pH calibration with 6.35 significantly reduced lipid and TG accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes without significant cytotoxicity. On mechanistic levels, JN markedly suppressed protein expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-𝛽 and fatty acid synthase (FAS) during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. However, JN did not affect the protein expression levels of C/EBP-𝛼, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-𝛽/𝛾, and phosphorylation levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3/5 in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. JN also reduced leptin mRNA expression levels in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Conclusions: JN at 25 𝜇l/ml lowers lipid accumulation and TG content in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells, mediated through the reduced expression levels of C/EBP-𝛽 and FAS.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.55-62
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of an aqueous extract from Buddleja officinalis Maxim (ABO) on vascular dysfunction in low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLr KO) mice. Methods : Present study showed that LDLr KO mice were fed a high fat diet consisting of 60 kcal% fat, with or without 200 mg/day/kg ABO of diet, for 14 weeks. Results : High fat diet-LDLr KO mice were treated with ABO were completely normalized by lowering glucose. ABO reduced intima/media thickness in a high fat diet-LDLr KO mice without affecting plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. ABO caused endothelium-dependent relaxation in the acetylcholine-precontracted aorta of high fat diet-LDLr KO mice. ABO increased eNOS expression, while decreased cell adhesion molecules expression in high fat diet-LDLr KO mice. Conclusions : In conclusion, chronic treatment with ABO improved hyperglycemia and endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation as well as exhibited anti-inflammatory effect in diabetic atherosclerotic mouse model, independent of effects on plasma lipids.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.570-580
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the multilateral weight control program provided by the university health care center for female college students. The program was 8weeks long and composed of nutrition consultation, exercise, and behavior modification. Nutrition education focused on a low calorie and balanced diet, increasing the intake of protein and micronutrients and reducing carbohydrate and fat consumption. Evaluations were made upon completion of an 8-week program and upon follow-up at 6 months after the end of program. A total of 92 women completed the 8-week program, while 20 completed the follow-up survey. Upon completion of the 8-week program, significant decreases in body weight, BMI, body fat (kg), and %body fat were observed, and muscle mass was also reduced. The total energy and carbohydrates intake were also significantly decreased in subjects with weight loss, while the percentage of subjects whose consumption of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin $B_1$, $B_6$, and niacin did not meet the EAR, were decreased. The blood values of glucose, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were decreased. The follow-up survey revealed that the subjects continued to lose weight after completion of the program. In addition, a Mini nutrition assessment revealed that diet quality improved, especially with respect to reductions in the consumption frequency of fried, greasy and salty food. In conclusion, the multilateral weight control program with diet education for female college students was effective for long lasting weight control and improved dietary behavior. Nutrition education for weight reduction should focus on balanced nutrition as well as lowering the total caloric intake.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.275-287
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• 2024

Insulin resistance is a primary risk factor for developing diabetes. However, diabetes drugs generally focus on regulating and lowering patients' blood glucose levels. In recent years, diverse materials have been evaluated to improve insulin resistance and hinder the development of diabetes. Momordica charantia extract (MCE) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been considered as potential therapeutic agents against insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. In a streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes animal model, treatment with MCE and LAB had no effect on hyperglycemia. To evaluate the effect of MCE and LAB on insulin resistance, we chose a high-fat diet-induced insulin resistance model and co-administered MCE and Lactobacillus Acidophilus CBT-LA1, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CBT-LP3, or Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CBT-LR5. MCE with CBT-LA1 or CBT-LP3 improved insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis. However, the effect of MCE and MCE with CBT-LR5 was weaker than the effect of MCE with CBT-LA1 or CBT-LP3. Momordica charantia induced insulin secretion from RIN-m5F in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, CBT-LA1 and CBT-LP3 enhanced the insulin secretion of MCE. These results suggest that the co-administration of MCE and a specific LAB is one approach for overcoming insulin resistance and hyperglycemia.