• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.534-542
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1, a bioactive component of Ginseng, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and hepatoprotective effects. It is known that the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Recently, Rg1 has been shown to reverse liver fibrosis by suppressing EMT, although the mechanism of Rg1-mediated anti-fibrosis effects is still largely unclear. Interestingly, Smad7, a negative regulator of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway, is often methylated during liver fibrosis. Whether Smad7 methylation plays a vital role in the effects of Rg1 on liver fibrosis remains unclear. Methods: Anti-fibrosis effects were examined after Rg1 processing in vivo and in vitro. Smad7 expression, Smad7 methylation, and microRNA-152 (miR-152) levels were also analyzed. Results: Rg1 significantly reduced the liver fibrosis caused by carbon tetrachloride, and reduced collagen deposition was also observed. Rg1 also contributed to the suppression of collagenation and HSC reproduction in vitro. Rg1 caused EMT inactivation, reducing Desmin and increasing E-cadherin levels. Notably, the effect of Rg1 on HSC activation was mediated by the TGF-β pathway. Rg1 induced Smad7 expression and demethylation. The over-expression of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) blocked the Rg1-mediated inhibition of Smad7 methylation, and miR-152 targeted DNMT1. Further experiments suggested that Rg1 repressed Smad7 methylation via miR-152-mediated DNMT1 inhibition. MiR-152 inhibition reversed the Rg1-induced promotion of Smad7 expression and demethylation. In addition, miR-152 silencing led to the inhibition of the Rg1-induced EMT inactivation. Conclusion: Rg1 inhibits HSC activation by epigenetically modulating Smad7 expression and at least by partly inhibiting EMT.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2002

The present experiment was performed in order to know the therapeutic effect of laserpuncture and aquapuncture with methionine on recovery in artificially induced hepatic damaged rats by carbon tetrachloride. The animals were divided into control, laserpuncture and aquapuncture groups. The changes of serum enzyme activities(ALT and AST), serum total protein contents, protein fractions(ALB and GLB) and A/G ratio were examined before and after application of laserpuncture and aquapuncture. In change of serum ALT activity, recovery with treatment in laser and aquapuncture groups was more rapid than that of control. The significant decreased value was shown on 3rd(P < 0.05) and 7th day(P < 0.01) after treatment in laserpuncture group and on 7th day(P < 0.05) after treatment in aquapuncture group. In addition, significance was detected on 2nd day(P < 0.05) between laserpuncture and aquapuncture groups. In change of serum AST activity, recovery with treatment in laserpuncture and aquapuncture groups was more rapid than that of control. The significant lower values on 7th day(P<0.01) in aquapuncture groups. In addition, significant low value was detected on 7th day(P < 0.05) in aquapuncture group comparing with that of laserpuncture group. The change of serum TP contents showed similar pattern in control, laser and aquapuncture groups. The significances were detected on 7th day(P < 0.05) in both experimental groups. In addition, significant high value was detected on 2nd day(P < 0.05) in laserpuncture group comparing with that of aquapuncture group. The change of serum ALB content with treatment in laser and aquapuncture groups was more rapid than that of control. The significant high value was shown on 2nd(P < 0.01), 5th(P < 0.05) and on 7th day(P < 0.01) in laserpuncture group. In addition, significant high value was detected on 3rd day(P<0.01) only in aquapuncture group comparing with laserpuncture group. The change of serum GLB content showed similar pattern among groups. The significant low values were detected on 2nd day(P < 0.05) in aquapuncture group. In addition significant high value was detected on 5th day(P < 0.01) only in laserpuncture group comparing with that of aquapuncture group. In change of A/G ratio laser and aquapuncture groups showed higher values than that of control. The significant high values were detected on 1st day(P < 0.Of) and 2nd day(P < 0.05) in laserpuncture group, and on 1st day(P < 0.05) and 2nd day(P < 0.01) in aquapuncture group. In addition, significant high value was detected on 5th day(P < 0.05) in aquapuncture group comparing with that of laserpuncture. Considering above findings collectively, it was considered that both laserpuncture and aquapuncture were effective; aquapuncture was more effective than laserpuncture for recovery of hepatic damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.430-435
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• 2009

The effects of turmeric and fermented turmeric by Bacillus natto on antioxidant activities, liver function recovery of acute hepatotoxicity mice, and serum lipid parameters in high fat diet fed mice were investigated. In the results of antioxidant activity by DPPH method, fermented turmeric had higher antioxidative activity than turmeric. Acute hepatotoxicity was induced by 0.5 mL of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) per kg of mice. Unlike turmeric, fermented turmeric significantly reduced the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after 5 days compared to the controls with 0.5% methyl cellulose (p<0.05). In addition, higher recovery of liver damage by $CCl_4$ was observed in mice with fermented turmeric than with turmeric. High fat (20%) diet fed mice were divided into 4 groups to investigate the effects of turmeric and fermented turmeric on serum lipid parameters: C (vehicle), TuL (low dose (80 mg/kg) with turmeric), TuH (high dose (160 mg/kg) with turmeric), FTuL (low dose with fermented turmeric), and FTuH (high dose with fermented turmeric). The levels of LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were significantly reduced and increased in FTuL, FTuH and TuH groups compared to the C group, respectively. However, there was no significant change in triglyceride levels by either turmeric or fermented turmeric compared to those by control. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that fermented turmeric by Bacillus natto could be used as a functional food for enhancement of health with better consumer acceptance.