**4. Discussion**

In the present study, the e ffects of PM and PF extracts on digestive enzymes were assessed. In in vitro studies, PM extract and PF extract have increased dose-dependent inhibitory activity on <sup>α</sup>*-*amylase (IC50 value: 6.13 mg/mL) and pancreatic lipase (IC50 value: 1.68 mg/mL), respectively. Notably, α-amylase, one of the digestive enzymes secreted from the pancreas and salivary glands, is involved in important biological processes such as the digestion of carbohydrates. α-Amylase inhibitors are well known to be e ffective in reducing postprandial hyperglycemia by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates and absorbing postprandial glucose. Reducing postprandial hyperglycemia prevents glucose uptake into adipose tissue, inhibiting the synthesis and accumulation of triacylglycerol [24,25].

On the other hand, pancreatic lipase is one of the most important enzymes for the digestion of dietary triacylglycerols. It is well known that dietary lipid is not directly absorbed from the intestines unless it has been subjected to the action of pancreatic lipase [24]. It has been clinically reported that a pancreatic lipase inhibitor, orlistat, prevented obesity and hyperlipidemia through the increment of fat excretion in the feces and the inhibition of pancreatic lipase. Based on this fact, the inhibition of these digestive enzymes is an important factor in the treatment of obesity [26,27].

We confirmed the anti-obesity e ffect of DKB-117 by way of digesting enzyme inhibition through in vivo testing. As a result of the test, DKB-117 extracts revealed e ffects of reducing weight and total fat in HFD-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Micro-CT imaging was performed to quantify fat volume (total fat, abdominal fat, and subcutaneous fat). This method can readily discriminate between subcutaneous and abdominal fat [28]. Our results revealed that DKB-117 was able to reduce these fats. The in vivo test results demonstrate that DKB-117 administration regulates serum biochemical parameters (TCHO, TG, HDL, and LDL) in HFD-induced obese mice. These results are associated with an anti-hypercholesterolemic e ffect of PF [13,14]. In addition, the DKB-117 extracts increased TG and carbohydrate emissions in feces compared to those in the HFD group. It is expected that DKB-117 extracts promote the release of fat and carbohydrates due to the α-amylase inhibitory e ffect and the lipase inhibitory e ffect. *Garcinia cambogia,* which is currently used as a dietary supplement, is known to help reduce body fat by inhibiting the enzymes needed to synthesize carbohydrates into fat [29].

On the other hand, the DKB-117 extracts are expected to have an anti-obesity e ffect through a complex mechanism that promotes carbohydrate release through the inhibition of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes and which inhibits lipid absorption through lipase inhibition. It was observed that DKB-117 can e ffectively inhibit weight gain in animal experiments through a complex mechanism of inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity and inhibition of amylase activity, which is considered to be a suitable anti-obesity measure for Koreans who use carbohydrate as a staple food.

While the existing research on herbal extract (*Garcinia cambogia, Plantago psyllium, Morus alba*) single-action mechanisms is underway, it has been confirmed through this study that they are e ffective in anti-obesity in the battle against DKB-117 multifunction machines. Based on the results of in vitro and in vivo tests, the anti-obesity e ffects of DKB-117 in human application tests will be confirmed. Furthermore, it is determined that active ingredients should be investigated through the study on the separation of components of DKB-117.

In the future, the safety and e fficacy of the DKB-117 extracts should be demonstrated through ongoing clinical trials; we plan to search for the activity compound in the DKB-117 extracts as well as perform additional testing of enzyme activity for lipid metabolism so that it can be widely used as a functional food material.
