• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.543-551
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• 2017

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to determine whether fermentation can increase the protective effects of blueberry liquid in a high-fat diet-induced obese mice model. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HD, 60% fat, w/w,), HD supplemented with 10 ml/kg BW/day of blueberry liquid (BHD, blueberry high-fat diet), or HD supplemented with 10 ml/kg BW/day of fermented blueberry liquid (FBHD, fermented blueberry high-fat diet) for 10 weeks. Results: There were significant decreases in the body, epididymal adipose tissue, and liver weights of blueberry-fed groups compared to HD, whereas there were no significant differences in food intake among the groups. Furthermore, blueberry liquid groups, especially fermented blueberry liquid, significantly attenuated the contents of hepatic triglycerides and total cholesterol induced by HD. Serum LDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the BHD and FBHD-fed groups, whereas FBHD significantly increased the serum HDL-cholesterol level compared to the control. Concentrations of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and leptins in serum were also reduced by blueberry liquid supplementation. The mRNA expression of hepatic acetyl CoA carboxylase was significantly reduced in both the BHD and FBHD groups compared to HD. Furthermore, FBHD altered the mRNA expression level of hepatic lipolysis genes. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggest that blueberry, especially fermented blueberry liquid, may improve obesity-related abnormalities.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.503-511
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ginger, a root vegetable, is known to have antioxidant and antiobesity effects. Preparation, such as by steaming, can affect the chemical composition of prepared root vegetables or herbs and can change their functional activities. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of steamed ginger against oxidative stress and steatosis in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. MATERIAL/METHODS: The levels of polyphenols and flavonoids in two different extracts of steamed ginger, i.e., water extract (SGW) and ethanolic extract (SGE); as well, their antioxidant activities were examined. Forty male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND, n = 10), high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat, w/w, n = 10), HFD supplemented with 200 mg/kg of SGE or garcinia (GAR) by weight (SGED or GARD, respectively, n = 10) for 12 weeks. Serum chemistry was examined, and the expressions of genes involved in lipid metabolism were determined in the liver. Histological analysis was performed to identify lipid accumulations in epididymal fat pads and liver. RESULTS: The SGE had higher contents of polyphenols and flavonoids and higher DPPH and $ABTS^+$ free radical scavenging activities compared to those of SGW. Treatment with SGE or GAR significantly decreased the HFD-induced weight gain. Both SGE and GAR significantly reduced the high serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein levels induced by HFD. Compared to ND, HFD significantly increased hepatic TC and TG levels. SGE or GAR supplementation significantly decreased the increase of hepatic lipids by HFD. Interestingly, SGE had a more significant effect in reducing hepatic TC and TG levels than GAR. Furthermore, hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis were altered in both the SGED and GARD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that steamed ginger supplementation can decrease plasma TC and TG and can inhibit liver steatosis by regulating the expressions of hepatic genes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.398-404
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• 2005

Radioprotection is of practical importance for the normal tissues of tumor patients subject to radiotherapy, people with planned or accidental exposure to radiation, and the public and radiation workers. Since oxygen enhances radiation - induced biological damage, antioxidants should be related with the function as a radioprotectors. Ascorbic acid or caffeine is an essential component and antioxidant in the diet of humans and a small range of other mammals. The present study investigates functional radioprotection of caffeine and ascorbic acid against gamma radiation in irradiated C57BL/6N mice. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6N mice were irradiated with 6.5 Gy. A caffeine treated group was administered with $80mg\;kg^{-1}$ body weight by intraperitoneal injection, a single treatment 1 hr before irradiation. Ascorbic acid was administered $330\;mg\;L^{-1}$ in drinking water through all the experimental period. According to time schedules, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. And the samples were collected 2 weeks after whole- body gamma irradiation. The caffeine treated group showed lower decrement of body and organ weights than the other experimental groups. The qualitative analysis of circulating testosterone in serum was performed by means of radioimmunoassay (RIA). The normal level of circulating testosterone was maintained by the treatment of caffeine and ascorbic acid. The change of weight of body and organ and the appearance of seminiferous tubules were improved by an effect of caffeine or ascorbic acid against irradiation. Taken together, caffeine and ascorbic acid protects impairment of spermatogenesis against gamma radiation and may act as a radio-protector.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.779-788
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• 2013

This study was to investigate the effect of high-fat diet on macrophage immunocompetence in C57BL/6 mice. C57BL/6 male mice (4 weeks aged, n=16) were divided into two groups. HD groups fed high-fat diet (45% of fat) and ND groups fed chow diet (10% of fat). Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from each mouse intra-peritoneal by sterile lavage method. Macrophage were stimulated with $1{\mu}g/ml$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hr. Body weight was significantly increased by high-fat diet. Macrophage phagocytosis of HD was significantly lower than that of ND. After 24 hr of LPS stimulation, NO, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$ production of HD were significantly lower than those of ND. There were no significant differences in the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-12 between HD and ND. These findings suggest that high fat diet-induced obesity is associated with decreased Immunocompetence and antigen-stimulated sensitivity of peritoneal macrophage, and lower production of NO, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$ may contribute to these changes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2006

Bonogen shampoo is composed of several plant extracts which are known to be used in oriental medicine. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Bonogen shampoo on hair growth in an alopecia model of C57BL/6 mice. There were eight male and female experimental groups including distilled water(DW: negative control), a commercial shampoo[M], 3% minoxidil (MXD) and Bonogen shampoo(BNG). Dorsal skin hair of six-week-old mice was trimmed with an electric clipper carefully not to damage the skin. The next day, mice without skin scratch were selected, randomized and separated in 10 mice per group. The test compounds were topically treated with 0.15 ml per mouse or dorsal skin for 21 days daily and then washed thoroughly with DW. The hair regrowth was determined photographically at 0, 4, 7, 10, 15, 18, and 21 days and histologically at day 21. No clinical signs were observed in all mice. Although body weight was slightly increased in 3% MXD group than other groups, it was not significant. Hair regrowth began to be promoted after 14 days and appeared a distinct regrowth pattern in all animals by topical treatment of test compounds at 18 days. In particular, the topical treatment of bonogen shampoo or 3% MXD for 21 days to dorsal skin accelerated hair regrowth faster than DW or M shampoo. At 21 days, the hair regrowth promotion speed was in order of 3% MXD>BNG>M>DW. The bonogen shampoo or 3% MXD also promoted hair follicle elongation compared to the negative control. These results suggest that bonogen shampoo has hair growth promoting activities and may be useful for treatment of bald or alopecia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.967-977
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• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC) is a traditional Asian medicinal plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The fruits of RC are known to prevent adult diseases through antioxidants. In this study, the effects of RC extract (RCex) on obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were evaluated in animal models. Twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were induced to become obese for 8 weeks and then the extract was orally administered for 8 weeks. RCex reduced body weight, adipose tissue, liver weight. RCex improved biochemical biomarkers including lipid metabolism (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol). The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) reduced the expression of adipogenesis genes (liver × receptor (LXR), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthesis (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and the effect of enhancing carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity by RCex was verified. RCex also influence on plasma production of hormones (adiponectin & leptin) related on energy expenditure and metabolism. In addition, we confirmed that RCex improved glucose intolerance in HFD-induced obese rats. RCex was first demonstrated to have anti-obesity as well as anti-NAFLD effects by regulating fatty acid oxidation and fatty acid synthesis by phosphorylation of AMPK. This suggests that RCex could be a good supplement for the prevention of obesity and related NAFLD.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.154-161
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant activity and hair growth effects of a natural herbal ethanol extract, Samhwang-Sasimtang(SS). In case of antioxidant ability of SS, the content of phenolic compounds was 28.44mg/g. The extract showed strong electron donating ability and free radical scavenging activity in a concentration-dependent manner. SOD-like activity also rose through increasing the concentrations of SS. In order to estimate the hair growth effects, the extract was applied to the back of seven-week-old C57BL/6 male mice ($150{\mu}{\ell}$ a day, five days a week, for four weeks) in four groups (C, control, saline; PC, positive control, 3% minoxidil; E1, experimental 1, 1% SS; E2, experimental 2, 2% SS). Ten mice were assigned to each group and five mice in each group were sacrificed at weeks 2 and 4, respectively. There was no a significant difference in body weight change among experimental groups. In macroscopic observation of hair growth at week 4, the scores of hair growth on the backs of mice were 80, 60, 40 and 20% in the PC, E2, E1 and C groups. In terms of histological observation, the ratio and thickness of hair follicles, the enzyme activities of ALP and ${\gamma}$-GT, immunohistological examination of IGF-1 and VEGF which are the hair growth factors, in each group were significantly high in this order: PC, E2, E1 and C group, at week 4. Meanwhile, hair growth inhibition factors, TGF-${\beta}1$ and Caspase-3, were reduced in PC, E1 and E2 groups compared with C group. These results indicate that SS extract may be effective in promoting hair growth, and suggest that it can be used practically as a superior natural agent for hair growth promotion.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Seaweeds have been reported to have various health beneficial effects. In this study, we investigated the potential anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of four types of domestic brown seaweeds in a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). MATERIALS/METHODS: Male C57BL/6N mice were fed low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD containing Undaria Pinnatifida, HFD containing Laminaria Japonica (LJ), HFD containing Sargassum Fulvellum, or HFD containing Hizikia Fusiforme (HF) for 16 weeks. RESULTS: Brown seaweed supplementation did not affect long-term HFD-associated changes in body weight or adiposity, although mice fed HFD + LJ or HFD + HF gained slightly less body weight compared with those fed HFD at the beginning of feeding. Despite being obese, mice fed HFD + LJ appeared to show improved insulin sensitivity compared to mice fed HFD. Consistently, we observed significantly reduced blood glucose concentrations in mice fed HFD + LJ compared with those of mice fed HFD. Although no significant differences in adipocyte size were detected among the HFD-fed groups, consumption of seaweeds decreased formation of HFD-induced crown-like structures in gonadal adipose tissue as well as plasma inflammatory cytokines. BMDM from mice fed HFDs with seaweeds showed differential regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 compared with BMDM from mice fed HFD by LPS stimulation. CONCLUSION: Although seaweed consumption did not prevent long-term HFD-induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice, it reduced insulin resistance (IR) and circulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, seaweeds may ameliorate systemic inflammation and IR in obesity partially due to inhibition of inflammatory signaling in adipose tissue cells as well as bone marrow-derived immune cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.47-51
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the reproductive effect of Ginseng radix on male mice. Methods : Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups ; normal group (vehicle-treated, n=8), Ginseng radix treatment group (100, 500, 1000 mg/kg, n=8). Ginseng radix extract was treated for 5 weeks. After treatment each group was examined for assessment of sperm count and CatSper protein expression using computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) system and the immunofluorescence. Results : Sperm count of normal and Ginseng radix extract treated group were 287.57 vs. 371.62, 364.83, $343.29{\times}10^6$, respectively. The CatSper3, 4 proteins expression of Ginseng radix treated group were significantly increased than that of normal group. Conclusions : These findings suggest that the Ginseng radix improves male reproductive function by increasing sperm count and CatSper protein expression.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2011

This study investigated the antioxidative action of Corni Fructus aqueous extract on kidneys of diabetic mice. The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract and its antioxidant activities (XO, SOD, CAT, GST, eNOS) in kidneys of C57BL/6 or db/db mice were evaluated. For in vivo study, seven week-old male mice were divided into normal control group (NC, C57BL/6 mice), diabetic control group (DC, db/db mice) and Corni Fructus (500 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) treated diabetic group (DCF, db/db mice). The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract exhibited 7%, 24.4%, and 42.7% at concentrations of 100, 500, and $1000\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The activity of XO in the DCF group was significantly lower than the DC group by 35% (p < 0.05). The SOD activity was significantly higher in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05). The activities of CAT and GST were lowered in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05) and 7.6%, respectively. The mRNA expression of eNOS in kidneys was lower in the DCF group than the DC group by 24%. These results indicate that Corni Fructus reduced oxidation stress as evidenced by the restoration of the enzymatic antioxidative defense system in renal tissues of db/db mice. It is suggested that these antioxidative actions of Corni Fructus on renal tissues in db/db mice could contribute to its renoprotective effects on diabetic nephropathy.