기후위기, 전지구적 팬데믹의 시대에 세계와 인간의 관계가 생태적으 로 재구성되어야 한다는 사회‧문화적 요구와 학문적 필요성이 제기됨에 따라 본 논문은 인간을 둘러싼 자연과 생태 환경을 성찰하고 개항기 한 국 생태문화의 특성을 고찰하였다. 개항을 전후해서 한국에 대한 자연탐 사가 증가한 가운데 개항기 한국의 정치, 문화, 역사 전반을 소개했던 『코리안 리포지터리』(1892-1898)는 한국의 자연기행, 지역탐사, 생태 환 경, 역사 및 인문지리에 대한 다층적인 학술기사를 소개함으로써 개항기 한국의 자연과 지역을 생태적 관점에서 검토할 수 있는 귀중한 자료를 제공했다. 본 논문은 『코리안 리포지터리』의 기사 가운데 개항기 한국의 자연과 생태관련 기사를 전수조사하고 목록화한 후, 개항기 근대적 관점 에서 한국의 자연과 생태 환경이 다루어지는 양상을 조망했다. 또한 『코 리안 리포지터리』가 국제적 차원에서 한국의 자연과 지역 정보를 생산, 유통하고 자연과 그를 둘러싼 생태 환경 담론을 형성하는데 기여했음을 진단하였다.

본 연구는 에탄올과 염산으로 유도된 위염모델에 대해 익모초의 물 추출물이 위염예방효과를 나타내는지 알아보기 위해 진행하였고, 안전성 평가를 위해 유전독성평가인 소핵시험을 수행하였다. 익모초 물 추출물은 음성대조군 대비 위에서 분비되는 PGE2의 농도를 증가시켰을 뿐만 아니라 염산과 에탄올 투여에 의한 점막 표피세포 및 선상피세포의 손상과 울혈을 충분히 예방하는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 익모초 물 추출물에 대한 소핵시험을 실시한 결과, 익모초 물 추출물은 소핵을 유발하지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 결과를 종합하였을 때 익모초 물 추출물은 자체적으로 위염 예방효과를 나타냈지만 정확히 어떤 기전을 통해 예방하는지 추가적인 실험이 필요하다고 사료되며, 익모초에 포함된 여러 단일 성분을 이용해 위염 예방평가를 실시하여, 위염에 대한 익모초의 효능과 효율을 높이는 연구가 필요하다고 생각된다.

Background: Taraxacum platycarpum has been used in traditional medicine in Korea to treat intoxication and edema and as a diuretic. According to previous reports, it has anti-cancer, anti-gastritis, and anti-inflammation effects. However, the improvement effect of T. platycarpum on rheumatoid arthritis has not been investigated. The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammation effects of the aerial parts of T. platycarpum are different from those of its subterranean parts. Thus, we evaluated the effect of the water extracts of Taraxaci radix (WTR) on type II collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (CIA) in animal models. Methods and Results: Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by type II collagen. WTR (100㎎/㎏ and 500㎎/㎏) was administered to the animal models. Methotrexate was used as the positive control. The levels of interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, and type II collagen IgG in the animals were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treatment with 500㎎/㎏ WTR decreased the serum levels of interleukin-6, TNF-alpha, and collagen IgG in the CIA models. Moreover, treatment with WTR diminished the arthritisinduced swelling of the hind legs and monocyte infiltration in the bloodvessels of the animal models. Conclusions: These results indicate that WTR has the potential to improve rheumatoid arthritis by reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha. However, further experiments are required to elucidate the influence of WTR on signal transduction in vitro and in vivo.

Lung cancer, the most common malignant disease worldwide, is the predominant cause of cancer deaths, particularly amongst men. Therefore, various researchers have focused on the growth inhibitory effects of medicinal plants used in traditional Korean medicine. This study aimed to investigate the growth inhibitory effects of ethanol extracts of Rubiae radix, Inulae flos, Nelumbinis receptaculum, Astilbe radix, and Lagerstroemia flos on NCI-H1229 cells. Method and Results: The viability of NCI-H1229 cells was evaluated in vitro using an MTS assay. Treatment with the ethanol extracts of the selected medicinal plants at 500 ㎍/㎖ reduced NCI-H1229 cell viability and increased apoptotic cell death and caspase-3 activation. In addition, treatment with ethanol extracts of Inulae flos and Astilbe radix increases DNA fragmentation, as measured by the TUNEL assay. Conclusions: These results indicated that ethanol extracts of Rubiae radix, Inulae flos, Nelumbinis receptaculum, Astilbe radix, and Lagerstroemia flos exhibited growth inhibitory effects, inducing apoptotic cell death, DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activation in NCI-H1229 cells. Therefore, these medicinal plant extracts may be used in the development of natural medicines to inhibit the growth of lung cancers. However, further study is needed to determine the active ingredients of the ethanol extracts from medicinal plants that are reposible for the inhibitory effect on lung cancer cell grwoth.

Background: Cassia tora L., an annual or perennial plant of the Fabaceae family, is traditional medicine with various biological activities, including anti-constipation and, anti-inflammation. Chemical compounds such as anthraquinone glycoside and naphthalene derivatives have been isolated from this plant. Cassia tora L. is a common contaminant of agricultural commodities, but is toxic to cattle and poultry. Methods and Results: To investigate the potential toxicity, Cassia tora L. aqueous extract (CO) was administered orally to rats for 26 weeks at 0 (control), 300, 1,500 and 3,000㎎/㎏/day (n = 10 for male rats for each dose). The positive control comprised animals orally administered anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day. There was no treatment-related mortality. An increase in the kidney weight was observed at 3,000㎎/㎏/day of CO and anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day. Macrophage infiltration in the colon was observed at CO 1,500 and 3,000㎎/㎏/day and anthraquinone 100㎎/㎏/day, but there were no significant toxicological changes in the incidence and severity of the finding. Conclusions: The oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of CO was 3,000㎎/㎏/day in male rats and no target organs were identified. In addition, 300㎎/㎏ was found to be the no-observed-effect level (NOEL) for systemic toxicity under the conditions of the study.

Background: Astilbe chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. is a plant belonging to Saxifragaceae family and contains various active ingredients including astilbin and bergenin. It has been used as a traditional Korean medicine to improve fever, pain, and cough. Recently, a number of Korean medical resources have been studied for cancer and inflammation treatment, but A. chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. has not yet been investigated. Consequently, this study investigated the inhibitory effect of ethanol extracts from A. chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. (ARE) on oxidative stress and colorectal cancer using RAW264.7 and the human colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116. Methods and Results: In total, 500 ㎍/㎖ ARE reduced cell viability by 38.96 ± 1.32%, and increased caspase-3 activity by 133.08 ± 3.41% in HCT-116 cells. Moreover, TUNEL signaling and the early apoptosis ratio (34.56 ± 1.67%) increased by 500 ㎍/㎖ ARE treatment. H2O2-induced oxidative stress and cell death were diminished by 500 ㎍/㎖ ARE treatment through decreasing ROS (reactive oxygen species). Conclusions: The inhibitory effects of ARE against human colorectal cancer cells is mediated by apoptosis and caspase-3 activation, and H2O2-induced ROS generation and cell death are decreased by ARE treatment in RAW264.7 cells. However, further study is required to explore how ARE treatment is involved in the signaling pathway to decrease ROS.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to attain and sustain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse. Frequent ED may be a symptom of health problems including heart disease, obesity, alcoholism, stress, smoking, and depression, that need treatment. This study aimed to effect of complex extract (CPL) including Cornus officinalis on sexual function factor in the erectile dysfunction rat model. The erectile dysfuction rat model was induced by cimetidine (500 ㎎/㎏ in 5% ethanol, oral injection 2 weeks). Rats were oral administered with different concentration of CPL in rat erectile dysfunction model. As a results, sexual function factors (NO, cGMP) significantly improved in CPL treated groups (CPL-300, 600, 900 ㎎/㎏) compared to CON group. Serum testosterone was increased in a dose-dependent manner after CPL treatment. Furthermore, administrations of CPL restored lumen areas of the prostate in the erectile dysfunction rat model. These results indicated that CPL alleviated erectile dysfunction by increasing sexual function factor and testosterone in rat model. CPL could be used to natural treatement for erectile dysfunction. However, further study is required to identify active ingredient and its mechanism of erectile dysfunction.

Rubiae radix is root of Runia akane Nakai, it has been used to hemostasis and blood stasis in Korean and China. This study investigated that anti-oxidant and anti-colorectal cancer effect of ERA (ethanol extract of Rubiae radix) and WRA (water extract of Rubiae radix) using RAW 264.7 (murine macrophage from blood) and HCT-116 cells (human colorectal cancer cell line). ERA contained polyphenol (45.77 ± 2.03 ㎎/g) and flavonoid (22.82 ± 1.33 ㎎/g). 500 μM H2O2-induced ROS generation was diminished by 500 ㎍/㎖ ERA treatment in RAW 264.7 cells, but not WRA (125, 250, and 500 ㎍/㎖). Moreover, caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation increased by 500 ㎍/㎖ ERA treatment during apoptotic cell death in HCT-116. Results demonstrated that anti-cancer effect of ERA against human colorectal cancer cells is mediated apoptotic cell death and DNA fragmentation through caspase-3 activation. However, further study is required to what active ingredient of ERA are important for anti-oxidant and anti-colorectal cancer effect in vivo.

Doxorubicin is a anti-cancer drugs that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in human body. Doxorubicin is used to treat different types of cancers that affect the ovary, thyoid and lungs, but induced side effect such as nephrotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. Thus, we investigated that the effect of iridin on doxorubicin-induced necrosis in HK-2 cells, a human proximal tubule cell. To confirm effect of iridin on doxorubicin-induced necrosis, HK-2 cells are treated with 10 μM doxorubicin and 80 μM iridin. 80 μM iridin reduced 10 μM doxorubicin-induced necrosis, the mitochondrial over activation and caspase-3 activation. However, iridin reduces anti-cancer effect of doxorubicin such as PARP1 and caspase-3 activation, checkpoint proteins (CDK4 and CDK6) in NCI-H1129 cells (Human non-small cell lung cancer cell). In HCT-116 cells (Human colorectan cancer cell), iridin do not increased protein expression of CDK4 and CDK6 decreased by doxorubicin. Results indicate that treatment of iridin was diminished doxorubicin-induced necrosis in HK-2 cells. However, iridin was decreased anti-cancer effect of doxorubicin on NCI-H1229, but not HCT-116. Thus, further experiment are required to iridin treatment on various cancer cells and animal models because effect of iridin different cell type.

Background: Inula japonica Thunb. is a plant belonging to the family compositae. Inulae flos (flower of I. britannica var. chinensis Regal.) is the dried flower of I. japonica Thunb. and contains various flavonoids (patulitrin, nepitrin and kaempferol), which have been utilized in traditional oriental medicine to treat nausea, phlegm, and coughs. However, ethanol extract of I. britannica (IJE) has not been previously studied for its use in cancer treatment, and its effects on oxidative stress, or inflammation. Thus, the present study investigated the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-colorectal cancer effects of IJE using RAW264.7 and HCT- 116 cells, which are human colorectal cancer cell line. Methods and Results: IJE contained flavonoids (80.95 ± 5.3 ㎎/g) and polyphenols (310.53 ± 10.6 ㎎/g). Moreover, it reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and H2O2-induced oxidative stress by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Additionally, the 500 ㎍/㎖ IJE treatment increased caspase-3 activity and apoptotic cell death in HCT-116 cells. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the anti-cancer effect of IJE against human colorectal cancer cells involves caspase-3 activation and apoptotic cell death. IJE also inhibited LPS-induced NO production, and H2O2-induced oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells. However, further studies are required to explore how IJE treatment regulates signal transduction in NO and ROS production.

As a part of an infrastructure project on medicinal herb-based remedies, we conducted a phytohemical investigation of the 100% MeOH extract from the aerial part of Boehmeria quelpaertense; our findings resulted in the isolation of flavonoids (1-2), isoquercitrin (1) and hyperoside (2). The identification and structural elucidation of these compounds were based on 1H-,13C-NMR, and LC ESI IT-TOF MS data. All the compounds isolated from this plant were reported for the first time. In this study, we examined the antioxidant activity of the 1 and 2 on the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in a Rat Cardiomyoblast cell line (H9c2). The pretreatment of the flavonoids showed that it protects against H2O2-mediated cell death in the H9c2 cell line. Also, it decreases the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by the flavonoids in the H2O2-treated H9c2 cell line. These results showed that the 1 and 2 are a source of antioxidants. As a result, they might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stress mediated diseases, including myocardial infarction.

Background: Cynaroside is a flavone, a flavonoid-like compound, known by different names (luteoloside and cinaroside). It is commonly found in Lonicera japonica Thunb., Chrysanthemum moriflium, and Angelica keiskei. The process of cell death has been classified as necrosis and apoptosis. Necrosis refers to unregulated cell death induced by a chemotherapeutic agent. Doxorubicin is an anthracycline anti-cancer drug used to treat acute leukemia, cancer, and lymphoma. However, it induces nephrotoxicity including tubular damage. Therefore, we investigated the protective effect of cynaroside against doxorubicin-induced necrosis in HK-2 cells. Methods and Results: To confirm the beneficial effect of cynaroside on doxorubicin-induced necrosis, HK-2 cells, a human proximal tubule epithelial cell line were treated with 10 μM doxorubicin and 80 μM cynaroside. Doxorubicin treatment resulted in increased DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activity and mitochondria hyperactivation during cell necrosis. However, pretreatment with 80 μM cynaroside attenuated DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activity and mitochondria hyperactivation induced by 10 μM doxorubicin in HK-2 cells. Conclusions: These results indicated that pretreatment with cynaroside ameliorated doxorubicin-induced necrosis in HK-2 cells. Therefore, cynaroside be used as a therapeutic agent for improving doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity. However, further studies are required to evaluated the toxicity of cynaroside treatment in animals and to determine its protective effect against doxorubicininduced nephrotoxicity in an animal model.

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: Cisplatin is one of the most extensively used chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer, including bladder, and ovarian cancers. However, it has been shown to induce nephrotoxicity, despite being an outstanding anti-cancer drug. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of dopaol β-D-glucoside (dopaol) on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods and Results: To confirm the protective effect of dopaol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, HK-2 cells were treated with 20 μM cisplatin and 80 μM dopaol. Cisplatin increased apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial dysfunction; however pretreatment with 80 μM dopaol successfully attenuated apoptosis, caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial dysfunction. To evaluate the protective effect dopaol on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo, we used an animal model (balb/c mice, 20 ㎎/㎏, i.p. once/day for 3 day). The results were similar to those obtained using HK-2 cells; renal tubular damage and neutrophilia induced by cisplatin reduced following dopaol injection (10 ㎎/㎏, i.p. once/day for 3 day). Conclusions: These results indicate that dopaol treatment reduced cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vitro and in vivo, and can be used to treat cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. However, further studies are required to determine the toxicity high dose dopaol and the signal pathways involved in its mechanism of action in animal models.

Background: Constipation is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder. The present study examined the ability of water extract of fermented (FRC) and non-fermented (NFRC) roasted Cassia tora to improve intestinal function and reduce constipation in a rat constipation model.Methods and Results:Different concentration of FRC and NFRC were orally administered loperamide (5 ㎎/㎏; LOP) reduced the number, weight, and water content of feces, as well as intestinal transit motility. However, 24 h-(24 hour fermented roasted-Cassia tora) 300 ㎎/㎏ FRC administration increased the number, weight, and water concent of feces, compared to that seen in the LOP group, and also improve intestinal transit mitility and, the thickness of distal colon and mucous fluid.Conclusions:The results of the present study indicated that LOP-induced constipation was improved by treatment with FRC. Therefore FRC could be used to develop functional foods or natural medicine for constipation. However, further study is needed to clarify how fermentation improves the medicinal properties of roasted C. tora.

Background: Sedum takesimense Nakai has been used as folk medicine in Korea. The present study aimed to determine the biological activity of S. takesimense by investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of S. takesimense water extract (SKLC) on the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells. Methods and Results: Cytotoxicity of SKLC on RAW 264.7 cells was determinded by performing MTS assay was found to have no cytotoxic effect on RAW 264.7 cells at a concentration range of 62 - 500 ㎍/㎖. Further, pretreatment of SKLC inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner. To determined the inhibitory mechanisms of SKLC on inflammatory mediators, we assessed the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygnease-2 (COX-2) pathways. The activities of these pathways were decreased in a dose-dependent manner by SKLC. The production of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β‚ and IL-6 were also reduced. Conclusions: These results suggest that the down regulation of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-1β‚ and IL-6 expression by SKLC are mediated by the down regulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity, a transcription factor necessary for pro-inflammatory mediators. This might be the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of SKLC.

Melanin is produced by melanocytes of the melanoepidermic unit and other cell types. These cells secrete and distribute the melanin pigment, which provides protection from ultraviolet radiation. In this study, the inhibitory activity against tyrosinase and melanin biosynthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells and anti-wrinkling effects on human dermal fibroblasts of Dendrobium speciosum ethanol extract were investigated. The Dendrobium speciosum extract inhibited melanin biosynthesis and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner in comparison with an untreated control group. Treatment with the Dendrobium speciosum extract suppressed α-MSH-stimulated melanogenesis in B16F10 cells and the dendrite outgrowth of melanocyte/melanoma cells. The α-MSH-induced mRNA expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) was significantly attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner by Dendrobium speciosum treatment. In addition, Dendrobium speciosum treatment increased production of type I procollagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts. Dendrobium speciosum ethanol extract exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on melanin biosynthesis, tyrosinase activity and increased procollagen synthesis. These results indicate that Dendrobium speciosum shows promise as an ingredient in cosmeceutical products due to its whitening and anti-wrinkle effects.

Background : The white jelly mushroom (Tremella fuciformis), one of the most popular edible fungi, has medicinal properties. However, the effects of T. fuciformis in skin whitening or anti-wrinkle efficacy has not been defined to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of T. fuciformis extracts on whitening and anti-wrinkle efficacy in skin cells. Methods and Results :We prepared T. fuciformis extracts with water. The extracts (80℃) contained 12.11 ㎎/g polyphenol and 8.54 ㎎/g flavonoid concentration. T. fuciformis extracts markedly decreased melanin contents and tyrosinase activity in α-MSHstimulated melanocytes (B16F10 cells). In addition, the mRNA expression of melanin formation factors, such as microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) were significantly down-regulated in α-MSH-stimulated melanocyte. Furthermore, T. fuciformis extracts increased the synthesis of type I procollagen and reduced mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) in the human dermal fibroblast (HDFn cells). These data indicated that T. fuciformis extracts induce repression of cellular melanogenesis and protect against wrinkles caused by UVB-stimulated damage. Conclusions : Thus T. fuciformis extracts could be a cosmetic candidate for skin whitening and anti-wrinkle effects.

Background : Irregular meals and insufficient exercise are major modern lifestyle-related risk factors for constipation. This study aimed to examine the effects of the aqueous extract of Dendrobium speciosum var. (DM) on the improvement of intestinal function and prevention of constipation in rats. Methods and Results : Constipation in rat was induced by loperamide (4 ㎎/㎏) injection for 5 days and rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: normal control rats (NOR), constipated rats (LOP induced) and constipated rats supplemented with dulcolax-S (POS), DMSG, 100 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-100), 300 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-300) and 500 ㎎/㎏ (DMSG-500). The DMSG groups showed increments in the frequency and amount of stools compared to the LOP group. Loperamide treatment markedly reduced the water content of feces, whereas DMSG administration significantly increased fecal water contents. Moreover, DMSG improved intestinal transit speed in constipated-rats. Alcian blue staining revealed increased mucus production by crypt cells and mucus contents in feces and the mucosal surface. Conclusions : In summary, DM extraction significantly improves intestinal function in rats, which indicates the effectiveness of this extract in the prevention and treatment of constipation.