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.

Background: The objective of this study were to determine the antibacterial activity and antibiotic activity-enhancing effect of 70% ethanol extract of the root of Rumex japonicus Houtt. and its fractions when used in combination with gentamicin against aerobic skin flora. Methods and Results: The antibacterial activity and antibiotic (gentamicin) activity enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora were determined using the disc diffusion assay. Chloroform fraction (CF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EF) showed higher activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than those shown by other fractions. Regarding the antibiotic (gentamicin) activity-enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora, the n-hexane fraction (HF) and CF showed strong activity. The combination of HF and CF with gentamicin was evaluated using the broth dilution assay to determine the inhibitory effect on the growth of aerobic skin flora. The combination of CF with gentamicin exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus and S. epdermidis. MTT assay performed to determine the viability of L929 cells revealed that EF treatment resulted in viability of 33.96 - 116.76% at the tested concentration. The combination of 70% ethanol extract and its other fractions with gentamicin showed low cell toxicity. Conclusions: Appropriate use of antimicrobial agents is important prior to the development of new antibiotics. The 70% ethanol extract of the root of R. japonicus Houtt. and its fractions showed significant synergism with gentamicin when used in combination against S. aureus and S. epdermidis. Thus, R. japonicus Houtt. could be used as a functional materials in antimicrobial-related fields.

Background: In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer activity and potential molecular mechanism of 70% ethanol extracts of the root of Aralia cordata var. continentalis (Kitagawa) Y. C. Chu (RAc-E70) against human colorectal cancer cells. Methods and Results: RAc-E70 suppressed the proliferation of the human colorectal cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480. Although RAc-E70 reduction cyclin D1 expression at the protein and mRNA levels, RAc-E70-induced reduction in cyclin D1 protein level occurred more dramatically than that of cyclin D1 mRNA. The RAc-E70-induced downregulation of cyclin D1 expression was attenuated in the presence of MG132. Additionally, RAc-E70 reduced HA-cyclin D1 levels in HCT116 cells transfected with HA-tagged wild type-cyclin D1 expression vector. RAc-E70-mediated cyclin D1 degradation was blocked in the presence of LiCl, a GSK3β inhibitorbut, but not PD98059, an ERK1/2 inhibitor and SB203580, a p38 inhibitor. Furthermore, RAc-E70 phosphorylated cyclin D1 at threonine-286 (T286), and LiCl-induced GSK3β inhibition reduced the RAc-E70-mediated phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at T286. Conclusions: Our results suggested that RAc-E70 may downregulate cyclin D1 expression as a potential anti-cancer target through GSK3β-dependent cyclin D1 degradation. Based on these findings, RAc-E70 maybe a potential candidate for the development of chemopreventive or therapeutic agents for human colorectal cancer.

We evaluated the antioxidative activity of extracts of P. lobata root depending on roasting conditions. P. lobata roots were roasted at three different temperature at 150℃, 200℃, and 250℃ and three different time at 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min respectively. Roasted P. lobata root was extracted using water at 85℃ for 6 h and filtered using filter paper, followed by then evaporated (12±0.3 °Brix) and freeze-dried. The concentration of maker compound puerarin was determined using a high performance liquid chromatography system. 2 phenolic compounds, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities of the extract powder were evaluated. Puerarin contents, Phenolic compounds, and flavonoid contents of roasted P. lobata root were higher than those of unroasted P. lobata root. The results of DPPH and ABTS showed that roasted P. lobata root possessed higher antioxidant activity than unroasted P. lobata root. This study suggested that roasting process could be applied to P. lobata root in order to achieve its high quality and functionality.

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.

Background : Platycodon grandiflorum root (PGR) was one of the primary herbs used in a phlegm-relieving herb from the past. Platycoside compounds on PGR may exhibit neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, improved insulin resistance, and cholesterol-lowering properties. In order to developing a concentrate product that improved the functionality and preference of PGR, it was fermented using lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum N76-10 and 56-12). Methods and Results : The concentrate products were created by PGR-concentrate (PGRC, 60 ºBrix) mixed with fermented PGR-extract (FPGRE, 2 ºBrix) at the level of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200%. Sweetness and preference were supplemented by other added materials including honey, oligosaccharide, concentrate of jujube (60 ºBrix) and pear (60 ºBrix), and cactus Chounnyouncho extract (2 ºBrix). The products were put into investigation for their preference of taste, antimicrobial activity in accordance with amount of FPGRE. When it comes to preference of taste, the most favor is adding 100% of FPGRE on PGRC. The product added 150% FPGRE exhibited a strong microbial anti-proliferation in all four kinds (Corynrbacterium diphtheriae, Klebsiella pnneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes) of bacteria inducing bronchus diseases and was higher antimicrobial activity than concentrate without FPGRE. In terms of the sensory evaluation (taste, texture and visco-elasticity), concentrate mixed with FPGRE (10), jujube concentrate (2), pear concentrate (10), cactus Chounnyouncho extract (10), oligosaccharide (2), honey (1) and xanthan gum (0.02) showed the highest scores. Conclusion : Thus, A PGR concentrate was made by adding FPGRE (100%) and it was increased organoleptic quality, antimicrobial activity. These studies may provide new product development for effective utilization on Platycodon grandiflorum root.

Background: We investigated the antioxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of 70% ethanol extract, and its fractions, of the root of Rumex japonicus HOUTT. Methods and Results: The total phenolic compound contents of the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were 168.99㎎/ g and 651.78㎎/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity was compared through the DPPH radical and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH radical and NO scavenging abilities, which confirmed the antioxidant activity. Specifically, the ethyl acetate fraction showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging ability than ascorbic acid. These results were related to the total phenolic compound content of the ethyl acetate fraction. Moreover, in the tyrosinase inhibition assay, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited stronger inhibitory activity than arbutin, which was used as the positive control. The cell viability of L929 cells was analyzed by MTT assay after treatment with 70% ethanol extract and all fractions; no changes in viability were observed, which demonstrated the nontoxic nature of the extract and fractions. Conclusions: These results suggested that the extract from the root of R. japonicus and its ethyl acetate fraction could be a novel resource for the development of a cosmetic with antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

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 : Platycodon grandiflorum root(PGR) was one of the primary herbs used in a phlegm-relieving herb from the past. Purified platycoside compounds from the roots of PGR may exhibit neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, improved insulin resistance, and cholesterol-lowering properties. To evaluate preference and functionality of PGR extracts, PGR was fermented by several lactic acid bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria used were Leuc. mesenteroides N12-4 and N58-5, L. plantarum N76-10 and 56-12, L. brevis N70-9 and E3-8. Methods and Results : This study was performed in order to investigate the changes of platycosides, as well as the antimicrobial activities on bronchus diseases inducing bacteria(C. diphtheriae, K. pnneumoniae, S. aureus, S. pyogenes) of Platycodon grandiflorum root(PGR) fermented by using lactic acid bacteria(Leuc. mesenteroides N12-4, Leuc. mesenteroides N58-5, L. plantarum N76-10, L. plantarum N56-12, L. brevis N70-9, L. brevis E3-8). Growth of L. plantarum on PGR was the most active during lactic acid fermentation by some different strains. Total platycoside, platycoside E, platycodin A, polygalacin D2, polygalacin D and diapioplatycoside E contents of PGR fermented for 96 hours at 37℃ by Leuc. mesenteroides and L. plantarum were increased, while platycodin D and platycodin D3 were decreased. The antimicribial activity on PGR fermented by L. plantarum N56-12 exhibited a strong microbial proliferation in all four kinds of bronchus diseases inducing bacteria and was higher than non-fermented PGR extract. Conclusion : Thus, this results showed antimicrobial activities on bronchus diseases inducing bacteria and platycosides content of PGR by L. plantarum N56-12 were higher than non-fermented PGR extract.

The present study aimed to determine the influence of various root restriction media on seedling quality and early growth of strawberry after transplanting. The root activity of the seedlings, measured 20 days after fixation, was considerably higher (0.096, 0.090, and 0.063 mg·g-1·h-1 at 420, 450, and 480 nm, respectively) in expanded rice hull (ERH) treatment than in the sandy loam and loamy sand treatments. The volumetric water content (VWC) of the root media tested across 3 irrigation regimes (15 d, 30 d, 45 d) in the nursery field was highest in sandy loam (65.0–66.8%), followed by 59.4–61.3% in loamy sand and 38.6–45.3% in ERH. When growth parameters of runner plantlets were compared, ERH treatment was found to result in the highest crown thickness and fresh weights of root and above-ground parts. This had a favorable influence on above-ground tissue growth after transplanting to plastic house soil. As mentioned above, ERH treatment resulted in the highest seedling quality and early growth after transplanting. The results of this study would serve as useful on-site data for the production of high-quality strawberry seedlings.

식용 및 약용으로 이용되고 있는 우엉 지하부의 혈전 관련 활성과 항산화 활성을 평가하고자, 우엉의 ethanol 추출물 및 이의 순차적 유기용매 분획물을 조제하여 혈액응고 저해 활성, 혈소판 응집저해 활성, 인간 적혈구 용혈활성 및 in-vitro 항산화 활성을 평가하였다. 먼저 우엉 추출 수율은 10.94%로 다른 식용 및 약용식물보다 높았으며, ethanol 추출물의 경우 total polyphenol 함량은 5.01 mg/g으로 낮았으나, 694.53 mg/g의 높은 총당 함량을 나타내었다. 순차적 유기용매 분획의 경우, n-hexane, ethylacetate(EA), n-butanol 분획 수율은 각각 1.62, 0.42 및 5.98%로 나타났으며, 물 잔류물은 85.38%였다. 우엉 시료들의 혈액응고 저해활성을 TT, PT, aPTT를 측정한 결과, ethanol 추출물에서는 유의적인 활성이 나타나지 않았으나, EA 분획에서 강력한 TT, PT, aPTT 연장효과를 확인하였으며, 농도 의존적 혈액응고 저해활성을 확인하였다. 한편 물 잔류물에서는 내인성 혈액응고인자 활성화에 의한 aPTT 감소효과를 확인하여 혈전생성 촉진효과가 있음을 확인하였다. 혈소판 응집저해 활성평가의 경우, 우엉 ethanol 추출물 및 분획물들은 임상에서 사용하는 항혈소판제인 아스피린보다 강력한 저해효과를 나타내었으며, 특히 EA 분획은 정제되지 않은 상태에서도 아스피린의 2배 이상의 강력한 혈소판 응집저해능을 나타내었다. 또한 항산화 활성 평가 결과, EA 분획물은 DPPH 음이온, ABTS 양이온, nitrite에 대해 우수한 소거능 및 환원력을 나타내었다. 또한 우엉 추출물과 분획물들은 0.5 mg/mL 농도까지 인간 적혈구에 대한 특이한 용혈활성을 나타내지 않았다. 상기 결과들은, 우엉 EA 분획물이 천연물 유래의 안전한 항혈전제로 개발 가능함을 제시하고 있다.

Root extract of Lythrum salicaria reported a hepato-protective effect on CCl4-induced liver toxicity of rat was prepared into fractions such as n-hexane up layer (HA), n-hexane down layer (HB), diethyl ether (E), ethylacetate (EA), n-butanol (B) and water (W). Fractions prepared were tested their activities in vitro and in vivo condition. All of the fractions showed effective antioxidant asctivities on DPPH radical and CuSO4-induced oxidation of human low density lipoprotein and E fraction showed the highest inhibitory effect (98.1% at 50 μg/ml) on linoleic acid autoxidation at 40℃, which was more effective than α-tocopherol (82.4%). Five fractions (H = HA plus HB, E, EA, B, and W, 150 mg/kg/day) were fed into Sprague Dawley, male rats for 4 days, which were intoxicated with intra-peritoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride (1 ml/kg in corn oil) at the 4th day and were sacrificed in 24 hrs. Serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine, elevated with CCl4-intoxication in negative control group (83 pg/ml) was significantly decreased in E fraction-supplemented group (18 pg/ml). Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in negative control group (0.12 U/mg protein) was decreased in E fraction (0.07 U/mg protein). From the results, it is suggested that ether fraction from root extract of L. salicaria would be a potent antioxidant candidate for ameliorating liver injury induced by chemical intoxicant.

백지의 유용성분을 추출하기 위한 최적의 추출조건을 알아보고자 MAE 추출장치를 이용하여 물과 에탄올을 용매로 에너지 강도와 추출시간을 달리하여 백지 추출물의 수율, 총 폴리페놀의 함량 및 전자공여능과 SOD 유사활성능을 측정하였다. 추출수율은 물을 용매로 30분간 추출한 240 W 추출물이 11.77mg%이었으며, 120W 추출물에서도 11.42 mg%의 수율을 나타내었다. 총 폴리페놀은 240W 30분간 추출된 에탄을 추출물이 32.36mg/g

The effect of biofertilizer (compound of microbial inoculants or groups of micro-organisms) on growth and yield of rice was investigated. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications and 7 treatments namely: RF=N-P2O5-K2O (11-5.5-4.8 kg 10a-1 ); half of the recommended fertilizer rate, HRF=N-P2O5-K2O (5.5-2.75-2.4 kg 10a-1 ); HRF+Bio 250=HRF combined with 250 kg biofertilizer 10a-1 ; HRF+Bio 500=HRF combined with 500 kg biofertilizer 10a-1 ; Bio 250=250 kg biofertilizer 10a-1 ; Bio 500=500 kg biofertilizer 10a-1 ; and NF = No Fertilizer. Results showed that the recorded values of plant height, tiller number and chlorophyll content at 40 to 60 days after transplanting (DAT) in HRF+Bio 500 were significantly higher than those recorded in the RF treatment. Similar observations between these two treatments were only recorded from 60 DAT onwards. Yield components were also superior in HRF+Bio 500 treatment and comparable to that of RF. The highest grain yield obtained in HRF+Bio 500 treatment (785.8 kg 10a-1 ) was statistically similar to that of RF (739.8 kg 10a-1 ) but significantly higher than that of NF (506.7 kg 10a-1 ). Finally, head grain recovery (90.9) was low while chalkiness (0.03) was high at HRF+Bio 500 treatment as compared with RF, which were (96.1) and (0.3), respectively. Results showed that combined treatment of HRF and 500 kg biofertilizer 10a-1 has similar effects on the growth and yield of rice with that of RF.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of salinity on the growth and development of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer) and to evaluate the inorganic ion content in Korean ginseng with different general complete fertilizer (GCF) and NaCI concentrations at two growth stages. The stem height of Korean ginseng treated with different GCF and NaCI concentrations decreased at the higher EC (2.0 dS m-1 ), but there were no significant difference in the stem diameter, the leaf length, and the leaf width among different treatments. The root growth increased with the supply of GCF. Especially, the root growth was facilitated two times at 3.0 dS ~textrmm-1 as compared to control. But the root growth more sharply decreased with NaCI treatment than GCF. The ~textrmK+ and ~textrmMg2+ content in leaves and roots increased with GCF at the early growth stage. At the late growth stage, the ~textrmK+ content in leaves decreased but the ~textrmCa2+ and ~textrmMg2+ content increased. The ~textrmCa2+ and ~textrmMg2+ content in roots increased but the ~textrmK+ content decreased. The ~textrmNa+ content in Korean ginseng increased sharply with NaCl treatment. The ~textrmNO3- content in leaves and ~textrmNH4+ content in leaves and roots increased as GCF concentration increased. The ~textrmNO3- content in leaves, stems, and roots at the late growth stage decreased as NaCl concentration increased. The ~textrmNH4+ content in leaves and roots decreased significantly at the early growth stage, but it decreased significantly in leaves and stems at the late growth stage. The root activity of Korean ginseng increased with GCF, but decreased as the EC increased with NaCl. The water potential of leaves with GCF showed no significant difference compare to control, but the water potential of leaves treated with NaCl decreased as EC increased.

오갈피류 근피를 증류수 , 에탄올, 50% ethanol 용액 (증류수 : 에탄올, 1 : 1 v/v)로 추출하여 생리 활성을 검색하였다 . 암세포 생육 억제 효과는 검색된 모든 암세포(Hep3B, A549, MCF7)에서 높은 억제 활성을 나타내었고, 특히 간암세포에 대해서는 가시오갈피 근피의 50% ethanol 용액 추출물(1.0g/L)이 94%의 가장 높은 억제 활성을 나타내었다. 돌연변이 유발억제 실험에서는 가시오갈피 근피의 50% ethanol 용액 추출물에서 가장 높은 억제효과를 나타내었으며 면역증진 실험에서도 가시오갈피근피가 가장 높은 효과를 나타내었다. 가시오갈피 근피는 또한 수행된 간기능 보호능과 항산화실험에서도 가장 높은 효과를 나타내었다. 따라서 모든 활성 실험에서 50% ethanol 용매 추출물이 에탄올과 증류수 추출물에 비해 좋은 것으로 나타났다. 이는 증류수나 에탄올 단일의 용매에 의한 추출보다 혼합 용매에 의한 추출이 유용생리활성 물질 추출에 유리함을 보여 준다.