• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.369-379
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• 2019

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease associated with age, and amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$) is known to cause Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii extract and its fractions against $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity in C6 glial cells. The cells treated with $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ showed a decrease in cell viability and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production compared with the non-treated cells. However, the cells treated with the C. japonicum var. maackii extract and its fractions increased the cell viability and inhibited the $A{\beta}$-induced ROS production. These results demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of C. japonicum var. maackii against $A{\beta}$. To further examine the protective mechanism, we measured inflammation and apoptosis related protein expressions. The cells treated with extract and fractions from C. japonicum var. maackii down-regulated inflammatory related proteins such as cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, and attenuated apoptosis related proteins including B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) associated X protein/Bcl-2 ratio. In particular, the ethanol and ethylacetate fraction exhibited higher inhibitory effect against ROS production and apoptosis-related protein expressions among the extract and the other fractions. Therefore, this study demonstrated the protective effects of C. japonicum var. maackii extract and its fractions against $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity in C6 glial cells through the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, suggesting that it might have potential as a therapeutic for AD.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2023

Cirsium japonicum var. maackii is a traditional Korean wild perennial herb used to treat blood circulation, high blood pressure, inflammation, diabetes, and kidney damage. However, it is not known whether C. japonicum var. maackii directly improves endothelial dysfunction. In this study, the effect of C. japonicum var. maackii (CJE) on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced vascular inflammation was investigated in vitro using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). As a result, CJE inhibited the production of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and ROS increased by TNF-α in HUVECs. In addition, treatment with CJE attenuated IκB phosphorylation and translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus. These results suggest that CJE can suppress TNFα-induced adhesion molecule expression by blocking NF-κB signaling and inhibiting ROS generation. The results of this study show that CJE has the potential to be used to treat and prevent inflammation associated with endothelial cell damage.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.326-333
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• 2019

The purpose of our study was to evaluate anti-AD potential of Cirsium maackii flowers. MeOH extract, CH₂Cl₂, EtOAc, and n-BuOH fraction of this flower notably inhibited BACE1 (IC₅₀ = 76.47 ± 1.66, 22.98 ± 1.45, 8.65 ± 0.63, and 72.47 ± 3.04 ㎍/mL, respectively). β-amyrenone (49.70 mg) (1), lupeol acetate (1.43 g) (2), lupeol (1.22 g) (3), lupenone (23.70 mg) (4), β-sitosterol (1.01 g) (6), and β-sitosterol glucoside (13.00 mg) (7) from CH₂Cl₂, apigenin (100.20 mg) (8), luteolin (19.00 mg) (9), apigenin 7-O-glucuronide methyl ester (21.30 mg) (14), and tracheloside (53.70 mg) (5) from EtOAc, apigenin 5-O-glucoside (11.00 mg) (10), luteolin 5-O-glucoside (11.00 mg) (11) and apigenin 7-O-glucuronide (91.00 mg) (12) from n-BuOH, and luteolin 7-O-glucuronide (22.00 mg) (13) from H₂O fraction were isolated. HPLC showed high levels of 8, 9 and 12 in MeOH extract (33.07 ± 0.07, 31. 44 ± 0.17 and 16.89 ± 0.33 mg/g, respectively), EtOAc (161.01 ± 1.78, 96.93 ± 0.34 and 73.38 ± 0.06 mg/g, respectively), and n-BuOH fraction (32.18 ± 0.33, 44.31 ± 0.32 and 105.94 ± 0.36 mg/g, respectively). Since, 3 and 9 are well-known BACE1 inhibitors, the anti-AD activity of C. maackii flower might be attributable to their presence.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.509-519
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• 2018

This study was investigated the anti-oxidant property and neuro-protective effect of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) against oxidative stress in hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced C6 glial cells. We measured the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical (${\cdot}OH$), and superoxide ($O_2{^-}$) radical scavenging activities of an ethanol extract and four fractions [n-Butanol, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), $CHCl_3$, and n-Hexane] from CJM. The results of this study show that the extract and all fractions from CJM had a dose-dependent DPPH radical scavenging activity. In particular, the EtOAc fraction exhibited the strongest scavenging effect with 88.23% at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, the EtOAc fraction from CJM also effectively scavenged ${\cdot}OH$ radicals and $O_2{^-}$ radicals, compared to other extract and fractions. In C6 glial cells, $H_2O_2$ markedly decreased the cell viability as well as increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, the EtOAc fraction of CJM attenuated the cellular damage from the oxidative stress by elevating the cell viability and inhibiting the LDH release and ROS over-production compared with the $H_2O_2$-treated control group. Our findings indicate that the EtOAc fraction from CJM has antioxidant effect and neuro-protective effect against oxidative stress, suggesting that it can be used as a natural antioxidant and therapeutic agent for the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.183-191
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• 2017

Luteolin 5-O-glucoside is the major flavonoid from Korean thistle, Cirsium maackii. We previously reported the anti-inflammatory activities of luteolin 5-O-glucoside in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In this study, we determined the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of luteolin 5-O-glucoside through the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in vitro and in vivo. Results revealed that luteolin 5-O-glucoside dose-dependently inhibited NO production and expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Luteolin 5-O-glucoside also significantly inhibited the translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$, the activation of MAPKs, and ROS generation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, protein expressions of Nrf-2 and HO-1 were also upregulated by luteolin 5-O-glucoside treatment. Moreover, luteolin 5-O-glucoside inhibited ${\lambda}-carrageenan-induced$ mouse paw edema by 65.34% and 48.31% at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight, respectively. These findings indicate potential anti-inflammatory effect of luteolin 5-O-glucoside particularly by downregulating $NF-{\kappa}B$ and upregulating HO-1/Nrf-2 pathway.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 2020

Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CM) has been used to treat certain medical conditions such as hemorrhage, hepatitis, and hypertension. Cirsimaritin was previously found as the major flavonoid in CM and is said to contribute to its pharmacological effects. There are currently no reports detailing the qualitative and quantitative detection of phytochemical indicators in the aerial parts of CM. Therefore, we developed a method to rapidly identify and quantify cirsimaritin in CM using HPLC/UV, and we optimized and validated this analytical method. The results showed good linearity in the concentration range tested (0.25-0.015 mg/mL, r² ≥ 0.9999), accuracy (93.9-111.3%), and precision (RSD ≤ 0.59%). The developed method can therefore be used for the rapid evaluation of cirsimaritin in CM.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.119-131
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• 2021

Over-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) exert oxidative damage on lipids, proteins, and DNA in the human body, which leads to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we explored the cellular antioxidant effect of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in neuronal cells. The antioxidant activity was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate and nitric oxide (NO) assays, and the molecular mechanisms were examined by Western blot analysis. H₂O₂ treatment of SH-SY5Y cells decreased cell viability and increased ROS and NO production compared to H₂O₂-untreated cells. However, CJM increased cell viability and decreased ROS and NO accumulation in the H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cells compared to H₂O₂-treated control cells. Especially, the EtOAc fraction from CJM showed the strongest antioxidant effect compared with the other extracts and fractions. Therefore, we further examined the CJM mechanism against oxidative stress using the EtOAc fraction from CJM. The EtOAc fraction up-regulated the expressions of heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1, and thioredoxin reductase 1. These results indicate that CJM promotes the activation of antioxidative enzymes, which eliminate ROS and NO, and further leads to an increase in the cell viability. Taken together, our results show that CJM exhibited an antioxidant activity in H₂O₂-treated SH-SY5Y cells, and it could be a novel antioxidant agent for the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disease such as AD.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.137-149
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• 2022

We investigated the effects of Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (CJM) against oxidative stress-induced C6 glial cells and cognitive impairment in mice. To evaluate the anti-oxidative effect of the extract and fractions from CJM, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO) assays were conducted in H₂O₂-treated C6 glial cells. Furthermore, we identified the protective mechanisms of CJM with a scopolamine-treated mice model. The results revealed that H₂O₂ decreased the cell viability in C6 glial cells, indicating that H₂O₂ induced oxidative stress in glial cells. However, CJM fractions significantly increased cell viability in H₂O₂-treated C6 glial cells, which suggested that CJM protected against oxidative stress. CJM extract and fractions also reduced ROS and NO production, which were increased by H₂O₂ in C6 glial cells. In particular, the EtOAc fraction from CJM (EACJM) effectively protected against oxidative stress by increasing the cell viability and decreasing ROS and NO. Therefore, we carried out further in vivo experiments with EACJM. Scopolamine caused increases of ROS, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and NO production. However, EACJM effectively alleviated ROS, TBARS, and NO levels compared to scopolamine-injected mice. In addition, EACJM up-regulated protein expressions of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, indicating that EACJM enhanced the antioxidative system. Our results demonstrated that CJM had protective effects against oxidative stress in glial cells and memory dysfunction in mice. Based on these results, we propose that CJM could be a potential AD preventive and therapeutic agent.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.321-334
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• 2014

This study was conducted to identify plant growth promoting effects of native plant resources and medicinal plants. 65 kinds of plant extracts from 64 species were evaluated based on two rice(Oryza sativa) seedling bioassays for gibberellins and gibberellin-like substances. 12 extracts of Artemisia princeps stem and leaf, Cirsium japonicum var. maackii whole plant, Rhododendron mucronulatum branch and leaf, Phragmites communis stem, Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen whole plant, Lespedeza bicolor branch and leaf, Hydrangea serrata f. acuminata whole plant, Phlomis umbrosa whole plant, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Rhizome, G. uralensis stem and leaf, Angelica gigas root, and Cnidium officinale rhizome showed growth promotion of rice seedlings. Our results suggested that the parts of these plants could be the potential sources as farm-made liquid fertilizers for plant growth promotion.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.214-222
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth conditions and vegetation of Peucedanum japonicum habitat in uninhabited islands of Incheon Korea. The emergence area of Peucedanum japonicum was 4.9 m distance in coastline, and altitude and slope was 7.4m and 47.5%. Soil pH, organic matter and $P_2O_5$ of habitat were 7.1, 8.3% and 29.0 mg/kg, and contents of K, Ca, Mg and Na were 0.66, 4.9, 3.4 and $1.13cmol^+/kg$, respectively. Growth plants with Peucedanum japonicum were total 55 taxa, and Gakeuldo in uninhabited islands was the most as 25 taxa. In growth plants with Peucedanum japonicum, plants of over 25% frequence per plot were Miscanthus sinensis, Dendranthema boreale, Lilium lancifolium, Hemerocallis middendorffii, Elymus dahuricus, Cirsium japonicum var. maackii, Asparagus schoberioides, Gypsophila oldhamiana, Cocculus trilobus, Silene aprica var. oldhamiana, Artemisia capillaris, Crepidiastrum denticulatum and Sedum oryzifolium. The vegetation of Peucedanum japonicum habitat was classified into Aster spathulifolius community, Miscanthus sinensis community, Dendranthema boreale community, Setaria viridis var. pachystachys community, Cirsium japonicum var. maackii community and Hemerocallis middendorffii community. According to general condition of habitat, suitable growing areas was determined to slightly acidic from mild alkaline soils.