The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of medicinal plants on ethanol-metabolism. Sprague Dawley rats divided into 6 groups (n=8), fed with 10% ethanol and diets supplemented with each 1% of four plant extracts, α-tocopherol (as positive control) and fiber (as negative control) for 4 weeks. Group supplemented with plant extract of Ulmus davidiana showed the most high value (322 nM NADH/min/mg protein) in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity among the experimented groups (144~312 nM NADH/min/mg protein) at p〈0.05. Groups fed with Lagerstroemia indica and Zelkova serrata extract-supplemented diets indicated high activity in aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH, 16.7 & 12.3 M NADH/min/mg protein), which were comparatively lower than 20.1 M NADH/min/mg protein of α-tocopherol fed group. All of the groups fed with plant extracts indicated very low GPT activities (13.9~17.3 IU/l) compared to those (146.1 & 128.6 IU/l) fed with α-tocopherol and fiber at p〈0.05. From these results, it is suggested that Lagerstroemia indica have a potent ethanol-metabolizing activity.

Polygalae Radix (PR) from Polygala tenuifolia. (Polygalaceae) is traditionally used in China and Korea, since this herb has a sedative, antiinflammatory, and antibacterial agent. To extend pharmacological actions of PR in the CNS on the basis of its CNS inhibitory effect, the present study examined whether PR has the neuroprotective action against kainic acid (KA) -induced cell death in primarily cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. PR, over a concentration range of 0.05 to 5μg/ml inhibited KA (500 μM)-induced neuronal cell death, which was measured by a trypan blue exclusion test and a 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. PR (0.5μg/ml) inhibited glutamate release into medium induced by KA (500 μM), which was measured by HPLC. Pretreatment of PR (0.5μg/ml) inhibited KA (500 μM)-induced elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) which was measured by a fluorescent dye, Fura 2-AM, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results suggest that PR prevents KA-induced neuronal cell damage in vitro.

To identify the variation of the RAPD patterns between two Atractylodes species, 52 kinds of random primers were applied to each eight of A japonica and A. macrocephala genomic DNA. Ten primers of 52 primers could be used to discriminate between the species and 18 polymorphisms among 67 scored DNA fragments (18 fragments are specific for A. japonica and A. macrocephala) were generated using these primers, 26.9% of which were polymorphic. RAPD data from the 10 primers was used for cluster analysis. The cluster analysis of RAPD markers showed that the two groups are genetically distinct. On the other hand, to identify the variation of the AFLP patterns and select the species specific AFLP markers, eight combinations of EcoRI/MseI primers were applied to the bulked A. japonica and A. macrocephala genomic DNA. Consequently, three combinations of EcoRI/MseI primers (EcoRI /Mse I ; AAC/CTA, AAC/CAA, AAG/CTA) used in this study revealed 176 reliable AFLP markers, 42.0% of which were polymorphic. 74 polymorphisms out of 176 scored DNA fragments were enough to clearly discriminate between two Atractylodes species.

“Daeyou” was developed at the National Crop Experiment Station, RDA in 2001 through the crossing lines of high oil content Yeupsildlkkae and Heukim's hybrid line and it was combined by Pakesa and low seedcoat ratio variety Suwon 8 in 1991. Daeyou has grey

“Hoanbyeo” is a new japonica rice cultivar developed from a cross between Kanto149 and Milyang95 by the rice breeding team of National Honam Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES), RDA, during 1990 to 1998. This cultivar requires about 121days of growth

“Dongjinchalbyeo” is a new japonica glutinous rice cultivar developed from a cross between Milyang95 and SR11155-4-2/Toyonishiki by the rice breeding team of the National Honam Agricultural Experiment Station (NHAES), RDA, in 1998. This cultivar has a sho

“Kwangim” was developed at the National Crop Experiment Station, RDA in 2001 through induced mutations breeding by EMS treatment on the Suwon 38 perilla seeds in 1993. Kwangim has dark brown seedcoat colour with abundant and long clusters. Anthesis of Kwa

“Dasil” was developed at the National Crop Experiment Station, RDA in 2001 through induced mutation by γ-ray irradiation on local perilla accession “Yechon” in 1994. Dasil is characterized as short plant height, dark-brown seedcoat color, medium size of s

Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are frequently exposed to unfavorable environments during growing seasons and water is the most important factor limiting for the production system. The purpose of this study was to determine the leaf water potential changes by irrigation, and to evaluate the relationships of leaf water potential, growth and yield in soybeans. Three soybean cultivars, Hwangkeumkong, Shinpaldalkong 2, and Pungsannamulkong, were planted in growth chamber and field with irrigated treatments. Leaf water potential of three soybean cultivars was positively correlated with leaf water content during vegetative and reproductive growth stages in growth chamber and field experiments. Leaf water potentials measured for three soybean cultivars under growth chamber were higher than those of under field conditions. Higher leaf water potential with irrigated plots under field was observed compared to conventional plots during reproductive growth stages. Leaf water potentials of three soybean cultivars were continually decreased during reproductive growth stages under field and there was no significant difference among them. Number of leaves, leaf water content, pod dry weight, number of seeds and seed dry weight with irrigated plots were higher than those of conventional plots. The results of this study suggested that leaf water potential could be used as an important growth indicator during the growing season of soybean plants.