Root Of Platycodon Grandiflorum Research Articles

Single Oral Dose Toxicity Test of Platycodin D, a Saponin from Platycodin Radix in Mice

The object of this study was to evaluate the single oral dose toxicity of platycodin D, a saponin from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum in male and female mice. Platycodin D was administered to female and male mice as an oral dose of 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg (body wt.). Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after treatment, upon necropsy, organ weight and histopathology of 14 principle organs were examined. As the results, no platycodin D treatment related mortalities, clinical signs, changes on the body and organ weights, gross and histopathological observations against 14 principle organs were detected up to 2000 mg/kg in both female and male mice. Therefore, LD50 (50% lethal dose) and approximate LD of playtcodin D after single oral treatment in female and male mice were considered over 2000 mg/kg - the limited dosages recommended by KFDA Guidelines [2009-116, 2009], respectively.

A Sensitive Method for Determination of Platycodin D in Rat Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry and its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

Platycodin D (PD), a major component isolated from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. A sensitive rapid analytical method was established and validated to determine the PD in rat plasma. This method was further applied to assess the pharmacokinetics of PD in rats following administration of a single dose. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) was used in the method, and tubeimoside I was used as the internal standard (IS). A simple protein precipitation based on methanol (MeOH) was employed. The combination of a simple sample cleanup and short chromatographic running time (4 min) increased the throughput of the method substantially. The method was validated over the range of 0.5-1000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient > 0.99. The lower limit of quantification was 0.5 ng/mL for PD in plasma. Intra- and inter-day accuracies for PD were 90-115 % and 96-108 %, respectively, and the inter-day precision was less than 15 %. After a single oral dose of 10 mg/kg of PD, its mean peak plasma concentration ( CMAX) was 13.7 ± 4.5 ng/mL at 0.5 h. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve ( AUC0-24 H) was 35.4 ± 16.1 h·ng/mL, and the elimination half-life ( T1/2) was 1.48 ± 0.13 h. In case of intravenous administration of PD at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve ( AUC0-24 H) was 2203 ± 258 h · ng/mL, and the elimination half-life (T½) was 6.57 ± 0.70 h. Based on the results, the oral bioavailability of PD in rats at 10 mg/kg is 0.079 %.

Saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum suppress ultraviolet A-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression via MAPKs and NF-κB/AP-1-dependent signaling in HaCaT cells

Saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (CKS) have been shown to exhibit many pharmacological activities, including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities and antioxidant effects. However, anti-skin photoaging effects of CKS have not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of CKS against UVA damage on immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT). We then explored the inhibitory effects of CKS on UVA-induced MMP-1 and investigated the molecular mechanism underlying those effects. CKS increased the cell viability and inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HaCaT cells exposed to UVA irradiation. Pre-treatment of HaCaT cells with CKS inhibited UVA-induced production of MMP-1 and MMP-9. In addition, CKS decreased UVA-induced expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6. Western blot analysis further revealed that CKS markedly suppressed the enhancement of collagen degradation in UVA-exposed HaCaT cells. CKS also suppressed UVA-induced activation of NF-κB or c-Jun and c-Fos, and the phosphorylation of MAPKs, which are upstream modulators of NF-κB and AP-1.

Structure–function relationship of the saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum for hemolytic and adjuvant activity

To assess the contribution of the aglycone and sugar chain to the biological activity of saponins from Platycodon grandiflorum, seven structurally consecutive saponins, platycodin D (PD), D2 (PD2), D3 (PD3), platycoside A (PA), E (PE), deapioplatycoside E (DPE), and polygalacin D2 (PGD) were compared for their hemolytic activities and adjuvant potentials on the immune responses to Newcastle disease virus-based recombinant avian influenza vaccine (rL-H5) in mice. Among seven compounds, the order of the hemolytic activity was PGD≈PD>PD2>PA>PD3>PE>DPE. PD, PD2, PA, and PGD significantly not only promoted concanavalin A (Con A)-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, but enhanced the NK cell activity in mice immunized with rL-H5. PD and PD2 increased the antigen specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibody titers, while PA and PGD only induce the IgG and IgG1 antibody responses in the immunized mice. However, the other three saponins were not observed for adjuvant activity. The results suggested that the sugar chains attached to C-3, the glycidic moiety at C-28 of aglycone, as well as aglycone affect their biological activities. Interestingly, their hemolytic and adjuvant activities increased with the retention time by reverse phase HPLC analysis. The retention time may be useful for primary estimation of fundamental adjuvanticity of saponin with the same aglycone.

도라지 유묘기 액비처리가 질소와 인산의 식물체 흡수 및 생육에 미치는 영향

The roots of Platycodon grandiflorum has been widely used as a crude drug or a food stuff. Unfortunately, the output and the quality is not regular and highly dependent on the cultivation area and cultivation method. Therefore, seedling cultivation study of this plant under structure with various fertilizer supply was performed. As a result, significant big difference between ammonia nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen content was shown in the root at seedling stage while the difference was not significant in the aerial parts. Fresh weight of the root (7.73 g plant) was higher in the group treated with three major nutrients (N, P and K) than in those treated with three major nutrients and calcium or magnesium or both calcium and magnesium, and non-treated group (2.69 g plant). Total nitrogen content was recognized to be significantly correlated with root weight, plant height, number of leaves and weight of aerial parts. Ammonium nitrogen content was more correlated the growth of P. grandiflorum than nitrate nitrogen. For phosphoric acid, significant correlation was also shown with the four growth factors.

Preparative separation of minor saponins from Platycodi Radix by high‐speed counter‐current chromatography

Platycosides (PSs), the saponins found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. (Platycodi Radix), are typically composed of oleanene backbones with two side chains; one is a 3-O-glucose linked by a glycosidic bond, and the other is a 28-O-arabinose-rhamnose-xylose-apiose linked by an ester bond. Minor saponins, acetylated isomers of the major saponin on either the 2'' or 3'' position of rhamnose, were isolated from Platycodi Radix using a multi-step process including high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) and preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). After the separation of the major components, the enriched minor saponin fraction was used for this study. A two-phase solvent system consisting of chloroform-methanol-isopropanol-water (3:2:2:3, v/v) was used for HSCCC. HSCCC separation of the enriched minor saponin fraction yielded 2''-O-acetylplatycodin D, 3''-O-acetylpolygalacin D, 2''-O-acetylpolygalacin and a mixture of 3''-O-acetylplatycodin D and polygalacin D. The mixture fraction from HSCCC separation was further purified by preparative RP-HPLC, giving 3''-O-acetylplatycodin D and polygalacin D at a purity of over 98.9%. The developed method provides the preparative and rapid separation of minor saponins in the crude extract of Platycodi Radix. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first on the separation of acetylated PSs by HSCCC.

Screening and appraisal for immunological adjuvant-active fractions from Platycodon grandiflorum total saponins

In this study, the total saponins from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum (PGSt) was subjected to D101 macroreticular resin column chromatography to afford four fractions (PGS30, PGS50, PGS75 and PGS95). PGSt and its four fractions were evaluated and compared for the haemolytic activities and adjuvant potentials on the specific cellular and humoral immune responses of ICR mice against recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). PGSt, PGS30, PGS50, PGS75, and PGS75 showed a slight haemolytic effect, with their concentration inducing 50% of the maximum haemolysis (HD50) being 16.13 ± 0.81, >200, 17.53 ± 0.24, 20.16 ± 0.76, 76.31 ± 2.20 μg/mL against 0.5% rabbit red blood cell, respectively. PGSt, PGS50, and PGS75 significantly not only enhanced the Con A-, lipopolysaccharide-, and HBsAg-induced splenocyte proliferation, but promoted the killing activities of natural killer (NK) cells from splenocytes in HBsAg-immunized mice (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001). HBsAg-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibody levels in serum were also significantly enhanced by PGSt, PGS50, and PGS75 compared with HBsAg control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, or P < 0.001). Moreover, the adjuvant effects of PGS50 and PGS75 on the cellular immune responses and HBsAg-specific IgG2a and IgG2b antibody responses were more significant than those of Alum, PGS30, and PGS95. The results indicated that PGS50 and PGS75 could improve both cellular and humoral immune responses, and elicit a balanced Th1/Th2 response to HBsAg in mice, and that PGS75 may be developed as an ideal candidate adjuvant for hepatitis B vaccine.

Platycoside O, a New Triterpenoid Saponin from the Roots of Platycodon grandiflorum

A new unusual minor triterpenoid saponin, platycoside O (1), was isolated from the 75% EtOH extract obtained from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum, together with four known saponins: platycoside M-3 (2), platycoside J (3), platycoside F (4) and platycoside B (5). The structure of 1 was determined as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2β,3β,16α,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-24-methoxyl, 24-oxo-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

Production of novel platycodin D derivatives by Aspergilli

Platycodin D (PD) is the major saponin components abundant in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, which has been reported to have anti‐inflammatory and anti‐tumor activities. PD contains sugar residues including glucose unit at C‐3 and apiose‐xylose‐rhamnose‐arabinose residue at C‐28. In the present study, 8 noble PD derivatives with diverse sugar chains were produced by the crude enzyme extracts of Aspergillus niger and A. usamii grown in the presence of various carbon sources. Commercially available enzymes such as hesperidinase, β‐glucosidase, and β‐xylosidase were not effective in cleaving the glycosidic side chains of PD. Depending on the sugar side chains the PD derivatives demonstrated different degree of toxicity against a normal fetal colon cell line. These findings could be informative to obtain novel PD derivatives with reduced cytotoxicity by Aspergilli. This work was supported by Industrialization Support Program for Bio‐technology of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (810007‐03‐1‐WT211), Republic of Korea.

Separation of Saponins from the Roots of Platycodon grandiflorum by High-speed Counter- Chromatography and their Anticancer Activity

Separation of Saponins from the Roots of Platycodon grandiflorum by High-speed Counter- Chromatography and their Anticancer Activity

Mechanism for sperm immobilization activity of extract from Platycodon grandiflorum in vitro

To explore the mechanism of spermicidal effect of crude extract and platycodin-D from Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) root in vitro. Between February 2006 and December 2009, 38 fertile and healthy adult males were selected as donors. PG root was extracted and platycodin-D purified. Grouping was as follows: crude extract from PG root, platycodin-D, nonoxynol-9 (N-9, as a reference standard) and semen-added physiological saline (as control). Spermicidal experiments were carried out in vitro (Sander-Cramer test). The hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test and modified Eosin-Giemsa (EG) staining were used to detect the integrity of sperm membrane. Four types of sperm morphology were divided through HOS-EG test: Type A: spermatozoa with swelling in tails and head white staining HOS(+)-EG(-) (membrane intact); Type B: spermatozoa with no swelling in tails (membrane-damaged) and head white staining HOS(-)-EG(-); Type C: spermatozoa with tail swelling and head red HOS(+)-EG(+); Type D: spermatozoa with no swelling in tails and head red HOS(-)-EG(+). Sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test was performed to determine the integrity of sperm DNA. The crude extract from PG root could immobilize and kill 100% spermatozoa within 20 s in vitro at the concentrations of 50.0 g/L and 20.0 g/L (v:v = 1:1 in semen). When the semen sample was exposed to the concentrations of 2.0 g/L and 1.0 g/L of platycodin-D, all spermatozoa were immobilized within 20 s. In the control group, the mean percentage of Types A, B, C and D was (69.0 ± 8.3)%, (3.4 ± 0.5)%, (10.2 ± 1.7)% and (17.4 ± 2.1)% respectively. In the groups of platycodin-D and N-9 solution, the rate of Types A and B was 0. The rate of Types C [(65.3 ± 3.8)%] and D [(34.7 ± 7.1)%] significantly increased versus control in the platycodin-D group (P < 0.01). Sperm DNA fragmentation had no change upon an exposure to the extract from PG root, platycodin-D and N-9 solution. And the sperm revival test showed none of the spermatozoa recovered their motility. The extract and platycodin-D from PG root have a quick sperm-killing effect in a short time in vitro by disrupting the integrity of sperm membrane (main head).

Platycoside N: A New Oleanane-Type Triterpenoid Saponin from the Roots of Platycodon grandiflorum

A new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin, named platycoside N (1), together with six known saponins, was isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum. On the basis of acid hydrolysis, comprehensive spectroscopic data analyses and comparison with the spectral data of the known compounds, its structure was elucidated as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2β,3β,16α,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside. The six known compounds were platycodin D (2), deapioplatycodin D (3), platycodin D3 (4), deapio- platycodin D3 (5), platycoside E (6) and deapioplatycoside E (7).

Structural Characterization of an Arabinogalactan from Platycodon grandiflorum Roots and Antiangiogenic Activity of Its Sulfated Derivative

A water-soluble polysaccharide, PGAW1, with an average molecular mass of 9.2 kDa determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), was isolated from radix of Platycodon grandiflorum . Monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that PGAW1 contains Ara and Gal in the molar ratio of 1.42:1.0. Using methylation analysis, partial hydrolysis, endo-1,4-β-d-galactanase digestion, NMR and ESI-MS, PGAW1 was determined to possess a backbone consisting of 1,4- and 1,6-linked galactopyranosyl residues, with branches attached to O-3 of 1,6-linked galactose residues. By the chlorosulfonic acid-pyridine method we produced a sulfated derivative of PGAW1, Sul-w1, with a substitution degree of 1.52. The substitution was at O-6 on 1,4-linked Gal residues according to the (13)C NMR spectra. Bioactivity test showed that Sul-w1 could inhibit tube formation by human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC) in a dose-dependent manner.

Saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum stimulate osteoblast differentiation via p38 MAPK- and ERK-dependent RUNX2 activation

Changkil (CK), the aqueous extract of the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum, has been used as a traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of chronic adult diseases. Although a saponin fraction derived from CK (CKS) has been suggested to have a variety of functional effects, its effect on bone is unknown. In the present study, the effects of CKS on osteoblast differentiation and function were determined by analyzing the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an osteoblast marker, and the regulation of RUNX2, a master gene of osteoblast differentiation, in a mesenchymal stem cell line. CKS upregulated ALP activity and the expression of osteogenic marker genes in C2C12 cells. In addition, CKS increased the expression and transcriptional activity of RUNX2. To determine which signaling pathways are involved in the osteogenic effects of CKS, we tested the effect of inhibitors of kinases known to regulate RUNX2. CKS-induced enhancement of RUNX2 and ALP was inhibited by treatment with a p38 inhibitor (SB203580) and an ERK inhibitor (U0126). These findings suggest that CKS stimulates osteoblast differentiation by activation of RUNX2 via mechanisms related to the p38 MAPK and ERK signaling pathways. The regulation of RUNX2 activation by CKS may be an important therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

Enzymatic transformation of platycosides and one‐step separation of platycodin D by high‐speed countercurrent chromatography

Platycosides, the saponins found in the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (Platycodi Radix), are typically composed of oleanane triterpenes with two side chains. In platycosides, platycodin D, a glucose unit at C-3, is a major component, which has several pharmacological activities. Because of the high demand for this compound, we attempted to enzymatically convert platycodin D(3) and platycoside E, having two and three glucose units at C-3, respectively, into platycodin D. In this study, we tested the ability of several glycosidases to transform platycosides, or more specifically, the ability to transform platycoside E and platycodin D(3) into platycodin D. To obtain pure platycodin D on a preparative scale, high-speed countercurrent chromatography with a solvent system of ethyl acetate/n-butanol/water (1.2:1:2, v/v/v) was used for the separation of the enzymatically transformed product. Approximately 39.4 mg of platycodin D (99.8% purity) was obtained from 200 mg of the product in a one-step separation. The results strongly support the advantage of enzymatic transformation of the platycosides for the efficient enrichment of platycodin D in the complicated extract of the medicinal plant.

Platycodin D Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Platycodin D (PD), a major constituent isolated from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, has been suggested to possess anticancer activities, as indicated by its capabilities to induce mitotic arrest and apoptosis in several cancer cells. However, little is known of the underlying action mechanism. This study is the first to investigate the anticancer effect of PD in the human breast cancer cell, MCF-7. Our data showed that PD exhibited marked cell growth inhibition by inducing apoptosis. This induction was associated with activation of caspase-8 and -9 activities and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. PD triggered the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as indicated by up-regulation of levels of cellular Bax and down-regulation of levels of Bcl-2 and caspase-9 activation. We found that PD induced proteolytic activation of Bid, a member of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family, implicating PD-induced apoptosis as possibly being functionally linked to a death receptor-mediated pathway. The PD treatment also was accompanied by an increase in cellular generation of reactive oxygen species, indicating that PD-induced apoptosis is likely to be mediated through mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, we revealed that the mitogen-activated protein kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase 1/2, and p38, which play important roles in apoptosis, were activated by treatment with PD. These results provide a basic mechanism for the anticancer properties of PD and suggest that PD is a promising candidate for chemotherapy and chemoprevention of breast cancer.

Molecular mechanism of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase activation by Platycodon grandiflorum root-derived saponins

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) has antithrombotic and antiatherosclerotic properties in the vasculature. Previously, we demonstrated that saponins derived from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (CKS) inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-α-induced expression of adhesion molecules in human endothelial cells. In this study, we found that CKS increased eNOS phosphorylation and NO production in human endothelial cells. Treatment with CKS increased the phosphorylation of Akt, p38/MAPK, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) leading to increased NO production in human endothelial cells. Moreover, inhibitors of Akt (LY294002), p38/MAPK (SB203580), AMPK (compound C), and CaMK II (W7) failed to suppress CKS-induced eNOS phosphorylation. In addition, CKS-induced eNOS phosphorylation was inhibited by the overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant form of AMPK (DN-AMPK). Taken together, these results indicate that CKS stimulates eNOS phosphorylation and NO production via the activation of PI3K/Akt, p38/MAPK, AMPK, and CaMK II.

Platycodin D Improves the Immunogenicity of Newcastle Disease Virus‐Based Recombinant Avian Influenza Vaccine in Mice

The development of an effective influenza vaccine is urgently important for controlling outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and reducing the impact of pandemics. The use of an adjuvant in such a vaccine can significantly contribute to improve the immunogenicity. To explore a novel and safe adjuvant for improving the potency of influenza vaccines, platycodin D (1), a saponin from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, was evaluated for the adjuvant potentials on the specific cellular and humoral immune responses to Newcastle disease virus-based recombinant avian influenza vaccine (rL-H5) in mice. Compound 1 significantly promoted the concanavalin A (Con A)-, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, and the antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation and enhanced the serum antigen-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibody titers (P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001) in mice immunized with rL-H5. The mRNA expressions of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-10) and transcription factors (T-bet and GATA-3) in splenocytes were also markedly up-regulated by 1, compared with the control group immunized with rL-H5 alone (P<0.01 or P<0.001). In addition, 1 remarkably increased the killing activities of natural killer (NK) cells from splenocytes in the immunized mice (P<0.05), which may have important implications for the vaccination against the avian influenza virus. We concluded that 1 could improve the immunogenicity of the rL-H5 vaccine by enhancing both humoral and cellular immune responses in mice, and that 1 is a promising adjuvant for influenza vaccines.

Platycodin D2 Improves Specific Cellular and Humoral Responses to Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Mice

Platycodin D2 (1), a less hemolytic saponin from the root of Platycodon grandiflorum than platycodin D (2), was evaluated for the potential to enhance specific cellular and humoral immune responses to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in mice. It significantly increased the concanavalin A (Con A)-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-, and HBsAg-induced splenocyte proliferation in HBsAg-immunized mice (P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.001, resp.). HBsAg-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibody titers in the serum were also markedly enhanced by 1 compared to the HBsAg control group (P<0.01 or P<0.001). Moreover, 1 significantly promoted the production of Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokines from splenocytes in the HBsAg-immunized mice (P<0.001). The adjuvant potential of 1 on splenocyte proliferation, serum HBsAg-specific IgG2a and IgG2b antibody response, as well as Th1-cytokine secretion from splenocytes in the HBsAg-immunized mice was higher than that of Alum. The results suggest that 1 could improve both cellular and humoral immune responses to HBsAg in mice. Hence, 1 might be a promising adjuvant for hepatitis B vaccine with dual Th1- and Th2-potentiating activity.

Preventative Effects of Platycodon grandiflorum Treatment on Hepatic Steatosis in High Fat Diet-Fed C57BL/6 Mice

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) (Korean name, Doraji; Chinese name, Jiegeng; and Japanese name, Kikyo) is a perennial plant in the Campanulaceae family that contains triterpenoid saponins, carbohydrates, and fibers. This study was carried out to investigate effects of root of PG on fatty liver inhibition in high fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. C57BL/6 mice were divided into control, total extract of PG (T-PG, 500 mg/kg) and saponin fraction (S-PG, 50 mg/kg)-treated groups. Significant decreases in body weight, associated with fat mass reduction, were observed in PG-treated groups (p<0.05). Hepatic lipid content and score index calculated from morphometric observations on fatty liver were significantly decreased in the PG-treated groups (p<0.05). Moreover, activities of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and carnitine palmitoyl-transferase (CPT) were significantly suppressed and increased as compared with the control group, respectively (p<0.05). mRNA expressions of the sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP1c) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) gene were suppressed in the T-PG and S-PG groups (p<0.05). From these findings, we speculate that fatty liver inhibition effects of PG extract and its saponins appear to be conferred by hepatic lipogenesis and acceleration of energy expenditure, along with modulation of liver FAS and CPT activities in HFD-fed C57BL/6 mice.