Background : Geranium Koreanum(GK), a species of the family Geranium is a perennial herb plants. We performed to determine the anti-inflammatory effects in Lipopoly -saccaride induced RAW 264.7 cell of ethanol extracts from Geranium koreanum. Methods and Results : The dried whole plants 50g of G. koreanum was refluxed three times in 0.5 L 70% ethanol for 2hr. The RAW 264.7 cells for anti-inflammatory assay were obtained from the American Tissue Culture Collection(Manassas, VA), and it cultured in DMEM containing 10% Fetal Bovine Serum(FBS) in 5%, CO2 incubator. An anti-inflammatory of G. koreanum measured by Ntrite oxide(NO) production and the protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory proteins such as COX-2 and iNOS, reductions in activation of NF-kB transcription factor. The results showed that G. koreanum was inhibited NO production and exhibited nontoxic in concentration 50~200㎍/㎖. Also, G. koreanum extracts indicate a significant reduction activation of NF-kB transcription factor and inhibition of pro-inflammatory proteins such as COX-2 and iNOS. Conclusion : The above results suggested that G. koreanum extracts expected the antiinflammatory effects and development possibility as nutraceuticals.

The objectives of this study were to find the sprouting condition and to establish the optimum production methods of plug seedlings in yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp. & Endl.). The sprouting ratio was greatest at 30~pm 1~circC at 20 days after planting. Crowns with single buds were more effective than those with two or more buds for sprouting, which might be due to the apical dominance. Planting the shoots separated from crown after sprouting in the single- and double-layer polyethylene-covered greenhouses reduced seedling period with 25% and 50%, respectively. Planting the shoots after sprouting was more effective than planting the crown buds. Double-layer polyethylene-covered green-house was good for plug seedling production than open field or single-layer polyethylene-covered greenhouse. The bed soils composed of clay loam : compost or sand : compost (1:l=v:v) were more effective to produce plug seedlings than only clay loam, sand or compost. Seedlings could be produced at 30 days after planting in our studies