• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.449-460
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• 2012

Plants have versatile detoxification systems to encounter the phytotoxicity of the wide range of natural and synthetic compounds present in the environment. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an enzyme that detoxifies natural and exogenous toxic compounds by conjugation with glutathione (GSH). Recently, several roles of GST giving stress tolerance in plants have demonstrated, but little is known about the role of ginseng GSTs. Therefore, this work aimed to provide further information on the GST gene present in Panax ginseng genome as well as its expression and function. A GST cDNA (PgGST) was isolated from P. ginseng cDNA library, and it showed the amino acid sequence similarity with theta type of GSTs. PgGST in ginseng plant was induced by exposure to metals, plant hormone, heavy metals, and high light irradiance. To improve the resistance against environmental stresses, full-length cDNA of PgGST was introduced into Nicotiana tabacum. Overexpression of PgGST led to twofold increase in GST-specific activity compared to the non-transgenic plants, and the GST overexpressed plant showed resistance against herbicide phosphinothricin. The results suggested that the PgGST isolated from ginseng might have a role in the protection mechanism against toxic materials such as heavy metals and herbicides.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.258-267
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• 2022

Objectives: Hypertrophic scars (HSs) are caused by abnormal wound healing. To date, no standard treatment has been made available for HSs. Scrophularia striata has been reported to accelerate wound healing and has the potential to prevent HS formation. In this study, we investigated the anti-scarring effects of S. striata extract (SSE) in a rabbit ear model of scarring. Methods: In this study, New Zealand white rabbit (weight: 2.3-2.5 kg) were used. In the prevention phase of the study, three test groups received 5%, 10%, and 15% ointments of SSE in the Eucerin base, the fourth group received Eucerin, and the fifth group received no treatment. The samples were obtained on day 35 after wounding. In the treatment phase of the study, the test groups received an intralesional injection of SSE (5%, 10%, and 15%), the fourth group received an intralesional injection of triamcinolone, the fifth group received a solvent (injection vehicle), and the sixth group received no treatment. To evaluate the anti-scarring effects of SSE, the scar elevation index (SEI), epidermis thickness index (ETI), collagen deposition, and MMP2 and MMP9 gene expression were evaluated. Results: A significant reduction in SEI, ETI, and collagen deposition was noted in animals treated with SSE compared with the control groups. In addition, topical SSE stimulated MMP2 and MMP9 gene expression. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the potential for SSE in the prevention and treatment of HS. SSE could be prepared as an appropriate formulation to treat wounds and prevent abnormal scarring.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.230-238
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• 2023

Glabridin is a well-known active isoflavone found in the root of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) that possess a wide range of biological activity. Plant cells, hairy roots, and fungal endophytes cultures are the most important alternative methods for plant resources conservation and sustainable production of natural compounds, which has received much attention in recent decades. In the present study, an efficient culture condition was optimized for the biomass accumulation and glabridin production from fungal endophyte Aspergillus eucalypticola SBU-11AE isolated from licorice root. Type of culture medium, range of pH, and licorice root extract (as an elicitor) were tested. The results showed that the highest and lowest biomass production was observed on PCB medium (6.43 ± 0.32 g/l) and peptone malt (5.85 + 0.11 g/l), respectively. The medium culture PCB was produced the highest level of glabridin (7.26 ± 0.44 mg/l), while the lowest level (4.47 ± 0.02 mg/l) was obtained from the medium peptone malt. The highest biomass (8.51 ± 0.43 g/l) and glabridin (8.30 ± 0.51 mg/l) production were observed from the PCB medium adjusted with pH = 6, while the lowest value of both traits was obtained from the same medium with pH = 7. The highest production of total glabridin (10.85 ± 0.84 mg/l) was also obtained from the culture medium treated with 100 mg/l of the plant root extract. This information can be interestingly used for the commercialization of glabridin production for further industrial applications.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.73-78
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• 2004

The study was conducted to develop new materials of functional foods from natural resources. Fortyeight medicinal plants were screened on inhibitory activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a protein elevating blood pressure. The water extracts of Armoracia aerial part, Cynanchum radix, Euonymus branch, Phyllostachys stem, Trichosanthes seed, and methanol extract of Silybum aerial part were showed strong inhibitory activity (above 70%) on ACE at the final concentration of $4,000\;{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$. Among the plant extracts, water extracts of Phyllostachys taeniam and Trichosanthes seed were especially showed strong inhibitory activity (above 25%) at $500\;{\mu}g\;ml^{-1}$. These two plants are expected good candidate for development into anti-hypertensive materials.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.456-460
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• 1998

This research was attempted to prove suppressing effect of medicinal plants on the intestinal absorption of toxic heavy metals. In vitro study was performed by membrane filtration considering intestinal absorption conditions. From drinking water contaminated singly with 10 and 50 times level of water quality standard for heavy metals, the removal ratio of lead was $40{\sim}60%$ by Chicorium intybus, Angelica acutiloba and Ganoderma lucidium. And the removal ratio of cadmium was $20{\sim}40%$. The removal ratio of lead contaminated with both was $30{\sim}50%$ by every sample similarly, the removal ratio of cadmium was $10{\sim}30%$. The removal ratio of Angelica acutiloba was more higher than Chicorium intybus and Ganoderma lucidium. Considering the extraction conditions of samples, $70^{\circ}C$, 2 min conditions were higher than $95^{\circ}C$, 10 min conditions, the removal ratios of heavy metals were similar. And the membrane filter permeated the material under 500 mw selectively, so the final filtrate could regard as passive transport in intestinal absorption. In conclusion, this research exhibited that the medicinal plants beverages have a suppressing effect on intestinal absorption of lead and cadmium in drinking water.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2008

New somatic chromosome numbers and karyotype analyses of 33 medicinal herbs (30 genera, 23 families) in Korea were investigated. The chromosome numbers of 4 taxa, Euryale ferox, Rodgersia podophylla, Cirsium japonicum var. ussurience, Eehinops setifer, showed results that are different from previous reports. Among 33 taxa, 23 taxa were reported for the first time, and karyotype analyses were newly conducted for 2 taxa (Tiarella polyphylla, Crepidiastrum denticulatum) in Korea. In addition, we observed for the first time the new chromosome numbers for 4 taxa distributed evenly over the world (Lindera erythrocarpa, Corylopsis glabrescens var. gotoana, Ardisia crenata, Callicarpa japonica var. luxurians).

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.193-197
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• 1994

Bupleurum falcatum was cultivated in plots of different soil textures, which were sandy loam(SL), loam(L), and clay loam(CL). The growth charafters of shoot and root parts in SL and L plots were better than CL one, and root yield was the most excellent in SL one. But the contents of total saikosaponins and methanol extract in its roots were the highest in CL plot. In any soil textures, one and two year old plants showed almost the same results in growth characters and saikosaponins contents. The growth and root yield of two year old plants were higher than those of one year old ones, but the contents of methanol extract and saikosaponins were lower. Flant characters were highly negative-correlated with the contents of saikosaponins and methanol extract.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.275-291
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• 1997

Floristic composition and medicinal plant resources were investigated in six regions, Mt. Sorak, Mt. Jumbong, Mt. Odae, Mt. Hwaak, Mt. Taebaek, and Mt. Bangtae, represent in Kangwon province. This study was conducted from December. 1995 to October, 1997. Vascular plants in investigated regions were composed of 118 families . 529 genera, 1,138 species, 7 subspecies, 223 varieties and 43 fromae, totaling 1,411 taxa. This taxa was correspond to 34.7% of Korean flora, 4,071 taxa (Lee, 1996b),and 73.8% of Kangwon province flora, 1,913 taxa (Kangwondo, 1996), respectively. Among them, medicinal plant resources was composed of 98 families, 238 genera, 337 species, 63. varieties, and 16 formae, totaling 416 taxa (29.5% of investigated 1.411 taxa). Medicinal plant resources in each regions were distributed ranging from 211(31.4%) to 285(33.1%) taxa.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.561-568
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• 2009

To investigate the effects of garlic and medicinal plants extracts (GP) on liver function and lipid metabolism of rat administered with ethanol chronically, Sprague-Dawly male rats were fed with a basial diet (Normal), a basial diet plus ethanol (Control, 10 mL of 20% ethanol/kg b.w/day), a control diet plus 0.5% garlic and 1.0% medicinal plants extracts (GP-I), and a control diet plus 1.0% garlic and medicinal plants extracts (GP-II) for 4 weeks. Blood glucose in GP group was significantly decreased, but not significantly different between GP-I and GP-II group. Albumin content of serum was significantly increased in GP groups, while total lipid, cholesterol and triglyceride of serum were significantly decreased in GP group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride were not significantly different between GP-I and GP-II group. LDL-cholesterol in blood was decreased to 58% in GP-I group and 73% in GP-II group compared to the control group, it's contents were the lowest amounts among the normal, control and experimented groups. Lipid levels in liver of rat administered with alcohol were decreased in GP group and significantly different in GP-II group. GOT and r-GTP activities were significantly higher in control than normal group, while GPT and ALP activities were not significant in groups administered with alcohol. Activities of GOT, GPT and r-GTP were significantly lower in GP group than control group, while ALP activity was not significant in all groups. TBARS contents were not significant in serum, but it's contents in liver were significantly decreased in GP groups than control group. DPPH radical scavenging ability in serum and liver was significantly increased in GP groups. These results indicate that garlic and medicinal plants extracts were effective in improving and protecting liver disorder induced from long-term alcohol consumption.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.489-492
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• 2001

There were many reports on the natural antioxidants, but only tocopherol has been widely used despite of its high market price because of its recognized safety. On the other hands, antimicrobial effects of various plant extracts also have been extensively studied. There exist many substances showing antimicrobial activity in plants and their activities have been studied.