• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.169-183
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• 2020

Nigrospora is a monophyletic genus belonging to Apiosporaceae. Species in this genus are phytopathogenic, endophytic, and saprobic on different hosts. In this study, leaf specimens with disease symptoms were collected from host plants from the Shandong Peninsula, China. The fungal taxa associated with these leaf spots were studied using morphology and phylogeny based on ITS, TEF1, and TUB2 gene regions. In this article, we report on the genus Nigrospora with N. gorlenkoana, N. oryzae, N. osmanthi, N. rubi, and N. sphaerica identified with 13 novel host associations including crops with economic importance such as bamboo and Chinese rose.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.903-909
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• 2014

Plants are an invaluable source of potential new anti-cancer drugs. Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (Korean name, Jeju-Joritdae) is one of these plants with medical value, which is a bamboo grass widely distributed in Mt. Halla on Jeju Island, Korea. Here, we investigated the apoptotic effects of S. quelpaertensis leaf extracts in six human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, HepG-2, Hela, HCT116 and A375). MTT assay signified the antiproliferative nature of S. quelpaertensis extracts against all tested cancer cells: S. quelpaertensis displayed slight cytotoxicity against A549, MCF-7 and HepG-2 cells, whereas it was exclusively cytotoxic to Hela, HCT116 and A375 cells. Apoptotic cells were evaluated using PI staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry (sub-G1 peak). PI staining indicated increasing accumulation of Hela, HCT116 and A375 cells at sub-G1 phase. Further events like generation of nitric oxide ($NO^{\bullet}$) were accompanied in the S. quelpaertensis Nakai-induced apoptosis. Augmented $NO^{\bullet}$ generation resulted in the DNA fragmentation of Hela, HCT116 and A375 cells by treatment with S. quelpaertensis leaf extracts. These results suggest that S. quelpaertensis may be a potential natural resource for treating cancer cell. To identify the exact mechanisms of molecular mechanism of S. quelpaertensis induced apoptosis awaits further investigation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to convert into weight the dosages of flower of Daphne canescens and leaf of Phyllostachys nigra var. henonsis, whose daily dosages are likened to an object in 《Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases》. This study also aimed to understand their implications along with the previously studied gypsium and rhubarb. Methods : After reviewing documents, the dosages were converted into weight, confirmed by experiment, and their implications were considered. Results : A chicken-egg-volume of flowers of Daphne canescens is one Ryang(6.5 g) and two handfuls of leaves of Phyllostachys nigra var. henonsis is four Ryang(13 g). Each item was only used once in a decoction. Their dosages were expressed in weight respectively in 《Supplement to the Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold》 and 《Bohenggyuljangbuyongyakbubyo》. Gypsium dosage was expressed in weight except in Daecheongryong-tang as chicken-egg-volume(16 Ryang). To liken a dosage to an object is an exception, as in the three cases above; for precision and convenience it is recommended that dosages be expressed in weight, in which case all three items fell into one of eight categories from one Ryang to 16 Ryang. Rhubarb was measured in weight, but only when using the 12-hour leaching method, four Ryang of rhubarb was cut into of 5-6 wide-go-stone-sized pieces and two Ryang into 5-6 go-stone-sized pieces. Conclusions : To liken a dosage to an object is only an exception and lacks precision and convenience; therefore dosages ended up expressed in weight, count, or volume.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.738-744
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• 2018

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is a native Korean plant that grows only on Mt. Halla of Jeju Island. Its leaf is used for a popular bamboo tea due to its various health-promoting properties, and it has been increasingly used as food and cosmetic ingredients. To utilize the S. quelpaertensis leaf efficiently, the preparation method for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) using the leaf's residue was previously reported, which was produced after hot water extraction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of PRE and its solvent fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction of PRE (EPRE) showed higher DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and it effectively inhibited intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EPRE also induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) by increasing the level of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in a nuclear fraction. The inhibiting effect of EPRE on LPS-induced NO production was partially reversed by the HO-1 inhibitor (zinc protoporphyrin, ZPP), suggesting that HO-1 is involved in suppressing NO production. Taken together, the results suggest that EPRE has potential as a promising anti- oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.188-190
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• 2008

In east Asia, the leaves of various Sasa species have been used in folk medicine for centuries. The effects of the methanolic extract and its subsequent fractions derived from the leaves of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai on cell proliferation in human leukemia HL-60 cells were evaluated. The ethyl acetate fraction of this extract (ESQL) significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner ($0-250\;{\mu}g/mL$). ESQL ($IC_{50}=24.8\;{\mu}g/mL$) exhibited growth inhibition comparable to the main constituent of green tea, epigallocatechin ($IC_{50}=26.2\;{\mu}g/mL$), which was used as a positive control. ESQL treatment induced apoptosis, which was confirmed by the presence of nuclear condensation and annexin V-staining. These results demonstrate that ESQL contains chemopreventive phytochemicals that may be useful in neutraceutical applications.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2013

Leaf of Sasa borealis, a species of bamboo, has been reported to exhibit anti-hyperglycemic effect. However, its antidiabetic mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we examined whether an extract of S. borealis activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and exerts anti-hyperglycemic effects. Treatment with the S. borealis extract increased insulin signaling and phosphorylation of AMPK and stimulated the expression of its downstream targets, including $PPAR{\alpha}$, ACO, and CPT-1 in C2C12 cells and $PPAR{\alpha}$ in HepG2 cells. However, inhibition of AMPK activation attenuated insulin signaling and prevented the stimulation of AMPK target genes. The S. borealis extract increased glucose uptake in C2C12 cells and suppressed expression of the gluconeogenic gene, PEPCK in HepG2 cells. The extract significantly reduced blood glucose and triglyceride levels in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The extract enhanced AMPK phosphorylation and increased Glut-4 expression in the skeletal muscle of the mice. These findings demonstrated that the S. borealis extract exerts its anti-hyperglycemic effect through activation of AMPK and enhancement of insulin signaling.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.44 no.6 s.220
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• pp.155-161
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• 2006

This study investigated housewives' perception of local special foods in Gwangju and Jeonnam in Gang Jin. Of 150 questionnaires sent, there were 114 responses. The most perceptible local special foods in Gwangju and Jeonnam area are as follows: Watermelon in Gwangju (100.0%), Pear in Naju (90.0%), Rice in Suncheon (40.0%), Gorosoe in Gwangyang (76.7%), Hongeo in Mopko (63.3%), Dolsan leaf mustard Kimchi in Yeosu (100.0%), Sweet Persimmon in Jangseong (86.7%), Salted bamboo sprout in Damyang (46.7%), Apple in Gokseong (90.0%), Butterfly rice in Hampyeong (63.3%), Gorosoe in Gurye (56.7%), Onion in Muan (96.7%), Peach in Hwasun(40.0%), Dallmaji rice in Yeongam (50.0%), Oyster mushroom in Jangheung (63.3%), Green tea in Boseong(96.7%), Heuksanhongeo in Sinan (53.3%), Loess sweet potato in Haenam (83.3%), Kukija in Jindo (60.0%), Laver in Wando (76.7%), Tohajeot in GangJin (73.3%), Citron in Goheung (90.0%), and Gulbi in Yeonggwang (100.0%). The most perceptible area and local special foods in Gwangju and Jeonnam area were in the following order: Green tea in Boseong (17.37%), Tohajeot in GangJin (15.97%), Watermelon in GwangJu (10.0%), Pear in NaJu (9.3%), and Loess sweet potato in Haenam (9.3%).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.66 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 1984

In order to compare the variation of Korean native Yea plants, the botanical specimens of the two introduced varieties and the wild varieties collected from 49 places were made. The leaf and flower types from them were investigated. 1) About 78% of the wild tea plants were existed in bamboo thicket or in forest, and 95% were grown in the southward inclined place. 2) The wild tea plants were distributed in the region from $34^{\circ}27^{\prime}$ north to $35^{\circ}43^{\prime}$ north of latitude, but most of them were grown in the region of 35 degree north of latitude. 3) The leaf types of wild tea plants were elliptical and oblong, but onr oval type of leaf was found in the Mand$\ddot{o}$ksa, Kangjin. 4) The Leaf sizes of wild tea plants were $14.74{\pm}0.57{\times}5.72{\pm}0.24cm$ in the large leaf and $12.16{\pm}1.57{\times}3.53{\pm}0.41cm$ in the small leaf. 5) There were two leaf types that one is acuminate, coriaceous, reticulate, dark green, and the other is obtuse, chartaceous, rugose, deep green. 6) There were not much difference between varieties in the flower types, only except the trait of Yongjang. 7) Among the wild tea plants, it was considered that Yongjang-type variety would he a variant or hybrid of bohea-variety (chinese-variety) and Waun-type variety would he a variant or hybrid of macrophylla variety and General-type variety would be a degenerated variant of Waun-type or another hybrid.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.65-69
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• 2007

The effects of bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra var. henenis Strapf) leaf extract (BLE) on the changes of ultraviolet (UV) light B radiation-induced apoptotic sunburn cell (SBC) and epidermal ATPase-positive dendritic cell (DC) in SKH1-hr or ICR mouse were investigated. The mice were treated with UVB ($200mJ/cm^2$) and were sacrificed 24 hours later. BLE (50 mg/kg of body weight) or vehicle (saline) was given i.p. at 36 and 12 hours before irradiation, and 30 minutes after irradiation. BLE cream (0.2%) or cream base (vehicle) was also topically treated at 24 hours and 15 minutes before irradiation, and immediately after irradiation. The skin of SKH1-hr mouse prepared from the back of untreated mice exhibited about 0.3 SBC/cm length of epidermis, and 24 hours after UV irradiation, the applied areas show an increased number of SBCs. But the frequency of UVB-induced SBC formation was significantly reduced by intraperitoneal injection (59.0%) and topical application (31.8%) of BLE extract. The numbers of DC in normal ICR mouse were $628.00{\pm}51.56\;or\;663.20{\pm}62.58\;per\;mm^2$ of ear epidermis. By 1 day after UVB treatment, the number of ATPase-positive $cells/mm^2$ were decreased by 39.0% or 27.1% in i.p. or topical application group with vehicle. The frequency of UVB ($200mJ/cm^2$)-induced DC decrease was reduced by treatment of BLE as 25.7% in i.p. group and 3.2% in topical application group compared with the irradiation control group. The results presented herein that BLE administration could reduce the extent of skin damages produced by UVB.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.469-474
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• 2001

Chemical composition of the water extract of three different kinds of bamboos was investigated to access nutritive sources. Bamboo stalks and leaves were extracted massively and concentrated to 3°Brix, and crude protein and fat contents of the extracts were respectively 0.56∼0.69% and 0.28∼0.58%. Main mineral contents of the extracts were K, P and Mg in order, and those were the highest in Wangdae stalks. In free sugar analysis of the extracts, Maengjongjuk stalks contained 1.1% sucrose, Somdae stalks contained 0.51% fructose and Wangdae stalks contained 0.6% glucose as the highest level. Organic acid contents of the extracts showed high level in acetic and malic acid which were 54.0 and 44.2mg% in extracts of Wangdae stalks respectively. Among amino acids, aspartic acid was contained the highest level in stalk extracts, and their concentrations were 42.2, 39.9 and 34.6mg% in Wangdae, Somdae and Maengjongjuk respectively. In leaf extracts, glutamic acid concentrations were higher than the other amino acids, and those were 19.3, 18.5 and 15.7mg% in Maengjongjuk, Wangdae and Somdae, respectively.