Traditionally, Ligustrum lucidum fruits (LL) is one of the well-known oriental herb used in the treatment of skin and lung inflammation. This study investigated anti-inflammatory effects of LL in the pathogenesis of acute pulmonary inflammation in mice. Acute pulmonary inflammation was induced by intratracheal instillation of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 5 times within 12 days in mice. LL extract was administered orally at a dose of 50 or 200 mg/kg. Administration of LPS and CSC significantly elevated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to mice, and increased in the levels of inflammatory cells and mediators in mice. However, the LL extract significantly reduced the elevated AHR, and the increase of neutrophils, CD4+/CD3+ cells and CD8+/CD3+ cells, along with reducing the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and MIP-2. Moreover, the LL extract alleviated the infiltration of inflammatory cells in expanded airway walls histologically. These results indicate that the LL extract has an inhibitory effects on acute pulmonary inflammation and AHR in murine model, and plays a crucial role as a immunomodulator which possess anti-inflammatory property.
This study was carried out to compare the characteristics of seed germination and the first stage of growth in Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) by different light conditions such ass fluorescent light, dark and light emitting diode (LED). There was not much difference from the germination rate of C. wilfordii (Maxim.) in different light conditions for 10 days. The highest of germination rate occurred over 91.11 percentage by LED red condition at 26℃. Also mean germination velocity and promptness index were represented the highest results of 2.3 ea/day and 52.67 under red light, respectively. But mean germination time under both LED red and blue light was represented low data that it takes over three days for germinating of seed. Even though handling both LED red and blue lights, the germination uniformity was not constant. These results may help our understanding of variations in germination characteristics for C. wilfordii (Maxim.) seeds treated under different light conditions.
Studies were carried to evaluated the influence of storage method by temperatures and fillers on yield and quality of seed rhizome in turmeric. Seed rhizome was stored at styrofoam box filled with rice hull and sand (3:1) or vermiculite for 30, 60 and 90 days at different temperatures (5, 10 and 15℃. compared to traditional method (rhizome only). Parameters were obtained for weight loss, cold injury, percentage of decayed in stored rhizome during storage periods. Also, the germination, growth pattern and yield from stored rhizome has been investigated. It was confirmed that storage of turmeric in stored with filled with vermiculite helps in prevention of rhizomes from microbial and fungal attack. The storage of rhizomes in styrofoam box without any filler at low temperature below 10℃. is not advocated due to heavy losses weight and decayed in management of postharvest for turmeric rhizome. Germination percentage, growth pattern and yield was maximum for rhizomes stored at styrofoam box filled with vermiculite for 90 days at 15℃. The paper outlines a brief attempt to assess the efficacy of non-chemical methods including optimal storage method (temperature and filler) of control of decay and moisture losses during storage of turmeric.
This study was carried out to investigate change of ginsenoside contents according to tissue ratio in ginseng root by age and diameter. The epidermis-cortex and xylem-pith extent, fresh weight, dry weight of ginseng increased with the root age increase. They increased higher in xylem-pith than in epidermis-cortex. The ratio of epidermis-cortex decreased and xylem-pith increased as the main root diameter increased. In case of same diameter, the xylem-pith ratio increased by the increase of root age. The epidermis-cortex ratio was 4 > 5 > 6 years, respectively. The total 10 ginsenosides of epidermis- cortex increased with the root age increase. However, the total ginsenoside of xylem-pith decreased and it was 2~5 times lower than epidermis-cortex. The most of ginsenoside contents existed in epidermis-cortex. The diameter decrease in main root is related to the increase of epidermis-cortex ratio. It leads to increase of ginsenoside contents. In order to select high level of ginsenoside cultivar, it suggested that it should be selected main root having narrow diameter and lower epidermis- cortex ratio.
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of sucrose, boric acid, and calcium nitrate in optimum pH and relative humidity on pollen germination and pollen tube growth of boxthorn (Lycium chinense M.). Medium containing 100mg/L of H3BO3 showed maximum pollen germination and pollen tube elongation, 64.8% and 920μm. Additionally supplied calcium nitrate to the medium lowered pollen germination rate and pollen tube elongation. Here we report the optimum conditions for the pollen germination and pollen tube development was observed at 10% sucrose, 1.0% agar, pH 6.0, and 100% relative humidity.
Korean ginseng (P. ginseng C. A. Meyer) is one of the most important medicinal plant in the world. Understanding genetic variability among the assortment of Korean ginseng is important for breeding. The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize Korean ginseng cultivar and breeding lines through the use of eight previously reported STS markers (MFGp183, MFGp130, MFGp110, UFGp74, UFGp163, MFGp108, MFGp81 and UFGp156). All STS markers produced interpretable electropherograms from 31 accessions consisting of 11 Korean ginseng cultivars and 20 breeding lines. When eight STS markers were combined, we identified to total 19 genetic patterns; in particular, nine cultivars (Chunpoong, Yunpoong, Gopoong, Gumpoong, Sunpoong, Sunone, Cheongseon, Sunhyang, Cheonryang) and 5 breeding lines (G08012, G04079, G04075, G08036, G04110) in ginseng samples can be discriminated from the others. Together with other available markers, these STS markers will contribute to the management of ginseng genetic resources and the protection of breeders' rights.
This study was performed to determine the antimelanogenic effect and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of anthocyanin rich fraction (AN-SLP) from Liriope platyphylla Wang et Tang seeds. Anthocyanins isolated from L. platyphylla seeds revealed the presence of four major anthocyanin components, which were tentatively identified as delphinidin-3-Oglucoside, delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside, petunidin-3-O-rutinoside, and malvidin-3-O-rutinoside using semipreparative HPLC, 1H-NMR, 13C NMR, FAB-MS and LC/ES-MS. The inhibitory effect of AN-SLP on tyrosinase activity was studied using in vitro (against mushroom tyrosinase) and ex vivo (against B16 melanoma cell tyrosinase) models. Cellular tyrosinase activity was decreased by AN-SLP treatment in B 16 melanoma cells through dose dependent manner, but AN-SLP did not inhibit mushroom tyrosinase and L-DOPA oxidation directly. AN-SLP showed melanin inhibition by 53.2% at 50 μg/ml which was 0.7 times more efficient than the antimelanogenic effect of commercial arbutin and kojic acid (36.5%) also did not show cell toxicity. Additionally, AN-SLP inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase and the glycosylation of tyrosinase in melanoma cell. The resulting unsaturated glycosylation of tyrosinase makes it unstable and disturb correct transportation. From theses results, we conclude that AN-SLP could be used as anti-melanogenic agent for skin whitening.
The present study was investigated the effect of planting density on plant growth and yield of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer. Sowing density is one of the most important factors affecting yield. The value of roots have affected by shape, color, weight and degree of disease injury in ginseng. Also, it needed to minimize elapsed time for 5 years including pre-planting field management and cultivation period. We were conducted to evaluate that planting densities and varieties on the growth, yield and missing rate. The direct sowing was treated seeds density as a four levels (seeds; 72, 90, 120, 144) and 10 different varieties with 3 years old ginseng roots. Root weight was significantly affected by planting density and variety, but the number of lateral root and yield were affected by only planting density. Growth index was related to variety and planting density. Also, Root shape index was affected by both varieties and planting densities. Suitable planting density and variety were 120 plant per 1.62 m2 and Gopoong, respectively. Results showed that it was also a significant difference (p=5%) in variety of planting density on growth.
This study was carried out to investigate the difference of the content of soil chemical components and growth characteristics in five years old ginseng affected by application of manure in paddy-converted field. As all livestock manure regardless of kinds increased along with the whole soil chemical component, including the pH and EC in 2008. Change in the EC of control plot was slightly increased but not exceeded 1 ds/m over the years. However, the changes in the EC of livestock manure regardless of kinds and amounts were highly increased and irregularly exceeded 1.5 ds/m in 2012. The 5 years old ginseng root fresh weight, treatment of fertilizing pig manure compost 4 ton per 10 areas (PMC 4t on/10a) and fowl manure compost 4 ton per 10 areas (FMC 4 ton/10a), were superior to the others. But there were no difference between PMC 4 ton/10a, FMC 4 ton/10a and control. The standing crop rate 39.6%, treatment of fertilizing cattle manure compost 4 ton per 10 areas (CMC 4 ton/10a), was best in all livestock manure. However that was relatively lower than control. Physiological disorder occurrence rates of livestock manure related with leaf and root of ginseng were also higher than that of control. If excessively using non-decomposed livestock manure, It would be caused physiological disorder in many ways. It is a big problem to be producing the quality ginseng. More research is needed to find out the economic and effective fertilizer.
This study was conducted to select environmental friendly organic materials for controlling the ginseng alternaria blight and to evaluate their effects from 2011 to 2012. Alternaria blight is caused by Alternaria panax and is the most common ginseng disease in Korea. Environmental friendly organic materials were used to reduce amount of chemical fungicides and the number of spray for control of Ginseng Alternaria leaf blight. In 4 years of ginseng, control value of Alternaria leaf blight by single application of Defenoconazole WP was 82.3% and those of single application was 62.0~75.9%. Consequently, mixed or alternated application of eco-material products could be recommended as a control method to reduce the amount of fungicides.
This study was carried out in order to examine the germination characteristics of Atractylodes japonica seeds, and it was to develop the more efficient pre-treatment and production system of the seeds. Experiment was performed by two ways-temperature control (10, 15, 20, 25℃) and shading treatment (full sunlight, 35, 50, 75, 95% of full sunlight). Seed pre-treatment before the each experiment was carried out by temperature (with low temperature and wetting treatment (LTW) for 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days) and shading treatment (with drying at room temperature (DRT), drying at low temperature (DLT) and water soaking (WS) for 48 hours). Seeds of A. japonica were germinated well under temperature control (overall 85.3~100%), especially high temperature. And, the seeds pre-treated with LTW for 45 days germinated with a 100% success rate. Under the surveying shading treatment, the highest germination rate was 95.8% with DRT and overall 63.2~95.8%. Germination rate under seeds with WS was 63.2~7.8%. As a result of surveying the whole experiment, A. japonica seeds don't need to pre-treat cause of high germination, but if it is performed with LTW for a certain period of time, it would be more productive.
Ginsenoside Rg3 (G-Rg3) contained only in red ginseng has been found to show various pharmacological effects such as an anticancer, antiangiogenetic, antimetastastic, liver protective, neuroprotective immunomodulating, vasorelaxative, antidiabetic, insulin secretion promoting and antioxidant activities. It is well known that G-Rg3 could be divided into 20(R)-Rg3 and 20(S)-Rg3 according to the hydroxyl group attached to C-20 of aglycone, whose structural characteristics show different pharmacological activities. It has been reported that G-Rg3 is metabolized to G-Rh2 and protopanaxadiol by the conditions of the gastric acid or intestinal bacteria, thereby these metabolites could be absorbed, suggesting its absolute bioavailability (2.63%) to be very low. Therefore, we reviewed the chemical, physical and biological transformation methods for the production on a large scale of G-Rg3 with various pharmacological effects. We also examined the influence of acid and heat treatment-induced potentials on for the preparation method of higher G-Rg3 content in ginseng and ginseng products. Futhermore, the microbial and enzymatic bio-conversion technologies could be more efficient in terms of high selectivity, efficiency and productivity. The present review discusses the available technologies for G-Rg3 production on a large scale using chemical and biological transformation.