• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2022

Objective : This study was designed to investigate anti-diabetic effects of fermented soy bean extract with herbal medicines (Godjang) in diabetic rat models induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Method : Changes in body weight, drinking water, and food intake were observed for 4 weeks before and after induction of diabetes mellitus in rats. The anti-diabetic capacity of Godjang was analyzed by fasting blood glucose (FBG) every week. Also, after 4 weeks of administration, the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and then blood levels of insulin were checked. And serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were determined. Histomorphological changes of liver, kidney and pancreatic tissues were also observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats and Godjang administered rats. Result : In Godjang administered group, body weight and water intake were more lower than that of STZ-induced diabetic rats. FBG was decreased in the Godjang administered group than STZ-induced diabetic group. According to OGTT, blood glucose levels at 30 minutes and 60 minutes significantly decreased in Godjang administered group than in STZ-induced diabetic control group. Administration of Godjang extract for 4W significantly decreased levels of serum glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) in diabetic rats. In histomorphological analysis of kidney, liver, Godjang administrated groups showed the inhibition of pathological damage. Conclusion : These results suggest that Godjang extract has an anti-diabetic action through decrease in serum glucose, TC, TG levels and recovery of the morphological changes in kidney and liver in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2017

Data are limited on biological mechanisms underlying the associations of sleep insufficiency with obesity and dyslipidemia. To explore these mechanisms, we investigated appetite-regulating hormones, stress-related hormones, and cardiometabolic indicators in association with sleep fragmentation, which is a type of sleep disorder. In an experimental study, we randomly allocated 40 Wistar male rats aged 7 weeks into four groups; rats with ad libitum sleep and ad libitum intake (Control), those exposed to sleep fragmentation (SF), those with diet restriction (DR), and those exposed to sleep fragmentation and diet restriction (SF+DR). Amongst them, 13-day chronic sleep fragmentation was applied to the SF and SF+DR groups while 50% reduction in chow intake was applied to the DR and SF+DR groups for 13 days. After these experiments, blood lipid and lipoprotein profiles, leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels were compared among the four groups. In the results, the SF group showed the highest levels of serum ghrelin (P<0.001) and the lowest levels of serum adiponectin (P<0.01). All experimental groups showed higher levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) than the Control (P<0.001). LDL-C levels and the ratio of LDL-C and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol were positively correlated with ghrelin levels (P<0.05) in the SF group, but not in the DR and SF+DR groups. In the SF group, the highest levels of serum free fatty acids were also observed and correlated with lower levels of serum adiponectin, which reflects insulin resistance (P<0.05). Based on these findings, we suggest that chronic sleep fragmentation may induce disturbances in lipid metabolism and appetite-regulating hormones independent of food intake, and these metabolic disturbances may be worse due to insulin resistance related to overeating, which is indicated by elevated ghrelin levels in sleep fragmentation. For persons with sleep insufficiency, anti-atherogenic dietary interventions may be recommended to prevent cardiovascular disease.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.46-52
• /
• 2016

Salicornia herbacea L. (S. herbacea) is an annual herbaceous plant of Chenopodiaceae. It grows in groups on the coast or mud flat of Korea is known to be rich in minerals. S. herbacea has potent anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-obesity, bowel function improvement. However, pharmacological mechanisms of S. herbacea extract (SHE) remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential acute toxicity of SHE in ICR mice administered a single oral dose of 0, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg by gavage. After administration of the extract, signs of toxicity were observed every day for 14 days. No mortality, abnormal clinical signs, body weight, organ weight or pathological changes were observed compared to a control group, and there were no differences in the body weights of the control and treatment groups. Biological serum activities and histological tests were not significantly changed in the treatment group compared to the control group. Especially, treatment of SHE was significantly decreased of total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. These results indicated that a single oral administration of SHE does not exerts any toxic effects at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg and that the $LD_{50}$ of SHE is greater than 2,000 mg/kg. Accordingly, SHE appears to have potential in various functional agents of foods, without toxicity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.192-198
• /
• 2021

Red yeast rice has been extensively used as food and traditional medicine for thousands of years in East Asian countries. It is produced by the fermentation of a particular yeast (in general, Monascus purpureus) as rice and various cereals (barley, soybean, etc.). Monascus sp. produces many secondary metabolites during its growth, including pigments, monacolins, and γ-aminobutyric acid. Some metabolites―specifically, monacolin K, γ-aminobutyric acid, dimerumic acid, and monascus pigments―have been reported to lower cholesterol and blood pressure while showing anti-obesity effects. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of ethanol extract from red yeast barley (RYB) fermented with Monascus sp. BHN-MK 2 on 3T3-L1 cells. The anti-obesity effects of RYB extract were examined: its lipid accumulation inhibitory effect was tested by Oil Red O staining, and obesity-related mRNA expression levels were tested by real-time RT-PCR in MDI stimulated 3T3-L1 cells. The intracellular lipid content of MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 cells decreased significantly to 5.04%, 12.24%, and 23.52% in response to 200, 400, and 800 ㎍/ml RYB, respectively. Moreovers, we evaluated that RYB extract significantly downregulated the expression of C/EBPα, SREBP-1, and PPAR-γ gene in a dose-dependent manner. As a result, red yeast barley ethanol extracts exerted the strongest anti-obesity effects. Also, the results indicate that red yeast barley could be used as a functional anti-obesity food material.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.138-143
• /
• 2004

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to have a range of biological activities, including anti-carcinogenic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-adipogenic and anti-diabetogenic effects. Recent reports also showed that CLA has free radical scavenging capacity, which may have health benefits for human beings. The current study was performed to investigate the effect of structured lipid (SL)-containing CLA on plasma lipids and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity. Sprague-Dawley mts were fed 5% and 10% SL-containing normal diet for 6 wks and these groups were compared to rats fed 5% and 10% corn oil. In plasma lipids, total-cholesterol was not affected by fat source or dietary fat level while triglyceride level decreased significantly in groups fed 10% fat diet compared to the other groups. Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level decreased significantly in the S5 and S10 groups compared to the C5 and C10 groups, although hepatic TBARS level was not altered by fat source. On the other hand, in terms of hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity, superoxide dismutase activity increased in the S10 group, whereas catalase activity decreased in the S10 group. Glutathione peroxidase activity decreased significantly in the SL groups compared to the C5 group. Glutathione reductase activity increased and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity decreased in the C10 group compared to the C5 and C5 groups. In conclusion, the free radical scavenging activity of CLA seemed to suppress oxidative stress, which reduced lipid peroxidation resulting in lower hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.201-208
• /
• 2011

Obesity occur from the imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. Obesity is a complex chronic disease that is suggested to cause other metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis. In this study, our purpose is to investigate the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obesitic effects of Maydis stigma water extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and db/db mice. Maydis stigma water extract at dose of 100 and 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ slowly inhibited cell viability as compared to that of control in mature adipocytes. Also, the additions of 50 and 250 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Maydis stigma water extract significantly inhibited the lipid accumulations and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein(C/EBP) ${\alpha}$ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR) ${\gamma}$ expressions with dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Maydis stigma water extract at 250, 500, and 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ only showed the increasing pattern on lipolysis activity. The oral treatment of Maydis stigma water extract (100 or 400 mg/kg body weight) in db/db mice only showed tendency to decrease body weight, food efficiency ratio (FER), HbA1c, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and the adipocyte size of in db/db mice. However, Maydis stigma water extract increased the insulin level in a dose dependent manner. Thus these results indicate that Maydis stigma water extracxt inhibits adipogenesis through regulation of C/EBP${\alpha}$ and PPAR${\gamma}$ expressions in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and shows anti-hyperglycemic effect through increase of insulin secretion in db/db mice.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.385-394
• /
• 2020

Eupatilin is known to possess anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties. We report here that eupatilin has a protective effect on the ethanol-induced injury in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: control, vehicle, silymarin, eupatilin 10 mg/kg, eupatilin 30 mg/kg, and eupatilin 100 mg/kg. Plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were analyzed to determine the extent of liver damage. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were analyzed to determine the level of liver steatosis. Malondialdehyde level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione (GSH) level were analyzed to determine the extent of oxidative stress. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1β were quantified to verify the degree of inflammation. Based on our findings, chronic alcohol treatment significantly changed the serum indexes and liver indicators of the model rats, which were significantly improved by eupatilin treatment. Rats in the eupatilin-treatment group showed reduced levels of AST, ALT, TG, TC, TNF-α, and IL-1β, increased SOD activity and GSH levels, and improved overall physiology compared to the alcoholic liver disease model rats. H&E staining also verified the eupatilin-mediated improvement in liver injury. In conclusion, eupatilin inhibits alcohol-induced liver injury via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.9
• /
• pp.1365-1372
• /
• 2010

We investigated the inhibitory effects of solvent extracts from dried yam on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and growth of cancer cell lines (HT1080 human fibrosarcoma and HT-29 human colon cancer cells). Yam (Dioscoreacea) has been recognized as a healthy food due to its various biological activities, such as anti-obesity, anti-constipation, anti-proliferation, and anti-mutagenic activities, as well as its ability to decrease blood glucose and cholesterol levels. In order to determine the protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress, DCFH-DA (dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate) assay was conducted. Acetone with methylene chloride (A+M) extract of dried yam appeared to reduce the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) with dose responses. Among the fractions, 85% aq. methanol fraction showed the highest protective effect on production of lipid peroxides. Inhibitory effects of A+M and methanol (MeOH) extracts on the growth of HT1080 and HT-29 cancer cells increased in a dose dependent manner. The treatments of n-hexane, 85% aq. methanol and n-butanol fractions (${\geqq}0.5$ mg/ml concentrations) significantly inhibited the growth of both cancer cells (p<0.05). From these results, 85% aq. methanol fraction showed inhibitory effects on cellular oxidation and growth of human cancer cells, suggesting that this fraction may contain active compounds of dried yam.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.41-60
• /
• 1994

The objective of this paper is to verify clinical effects of Lyu's Soyosan(柳氏逍遙散) and Lyu's Kwipithang(柳氏歸脾湯). They were prescribed to the enperimental student group suffering from mental stress and annoyed by psychological instability. From the biochemical examination before and after medication, we measure the amount of hormonal variation in thyroid hormone(TSH, $T_4$) and adrenocortical hormone(ACTH, cortisol) The results are as follows. 1. The average of self-rating anxiety scale(SAS) in test group is $41.00\;{\pm}\;7.84$. This value is statistical significant and higher than one of normal person(age 20-39). The average of a global assesment of recent stress(GARS) scale is $28.62\;{\pm}9.00$. There is statistical correlation coefficient between SAS and GARS (p < 0.001). 2. Both Lyu's Soyosan(柳氏逍遙散) and Lyu.s Kwipithang (柳氏歸脾湯) groups show statistically significant reduction of total cholesterol and triglyceride level in serum lipid after ten day medication. 3. It is observed that Lyu's Soyisan(柳氏逍遙散) and Luy's Kwipithang (柳氏歸脾湯) groups have increasing tendency of TSH. The statistically significant reduction of $T_4$ was found in two groups after ten day medicaton. 4. It is observed that Lyu's Soyosan(柳氏逍遙散) and Lyu's kwipithang (柳氏歸脾湯) group have statistically significant reduction of serum cortisol level after ten day medication, Both groups have statistically significant reduction of plasma ACTH level after twenty day medication. From these results, it is verified that both Lyu's Soyosan(柳氏逍遙散) and Lyu's Kwipithang (柳氏歸脾湯) have anti-stress effects against psychological instability and mental stress. The Lyu's Soyosn(柳氏逍遙散) shows special effectiveness in depression of liver-energy(肝氣鬱結) and the Lyu's Kwipitang (柳氏歸脾湯) is also effective in deficiency heart-blood(心血不足).

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.427-435
• /
• 2017

To investigate whether genistein regulates menopause-induced obesity, it was studied the effects of genistein on anti-obesity effects in female ovariectomized (OVX) mice, an animal model of postmenopausal women. 7-week-old female mice (C57BL/6J) were randomly divided into three groups. All the animals received a high fat diet or a high fat diet supplemented with genistein for 8 weeks and variables and determinants of obesity were measured. The OVX mice had significantly higher body weight and adipose tissue mass than sham mice. However, genistein supplementation reduced body weight, adipose tissue mass, and adipocyte size of OVX mice. The OVX mice treated with genistein had significantly lower levels of serum triglycerides and total cholesterol than the vehicle-treated OVX mice. Lipid accumulation in liver was also markedly decreased by genistein in OVX mice. The results suggest that genistein can effectively prevent adiposity, adipocyte phertrophy, and llipid disorders caused by ovariectomy. Moreover, this study may contribute to the alleviation of metabolic syndrome, including obesity and hyerlipidemia in postmenopausal women.