• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2007.12a
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• pp.57-58
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• 2007

Purpose: Ginseng is a well-known medical plant used in traditional Oriental medicine. Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been known to have potent biological activities such as radical scavenging, vasodilating, anti-tumor and anti-diabetic activities. However, the mechanism of the beneficial effects of KRG on diabetes is yet to be elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of KRG extract in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. Methods: The db/db mice were randomly divided into six groups: diabetic control group (DC), red ginseng extract low dose group (RGL, 100 mg/kg), red ginseng extract high dose group (RGH, 200 mg/kg), metformin group (MET, 300 mg/kg), glipizide group (GPZ, 15 mg/kg) and pioglitazone group (PIO, 30 mg/kg), and treated with drugs once per day for 10 weeks. During the experiment, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured once every week. At the end of treatment, we measured Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), adiponectin, leptin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). Morphological analyses of liver, pancreas and white adipose tissue were done by histological observation through hematoxylin-eosin staining. Pancreatic islet insulin and glucagon levels were detected by double-immunofluorescence staining. To elucidate an action of mechanism of KRG, DNA microarray analyses were performed, and western blot and RT-PCR were conducted for validation. Results: Compared to the DC group mice, body weight gain of PIO treated group mice showed 15.2% increase, but the other group mice did not showed significant differences. Compared to the DC group, fasting blood glucose levels were decreased by 19.8% in RGL, 18.3% in RGH, 67.7% in MET, 52.3% in GPZ, 56.9% in PIO-treated group. With decreased plasma glucose levels, the insulin resistance index of the RGL-treated group was reduced by 27.7% compared to the DC group. Insulin resistance values for positive drugs were all markedly decreased by 80.8%, 41.1% and 68.9%, compared to that of DC group. HbA1c levels in RGL, RGH, MET, GPZ and PIO-treated groups were also decreased by 11.0%, 6.4%, 18.9%, 16.1% and 27.9% compared to that of DC group, and these figure revealed a similar trend shown in plasma glucose levels. Plasma TG and NEFA levels were decreased by 18.8% and 16.8%, respectively, and plasma adiponectin and leptin levels were increased by 20.6% and 12.1%, respectively, in the RGL-treated group compared to those in DC group. Histological analysis of the liver of mice treated with KRG revealed a significantly decreased number of lipid droplets compared to the DC group. The control mice exhibited definitive loss and degeneration of islet, whereas mice treated with KRG preserved islet architecture. Compared to the DC group mice, KRG resulted in significant reduction of adipocytes. From the pancreatic islet double-immunofluorescence staining, we observed KRG has increased insulin production, but decreased glucagon production. KRG treatment resulted in stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in the db/db mice liver. To elucidate mechanism of action of KRG extract, microarray analysis was conducted in the liver tissue of mice treated with KRG extract, and results suggest that red ginseng affects on hepatic expression of genes responsible for glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. In summary, multiple administration of KRG showed the hypoglycemic activity and improved glucose tolerance. In addition, KRG increased glucose utilization and improved insulin sensitivity through inhibition of lipogenesis and activation of fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation in the liver tissue. In view of our present data, we may suggest that KRG could provide a solid basis for the development of new anti-diabetic drug.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.111-132
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• 1999

This correlational descriptive study sought to define the relationship between the experience of Sanhujori, Korean tradition non-professional postpartal care after delivery and abortion and present physical symptom distress of arthritis female who visited to outpatient clinic of rheumatic internal medicine at three hospital located in Seoul, Pusan, Chongju, Korea. Data from a convenience sample of 98 women who orally agreed to be respondent were collected from September 1, 1998 to October 31, 1998 for two months by way of interview with semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis consisted of frequency, percentage, mean, S. D., Pearson Correlation Coefficient, t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe test as a post hoc by SPSS. The results of the study were as follows ; Mean age of participants as 52.8 years and mean number of children 3.3. Mean frequency of child birth was 3.1 times per woman, 67.4% of respondents had menopause, 57.0% did not have Sunhujori after abortion. The health status implies the subjective health status women perceived, which came from the three points of view of the present, comparative with other of same age and changed after delivery. The respondents of 76.1% perceived them as unhealthy and the main sites of physical symptom distress were upper & lower extremities including knee and hand 34.8%, shoulder 26.5%, waist 22.4%. Women perceived the etiology of the arthritis as 'did Sanhujori wrongly' 36.7%, 'aging process' 24.5%, 'stress' 16.3%, 'overwork' 15.3%, 'Immunocompromize' & 'physical constitution' 7.1% respectively, 'character' 3.1%, 'genetic' 2.0%, 'malnutrition' 1.0%. The mean period of Sanhujori after delivery was 20.4 at the first child and 18.1 at the second child. The higher frequency of child birth, the shorter period of Sanhujori. For the subjective evaluation of whether the women did Sanhujori well or not, the rate of 'did Sanhujori well' was the highest rank in the first child and the rate of 'did not particularly Sanhujori well' was the highest rank in the last child. There was a significant positive correlation between physical function disability and rheumatoid arthritis symptom at the level of 1% of significance statistically(r=.406). And a positive correlation between physical function disability and Sanhubyung symptom at the level of 5% of significance statistically(r=.224). There was a significant positive correlation among rheumatoid arthritis symptom, Sanhubyung symptom and menopause symptom at the level of 1%-5% of significance statistically. Most of all, the correlation between Sanhubyung symptom and menopause symptom was the higher than others. There was a negative correlation between the present physical symptom distress and experience of Sanhujori(r=.-130), however it was not significant statistically. However, there was a positive correlation between subjective health status and experience of Sanhujori at the level of 1% of significance statistically(r=.328). In conclusion, this finding reconfirmed the positive relationship between the perceived health status and experience of Sanhujori after delivery among women of arthritis. It provides a challenge to the professional care givers to study further on the effects of Sanhuiori after abortion or delivery on the physical symptom distress from the variouis aspects through the cross-sectional and longitudinal research. The strategy for the development of the appropriate intervention for primary prevention of sequele after childbirth and quality of care for desirable health outcomes for postpartal women with considering deeply on the relationship between women's health and postapartal care.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.409-415
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the effects of Cheonggukjang added with Job's tears (CAJT) on antiobesity and lipid profiles on diet-induced obese rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high-fat diet only (A, control), and high-fat diet with Cheonggukjang powder 10% (B), CAJT powder 10% (C), Cheonggukjang powder 20% (D), CAJT powder 20% (E) for 5 weeks. Body weight gains were similar in the experimental groups, but FER was significantly lower in the group E than group A (p<0.05), and adipose tissue weights in groups with Cheonggukjang and CAJT powder were similar to those in the group A. The lengths of small intestine were significantly longer in the groups B, C, D, and E than the group A (p<0.05). Hepatic concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) were similar to each other. Fecal weights were not significantly different among the groups. Fecal TC concentrations were similar in the experimental groups, but fecal TG concentrations were greatly increased in the groups B, D, and E (p<0.05). The serum TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels varied slightly among the groups, but serum TG levels were decreased in the group D and E than in the group A (p<0.05). The AI and CRF were marginally decreased in the groups B, D, and E than in the group A (p<0.05). However, blood glucose levels were not significantly different among the groups. From the findings, it had shown that Job's tears Cheonggukjang could improve lipid profiles.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.979-988
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• 2022

Halophytes have been reported to possess a variety of physiological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity. Studies on the roots of the halophyte Rosa rugosa, in particular, have shown a variety of physiological activities and are known to be effective for nursing diabetic complications in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, the effect of R. rugosa on adipogenesis was investigated in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes treated with crude extract and solvent fractions (H₂O, n-BuOH, 85% aq. MeOH, and n-Hex) obtained from R. rugosa roots. Treatment with extract and the solvent fractions inhibited the formation of intracellular lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to the untreated group. In particular, n-BuOH and 85% aq. MeOH fractions effectively decreased the expression of adipogenic transcription factors: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) in both mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, these results suggest that R. rugosa contains anti-adipogenic molecules that can be utilized as a nutraceutical against obesity. Further refining of n-BuOH and 85% aq. MeOH fractions and analysis of their action mechanisms could yield potential therapeutic agents with anti-adipogenic effects.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.446-454
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• 2008

The traditional Korean drink "Jehotang", which is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for treatment of the heat stroke accompanied by high fever, severe sweat and thirst, it is effective far quenching thirst strengthening the stomach, stopping diarrhea and regulating intestinal function. It is also known to play a role in activating the growth of useful microbes in the intestine and in multiplying intestinal immune cells. Thus, this study investigated all aspects of the drink in an effort to develop a new functional beverage. In the course of this study, the analytical research into the literature concerning Jehotang an error in the secrets of preparing the drink. The Japanese apricot, which was given the botanical name, "Prunusmume", should only be used with the flesh (scientifically referred to as "Fructusmume"), which is fumigated with straw fire before drying. and the seed should be thrown away. The honey should only be used after it is heated with a gentle fire, before removing the white foam that farms on its surface to make the "Yeonmil". Two kinds of cooking processes were found in the ancient literature. One procedure boiling down the powered Fructus mume mixed with the Yeonmil, while the other procedure involved preparing the Fructus mume's water by adding water to it and blending the water with the Yeonmil and the rest of the raw ingredient before boiling them down. The current procedure, in which the cooking is done in a double boiler, has been widely adopted to its simplicity. The finished Jehotang is put in porcelain, kept at room temperature, and consumed after mixing with cold water.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.692-698
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• 2010

This study investigated anti-diabetic activity of Kocat-D1, which is a currently used traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes in Shandong, China. Insulin sensitizing activity was observed in a cell-based glucose uptake assay using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The treatment of 0.2 mg/mL of hot water extract of Kocat-D1 with 0.2 nM insulin was associated with a significant increasing in glucose uptake ($165.0{\pm}0.7%$) over the treatment of 0.2 nM insulin. C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice (8 weeks of age) were separated into 3 groups: normal control (control, db/+ mice untreated), diabetic control (DM control, db/db mice untreated), Kocat-D1 (db/db mice treated with Kocat-D1 extract 350 mg/kg/day). After 16 weeks of treatment, body weight and total diet intake of Kocat-D1 group were significantly lower than DM control groups. Blood glucose levels of the Kocat-D1 group ($14.7{\pm}1.4\;mmol/L$) were significantly lower compared to the DM control group ($27.1{\pm}0.2\;mmol/L$). Furthermore, insulin level was significantly increased in the Kocat-D1 group ($0.17{\pm}0.02\;ng/mL$) compared with the DM control group ($0.05{\pm}0.02\;ng/mL$). The glomeruli in kidney was stained using periodic acid-shiff base (PAS) for confirming collagen accumulation. The glomeruli in kidney of Kocat-D1 group had significantly reduced PAS-positive compared with that of DM control.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.796-804
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• 2010

This study was conducted to compare and analyze the qualitative property of MLT (mulberry leaf tea) and FMLT (fermented mulberry leaf tea) based on the antioxidant, anticancer activities of various extracts. When the antioxidant activity of MLT and FMLT extracts was evaluated, the electron donating activity was found to increase proportionally as the concentration of each extract increased. In addition, the extract of FMLT showed a higher electron donating activity than that of MLT. Furthermore, the ethanol extracts showed the highest electron donating ability. When the SOD activity was evaluated, it was also found to increase proportionally with the concentration of each extract. Furthermore, the SOD activity of the ethanol extract group was the highest, whereas the SOD like activities of both MLT and FMLT were similar. When nitrite decomposition was evaluated for each pH, the highest value was observed at pH 1.2. Finally, the nitrite deleting ability was the highest for the ethanol extracts. When each extract of MLT and FMLT was analyzed in vitro for anticancer effects, they were found to decrease the number of cancer cells proportionally as the concentration of extract increased for both HeLa cells and MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, FMLT was found to exert a greater inhibition of cancer cells than MLT. Among the extract groups, the ethanol extract induced the greatest inhibition of the development of cancer cells, and these effects were greater against MCF-7 cells than HeLa cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.605-611
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• 2012

Sea cucumber, $Stichopus$ $japonicus$, is used not only as an outstanding tonic food but also as a traditional medicine for the treatment of asthma, hypertension, rheumatism, anemia, and sinus congestion. The purpose of this study was to examine sea cucumber as an anti-gastritis and anti-gastric ulcer in HCl-ethanol-induced gastric and $H.$ $pylori$-infected animal models. Thirty 7-week-old SD rats and Mongolian gerbils were divided into normal (Nor, n=6), control (Con, 60% HCl-ethanol+water, n=6), groupI (DSCI, 60% HCl-ethanol+sea cucumber 30 mg/kg, n=6), groupII (DSCII, 60% HCl-ethanol+sea cucumber 100 mg/kg, n=6), and group III (DSCIII, 60% HCl-ethanol+sea cucumber 300 mg/kg, n=6). Sea cucumber significantly suppressed gastric lesions and ulcers in the 60% HCl-ethanol-induced gastric model. Especially, 100 mg/kg of sea cucumber showed significantly inhibitory effects. In histopathological analysis of the $H.$ $pylori$ model, we found that sea cucumber augmented the eradication rates of $H.$ $pylori$ and attenuated gastric ulcer formation. Our results suggest that sea cucumber has inhibitory effects on gastritis and gastric ulcers. In addition, sea cucumber can be applied for the treatment of $H.$ $pylori$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.1238-1243
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• 2008

The root of Adenophora triphylla is widely used as traditional herbal medicine in Korea. We studied its effects on sodium nitroprusside (SNP) cytotoxicity and antioxidant genes expression in HepG2 cells. To study whether Adenophora triphylla ethylacetate extract (ATea) inhibited NO-induced cell death, HepG2 cells were preincubated for 24 hr with 50 and 100 $\mu$g/mL ATea followed by 24-hr exposure to 0.5 mM SNP (exogenous NO donor). No-induced cytotoxicity was inhibited by pretreatment of ATea, as assessed by mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MTT assay). We further investigated the effects of ATea on mRNA levels of various enzymes of the antioxidant system such as Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD 1), Mn SOD (SOD 2), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and several enzymes of the glutathione metabolism [glutathione reductase (GR), $\gamma$-glutamyl-cystein synthetase (GCS), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), $\gamma$-glutamyltranspeptidase ($\gamma$-GT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)] by RT-PCR. CAT, GCS, GR and G6PD mRNA levels were increased after treatment with ATea. The SOD 1, SOD 2, GPx, GST and $\gamma$-GT mRNA levels were not affected in ATea-treated HepG2 cells. We concluded that ATea have an indirect antioxidant effects, perhaps via induction of CAT, GCS, GR and G6PD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.78-83
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• 2011

The flower of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. with antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory functions has been a widely used traditional herb as a healthy beverage and medicine. The aim of the present study was to investigate a herb tea consisting of C. morifolium Ramat., Corni fructus and Schizandra chinensis Baillon for its hepatoprotective activity against $CCl_4$-induced toxicity in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and antigenotoxic effect against oxidative stress induced DNA damage in human leukocytes. Three different compositions of the herb tea (Mix I, II, and III) were prepared by extracting with water at $90^{\circ}C$. Freshly isolated rat hepatocytes were exposed to $CCl_4$ along with/without various concentrations of each tea. Protection of rat primary cells against $CCl_4$-induced damage was determined by the MTT assay. The significant antihepatotoxic effect of the tea was shown in Mix I and II. The increased transaminase (AST and/or ALT) release in media of $CCl_4$ treated hepatocytes was significantly lowered by all the teas tested. The effect of the tea on DNA damage in human leukocytes was evaluated by Comet assay. All teas showed a protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage. From these results, it is assumed that herb tea based on C. morifolium Ramat., Corni fructus and Schizandra chinensis Baillon exerted antihepatotoxic and antigenotoxic effects.