• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.1208-1214
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• 2011

Caffeine, a psychoactive stimulant, has been implicated in the modulation of learning and memory functions due to its action as a non-selective adenosine receptors antagonist. On the contrary, some side effects of caffeine have been reported, such as an increased energy loss and metabolic rate, decrease DNA synthesis in the spleen, and increased oxidative damage to exerted on LDL particles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a safe stimulant from natural plants mixture (Aralia elata, Acori graminei Rhizoma, Chrysanthemum, Dandleion, Guarana, Shepherd's purse) that can be used as a substitute for caffeine. Thirty SD rats were divided into three groups; control group, caffeine group (15.0 mg/kg, i.p.), and natural plants mixture group (NP, 1 mL/kg, p.o.). The effect of NP extract on stimulant activity was evaluated with open-field test (OFT) and plus maze test for measurement of behavioral profiles. Plasma lipid profiles, lipid peroxidation in LDL (conjugated dienes), total antioxidant capacity (TRAP) and DNA damage in white blood, liver, and brain cells were measured. In the OFT, immobility time was increased significantly by acute (once) and chronic (3 weeks) supplementation of NP and showed a similar effect to caffeine treatment. Three weeks of caffeine treatment caused plasma lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in liver cells, whereas there were no changes in the NP group. NP group showed a higher plasma HDL cholesterol concentration compared to the caffeine group. The results indicate that the natural plants mixture had a stimulant effect without inducing oxidative stress.

• 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 Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1626-1632
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• 2008

Among patients who are receiving treatments at an oriental medical hospital for various symptoms and diseases, patients whose main disease is accompanied by metabolic syndrome with abnormal liver function. This research was performed in order to observe the progression of changes in the liver function and serum lipid profile after the oriental medical treatments to patients who have been receiving oriental medical treatment for various other diseases and have been diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome at their first visit to the hospital based on NCEP ATP III diagnosis criteria and WHO Asia Pacific region criteria. Total number of subject patients were 39cases(mean age:55.58${\pm}$2.09 years) which had 20 male and 19 female. For the references for hepatic enzyme levels and blood lipid profile were measured in before treatment and four times after treatments(every 2.31${\pm}$06.17 weeks). Serum AST was 48.86${\pm}$7.46 IU/L before oriental medical treatment. After the treatment, 40.63${\pm}$4.69, 43.12${\pm}$5.46, 37.82${\pm}$4.52 IU/L were measured where although the level decreased to the normal level compared to pre-treatment, the value was not significant statistically(P>0.05). ALT was 66.26${\pm}$11.01 IU/L before oriental medical treatment. After the treatment 62.10${\pm}$8.20, 61.10${\pm}$8.76, 43.79${\pm}$5.68 were measured where although the level decreased, abnormally high level was maintained. The last result was significant statistically(P<0.05) compared to pre-treatment. ALP was 193.06${\pm}$14.20 IU/L before oriental medical treatment. After the treatment, 176.80${\pm}$6.48, 177.46${\pm}$11.81, 162.41${\pm}$9.06 where although compared to pre-treatment the last result was significant statistically(P<0.05), the change was within the normal range. ${\gamma}$-GGT was 87.83${\pm}$12.59 IU/L before oriental medical treatment. After the treatment, progressively near normal level was achieved with 118.73${\pm}$46.45, 85.03${\pm}$17.12, 70.64${\pm}$10.93 and the last result was statistically significant compared to pre-treatment (P<0.05). Blood triglyceride was 217.63${\pm}$32.18 mg/dL before oriental medical treatment. After treatment 215.09${\pm}$22.18, 189.93${\pm}$22.44, 191.22${\pm}$18.51 where abnormal values continued even after treatment although results was not statistically significant compared to pre-treatment(P>0.05). Total-cholesterol was 197.28${\pm}$9.24 mg/dL before oriental medical treatment, after treatment 201.55${\pm}$11.13, 186.87${\pm}$8.77 and 186.68${\pm}$7.61 were measured that results were not statistically significant compared to pre-treatment(P>0.05). HDL-cholesterol was 41.88${\pm}$2.38 mg/dL before oriental medical treatment, after treatment 48.75${\pm}$4.22, 44.10${\pm}$1.91, 48.00${\pm}$2.06 the results were not statistically significant compared to pre-treatment(P>0.05). LDL-cholesterol was 111.66${\pm}$13.08 mg/dL before oriental medical treatment, after treatment 109.94${\pm}$10.18, 101.79${\pm}$8.63, 104.00${\pm}$6.98 the results were not statistically significant compared to pre-treatment(P>0.05). With such results, even if common oriental medical treatments were given to metabolic syndrome patients with abnormal liver function, the liver function was confirmed not to be aggravated, and the concentration of lipids in the blood was confirmed not to be affected in most patients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1851-1858
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• 2010

Estrogen deficiency in peri- and postmenopausal women results in variety of neurovegetative, psychic and somatic symptoms, and may contribute to severe diseases within the aged female population. Ecklonia stolonifera (ES) is an edible brown algae traditionally used in fishery towns in Far East Asia. This study was performed to investigate the effects of ES extracts on blood flow and serum lipid concentration in ovariectomized rats. Weight-matched female Sprague-Dawley strain rats were assigned to four groups. Three groups were surgically ovariectomized (OVX). The fourth group was sham operated. Rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: sham-operated rats (Sham), ovariectomized control rats (OVX-CON), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ES extract at 50 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-ES50) and ovariectomized rats supplemented with ES extract at 200 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-ES200). Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride contents decreased in the sham group compared to the OVX-CON group. Six weeks feeding of ES extract resulted in a significant (p<0.05) lowering of serum triglyceride and a lowering tendency of total cholesterol level. The level of Hdl-cholesterol in serum increased by supplementation of ES extracts at 50 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg bw/day (p<0.05). Blood passage time of the ES extracts-supplemented group was higher than the OVX-CON group. The ability of platelet aggregation of groups treated with ES extracts was less than that of the OVX-CON group. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of ES extract may be used to possibly improve on the metabolic syndrome of menopausal women.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2014

Objectives : This study investigated the improvement effects of Pakistani (DF-a) and Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan (DF-b) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a high fat diet-induced obese mouse model. Methods : Eight-week-old C57BL/6N mice were divided into five groups: a normal lean group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a high fat diet, and atorvastatin, DF-a, and DF-b groups given a high fat diet with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), DF-a (80 mg/kg), and DF-b (80 mg/kg), respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, blood lipid markers, ALT concentrations, liver weight and histology were examined. Results : 1. Body weight gain was significantly decreased in DF-a, DF-b, and atorvastatin groups compared with control. The extent of decreases was eminent in DF-a group. 2. Circulating concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased in DF-a, DF-b, and atorvastatin groups compared with control. The decreases were most effective in atorvastatin group. 3. Liver weights were decreased in DF-a, DF-b, and atorvastatin groups compared with control. In particular, liver weight was significantly reduced in DF-b group. 4. Hepatic lipid accumulation was significantly decreased in DF-a, DF-b, and atorvastatin groups compared with control, and the magnitude of which was most effective in DF-b group. 5. Circulating ALT concentrations were decreased in DF-a, DF-b, and atorvastatin groups compared with control, but ALS levels were significantly reduced only in DF-b group. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that DF-a and DF-b decrease body weight gain, improve blood lipid metabolism, and reduce liver weight and hepatic lipid accumulation, contributing to the improvement of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, these effects were similar between Pakistani and Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.764-772
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• 2002

Purpose : Obesity is closely related to insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia in adults. We identified the effect of obesity measured by BMI and insulin resistance on dyslipidemia in children and adolescents. Methods : The fasting serum insulin, glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol were measured and insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) was calculated in 35 children with simple obesity(age :$10.6{\pm}2.8$ years; male 20, female 15; BMI : $27.1{\pm}5.4kg/m^2$). Results : The hypertriglyceridemia(37%), hyperinsulinemia(54%) and HDL-hypocholesterolemia(5.7%) were observed. HOMA-IR was well expressed by fasting insulin. As BMI increased, there was a statistically significant increase in insulin resistance and insulin level in both sexes. BMI was not related with lipid profile in both sexes. Triglyceride was correlated with only insulin level and insulin resistance index in boys. In girls, there was no correlation between triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and insulin(insulin resistance). Conclusion : These results suggest that hypertriglyceridemia was dependent on insulin resistance in pre-adult males. Monitoring of insulin resistance and those risk factors known to become a part of insulin resistance syndrome should become part of routine medical care for obese children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.5-14
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• 2013

The anti-obesity effects of fermented black bean were tested with mice fed a high fat diet for seven weeks. Body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio (FER) in the high fat diet control (HC) group were markedly higher, compared with those of the normal control (NC) group, but were significantly lower in the 2% black bean powder supplemented high fat diet (BB) group and 2% black bean powder fermented by M. pilosus supplemented high fat diet (BBM) group, compared with those of the HC group. Food intake in the HC and BB groups was significantly lower than that of the NC and BBM groups. Water intake in the HC group was significantly lower than that of the NC group, but was higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. On the other hand, relative liver and kidney weight in the HC group was lower than that of the NC group, but was higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. In addition, whereas epididymal fat weight in the HC group was markedly higher than that of the NC group, it was significantly lower in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. Meanwhile, hepatic GSH in the HC group was significantly lower than that of the NC group, but was slightly higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. Although hepatic LPO in the HC group was dramatically higher than that of the NC group, it was significantly lower in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. In addition, serum TG, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol in the HC group was significantly higher than that of the NC group, but was significantly lower in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. On the contrary, HDL-cholesterol in the HC group was significantly lower than that of the NC group, but was higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. In addition, activity of XOR D type in the HC group was lower than that of the NC group, but was slightly higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the NC group. Activities of ROS scavenging enzymes, such as SOD, GPX, and GST in the HC group were significantly lower than those of the NC group, but were significantly higher in the BB and BBM groups, compared with those of the HC group. In addition, serum ALT activity in the HC and BB groups was higher than that of the NC group, but was significantly lower in the BB and BBM groups, compared with that of the HC group. In histopathological findings, hepatic fat accumulation in the HC group was higher than that of the NC group, but was lower in the BBM group, compared with that of the HC and BB groups. In particular, antiobese, hypolipidemic, and antifatty liver effect of black bean powder fermented by M. pilosus was specifically higher than that of non-fermented steamed black bean. In conclusion, the constituents of black bean fermented by Monascus pilosus have been proven to not only inhibit obesity and hyperlipidemia but also decrease hepatic fat accumulation in high fat diet-induced obese mice.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 2008

Purpose : We wanted to determine the characteristics of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) who were unresponsive to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Methods : The patients with KD were divided into two groups: the IVIG responsive group (25 cases) and the IVIG unresponsive group (14 cases). We analyzed various parameters before and after the administration of IVIG, including the complete blood cell count with the differential count (%), the erythrocyte segmentation rate (ESR), the C-reactive protein (CRP) level and the protein and lipid profiles. Results : The IVIG unresponsive group had a prolonged duration of fever and a higher incidence of CAL compared to the IVIG responsive group (P<0.001, respectively). Before IVIG infusion, the neutrophil differential, the ESR and the CRP values were higher (P<0.001), and the total protein and albumin values were lower in the IVIG unresponsive group (P=0.01) compared to the IVIG responsive group. After IVIG infusion, there were no significant changes in the WBC count and CRP levels in the IVIG unresponsive group. The reduction of the HDL-cholesterol levels by IVIG was more significant in the unresponsive group (P=0.02). Conclusion : A more severe and prolonged inflammatory response occurred in the IVIG unresponsive group at an early stage, and this finding can be detected by such inflammatory parameters as the neutrophil count and the CRP and HDL-cholesterol levels after IVIG infusion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 2006

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of combined extract of safflower seed with herbs on the improvement of blood glucose, lipid peroxides, lipids in the plasma and liver of strpetozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats in the experimental group were orally administered with combined extract of safflower seed (100 mg, 200 mg/kg B.W.) with herbs (Ophiopogon japonicus Ker-Gaqler, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, Mori Folium, Poria cocos, Rehmannia glutinosa, Eriobtrya japonica, Aralia continentalis Kitagawa, Zizyphus jujuba var, Cornus officinalis, Paeonia suffruticosa, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim and Schizandra chinensis Baill) for 4 weeks. Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were significantly lower in diabetic groups than those of control group. These were no protective effect of the supplementation of combined extract of safflower seed with herbs. Concentration of blood glucose was significantly higher in the diabetic groups than those in the control group. Blood glucose concentration was remarkably lower supplementation of combined extract of safflower seed (200 mg/kg B.W.) with herbs. There was no significant difference of plasma lipid peroxides among experimental groups, while liver lipid peroxides of diabetic group was significantly higher in control group. But supplementation of combined extract of safflower seed with herbs was induced markedly lower in liver lipid peroxides in diabetic rats. Diabetic groups had markedly higher levels in triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index, while had lower HDL-cholesterol level. Triglyceride levels of plasma and liver were significantly lower with combined extract of safflower seed with herbs. But total cholesterol, phospholipid and free fatty acid were no differing significantly among experimental groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.479-484
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• 2003

This study was attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of extract of fermented red pepper The extract of fermented red pepper was prepared from fermented red pepper puree and polydextrose. Sixteen female college students were participated in this 8 weeks weight control program. All subjects were randomly assigned to the Internet Diet (ID) group or Internet I, fermented red pepper (IR) group. Mean energy intake of ID group was 1,279.9$\pm$112.0 kcal (carbohydrate: 66.9%, protein: 17.4%, fat: 15.6%) and IR group consumed 1,223.8$\pm$57.1 kcal (carbohydrate: 66.3%, protein: 19.3%, fat: 14.4%) during program. The ID group lost 2.5$\pm$1.0 kg of body weight, 0,9$\pm$0,7 kg of fat mass and 1.6$\pm$0.7 kg of lean body mass, and the IR group lost 2.7$\pm$0.3 kg of body weight, 1.8$\pm$0.6 kg of fat mass and 0.9$\pm$0.7 kg of lean body mass. There was no significant differences in the loss of total body weight & lean body mass between two groups, however, the fat mass and the abdominal fat were significantly decreased in the IR group compared to the IC group (p<0.05) The ID group experienced a significantly reduced Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), however, IC group slightly increased. The change of RMR between groups were significantly different (p<0.05) . There were no differences in the change of blood glucose, total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride between groups. Therefore, the intake of fermented red pepper doting the weight control program might decreased the body fat especially abdominal fat and prevent the decline of RMR during weight reduction period.