Background: Polysaccharides are the most important functional constituent in Astragalus membranaceus. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of polysaccharides isolated from the aboveground parts of A. membranaceus (AMA) and polysaccharides isolated from the roots of A. membranaceus (AMR) immune function by modulated cytotoxic T cell and Th1- and Th2- related cytokines kinetics. Methods and Results: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into exhaustive exercise case groups and non-exercise case, AMA and AMR samples were administered orally for 30 days (500 ㎎/㎏/day and 10 ㎎/㎏/day, respectively) and were compared to those rats in the groups fed commercial sports drink (SPD) and vehicle. Both exhaustive exercise groups and non-exercise groups had a lower ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the spleens of the rat fed AMA and AMR compared to those in the rats fed SPD and vehicle group. These results suggested that AMA and AMR promote an increase in the proportion of cytotoxic T cells. The IL-4- producing T lymphocytes decreased significantly in the AMR (10 ㎎/㎏/day) group compared to SPD and vehicle, whereas the AMA group increased the IL-4 concentration more than the SPD and vehicle in exhaustive exercise group. However, the populations of IFN-γ-producing T lymphocytes of AMR and AMA increased. AMA decreased the concentration of IFN-γ to inhibit the Th1 response and thereby increased the concentration of IL-4 to induce a Th2 response that was related to humoral immunity in the non-exercise group. Conclusions: These results showed that, in addition to Th1/Th2 regulation, AMR and AMA played an important immuno-modulatory role after exhaustive exercise-induced Th1/Th2 lymphocyte imbalance, which might be correlated with cytokine producing immunoregulatory cells.

Backgrounds : The action mechanisms of several chemopreventive agents derived from herbal medicine and edible plants have become attractive issues in cancer research. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage worldwide. It have been demonstrated that the active principles of tea sources such as flower extract Camellia sinensis (CSF) and Camellia japonica (CJF)were attributed to their tea polyphenols. We focused on investigating CSF, CJF, mixtures of CSF and CJF has been proven to suppress colonic tumorigenesis. Methods and Results : In this study, human colorectal carcinoma HT-29 cells were treated with CSF, CJF, mixture of CSF and CJF to examine the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1), as well as the molecular mechanism underlying these effects. Cell viability assay, nuclear staining, DNA fragmentation, caspase assay, cytochrome c release, were utilized to dissect the signaling pathways. In mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1), CSF appeared most anticancer effect by both MTT assays and the cleavage analysis of apoptosis-related molecules and PARP. Interestingly, we found that CJF make it possible to express the apotosis inducing by CSF in a short time and apoptosis effect of CSF maintained sustainable. Conclusion : In summary, our results from this study suggest that in HT-29 human colon cancer cells (i) CSF treatment causes damage to mitochondria, and (ii) CJF contributed CSF induced apoptotic cell death mediates cytochrome C release, (ⅲ) mixture of CSF and CJF (3 : 1) the potential to function as a chemopreventive agent against colon cancer.

Backgrounds : Camellia sinensis is known to have a very high antioxidant activity, but its petals are small and it is difficult to use it because of its low yield. In comparison Camellia japonica has many petals and yield, however, the biological effects of C. japonica have been less frequently studied. In the present study, we focused on investigating the in vitro antioxidant effect of the ethanol extract from flower of C. sinensis (CSF), C. japonica (CJF) and mixture of CSF and CJF. Methods and Results : Content of total phenolics and total flavonid, DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activities, reducing power, superoxide anion and hydroxy radical scavenging activity of CSF and CJF were compared in vitro experimetal models. Total phenolics was contained the higer in CJF (172.19±1.65 mgCAE/gEX) than 146.75±0.15 mgCAE/gEX in CSF. And effects of antioxidant measured by reducing power, superoxide anion generated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase and hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction (FeSO4 + H2O2) in a cell-free system was shown higher in mixture of CSF and CJF than BHT, ascorbic acid as a chemical oxidant which was detected by electron spin resonance spectrometry coupled with DMPO spin trapping. These results suggest that Camellia flower extract such as CSF and CJF exhibits antioxidant properties by scavenging ROS. Camellia extract contained quercetin, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercitrin and kaempferol, which are antioxidant compounds. Conclusion : As a result, the combination of CSF and CJF showed higher antioxidative effect than using CSF or CJF alone.

Background: Planting vigorous cuttings that quickly develop shoots and roots is essential to the biological and economic success of producing medicinal flowers. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of storage temperature and duration on seedling capacity in the propagation of Chrysanthemum indicum L. and to investigate the effect of rooting media on the growth of C. indicum L. after cutting.Methods and Results:Returning cuttings to supplemental cold storage (2.0 ± 1.0°C) may extend duration of cutting viability 6 weeks, returning cuttings to supplemental warm storage (25.0 ± 1.0°C) is not recommended. The treatment of the growing media experiments, which were conducted in the 2014 planting seasons, included sawdust, river sand, topsoil + sawdust, topsoil + poultry manure, sawdust + river sand, river sand + poultry manure, topsoil + river sand + poultry manure, topsoil + poultry manure + river sand + sawdust. Result indicated that the topsoil + poultry manure media performed best and supported the highest number of branches (3.47), branch length (26.39), and number of leaves (88.63).Conclusions:The results of the present study suggest that cold storage and the topsoil + poultry manure growth media was superior in supporting the early establishment of C. indicum cutting, this result will have a tremendous influence on propagation of this species.

Background: In recent years, adjuvants have received increasing attention owing to the development of purified subunit and synthetic vaccines which are poor immunogens and require additional adjuvants to evoke an immune response. Therefore, immunologic adjuvants have been developed and tested. Plant polysaccharides have been recognized as effective biological response modifiers with low toxicity.Methods and Results: In this study, the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge containing immunomodulating arabino-3,6-galactan was evaluated for its hemolytic activity and adjuvant potential in the specific cellular and humoral immune responses to ovalbumin. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge was co-immunized with the purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine in mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge did not induce any hemolytic activity or side effects at doses up to 500㎍/㎖. The concanavalin A-, lipopolysaccharide-, and ovalbumin-induced splenocyte proliferation and serum ovalbumin-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2b antibody titers in immunized mice were significantly enhanced by AMA. Pharmacological data revealed that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge increased antigen-specific antibody levels in immunized mice. The polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted purified Vi capsular polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi vaccine improved the proliferation of splenocytes and macrophages as well as stimulated cytokine production.Conclusions: These results suggest that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge-adjuvanted vaccines enhanced humoral and cellular immunity and that the polysaccharide from the aboveground part of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge is a safe and efficacious adjuvant candidate suitable for use in prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines.

Background : Perilla frutescens L. is valuable as a medicinal plant as well as a natural medicine and functional food. Limonene perilla collected from various places showed 60% limonene compounds. However biological activity of these accession has not been reported before. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the biological activity of limonene perilla. Methods and Results : Fractional solvent extracts were obtained by using organic solvents such as n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-BuOH, and aqueous solvent from different parts of limonene perilla extracted initially in 70% EtOH. We investigated the effects of limonene perilla on total phenol and flavonoid contents, FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), total saponin contents and tyrosinase inhibition activity. Leaves of limonene perilla produced the highest total phenolic contents (29.88 mg·CAE/g), flavonoid (8.39 mg·QE/g) and saponin contents (47.77 mg·GIE/g) than stems and roots of limonene perilla. FRAP of leaves was 823.00±3.58 μM·FeSO4·E/mg. Tyrosinase inhibition activity rate was 40.31% in 70% ethanol extracts from leaves of limonene perilla. Conclusion : This results suggest that leaf of limonene perilla fractions has significant antioxidant activity. Also, limonene perilla could be used as a functional biomaterial in developing cosmetics and functional foods.

Background : Plants are the rich source of antioxidants, which plays a very important role in maintaining human health. Their antioxidant property protects cells of different organs of human beings against free radicals and free radical mediated diseases. Even though, there is lack of knowledge on the antioxidant effect of lutein present in plants. In the present study, lutein was isolated from the GreenTea leaves (Camellia sinensis) which is used as a dietary source. Methods and Results : The procedure adopted for the isolation and purification of lutein using acetone extraction and preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is simple and less time consuming. Free radicals scavenging activity of isolated lutein from acetone extract of GreenTea was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging assay and reducing power. The isolated lutein scavenged 79% of DPPH radicals at 20 ㎍/㎖ and two fold lower concentration compared to the standard antioxidants (α-tocopherol). No significant differences were found between the reducing power of the lutein and BHT when their concentrations were high. However, significant differences were observed at relatively low concentrations, the reducing power of lutein was isolated from the GreenTea leaves was stronger than those of their acetone extract and standard antioxidants (BHA). Both electron spin resonance (ESR) and in vitro assay confirmed that lutein was isolated from the GreenTea leaves, exhibited a greater capacity for scavenging superoxide (O2 •－) and hydroxyl (OH •) radicals than standard antioxidants β-carotene and α-tocopherol respectively. Conclusion : The results proven that lutein isolated from GreenTea leaves has an efficient antioxidant ability, it could serve as an antioxidant to scavenge reactive oxygen species.

Background : Lutein, a xanthophyll, consists of chains with 8 conjugated double bounds containing closed rings on each end of the chain. This carotenoid is found in fruits and vegetables, especially dark green leafy vegetables such as green tea. In this study, we investigated the anticancer effects of purified lutein from green tea on human cancer cell lines containing prostate carcinoma cancer cells (LNCaP). Methods and Results : Prostate carcinoma cancer cells (LNCaP) were cultured and evaluated the inhibitory effect of lutein isolated from green tea compared other carotenoids (β-carotene and lycopene) on cell proliferation. Cyclin D1 and PCNA were evaluated as cell differentiation. In results, PCNA/cyclin regulates the initiation of cell proliferation by mediating DNA polymerase. Under cultural conditions, lycopene remarkably suppressed the PCNA expression prostate cancer cell line LNCaP in higher doses (20 μM - 100 μM) statistically. However, β-carotene and lutein presented the less inhibitory effects on PCNA expression. Determination of PCNA expression in control and treated cells demonstrates that lycopene did affect proliferation in LNCaP cancer cells in dose-dependent manner. However, β-carotene and lutein suppressed the cyclin D1 expression in dose-dependent manner but no in lycopene group. These results indicate that differ carotenoids presented the various suppressive ability of PCNA and cyclin D1 expression in cell proliferation. Conclusion : In conclusion, lutein suppressed the carcinogenesis of induced prostate cancer cell line by acting as a suppressor for inhibiting the expression of cyclin D.

To overcome the risk of the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in patients have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and to prepare emergency fertility preservation in patients undergoing anticancer treatment, several researchers have reported IVM of oocytes retrieved from ovaries exposed by only hCG priming. However, the maturation rate and the developmental potential of embryos from IVM oocytes are significantly lower than those of oocytes matured in vivo. Here, we investigated the optimal time point for immature oocyte collection at post hCG only injection for in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization and blastocyst formation. Immature GV oocytes were collected from 25 days old B6D2F1 female mouse at 12 hr, 14 hr, 16 hr or 24 hr post hCG injection. Oocytes were collected from antral or late secondary follicle by puncturing with 26 G needle. Collected oocytes were cultured in G2 medium with 10% FBS, FSH, estradiol, and hCG for 16 hr in vitro and subjected in vitro fertilization and further embryonic development. To examine follicular maturation, we estimated the numbers of primordial, primary, secondary follicle and antral follicle on ovaries of each time point post hCG. To confirm the optimal time point post hCG injection for collecting immature oocytes, we recovered the oocytes from each time point. There is no difference in the number of oocytes per mice. Oocytes collected at 14 hr post hCG injection were shown higher maturation rate to MII stage and blastocyst formation compare to other three groups (p<0.01). However, there is no difference in the maturation rate on the other three groups. Also, apoptotic signal with TUNEL assay or anti-PARP staining was not change in ovaries from all experimental groups. Granulosa cell proliferation test with anti Ki-67 or anti AMH was not show any difference. According to these results, there are no significant differences in four different time points at 12 hr, 14 hr, 16 hr or 24 hr of collection of immature oocytes in hCG primed mouse. However, oocytes from 14 hr post hCG injection showed higher percentages of maturation rate, in vitro fertilization rate, blastocyst formation.

Cryopreservation has become a powerful method of the assisted reproduction technology and supports fertility preservation of cancer and other indication patients. After controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, surplus oocytes and embryos were recommended to store using cryopreservation. Recently, vitrification is replaced with traditional slow freezing protocol, because of improved survival rates and clinical outcomes. Vitrification requires a high concentration of CPAs that may induce significant osmotic and metabolic damage to cells including oocytes even in a short exposure of a few minutes. Generally, MPF plays a crucial role in the cell cycle regulation and maintaining the meiotic arrest of oocytes. In fact, it has been observed to decline in MII ovine oocytes after vitrification and would be suggested that one of the main causes of low fertilization rate and developmental competence derived from cryoinjury during vitrification. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of caffeine treatment on the activity of MPF, MAPK level in vitrified/warmed mouse mature eggs. Caffeine, Phosphataseinhibitor, may maintain active form of MPF. We evaluated their survival after warming procedure, fertilization, cleavage, and developmental rates. Ovulated MII eggs were retrieved from 6 weeks old B6D2F1 female mouse at 14hr post hCG injection. Collected MII eggs were maintained in HTF medium containing 10% KSR with or without caffeine for 1hr. Eggs were vitrified in 7.5%EG +7.5%DMSO equilibrium solution, 15%EG + 15%DMSO + 0.5M sucrose vitrification solution with or without caffeine. Also warming solution contained sucrose (0.5M, 0.25M, 0.125M, and 0M) with or without caffeine. After warming, eggs were cultured in HTF medium with or without caffeine for 2 hr then fertilized with epididymal sperm in vitro and cultured in KSOM for 5 days to analyze embryonic development. Survival rates were similar in all experimental groups. However, fertilization rate was higher in with caffeine group compare to without caffeine significantly (80% vs. 85%, p<0.05). 2-cell and blastocyst formation were increased in caffeine group (p<0.05). MPF activity and MAP kinase activity were recovered in with caffeine group after vitrification/warming process. In conclusion, Caffeine may maintain MPF and MAPK level in vitrified/warmed MII eggs, and enhance fertilization and further embryonic development.

‘Clara’ 품종은 국립원예특작과학원에서 2005년도에 육성한 포인세티아 품종으로 초장이 작고 컴팩트한 수형으로 포엽의 형태는 난형이며 엽맥 사이 주름의 정도는 약하다. 포엽의 길이와 폭, 잎몸의 길이와 폭, 엽병의 길이는 짧으며 단일처리 후 약 9주일이 경과하면 충분히 착색되어 출하가 가능한 품종이다. 2008년 5월과 10월 ‘Clara’ 품종의 캘러스가 형성된 삽수에 100Gy의 감마선을 24시간 동안 처리하여 유기한 돌연변이를 이용하여 2010년과 2013년에 국립원예특작과학원에서 ‘Clara Pink’와 ‘Clara White’품종을 육성하였다. 이 두 품종들은 포엽의 색이 완전히 변한 변이주를 선발하여 계통화 하였으며 2008년 5월에 감마선을 처리한 삽수들 중 포엽의 색이 분홍색인 변이지를 선발하여 2009년에 2차에 거쳐 특성검정을 실시하였다. 2010년에 ‘원예 D5-2’를 육성한 후 3차 특성검정과 품종평가회를 실시하여 최종선발하였으며, 농작물 직무육성 신품종선정위원회를 거쳐 ‘Clara Pink’로 명명하였다. 2005년 10월에 감마선을 처리한 삽수들중에서는 포엽의 색이 연황색인 변이주를 선발하여 계통화 하였으며, 2012년과 2013년에 1,2차 특성검정을 실시하였다. 2013년에 ‘원예 D5-34’를 육성하여 특성검정과 품종평가회를 실시하고 농작물 직무육성신품종선정위원회를 거쳐 ‘Clara White’로 명명하였다. ‘클라라 핑크’와 ‘클라라 화이트’ 두 품종 모두 ‘클라라’ 품종과 같은 소형으로 적심하지 않은 상태에서도 분지가 많이 발생하는 컴팩트한 수형이다. 포엽의 형태는 결각이 없는 난형이며, 엽맥 사이에 약한 주름이 있고 단일처리 후 약 9주일 경과하면 완전히 착색된다. 잎몸의 모양은 난형이며, 엽병의 길이는 짧다. 그러나 ‘클라라 핑크’와 ‘클라라 화이트’ 품종의 포엽과 엽맥의 안토시아닌 발현에 차이를 나타내었다. ‘클라라 핑크’ 의 포엽은 분홍색이며, ‘클라라 화이트’의 포엽은 연황색이다. 또한 ‘클라라 핑크’ 와 ‘클라라 화이트’ 품종은 ‘클라라’ 품종과 비교해서 잎자루 윗면의 안토시아닌 발현 정도가 약하였으며, 잎몸 윗면의 가운데 맥의 색이 ‘클라라’ 품종은 녹색과 빨강색이 함께 발현되었으나, ‘클라라 핑크’ 와 ‘클라라 화이트’ 품종은 녹색만 발현되었다.

Happymi is a new sweetpotato variety developed from Mokpo Experiment Station, National Institute of Crop Science(NICS), RDA in 2004, which was for the raw eating and processing. This variety was selected from the cross between Chinmi andMA 3 in 1996, seed

Biomi is a new sweetpotato variety developed from Mokpo Eeperiment Station, National Honam Agricultura iment Station (NHAES), RDA in 2003, which was for the utilization as feed and food for storage root ofhigh moisture content andfast fleshed up. This var