Background : Ixeris strigosa is a herb which has used leaves and roots in Korea. Recently, the cultivation area and food imports have been increased because it has been used as an functional crops for anti-obesity. However its cultivation method has not been developed and it is difficult to produce with good quality. Therefore, this experiment was carried out to determine the optimum seedroot size, plant number per hill, planting time, planting density, planting method and mulching materials for improving the cultivation method suitable for domestic environment. Methods and Results : In order to identify the proper cultivation method, I. strigosa was collected in Dangjin, Chungnam in 2016 and the yield and crop characteristics were investigated at the end of October. The seedroots were cultivated by size such as large (length 30 ㎜, thickness more than 1 ㎜), medium (30 ㎜, 1 ㎜ - 1.5 ㎜) and small (30 ㎜, less than 1 ㎜). As a result, the production of the medium-sized seedroot was highest at 950 ㎏/10a. Based on these results, medium-sized seedroots passed winter in previous year were used when plant number per hill, planting time, planting density, planting method and mulching materials were investigated. At plant number per hill, 3 seeds/hill was the highest at 836 ㎏/10a among 1, 3 and 5 seeds/hill. When the seedroots were planted at intervals of one month from mid April to mid August, the yield was the highest at 1,647 ㎏/10a at the middle of May. When the planting densities were 10 × 10, 20 × 10, 20 × 15 and 20 × 20 ㎝, 10 × 10 and 20 × 10 ㎝ had highest production. And two methods for planting have been used, one was to plant at right angles and the other to lay down. As a result, the latter yield was 612 ㎏/10a. Finally, when comparing non woven fabrics, color combination polyethylene film, black polyethylene film and no treatment among the mulching materials, black polyethylene film made the highest yield at 1,044 ㎏/10a. Conclusion : For improving the cultivation of I. strigosa, this study determined the optimum seed size, plant number per hill, planting time, planting density, planting method and mulching materials. In conclusion, the production was the best when the plant was laid down on a black polyethylene film at intervals of 20 × 10 ㎝ at the middle of May, using 3 medium-sized seeds per hill. These results are expected to contribute to the productivity and income farmers of I. strigosa.

Background : Cnidium officinale M. is a medicinal plant used a lot of herbal and functional food ingredients. Recently, the area of cultivation has been increased due to the increase in domestic demand. By the way, this plant is very vulnerable to high temperature, and recently it is difficult to cultivate due to abnormal high temperature and so on. Therefore, in this study, in order to effectively reduce the high temperature of the field, we investigated the degree of temperature reduction and the growth condition of the plant after installed mulching, irrigation and the fog facilities. Methods and Results : In order to reduce the temperature of C. officinale M. cultivation field, the black and white double vinyl mulching, drip irrigation and fog spray treatment were applied and the results were as follows. The survey was conducted at about 2:00 pm on a clear day in August, and the temperature was about 33℃ at the time of measurement. In the case of only black vinyl mulching without watering, the soil temperature was 43.5℃, the surface temperature was 61.4℃, and the mortality rate of the C. officinale M. was 98.0%. The temperature of soil and surface were lowered to 33.1℃ and 38.6℃, respectively, when treated with black vinyl mulching and drip irrigation and fog spraying. In the case of black and white double vinyl mulching, the effect of temperature reduction was better. The soil surface temperature of the non-irrigation treatment was 37.9℃, the surface temperature was 48.5℃ and the mortality rate was decreased to 6.7%. In case of combined drip irrigation and fog spraying, soil temperature was reduced to 31.5℃, surface temperature was 35.8℃, and mortality rate was 0%. Conclusion : As a result of this study, the temperature of soil and surface dropped by up to 12. 0℃ and 25.6℃, respectively, when combined with black and white double vinyl mulching and drip irrigation and fog spray treatment. The mortality rate declined from 89.0% to 0%. Therefore, Therefore, if the results of this study are applied to the cultivation of C. officinale M., it is expected that the production stability will be improved.

Background: Atractylodes japonica Koidz. and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. belong to the family (Asteraceae). Their rhizomes, called white Atractylodes rhizomes, are used in traditional medicine. To address some issues with their cultivation, we recently developed eight hybrid cultivars by interspecific hybridization of A. japonica and A. macrocephala. This study was conducted to screen the hybrid cultivars that have high amounts of active ingredients and yield ability. Methods and Results: Experiments were conducted using the eight hybrid cultivars and A. macrocephala (control cultivar) in the experimental field of the department of Herbal Crop Research located in Eumseong, South Korea. We investigated the growth characteristics of the aerial and underground parts. Among the cultivars, ‘Sanwon’ had the highest rhizome dry weight (53.8 g/plant), followed by ‘Dachul’ (50.0 g/plant). In addition, the content of atractylenolide I, II, III and total active ingredients were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography. Compared with A. macrocephala, most of the inter-specific hybrid cultivars had a higher content of active ingredients and yield ability. Conclusions: Through study, we established the superior quality of Atractylodes inter-specific hybrid cultivars. In particularly, it was found that ‘Dachul’ may be grown as a superior cultivar, with high amount of active ingredients as well as yield ability.

Background : This study was conducted to select candidates from among plant resources with the potential to improve Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia. AD has been linked to a deficiency in the brain neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), and is also correlated with cholinergic system abnormalities coupled with progressive cognitive impairment and altered behavior. The activity of ACh in the brain is terminated by the hydrolysis action of cholinesterase (ChEs). An inhibitor of these enzymes could contribute to improving the level of ACh and to augmenting the activity of surviving cholinergic neurons in patients with AD. Methods and Results : Plant extracts were prepared by solvent extraction and tested for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity by using the Ellman colorimetric method. One hundred and eighty-four extracts at a final concentration of 100 ㎍/㎖ were preliminarily screened for their AChE inhibition capacity. From the experiment, the AChE inhibitory activity of five extracts including a methanol extract of Coptis chinensis (rhizome), a methanol extract of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn (stamen/ovary), a methanol extract of Persicaria tinctoria H.GROSS (flower), and both a methanol extract and a water extract of Phellaodendron amurense Rupr (bark) showed comparatively higher AChE inhibitory effects, ranging from 38.3 to 63.1%, than other extracts. The five selected extracts were retested for their AChE inhibition activity at final concentrations of 25, 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/㎖, and compared with tacrine (0.1 ㎍/㎖) as the positive control. In the experiment, the five extracts effectively inhibited AChE at each of the set concentrations. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that the five plant extracts mentioned above could be utilized as candidates for improving the ACh level and for ameliorating AD.

Backgoound : Sprout vegetables are rich source of nutrients for human health. The safflower seeds contained various functional compounds and nutritions, and can be used as food material without restriction. Therefore, this study was performed to compare the antioxidant properties of sprouts from safflower seeds according to germination periods. Methods and Results : The safflower seeds were sterilized and steeped with distilled water, then incubated at 25℃ for 1 - 7 days. These sprouts and seeds were extracted with methanol, and used as samples for antioxidant properties (total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, DPPH, and ABTS radical scavenging activities). Total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activities were higher in safflower seed than sprouts. Among sprouts with various germination periods, the sprouts incubated 4 - 7 days were higher in total phenolics, total flavonoids contents, and antioxidant activities than other sprouts. The levels of antioxidant activities were similar in sprouts incubated for 4 - 7 days. Conclusion : These results indicated that the antioxidant properties of sprouts differed according to germination periods, and the optimal germination period of safflower seed as sprout vegetables are 4 days.

Background : To evaluate the quality of Glycyrrhizae radix (licorice), a popular herbal medicine in Korea, it is necessary to investigate the component profiles of the Glycyrrhiza species distributed in Korean market. Specifically, to control the quality of Korean Glycyrrhizae radix preparations including raw materials, glycyrrhizin (> 2.5%) and liquiritigenin (> 0.7%) has been used as a standard marker compound in Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). To the best of our knowledge, there have been only a few studies regarding the fingerprinting techniques and metabolomics approach of the phytochemicals in Glycyrrhizae radix in Korean market. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a validated method for botanical raw material (BRM) standardization. Methods and Results : Twenty-one Glycyrrhizae radix (G. glabra, G. uralensis, and G. glabra × G. uralensis) were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS and were estimated to statistical and multivariate analysis. Large scale multi-targeted metabolic profiling and fingerprinting techniques were utilized to access a broader insight into the chemical composition of Glycyrrhiza species. The UV/VIS spectra, and MS data (accurate mass and fragmentation pattern in negative mode) of the components in the BRM of G. glabra, G. uralensis, and G. glabra × G. uralensis (incorporation and hybridization) were analyzed with multivariate analyses. Interestingly, UPLC-QTof-MS derived PCA analysis and fingerprinting techniques was found to be effective techniques in the classification of species based on genetic and/or geographical origins. In addition, the revealed metabolite markers could be utilized as a guidance for the BRM standardization as well as a database for quality control of commercial products containing Glycyrrhizae radix. Conclusion : From the above results, the revealed metabolite markers could be utilized as a guidance for the BRM standardization as well as a database for quality control of commercial products containing Glycyrrhizae radix.

Background : Atractylodes japonica koidz (AJ) is a perennial herb that belongs to Atractylodes genus. The dried rhizome of AJ is known as ‘Baek-chul’. The ‘Baek-chul’ is used as important traditional medicine in north-east Asia. It is considered to be effective for the treatment of stomach disorder, virus, diuresis, inflammation, arthritis. AJ is heavily depend on import from china and only few studies have been carried out. In this study, we develop SSR marker to build a foundation of breeding, to analyze genetic diversity and to construct core collection. Methods and Results : AJ resources was collected from each different place. To find simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker, we sequenced genomic DNA of AJ resources using Illumina HiSeq 2000 System. As a result of next generation sequencing (NGS), we obtained putative SSR loci. From these SSR primers, 553 SSR primer sets were designed successfully and confirmed polymorphism by in silico analysis. Nucleotide motifs ranged from tri- to penta-. Among these, 48 primer were tested in 4 individuals by capillary electrophoresis. Finally, selected 28 SSR marker were showed clear band and polymorphism by Electrophoresis. Conclusion : In this study, we developed 28 polymorphic SSR marker using NGS, and it could be used for analyzing genetic diversity of A. japonica. These marker would be useful for breeding of new cultivar in the future.

Background : Atractylodes japonica koidz. (AJ) and Atractylodes macrocephala koidz. (AM) belong to Atractylodes genus (Asteraceae) and their rhizomes are used as traditional medicine ‘Baek-chul’. The ‘Baek-chul’ is considered to be effective for the treatment of stomach disorder, virus, diuresis, inflammation, arthritis and Atractylenolide I, Atractylenolide II and Atractylenolide III are the major active ingredients of these. Previously, we developed 8 hybrid cultivars with disease resistance, high yielding ability and high active ingredients by interspecific hybridization between AJ and AM. In this study, growth characteristics of 8 hybrid cultivars were investigated in RDA experimental field. Methods and Results : Growth characteristics of 8 hybrid cultivars were investigated in RDA experimental field. Among these cultivars, ‘Sanwon’ had the highest fresh weight of rhizome (149.5 g/plant), followed by ‘Dachul’ (145.8 g/plant). Most of hybrid cultivars showed higher fresh weight than and AM (108.7 g/plant). In addition, active ingredients (Atractylenolide I, Atractylenolide Ⅱ and Atractylenolide Ⅲ) were investigated using HPLC. As a result, The sum of active ingredients were the highest in ‘Dachul’ (0.40 ㎎/g) that was 2 times higher than AM (0.22 ㎎/g). Conclusion : In this study, hybrid cultivars showed higher agronomic performance than AM. Particularly, ‘Dachul’ could be the superior cultivar with high atractylenolides as well as high yield ability.

Background : Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis F.) is one of the most widely used raw materials for food and pharmaceuticals, and is currently the No. 1 imported medicinal plant in Korea. Efforts to settle licorice cultivation in Korea have been carried out for hundreds of years but have not succeeded, and many people suspect that the reason is due to the inadequate cultivation environment. However, even until recently, most licorice has been procured by wild harvesting, so studies on licorice cultivation technique and cultivation environment have not been conducted much in the world. This experiment was conducted to investigate the germination characteristics of licorice by temperature and salt concentration in order to find the optimal cultivation environment conditions of licorice. Methods and Results : The germination rate of licorice seeds was high 77.5 - 90.5% at 10 - 3 6℃, but it started to drop from 66.5 - 68.0% at 38 - 40℃ and it decreased sharply from 9.0 - 15.0% at 42 - 46℃. No longer germinated at temperatures above 48℃. The average number of days of germination was 12.3 days at 10℃, 5.7 days at 20℃, 3.5 days at 30℃ and 4.1 days at 40℃. The germination start date was 2 to 4 days in the 18℃ - 46℃ range. The average germination rate was the highest at 32℃. The germination time of 40% was 2 - 4 days at 18 - 46℃. The germination of more than 80% took 3 - 5 days at 20 - 40℃, 6 - 8 days at 14 - 1 8℃ and 10 days at 10 - 12℃. Licorice was able to germinate even in the presence of salt. Seed germination rate was 78.5 - 85.5% at 0 - 1% salt concentration and 63% at 1.5% and 18% at 2.0%. In addition, 8.5% seeds germinated successfully even at 3.0% salt concentration. Conclusion : Licorice has been known as a low temperature crop, but germination was possible in a wide range of temperature and salt concentration. Especially, the germination characteristic was higher in the high temperature range of 30 - 36℃, which corresponds to the domestic summer temperature. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to be useful reference for exploring suitable cultivation area in Korea.

Background: Allergic diseases like such as atopic dermatitis, asthma, and rhinitis have recently increased both domestically and globally. The present study was undertaken to select candidates with anti-allergic activity from plant resources. Methods and Results: Fifty-six plant extracts at 20㎍/㎖ were screened against β-hexosaminidase production and interleukin (IL)- 4 release in degranulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. The anti-allergy activity of three plant extracts selected from the preliminary screening experiment, Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche (root), Pyrus pytifolia var. culta (Makino) Nakai (leaf), and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. ex Steud (root) were measured at concentrations of 2 - 250㎍/㎖ in three cell lines as RBL- 2H3, HaCaT and Jurkcat T cells. The assay showed the root extract of R. glutinosa to have an inhibitory activity of 4.2% - 28.6% on β-hexosaminidase production from IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. Each extract of P. sibiricum and R. glutinosa reduced IL-4 release in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells, respectively. The leaf extract of P. pyrifolia var. culta showed a significantly potent suppressive effect of 10.2% - 74.7% on the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in HaCaT cells sensitized with TNF-a and INF-g, and showed inhibitory effect of –8.6% - 90.9% on the mRNA expression of IL-2 in Jurkat T cells sensitized with PMA and A23187. Conclusions: The results showed that the root of R. glutinosa and leaf of P. pyrifolia var. culta could be useful candidates as antiallergy materials.

Hylotelephium erythrostictum is commonly used as a medicinal herb. In this study, H. erythrostictum leaf (HEL), branch (HEB), root (HER), and above ground (HEAG) extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant properties. The antioxidant activities were assayed by three methods based on scavenging of DPPH, ABTS and superoxide anion radical. HEAG extract showed the highest DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion radical scavenging activities. HEAG extract also exhibited the highest phenolic content (230 mg/g gallic acid equivalent). In our research for anti-inflammatory ingredients, the extract of HEAG inhibited the generation of nitric oxide (NO) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. To test the inhibitory effects of HEAG on pro-inflammatory cytokines, we conducted ELISA assay for the measuring the generation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL (interleukin)-1β, and IL(interleukin)-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. In these assays, HEAG ethanol extract showed a dose-dependent decrease in the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Based on these results, extract of HEAG could be the efficient candidate for anti-inflammatory agents.