• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. (PF) sprout is a plant of the labiate family. We have previously reported the protective effects of PF sprout extract on cytokine-induced ${\beta}-cell$ damage. However, the mechanism of action of the PF sprout extract in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has not been investigated. The present study was designed to study the effects of PF sprout extract and signaling mechanisms in the T2DM mice model using C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male db/db mice were orally administered PF sprout extract (100, 300, and 1,000 mg/kg of body weight) or rosiglitazone (RGZ, positive drug, 1 mg/kg of body weight) for 4 weeks. Signaling mechanisms were analyzed using liver tissues and HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The PF sprout extract (300 and 1,000 mg/kg) significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in db/db mice. PF sprout extract also significantly improved glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity, decreased hepatic gluconeogenic protein expression, and ameliorated histological alterations of the pancreas and liver. Levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) protein expression also increased in the liver after treatment with the extract. In addition, an increase in the phosphorylation of AMPK and decrease in the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose 6-phosphatase proteins in HepG2 cells were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results sugges that PF sprout displays beneficial effects in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes via modulation of the AMPK pathway and inhibition of gluconeogenesis in the liver.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.743-749
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to develop hydroponic-cultured ginseng vinegar (HGV) containing ginsenoside Rg2 in order to its anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic effects in C57BL/6J mice. HGV was prepared by two-stage fermentation. The ginsenoside Rg2 contained in acetic acid-fermented HGV increased by 4.0 times compared to that in pre-fermented HGV. To measure the anti-obesity effect of HGV, thirty two mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet group (ND), high-fat diet group (HFD), high-fat diet-supplemented with HGV group (HGV), and high-fat diet-supplemented with green tea extract group (GT). Body weight, fat weight, and liver weight decreased in the HGV group. The HGV group also showed lower plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides, and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol compared to the corresponding levels in the HFD group. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in plasma aspartase aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in the HGV group compared to the corresponding levels in the HFD group. These results suggest that HGV can be used as an anti-obesity therapeutic agent or functional ingredient.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1109-1117
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• 2013

Induction of G1 Arrest by Methanol Extract of Lycopus lucidus in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells Lycopus lucidus, a herbaceous perennial, is used as a traditional remedy in East Asia, including China and Korea. It has been reported that L. lucidus has anti-allergic effects, inhibitory effects on cholesterol acyltransferase in high glucose-induced vascular inflammation, and anti-proliferative effects in human breast cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects of L. lucidus have not yet been fully determined. In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer effect and the mechanism of action of L. lucidus in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells using methanol extracts of L. lucidus (MELL). MELL treatment showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner and induced G1 arrest in A549 cells. The induction of G1 arrest by MELL was associated with the up-regulation of phospho-CHK2 and the down-regulation of Cdc25A phosphatase. In addition, MELL treatment induced decreased expression of G1/S transition-related proteins, including CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and cyclin E. MELL also regulated the mRNA expression of CDK2 and cyclin E. On the other hand, the expression of p53 and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 was not induced by MELL. Collectively, these results suggest that MELL may exert an anti-cancer effect by cell cycle arrest at G1 phase through the ATM/CHK2/Cdc25A/CDK2 pathway in A549 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.796-804
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• 2011

Microglia are central nervous system (CNS)-resident professional macrophages that function as the principal immune cells responding to pathological stimulations in the CNS. Activation of microglia, induced by various pathogens, protects neurons and maintains homeostasis in the CNS, but severe activation causes inflammatory responses secreting various neurotoxic molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Allium fistulosum, a member of the onion family, is mainly cultivated for consumption, as well as medicinal use in Oriental medicine. It has been reported that A. fistulosum has various biological effects such as anti-oxidant, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-fungus and anti-cholesterol synthesis, however there has been no research about the anti-inflammatory effects of A. fistulosum extracts. In this study, it was undertaken to explore the functions of A. fistulosum as a suppressor of neuronal inflammation by using BV2 microglia cells. As a result, it was found that four kinds of extracts of A. fistulosum effectively reduced the expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) at both mRNA and protein levels, and also attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at the mRNA level in BV2 stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the extracts of A. fistulosum attenuated the release of NO markedly, as well as resulting in slight decreases of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 production, the effects of which were most significant when treated with ethyl alcohol extract from the whole A. fistulosum. In conclusion, the data indicated that the anti-inflammatory actions of A. fistulosum against BV2 microglia cells is through the down-regulation of iNOS, COX2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, and these effects are expected to help in the protection of nerve tissues by suppressions of neuronal inflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.206-211
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of germinated buckwheat on blood pressure, plasma glucose and lipid levels of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR). The male and female SHR were divided into two groups. After feeding the germinated buckwheat diet(50%, w/w) ad libitum for 6 weeks, the weight gain of the germinated buckwheat group in male rats was higher than those of control group. Systolic blood pressure of the germinated buckwheat group in male rats was significantly decreased at 6 weeks by 3%. The fasting glucose levels of the germinated buckwheat group had a tendency to be lower compared with those of the control group. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and HTR of female SHR fed the germinated buckwheat diet were significantly increased compared to the control diet. Atherogenic index of the germinated buckwheat group was decreased in males(ns) and females(p<0.05) than those of the control group. From these results the germinated buckwheat might be useful for anti-hypertensive and anti-hyperlipidemic agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1697-1703
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• 2012

Obesity is a risk factor for numerous metabolic diseases. Recently, naturally occurring compounds that may improve obesity have received increasing attention. Xanthigen is a mixture of fucoxanthin and punicic acid derived from brown seaweed and pomegranate seed, respectively, which have been traditionally used for lipid-lowering effects in humans. In this study, we investigated whether Xanthigen attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice. The mice were fed on a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus 1% Xanthigen or HFD plus 1% green tea extract (GTE) for 11 weeks. Food efficiency ratio (FER) and body weight were significantly reduced in mice fed HFD plus Xanthigen compared to HFD-fed mice. Consistent with the results in body weight change, Xanthigen also significantly decreased the weights of epididymal adipose tissue, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, and liver in HFD plus 1% Xanthigen-fed mice. The serum level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was significantly decreased in HFD plus Xanthigen-fed mice compared to HFD-fed mice. These results suggest that Xanthigen may be useful in the development of a functional health food for anti-obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.637-643
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• 2013

Daesiho-tang (DST), Yijin-tang (YJT), Gyeoneumjisil-hwan (GJH), Ukdam-hwan (UDH), and Sojojung-tang (SJT) have been used to treat hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate whether five formulas were effective for improving obesity in high fat diet (HFD) induced obese mice. The mice were divided into seven groups: (1) a normal diet (ND), (2) a high fat diet (HFD) (3) a HFD plus DST (HFD + DST), (4) a HFD plus YJT (HFD + YJT), (5) a HFD plus GJH (HFD + GJH), (6) a HFD plus UDH (HFD + UDH), or (7) HFD plus SJT (HFD + SJT) at 150 mg/kg/day for 7 weeks. All five formulas treatments significantly lowered blood pressure, final liver weights, and serum total triglyceride levels. The four formulas (HFD+DST, HFD+YJT, HFD+UDH, and HFD+SJT) decreased body weights. Also, HFD+DST, HFD+YJT, and HFD+UDH groups reduced abdominal and epididymal fat weights. The serum LDL-cholesterol levels were decreased in HFD+YJT, HFD+UDH, and HFD+SJT groups compared to the HFD group. These results demonstrate that five formulas ameliorated obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.322-327
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• 2012

This study investigated the hypothesis that a sorghum extract exerts anti-diabetic effects through a mechanism that improves insulin sensitivity via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-${\gamma}$) from adipose tissue. Seven C57BL/6 mice were fed an AIN-93M diet with fat consisting of 10% of total energy intake (LF) for 14 weeks, and 21 mice were fed a high-fat AIN diet with 60% of calories derived from fat (HF). From week 8, the HF diet-fed mice were orally administered either saline (HF group), 0.5% (0.5% SE group), or 1% sorghum extract (1% SE group) for 6 weeks (n = 7/group). Perirenal fat content was significantly lower in the 0.5% SE and 1% SE groups than that in the HF mice. Levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and the area under the curve for glucose were significantly lower in mice administered 0.5% SE and 1% SE than those in HF mice. Serum insulin level was significantly lower in mice administered 1% SE than that in HF mice or those given 0.5% SE. PPAR-${\gamma}$ expression was significantly higher, whereas the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ was significantly lower in mice given 1% SE compared to those in the HF mice. Adiponectin expression was also significantly higher in mice given 0.5% SE and 1% SE than that in the HF mice. These results suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of SE may be related with the regulation of PPAR-${\gamma}$-mediated metabolism in this mouse model.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.572-583
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• 2014

This study was carried out to determine the action mechanism of sulfur-grain larvae extract (SGE) on anti-obesity and the reduction of blood lipid level in high-fat diet induced obese model animals. Animals were classified into a normal diet group (NC, normal control), HFD (high-fat diet without SGE), HFD 15 (high-fat diet + oral administration of 15 mg of SGE extract per 100 g body weight) and HFD 30 (high-fat diet + oral administration of 30 mg of SGE extract per 100 g body weight). The body weight gain declined in HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups compared with the HFD group, even though the diet intake increased significantly. The weight of liver and adipose tissue increased significantly in HFD group compared with in the HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups. Triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C and AI decreased in HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups compared with in the HFD group, but the contents of HDL-C increased significantly. Expression of SREPB-$1{\alpha}$, SREPB-2 mRNA in the liver was lower in the high-fat diet group compared with the HFD group, but the expression of LPL mRNA in adipose tissue and $PPAR{\alpha}$ increased significantly. Fat accumulation in the liver tissues and liver damage were greatly reduced in HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups compared with in the HFD group. The size of adipocytes became smaller in the HFD 15 and HFD 30 groups compared with HFD group. In conclusion, this research discovered for the first time that grain maggot has anti-obesity effects, by reducing the abdominal fat of obese model animals and lowering blood lipid level through the down-regulation of PPAR-$1{\alpha}$ and SREPB-2 mRNA and the up-regulation of PPAR-${\alpha}$ mRNA.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.23-31
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• 2020

Objectives : This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidemia effect of Scutellariae Radix, Aucklandiae Radix and Bupleuri Radix(SAB). Methods : FL83B cells were mouse liver hepatocytes, and we used this cell line. FL83B cells were treated with 0.5 mM oleic acid(OA) for 24 h, SAB extract was treated. After OA treatment, intracellular triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid contents were measured with AdiopoRed™ assay and Free Fatty Acid Quantitation assay kit, respectively. Further, we evaluated several lipogenesis and metabolic markers such as sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy3-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT-1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα), and cluster of differentiation (CD36) using RT-PCR and Western-blot analysis. Results : OA markedly increased intracellular TG and free fatty acid, which plays a key role in reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, in FL83B cells. These increases were alleviated by SAB extract. The mRNA and protein expression of Fatty acid(FA) oxidation factors (CPT-1, PPARα), lipolysis factor(HSL), FA transporter(CD36), cholesterol synthesis factors (HMGCoA) and Lipodenesis (SREBP-1c, FAS, and ACC-1) were significantly increased by treatment of SAB extract in the OA-induced fatty liver cell model. Conclusions : In summary, the treat of SAB extract showed a significant reduction of the influx of fatty acids into hepatocytes, promoted the oxidation of fatty acids, and regulated fat synthesis-related factors, thereby regulating the accumulation of TG and free fatty acids.