This study was performed to investigate the effects of ethanolic extract of Ulmus davidiana root (UE) on lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet (HF) for 7 weeks. Forty male ICR mice were randomly divided into four groups; normal diet group (N), high-fat diet group (HF), HF with 0.5% UE (HF-L) and 1% UE (HF-H) group. Body weight, body weight gain, and liver weight in the HF group was significantly higher than in the N group, while those of the HF-L and HF-H group were unchanged. UE improved HF-induced dyslipidemia by reducing serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and the atherogenic index. There was no difference in serum HDL-cholesterol among experimental groups. However, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was significantly increased in the HF-L and HF-H group. Histological analysis showed that HF-fed mice developed hepatocellular microvesicular vacuolation as a result of fat accumulation. These changes were attenuated by 1% UE supplementation. In addition, hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol levels in the HF-H group significantly reduced. Taken together, these results demonstrated that lipid levels in the blood and liver were reduced by UE, suggesting that it might be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia and fatty liver.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of brown rice and brown rice phytosterol on blood pressure and lipid levels in spontaneously hypertension rats (SHR). SHR were grouped according to blood pressure and fed either a control diet or experimental diets containing 50% brown rice powder or 5% brown rice phytosterol for 3 weeks. Body weight gain and epididymal fat weight were significantly reduced in the brown rice powder and brown rice phytosterol groups compared to control. Brown rice and brown rice phytosterol diets suppressed age-dependent increases in systolic blood pressure compared to control. In addition, brown rice and brown rice phytosterol diets decreased total lipid, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels in the liver, whereas serum HDL cholesterol increased. Lastly, brown rice phytosterol reduced TBARS contents in the kidney. These results suggest that brown rice and brown rice phytosterol exert antihypertensive effects that improve lipid metabolism in SHR.

This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical properties of the ethanol extracts and soluble dietary fiber from Cassia tora L. seed. The proximate composition of Cassia tora, soluble solid contents, color intensity and contents of emodin and rhein of Cassia tora extract, molecular mass distribution, sugar contents and viscosity of soluble fiber from Cassia tora were analyzed. Cassia tora contains 12.6% of moisture, 5.2% of ash, 13.4% of crude protein, 7.2% of crude fat, 8.8% of insoluble fiber and 48.3% of soluble fiber. The effects of extract condition on soluble solid contents, color intensity and contents of emodin and rhein of Cassia tora extract were investigated. The soluble solid contents were higher in 70% or 50% ethanol extracts than those in 100% ethanol extracts and showed highest value in grind sample extracts. In Hunter's color value, 100% ethanol extracts and whole Cassia tora sample extracts were higher in L and b value, but on the contrary, were lower in a value, than those of the other. The highest emodin and rhein contents were observed in 70% and 50% ethanol extracts, respectively, and showed higher value in room temperature extracts than in heating extracts. The molecular mass of soluble fiber from Cassia tora seed was estimated by gel filtration chromatography. Most soluble fiber(80%) exhibited a molecular mass range of between 50～2000 kDa. The major sugars of soluble fiber from Cassia tora seed were identified as xylose, mannose and galactose. The apparent viscosity of 0.5% soluble fiber from Cassia tora seed was 33 mPas showing a higher value than pectin or xanthan gum.

This study was performed to evaluate the biological activity and protective effect of Cassia tora ethanol extracts against D-galactosamine induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped into normal group, D-galactosamine treated group(control), D-galactosamine plus 0.25% Cassia tora extracts treated group and D-galactosamine plus 0.5% Cassia tora extracts treated group. Normal and control group were fed control diet and Cassia tora extracts treated groups were fed experimental diets containing 0.25% or 0.5% Cassia tora ethanol extracts for 5 weeks. Body weight gain and liver weight of rats were not significantly different between groups. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in serum and liver were significantly lower in rats treated only with D-galactosamine compared to normal group, and improved in Cassia tora extracts supplemented rats. D-galactosamine treatment significantly increased serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, gamma glutamyl transferase and alkaline phosphatase, however, the activities of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were significantly decreased in Cassia tora extracts supplemented rats when compared with D-galactosamine treated control group. Cassia tora extracts significantly suppressed the D-galactosamine-induced elevation of liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) contents. Superoxide dismutase activity was decreased by D-galactosamine treatment, however by the supplementation of Cassia tora ethanol extracts, significantly increased in dose-dependent manner. Glutathione peroxidase activity in rats fed diets containing Cassia tora extracts was decreased compared to control. Based on these results, we concluded that Cassia tora ethanol extracts may prevents the D-galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity probably via an antioxidant mechanism.

Phytoestrogens are oestrogenic compounds found in plants and consist of isoflavones, lignans, and coumestans. The structural similarity of phytoestrogens to endogenous oestrogens has promoted the hypothesis that phytoestrogens exert hormonal or anti-hormonal effects relevant to the risk of hormone-dependent disease and/or their suitability as a dietary alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Epidemiological studies suggest that food stuffs containing phytoestrogens may have a beneficial role in protecting against a number of chronic disease and conditions. It is thought that these estrogen-like compounds may protect against chronic diseases, such as hormone-dependent cancers, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Furthermore, phytoestrogens are used as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy and to reduce menopausal symptoms. Phytoestrogens are considered good candidates for use in natural therapies and as chemopreventive agents in adults. However safe and efficacious levels have yet to be established