• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.257-261
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• 2004

Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii Henry is a short and creeping evergreen shrub which reaches about 50㎝ in height and occurs in the northeast Asia and in high mountains over the South Korea. Its distribution is restricted, and the number of individuals are gradually decreasing. This study was conducted to estimate spatial pattern, genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of J. chinensis var. sargentii. A total of 131 clumps were studied in the study area (40m × 60m). The spatial pattern of this population was random (Aggregation index R=1.031). In spite of the small number and the limited distribution, the level of genetic diversity (Shannon's index 1=0.463) was relatively high as compared with those of other plant species with similar ecological characteristics. ISSR genotypes of all individuals were investigated to find the genetic relationship of clumps and genets. Fifteen clumps were composed to be clones, and a total of 116 unique genotypes were composed by separate genets. Spatial autocorrelation analysis using Tanimoto distance showed that the genetic patch was established within 8m. The effect of clonal reproduction on genetic structure was almost nothing.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.457-462
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• 2020

Pancreatic cancer is among the most difficult-to-treat tumors. More than half of patients with this cancer have very few symptoms at the early stages, allowing the development of distant metastases and resistance to cancer treatment. In this study, we found that Juniperus chinensis extract (JCX) decreased the cell viability and migration activity of PANC-1 and SNU-213 pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. JCX increased caspase-3 activation and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). N-acetylcysteine treatment blocked JCX-induced ROS generation and the negative effects on pancreatic cancer cell viability. In addition, JCX down-regulated the levels of phospho-focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK). Together, these results indicate that JCX induces apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell lines through ROS production, downregulating FAK/ERK signaling and activating caspase-3. We propose that JCX-derived compounds represent candidates for the development of alternative medicines for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.208-212
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• 2017

A new sesquiterpenoid, 11-hydroxy-valenc-1(10),3(4)-dien-2-one (3), two chemically synthesized but first isolate from nature, $3-oxocedran-8{\beta}-ol$ (1) and valenc-1(10),3(4),11(12)-trien-2-one (2) along with four known compounds, sugiol (4), (+)-nootkatone (5), 11-hydroxy-valenc-1(10)-en-2-one (6), and clovandiol (7), were isolated from the heartwood of Juniperus chinensis. All chemical structures were elucidated using extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Valenc-1(10),3(4),11(12)-trien-2-one (2) exhibited significant inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase with an $IC_{50}$ value of $68.45{\mu}M$.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.278-282
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• 2018

The development of treatment technologies for recycling waste woods generated from tree pruning is required in Gangwon province forest. In this study, according to adsorption experiments using three types (Larix kaemoferi, Juniperus chinensis, Pinus densiflora) of waste woods, Juniperus chinensis as a biosorbent showing an excellent removal ability was selected for the removal of methylene blue in an aqueous phase. When 0.4 g/100 mL of Juniperus chinensis was used to improve the removal efficiency of methylene blue for 4 h, each 100, 200 and 300 mg/L of methylene blue dissolved in the aqueous phase were removed to 98, 93, and 81%, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium data obtained by changing adsorbent concentrations was found to be more consistent with the Langmuir than the Freundlich equation. In addition, based on dynamic experiments by changing the methylene blue concentration, the biosorption kinetics equation was more suitable for a pseudo-second order model. In order to enhance the removal capability of highly concentrated methylene blue, 300 and 400 mg/L of methylene blue were operated for 4 h under 210 rpm of agitation velocity and removal efficiencies were 92 and 76%, respectively. Consequently, these experimental results can be effectively utilized as a new biosorption technology for economically treating methylene blue dissolved in an aqueous phase.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.269-273
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• 2007

We studied anti-microbial and anti-oxidant activities of bio-active components in stem of Juniperus chinensis L. and leaf of Abies koreana Wilson. Those plants of needle leaf tree family were reported to contain anti-cancer compounds. The anti-bacterial activity was tested by Broth dilution method against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. As results, Juniperus chinensis L. and Abies koreana Wilson extracts showed 17.0% and 8.5% higher anti-bacterial activity than methyl paraben, respectively. The free radical scavenging activity of Juniperus chinensis L. and Abies koreana Wilson extracts showed 45 % and 44 % at 5,000 ppm. We measured polyphenol (catechin equivalent) and flavonoids quantity. The Juniperus chinensis L. extract contained 312 mg/g of polyphenol and 105 mg/g of flavonoids. The Abies koreana Wilson extract contained 280 mg/g of polyphenol and 103.8 mg/g of flavonoids. The cytotoxicity of extracts was measured by neutral red assay. Extracts did not affect the viability of CCK-986sk cells up to a concentration of 1,250 ppm. In conclusion, these data suggest that extracts of needle leaf trees would be usefull as antiseptic agents and anti-oxidants for cosmetic products.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2004

The human skin is constantly exposed to environmental irritants such as ultraviolet, smoke, chemicals. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by these environmental facts play critical roles in cellular damage. These irritants are in themselves damaging to the skin structure but they also participate the immensely complex inflammatory reaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skin cell protective effect of Juniperus chinensis xylem extract on the UV and SLS-induced skin cell damages. We tested free radical and superoxide scavenging effect in vitro. We found that Juniperus chinensis xylem extracts had potent radical scavenging effect by 98％ at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. Fluorometric assays of the proteolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase-l(MMP-1, collagenase) were performed using fluorescent collagen substrates. UV A induced MMP-1 synthesis and activity were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gelatin-based zymography in skin fibroblasts. The extract of Juniperus chinensis showed strong inhibitory effect on MMP-1 activities by 97％ at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL and suppressed the UVA induced expression of MMP-1 by 79％ at 25 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. This extract also showed strong inhibition on MMP-2 activity in UVA irradiated fibroblast by zymography. We also examined anti-inflammatory effects by the determination test of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 in HaCaT keratinocytes. In this test Juniperus chinensis decreased expression of interleukin 6 about 30％. Expression of prostaglandin E$_2$, (PGE$_2$) after UVB irradiation was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using PGE$_2$ monoclonal antibody. At the concentrations of 5-50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of the extracts, the production of PGE$_2$ by HaCaT keratinocytes (24 hours after 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ UVB irradiation) was significantly inhibited in culture supernatants (p〈0.05). The viability of cultured HaCaT keratinocytes was significantly reduced at the doses of above 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ of UVB irradiation, but the presence of these extracts improved cell viability comparing to control after UVB irradiation. We also investigated the protective effect of this extract in sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-induced irritant skin reactions from 24 hour exposure. Twice a day application of the extract for reducing local inflammation in human skin was done. Irritant reactions were assessed by various aspects of skin condition, that is, erythema (skin color reflectance) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). After 5 days the extract was found to reduce SLS-induced skin erythema and improve barrier regeneration when compared to untreated symmetrical test site. In conclusion, our results suggest that Juniperus chinensis can be effectively used for the prevention of UV and SLS-induced adverse skin reactions such as radical production, inflammation and skin cell damage.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.227-233
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• 2004

Chronic exposure to solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet (UV) light, causes a variety of adverse reactions on human skin, such as sunburn, photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by UV exposure or other environmental facts play critical roles in cellular damage. And, repeated-UV irradiation activated the expression of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and induced skin irritation. Therefore, the development of effective and safe photoprotectants that can reduce and improve the skin damage has been required. The purpose of this study was to investigate the photo-protective effect of several chinese medical plants (Juniperus chinensis) on the UV -induced skin cell damages. We tested free radical and superoxide scavenging effect in vitro. Fluorometric assays of the proteolytic activities of MMP-1 (collagenase) were performed using fluorescent collagen substrates. UVA induced MMP-1 synthesis and activity were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gelatin-based zymography in skin fibroblasts. We also examined anti-inflammatory effects by the determination test of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 in HaCaT keratinocytes. Expression of prostaglandin E$_2$ (PGE$_2$) after UVB irradiation was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay(EIA) using PGE$_2$ monoclonal antibody. In the human skin we tested anti-irritation effect on the SLS-induced damage skin after appling the extract containing emulsion. We found that Juniperus chinensis extract had potent radical scavenging effect by 98% at 100$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. The extract of Juniperus chinensis showed strong inhibitory effect on MMP-1 activities by 97% at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL and suppressed the UVA induced expression of MMP-1 by 79% at 25$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. This extract also showed strong inhibition on MMP-2 activity in UVA irradiated fibroblast by zymography. In the test of proinflammatory cytokines of human keratinocytes Juniperus chinensis extract decreased expression of interleukin 6 about 30%. The amount of PGE$_2$ by HaCaT keratinocytes was significantly increased at the doses of above 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ of UVB (p < 0.05). At the concentrations of 3.2-25$\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of this extract, the production of PGE$_2$ by HaCaT keratinocytes (24 h after 10mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ UVB irradiation) was significantly inhibited in culture supernatants (p < 0.05). In SLS-induced skin irritation model in vivo, we found to reduce skin erythema and improve barrier recovery after appling Juniperus chinensis extract containing emulsion when compared to irritated non-treated and placebo-treated skin. Our results suggest that Juniperus chinensis extract can be effectively used for the prevention of UV and SLS-induced adverse skin reactions and applied as anti-aging and anti-irritation cosmetics.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2019

This study aimed to select the media for water flooding culture of Pinus thunbergii Parl., Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii Henry, Osmanthus fragrans Lour., and Chaenomeles japonica Lindl. ex Spach planting into quartz Porphyry and Hydroball. The survival rate of Pinus thunbergii Parl. and Chaenomeles japonica Lindl. ex Spach in hydroball 80%+quartz porphyry 20% was 100%, also the ratio of Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii Henry and Osmanthus fragrans Lour. in hydroball 20%+quartz porphyry 80% was 100% and 80%. However survival rate of full water and decomposed granite was less than 80% in Pinus thunbergii Parl., Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii Henry, and Chaenomeles japonica Lindl. ex Spach and thee rate of Osmanthus fragrans Lour was less than 50%. The increasing rate of fresh weight for Pinus thunbergii Parl. and Chaenomeles japonica Lindl. ex Spach in hydroball 80%+quartz porphyry 20% was 58.6% and 15.8% which was higher than others, and the fresh weight was increased as increasing the content of hydrobol. However the fresh weight of Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii Henry and Osmanthus fragrans Lour. in hydroball 20%+quartz porphyry 80% was 71.4% and 59.7% which was higher than others, and the fresh weight was increased as increasing the content of quartz porphyry. The increasing rate of fresh weight of decomposed granite as control was the lowest by 32.7%, 48.0%, 33.3% and 7.0%, respectively in Pinus thunbergii Parl., Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii Henry, Osmanthus fragrans Lour., and Chaenomeles japonica Lindl. ex Spach. Therefore the survival rate and fresh weight was lower at water and decomposed granite. However the survival rate and increasing fresh weight of Pinus thunbergii Parl. and Chaenomeles japonica Lindl. ex Spach was higher as increasing the rate of hydrobol. And the survival rate and fresh weight of Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii Henry and Osmanthus fragrans Lour was higher as increasing the rate of quartz porphyry.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.310-316
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• 2005

The objectives of this study were to identify the aecial host ranges of four Korean Gymnosporangium species, G. asiaticum, G. cornutum, Gjaponicum and Gyamadae, and to verify the morphological characteristics of telia as diagnostic keys to the species. Thirteen Korean Rosaceous woody species were artificially inoculated with teliospores obtained from Juniperus species. There was high specificity between telial and aecial hosts and the fungal species, providing the first experimental proof on host alternation of these rust fungi in Korea. Telia on the witches' broom and on the small galls were identified as new telial characteristics in G asiaticum and in G. yamadae, respectively. Aecial hosts of G. asiaticum and G. yamadae showed varying responses in their susceptibility and in the days required for formation and duration of spermogonia and aecia after inoculation. Four telial host species in Juniperus were confirmed for the first time in Korea, which include J. chinensis var. kaizuka, J. chinensis var. horizontalis and J. chinensis var. globosa for G. asiaticum; and J. chinensis var. kaizuka for G. yamadae.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.76-82
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• 2006

Genetic variation of two Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii populations in Mt. Seorak and Mt. Halla was investigated by isozyme analysis at reproducible 11 loci of 7 isozyme systems(Aat-1, Aat-2, Gdh, Idh, Lap, Mdh-1, Mdh-2, Mdh-3, 6Pgd, Pgi-1, and Pgi-2), of which 7 loci were polymorphic. The levels of genetic diversity of two populations were A=2.2, $A_e=1.61,\;P_{95}=54.5,\;H_{o}=0.179,\;H_e=0.287$(Mt. Seorak population) and A=2.1, $A_e=1.48,\;P_{95}=63.6,\;H_{o}=0.270,\;H_e=0.250$(Mt. Halla population), respectively. These values were similar to and/or somewhat higher than those observed in other Korean native conifers. Moderately low degree of genetic differentiation was observed between 2 analyzed populations ($F_{ST}=0.039$). Heterozygosity of the population in Mt. Seorak was significantly lower than expected, and much high level of inbreeding coefficient(F=0.376) was observed. Considering the limited population size and distribution range of the population, the population seemed to be influenced by inbreeding and/or random genetic drift, Consequently, Mt. Seorak population should be considered to be a more important candidate for the conservation of J. chinensis var. sargentii.