In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer activity and potential molecular mechanism of 70% ethanol extracts of branches from Taxillus yadoriki parasitic to Neolitsea sericea (TN-NS-B) against human lung cancer cells, A549. TY-NS-B dose-dependently suppressed the growth of A549 cells. TY-NS-B decreased β-catenin protein level, but not mRNA level in A549 cells. The downregulation of β-catenin protein level by TY-NS-B was attenuated in the presence of MG132. Although TY-NS-B phosphorylated β-catenin protein, the inhibition of GSK3β by LiCl did not blocked the reduction of β-catenin by TY-NS-B. In addition, TY-NS-B decreased β-catenin protein in A549 cells transfected with Flag-tagged wild type β- catenin or Flag-tagged S33/S37/T41 mutant β-catenin construct. Our results suggested that TN-NS-B may downregulate β- catenin protein level independent on GSK3β-induced β-catenin phosphorylation. Based on these findings, TY-NS-B may be a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human lung cancer.
Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is a traditional medicinal herb especially in Korea. It contains pyranocoumarins, which are major active components including decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA). This study was carried out to determine the change in active component content and antioxidant activity depending on the root diameter of AGN. Several processing steps are involved to use AGN roots as medicine. The dried AGN roots are divided into body (B), thick root (TkR), medium root (MR) and thin root (TnR) according to their diameter before cutting into medicine. The recovery rates of each root parts per 100 ㎏ were measured as 32.3±2.5, 9.0±1.0, 39.3±2.1 and 15.0±1.0%, respectively and the mean diameters were measured as 51.95±4.55, 7.05±0.89, 2.88±0.49 and 1.57±0.32 ㎜. Two index components, D and DA, were analyzed. The change of both D and DA content showed a similar tendency. Both D and DA content were increased as the root diameter decreased (higher in TnR). In addition, antioxidant activity was higher in B and TnR, and lower in TkR and MR than control. This study showed that the thinner the root diameter, the higher the D and DA content in AGN roots and that TnR has excellent antioxidant activity compared to other root parts, suggesting that the thinner root part of AGN could be used as a potential material.
This study was carried out to build a database system for amylose and protein contents of rice germplasm based on NIRS (Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy) analysis data. The average waxy type amylose contents was 8.7% in landrace, variety and weed type, whereas 10.3% in breeding line. In common rice, the average amylose contents was 22.3% for landrace, 22.7% for variety, 23.6% for weed type and 24.2% for breeding line. Waxy type resources comprised of 5% of the total germplasm collections, whereas low, intermediate and high amylose content resources share 5.5%, 20.5% and 69.0% of total germplasm collections, respectively. The average percent of protein contents was 8.2 for landrace, 8.0 for variety, and 7.9 for weed type and breeding line. The average Variability Index Value was 0.62 in waxy rice, 0.80 in common rice, and 0.51 in protein contents. The accession ratio in arbitrary ranges of landrace was 0.45 in amylose contents ranging from 6.4 to 8.7%, and 0.26 in protein ranging from 7.3 to 8.2%. In the variety, it was 0.32 in amylose ranging from 20.1 to 22.7%, and 0.51 in protein ranging from 6.1 to 8.3%. And also, weed type was 0.67 in amylose ranging from 6.6 to 9.7%, and 0.33 in protein ranging from 7.0 to 7.9%, whereas, in breeding line it was 0.47 in amylose ranging from 10.0 to 12.0%, and 0.26 in protein ranging from 7.0 to 7.9%. These results could be helpful to build database programming system for germplasm management.
Ginseng (Pnanx ginseng C. A. Meyer) is famous worldwide, and is very important cash crop and medicinal herb in Korea. It takes four to five years to produce harvestable ginseng roots, and ginseng is attacked by several pathogens during cultivation. We investigated the disease rate caused by ginseng root rot from 6 years old ginseng cultivation fields (Chungnam; 9 fields, Chungbuk; 11 fields, Gangwon 5 fields). The highest disease severity was Dangjin D (2.9) and the lowest one was Gaesan C (0.6). Of the 625 isolations, 340 isolations were classified as Ilyonectria radicicola and Fusarium solani. Finally, genetic diversity of I. radicicola and F. solani was confirmed by sequence analysis. Among the I. radicicola group, I. mors-panacis, which is known as highly virulent pathogen, and I. liriodendri, I. robusta and I. cyclamicicola, which are weakly virulent pathogens, were identified. In the case of F. solani, it is divided into two groups, but it is necessary to conduct diversity research through genetic analysis and pathogenetic studies using various markers. Based on these results, it could be used as a basic data for control of ginseng root rot pathogens.
In this study, we evaluated the effect of branch (STB) and leave (STL) extracts from Sageretia thea on β-catenin level in human colorecal cancer cells, SW480 and lung cancer cells, A549. STB and STL dose-dependently suppressed the growth of SW480 and A549 cells. STB and STL decreased β-catenin level in both protein and mRNA level. MG132 decreased the downregulation of β-catenin protein level induced by STB and STL. However, the inhibition of GSK3β by LiCl or ROS scavenging by NAC did not block the reduction of β-catenin protein by STB and STL. Our results suggested that STB and STL may downregulate β-catenin protein level independent on GSK3β and ROS. Based on these findings, STB and STL may be a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer and lung cancer.
The this study was carried out to investigate the growth characteristics of wild-simulated ginseng by direct seeding and transplanting cultivation for develop standard cultivation techniques of wild-simulated ginseng. Bonghwa experimental field were confirm to be suitable location environment for cultivation of wild-simulated ginseng. As a result of this study, the germination rate of wild-simulated ginseng was significantly highest when seed size was over 6.5 ㎜ in the spot seeding cultivation. In the case of transplanting, survival rate was significantly increased when the diameter of root was over 10 ㎜, planting distance was 7 ㎝, and the thickness of soil covering was less then 2 ㎝. The result of growth characteristics of wild-simulated ginseng by cultivation type, growth of stem in spot seeding cultivation was showed significantly increased when seed size over 6 ㎜, seeding number was 3 grains, and the seeding distance was less then 5 ㎝. Strip seeding cultivation was showed significantly increased in stem and root growth when seeding distance was 30 ㎝ grains and quantity of seeding was less then 23 g. In the case of transplanting cultivation, it’s was showed significantly increased in stem growth when diameter of root was over then 10 ㎜ and direction of rhizome was top and bottom. The results of this study was that to clearly establish the techniques of cultivation of managements and it’s will be suggest contribute to the industrial activation of wild-simulated ginseng.
This study was carried out to investigate the vascular plants of Mt. Choejeong in Gachang-myeon, Daegu. From March 2017 to October 2018, a total of 22 studies were conducted. The vascular plants surveyed were grouped into 560 taxa, including 104 families, 297 genera, 495 species, 4 subspecies, 51 varieties and 10 forma. Endemic plants 15 taxa, Rare plants 5 taxa, Red list plants 5 taxa, Floristic regional indicator plants 54 taxa, Naturalized plants 36 taxa were recorded. Among surveyed 560 taxa, edible, medicinal, ornamental, timber, pasturing, industrial and fiber plants included 246 taxa (29.2%), 228 taxa (27.1%), 164 taxa (19.5%), 61 taxa (7.2%), 13 taxa (1.5%), and 8 taxa (0.9%). And because people are coming and going more frequently than in the past, this will result in more frequent influx of naturalized plants and a threat to the habitat of the plants that are currently growing.
Alien invasive species are introduced with or without intent and spreading all over Korea. They are known to have negative effects on biodiversity such as economic and environmental damage and causing decrease or loss of native species. The habitats like wetland, reservoir and riverside are especially in danger of being invaded by alien species due to stress and disturbance. Therefore, Korea National Arboretum is steadily working on research and studies on managing alien invasive species. This research aims to collect basic information of Ludwigia peploides subsp. montevidensis (Spreng.) P.H. Raven which was found near riverside in Suwon-si and is concerned to become an invasive alien species. We expect the description, diagram and pictures of this taxon will be helpful for early detection and effective management.