• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.27 no.7
• /
• pp.790-796
• /
• 2004

Ginseng is a shade-loving perennial herb that is cultivated mainly in Korea, Japan, and China. The ginseng root has been used as a tonic remedy, and its antidiabetic activity has been demonstrated as early as 1920s. Although wild ginseng was anecdotally thought to be superior to cultivated ginseng as far as pharmacological properties were concerned, there have been no prior reports on the antidiabetic effect of wild ginseng. In this study, we investigated the preventative anti-diabetic and anti-obese effects of wild ginseng ethanol extract (WGEE). In the preventive experiment, WGEE co-administered with a high fat diet significantly inhibited body weight gain, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, and free fatty acid levels in a dose dependent manner. WGEE-treated mice at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg improved the insulin resistance index by 55％ and 61％ compared to the high fat diet (HFD) control, respectively. Diameters of white and brown adipocytes were also decreased by 62％ and 46％ in the WG500-treated group compared to those in HFD fed control mice. Taken together, WGEE has potential as a preventive agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus (and possibly obesity) and deserves clinical trial in the near future.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.114-121
• /
• 2009

The effect of diet supplemented with red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaf on antioxidant status of plasma and tissue was investigated in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were randomly divided into two groups after one-week acclimation, and fed a high fat (20%) and high cholesterol (1%) diet without (control group) or with 8% freeze-dried red beet leaf (RBL group) for 4 weeks. In RBL mice, lipid peroxidation determined as 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS value) was significantly reduced in the plasma and selected organs (liver, heart, and kidney). Levels of antioxidants (glutathione and $\beta$-carotene) and the activities of antioxidant enzyme (glutathione peroxidase) in plasma and liver were considerably increased, suggesting that antioxidant defenses were improved by RBL diet. Comet parameters such as tail DNA (%), tail extent moment, olive tail moment and tail length were significantly reduced by 25.1%, 49.4%, 35.4%, and 23.7%, respectively, in plasma lymphocyte DNA of RBL mice compared with control mice, and indicated the increased resistance of lymphocyte DNA to oxidative damage. In addition, the RBL diet controlled body weight together with a significant reduction of fat pad (retroperitoneal, epididymal, inguinal fat, and total fat). Therefore, the present study suggested that the supplementation of 8% red beet leaf in high fat high cholesterol diet could prevent lipid peroxidation and improve antioxidant defense system in the plasma and tissue of C57BL/6J mice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.113-129
• /
• 2007

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effect of acupuncture using invasive low level laser therapy (LLLT) at Yolgyol (LU7) + Yogu (LR5) on weight gain, food intake, food efficiency, lipid metabolism, atherogenic index, HTR (HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio) and morphological change of hepatic tissue in hyperlipdemia rats. Methods : Experimental groups were divided into high fat diet group (Control group), high fat diet and acupuncture therapy group at LU7 + LR5 (AT group), high fat diet and acupuncture group using 10 mW LLLT at LU7 +LR5 (LA10 group), high fat diet and acupuncture group using 20 mW LLLT at LU7+LR5(LA20 group), high fat diet and acupuncture group using 60 mW LLLT at LU7 + LR5 (LA60 group), once per 3 days during 9 weeks. Results : Body weight was decreased significantly in AT and LA20 groups compared with Control group. Food intake was increased significantly in LA60 group compared with Control group. Food efficiency was decreased significantly in LA10, LA20 and LA60 groups compared with control group. In the lipid metabolism, total cholesterol was decreased significantly in AT, LA10, LA20 and LA60 groups, triglyceride was decreased significantly in LA10, LA20 and LA60 groups, TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio was decreased significantly in LA 60 group compared with control group. In the morphological change, hepatic tissue were not showed balloning degeneration and irregular arrangement of hepatic cell in LA10 and LA20 groups with control group. Conclusions : Acupuncture using LLLT at LU7+LR5 can manage hyperlipemia by controlling body weight, food intake, food efficiency ratio and lipid metabolism.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
• /
• 2002.11a
• /
• pp.132-132
• /
• 2002

Mostly, hypercholesterolemia has been focused on atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease and can be produced by intake of high cholesterol diet. However, toxic effects of cholesterol itself on liver and relationship between intake of high cholesterol diet and hepatic fibrosis have not been clearly investigated. Male Wistar rats were fed diet supplemented with 1.0 ％ cholesterol and 0.3 ％ sodium cholate for 12 weeks. Rats were sacrificed at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12, respectively. Histopathological and blood chemical studies were performed on these animal sets. Total cholesterol, AST, ALT and LDH levels increased from week 3 and maintained around that level throughout the experiment compared to control. However, TG and albumin levels were the same or lower than those of control. Intake of high cholesterol and sodium cholate diet caused hepatic necrosis, macrophage infiltration, steatosis and fibrosis. Following feeding this diet to rats, hepatic necrosis, macrophage infiltration and steatosis markedly increased throughout the experiment, comparing to control. Collagen deposition and myofibroblasts were detected from at week 9 to 12 in the liver. Mast cell increased in proportion to the degree of hepatic damages. In conclusion, these results suggest that intake of high cholesterol diet is a risk factor on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis as well as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Furthermore, this animal model for hepatic fibrosis can be use for application of anti-fibrogenic agents screening in vivo.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.15-27
• /
• 2019

Objectives This study was performed to evaluate anti-obesity effects of Crataegus pinnatifida (CP) on high-fat-diet induced obese mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into four groups: normal diet (NOR) group, high fat diet (HFD) group, HFD+Xenical (XEN) group, and HFD+CP (CP) group. NOR group was fed a normal diet and the other three groups were fed high fat diet during the experiment. After the first two weeks of diet, XEN group and CP group were administered with XEN or CP for seven weeks, respectively. After that, we measured body weight, liver weight, fat weight, food intake, and serum concentrations of lipids and liver enzymes. Also the liver, intestine, fat tissue was removed to estimate the obesity-related mRNA expressions and the stool sample was collected to analyze the gut microbiota. Results We found that body weight, fat weight, and triglyceride level were decreased significantly in CP group compared to HFD group. Also CP significantly suppressed gene expressions associated with lipogenesis and inflammation, and increased gene expressions of browning of white adipose tissue and mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, it shifted the microbial diversity closer to that of NOR group and increased Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes ratio. Conclusions These results suggest that CP decrease body weight, fat weight and serum triglyceride. Also it inhibit inflammation and adipogenesis, altering gut microbial diversity and abundance. In conclusion, CP could be used as a therapeutic drug for obesity via gut microbiota modulation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.409-416
• /
• 2001

In order to evaluate the effect of habitual Na and Ca intake on blood pressure regulation, we measured the habitual dietary intakes of Na and Ca, urinary excretion of Ca, Na and K, and plasma level of renin activity, aldosterone, and indices of Ca metabolism in 27 untreated hypertensive women and 30 age-matched normal women on a free diet. Hypertensive and total subjects were divided into four groups according to habitual dietary intakes of Na and Ca as low Na-low Ca(LNLC), low Na-high Ca(LNHC), high Na-low Ca(HNLC), and high Na-high Ca(HNHC). HNLC hypertensive group showed the lowest level of plasma renin activity, 25-(OH) Vit D$_3$, calcitonin and serum total Ca, and presented the highest level of PTH and urinary excretions of Na/K and Ca/Cr. There were no significant difference in plasma level of aldosterone and urinary excretion of Na and K among four hypertensive groups. When all subjects were divided into four groups according to the same method, HNLC group showed the highest level of blood pressure with no statistical significance and the lowest level of calcitonin and total serum Ca. The above results indicated that renin-aldosterone system and Ca regulating hormone has a mutual relationship in hypertension. Na and Ca may interact each other, rather than affecting independently blood pressure control. As a result, considering the fact that daily balance of Na and Ca intakes affects Na and Ca regulating hormones and urinary excretion of Na and Ca, it may be involved in blood pressure control. These results suggest that maintaining an adequate intake of Ca with less intake of Na may prevent from the risk of hypertension. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 409~416, 2001)

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.7 no.1 s.12
• /
• pp.87-100
• /
• 2004

Objective : This research was performed to investigate the effect of herbal acupuncture(Atratylodes japonica, Coix lachrymajobi, Ephedra sinica, Atratylodes japonica mixed with Coix lachrymajobi and Ephedra sinica mixed with Green tea) at Pungnyung(ST40) and Umnungchon(SP9) on weight gain, food intake, food efficiency, serum of lipid concentrations, liver function and HDL to total cholesterol ratio of rats fed high fat diet for 5weeks. Method : Experimental groups were divided into normal group(Normal), high fat diet group(Control), high fat diet and Atractylodes japonica-herbal acupuncture group(AJ), high fat diet and Coix lachrymajobi-herbal acupuncture group(CL), high fat diet and Ephedra sinica-herbaI acupuncture group(ES), high fat diet and Atractylodes japonica+Coix lachrymajobi-herbal acupuncture group(AJ+CL), Ephedra sinica+Green tea-herbal acupuncture group(ES+GT). Herbal acupuncture was bilaterally treated at the level of 132.5mg/kg body weight per 2day. Results : Body weight and food efficiency were decreased in AJ, ES, AJ+CL, ES+GT. The level of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid were increased in AJ, ES, ES+GT. That of serum HDL-cholesterol was increased in AJ. The change of food intake, the level of serum phospholipid and ALP were not significant. The HDL to Total cholesterol ratio was increased in AJ and ES. Conclusion : Atractylodes japonica-herbal acupuncture in ST40 SP9 is effective on Body weight, food efficiency ratio, the level of serum lipid, protection of liver function and prevention cardiovascular risk by obesity induced by high fat diet. Herbal acupuncture mixed Ephedra sinica with Green tea can control the body weight, food efficiency ratio and the level of serum lipid.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.109-127
• /
• 2023

Objectives : It was conducted to experimentally analyze the effects of acupuncture treatment at CV12, ST25, and ST36 on weight, FBCS, fat metabolism, microbiome, and metabolome changes in the general diet rat and the high-fat diet rat. Methods : It was classified into four groups: general diet & non-treatment group (ND), general diet & acupuncture treatment group (ND+AT), high-fat diet & non-treatment group (HFD), and high-fat diet & acupuncture treatment group (HFD-AT). After acupuncture treatment was performed on CV12, ST25, and ST36, changes in body weight, FBCS, fat metabolism, microbiome, and metabolome were analyzed. Results : Compared to the ND group, acupuncture treatment performed on CV12, ST25, and ST36 in the ND+AT group had no significant effect. Compared to the HFD group, CV12, ST25, and ST36 acupuncture in the HFD+AT group reduced weight, fat weight, inflammatory cytokine IL-6 expression, and lipid droplet accumulation in liver tissue. Acupuncture can promote fat metabolism and relieve inflammatory conditions. Differences in diversity between ND and HFD groups were clear in changes in microbiome, fecal metabolites, and serum metabolites. As a result of some microbiome and metabolites involved in fat decomposition, intestinal lipid absorption, and blood lipid concentration control, such as Intestinimonas, Ruminococcus 1, pyroglutamic acid, tryptophan, and inositol, it was observed that the acupuncture treatment effect was evident in the disease-induced imbalance. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment performed on CV12, ST25, ST36 clearly observed various regulatory actions on obesity induced by high-fat diet, confirming that the action of acupuncture treatment mainly plays a role in controlling an unbalanced state.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.105-117
• /
• 2008

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effect of five element constitutional acupuncture(Sa-am acupuncture) therapy at acupoints on the Yin meridians on obese rats(Sprague Dawley strain, male) induced by high fat diet. Methods : The control and acupuncture groups were provided with high fat diet, and the acupuncture groups were treated with five element constitutional acupuncture(Sa-am acupuncture) every other day for five weeks. We observed the body weight gain, food intake, riglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, AST, and ALT. Result : The acupuncture group treated with five element acupuncture on the meridians of spleen, heart, pericardium showed significant decrease of body weight, the groups treated on the meridians of lung, heart, pericardium showed signigicant decrease of food intake. Concentration of HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased in the groups treated on the meridians of spleen, heart, pericardium, liver. Conclusion : Reviewing these experimental results, it appears that the five element constitutional acupuncture(Sa-am acupuncture) therapy at acupoints on the meridians of spleen, heart and pericardium have an efficacy on obesity induced by high fat diet.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.171-177
• /
• 2004

This study was performed to investigate the effects of liquid culture of Agaricus blazei Murill on the weight gains, food efficiency ratios, serum protein and mineral levels, and serum enzyme activities in growing male rats. Sprague-Dawley rats (7 weeks old) were given four different types of diets for a succeeding period of 6 weeks, respectively: a normal diet group, a control diet group (normal diet + 15％ lard + 0.5％ cholesterol), a 30％ or 40％ A. blazei diet groups (control diet + 30％ or 40％ A. blazei in water) according to the levels of A. blazei supplementation. The body weight gains, food efficiency ratios, and the liver of the rats fed control diet, 30％ or 40％ A. blazei diets were significantly increased compared to rats fed the normal diet, but those of rats fed the 30％ and 40％ A. blazei diets were similar to those of rats fed the control diet. The concentrations of total protein, albumin, glucose, and hematocrit value in serum of rats fed the control diet, 30％ or 40％ A. blazei diets were similar to those of rats fed the normal diet. The concentrations of urea and creatinine in serum of rats fed the 30％ or 40％ A. blazei diets were similar to those of rats fed the control diet. but the urea of rats fed the 30％ and 40％ A. blazei diets were significantly decreased compared to rats fed the normal diet. The concentrations of Ca, P, Fe and Mg, and $Ca^{++}$, $K^+$, $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ of rats fed the control diet, 30％ or 40％ A. blazei diets were similar to those of rats fed the normal diet. There were no differences in the activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, $\gamma$-glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase in the serum among the experimental groups. In conclusion, the rats fed the A. blazei maintained normal protein and mineral levels, and enzyme activities of serum. But the A. blazei feeding could not decrease the body and liver weights in the rats fed high cholesterol diets.