• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.300-318
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• 2019

Many infraspecific taxa within Lespedeza maximowiczii and hybrids with related species have been described, but taxonomic verification remains controversial. We examined the morphological traits of hybrids (L. chiisanensis and L. patentibicolor) and infraspecific taxa (var. tomentella, elongata, and tricolor) and analyzed their genetic structures using microsatellite loci. Flower and leaflet shapes in var. tomentella and elongata were within the range of variation of those in var. maximowiczii, and individuals in the two former varieties were grouped into var. maximowiczii. Lespedeza maximowiczii var. tricolor was similar to L. buergeri in terms of the structure and flower color, whereas the leaflet and bracteole shapes of var. tricolor were similar to those of var. maximowiczii. Based on the genetic structure (K = 3), var. tricolor had a mixed lineage with L. maximowiczii and L. buergeri. In addition, these formed a distinct lineage at K = 5. For two hybrids, the flower and leaflet structure in L. chiisanensis did not differ from those in L. maximowiczii, whereas the flowers of L. patentibicolor were within the range of variation of L. bicolor. In addition, L. chiisanensis and L. patentibicolor were assigned to L. maximowiczii and L. bicolor, respectively, based on the genetic structure. We treated var. tomentella and elongata as a forma, f. friebeana, because L. friebeana preceded var. tomentella, whereas var. tricolor was treated as a distinct species, L. tricolor. Lespedeza chiisanensis was recognized as a synonym of L. maximowiczii. Lespedeza patentibicolor was considered to be L. bicolor.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.417-424
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Lespedeza maximowiczii var. tricolor Nakai (LMTN) on glucose metabolism. LMTN extract significantly enhanced the glucose uptake and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared with control. Also, LMTN extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes significantly increased the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, insulin receptor substrate-1, and glucose transporter (GLUT)4. The regulatory effect on glucose uptake or insulin signal transduction of LMTM extract was lower than troglitazone or pinitol such as the positive control, but increased PPARγ activation. Additionally, LMTM extract has an insulin-mimetic effect. In db/db mice, LMTN extract (250 mg/kg BW) significantly reduced water and food intake, blood glucose, and level of plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol. Furthermore, the expression of PPARã and GLUT4 mRNA in adipose or muscle tissue effectively was increased by oral treatment of LMTN extract. Thus, our results suggest that LMTN extract improves the glucose metabolism through PPARγ and insulin-mimetic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and db/db mice.