Objectives : We Investigated the effect of Dioscoreae Rhizoma(山藥) on the change of the corticosterone and the rectal temperature(直腸溫渡) of the mice induced by starvation stress(創戰 스트레스). Methods : After administration of Dioscoreae Rhizoma (0.25g/kg, 0.5g, 1.0g/kg, 3g/kg) three times, mice were starved. The corticosterone and rectal temperature were measured after 36.5 hours starvation stress. Results : The plasma cortiosterone levels in the S-2, S-3 and S-4 group were decreased significantly comparing with the control group (P<0.01) after 36.5 hours starvation stress. and rectal temperature was decreased in the control goup comparing with the normal group, but there is no significant change in the Dioscoreae Rhizoma treated group. Conclusion : it might be recognized that Dioscoreae Rhizoma has preventive-effect against starvation stress and also it might be needed further study in various viewpoints. Objectives : This study was disegned to elucidate the short term effect of Rossa rugosae Radix on proliferation. differentiation and maturation of 3T3-L1 Preadipocyte. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes obtained from Korean Cell Line Bank were cultured in a D ulbecco’ s modified eagle medium(MEM) culture solution containing 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS) and various concentrations of aqueous extract of Rossa rugosae Radix.. The short term effect of the extract of Rossa rugosae Radix on proliferation. differentiation and maturation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were investigate after treatment for 24 hours by measuring MTT. Oil Red 0 and latate dehydrogenase activity.. Results: The Rossa rugosae Radix extract inhibited significantly the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and tended to increase latate dehydrogenase activity in the media of differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes & matured 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. the extract also inhibit the lipid accumulation of differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes & matuered 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that the Rossa rugosae Radjx extract inhibited the proliferation. differentiation and maturation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. suggesting that Rossa rugosae Radix has anti-obesity effect: however further in vivo study is needed to demonstrate its pharmacological effects.