Spiraea prunifolia Sieb. et Zucc. var. simpliciflora Nakai (SSN) has been used for the anti-inflammation in traditional folk medicine. To compare water and methanol extracts of SSN, we analyzed major components using LC IT TOF MS. The major components of hot water extract were identified as caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid, but methanol extract was not well established. However, methanol extract was detected with less polarity compounds compared to hot water extract. Next, we investigated the inhibitory effects of SSN water extract on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response or H2O2-induced oxidative stress in Raw 264.7 macrophage cells. SSN strongly suppressed the production of nitric oxide in LPS-induced inflammatory response without cytotoxcity. The SSN possessed free radical scavenging activities such as DPPH (IC50=320.2 ㎍/㎖), ABTS (IC50=124.0 ㎍/㎖), and superoxide anion radical (IC50=122.6 ㎍/㎖). The total phenol and flavonoid content of SSN was 56.7 ㎎/g, and 15.1 ㎎/g, respectively. Furthermore, SSN decreased the H2O2-induced cytotoxicity by enhancing the cell viability, and SSN significantly reduced the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Therefore, SSN may be recommended as an effective strategy to prevent and/or treat various inflammation and ROS-induced diseases.

Background: The application of crop rotation systems may reduce the occurrence of soil-borne diseases by releasing allelochemicals and by subsequent microbial decomposition. Methods and Results: For reduction of ginseng root rot by the crop rotation system, after harvesting 6-year-old ginseng, fresh ginseng was grown along with continuous cultivation of sweet potato, peanut, and bellflower. Growth of 2-year-old ginseng was significantly inhibited in the continuous cultivation than in the first cultivation. Sweet potato, peanut and bellflower cultivations assisted in obtaining normal yields of ginseng in the first year after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng. Salt concentration, potassium and sodium contents were gradually decreased, and, organic matter was gradually increased through cirp rotation. Phosphate, calcium and magnesium contents were not altered. The density of the root rot fungus was gradually decreased by the increase in crop rotation; however it was decreased distinctly in the first year compared to the second and third year. The severity of root rot disease tended to decrease gradually by the increase of crop rotation. Conclusions: Short-term crop rotation for three years promoted the growth of ginseng, however root rot infection was not inhibited significantly, although it was somewhat effective in lowering the density of the root rot pathogen.

This study was designed to examine the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of red beet (Beta vulagaris) root. Red beet root was extracted using 70% ethanol and then fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and butanol. Antioxidative ability was evaluated by bioassays using total polyphenol contents and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid diammonium salt) radical scavenging activity. Ethyl acetate fraction of red beet root was best on total polyphenol contents (37.02±0.37 mg GAE/g) and ABTS radical scavenging effects (IC50 42.9±9.5 μg/mL). For the anti-inflammatory activity in RAW264.7 cells, the hexane fraction showed the highest inflammatory effect. Dose response studies were performed to determine the inhibitory effect of hexane fraction of red beet root on pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The hexane fraction of red beet root inhibited the NO and PGE2 production and the protein level of iNOS and COX-2, and protein expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β), in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that red beet root has considerable potential as a functional food ingredient with antioxidative and anti- inflammatory effects.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hot water extract of Welsh onion root (HEWO) on growth of lactic acid bacteria and fermentative characteristics of yogurt. The physiochemical characteristics of HEWO such as pH, soluble solid, reducing sugar, total polyphenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were studied. The lactic bacterial count in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth with HEWO was about 1 log cycle higher than in control for 24 h at 37℃. The pH of yogurt prepared with HEWO (WY100) and 50% HEWO (WY50) was gradually decreased significantly but increased the viscosity of yogurt with increasing HEWO concentration during fermentation. The viable cells of lactic acid bacteria after fermentation for 24 h were 8.03 (control), 8.77 (WY50), 8.84 (WY100) log CFU/mL, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of yogurt increased with increasing HEWO concentration. Sensory quality of yogurt prepared with HEWO was higher than that of control. The pH and lactic acid bacteria of all tested yogurts decreased during storage for 10 days at 4℃ but lactic bacterial count of yogurt prepared with HEWO maintained 108 CFU/mL during storage. These results indicated the potential use of HEWO as a valuable resource to improve fermentation and functionality of yogurt.

Background: Rehmannia glutinosa is a perennial herb belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. Its roots have been utilized as a traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to elucidate the basic information of the roots of the R. glutinosa cultivars and their utilization. Methods and Results: The roots of R. glutinosa cultivars were harvested in the end of March. The two iridoid glycosides, aucubin and catalpol, were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), whereas γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The aucubin content was the highest in the Dakang cultivar, whereas no aucubin was detected in the five cultivars. All cultivars had more than 12 ㎎/g catalpol content, and the maximum catalpol content was found in Jihwang 1. The GABA content was the highest in Suwon 1, and it was 40 times more than that in the Yeongang cultivar. Conclusions: The highest aucubin, catapol and GABA contents were detected in the Dakang, Jihwang 1, and Suwon 1, cultivars respectively. This study provides the crucial information regarding the versatile utilization and pedigree selection of R. glutinosa cultivars.

Background : Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Korea, but its yields are often reduced by a variety of root pathogens. The root rot of ginseng is a destructive soil-borne disease caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans (teleomorph: Ilyonectria radicicola). Methods and Results : Ilyonectria radicicola and its Cylindrocarpon-like anamorph represent a species complex that is commonly associated with root rot disease symptoms on virulence. During the course of this study, several species could be distinguished from I. radicicola sensu stricto based on morphological and culture characteristics. As results of investigated culture characteristics, optimal temperature for mycelial growth of isolates were 20℃, and colony pattern and color were slightly different on PDA. Isolates of I. radicicola were analyzed for their genetic relatedness based on several genes and microsatellite region. I. radicicola group was divided into two small groups. Conclusion : Therefore, we were able to confirm pathogenicity and genetic difference between the isolates in each of the groups of the pathogen. Among these isolates, 21.5% were classified as highly virulent and 78.5% were weakly virulent. *(Corresponding

Background : Korean ginseng is an important cash crop in Asian countries. However, plant yield is reduced by pathogens. Among the Ilyonectria radicicola-species complex, I. mors-panacis is responsible for root-rot and replant failure of ginseng in Asia. It is essential to find a way to reveal the existence of the pathogen before starting cultivation. Therefore, qRT-PCR method is developed to detect and quantify the pathogen in ginseng soils. Methods and Results : In this study, species specific Histone H3 primer set is developed for the quantification of I. mors-panacis. The primer set was applied on DNA of other microbes to evaluate its sensitivity and selectivity on I. mors-panacis DNA. Sterilized soil samples artificially infected by the pathogen in different concentrations were used to evaluate the ability of the primer set to detect the pathogen population in the soil DNA. Finally, the pathogen was quantified in many natural soil samples. The designed primer set was found to be sensitive and selective to I. mors-panacis DNA. In artificially infected sterilized soil samples, the estimated template using qRT-PCR was positively correlated with the pathogen concentration in soil samples (R2=0.94), disease severity index (R2=0.99), and colony forming unit (R2=0.87). In the natural soils, the pathogen was recorded in the most of fields produce bad yields with the range of 5.82 ± 2.35 to 892.34 ± 103.70 pg/g of soil. Conclusion : According to the presented results, the proposed primer set is applicable for estimating soils quality before ginseng cultivation. This will help in the disease management and crop protection in the future.

Background : The fungus Cylindrocarpon destructans (Zins) Scholten is the cause of root rot in many ginseng production areas. Root exudate composition and quantity vary in relation to plant nutritional status, but the impact of the differences on rhizosphere microbial communities is not known. Methods and Results : Five kinds of rotation crops, sudan grass soybean peanut sweet potato, perilla were grown for one year in ginseng garden harvested 6-year-old ginseng. The ratio of gram-negative bacteria, fungi, bacteria, total microbial biomass, aerobic/anaerobic microbes were increased by rotational crop cultivation, while the ratio of actinomycetes and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids were decreased. The increase in the fungal density or the increase in the proportion of fungi to the bacteria tended to increase the incidence of root rot, but there was no significant difference. The yield of ginseng root showed a highly significant negative correlation with actinomycetes. The correlation between the soil chemical properties and the incidence of root rot was analyzed by cultivating 23 kinds of green manure crops for one year in field where cultivated ginseng continuously. The survival rate of ginseng showed a highly significant positive correlation with soil acidity and a highly significant negative correlation with nitrate nitrogen, and a significant negative correlation with soil salt concentration. Conclusion : Rotation crops improved soil microbial communities, lowered the rate of fungi and increased the proportion of bacteria, the survival rate of ginseng was significantly correlated with soil acidity, nitrate nitrogen and soil salinity.

Background: Some plants have harmful effects on fungi and bacteria as well as plants. Incorporating into soil as green manures are effective in reducing population densities of soil pathogens. Methods and Results: Twenty-three species of green manure crops were cultivated after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng and then incorporated green manure into the soil at the flowering stage. The following year, the root rot ratio of 2-year-old ginseng and soil chemical properties were investigated. Sorghum sudanense, Helianthus annuus, and Helianthus tuberosus were relatively high in dry matter production. Without incorporating green manure into soil, NO3, EC (electric conductivity) and K were decreased by 95%, 79% and 65%, respectively. When green manure was incorporated to soil, P2O5 and NO3, were reduced by 41% and 25%, respectively. The survived root ratio of 2-year-old ginseng were significantly increased by 56.2%, 47.5%, and 47.3% in Sorghum sudanense, Ricinus communis and Helianthus tuberosus, respectively, In addition, there was a significant increase in Secale cereale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Smallanthus sonchifolius. The survived root ratio of ginseng showed a significant positive correlation with soil pH and a negative correlation with NO3, and EC. Conclusion: Cultivation of Chrysanthemum family mainly using rhizome and root as green manure was effective for root rot disease of ginseng.

Background: Some plants have harmful effects on fungi and bacteria as well as other plants. Incorporating such plant into soil as green manure is effective in reducing population densities of soil pathogens. Methods and Results: Twenty-three species of green manure crops were cultivated after the harvest of 6-year-old ginseng and then incorporated into the soil at the flowering stage. The following year, the root rot ratio of 2-year-old ginseng and soil chemical properties were investigated. In the absence of green manure addition, the NO3 content, electric conductivity (EC), and K content decreased by 95%, 79% and 65%, respectively. In the presence of green manure addition, P2O5 and NO3 contents reduced by 41% and 25%, respectively. The “survived root ratio” of 2-year-old ginseng significantly increased by 56.2%, 47.5%, and 47.3%, in the Sorghum sudanense, Ricinus communis and Helianthus tuberosus treatment, respectively. In addition, there was a significant increase in the “survived root ratio” in the Secale cereale, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Smallanthus sonchifolius treatments. The “survived root ratio” of ginseng showed a significant positive correlation with the soil pH and a negative correlation with the NO3 contents, and EC. Conclusions: Cultivation of plant form the Chrysanthemum family as green manure, using mainly the rhizomes was effective for the control of root rot disease of ginseng.

This study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro greenhouse gas mitigation activities of fermented Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extract. Seven starter cultures were used, comprising four of lactic acid bacteria and three of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ten grams of S. baicalensis Georgi powder was diluted in 90 mL autoclaved MRS broth. Each seed culture was inoculated with 3-10% (v/v) S. baicalensis Georgi MRS broth and incubated at 30℃ for 48 h. Among the starter cultures used, only Lactobacillus plantarum EJ43 could withstand the fermentation conditions. This fermentation broth was dried and extracted with ethanol to assess its antibacterial, antioxidant, and in vitro methane mitigation activities. The extract of S. baicalensis Georgi fermented by L. plantarum EJ43 (SBLp) showed higher antibacterial activity (bigger clear zone) compared to the unfermented S. baicalensis Georgi extract (SB0). SBLp also presented 1.2 folds higher antioxidant activity than SB0. During in vitro rumen fermentation, SBLp showed reduction in methane production compared to SB0 or the control. In conclusion, fermentation by L. plantarum EJ43 may enhance antibacterial and antioxidant activities of S. baicalensis Georgi and decrease enteric methane production.

카바(Piper methysticum, P. methysticum)는 비뇨생식기 질환, 류머티즘, 위장 장애, 호흡기 자극 및 폐 통증에 대해 전통적으로 사용되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 카바에서 분리된 flavokavain C (FKC)가 염증성 유전자의 발현에 관여하는 전사인자인 핵요소-κB (NF-κB) 의존성 산화 질소(NO) 생산 및 산화 질소 합성 효소(iNOS)의 발현에 리포폴리사카라이드(LPS) 처리된 대식세포에서 항 염증 활성을 나타 낸다는 것을 확인하였다. FKC는 과산화수소와 같은 반응성 산소 종(ROS)의 축적을 억제하고, LPS로 유도된 NO 생성 및 각종 염증 관련 유전자(iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6)의 발현을 NF-κB 및 MAPKs (ERK 및 JNK)의 억제를 통해 농도 의존적으로 줄일 수 있었다. 결론적으로, 이러한 결과는 FKC가 NF-κB 경로와 MAPKs 포 함한 염증 프로세스를 억제하는 능력을 가지고 있음을 나타내며, 이는 항 염증 및 항산화 효능 기반 기능성 화장 품에 적용될 수 있음을 암시한다.

Background : Ginseng widely cultivated as a major medicinal herb in Korea, is economically important crop for farmer. Ginseng root disease caused by soil borne pathogens is main factors restricting the quantity and quality of ginseng. The disease can result in harvest loss of up to 20~70% and limits the replanting of ginseng under same field for long time. The traditional control method of agrochemical use is not recommend to control soil borne disease because of difficulty in use and unstable effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of several antagonistic microbes for developing biological control method of ginseng root rot. Methods and Results : To select biocontrol agents against ginseng soil borne disease, several bacteria were isolated from ginseng root and rhizosphere soil evaluated in vitro screening of antifungal bacterial against ginseng root pathogens. Two antagonistic bacteria, ES17 and CJ4, showed the strongest inhibition effect against ginseng root pathogen. In the pot experiment under greenhouse conditions, ginseng seedling dipped in bacterial suspension at inoculum density of 106 cfu/ml for 1 hour were planted in pot containing inoculum. Control effect was examined depend on disease severity index at 30 days after inoculation. Ginseng root treated with CJ4 and ES17 isolate reduced root rot disease development on the ginseng root with degrees of control efficacy of 85% and 70%, respectively. Conclusion : Two biocontrol agent, Burkholderia ambifaria CJ4 and Paenibacillus strain ES17, had strong antifungal efficacy against ginseng soil borne pathogens. These results obtained from in vitro test and pot experiment suggest the potential applicability of the biocontrol agent to control ginseng root rot caused by various soil borne pathogens.

Background : Ginseng is a perennial, and damage occurs due to various diseases and pests. As a result, yield decreases and quality deteriorates. In particular, it is impossible to be repeatedly cultivated due to root rot, soil-borne disease. For this, in order to control root rot and repeatedly cultivate ginseng by using soil fumigation from virgin soil, this experiment was conducted. Methods and Results : This experiment was performed in ginseng farm field, Geumsan-gun, Chungnam province. And total area was 3ha. And the experiment was conducted in soil where apple trees had been grown. Apple trees were rooted up in 2006. And soil was fumigated in May 2007. With regard to soil fumigant, soil was treated with Basamid of 40kg/10a. After soil fumigation, 5 ton/10a of cattle manure fermented for 1 year was put in the soil in June, and then the soil was cared for by being plowed and rotary-tilled as occasion. Ginseng seeds were sowed in the soil cared for in October 2007. And 4-year-old ginseng was harvested in 2011. The soil from which ginseng was harvested was fumigated by the same method in May 2012, and then ginseng seeds were sowed in 1.5ha in October 2012 and in 1.5ha in October 2013. In October 2013, 3-year-old and 4-year-old ginseng was harvested. And ginseng growth characteristics and root rot incidence was examined. It was shown that 4-year-old ginseng yield after the fumigation of virgin soil was nearly 2 times as high as that of conventional virgin soil cultivation. And root rot didn't occur. After that time, the soil was fumigated again. And when ginseng was cultivated, 3-year-old and 4-year-old ginseng yield was 650kg and 960kg per 10a. And it was shown that root rot incidence was 1.3% and 15.3% in 3-year-old and 4-year-old ginseng respectively. Conclusion : This study showed the results where ginseng can be cultivated repeatedly if soil was fumigated again after ginseng was harvested following the soil fumigation from virgin soil so as to control the ginseng root rot and cultivate ginseng repeatedly.

Background : Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) is one of the most important medicinal plants in Korea, but its yields are often reduced by a variety of root pathogens. The root rot of ginseng is a destructive soil-borne disease caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans (teleomorph: Ilyonectria radicicola). To monitor contamination with C. destructans in ginseng harvested in 2015 were sampled from 57 different growing fields. The spore number of C. destructans was quantified by use of a specific primers and selective media (radicicol) in soils of ginseng fields. Methods and Results : The ginseng samples were surface-sterilized and placed on potato dextrose agar plates for 7 day incubation at 20℃. Emerging fungal colonies were counted primarily based on colony and conidia morphology. Further species level identification was confirmed by ITS rDNA sequencing. For quantification of the soil-borne C. destructans, the genomic DNA was extracted from the soil using a NucleoSpin soil kit (MN, Germany). Density of C. destructans was determined by species specific real time PCR (qPCR). The qPCR was completed by running a melting curve analysis. Conclusion : The C. destructans associated with root rot disease of ginseng were detected in more than 60% in pyeongtaek-1, pochenon-1, jecheon-1, chungju-1 and jinan-4. As results of the study, the correlation between pathogen density and identification clearly clarified in the soil.

Background : This study was conducted to serve as a basis for the production of high quality organic cultivation Platycodin grandiflorum Ridix roots by analyzing the content of saponins according to organic fertilizer for organic farming. Methods and Results : Platycodin grandiflorum Ridix was treated by with biodegradable film, rice husks, and sawdust, non-mulching (hand weeding). A root of Platycodon grandiflorum were analyzed saponins using HPLC harvested on October. Content of Plantycodin D3 was an average of 68.5 ㎎/100g, which appeared as 111.2 ㎎/100g highest content in the sawdust treated. Deapioplatycodin D showed the highest 48.1 ㎎/100g in the sawdust treated. The content of Platycodin D was shown to 246.2∼373.8 ㎎/100g, the highest values were observed in non-mulching, it showed the lowest value in the rice husks treated. The content of Polygalacin D showed up to 156.0 ㎎/100g in the non-mulching as the biggest difference, the lowest value were 30.1 and 32.2 ㎎/100g in sawdust and rice husks treated. Large differences between fertilizers was not showed, but the overall saponin content of Platycodin grandiflorum Ridix were low in value compared to the control than organic fertilizers. Conclusion : Large differences between mulching materials was showed, thus the overall saponin content of Platycodin grandiflorum Ridix was highest in value compared to non-mulching than sawdust treatment. Mulching Platycodin grandiflorum Ridix with sawdust was an effective method for improving saponin contents.

Background : Oxidative stress condition refers as disturbed homeostasis between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant system that results in severe pathological conditions. To balance such an oxidative stress condition external antioxidant sources are required. Methods and Results : In view of the above, present study was carried out to investigate the cytoprotective role of the strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa var. Seolhyang) root extract (SRE) against oxidative stress condition stimulated by H2O2 in murine macrophages Raw 264.7 cells and further evaluation of intracellular ROS level, lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as oxidative stress markers. Cytoprotective effect of SRE was evaluated by quantifying survival of macrophages challenged by H2O2 in presence and absence of SRE. Finding suggest a 60.1 ± 7.5% cell survival in H2O2 treated cells as compare to 100% survival in control cells. However, a significant increase in cell survival with 62.7 ± 2.9, 74.2 ± 5.2 and 81.3 ± 3.3% were observed in the cells treated with 2.5, 5, 10 μg/ml of SRE respectively. A reduced ROS level together with inhibition of the lipid peroxidation and MPO activity was observed in the cells treated with SRE as compare to only H2O2 treated cells. Conclusion : Our results signify the potency of SRE to protect the cells from oxidative stress implied by H2O2 and can be used as a source of antioxidant for health benefits.

Background : This study was carried out to survey the effect of IBA (indole-3-butric acid) concentration on root development characteristics in Viburnum dilatatum cuttings. Methods and Results : The cuttings were collected on July 28, 2016 from plants growing in Korea National Arboretum. Cuttings were treated with different IBA concentrations [0 (control), 10, 100, 1000, 2000 ㎎⋅L-¹] for 10 seconds. Rooting parameters (root number, the longest root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, rooting percentage, and survival rate) were observed at 8 weeks after cuttings. Rooting percentage was 43, 33, 17, 47, and 40 % at 0, 10, 100, 1000, and 2000 ㎎⋅L-¹ of IBA, respectively. Root number (13.4) was highest under 1000 ㎎⋅L-¹ IBA. Root length (9.4 ㎝) and Root weight (fresh and dry) were highest under 1000 ㎎⋅L-¹ IBA. Conclusion : According to the results, 1000 ㎎⋅L-¹ IBA was the best treatment for increasing percentage rooting percentage and other root development characteristics of V. dilatatum cuttings.

Background : Ginseng root rot caused by soil-borne pathogens, Cylindrocarpon destructans and Fusarium solani, is a major factors of replanting failure in ginseng cultivation. Some of the phenolic compounds detected in the soil of commercially cultivated American ginseng could inhibit the seed germination and seedling growth of American ginseng. Our study is to investigate the causes of replanting failure of ginseng by overhead flooding treatment and soil incorporation of ginseng fine root in soil infected with root rot pathogens. Methods and Results : To make soil occurring continuous cropping injury, 2-year-old ginseng infected with Cylindrocarpon destructans replanted in soil cultivated ginseng for 5 years. Treatment are as follows: 1) control, 2) water of 2ℓ was irrigate infected soil of 20ℓ, 3) ginseng fine root of 20g was mixed with infected soil of 20ℓ. Soil pH was increased, while other inorganic components were significantly reduced by overhead flooding treatment. Soil incorporation of ginseng fine root decreased soil pH, but increased EC, NO3, P2O5 and K, meanwhile, did not affected changes in organic matter, calcium, magnesium, sodium. Irrigation treatment in soil occurring replanted failure promoted distinctly above-ground growth of ginseng, and inhibited the occurrence of root rot because inorganic nutrient like NO3, P2O5 and K were decreased to optimal levels, and the density of soil pathogens could be reduced. Growth of ginseng was not inhibited, while root rot was promoted by soil incorporation of ginseng fine root. Conclusion : Irrigation treatment was effective in promoting the growth of ginseng and inhibited root rot distinctly. Ginseng fine root remaining in the soil after ginseng harvest did not affect the above-ground growth of ginseng, while promoted the occurrence of root rot.