• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Objective : Plantago asiatica L. has been used for many years in Korea, China, and Japan for the treatment of many diseases such as anti-inflammatory, anti-asthma and diuretic. But the anti-obesity effect of Plantaginis asiaticae Folium has not been studied yet. Thus, this study aimed to demonstrate the anti-obesity efficacy of Plantaginis asiaticae Folium water extract (PAF) in high fat diet-induced obesity animal model. Method : Male, five-weeks old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; ND (normal diet + 0.9% saline), HFD (high-fat diet + 0.9% saline), PC (high-fat diet + Garcinia cambogia 500 mg/kg), PAF 100, 300 (high-fat diet + PAF 100, 300 mg/kg. Treatments were performed daily for 6 weeks per os. We evaluated the changes of body weight, white adipose tissues weight, hepatic and fecal lipids level, pancreatic lipase activity and lipid profiles in plasma. Result : Body weights, adipose tissue weights and FER were significantly lower in mice fed the high-fat diet with PAF treatment than in mice fed the high-fat diet alone. In plasma, TG, TC, LDL-C, ATS and ALT levels significantly decreased in PAF groups compared with HFD group. Also, hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels decreased and fecal TG increased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. In addition, the activity of pancreatic lipase was decreased in the PAF groups compared to that of HFD group. Conclusion: These results suggest PAF extract is effective in preventing and improvement obesity, so it might be a potential and safe material for anti-obesity agent of weight control or functional supplements.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.284-290
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• 2017

We investigated the anti-obesity effects of the water extract from Orostachys japonicus in high-fat-fed mice. For the analysis, 24 mice were divided into four groups: normal (N) group, high-fat diet (HFD) group, high-fat diet supplemented with 2.5% O. japonicus (HFD-OJL) group, and high-fat diet supplemented with 5% O. japonicus (HFD-OJH) group. The body weight gain and food efficiency ratio increased with a high-fat diet, but significantly decreased in the HFD-OJ groups compared with those in the HFD group. Levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower, but the HDL-cholesterol level was significantly higher in the HFD-OJH group. The adipocytes within the epididymal adipose tissue were found to have expanded in the HFD group. However, the adipocytes in the HFD-OJ groups were comparable to those of the N group. These results suggest that O. japonicus has potential as an anti-obesity agent by decreasing body weight and lowering the serum lipid levels in obese mice.

• 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.870-882
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome, a global public health problem. Mentha canadensis (MA), a traditional phytomedicine and dietary herb used for centuries, was the focus of this study to investigate its effects on obesity. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty-five male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 2 groups and fed either a normal diet (ND, n = 10) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n = 25) for 4 weeks to induce obesity. After the obesity induction period, the HFD-fed mice were randomly separated into 2 groups: one group continued to be fed HFD (n = 15, HFD group), while the other group was fed HFD with 1.5% (w/w) MA ethanol extract (n = 10, MA group) for 13 weeks. RESULTS: The results showed that body and white adipose tissue (WAT) weights were significantly decreased in the MA-supplemented group compared to the HFD group. Additionally, MA supplementation enhanced energy expenditure, leading to improvements in plasma lipids, cytokines, hepatic steatosis, and fecal lipids. Furthermore, MA supplementation regulated lipid-metabolism-related enzyme activity and gene expression, thereby suppressing lipid accumulation in the WAT and liver. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that MA has the potential to improve diet-induced obesity and its associated complications, including adiposity, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.44-52
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• 2013

Objectives : Samhwangsasim-tang (SST), Hwangryeonhaedok-tang (HHT), Ukgan-san (UGS), Onjunghwadam-hwan (OHH) and Samul-tang (SMT) have been used for the treatment of various diseases. This study was performed to compare the anti-obesity effects of 5 herbal formulas in high fat diet-(HFD) induced obese mice. Methods : The mice were randomly divided into seven groups that were fed a normal diet (ND), a HFD, a HFD plus SST (HFD + SST), a HFD plus HHT (HFD + HHT), a HFD plus UGS (HFD + UGS), a HFD plus OHH (HFD + OHH), or HFD plus SMT (HFD + SMT) at 300 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks. All groups were assayed for body weights, food efficiency ratio (FER), final liver and fat weight and blood biochemical parameters. Results : The increased body weights, food efficiency ratio (FER), and serum total triglyceride were decreased in HFD + OHH group relative to the same measurements in HFD group. Furthermore, the HFD + SST group significantly reduced FER, liver and abdominal subcutaneous fat weight gains, and serum total triglyceride, whereas HDL-cholesterol level was increased compared to HFD group. Conclusions : These results suggested that HFD + OHH and HFD + SST exert anti-obesity effects in HFD-induced obese mice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2013

The anti-obesity effects of a hot water extract from wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum.) leaves (WLE), without its specific pungent constituents, such as allyl-isothiocyanate, were investigated in high fat-diet induced mice. C57J/BL mice were fed a high-fat diet (control group) or a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% WLE (WLE group). Physical parameters and blood profiles were determined. Gene expression associated with lipid metabolism in liver and white adipose tissue were analyzed. After 120 days of feeding, significantly lower body weight gain, liver weight and epididymal white adipose tissue weight was observed in the WLE group compared to the control group. In liver gene expression within the WLE group, PPAR${\alpha}$ was significantly enhanced and SREBP-1c was significantly suppressed. Subsequent downstream genes controlled by these regulators were significantly suppressed. In epididymal white adipose tissue of the WLE group, expression of leptin, PPAR${\gamma}$, and C/EBP${\alpha}$ were significantly suppressed and adiponectin was significantly enhanced. Acox, related to fatty acid oxidization in adipocytes, was also enhanced. Our results demonstrate that the WLE dietary supplement induces mild suppression of obesity in a high-fat diet induced mice, possibly due to suppression of lipid accumulation in liver and white adipose tissue.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.641-654
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• 2023

Purpose: Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) contains abounding phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and anthocyanins, and has antioxidative effects. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a crucial regulator in enhancing the lipid metabolism. This study hypothesized that the intake of sour cherry affects AMPK signaling. Therefore, this study examined whether sour cherry regulates AMPK to balance the hepatic lipid metabolism and exert ameliorating effects. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice had obesity induced with a 45% fat diet. The mice were divided into four groups: control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), low percentage sour cherry powder (LSC), and high percentage sour cherry powder (HSC). The mice in the sour cherry groups were fed 1% sour cherry or 5% sour cherry in their respective diets for 12 weeks. Results: The body weight, visceral fat weight, and lipid droplet size significantly decreased in the treatment groups. The serum and hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol levels improved significantly in the HSC group. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also reduced significantly, whereas the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased significantly in both treatment groups. The sterol regulator binding protein-1c and fatty acid synthase expression levels as fatty acid synthesis-related enzymes were significantly lower in the treatment groups than in the high-fat diet group. Furthermore, the adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase expression levels as lipolytic enzyme activity and AMPK/acetyl-CoA carboxylase/carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 as fatty acid β-oxidation-related pathway were upregulated significantly in both sour cherry groups. Conclusions: These results show that sour cherry intake improves hepatic lipid synthesis and chronic diseases by activating AMPK signaling. Therefore, this study suggests that phytochemical-rich sour cherry can be developed as a healthy functional food.

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

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate anti-glycemic and anti-lipid effects of Supungsunkihwan-gagambang, which is composed of Cornus officinalis, Dioscorea Batatas Decaisne, Auantii fructus and Platicodon grandiflorum. Methods: Diabetes was induced in ICR male mice ($24{\pm}1g$) with Surwit's high fat and high sucrose diet. Mice were divided into 3 groups (n=10) of normal, control and Supungsunkihwan-gagambang. The Supungsunkihwan-gagambang group was given 5% herbal medicine in their diet. The animals were fed on each experimental diet for 8 weeks. Body weight was assessed every week. At the 7th week, the fasting blood sugar (FBS) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were conducted in all experimental groups. After 8 weeks, fructosamine, lipid profile, epididymal fat weight, liver weight and white adipose tissue (WAT) size were measured. Results: Supungsunkihwan-gagambang significantly reduced FBS, OGTT and fructosamine. It also increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and significantly reduced triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio and WAT size. Conclusions: These results show that Supungsunkihwan-gagambang improves anti-glycemic and anti-lipid effect in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Therefore we suggest that Supungsunkihwan-gagambang could be an effective treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2010

Obesity is considered a mild inflammatory state, and the secretion of inflammation-related cytokines rises as adipose tissue expands. Inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interlukin 6 (IL-6) and monocyte-chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), are modulated by adipose tissue and known to play an important role in insulin resistance which is the common characteristics of obesity related disorders. In this study we analyzed the effects of Sasa borealis leaves extract on inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance in diet induced obese C57/BL6J mice. The obese state was induced by a high fat diet for 20 weeks and then the mice were divided into two groups; obese control group (OBC, n = 7) and experimental group (OB-SBE, n = 7). The OBC group was fed a high fat diet and the OB-SBE group was fed a high fat diet containing 5% Sasa borealis leaves extract (SBE) for 12 weeks. We also used mice fed a standard diet as a normal control (NC, n = 7). The body weight and adipose tissue weight in the OB group were significantly higher than those in the NC group. The effects of the high fat diet were reduced by SBE treatments, and the body weight and adipose tissue deposition in the OB-SBE group were significantly decreased compared to the OBC group. The OBC group showed higher serum glucose and insulin levels which resulted in a significant increase of incremental area under the curve (IAUC) and HOMA-IR than the NC group. Also, serum leptin, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the OBC group than in the NC group. In contrast, the OB-SBE group showed a reversal in the metabolic defects, including a decrease in glucose, insulin, IAUC, HOMA-IR, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and leptin levels. These results suggest that BSE can suppress increased weight gain and/or fat deposition induced by a high fat diet and theses effects are accompanied by modulation of the inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 secretion resulting in improved insulin resistance.