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.

The purpose of this study was to develop children-friendly education materials based on food replicas for the dietary education of lower grade elementary students. Through a literature review on current dietary problems and dietary education for children, five education themes were chosen: balanced diet, seasonal food, traditional food, noodle culture, and making instant noodles. A total of 304 key food items for food replicas were selected based on the themes: six basic food groups (113 items), balanced meals (37 items), dietary habits (74 items), spring foods (13 items), summer foods (17 items), autumn foods (16 items), winter foods (11 items), Korean traditional foods (52 items), Korean native noodles (18 items), noodles from foreign countries (19 items), and making instant noodles (46 items). Next, a food replica database was developed consisting of name of the food, picture, size, ingredient, recipe, reference, and attached code. Powerpoint slides and teaching plans for all education themes were developed utilizing the food replicas in order to raise interest and understanding of serving size and intake amount. This research provides a basis for the development of food replicas as effective dietary education materials for elementary students and their use in extra-curricular activities, after school programs, community health centers, or food companies.

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.

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.