This study investigated the effects of the diet with Cucurbita moschata (CM), adlay seed (AS), and Cudrania tricuspidata leaf (CTL) mixed-powder on the visceral fat, fecal amount, and serum lipid profiles in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The mixed ratio of CM, AS, and CTL as a functional food ingredient was 1:1:1 on a weight basis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet (D12492; 45 kcal fat) for 5 weeks during the first phase. In the second phase, which lasted 5 weeks, the rats were divided into six experimental groups. The groups were: a high-fat diet group as a control during the 10 weeks of experimental period; and a high-fat diet with 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30% mixed powder supplement group. The adipose tissue (RFP, EFP) weights were significantly decreased in the 20% and 30% mixed powder supplement groups than in the HFD group (p<0.05). The fecal weight produced by the 15%, 20%, and 30% mixed powder supplement groups was significantly increased during the second phase compared to the first phase (p<0.05). In terms of serum lipids, TG (triglyceride) content was decreased in the 10% and 15% mixed-powder supplement groups. The blood glucose levels were significantly decreased in all experimental diet supplement groups than in the HFD group (p<0.05). The findings show that the high supplement groups could improve the visceral fat accumulation, fecal amount, and blood glucose content compared to the HFD group.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of commercial Makgeolli on tumor growth in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) in a xenograft cancer model, transplanted with AGS cells. Commercial Makgeolli was first dealcoholized by evaporation and used as the test sample. We detected a significant increase in the volume and weight of tumor in nude mice (induction) that were transplanted with AGS cells. Administration of 100 mg/kg·day group (ML), and 500 mg/kg·day group (MH) dealcoholized commercial Makgeolli significantly decreased tumor growth. In this study, 5-FU 18 mg/kg·day was used as a positive control for tumor growth inhibition. Additionally, determination of the body weight of both the groups revealed no side effects after the administration of dealcoholized commercial Makgeolli. Using the cell culture system, we also evaluated the effect of dealcoholized commercial Makgeolli on caspase-3/7 activity in the AGS cells. Treatment with dealcoholized commercial Makgeolli increased the activation of caspase-3/7 and the apoptotic markers in AGS cells in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, dealcoholized commercial Makgeolli can be used for cancer prevention.

본 연구에서는 20종 생약 열수추출물의 AChE 활성, 산화 스트레스로 인한 지질 과산화물 생성 억제능 및 뇌신경 세포 사멸에 대한 보호효과를 비교하였다. AChE의 억제활 성은 산수유, 감초, 당귀 열수추출물에서 우수하였으며, 그 중 산수유가 가장 높은 억제율을 나타내었다. 또한 H2O2/ FeSO4로 산화 스트레스를 유발시켜 생약 열수추출물의 지 질과산화물 생성 억제 활성을 조사한 결과 소엽, 하수오, 계피 및 감초 열수추출물에서 높은 항산화 활성을 보였다. L-Glutamate에 의해 유도된 신경세포 독성에 대한 보호효 과는 감초, 계피, 길경, 박하 열수추출물의 100 μg/mL 농도 에서 관찰되었다. 본 연구를 종합적으로 살펴보았을 때, 감초 열수추출물이 치매 예방 및 개선제로써의 활용가능성 이 가장 뛰어난 것으로 판단된다. 향후 치매예방 효능을 가지는 새로운 화합물 발굴을 위한 기초자료로 활용될 것으 로 사료된다.