KJC Korea
Journal Central

bjectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Socheongryong-tang, a traditional herbal medicine, on gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders (inflammatory and diabetic models) in mice. Methods: The in vivo effects of Socheongryong-tang on GI motility were investigated by calculating percent intestinal transit rates (ITR) and gastric emptying (GE) values using Evans Blue and phenol red, respectively, in normal mice and in mice with experimentally induced GI motility dysfunction (GMD). GMD models were induced by acetic acid and streptozotocin. Results: In normal ICR mice, ITR and GE values were significantly and dose-dependently increased by the intragastric administration of Socheongryong-tang (0.0025∼0.25 g/kg). The ITR values (%) of GMD mice were significantly lower than those of normal mice, and these reductions were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by Socheongryong-tang. Conclusions: These results suggest that Socheongryong-tang is a good candidate for the development of a prokinetic agent that may prevent or alleviate GMD.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting weight loss effect ofGamitaeumjowee-tang and to see if weight loss could be predicted using influence factors andweight loss progress. Methods: From September 2016 to March 2017, we retrospectively reviewed the medical recordsof 139 patients who were visited to the Korean Oriental Clinic for 3 months. We conducted aregression analysis to determine whether age, gender, initial weight, patient healthquestionnaire-9, heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality, drinking habit and the medicationhistory of weight loss affect weight loss. We found weight loss prediction equations using multipleregression analysis applying significant factors and weight loss progress. Results: Gender and initial weight had a significant effect on weight loss in all periods (P＜0.001). HRV had a significant effect on primary weight loss (P＜0.01). Other factors did not have anysignificant effect on weight loss. Using the significant factors, weight loss of each period could bepredicted from 23.9% to 44.6%, and tertiary weight loss could be predicted with 76.6% usingfactors, primary weight loss and secondary weight loss (P＜0.001). Conclusions: This study suggests that weight loss effect of Gamitaeumjowee-tang maybe beaffected by influence factors and that weight loss prediction equations using them can be used forobesity treatment.

Objectives: This study examined the effects of salvianolic acid B (SAB) on exhaustive exerciseinduced cardiac muscle damage to rats. Methods: The study was carried out with 12-week-old young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into 3 groups; normal (n=12), exhaustive exercise group (ExS, n=12) and exhaustive exercise with SAB (ExS+SAB, n=12). Five days before exhaustive exercise, SAB were medicated for 5 days in ExS+SAB group. Rats in ExS and ExS+SAB group were forced to swim for 150 minutes and then they were sacrificed, while rats in normal group were sacrificed at rest. After that, blood was collected and cardiac muscle tissue damage indices were analyzed. Results: Serum aspartate transaminase activity and lactate dehydrogenase activity were significantly lower in ExS+SAB group than in ExS group. Serum creatine phosphokinase activity of ExS+SAB was significantly lower than ExS group. However, the content of serum creatinine had no difference between ExS and ExS+SAB group. In the H&E stained left ventricle myocardium, ExS group showed signs of myocardial damage such as sporadic fragmentation of myocardial fibers, interstitial edema, cytoplasmic eosinophilia and neutrophils infiltration. However, ExS+SAB group alleviated the severity of the signs of myocardial damage. In the myocardial dihydroethidium staining, optical density was remarkably decreased in ExS+SAB group compared to ExS group. Furthermore, the up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was observed in ExS+SAB group compared with ExS group. Conclusions: The above results suggest that SAB may protect cardiac muscle damage via antioxidant activity and prevention of apoptosis.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate efficacy and safety of Punica granatum L.ㆍActinidia chinensis Planch. mixed extract on body fat. Methods: Thirty women were recruited (25 kg/m2≤body mass index [BMI]≤29.9 kg/m2) (19 yr≤age≤38 yr) and randomized to receive Punica granatum L.ㆍActinidia chinensis Planch. mixedextract or placebo for 8 weeks. During the test, they visited four times including screening. Bodyfat mass, body fat rate, anthropometric dimensions at waist and hip, waist-hip ratio, totalcholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high densitylipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured at screening and 8 weeks after screening. Adverse reaction were also checked each visit. Results: There were no significant differences in all index. But when divide experimental group byBMI index, age, and compliance, less than BMI 27 kg/m2 group decreased body weight, body fatmass and more than BMI 27 kg/m2 group also decreased body weight, body fat mass and waistcircumference. Less than age 30 years group showed decline of waist circumference, fat free rateand T-cholesterol and more than age 30 years group showed decline of fat free mass. Group withcompliance more than 95% was decreased BMI, fat free mass, and hip circumference. Conclusions: There was no significant efficacy as compared with placebo group, but as divideexperimental group according to BMI index, age, compliance, mixed extract might be effective toreduce obesity index.

Objectives: Samjung-hwan (SJH) is a Korean herbal formula that has been used for antilipidemic,antioxidant, and antidepressant effects. As a part of safety evaluation, single oral dose toxicitystudy of modified SJH in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was carried out. Methods: Modified SJH extract was administered orally in male and female SD rats at dose of5,000 mg/kg. After single oral administration of modified SJH, we monitored the changes ofmortalities, clinical signs, and body weight daily for 14 days. Gross necropsy findings were alsoevaluated at the end of the experiment. Results: Modified SJH extract did not induce any toxic signs in the changes of mortalities, clinicalsigns, and body weight. There were also observed no gross necropsy findings in rats. Conclusions: As results, the approximate lethal dose of modified SJH extract in SD rats wasconsidered to be over 5,000 mg/kg. This suggests that modified SJH is safe herbal formula forthe treatment with

Objectives: In this study, the lipolytic effects of Eriobotrya folium extract (EFE) on local fat wasinvestigated in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: C57BL/6J mice (5 weeks) were fed HFD for 6 weeks to induce obesity. EFE (20 mg/ml,100 l) or saline (100 l) as a normal control was injected into left inguinal fat pad region, 3 timesper a week for last 2 weeks. After sacrifice, body weight, and histological changes of the inguinalfat pad were evaluated. The expressions of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adiposetriglyceride lipase (ATGL) in inguinal fat pad were analyzed by Western blotting. Also, lipidaccumulation and lipases release were determined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by oil red o staining. Results: EFE significantly reduced the weight of inguinal fat pad and the size of adipocytes inHFD-induced obesity mice compared to control. The treatment of EFE up-regulated theexpressions of HSL and ATGL in inguinal fat pads of obesity mice, as well as 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, EFE inhibited the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose dependentmanner. Conclusions: EFE showed lipolytic effect on local fat of HFD-induced obesity mice byup-regulation of the lipases secretion. This suggests that EFE could be considered as anti-obesesubstance with lipolytic property on local fat.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Pueraria lobata (PL) extract onobesity related hormones in rats with estrogen deficiency. Methods: The experiments were performed with the use of ovariectomized rats asestrogen-deficient obesity rat model. They were grouped Normal (sham operation group),Control (ovariectomy group), 50 mg/kg PL (ovariectomy group＋50 mg/kg of PL), 100 mg/kg PL(ovariectomy group＋100 mg/kg of PL), 200 mg/kg PL (ovariectomy group＋200 mg/kg of PL). PL extract was orally administered for 8 weeks once a day. Body weights and serum levels ofhormones, such as leptin, estradiol, cholecystokinin (CCK), ghrelin, and adiponectin wereestimated by ELISA. Results: PL extract significantly decreased body weight, the serum levels of leptin inestrogen-deficient obesity rats. PL extract significantly increased the serum levels of estradioland CCK. However, PL extract did not directly effect on the levels of ghrelin and adiponectin inestrogen-deficient obesity rats. Conclusions: It is concluded that PL extract reduced body weight, and regulate the hormonesrelated to energy metabolism. PL extract decreased the serum levels of leptin. PL extractincreased the serum levels of estradiol and CCK. These results indicate that PL might havepotentials for treatment of obesity and complications during the menopause caused byestrogen-deficiency. Key Words: Obesity, Pueraria

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of the mixed herbal extract from Cinnamomumcassia Blume, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi, Pueraria lobata Benth, and Aconitumcarmichaeli Debx (CAPA) on obesity and glucose tolerance in obese mice. Methods: Animals were divided in 6 groups, normal diet, high fat diet (HFD), HFD with CAPA 100mg/kg (CAPA 100), CAPA 300 mg/kg (CAPA 300), and metformin 200 mg/kg or lorcaserin 10mg/kg as positive controls, and treated for 16 weeks. Body weight, food intake, fasting bloodglucose, and body temperature were checked every week and then organs, blood serums werecollected after treatment. The oral glucose tolerance test was also carried out after treatment. Results: Compared to HFD, CAPA extract treated mice showed significant decreases in bodyweight, adipose tissue weight, lipid accumulations in liver and serum lipid levels without areduction of food intake. And fasting glucose and glucose tolerance were all improved in the CAPAtreated mice. Conclusions: Our results suggest that CAPA extract can prevent diet induced obesity and glucoseintolerance without a reduction of energy intake in obese mice

Objectives: Recently, many studies have demonstrated that the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) ismore correlated with metabolic syndrome than the waist-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to investigate and compare WHtR as a predictor of metabolic syndromewith other anthropometric indices. Methods: Approximately 3,800 data of subjects were used for the analysis, and data from KoreanMedicine Data Centar). Receiver operating characteristic curve was performed and area underthe curve (AUC) was calculated to find the usefulness of WHtR, WHR, and BMI. Results: WHtR was the most predictive factor with the highest diagnostic value for metabolicsyndrome than WHR, BMI. AUC of WHtR was significantly higher in total subjects, men andwomen. Conclusions: WHtR may be the simple and effective anthropometric index for metabolicsyndrome.

The aim of this study is to investigate the combined effect of acupotomy, selective cryolysis andherbal medicine therapy for treating regional fat accumulation of thigh. Twenty-four patients wereselected for the study. A session of selective cryolysis and acupotomy treatments wereperformed on both thighs once a week, for four weeks, with administration of herbal medicine. Thigh circumference, weight, body mass index (BMI), skeletal muscle mass, and body fat ratewere measured before and after the procedure. Statistical significance (P＜0.05) was determinedusing the paired t-test. After treatments, thigh circumference was significantly reduced by3.57±1.41 cm in 4 weeks (P＜0.001). Weight, BMI, skeletal muscle mass, and body fat rate toowere significantly reduced (P＜0.001). Of the 24 patients, 1 reported an adverse event offrostbite. We assume this combined therapy can be useful when dealing with localized fataccumulation. Long-term evaluation and further studies are required to identify the specific effectsize.

A highly obese female patient (body mass index=30.8 kg/m2) participated in a 10-day Gamrosumodified fasting therapy with soluble dietary fiber supplementation to enhance lipid metabolism. Gamrosu is a modified fasting therapy beverage which is made from medical herbs andcarbohydrates (431 kcal/d). Before and after fasting, we evaluated the efficacy of therapy bymeasuring the changes of body composition and blood chemistry. After the modified fastingtherapy, −6.1% of body weight and –5.6% of body fat mass were decreased. With regard to bloodchemistry, all the plasma lipid levels were lowered. −37.4% of total cholesterol, −39.7% of lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, −39.0% of triglyceride and –27% of high density lipoprotein (HDL)cholesterol were reduced. Further studies are needed to alleviate the reduction of HDLcholesterolto apply the Gamrosu modified fasting to hyperlipidemia.