• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2014

The earliest pre-Linnaean fungal genera are briefly discussed here with special emphasis on the nomenclatural connection with the genus Cordyceps Fr. Since its valid publication under the basidiomycetous genus Clavaria Vaill. ex L. (Clavaria militaris L. Sp. Pl. 2:1182, 1753), the genus Cordyceps has undergone nomenclatural changes in the post-Linnaean era, but has stood firmly for approximately 200 years. Synonyms of Cordyceps were collected from different literature sources and analyzed based on the species they represent. True synonyms of Cordyceps Fr. were defined as genera that represented species of Cordyceps Fr. emend. G. H. Sung, J. M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora. The most common synonyms of Cordyceps observed were Clavaria and Sphaeria Hall, reported in the 18th and in the first half of the 19th century, respectively. Cordyceps, the oldest genus in the Cordyceps s. s. clade of Cordycipitaceae, is the most preferred name under the "One Fungus = One Name" principle on priority bases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.62-66
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• 2002

Hypertension is not only a well-established cardiovascular risk factor but also increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Most studies conducted to investigate the effectiveness of treatment for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension have focused primarily on conventional drug and physiotherapeutic treatments. BanhabackchulChunma-tang(半夏白朮天麻湯:BCT) is popular herbal medicine used in clinic for the treatment of various symptoms of drulatory disorders and weakness of digestive system, including anorexa and nausea with vertigo, severe headache, vomiting and so on. However, the mechanisms underlying its efficacy are unknown. This study investigated the effects of BCT as an alternative medication on the contraction induced by phenylephrine and KCI in rat thoratic aorta. BCT revealed siginificant relaxation on phenylephrine-induced arterial contraction, but revealed noncompetitive effect on concentration responses of phenylephrine-induced contraction. Treatment of N-L/sup ω/ -argine methyl ester(L-NAME) and methylene blue(MB)(10/sup -5/M) reduced the relaxation of BCT. BCT also increased in vitro NO production. It suggest that the relaxation effect of BBT is related with NO pathway, becausse the effect of L-NAME and MB are due to inhibition of NO synthesis from endothelial cells. These results indicate that BCT would be effective in hypertension treatment and its mechanism of relaxtion on arterial contraction is likely to be related with NO production, blocking of α-receptor and signal transduction after receptor activation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.605-614
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• 2005

Objectives : Ojawhan was formulated to contain various natural products known to cure erectile dysfunction. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Ojawhan on the nitric oxide synthase(NOS) activity, nitrite level, antioxidation and erectile responses in rat's corpus cavernosum penis. Methods : Ojawhan was washed, dried in the shade and crushed. The crushed Ojawhan ,was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 62g. Ojawhan extract oral-administered 100 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 30 days. First, samples were treated with Ojawhan, then ethanol-treated rats and L-N-Nitroarginine methyl ester(L-NAME) treated rats were put with the samples. Result : The level of urethral lipid peroxide in the ethanol-Ojawhan double administered rats was decreased as low as in the normal group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was increased. The urethral NOS activity, the level of urethral nitrite, the level of testosterone and the erectile response to cavernous nerve stimulation in the ethanol-Ojawhan double administered rats were increased as high as in the normal group while the one in the ethanol-treated group was decreased. The electile response to cavernous nerve stimulation and the level of nitrite in L-NAME ($10^{-4}$)-treated rats was restored by the administration of Ojawhan as high as in the normal group. Conclusions : Ojawhan was effective in restoring the ethanol-induced or L-NAME-induced erectile dysfunction in rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.176-182
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• 2008

Scolopendra was known to cure erectile dysfunction. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Scolopendra on the nitric oxide synthase activity, nitrite level, cyclic-GMP and erectile responses in rat's corpus cavernosum penis. The crushed Scolopendra was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 14.2 g. Scolopendra extract was oral-administered 50 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 30 days. First, samples were treated with Scolopendra, and then ethanol-treated rats and L-N-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treated rats were fed with the samples. The level of urethral nitrite and nitric oxide synthase activity in the ethanol-Scolopendra double administered rats were as high as in the normal group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was decreased. The level of urethral cyclic-GMP and guanylate cyclase actiyity in the ethanol-Scolopendra double administered rats were as high as in the normal group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was decreased. The level of urethral phosphodiesterase activity in the ethanol-Scolopendra double administered rats was as low as in the normal group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was increased. The erectile response to a cavernous nerve stimulation in L-NAME $(10^{-4})-treated$ rats was restored by the Scolopendra to the similar level seen in the normal group. The electile response to cavernous nerve stimulation in the ethanol-Scolopendra double administered rats were increased as high as in the normal group while the one in the ethanol-treated group was decreased. Scolopendra was effective in restoring the ethanol-induced or L-NAME-induced erectile dysfunction in rats.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.25-36
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• 2000

Objectives : This study demonstrates the effects of Daejo-hwan on learning and memory impairment induced by L-NAME (75 mg/kg) treatment and on cerebral ischemic damage induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats. Methods : Daejo-hwan emulsion (73.3 mg/100 g/l ml) was administered to rats along a timed study schedule. The Moms water maze was used for learning and memory test of the rats. The MCA was occluded by using the intraluminal thread method. The brain slices were stained by 2 % triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) and 1 % cresyl violet solution. Infarct size, neuron cell number and size in penumbra was measured by using computer image analysis system. Results : 1. The escape latency of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 2.The memory score of the Daejo-hwan treated group showed increase tendency, And the swimming distance was not different between the normal, the control, and the Daejo-hwan treated group. 3. The infarct size of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 4. The total infarct volume of the Daejo-hwan treated group showed decrease tendency. And the brain edema index of the Daejo-hwan treated group decreased significantly with respect to the control group. 5. The neuron cell number and cell size in penumbra of the Daejo-hwan treated group increased significantly with respect to the control group. Conclusions : According to the above results, it is supposed that Daejo-hwan is clinically applicable to the vascular dementia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.234-241
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• 2011

Mantidis Vagina Ovorum was formulated to contain various natural products known to cure erectile dysfunction. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Mantidis Vagina Ovorum on the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, nitrite level, antioxidation and erectile responses in rat's corpus cavernosum penis. The crushed Mantidis Vagina Ovorum was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 16.6 g. Mantidis Vagina Ovorum extract oral-administered 75 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 30 days. First, samples were treated with Mantidis Vagina Ovorum, and then cimetidine-treated rats and L-N-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treated rats were put with the samples. The level of urethral lipid peroxide in the cimetidine-Mantidis Vagina Ovorum double administered rats was decreased as low as in the normal group, while the one in the cimetidine-treated group was increased. The urethral NOS activity, the level of urethral nitrite, the level of testosterone and the electile response to cavernous nerve stimulation in the cimetidine-Mantidis Vagina Ovorum double administered rats were increased as high as in the normal group while the one in the cimetidine-treated group was decreased. The electile response to cavernous nerve stimulation and the level of nitrite in L-NAME ($10^{-4}$)-treated rats was restored by the administration of Mantidis Vagina Ovorum as high as in the normal group. Mantidis Vagina Ovorum was effective in restoring the cimetidine-induced or L-NAME-induced erectile dysfunction in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.219-232
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• 2019

Chemicals related to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and nitric oxide (NO) generations were exogenously applied to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae (Fof) causing Fusarium wilt disease in strawberry plants, and regulations of in vitro conidial germination and mycelial growth of the fungus by the chemical treatments were evaluated. $H_2O_2$ drastically reduced the conidial germination of Fof in a dose-dependent manner, and treatment with 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT) catalase inhibitor also led to dose-dependent inhibition of conidial germination but relatively moderately. Gradual decreases in mycelial growth of Fof were found by high concentrations of $H_2O_2$, whilst exogenous 3-AT slightly increased the mycelial growth. Increasing sodium nitroprusside (SNP) NO donor, $N^G$-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) NO synthase (NOS)-inhibitor and tungstate nitrate reductase (NR) inhibitor led to dose-dependent reductions in conidial germination of Fof in quite different levels. SNP conversely increased the mycelial growth but increasing L-NAME moderately decreased the mycelial growth. Tungstate strongly enhanced mycelial growth. Differentially regulated in vitro mycelial growths of Fof were demonstrated by SNP, L-NAME and tungstate with or without $H_2O_2$ supplement. Superoxide anion production was also regulated during the mycelial growth of Fof by nitric oxide. These results show that $H_2O_2$ and NO-associated enzymes can be suggested as fungal growth regulators of Fof as well as eco-friendly disease-managing agents in strawberry production fields.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.261-264
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• 2019

Eupatorium rugosum Houtt. is known to be an alien invasive species and is listed as an ecosystem disturbance species in Korea. There is also an eastern North American species Ageratina altissima (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. similarly dispersed in Korea. This article aims to clarify the taxonomic confusion regarding the species. The two names refer to the same species originally described as Ageratum altissimum by Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum. Ageratum altissimum was transferred to the genus Eupatorium and later to Ageratina. Eupatorium rugosum is the replacement name in Eupatorium because of E. altissimum L., an existing name based on the different type. When the species was transferred to Ageratina, A. altissima was published based on its basionym, as the epithet "altissima" was available in the genus. It seems that taxonomic confusion regarding the species in Korea is due to the recognition of the names as different taxa. Ageratina altissima is the correct name for the species based on morphological and molecular data.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2022

Objectives: Aqueous leaf extract of Tridax procumbens (ALETP) has potent relaxant activity. However, this relaxant activity in respiratory smooth muscle remains uninvestigated. This study investigates the effect of ALETP on the contractile activity of tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) in adult male Wistar rats. Methods: Twelve male Wistar rats divided into 2 groups and were treated with either 100 mg/kg of ALETP (ALETP treatment group) or vehicle (distilled water; control group) through oral gavage for 4 weeks. Dose responses of TSM from the 2 groups to acetylcholine (10^-9 to 10^-5 M), phenylephrine (10^-9 to 10^-5 M), and potassium chloride (KCl; 10^-9 to 10^-4 M) were determined cumulatively. Furthermore, cumulative dose responses to acetylcholine (10^-9 to 10^-5 M) after pre-incubation of TSM with atropine (10^-5 M), L-NAME (10^-4 M), indomethacin (10^-4 M), and nifedipine (10^-4 M), were determined. Results: Treatment with ALETP substantially inhibited TSM contraction stimulated by cumulative doses of acetylcholine, phenylephrine, and KCl. Furthermore, preincubation of TSM from the 2 groups in atropine significantly inhibited contractility in TSM. Incubation in L-NAME and indomethacin also significantly inhibited contractility in TSM of ALETP-treated rats compared to that of controls. Contractile activity of the TSM was also inhibited significantly with incubation in nifedipine in ALETP-treated rats. Conclusion: ALETP enhanced relaxant activity in rat TSM primarily by blocking the L-type calcium channel and promoting endothelial nitric oxide release. ALETP contains agents that may be useful in disorders of the respiratory tract.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.161-166
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• 2004

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of nitric oxide scavenger (hemoglobin) and inhibitor (L-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; L-NAME) with or without cumulus cell on the development of bovine IVM/IVF embryos. When CR/sub 1aa/ medium were supplemented with different dosage (lug/m, 5ug/m and 10ug/ml) of hemoglobin at 48hrs for in vitro culture, the proportion of embryos developing beyond morulae stage in 0, 1ug/ml and 5ug/ml with or without cumulus cell were 23.8%, 33.3 % and 26.8%, and 39.5%, 54.8% and 48.8%, respectively. There was a significantly difference the developmental rate of 1ug/ml hemoglobin intact cumulus cells to any other groups (P<0.05). On the other hand, when added to hemoglobin at 96 hrs, 1 ug/ml hemoglobin with cumulus cell group was significantly increased the percentage of developing into morulae and blastocysts to any other groups (P<0.05), and similar trend that of added at 48hrs. The overall means of the percentage of developing into morulae and blstocysts in 1ug/ml hemoglobin group was significantly increased than those of any other groups (P<0.05) and cumulus co-culture with hemoglobin was increased the in vitro developing rate of IVM/IVF embryos. In CR/sub 1aa/ medium treated with L-NAME 0, 10, 50 and 100mM, the developmental rate of morula plus blastocysts were 55.6%, 64.9%, 58.8% and 66.7%, respectively. The L-NAME did not affect the developmental rate and the cell numbers of blastocysts in all treated groups. These results indicate that hemoglobin and cumulus co-culture can increase the proportion of embryos that developed into morulae and blastocysts, but cell numbers of blastocysts were not affect in all groups.