Background: Some phenolics detected in the soil may inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of ginseng (Panax ginseng). This study investigated the effect of irrigation and ginseng root residue addition on the soil microbial community and root rot disease in 2-year-old ginseng.
Methods and Results: Each 20 ℓ pot was filled with soil infected with ginseng root rot pathogens, and irrigated daily with 2 ℓ of water for one month. After the irrigation treatment, ginseng fine root powder was mixed with the irrigated soil at a rate of 20 g per pot. In descending order, NO3 −, electric conductivity (EC), exchangeable Na (Ex. Na) and K (Ex. K) decreased due to irrigation. In descending order, NO3 −, EC, Ex. K, and available P2O5 increased with the additon of ginseng powder to the soil. The abundance of Trichoderma crassum decreased with irrigation, but increased again with the incorporation of ginseng powder. The abundance of Haematonectria haematococca increased with irrigation, but decreased with the incorporation of ginseng powder. The abundance of Cylindrocarpon spp. and Fusarium spp., which cause ginseng root rot, increased with the incorporation of ginseng powder. The abundance of Arthrobacter oryzae and Streptomyces lavendulae increased with irrigation. The abundance of Streptomyces lavendulae decreased, and that of Arthrobacter spp. increased, with the incorporation of ginseng powder. Aerial growth of ginseng was promoted by irrigation, and ginseng root rot increased with the incorporation of ginseng powder.
Conclusions: Ginseng root residues in the soil affected soil nutrients and microorganisms, and promoted ginseng root rot, but did not affect the aerial growth of ginseng.
Background: This study was conducted to investigate the growth characteristics, root yield and curcuminoid content of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), cultivated using mother seed rhizomes (MR) and finger seed rhizome (FR) of different sizes. MR are attached to the stem, and FR are connected to the MR, and are used as a general seed rhizome.
Methods and Results: Seed rhizomes of different types and sizes were used: large, medium and small for FR, and large, half-sized, and small for MR. These were assigned to the experimental groups and cultivated under greenhouse conditions. The growth characteristics, root yield, and curcuminoid content did not show clear difference between MR and FR, but suggest that the larger seed rhizomes (above 30 g) could have higher root yields. On average, harvested mother rhizomes (HMR) contained more curcuminoid than harvested finger rhizomes (HFR), while the yield of HFR was higher than that of HMR. The higher weight of harvested roots correlated significantly with elevated curcuminoid content.
Conclusions: The two seed rhizomes, MR and FR, did not differ in root yield and curcuminoid contents, but larger seed rhizomes may produce better root yields. This suggest that the optimum seed rhizome is larger FR, to produce higher yields and quality in turmeric root production.
Background: For stable induction of tetraploidy in Fallopia multiflora Haraldson, colchicine was treated to establish the condition of induction and investigated the morphological and cytogenetic traits of the tetraploid plants obtained compared to those of diploid ones.
Methods and Results: For the induction of tetraploidy, F. multiflora plants were soaked in aqueous solutions of colchicine at various concentration (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0%). After this, 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added at room temperature on a shaker set at 150 rpm for periods of 12, 24, and 48 h. The induction rate of tetraploids appeared to be the highest in plants treated with 0.5% colchicine for 24 h. As the colchicine concentration and soaking time increased above these levels, the growing tip of the roots did not develop and they began to rot. When compared to diploid plants, tetraploids differed greatly in various characteristics, including the sizes and shapes of the leaves, fruits, flowers and roots. The induced tetraploid F. multiflora had larger guard cells, and chloroplasts, increased number of chloroplast in the guard cells and decreased stomatal densities.
Conclusions: When colchicine induced plants for tetraploid, it can be distinguished from diploids, in various characteristics such as morphological changes as stomatal size, number of chloroplasts per guard cell, number of chromosomes and flow cytometry. Therefore, it proved that these methods are suitable, quick and easy methods for the identification of the ploidy level of F. multiflora.
Background: To enhance the taste and physiological characteristics of Lycii fructus (Gugija) extracts, we investigated the changes in the physiological characteristics of Gugija extracts caused by adding white ginseng (WG) and red ginseng (RG)
Methods and Results: Gugija extracts, including 10G10, 10GW-G8 : 2, -G6 : 4, -G4 : 6, -G2 : 8, and -G0 (mixtures made by replacing 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of Gugija with WG), as well as 10G10, 10GR-G8 : 2, -G6 : 4, -G4 : 6, -G2 : 8, and -G0 (mixture made by replacing 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of Gugija with RG) were extracted with water at 10 times the respective mixture's volume. The antioxidant activities of Gugija extracts were investigated by assessing their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azinobis(3ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) activity, nitrite scavenging activity, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. As the amount of WG added increased, the DPPH, and, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and FRAP activity of the Gugija extract decreased. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 10G10, 10GW-G6 : 4, 10GR-G6 : 4, and 10GR-G0 for DPPH radical scavenging activity were 25.50 ± 1.04, 52.06 ± 1.46, 16.87 ± 1.24, and 9.50 ± 0.16 ㎕/㎖, respectively. On the other hand, the physiological activity of Gugija extract increased with the addition of increasing amounts of RG. However, ACE inhibitory activity was the highest (50.25 ± 2.58%) in the Gugija 10-fold extract without any added RG.
Conclusions: From the above results, we suggest that adding RG to Gugija extracts increase their antioxidant, FRAP, and nitrite scavenging activities.
Background: The plant Aster koraiensis has long been used as an ingredient in folk medicine. It has been reported that Aster koraiensis extract (AKE) prevents the progression of diabetes-induced retinopathy and nephropathy. However, although these beneficial effects of AKE on diabetes complications have been identified, the antidiabetic effects of AKE have not yet been completely investigated and quantified. In the present study, the glucose-lowering and antioxidant effects of aqueous and ethanolic AKEs were evaluated.
Methods and Results: The glucose-lowering effects of aqueous and ethanolic (30%−, 50%−, and 80%-ethanol) AKEs were investigated via α-glucosidase inhibitory assays. The mode of inhibition by AKEs on α-glucosidase was identified through kinetic analysis. The total antioxidant capacity of each of the 4 AKEs was evaluated by assessing their conversion rate of Cu2+ to Cu+. The content of chlorogenic acid and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, the bioactive compounds in AKE, in each extract were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The AKEs showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with mixed inhibition mode, and significant antioxidant capacity.
Conclusions: These results of this study suggested that the AKEs tested had α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant effects. Among the extracts, the 80% ethanol extract showed the most significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 value) of 1.65 ± 0.36㎎/㎖ and a half maximal effective concentration (EC50 value) for its antioxidant activity of 0.42 ± 0.10㎎/㎖. It can therefore be used as a source of therapeutic agents to treat diabetes patients.
Background: Atractylodes radix is a well-known medicinal crop having many physiological effects. This study was conducted to select useful Atractylodes japonica × Atractylodes macrocephala (AJM) cultivars by comparing anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory efficacies.
Methods and Results: Seven extracts from AJM cultivars were used to treat lipopolysacchride (LPS)-treated BV2 cells, and the effects on cell viability and inhibition on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production were analyzed. In vitro scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and peroxynitrite (NOO−) radicals were also investigated. Contents of total phenol, atractylenolide I, and atractylenolide III in the AJM extracts were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or spectrophotometry. The experiments show that none of the seven extracts was cytotoxic above 89.2% at 20 - 250㎍/㎖. Extracts of Gowon, Dawon, Sangchul, and Huchul inhibited ROS generation in a dose-dependent manner, and Sangchul extract showed the highest inhibition on ROS production. All the AJM extracts showed effective inhibitory activity after on NO release in the LPS-treated BV2 cells, and Sangchul extract showed the highest activity. Sangchul extract had the most potent scavenging activities for NOO− and had some DPPH radical scavenging effect. Sangchul extract also had the highest content at total phenol and atractylenolide I content. Atractylenolide III was not detected in the AJM extracts.
Conclusions: The results suggested that Sangchul was the most useful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory resource among the AJM cultivars.
Background: In Korea, seeds of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer need to be stored under cold temperature and high humidity condition for months to break physiological dormancy, making storage difficult until spring-sowing. This study was conducted to test the effects of seed storage conditions and seed treatment on the emergence of seedling after spring-sowing in a nursery greenhouse.
Methods and Results: After dehiscence, endocarp dried seeds in mild or completely, and wet seeds were stored in 2℃ and −3.5℃ during winter. Storage at −3.5℃ resulted in a lower emergence rate (ER) than that at 2℃, and additional cold (2℃) treatment before or after storage at −3.5℃ increased the ER. Endocarp dehydration prevented pre-germination at 2℃ storage and increased the ER of seeds stored at −3.5℃. ER was also dependent on the batch of seeds. However, seed treatments before sowing had only limited effects on ER. Root loss was the main reason for damping-off; prolonged cold storage of seeds increased damping-off, as the detection of pathogens was not high.
Conclusions: This study showed that storage conditions such as temperature and moisture content of seeds, affect the ER after spring-sowing and vitality of seedlings, suggesting further attention on seed control for secure seedling stands after spring-sowing.
Background: The ginsenosides Rb1 (G-Rb1) and Rg1 (G-Rg1) are used as marker compounds, and are the principal bioactive compounds assessed in the quality control of white ginseng. This study was conducted to analyze white ginseng samples of different and to obtain useful data for the quality control of white ginseng.
Methods and Results: The variation in the content of G-Rb1 and G-Rg1 was evaluated among 35 samples of 4-, 5-, and 6-year-old white ginseng. The content of both G-Rb1 and G-Rg1 did not significantly differ among ages, and the relative ratio of the maximum to the minimum content of these within ginseng of the same ages was more than two. However, the ratio of G-Rb1 to G-Rg1 content in the 5- and 6-year-old ginseng was significantly higher than that in the 4-year-old one. According to the ‘Ginseng industrial act’, the standard (w/w, %) minimum G-Rg1 and G-Rb1 content is 0.10% and 0.20% or more, respectively. Among the 35 samples examined, the content of G-Rg1 was found to be 0.124 - 0.399% with none being less than the standard level, while that of G-Rb1, was 0.147 - 0.595%, with 4 samples (11.4%) failing to meet the standard levels. The content of G-Rg1 and G-Rb1 did not show a constant relationship with the size of ginseng.
Conclusions: In our study, the content of both G-Rg1 and G-Rb1 varied widely, and there was no significant difference among cultivation ages. The results of the present study might provide useful information for the quality control of raw ginseng and processed white ginseng using marker compound.
Background: The objective of this study was to make colloidal dispersions of the active compounds of radix of Angelica gigas Nakai that could be charaterized as nano-composites using hot melt extrusion (HME). Food grade hydrophilic polymer matrices were used to disperse these compound in aqueous media.
Methods and Results: Extrudate solid formulations (ESFs) mediated by various HPMCs (hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses) and Na-Alg polymers made from ultrafine powder of the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai were developed through a physical crosslink method (HME) using an ionization agent (treatment with acetic acid) and different food grade polymers [HPMCs, such as HP55, CN40H, AN6 and sodium alignate (Na-Alg)]. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the amorphization of crystal compounds in the HP55-mediated extrudate solid formulation (HP55-ESF). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated a lower enthalpy (ΔH = 10.62 J/g) of glass transition temperature (Tg) in the HP55-ESF than in the other formulations. Infrared fourier transform spectroscopy (FT-IR) revealed that new functional groups were produced in the HP55-ESF. The content of phenolic compounds, flavonoid (including decursin and decursinol angelate) content, and antioxidant activity increased by 5, 10, and 2 times in the HP55-ESF, respectively. The production of water soluble (61.5%) nano-sized (323 ㎚) particles was achieved in the HP55-ESF.
Conclusions: Nano-composites were developed herein utilizing melt-extruded solid dispersion technology, including food grade polymer enhanced nano dispersion (< 500 ㎚) of active compounds from the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai with enhanced solubility and bioavailability. These nano-composites of the radix of Angelica gigas Nakai can be developed and marketed as products with high therapeutic performance.