Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, induces toxicity in cells and in experimental animals. Ginseng extracts were evaluated to determine whether they can inhibit BPA-induced toxicity. The antioxidant activity of fresh ginseng extract (WGE), dried white ginseng extract (DGE), and dried red ginseng extract (RGE) was measured using the DPPH assay. WGE and RGE increased DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Cell viability was measured in HepG2 cells following treatment with BPA and ginseng extracts using the MTT assay. DGE and RGE increased HepG2 cell viability following treatment with 200 μM BPA. RGE reduced levels of biochemical markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) that increased in mice following treatment with BPA. In addition, the regeneration and proliferation of damaged liver cells were significantly increased in RGE-treated mice. Moreover, RGE inhibited hepatic fibrosis in the surrounding area and in the central vein of the liver microstructure. RGE also significantly inhibited BPA-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, RGE protected liver damage and regenerated liver tissues in BPA-treated animals. These results show that RGE may represent a potential candidate drug for the treatment and prevention of liver damage caused by environmental toxins.
This study was conducted to evaluate the contents of total polyphenol and flavonoid, and the effect of antioxidant, antimicrobial activities and cytotoxicity in vitro by different solvent fractions from Orostachys japonicus. The ethylacetate fraction extract for O. japonicus contained 634.48 ㎍/g polyphenol and 205.20 ㎍/g flavonoid. The ABTS radical scavenging ability of ethylacetate fraction extract at 1 ㎎/㎖ was higher than 95% which is comparable to ascorbic acid of 97%. The APX enzymatic activity and CAT activity were 1125.89 μmol ascorbate oxidized/min/㎎ protein and 119.87 H2O2 decomposed/ min/㎎ protein, respectively. In disc agar plate diffusion assay, the extract gave rise to a larger inhibition circle with Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Malassezia furfur strains compared with antibiotics kanamycin suggestive of high antibiotic activity. The cytotoxicity of extracts of O. japonicus was significant differences between solvent fractions. That is, the cytotoxic effect against human cancer cell was higher in ethylacetate fraction extract than other fraction extracts. These results suggest that fraction extract of O. japonicus might be very effective and economical in developing natural antioxidant and antimicrobial.
This study examined the anti-inflammatory and whitening effects of Amaranth (Amaranthus spp L.) seed extract. Amaranthus spp L. seeds were extracted using 70% ethanol and then fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, dichloromethan, ethyl acetate and butanol. For the study of anti-inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 cells, EtOAc fraction of Amaranthus spp L. seeds significantly inhibited nitrogen oxide production as well as the protein level of iNOS. Furthermore, EtOAc fraction of Amaranthus spp L. seeds inhibited expression of TNF-α, PGE2 and the protein level of COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Inaddition, the tyrosinase inhibitory activities of the Amaranthus spp L. seed 70% ethanol extract and subfractions were also measured to see if these extracts can be used as an ingredient for whitening cosmetics. Tyrosinase is an oxidase that is a rate-limiting enzyme for controlling the production of melanin. Therefore, tyrosinase inhibitors have become increasingly important in cosmetics and medical products with regards to hyperpigmentation. EtOAc fraction of Amaranthus spp L. seeds showed mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity in a dose-dependent manner. This activity was more potent than that of a positive control cynandione A. These results suggest that Amaranthus spp L. seeds may be a valuable natural ingredient for the food and cosmetics industries.
The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data for using Aronia as a functional food material. The composition of anthocyanin was characterized and quantitated by LC-MS/MS, HPLC, and UV-VIS spectrophotometer techniques, respectively. The anthocyanin content was analyzed by temperature, time, pH, and the addition of citric acid. The UV-VIS spectrophotometer used for analysis of anthocyanin is less accurate than the LC-MS/MS method used in recent years. In the past, cyanidin-3-Glucoside was reported to be a major anthocyanin that contains Aronia. However, LC-MS/MS analysis in this study confirmed cyanidin-3-galactoside to be the major compound. The anthocyanin content of the Aronia powder began to decrease sharply at a temperature of 65 ℃ or higher when heated for 24 hours. In an aqueous solution of Aronia, the anthocyanin content was reduced by 50% at 65 ℃ for 10 hours and decreased by 85% at 85 ℃ within 10 hours. Above pH 8, the anthocyanin content was reduced by more than 50%. The results of this study will provide useful information to maintain anthocyanin content in the manufacturing process of Aronia. It could also be used to ensure the stability of anthocyanins in similar species of berries.
This study was performed to develop the efficient phytoremediation model in the paddy soil contaminated with heavy metals by cultivating Pteris multifida and Artemisia princeps with different mixing ratios (1:0, 8:1, 6:1, 4:1). As a result of investigating the heavy metal accumulation of each plant per dried material (1 ㎏), content of arsenic and cadmium was the highest in aerial part of P. multifida (169.82, 1.70 ㎎·㎏-1 DW, each) among the treated group. Lead content was the highest (12.58 ㎎·㎏-1 DW) in the aerial part of P. multifida cultivated with 8:1 mixed planting. But the content of copper and zinc was the highest (33.94, 61.78 ㎎·㎏-1 DW, each) in the aerial part of A. princeps with 8:1 treatment. Regardless of heavy metals, plant uptake from the 1 ㎡ soil was the highest in 4:1 mixed planting group, which showed the best yield of A. princeps.
We conducted a total of 28 surveys from March to October 2016 in Gayasan National Park, to identify threatened plants for climate change, as well as for the effective management of biological organisms and resources against climate changes in Korea. Regarding threatened plants for climate change, we identified a total of 39 taxa, with 11 northern, 2 southern, and 26 taxa of concern. Among these taxa, 33 were identified as wild species. The species threatened by climate change located in the subalpine regions of Gayasan National Park were Abies holophylla Maxim., Abies koreana Wilson, Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc., Betula ermanii Cham., Berberis amurensis Rupr., Rhododendron tschonoskii Maxim., Vaccinium hirtum var. koreanum (Nakai) Kitam., Primula modesta var. hannasanensis T.Yamaz., Trientalis europaea var. arctica (Fisch.) Ledeb., Thymus quinquecostatus Celak., Parasenecio firmus (Kom.) Y.L.Chen, and Lilium cernuum Kom. These species are expected to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming, since they were confirmed to have a very narrow vertical distribution range. Moreover, although the following species are not included in the list of plants threatened by climate change, it is assumed that the endemic species that grow at the summit, and Grade V floristics special plants, such as Pedicularis hallaisanensis Hurus., Allium thunbergii var. deltoides (S.O.Yu, S.Lee & W.Lee) H.J.Choi & B.U.Oh, Heloniopsis tubiflora Fuse, N.S.Lee & M.N. Tamura, Aletris glabra Bureau & Franch, and Gymnadenia cucullata (L.) Rich., will also be extremely vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, we believe that measures for the conservation of these species are urgently needed, and also that the definition of species threatened by climate change should be broadened to include more objective and valid taxa through the long-term monitoring of species distributed around the summit area.
South Korea is the northernmost distributional territory on the Camellietea japonicae (evergreen broad-leaved forests of the warm-temperate zone) in East Asia. A total of 40 stands were collected in terms of an ecologically-naturalized wild tea population (WTP), and their species composition was analyzed by Zürich-Montpellier School’s method with preliminary regard to forest canopy idendtification. Stand types were characterized by ecological flora’s criteria such as Raunkiaer’s life-form, neophyte, zonal distribution, and nativeness of species. Expansion of WTP distribution into the interior of the peninsula was recognized, than expected. The highest and northernmost WTPs have been recorded at Mt. Palgong, Daegu (390 m a.s.l.) and Iksan Jeonbuk (latitude 36° 03′ 33″), respectively. Altitudinal and latitudinal WTP distribution of Korea under continental climate shows lower than Japanese situation under oceanic climate. Community structure generally involved a few human interferences. Syngeographically WTP distribution was limited on the warm-temperate zone and the southernmost cool-temperate southern·submontane zone. First driving force on distributional expansion of the WTP was anthropogenic, particularly in the northernmost distribution area. We finally confirmed an actual existence of the WTP in South Korea and suggested a long-term monitoring on the WTPs in national view of in-situ genetic resources with higher frost-resistance.
This study was conducted to elucidate the distribution of vascular plants and their value of Mt. Samyeong. The vascular plants that were collected 10 times from October 2013 to July 2015 consisted of a total of 538 taxa; 92 families, 308genera, 466 species, 3 subspecies, 62 varieties and 7 forms. The observed rare plant species as designated by Korea Forest Service were 24 taxa. Endemic species were 25 taxa. 28 taxa were recorded as naturalized plants and their naturalized rate and urban index were noted as 5.3% and 8.7%. Among the surveyed 538 taxa, edible, medicinal, pasturing, ornamental, timber, dye, fiber and industrial plants included 220 taxa, 195 taxa, 167 taxa, 65 taxa, 25 taxa, 8 taxa, 6 taxa and 3taxa, respectively.
Rice is the staple food of at least half of the world's population. Due to global warming, the weather is difficult to forecast nowadays. Therefore, it is necessary to breed various breeding to respond to such changes in the environment. This study was conducted to analyze the QTL about plant form, culm length, ear number and ear length by using 120 lines by anther culture, a cross between the Indica variety Cheongcheong and Japonica variety Nagdong. DNA marker was selected on the QTLs gene, and the following results were obtained. CNDH (Cheongcheong Nagdong Doubled Haploid) lines frequency distribution table curves about culm length, ear number and ear length exhibited showed a continuous variation close to a normal distribution. QTL analysis result, on culm length qPlL1-1 and qPlL1-2 were detected on the chromosome 1 and qPlL5 was detected on the chromosome 5. However, on ear length qPL2, qPL3 and qPL10, were detected on the chromosome 2, 3 and 10, while on ear number qPN1-1 and qPN1-2 were detected on the chromosome 1, qPN9 was detected on the chromosome 9. The QTLs related to culm length was found to chromosomes 5 and LOD scores were 3.81. The QTLs related to ear length was found to chromosomes 2 and 3 LOD scores were 7.13 and 3.20. The QTLs related to ear number was found to chromosome 9 and LOD scores were 4.27. Twenty two (22) Japonica cultivars and 12 Indica cultivars were analyzed polymorphisms, using selected 9 markers from the result about plant form analysis. RM5311, RM555 and RM8111 about the culm length, the ear length and number of ear were selected on the standard of Cheongcheong and Nagdong. Each rate of concordances about the culm length, the ear length and number of ear are 44.11%, 41.17% and 44.11%.
This study was carried out to investigate the vascular plants of the protected area for forest genetic resource conservation in the National Yonghyeon natural recreation forest. The vascular plants collected 7 times (from February to September 2014) were consist of total 460 taxa; 95 families, 280 genera, 398 species, 3 subspecies, 50 varieties and 9 forms respectively. The 6 taxa of Korean endemic plants and 8 taxa of Korean rare plants were investigated. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 43 taxa comprising 7 taxa of grade Ⅳ, 7 taxa of grade Ⅲ, 12 taxa of grade Ⅱ, 17 taxa of grade Ⅰ. The naturalized plants were 39 taxa, therefore naturalized ratio was 8.5%. 460 taxa listed consist of 189 taxa (41.1%) of edible plants, 155 taxa (33.7%)of medicinal plants, 177 taxa (38.5%) of pasture plants, 52 taxa (11.3%) of ornamental plants, 17 taxa (3.7%)of timber plants, 12 taxa (2.6%) of fiber plants and 3 taxa (0.7%) of industrial plants. The vegetation status of investigated area was comparatively well conserved, but human-induced damage is increasingly greater. Therefore, a long-term monitoring of vascular plants and vegetation movement must become accomplished.
The present study was carried out to identify traditional konwledges on Korean Campanulaceae plants and conduct a comprehensive review of them through analyzing phytochemistry and pharmacology of Korean Campanulaceae plants. According to the literature study, the ethnobotanical plants of Korean Campanulacae consisted of a total 18 taxa. Of them, 12 taxa including Platycodon grandiflorus, Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, Codonopsis lanceolata and others have been used as ethnomedicinal plants. These plants have been used for the treatment of 49 diseases such as cold, asthma and postnatal care. Phytochemical studies have identified the constituents present from Korean Campanulaceae (Adenophora, Codonopsis, Platycodon, Campanula and Asyneuma). A wide range of chemical compounds comprised 109 triterpenes, 8 sterols, 4 polyacetylenes, 21 alkaloids, 14 flavonoids, 14 phenolic acids, 11 phenolic glycosides, 8 phenylpropanoids and 22 other compounds. Pharmacological studies of these compounds have demonstrated immuno-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, apophlegmatic and anti-allergic effects. They have also shown antioxidant, estrogenic, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antinociception and anti-tumor activities, as well as anti-obesity and cardiovascular effects. In light of traditional knowledge and phytochemical and pharmacological studies summarized, uses of Korean Campanulaceae based on traditional knowledge (for the treatment diseases and conditions of respiratory, pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium, genitourinary, circulatory, musculoskeletal and other systems) have been supported by phytochemical and pharmacological studies.