• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.178-192
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the vascular plants of Neunggyeong-bong, Gangwond-do, South Korea. The vascular plants that were collected 7 times from 2008 and 2013 consisted a total of 440 taxa; 75 families, 261 genera, 383 species, 4 subspecies, 48 varieties and 5 forms. Among them, 15 taxa of Korean endemic plants and 11 taxa of rare and endangered plants were included. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 11 taxa of grade IV, 22 taxa of grade III. Naturalized plants consisted of 29 taxa that made up 6.6% of the total vascular plants in this area. Medicinal plants of the Korean Pharmacopoeia and Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia distributed in this area consisted of 60 taxa.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.6
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• pp.80-104
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• 2024

Ginseng, a representative medicinal plant of South Korea, is also highly valued in North Korea. However, due to limited access to information about North Korea, the actual cultivation, research and development trends, and related industry status of ginseng in North Korea are not well known. In this study, we aimed to understand the current status and research trends of the ginseng industry in North Korea based on limited available literature. In the North Korean pharmacopoeia, ginseng is referred to as "Koryo ginseng" and is defined as the roots of 6-year-old ginseng cultivated in the Kaesong region. The pharmacopoeia includes 22 types of ginseng preparations. In addition, 10 ginseng preparations are included in North Korea's Essential Drug List, and various health supplements, cosmetics, and toothpastes containing ginseng have been developed, distributed, and sold. Since 2014, the ginseng industry and research in North Korea have become more active overall. During this period, the ginseng cultivation area in Kaesong has been significantly expanded, and the facilities have been renovated. The Kaesong Koryo Ginseng Processing Plant has been equipped with sterilized, modernized facilities since 2016 and has been in operation. Since 2017, there has been a growing interest in quality control research, leading to the introduction of quality management regulations and certification systems in 2019. In the 1990s, there was significant research on ginseng product development, and since the 2000s, studies on the pharmacological effects and clinical research of ginseng have been reported. Additionally, research on ginseng cultivation and ginseng processing industries to increase yield has been emphasized. Ginseng, as a representative medicinal crop of Korea, holds great importance for both South and North Korea. Given its significance and the potential for synergy through mutual cooperation, ginseng serves as an ideal subject for inter-Korean exchange and collaboration.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2006

Objectives : This study has attempted to establish an organized system for the microbiological quality of raw materials which are important factors in preparing the standard for microbial limits. Methods : This study has first set up microbial contamination limit test. total aerobic microbial count and total fungi count, int accordance with testing method of the Korea Pharmacopeia 8th edition in order to establish an inspection standard for microbial contamination. Results : The microbial contamination of 18 items that are highly prone to contamination by three regions(Seoul, Daejeon, Gyeongsangbuk-do), As a result, Morus alba Linne and Rehmannia glutimosa Liboschitz var. purpurea Makino showed as high contaminated by WHO's Microbial Contamination Limit standard. In case of Yukjin medicine in the Theory of Herb Medicinal Properties, total bacterial contamination rate showed as 17.7%, total fungal contamination rate showed as 41.2% and total aerobic mircobial count and total fungi count on Ephedra sinica Stapf. Pinellia ternate Breitenbach, Evodia officinalis Dode showed as high measured. The microbial conatmination rate materials which make up Yukmijihwanghwan were mostly high therefore the total aerobic microbial count was measured as high in case of Yukmijihwanghwan, the characteristics about microbial contamination strain is to be researched. Conclusions : By combining the basic data and experimental results related to microbial contamination of herb medicine, the most ideal storage standards for herb medicine has been attempted to be presented.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.13-21
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• 2020

Objective : The genus Glycyrrhiza has been used in food and traditional herbal medicine. Many experimental studies reported that Glycyrrhiza species possess several pharmacological properties. Glycyrrhiza new varieties WONGAM and SINWONGAM have been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration doing research for registration on Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. During the evaluations about pharmacological effect of Glycyrrhiza new varieties WONGAM and SINWONGAM, we focused the anti-allergic effect in this study. Methods : We investigated the anti-allergic effect of WONGAM and SINWONGAM compared with Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and G. glabra L. using anti-dinitrophenyl-immunoglobulin E (IgE)/human serum albumin-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells and compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis mice model. We analyzed the effect on the expression of various cytokines, and IgE from mast cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms of WONGAM and SINWONGAM in presented models. Results : WONGAM and SINWONGAM showed the inhibitory effect on the histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells or human mast cells without cytotoxicity. WONGAM and SINWONGAM blocked anaphylactic shock and decreased the IgE production. Furthermore, WONGAM and SINWONGAM inhibited the productions of TNF-α and IL-6 in compound 48/80-induced anaphylaxis mice model. Conclusion : These results indicated that WONGAM and SINWONGAM would have protect effect on allergic responses through the inhibition of allergic mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study may facilitate the development on Glycyrrhiza new varieties for allergy.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.100-104
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• 1997

A new baekji(Angelica dahurica Bentham et Hooker) variety, Baekji l, was developed through a pure line selection at the Gyeongbug Provincial RDA during the period of 1990 to 1995. The variety was characterized to have high plant height. Long root length and large root diameter as compared with a check varicty of Bonghwa baekji but emergence date, flowering date and leaf number of Baekji l was similar to that of the check variety, and it was also more tolerant to nematode and heat stress. Peeled root color of Backji l was yellowbrown but number of the lateral root of the variety was greater. The dried-root yield of Baekji l in yield trial, regional adaptation trial and farmer's field trial was always $21\sim31%$ higher than that of the check variety.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2014

Purpose: The present study was conducted to establish the experimental condition for the proper evaluation of protein removal efficacy when developing protein removal agents. Its protein removal efficacy was further analyzed and compared with the result from protein removal efficacy against protein deposition on contact lens to suggest the evaluation method for efficacy of protein removal agents. Methods: Protein digestibility assay presented in the Korean pharmacopoeia was selected to establish the evaluation method for efficacy of papain, pancreatin, subtilisin A and protease itself as a ingredient and protein removal tablets or solution containing those enzymes and find a suitable test conditions. Furthermore, the cleaning efficacy of commercially available protein removal tablets and solution on balafilcon A lens deposited with protein artificially was measured and the correlation between two evaluation methods was further analyzed. Results: When pancreatin itself and the product containing pancreatin was evaluated by protein digestibility assay, both reached 28 IU/mg, the standard value of protein digestibility suggested by the Korean pharmacopoeia. In case of protease and subtilisin A tested with trichloroacetic acid B solution, both of them met the enzyme activity level proposed by the manufacturers when they were evaluated by protein digestibility assay however, papain and subtilisin A tested with trichloroacetic acid A solution were not reached the enzyme activity level. Among protein removal agents, three products except a product containing pancreatin did not meet the enzyme activity value specified by the manufacturer when they were evaluated by protein digestibility assay. However, actual protein removal efficacy of three products except a papain-containing product on the lens was greater than 90% protein removal. In the case of papain-containing protein removal product, its effect was not measured by protein digestibility assay however, its actual protein removal efficacy on the lens reached 73.72%. Conclusions: From the results, it was confirmed that the efficacy of protein removal agents for contact lens should be evaluated by different method according to the type of proteolytic enzyme contained. That is, the protein removal agents containing pancreatin, protease and subtilisin A can be evaluated by protein digestibility assay and protein removal efficiency evaluation and the products containing papain can be effectively evaluated by only the evaluation method for protein removal efficiency employing the lens.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.158-162
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• 2006

Achyranthes bidentata was recorded to new medicinal crop in a revised 8th edition of the Korean pharmacopoeia. Therefore, A. bidentata began to use for same purpose with Achyranthes japonica which was cultivated since old times in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the adaptability of A. bidentata in Korea. The germination rate and speed of A. bidentata seeds were higher than those of A. japonica in $15^{\circ}C\;and\;25^{\circ}C$. The growth of A. bidentata was greater than that of A. japonica until the 60 days after transplanting, but growth after that was the opposite. There were remarkable differences between two species in growth characteristics such as flowering date, leaf fall date, plant height, stem color and no. of branches. The flowering and leaf fall date of A. bidentata were earlier than A. japonica by July 7 and September 26. The plant height and number of branches of A.japonica were longer and more than A. bidentata, but the cluster length and no. of flowers per cluster of that were shorter and fewer than this. Number of supporting roots of A. bidentata and A. japonica was 10.7 and 14.6 per plant, respectively. The average yield was not different between two species. The yield of A. bidentata was 166 kg/l0 a in Suwon and 309 kg/10 a in Naju of Korea. The suitable cultivation region of A. bidentata was judged to southern area of Korea.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.416-424
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• 2013

In the course of a study for the development of functional foods utilizing Woosul (Achyranthis radix), the components and various biological activities of Korean Woosul (AJN: Achyranthes japonica Nakai) and Chinese Woosul (ABB: Achyranthes bidentata Blume) were compared. Woosul in Korea, including AJN and ABB, are regulated and part of the Korean Pharmacopoeia. From AJN and ABB, ethanol extracts and their subsequent organic solvent fractions were prepared and their in-vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-diabetes activities were evaluated. Although AJN and ABB have no clear distinction in terms of usage in Korea, our results suggest that AJN has higher quantities of lipid-soluble components and lower amounts of water-soluble sugars than does ABB. ABB also appears to possess greater amounts of flavonoid and polyphenol substances than AJN. Analyses of biological activities showed that the fractions of AJN were more active as antibacterial agents, and possessed more pronounced ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities than those of the ABB fractions. However, the antioxidant activities of the ABB fractions, as determined by DPPH anion-, ABTS cation-, nitrite-scavenging activity and reducing power, were higher than those of the AJN fractions. Our results suggest that the components and bioactivity of the extracts and subsequent fractions of AJN and ABB are different. Therefore, usage of either AJN or ABB should be carefully considered, as regards their individual properties, when the active fractions of Woosul are employed in the development of functional foods or novel plant-derived medicines.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.11-19
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• 2020

Objective : The genus Glycyrrhiza has been used in food and traditional herbal medicine. Glycyrrhiza new varieties Wongam and Sinwongam have been developed by Korea Rural Development Administration and investigated to register on Korean Pharmacopoeia of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The aim of this study is to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of Wongam and Sinwongam comparing with listed Glycyrrhiza species (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and G. glabra Linne) for evaluations about pharmacological effect of Glycyrrhiza new varieties. Methods : We studied the immunomodulatory effect of Wongam and Sinwongam compared with G. uralensis and G. glabra using THP-1 cell in vitro model. The cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for differentiation and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce immune activation. We analyzed and compared the effects Glycyrrhiza new varieties and listed Glycyrrhiza species using nitric oxide (NO) assay, western blot, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. 1) Results : Wongam and Sinwongam showed no cytotoxicity in THP-1 cells. Wongam and Sinwongam, and listed Glycyrrhiza species increased NO production, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression with or without LPS in differentiated THP-1 macrophages. Furthermore, Wongam and Sinwongam and listed Glycyrrhiza species upregulated the mRNA expressions of T helper type 1 (Th 1)-associated cytokines in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages. Conclusion : These results indicated that Wongam and Sinwongam would have effect of enhancing immune response through the increase of NO and COX-2 expression, and activate Th1-associated cytokines. The findings of this study suggest the wide applicability of Glycyrrhiza new varieties.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.239-244
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• 1998

This experiment was to determine the effects of soil pH on crude components and aromatic constituents of Codonopsis lanceolata. Vine length of Codonopsis lanceolata grown at soil pH of 6.5 was longer(299cm) compared to that grown under other soil pHs. Fresh root weight increased at soil pH of 5.5 and 6.5, showing 17.9 and 15.6g per plant, respectively. Contents of crude components such as protein, fat, fiber, and ash decreased as soil became alkalized and crude ash content ranged from 2.99% to 3.85 %, showing a similar response to soil pH. Forty-eight volatile aromatic compounds in the root of Codonopsis lanceolata were identified by GC/MS. Major aromatic compounds were 1-hexanol, cis-3-hexanol, and trans-2-hexanol. In particular, trans-2-hexanol was highest in soil pH of 6.5, attaining the 156.87% area. Essential oil content was also highest at soil pH of 6.5 with 0.007%. As a result, it was considered that the soil pH of 6.5 was most effective for the improvement of essential oil and aromatic constituents in the roots of Condonopsis lanceolata Trautv.