Yun Hwan Kang

Evaluation of the Anti-obesity Activity of Platycodon grandiflorum Root and Curcuma longa Root Fermented with Aspergillus oryzae

In the present study, the phenolic compound level, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of lipid accumulation in Aspergillus oryzae-fermented water extracts of the Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) root and the Curcuma longa (CL) root were determined. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were decreased after fermentation. However, the flavonoid content of the fermented PG (FPG) was increased by 2.9-fold that of the PG before fermentation. In addition, the antioxidant activities were significantly decreased following fermentation. The potential anti-obesity activity was assessed by determining lipid accumulation and mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in 3T3-L1 cells. Aspergillus-fermented extracts of PG and CL roots decreased lipid accumulation, and mRNA expression of SREBP-1c and PPARγ in 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that Aspergillus fermentation augments the anti-obesity activity of PG and CL by regulating the expression of the genes involved in lipid accumulation and cell differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells.

Antiobesity effects of the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of Smilax china L. leaf in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Several medicinal properties of Smilax china L. have been studied including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, the antiobesity activity and mechanism by which the water-soluble fraction of this plant mediates its effects are not clear. In the present study, we investigated the lipolytic actions of the water-soluble fraction of Smilax china L. leaf ethanol extract (wsSCLE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS The wsSCLE was identified by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid content. The wsSCLE was evaluated for its effects on cell viability, lipid accumulation, glycerol, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) contents. In addition, western blot analysis was used to evaluate the effects on protein kinase A (PKA), PKA substrates (PKAs), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). For the lipid accumulation assay, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with different doses of wsSCLE for 9 days starting 2 days post-confluence. In other cell experiments, mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated for 24 h with wsSCLE. RESULTS Results showed that treatment with wsSCLE at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/mL had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evidence of toxicity, wsSCLE treatment decreased lipid accumulation compared with the untreated adipocyte controls as shown by the lower absorbance of Oil Red O stain. The wsSCLE significantly induced glycerol release and cAMP production in mature 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, protein levels of phosphorylated PKA, PKAs, and HSL significantly increased following wsSCLE treatment. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that the potential antiobesity activity of wsSCLE is at least in part due to the stimulation of cAMP-PKA-HSL signaling. In addition, the wsSCLE-stimulated lipolysis induced by the signaling is mediated via activation of the β-adrenergic receptor.

Analysis of Seed Oil Fatty Acids and Their Effect on Lipid Accumulation and Leptin Secretion in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

In this study, we evaluated the fatty acid composition and physiological activities of oils extracted from eight types of seeds, pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), green tea (Camellia sinensis L.), perilla (Perilla frutescens var. japonica Hara), peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cotton (Gossypium indicum LAM.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), walnut (Juglans regia L.), and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). The composition and quality analysis showed that the oils were potentially suitable for foo-grade applications. The composition analysis showed that the oils were mostly composed of unsaturated fatty acids including linoleic acid and oleic acid. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, green pepper, perilla, and peanut seed oils inhibited lipid accumulation, and green pepper, perilla, peanut, sesame, walnut, and safflower seed oils induced leptin secretion. These results show that the inhibitory effect of edible seed oils on lipid accumulation, and induction of leptin secretion may be useful for obesity management.

Anti-atherosclerosis effect of pine nut oil in high-cholesterol and high-fat diet fed rats and its mechanism studies in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

The objective of this study was to determine the anti-atherosclerotic effects of pine nut oil in rats fed a high-cholesterol and high-fat diet (HCHF). Using a randomized block design, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups and fed experimental diets for 6 weeks (normal diet, HCHF, HCHF+7 or 15% pine nut oil, HCHF+simvastatin). This study shows that markers of atherosclerosis, such as increased liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels, aortic fatty streak area, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, were lower in the HCHF plus pine nut oil groups than in the HCHF group. Conversely, positive cardiovascular indicators, such as increased paraoxonase activity and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, were higher in HCHF plus pine nut oil groups than in the HCHF group. This study suggests that pine nut oil improves atherosclerotic markers and could be used as a functional ingredient in the food industry to promote cardiovascular health.

Analysis of Pine Nut Oil Composition and Its Effects on Obesity

Well-being Bioproducts RIC, Kangwon National UniversityAbstract Pine nut oil (PNO) is well known to impart beneficial effects in overweight individuals, but the mechanismsunderlying PNO-mediated weight loss remain unclear. To investigate how PNO promotes weight loss, its composition wasdetermined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, the effects of PNO oncytotoxicity, lipid accumulation, expression of lipid metabolism-related biomarkers, and leptin secretion were assessed in3T3-L1 cells. GC-MS analyses revealed that PNO contains several components, including linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmiticacid, and stearic acid. Moreover, PNO did not have a cytotoxic effect on 3T3-L1 cells. However, it inhibited theexpression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and adipocyte protein 2 (aP2). Finally, PNO significantlyincreased leptin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results support the notion that PNO is usefulfor weight management in overweight individuals.Keywords: pine nut oil, fatty acid synthesis, overweight, leptin, food materialPine nut oil (PNO) is well known to impart beneficial effects in overweight individuals, but the mechanisms underlying PNO-mediated weight loss remain unclear. To investigate how PNO promotes weight loss, its composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In addition, the effects of PNO on cytotoxicity, lipid accumulation, expression of lipid metabolism-related biomarkers, and leptin secretion were assessed in 3T3-L1 cells. GC-MS analyses revealed that PNO contains several components, including linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. Moreover, PNO did not have a cytotoxic effect on 3T3-L1 cells. However, it inhibited the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and adipocyte protein 2 (aP2). Finally, PNO significantly increased leptin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results support the notion that PNO is useful for weight management in overweight individuals.

Increased glucose metabolism and alpha-glucosidase inhibition in Cordyceps militaris water extract-treated HepG2 cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Recent living condition improvements, changes in dietary habits, and reductions in physical activity are contributing to an increase in metabolic syndrome symptoms including diabetes and obesity. Through such societal developments, humankind is continuously exposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and the number of the victims is increasing. This study investigated Cordyceps militaris water extract (CMW)-induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells and the effect of CMW treatment on glucose metabolism. MATERIALS/METHODS Colorimetric assay kits were used to determine the glucokinase (GK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activities, glucose uptake, and glycogen content. Either RT-PCR or western blot analysis was performed for quantitation of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF-1α), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, GK, PDH, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) expression levels. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of acarbose and CMW were evaluated by absorbance measurement. RESULTS CMW induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells by increasing GLUT2 through HNF-1α expression stimulation. Glucose in the cells increased the CMW-induced phosphorylation of AMPK. In turn, glycolysis was stimulated, and glyconeogenesis was inhibited. Furthermore, by studying the mechanism of action of PI3k, Akt, and GSK-3β, and measuring glycogen content, the study confirmed that the glucose was stored in the liver as glycogen. Finally, CMW resulted in a higher level of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than that from acarbose. CONCLUSION CMW induced the uptake of glucose into HepG2 cells, as well, it induced metabolism of the absorbed glucose. It is concluded that CMW is a candidate or potential use in diabetes prevention and treatment.

Lipid-lowering effects of Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold & Zucc. seed oil (ZSO) in hyperlipidemic rats and lipolytic effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

On the basis of the antiatherosclerotic effect of Zanthoxylum schinifolium, the therapeutic potential of Zanthoxylum schinifolium seed oil (ZSO) was tested in terms of the blood lipid profile and obesity in rats. The lipolytic effects of ZSO were determined in adipocytes and the total body and liver weight were decreased in rats. Compared with the high-cholesterol high-fat (HCHF) group, the rats in the HCHF+ZSO group showed improved levels of hyperlipidemia indicators. Furthermore, western blot analysis confirmed that the improvement of hyperlipidemia indicators was induced by stimulation of lipoprotein lipase expression. Additional results indicated that the reduction in body weight was likely caused by phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) via the protein kinase A pathway, ultimately leading to lipolysis. In conclusion, the results of the in vivo experiment showed that ZSO improved the lipid profiles in the blood, lowering cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis and degrading cellular lipids by activating HSL.

Study of Lipoprotein Lipase Inhibitory Activity of Anti-obesity Herb Extracts

Well-being Bioproducts RIC, Kangwon National UniversityAbstract In this study, we evaluated the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) inhibitory activity of 11 water extracts derived fromCinnamomum cassia Blume, Sarcodon aspratus, Cordyceps militaris, Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge, Corni fructus, Alliumcepa, Coix lacryma-jobi, Plantago asiatica L., Lentinus edodes, Rosa rugosa, and Foeniculum fructus. The results of theLPL secretion and activity assay showed Sarcodon aspratus (NE) extract have an LPL secretion inhibitory acitivity. Thecause of reduction in LPL secretion after NE treatment was investigated using molecular biology methods. NE treatmentaffected the LPL content in cells, but did not affect LPL mRNA expression. It also increased the mRNA expression levelof sortilin-related receptor LDLR class A (SorLA), a receptor that induces endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of LPL.Finally, cell fractionation revealed that NE treatment induced the expression of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), a SorLA transcription factor, in the nuclei of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results show that NE’s anti-obesity effectinvolves inhibition of LPL secretion through C/EBPβ-mediated induction of SorLA expression.Keywords: Sarcodon aspratus, lipoprotein lipase, sortilin-related receptor, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ),anti-obesityIn this study, we evaluated the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) inhibitory activity of 11 water extracts derived from Cinnamomum cassia Blume, Sarcodon aspratus, Cordyceps militaris, Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge, Corni fructus, Allium cepa, Coix lacryma-jobi, Plantago asiatica L., Lentinus edodes, Rosa rugosa, and Foeniculum fructus. The results of the LPL secretion and activity assay showed Sarcodon aspratus (NE) extract have an LPL secretion inhibitory acitivity. The cause of reduction in LPL secretion after NE treatment was investigated using molecular biology methods. NE treatment affected the LPL content in cells, but did not affect LPL mRNA expression. It also increased the mRNA expression level of sortilin-related receptor LDLR class A (SorLA), a receptor that induces endocytosis and intracellular trafficking of LPL. Finally, cell fractionation revealed that NE treatment induced the expression of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), a SorLA transcription factor, in the nuclei of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results show that NE’s anti-obesity effect involves inhibition of LPL secretion through C/EBPβ-mediated induction of SorLA expression.