earticle

영어

Fermented ginseng (FG) is an ethanol extract of ginseng radix processed with β-galactosidase. It was hypothesizedthat FG may exert anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-diabetic activities through modulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. In this study, we showed that AMPK phosphorylation was stimulated by FG. These effectswere abolished by pretreatment with an AMPK inhibitor, compound C. In addition, FG regulated the expression of genesassociated with lipogenesis and lipolysis, thus causing suppression of hepatic triglyceride accumulation. In vivo study usingdb/db mice, FG reduced fasting plasma glucose, HbAlc, and insulin resistance index, when compared to diabetic control. FGalso increased the phospho-AMPK and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expressions in liver and skeletal muscle, respectively.In liver, expressions of lipogenic gene were decreased whereas expressions of lipolytic genes were induced, when compared todiabetic control. Taken together, we may suggest that FG ameliorates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia through activation ofAMPK and could be developed as a health functional food or therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetic patients.