• Toxicological Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.193-196
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• 1997

Matricaria Chammomillal L., Foemiculum Vulgare mill, and Plantago Psylium L. have been screened for their hepato protective activities against liver damge induced by $CCl_4$ intoxication in mice. Hydroalcoholic extractions (2:8) of herbal drugs were concentrated in vacuo and concentrated crude extracts of Matrica Chammomilla L. and Foeniculum Vulgare mill were orally administered at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 800 mg/kg. Plantago Psyllium was given at doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg. Liver protective activities of these herbs were determined after administration of $CCl_4$ Liver size, serum enzyme activities, sleeping time, and histopatology of the liver were examined one hour after administration of $CCl_4$. ALT and AST activities, liver weight and sleeping time decreased in groups that received 400 mg/kg of Matricaria Chammomilla L. or Foeniculum Vulgare. Histological investigation showed significant increase in hepatic cell regeneration and reduction in liver injury. The group that received 100 mg/kg Plantago Psylium showed liver protection but protection was not significant in other doses.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.712-716
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• 2000

The Purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of soluble dietary fiber psyllium on insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle glucose transporter 4(GLUT4) protein expression in stroke-prone hypertensive rats(SHRSP) fed a high-fat diet containing 5% of psyllium or cellulose from five to nine weeks of age. Obtained results were as follows : (1) In the psyllium diet group fasting plasma glucose level was significantly reduced and glucose levels upon oral glucose tolerance test were significantly lower than cellulose diet group at 30 min(p<0.05) and 60 min(p<0.01) (2) Skeletal muscle GLUT4 contents were significantly increased in the soleus(slow twitch) and extensor digitorum longus(fast twitch) muscle of psyllium diet group. (3) However there was no difference in insulin levels in the fasting and oral glucose tolerance test. These results indicated that psyllium diet improves peripheral insulin sensitivity but not insulin secretion. In conclusion our present finding suggest that soluble fiber diet is effective to increase insulin sensitivity in SHRSP. From these results it was suggested that soluble dietary fiber supplementation effectively prevents insulin resistance.