• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.932-937
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• 2006

The effects of cheonggukjang (CK) on the weight gains, serum and hepatic lipids levels were investigated in adult female rats fed the cholesterol diets. Sprague-Dawley strain rats were given four different types of diet for 4 weeks, respectively: a normal diet, a control diet (10% fat + 0.5% cholesterol), a 5% or 10% CK diets (control diet + 5% or 10% CK powder). The body weights, food intake and food efficiency ratios, and the uterine fat pad weights of 5% CK and 10% CK groups were more significantly decreased than those of the control group. The liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly lower of the 10% CK group than those of the control group. The concentrations of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL+VLDL-cholesterol, and atherogenic index ratios were significantly decreased in the 10% CK group compared with those in the control group. The HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratios was significantly increased in the 10% CK group compared with those in the control group. The fecal total lipid excretion of the 5% and 10% CK groups were more increased than those in the control group. These results showed that the 10% cheonggukjang feeding decreased the triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL+VLDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index ratios in serum as well as the triglyceride and cholesterol in liver, and increased the HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio in serum.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.405-414
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• 2001

Protaetia brevitarsis has been utilized as an ingredient of the description for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatic diseases in oriental medicine. This study was attempted to investigate whether Protaetia brevitarsis extract(PBE) protects or modulates the liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride or ethanol in Sprageue-Dawley rate. The liver injuries of rats induced by the treatment of carbon tetrachloride or ethanol were manifested by the observation of the significant changes in liver weight, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and microsomal detocification enzymes(cytochrome P_450), cytochrome b$_{5}$, and cytochrome b$_{5}$ reductase).The effect of PBF on the liver damage induced by the chemicals was evaluated with the extent modulated in change of biochemical parameters above. Exposure to ethanol alone resulted a significant change in the ration of liver per body weight, ALT activity, and microsomal detoxification enzymes (cytochrome P_450, cytochrome b$_{5}$, and cytochrome b$_{5}$ reductase), but did not significantly changes in the levels of serum AST activity and TBARS. Pretreatment coith PBE did not modulate the alteration of the ratio of liver to body weigth, and the activities of serum aminotransferascs (AST. ALT), TBARS, and micro somal detoxification enzyme (cytochrome p_450, cytochrome b$_{5}$,and cytochrome b$_{5}$ reductase. These result suggested that PBE has not appreciable therapeutic effect on carbon tetrachloride or ethanol induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.1052-1059
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• 2011

The contents of bioactive and antioxidative activities (DPPH (${\alpha},{\alpha}'$-diphenyl-${\beta}$-picrylhydrazyl), free radical scavenging activity, peroxidation of linoleic acid and rat hepatocyte microsome, and Fe/Cu reducing power, tyrosinase inhibition activity) were tested by in vitro experimental models using water, hot water, ethanol and methanol extracts of leaves (ASL), roots (ASR), stems (ASS) and fruits (ASF) from Acanthopanax senticosus. Hot water extract from ASL showed the highest extraction yield (16.04%) as well as highest contents of phenolic compounds (2.67%) and flavonoids (1.43%). Major minerals were K, Ca and Mg. In oxidation in vitro models using DPPH free radical scavenging activity, Fe/Cu reducing power, $Fe^{2+}$/ascorbate-induced linoleic acid peroxidation by ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods, tyrosinase inhibition activity and autooxidation of rat hepatic microsomes membrane, and antioxidative activities were strong in Acanthopanax senticosus. From these results, ASL extracts were shown to have the most potent antioxidative properties and contain the highest amounts of antioxidative compounds such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. These results may provide the basic data to understand the biological activities of bio-active materials derived from leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.540-546
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• 2018

Annona muricata, generally known as soursop, graviola, or sirsak, is native to the warmest tropical areas of North and South America and is now widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical parts of the world, including India and Nigeria. This study tested the contents of polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and minerals, as well as the antioxidative effects of DPPH radical-scavenging activity, Fe/Cu-reducing power, linoleic-acid peroxidation using thiobarbituric-acid (TBA) methods and peroxidation of rat-hepatocyte microsomes, and ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching assay. These were tested with in-vitro experimental models using water, ethanol, and methanol extracts of the Annona muricata leaf (AMl). Water extracts of AMl showed the highest extraction yield (1.76%). The total polyphenol-compound concentration was the highest in the methanol extract of AMl. However, the flavonoids concentration was the highest in the ethanol extracts of AMl. AMlMl major minerals were Ca, K, and Mg. In DPPH radical-scavenging activity, the contents exhibited a strong scavenging effect on the ethanol and methanol extracts of AMl. Additionally, the Fe/Cu-reducing power was strong in ethanol and methanol extracts of AMl. $Fe^{2+}$/ascorbate-induced linoleic-acid peroxidation using TBA methods and auto-oxidation of rat-hepatic microsomes showed strong antioxidative activities in ethanol extracts of AMl. ${\beta}$-Carotene bleaching was also highest in the ethanol extracts of AMl. These results may provide the basic data to understand the chemical characteristics and antioxidative effects of Annona muricata leaf extract for the development of functional foods.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.640-650
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• 2020

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an atypical member of the FGF protein family which is highly synthesized in the liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. Depending on the expression tissue, FGF21 uses endo- or paracrine features to regulate several metabolic pathways including glucose metabolism and energy homeostasis. Different physiologically stressful conditions such as starvation, a ketogenic diet, extreme cold, and mitochondrial dysfunction are known to induce FGF21 synthesis in various tissues to exert either adaptive or defensive mechanisms. More specifically, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha control FGF21 expression in adipose tissue and liver, respectively. In addition, the pharmacologic administration of FGF21 has been reported to decrease the body weight and improve the insulin sensitivity and lipoprotein profiles of obese mice and type 2 diabetes patients meaning that FGF21 has attracted huge interest as a therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, understanding FGF21 remains complicated due to the paradoxical condition of its tissue-dependent expression. For example, nutrient deprivation largely increases hepatic FGF21 levels whereas adipose tissue-derived FGF21 is increased under feeding condition. This review discusses the issues of interest that have arisen from existing publications, including the tissue-specific function of FGF21 and its action mechanism. We also summarize the current stage of a clinical trial using several FGF21 analogs.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.269-284
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• 2019

This study was to investigate whether cultivated ginseng (CG), cultivated wild simulated ginseng (CWG) and cultivated red ginseng (CRG) extracts influences on the obesity. The saponin contents of 3 kinds of ginsengs were analysed by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. Total saponin contents were determined in CG on the most contents and since red ginseng has the highest PD (protopanaxadiol type) / PT (protopanaxatriol type) ratio, there may be differences between ginseng, wild ginseng, and red ginseng with respect to their pharmacological effects. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet(N), HFD (60% Kcal fat, C), HFD with CG, CWG and CRG extracts (800 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. We observed change of total body weight, degree of hepatic lipid accumulation and immunohistochemical change of GLP-1 and insulin-secreting cells. Also this study attempts to use the physiological analysis method to analyze the changes of blood lipids, insulin and leptin concentration. The change of body weight and size of accumulated lipid droplets in liver lobules decreased in all of the experimental groups than the control(C) group. In the pancreas, the immunohistochemical density of insulin-secreting cells were significantly stronger in the CWG and CRG than C group. The levels of serum insulin and leptin significantly decreased 55.6%, 54.3% respectively in CWG and CRG. The changes of triglyceride, total cholesterol in serum decreased in CRG than the C group. Obesity related CG, CWG and CRG extracts might have contribute to improvement of obesity by regulating the levels of blood lipids and biochemical indicator of fat accumulation.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-31
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• 2016

Objectives In this study, it was investigated whether Gami-Handayeolso-Tang (HDYST) medication has anti-obesity effects in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into five groups-normal diet-fed (ND), high fat diet-fed control (HFD), HFD+HDYST 150, HFD+HDYST 300, and HFD+orlistat as a positive drug. The obese markers such as body weight, diet efficiency ratio, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid contents, leptin, adiponectin, and GOT/GPT were measured. Also, white adipose tissue, liver weight, abdominal fat mass, hepatic lipid contents, and mRNA expression of obese-associating genes were examined in obese mice. Results In high fat diet-fed mice, HDYST administration significantly decreased body weight, diet efficiency ratio, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, as well as leptin and GOT/GPT, compared to the HFD group in a dose-dependent manner. HDYST increased significantly the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin. It also reduced the accumulation of lipids, such as total lipid and triglycerides, in organs such as liver and abdominal adipose tissue. Moreover, HDYST administration significantly decreased the expression levels of fatty acid synthetic genes, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), FAS and Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD-1), in the liver tissues, while it increased the messenger RAN (mRNA) levels of fatty acid catalytic genes, such as Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR-${\alpha}$), acyl-COA oxidase (ACO), and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a (CPT-1a). Conclusions Based on the results above, HDYST reveals anti-obesity effects declining body fat accumulation through the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and leptin/adiponectin serum levels. It therefore suggests that HDYST can be clinically useful for the treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.209-214
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• 2017

Background: Both ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins are widely used as nutritional supplements. They are often taken together so as to fully utilize their antifatigue and refreshing effects, respectively. Whether actually a drug-nutrient interaction exists between ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins is still unknown. The objective of this study was to simultaneously investigate the effect of B-complex vitamins on the antifatigue activity and bioavailability of ginsenoside Re after their oral administration. The study results will provide valuable theoretical guidance for the combined utilization of ginseng and B-complex vitamins. Methods: Ginsenoside Re with or without B-complex vitamins was orally administered to mice to evaluate its antifatigue effects and to rats to evaluate its bioavailability. The antifatigue activity was evaluated by the weight-loaded swimming test and biochemical parameters, including hepatic glycogen, plasma urea nitrogen, and blood lactic acid. The concentration of ginsenoside Re in plasma was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: No antifatigue effect of ginsenoside Re was noted when ginsenoside Re in combination with B-complex vitamins was orally administered to mice. B-complex vitamins caused to a reduction in the bioavailability of ginsenoside Re with the area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity markedly decreasing from $11,830.85{\pm}2,366.47h{\cdot}ng/mL$ to $890.55{\pm}372.94h{\cdot}ng/mL$. Conclusion: The results suggested that there were pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug-nutrient interactions between ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins. B-complex vitamins can significantly weaken the antifatigue effect and decrease the bioavailability of ginsenoside Re when simultaneously administered orally.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.90-108
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• 2003

Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) has been developed as prescriptions for the Soyeumin constitution. The hepatoprotective effect of the water extract of Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage. A single intra-peritoneal injection of CCl4 produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the significant rise of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in serum as compared to those of untreated normal group. Pretreatments of rats with Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) 500 mg/kg for 7 days) were significantly reduced AST, ALT, and ALP levels compared with CCl4-treated control group. Treatment of rats with CCl4 led to significantly increase in lipid peroxidation and significantly decrease in cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase. The oral administration of Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract significantly inhibited the accumulation of microsomal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and increased the cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase activity. All these biochemical alterations resulting from CCl4 administration were inhibited by the pretreatment with Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SG1) extract. These results suggest that Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract can be useful as a hepatoprotective agent. And the effect of NO modulation by NO synthesis or precursors, and Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang (SGT) water extract was researched on chronic liver damage induced by CCl4 administration. It was observed that endogenous NO protected the liver from lipid peroxidation, fibrosis, and damage. Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract showed the hepatoprotective effect on the chronic liver cirrhosis model and relationship with NO modulation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 2015

The capacity for liver regeneration involves a variety of nutritional factors. Vitamin C has multiple metabolic and antioxidant functions. In this study, we investigated the role of vitamin C in liver regeneration following hepatectomy in senescence marker protein (SMP)-30 knockout (KO) mice. Partial hepatectomy was performed by resecting the median and left lateral lobes of mice. Vitamin C accelerated liver recovery in SMP30 KO mice treated with vitamin C (KV). The livers of the KV mice exhibited lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase and lower injury than those of the KO mice. Increased type II transforming growth factor-β receptor (TGF-βRII)-mediated regeneration signaling was accompanied by HGF and cMet in the KV but not the KO mice. Consistent with this, the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), increased rapidly in the KV mice. Enhanced activation of ERK and GSK-3β proteins and a significantly increased number of binuclear hepatocytes were also detected in the livers of the KV mice. Moreover, the KV mice synthesized the highest levels of albumin. These data suggest that treating SMP30 knockout mice with vitamin C resulted in earlier recovery and liver regeneration by activation of the regeneration system.