Gene expression profiling of Bangpungtongseong-san (Bofutsushosan) and Bangkihwangki-tang (Boiogito) administered individuals

Abstract

Bangpungtongseong-san (Bofutsushosan, BTS) and Bangkihwangki-tang (Boiogito, BOT) are widely prescribed Korean, Japanese and Chinese traditional herbal medicines used to clinically prevent or improve obesity. In this study, we investigated genomewide transcriptional response to administration of either BTS or BOT to the Korean obese adults. From the blood samples, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated and RNA samples extracted from PBMCs were processed to conduct DNA microarray. Analysis of DNA microarray data revealed that administration of the both BTS and BOT evokes gene expression profile changes of PBMCs. In addition, comparative analysis between the drugs and placebo identified sets of specific genes regulated by BTS or BOT. Interestingly, analysis of gene list using functional annotation tool revealed that PMBCs of BOT-prescribed subjects have increased expression level of genes which are localized to mitochondria. The fact that mitochondrion is the main organelle of regulating cellular energy metabolism suggests that induced expressions of mitochondrial genes by BOT administration might be responsible for the anti-obesity effect of the medicine. We expect that further study based on our finding will provide molecular mechanisms of BTS and BOT effects on obesity.