• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.27 no.11
• /
• pp.1106-1108
• /
• 2004

A new benzofuran derivative, named gymnastone [5-hydroxy-6-acetyl-2-(2-propane-1,2,3-triol)-benzofuran (1)], was isolated from the aerial part of Gymnaster koraiensis, together with viscidone (2) by repeated column chromatography. The structures of both compounds were identified by physico-chemical and spectral analysis including COSY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.110-113
• /
• 2009

Acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) catalyzes cholesterol esterification and plays important roles in intestinal absorption of cholesterol, hepatic production of lipoproteins and accumulation of cholesteryl ester within macrophages and smooth muscle cells. In our study, eight polyacetylenes (1 - 8), were isolated from the roots of Gymnaster koraiensis, and their chemical structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and mass. Compound 2 with the (10S)-15,16-epoxy group in skeleton strongly inhibited ACAT enzyme with $IC_{50}$ value of 35.8 ${\mu}g$/mL, meanwhile the other compounds displayed significant inhibition of ACAT enzyme with the $IC_{50}$ values from 45.5 to 55.1 ${\mu}g$/mL.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.227-229
• /
• 2010

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.46 no.10
• /
• pp.513-518
• /
• 2013

We investigated the protective effects of Gymnaster koraiensis against oxidative stress-induced hepatic cell damage. We used two different cytotoxicity models, i.e., the administration of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and acetaminophen, in HepG2 cells to evaluate the protective effects of G. koraiensis. The ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of G. koraiensis and its major compound, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (DCQA), exerted protective effects in the t-BHP-induced liver cytotoxicity model. The EA fraction and DCQA ameliorated t-BHP-induced reductions in GSH levels and exhibited free radical scavenging activity. The EA fraction and DCQA also significantly reduced t-BHP-induced DNA damage in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the hexane fraction of G. koraiensis and its major compound, gymnasterkoreayne B (GKB), exerted strong hepatoprotection in the acetaminophen-induced cytotoxicity model. CYP 3A4 enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by the extract, hexane fraction, and GKB. The hexane fraction and GKB ameliorated acetaminophen-induced reductions in GSH levels and protected against cell death.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2000.10a
• /
• pp.229.1-229.1
• /
• 2000

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1998.11a
• /
• pp.56-61
• /
• 1998

For the screening of bioactive natural products, the benzene or methanol extracts from 93 medicinal plants of Korea were prepared, and tested for the cytotoxicity against L1210 cells and for the antitumor action (Bae et al., 1992 and 1996). Of 93 extracts tested, 6 samples showed a cytotoxicity in both benzene and methanol extract, 39 samples in benzene and 13 samples in methanol extract. The benzene extract of the root of Scutellaria indica L., Sophora fIavescens Solander ex Aiton, Carpesium abrotanoides L., Gymnaster koraiensis (Nakai) Kitamura, Pyrola japonica Klenze, and Forsythiae Fructus showed a potent cytotoxic activity. This observation led to isolate active cytotoxic components, some of which demonstrated some antitumor action. In addition, the structure-activity relationship was discussed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.50-61
• /
• 1999

The leaf morphological and anatomical characters about 17 taxa of Aster and its allied taxa were investigated to estimate taxonomic values. Leaf shapes of the treated taxa were divided into five types; elliptic, spathulate, lanceolate, linear, ovatodeltoid. These types were fixed in same taxa, but variable among different taxa, therefore useful as taxonomic character. Leaf margins were divided into four types; entire, serrate, dentate, incised, these types were invariable in most taxa, but variable among individual in same taxa such as Kalimeris incise, Aster spathulifolius. The size and shape of leaf epidermal cell, the size and distributional numbers per 10$\textrm{mm}^2$ of stomata, deposit feature of cuticle were not distinguished clearly from treated taxa, but presence of stomata on adaxial surface, size and distributional numbers per 10$\textrm{mm}^2$ of stomata were useful taxonomic characters in some taxa such as Gymnaster koraiensis, Aster altaicus var. uchiyamae, Aster tripolium, Heteropappus arenarius. The leaf trichomes were divided into five types by basic form, sculpturing on their outer surface and cell arrangement; uniseriate granulate conical type, uniseriate psilate conical type, uniseriate psilate filiform type, globular type, biseriate vesicular capitate type. In spite of various habitat, basic morphology of trichomes were not changed, therefore, it was thought to be good taxonomic character.