Lindera glauca Blume has been used in Korean traditional medicine to treat the symptoms of paralysis, abdominal pain, speech disorders, extravasations, contusions, and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated the effect of L. glauca Blume extracts on the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells in vitro using HCT116 human colorectal cancer cell lines. We also investigated its mechanism of action. For this purpose, we used the MTT assay, western blotting, DNA fragmentation analysis, and flow cytometry. HCT116 cells were cultured in several concentrations of ethanol extracts of L. glauca Blume root (0, 50, 100 μg/mL). In this study, colon cancer cell growth was inhibited by L. glauca Blume root extract in a dose-dependent manner. It was associated with induction of apoptosis as assessed by nuclear fragmentation and cell cycle analysis. Apoptosis was assessed using western blotting for TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB, Caspase-3, PARP, Bax, Bcl-2, and SIRT1. The extract also dose-dependently upregulated the expression Bax, the pro-apoptotic gene and downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. Furthermore, the extract enhanced Caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings provide evidence that L. glauca Blume extract may mediate its anti-proliferative effect via the modulation of apoptosis.

본 연구는 갈근 추출물의 항산화 활성 및 멜라닌세포 효과를 평가하기 위하여 총 폴리페놀 함량, 총 플라보노이드 함량, DPPH radical 소거 활성을 통하여 항산화 활성을 살펴보고, B16F10 melanoma 세포에 대한 세포 독성 및 멜라닌 생합성 억제능 효과를 측정하였다. 연구 결과 B16F10 melanoma 세포에 대해 독성을 나타내지 않았으며, B16F10 melanoma 세포에 α-MSH로 멜라닌 생성 을 유도한 후 멜라닌 생합성 억제능을 측정한 결과 멜라닌의 생성 증가가 농도 의존적으로 억제되는 것 을 확인하였다. 항산화 활성에 대한 결과로는, 갈근 추출물은 폴리페놀과 플라보노이드의 함량이 높아 추출물의 농도가 증가함에 따라 DPPH radical 소거 활성이 증가되는 것을 확인하였다. 이와 같은 결과 를 통하여 갈근 추출물이 항산화 활성과 멜라닌세포 대한 멜라닌생성억제 효과가 뛰어나고 피부 세포에 대한 독성이 낮으며, 피부의 멜라닌 세포에 대한 안전성이 확인됨에 따라 화장품 소재로서의 가능성을 확인하였다.

본 연구는 우엉 뿌리 추출물의 항산화 활성 및 피부에 대한 안전성을 평가하기 위하여 총 폴 리페놀 함량, 총 플라보노이드 함량, DPPH radical 소거 활성을 통하여 항산화 활성을 살펴보고, B16F10 melanoma 세포에 대한 세포 독성 및 자외선 A에 대한 피부 세포 보호 효과를 확인하였다. 또 한 화장품 소재로서의 활용을 검증하기 위하여 1차 피부 첩포 테스트를 실시하였다. 본 실험 결과 우엉 뿌리 추출물의 함량이 증가됨에 따라 높은 폴리페놀과 플라보노이드의 함량이 확인되었으며, DPPH radical 소거 활성을 확인하였다. B16F10세포에 대한 세포 독성을 확인한 결과 B16F10 melanoma 세포 에 대해 독성이 낮고, 자외선 A에 대해 80% 이상의 세포 보호 효과를 확인하였다. 또한 1차 피부 첩포 테스트를 통해 우엉 뿌리 추출물이 피부에 자극이 거의 없음을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과를 통하여 우엉 뿌리 추출물이 항산화 활성과 자외선에 대한 피부 보호 효과가 뛰어나고 피부 세포에 대한 독성이 낮으 며, 피부에 대한 안전성이 확인됨에 따라 화장품 소재로서의 가능성을 확인하였다.

The acaricidal activity of Asarum heterotropoides root-derived principles, methyleugenol, safrole, 3-carene, α-asarone, pentadecane and A. heterotropoides root steam distillate constituents was tested against poultry red mites Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer). All active principles were identified by spectroscopic analysis. Results were compared with those of two conventional acaricides, benzyl benzoate and N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET). Methyleugenol (24 h LC50 = 0.57 μg/cm2) and safrole (24 h LC50 = 8.54 μg/cm2) were the most toxic compounds toward D. gallinae, followed by 3,4,5-trimethoxytoluene, 3,5-dimethoxytoluene, estragole, α-terpineol, verbenone, eucarvone, linalool, and terpinen-4-ol (LC50 = 15.65–27.88 μg/cm2). Methyleugenol was 16.7× and 11.0× more toxic than benzyl benzoate (LC50 = 9.52 μg/cm2) and DEET (LC50 = 6.28 μg/cm2), respectively; safrole was 1.1× and 0.73× more toxic. Asarum heterotropoides root-derived materials, particularly methyleugenol and safrole, merit further study as potential acaricides. Global efforts to reduce the level of highly toxic synthetic acaricides in indoor environments justify further studies on A. heterotropoides root extract and steam distillate preparations containing the active constituents described as potential contact-action fumigants for the control of mites.

We analyzed the viable population changes of Paenibacillus polymyxa E681, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium, on seeds and roots after bioformulation at varying time intervals during the storage. The viable population of E681 on tested crop seeds sustained log 4-5 cfu/seed after 300 days of seed treatment. The ability of root colonization and inhibition of fungal mycellial growth was not influenced even after 300 days of seed treatment. The seed-soaking treatment returned better results than powder formulation, in increasing the initial population of E681 on plant roots. Collectively, it was found that E681 is a durable and stable biological control agent for application to crop seeds.

In this study, we examined immuno-modulatory activities of crude polysaccharides from wild ginseng adventitious roots (WGAR). The crude polysaccharide (WGAR-CP) was isolated from WGAR by hot water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and dialysis. The major constituents in WGAR-CP were neutral sugar (64.77%), and uronic acid (34.32%). WGAR-CP demonstrated anti-complementary activity dose-dependently. The immuno-modulatory effects of WGAR-CP were also analyzed by measuring nitric oxide and cytokines in the supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages. Mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with WGAR-CP produced nitric oxide and various cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-12 in a dosedependent manner. In conclusion, WGAR-CP may have immuno-modulatory activities by activating a complementary system and macrophages, which produces cytokines.

The nematicidal activity of Phellodendron amurense rhizome-derived materials (methanol extract) toward Meloidogyne Spp. second-stage juveniles (J2) and these effects on Cucumis sativus and Cucumis melo. Results were compared with these of fosthiazate. J2 was examined using 24-well plate tests, pot bioassays (C. sativa and C. melo) and Field trials (C. melo). In 24-well plate test with J2, methanol extract of P. amurense exhibited 98.7% and 69.8% mortality at 0.25 and 0.125 mg/ml toward J2, respectively, whereas Fosthiazate showed 100% mortality at 1 mg/ml. In pot bioassays with J2, P. amurense rhizome methanol extract gave 79.5% and 57.4% mortality at 2ℓ/m2(1,000x) and 2ℓ/m2(2,000x)/3kg soil from C. sativa and 73.7% and 53.3% mortality at 2ℓ/m2(1,000x) and 2ℓ/m2(2,000x)/3kg soil from C. melo, respectively. In Field test at C. melo in greenhouse showed 55.1% and 26.9% mortality at 2ℓ/m2(1,000x) and 2ℓ/m2(2,000x) applied soil. P. amurense rhizome-derived materials, merit further study as potential root-knot nematode control agents because of their nematicidal activity.

The larvicidal activity of materials from Ostericum koreanum (Apiaceae) root against late 3rd or early 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens pallens was examined using standard WHO technique under laboratory conditions. Results were compared with those of temephos. The biologically active constituents of O. koreanum root were characterized as four coumarines; isoimperatorin (I), osthol (II), oxypeucedanin (III) and imperatorin (IV) by spectroscopic analysis, including EI-MS, LC-MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of 24-hr LC50 values, osthol among these four coumarines was the most toxic against Ae. aegypti (1.97 ppm) and Cx. pipiens pallens (1.87 ppm) larvae, but its activity was less than temephos (0.0047 and 0.013 ppm, respectively). LC50 values of isoimperatorin, oxypeucedanin and imperatorin derived from O. koreanum root against Ae. aegypti larvae were 2.46, 6.92 and 2.17 ppm, and against Cx. pipiens pallens larvae, were 1.99, 5.04 and 3.68 ppm. The results indicate that both materials and coumarines from O. koreanum root have potential to be used for mosquito control.

The toxicity of Asarum heterotropoides root steam distillate compounds to third instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens, Aedes aegypti, and Ochlerotatus togoi (formerly Aedes togoi) was examined using a direct contact mortality bioassay. Results were compared with those following the treatment with fenthion and temephos. A. heterotropoides root steam distillate exhibited good larvicidal activity (21.07-27.64 ppm), based on LC50 values. Potent activity was produced by safrole (LC50, 8.22-16.10 ppm), terpinolene (11.85-15.32 ppm), -terpinene (12.64-17.11 ppm), (–)-β-pinene (12.87-18.03 ppm), (+)-limonene (13.26-24.47 ppm), 3-carene (13.83-19.19 ppm), and α-phellandrene (13.84-23.08 ppm), although the larvicidal activity of these compounds was less toxic than either fenthion (LC50, 0.023-0.029) or temephos (0.016-0.020). A. heterotropoides root steam distillate and its constituents described merit further study as potential mosquito larvicides for protection from humans and domestic animals from vector-borne diseases and nuisance caused by mosquitoes.

The nematicidal activity of Kaempferia galanga rhizome-derived materials (methanol extract, steam distillate, and powder) toward M. incognita second-stage juveniles (J2) was examined using residual contact toxicity and pot bioassays. In residual contact toxicity bioassays with J2, the active principles of K. galanga rhizome were identified as the phenylpropanoids ethyl cinnamate (EC, 1) and ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (EMC, 2) by spectroscopic analysis. EC exhibited 95% and 49% mortality at 0.06 and 0.04 mg/ml toward J2, respectively, whereas EMC showed 98% and 63% mortality at 0.1 and 0.08 mg/ml. In pot tests with J2, K. galanga rhizome methanol extract gave 92% and 82% mortality at 100 and 20 mg/50g soil, respectively. Steam distillate gave 88% and 68% mortality at 85 and 42.5 mg/50g soil, respectively, whereas rhizome powder provided 83% and 62% mortality at 400 and 200 mg/50g soil. K. galanga rhizome-derived materials, particularly EC and EMC, merit further study as potential root-knot nematode control agents or leads because of their great activity as a nematicide.

본 실험은 토마토 양액재배에서 펄라이트 배지를 순환식 재배방법에 적용하고자 수행되었다. 펄라이트 배지의 입자를 소립(ø1∼2mm 미만), 중립(ø2∼3mm), 대립(ø4∼5 mm)으로 분리하여 양액공급량에 따른 토마토의 생육을 검토한 결과는 아래와 같다. 제 3화방 개화(초기생육)시 초장은 중립과 대립에서는 양액공급량이 많을수록 길었으나 소립에서는 양액공급량에 관계없이 길어 초기에 생육관리는 대립일수록 1일 양액공급량이 많아야 할 것으로 생각되었다. 그러나 제 3화방 개화기 이후는 소립에서는 주당 1일 공급량을 1.5L로, 그리고 중립과 대립에서는 주당 1일 3.0L로 관리하는 것이 착과수가 많고 수량이 높았다 기형과율은 펄라이트 입자의 크기에 관계없이 양액공급량이 많을수록 적었다. 근활력은 정식 후 50일까지는 입자크기 및 양액공급량에 관계없이 증가하였으나, 50일 이후부터는 감소하기 시작하여 정식 후 100일에는 소립에서는 양액공급량이 많을수록, 그리고 중립과 대립에서는 양액공급량이 적을수록 감소하는 경향이 컸다. 소립에서는 앙액공급량이 증가할수록 모든 무기성분함량이 감소하는 경향이었으나 중립과 대립에서는 증가하는 경향이었다 N. K. Ca및 Mg의 함량은 소립에서는 양액공급량이 1일 3.0L/주 처리구에서 가장 적었으나 대립과 중립에서는 1일 3.0L/주 처리구에서 가장 많았다. 이상의 결과에서 토마토 순환식 양액재배시 펄라이트 입자는 중립과 대립의 사용이 유리하고 양액공급량은 주당 1일 3.0L 관리하는 것이 유리하였다.

토양중 유기물 함량 차이에 따른 토양내에서 carbofuran과 ethoprophos의 약효 변화, 수직 이동성 및 잔효성에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 고구마뿌리혹선충 (Meloidogyne incognita)을 공시하여 실험하였다. 두 약제 모구 토양중 유기물 함량이 많을수록 약효는 감소였다. 약제의 수직이동성은 토양 표면에서 0~2cm층에서는 유기물의 함량에 관계없이 두 약제 모두 80%이상의 높은 방제가를 보였으나, 2~4cm층에서는 유기물의 함량에 관계없이 두 약제 모두 80%이상의 높은 방제가를 보였으나, 2~4cm 층에서는 두 약제의 방제가가 다르게 나타났다. Carbofuran의 경우 유기물 함량에 따라 10~30%의 방제가를 나타냈으나, ethoprophos는 0.4% 유기물 토양에서만 약 30%의 방제가를 나타냈으며, 나머지 유기물 토양에서는 효과가 거의 없었다. 또한 4cm 이하의 토양에서는 carbofuran은 대부분의 토야에서 5~20%의 내외의 약효를 나타냈으나, ethoprophos은 거의 나타내지 않았다. 따라서 , 두 약제 중에서 토양중 이동성은 carbofuran이 더 큰 것으로 나타났다. 토양중 유기물 함량은 두 약제의 잔효지속기간에 큰 영향을 주었으며, 유기물 함량이 증가함에 따라 약효지속기간이 감소하였다. 약효의 반감기는 carbofuran의 경우 유기물 함량이 0.4%인 토양에서는 2~3주로 나타났으나, 0.8%, 1.6% 토양에서는 1주 정도였다. 한편, ethoprophos의 경우 0.4%, 0.8%의 토양에서는 3~4주, 1.6%인 토양에서는 1~2주로 나타났다. 그러나 두 약제 모두 3.2%의 유기물함량 토양에서 약제의 효과가 거의 나타나지 않았다.

In order to develop a natural food preservative, the root bark of Morus alba was extracted with several solvents, and then antimicrobial activity was investigated. The optimum extracting condition for the antimicrobial substance from the sample, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracted substance against microorganisms were also examined. The antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract from the sample was atronger than those of the extracts by the other solvents such as water, methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone. The optimum extracting condition for antimicrobial substance from the sample was shaking extraction twice for 5 hours at room temperature in case of 7 times of absolute ethanol added to the crushed root bark of Morus albs. The ethanol extract from the root bark of Mores albs had strong antimicrobial activity against Gram positive bacteria(MIC, 6.4-19.2 g/ml) such as B. subtilis, B. cereus, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus. Especially, Bacillus species was the most susceptible to the extracted substance. The ethanol extract showed antimicrobial activity against Gram negative bacteria(MIC, 160-1600 g/ml) and yeasts(MIC, 1600 g/ml) such as C. albicans and S. acidifaeciens. The extract also showed growth inhibition against molds such as A. niger, A. parasiticus, A. versicolar and T. uiride.

Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) is a traditional medicinal herb especially in Korea. It contains pyranocoumarins, which are major active components including decursin (D) and decursinol angelate (DA). This study was carried out to determine the change in active component content and antioxidant activity depending on the root diameter of AGN. Several processing steps are involved to use AGN roots as medicine. The dried AGN roots are divided into body (B), thick root (TkR), medium root (MR) and thin root (TnR) according to their diameter before cutting into medicine. The recovery rates of each root parts per 100 ㎏ were measured as 32.3±2.5, 9.0±1.0, 39.3±2.1 and 15.0±1.0%, respectively and the mean diameters were measured as 51.95±4.55, 7.05±0.89, 2.88±0.49 and 1.57±0.32 ㎜. Two index components, D and DA, were analyzed. The change of both D and DA content showed a similar tendency. Both D and DA content were increased as the root diameter decreased (higher in TnR). In addition, antioxidant activity was higher in B and TnR, and lower in TkR and MR than control. This study showed that the thinner the root diameter, the higher the D and DA content in AGN roots and that TnR has excellent antioxidant activity compared to other root parts, suggesting that the thinner root part of AGN could be used as a potential material.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for a number of infections in humans that are difficult to treat, and as a result, is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. In the present study, in search of natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug-resistant bacterium, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root. The antibacterial activities of EtOH extract of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root and its n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH and water fractions were evaluated against 15 strains of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 1 standard methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) strain by using the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) assay, colorimetric assay using MTT test, checkerboard dilution test. Antimicrobial activity of n-hexane fraction of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root was remarkable. Against the 16 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were in the range of 31.25–62.5 ㎍/㎖ and FICI values for n-hexane fraction of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root+AM and n-hexane fraction of Lysimachia clethroides Duby root+OX were checkerboard method performed using the MRSA, MSSA and one clinical isolate strains via MICI 0.12-1 and 0.25-0.75, showing the increase of synergistic effect. When combined together, these antibiotic effects were dramatically increased. These effective combinations could be new promising agents in the management of MRSA.

Background : The licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is one of the Mongolian traditional useful medicinal plants. The roots and rhizomes are rich in triterpenoids, flavonoids and glycosides. It is have been employed clinically for their antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antimicrobial and anxiolytic activities. In this study, we was undertaken to explore the phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity and total flavonoid content of G.uralensis. Methods and Results : In vitro culture related greenhouse, field growing G. uralensis and the wild type roots were dried in shade and grind in mechanical grinder. 1 g of powdered roots were extracted in 25 ㎖ of methanol with concentration of 40 ㎎/㎖. The antioxidant activity and total flavonoid contents were investigated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryldydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay and aluminium trichloride method, respectively. The production of glycyrrhizic acid determined by thin layer chromatography. In the phytochemical screening showed presence of secondary metabolites flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids and tannin. The extract possessed potent antioxidant activity having IC50 value 2,000 ㎍/㎖ (59.97 ± 2.55) in wild type and 1,000 ㎍/㎖ (68.73 ± 3.99) in greenhouse samples. Field grown G.uralensis roots extract gave highest total flavonoid content with 30.21% compared with wild type and greenhouse grown samples (16.71% and 10.71%). Conclusion : Based on the results of investigations, G. uralensis is a potent source of novel bioactive compounds. Further investigations regarding more biological activities by high sensitive techniques such as HPLC and GC-MS need to be conducted.

Background : For the green approach of nanoparticles synthesizing, plant based technology has been considered as cost-effective and eco-friendly mass production. The oriental medicinal crop, Kalopanax septemlobus (Thunb.) Koidz. (Korean name: 음나무), the deciduous tree and a family of Araliaceae. Endemic tree of Asian countries, K. septemlobus being used for the treatment of various diseases. Phytochemicals of K. septemlobus such as polyphenols has highly probability of reducing agent for biosynthesizing nanoparticles. Methods and Results : In this study, we applied K. septemlobus ZnO nanoparticles (Ks-ZnO NPs) with procedures including green approach one-pot synthesis. For the characterization of nanoparticles, UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM were used. The formation of ZnO nanoparticles, the aurface plasmon resonance were observed at 372 ㎚ in UV-Vis spectroscopy. The presence of functional groups which as a capping agent and formation of ZnO nanoparticles were confirmed in FTIR result. The crystallization and morphology showed by XRD, TEM and SEM respectively. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles, was determined using Methylene blue (MB) dye degradation under UV irradiation (365 ㎚) which resulted rate constant is (−k) 0.1215 with 97.5% of degradation in 30 min. Conclusion : The result shows that phytochemicals in K. septemlobus extract have a potential as a reducing agent to form ZnO nanoparticles. The ZnO NPs are capable to degrade MB with in brief time.

Background : Hibiscus syriacus is a widely cultivated ornamental shrub, found throughout eastern and southern Asia. The root of H. syriacus has been used in Asian folk medicine as a fungicide, antipyretic, and anthelmintic in the treatment of dysentery, eczema, tinea, and scabies. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of 70% ethanol extracts of root from Hibiscus syriacus (RHS-E70) and elucidated the potential mechanisms in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Methods and Results : RHS-E70 dose-dependently suppressed nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, RHS-E70 attenuated LPS-mediated overexpression of iNOS and IL-1β. In elucidation of the potential mechanisms for anti-inflammatory effect, RHS-E70 inhibited the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IκB-α, which results in the inhibition of p65 nuclear accumulation and NF-κB activation. In addition, RHS-E70 suppressed the activation of ERK1/2 and p38, which results in the inhibition of ATF2 phosphorylation and subsequent ATF2 nuclear accumulation. Conclusion : These results indicate that RHS-E70 may exert anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK signaling. From these findings, RHS-E70 has potential to be a candidate for the development of chemoprevention or therapeutic agents for the inflammatory diseases.