title: Effect of keishibukuryogan on genetic and dietary obesity models.
abstract: Obesity has been recognized as one of the most important risk factors for a variety of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension/cardiovascular diseases, steatosis/hepatitis, and cancer. Keishibukuryogan (KBG, Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan in Chinese) is a traditional Chinese/Japanese (Kampo) medicine that has been known to improve blood circulation and is also known for its anti-inflammatory or scavenging effect. In this study, we evaluated the effect of KBG in two distinct rodent models of obesity driven by either a genetic (SHR/NDmcr-cp rat model) or dietary (high-fat diet-induced mouse obesity model) mechanism. Although there was no significant effect on the body composition in either the SHR rat or the DIO mouse models, KBG treatment significantly decreased the serum level of leptin and liver TG level in the DIO mouse, but not in the SHR rat model. Furthermore, a lower fat deposition in liver and a smaller size of adipocytes in white adipose tissue were observed in the DIO mice treated with KBG. Importantly, we further found downregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism in the KBG-treated liver, along with decreased liver TG and cholesterol level. Our present data experimentally support in fact that KBG can be an attractive Kampo medicine to improve obese status through a regulation of systemic leptin level and/or lipid metabolism.
authors: Division of Pathogenic Biochemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan ; Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors: Fengying
authors: F
authors: Gao
authors: Division of Pathogenic Biochemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors: Satoru
authors: 0000-0001-8336-486X
authors: S
authors: Yokoyama
authors: Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors: Makoto
authors: M
authors: Fujimoto
authors: Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors: Koichi
authors: 0000-0002-0670-9868
authors: K
authors: Tsuneyama
authors: Division of Pathogenic Biochemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors: Ikuo
authors: I
authors: Saiki
authors: Department of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors: Yutaka
authors: 0000-0002-2836-0492
authors: Y
authors: Shimada
authors: Division of Pathogenic Biochemistry, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan.
authors: Yoshihiro
authors: Y
authors: Hayakawa