• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-60
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• 1999

Traditional oriental medicines have been used for treatment of various kinds of human cancers for long times and some of them proven to be effective clinically. However, the pharmacological actions and mechanisms related to cancer treatment are generally unknown. In an effort to clarify the action mechanisms of several oriental medicines used for cancer treatments, we planned this experimental procedures. We selected Cordyceps sinensis (冬蟲下草), Punellae Herba (夏枯草), Rehmanniae Radix (熟地黃), Paeoniae Radix (白芍藥), Oldenlandiae Herba (白花蛇舌草), Partulaceae Herba (馬齒? ), Scdopendra subspinipes mutilans (蜈蚣), Mylabris Phalerara (班蟄), Phellinus igniarius(桑黃), Ganodermae Lignum(靈芝) for evaluation, which have been used for patients of gastric cancers. The twenty grams of medicines were boiled in 100ml of water for 1 hour and filtered with $0.2\;{\mu}m$ pore-sized filter unit to remove insoluble particles. Initially we evaluated the effects oriental medicines on growth inhibition in stomach cancer cells. The gastric cancer cell line, AGS, was cultured in RPMI 1640 supplemented with l0% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and treated with $10{\mu}l$ oriental medicines per 1ml of medium up to 48 hours. The specimens were subjected to MTT assay for evaluation of growth inhibition. We found mat Mylabris phalerata (班蟄) markedly suppressed the growth of cancer cells as shown in results. Next, we checked the effects of oriental medicines on cancer on cell cycles and apptosis. Mylabrls phalerata (班蟄) inhibited cell cycle progression of cancer cells a compared with control cells and cells treated with other medicines. In addition, Mylabri phalerata (班蟄) induced apoptosis in 30-40% of stomch cancer cells within 24 hours. Other oriental medicines used for this experiments did not show apoptosis-inducing effects on cancer cells. Finally, we determined the expression levels of genes associated with cell cycle and apoptosis. The expressions of Bcl-2 and bcl-XL were downregulated by the treatment of Mylabris phalerata (班蟄). However, the expression levels of genes related to cell cycles were not altered significantly. In conclusion, we found that Mylabris phalerata (班蟄) has in vivo gowth-inhibiting and apptosis-inducing effects on stomach cancer cells. However, we think that at least animal experiments are necessay for evduations.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.40-54
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• 2017

The mound grave of Korean traditional funeral culture is a unique habitat which is a Zoysiagrass lawn being sustainable in proper management. We phytosociologically described an unusual Zoysiagrass vegetation with Gueldenstaedtia verna by the Zürich-Montpellier School's method and analyzed eco-floristic characteristics. A new association, Gueldenstaedtio-Zoysietum japonicae ass. nov. hoc loco, was identified and subdivided into festucetosum ovinae, typicum, and trifolietosum repensae. The subassociations were distinguished by the difference in species composition resulting from site accessibility and lawn management method. The association was assigned as not only a regional but also a locally-limited vegetation type, which distributes on a particular microhabitat with strong continentality in the Daegu regional subdistrict of Bioclimatological division. The Zoysiagrass vegetation of Korea was considered as a continental type apparently different from the oceanic type of Zoysion japonicae (Miscanthetea sinensis, Caricetalia nervatae). Mound graves in Korea should be acknowledged as a meaningful habitat for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity and phytocoenosen, despite being a secondary grassland of Gueldenstaedtio-Zoysietum japonicae.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.238-248
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• 2010

We performed field investigations at six stations in Buk Stream of Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea, from May to September 2009 to understand the stream's fish fauna and community structure. In the survey, 31 species belonging to 20 families were collected. Dominant species by number was Zacoo koreanus (30.0%), and subdominant species were Pungitius kaibarae (9.4%) and Rhynchocypris steindachneri (9.3%). In biomass, the dominant species was Tribolodon hakonensis (35.5%), and subdominant species were Z. koreanus (22.5%) and Cobitis pacifica (7.5%). Eight Korean endemic fish species and two endangered species (P. kaibarae and Pungitius sinensis) were collected. In addition, four anadromous fish species (T. hakonensis, Oncorhynchus masou masou, O. keta, Gasterosteus aculeatus) and two amphidromus fish species (Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis and Gymnogobius urotaenia) were observed. Interestingly, we verified the existence of several fish species in Buk Stream where they have not lived before. Those species were previously reported to live only in rivers that run into the western and southern sea of Korea. Five of those species (Zacoo koreanus, Z. platypus, Silurus microdorsalis, Liobagrus andersoni and Coreoperca herzi) were reported in Buk Stream in the 1980s. The other species (Pungtungia herzi, Pseudorasbora parva, Squalidus multimaculatus, Misgurnus mizolepis, Koreocobitis rotundicaudata, Silurus asotus and Odontobutis interrupta) have been introduced since the 1990s.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2001

We created an environmental forest on the basis of ecological design around the incineration plant of Jindo Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd., which is located in Jeongwang-dong, Siheung-si, Kyunggi-do. To get ecological information of this site, physico-chemical properties of soil on salt marsh, which is located close to the syudy site and of forest soil transported from other sites for ecological restoration were analyzed. Texture of salt marsh and transported soils were loam and sandy loam, respectively. pH, organic matter, T-N, available P, and exchangeable K and Na contents of salt marsh and transported forest soils were 6.7 and 5.4, 4.1 and 0.4%, 1.0 and 0.3mg/g, 46.7 and 6.8ppm, 521 and 207ppm, and 3.8 and 0.5mg/g, respectively. Introduced plants were selected among the dominant species of forests and the species composing the potential natural vegetation around the present study site. Those plants were selected again by considering the tolerances to air pollution and to salt, and their availability. Selected trees were Pinus thunbergii, Sophora japonica, Celtis sinensis, Quercus aliena, Q. serrata, Q. dentata, and Q. acutissima. Selected sub-trees were Albizzia julibrissin, Koelreuteria poniculata, and Styrax japonica and shrubs were Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense, R. mucronulatum, Callicarpa japonica, Euonymus alatus, E. japonica, and R. schlippenbachii. On the other hand, introduction of herbs was not considered except for Liriope platyphylla, which was ornamentally planted in one site. Planting bed of mound type was adopted to provide the fine drainage system. Mound was designed to furnish litter, A, B, and C layers simuating the profile of forest soil. Slope of mound was mulched by rice straw of 2cm in thickness to prevent for sliding of litter and soil in cases of strong wind or heavy rain. Height of mound was designed to secure more than 1 m by combining A and B layers. Narrow zones, in which mound with stable slope degree cannot be prepared, was designed to equip the standard soil depth with the introduction of stone for supporting. On the other hand, plants with shallow root system were arranged in some zones, in which satisfactory soil depth cannot be ensured. Plants were arranged in the order of tree, sub-tree, and shrub from center to edge on the mound to make a mature forest of a dome shape in the future. Dispersion of plants was designed to be random pattern rather than clumped one. Problems on creation of the environmental forest by such ecological design were found to be management or inspection by non-specialized project operators and inspecting officers, and regulations for construction without ecological background. Alternative plans to solve such problems were suggested.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.85-93
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• 2007

This study aims to investigate the flora and the vegetation of Dokdo (Dongdo). The vegetation types were investigated by the Z-M school method. A total of 44 vascular plant taxa belonging to 24 families, 41 genera, 36 species, and 11 varieties are recognized in Dongdo, Dokdo. In this study, we confirmed four species, Chenopodium serotinum, Chelidonium majus var. asiaticum, Bromus japonicus, Elymus sibiricus, that had not been previously reported. The biological type of Dokdo was determined to be $Th-D_4-R_5-e(b)$ type. Two main vegetation groups which were established in a rocky area with little soil development and in a developed soil layer, along the development of soil layer have been distinguished and classified into five communities. The former was composed of 1 community; Aster spathulifolius-Sedum oryzifolium community. The latter was composed of 4 communities; Agropyron tsukusiense var. transiens community, Festuca rubra-Artemisia japonica ssp. littoricola community, Miscanthus sinensis community, and Artemisia princeps community.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.131-136
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• 2001

Comparisons of understory vegetation between the burned and the unburned area, and effects of fire on seed germination of Melica onoei, which increased importance value in burned area, were investigated in the black pine forest. The number of plant species in burned and unburned area was 38 and 20, respectively. Melica onoei, indigofera kirilowii, Lespedeza bicolor Miscanthus sinensis were the most abundant species in burned area. A number of seedlings and sprouts of these species were found in burned area. Standing biomass of understory vegetation in burned and unburned area was 88.7g/㎡ and 299.8g/㎡, respectively, in the immediate postfire year. However, standing biomass in burned area increased to 537.2g/㎡ and relative standing biomass of Melica onoei was the highest with a value of 25.7% in the second year Seed germination of Melica onoei in control(C), dark (D), leaf (L), leaf extract (E) treatment was 92.5%, 86.0%, 45.5% and 39.0%, respectively. However, seed germination in L+E and D+L+E treatment was 10.5% and 4.0%, respectively. It is assumed that higher importance value of M. onoei in the postfire vegetation in this study area might be due to the removal of allelopathic inhibitors and the improvement of light condition after fire.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1391-1398
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• 2005

The anti-thrombic properties of the oriental herbal medicine Daejowhan(DJW, 大造丸) which consists of 11 kinds of herbs (indicated as ratio) of Rehmanniae Radix 24%, Hominis Placenta 5%, Testudinis Carapax 9%, Eucommiae Cortex 9%, Asparagi Radix 9%, Phellodendri Cortex 9%, Achyranthis Radix 7%, Liriopis Tuber 7%, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 7%, Ginseng Radix 5% and Schizandrae Fructus 3% were investigated. The water extracts from DJW inhibited Platelet-activating factor(PAF) induced platelet aggregation. DJW was extracted with methanol and further fractionated by ethylacetate. A 70% methanol extract showed a strong inhibition against PAF-induced aggregation in vitro and in vivo assays. The ethylacetate soluble fraction was shown to have inhibitory effect on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in vitro assay. The ethylacetate soluble fraction specially protected against the lethality of PAF, while verapamil did not afford any protection. These results indicate that the water extracts and alcoholic-fractions inhibit the action of PAF in vivo by an antagonistic effect on PAF, so that it may be useful in treating disorders caused by PAF, such as acute allergy, inflammation, asthma, gastrointestinal ulceration, toxic shock and so forth. DJW was investigated regarding its assumed anti-thrombic action on human platelets which was deduced from its ability to suppress Arachidonic acid(AA)-induced aggregation, exocytosis of ATP, and inhibition of Cyclooxygenase(COX) and Thromboxane synthase(TXS) activity. The latter two effects were estimated from the generation of Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and Thromboxane $A_2(TXA_2)$ respectively. Exogenously applied AA ($100{\mu}mol/{\ell}$) provoked a $89\%$ aggregation of platelets, the release of 14 pmol ATP, and the formation of either 225 pg $TXA_2$ or 45 pg $PGE_2$, each parameter being related to 106 platelets. An application of DJW 5 min before AA dose-dependently diminished aggregation, ATP-release and the synthesis of $TXA_2$ and $PGE_2$ with $IC_{50}$ values of 74, 108, 65, $72{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively. The similarity of the $IC_{50}$ values suggest an inhibition of COX by DJW as primary target, thus suppressing the generation of $TXA_2$ which induces aggregation of platelets and exocytosis of ATP by its binding on $TXA_2$-receptors.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2006

Flavanone 3$\beta$-hydroxylase (FHT) is an enzyme acting in the central part of the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. FHT catalyses the hydroxylation of flavanone to dihydroflavonols in the anthocyanin pathway. In this paper we describe the cloning and expression of the genes encoding the flavonoid-biosynthetic enzyme FHT in Gypsophila paniculata L. A heterologous cDHA probe from Dianthus cavophyllus was used to isolate FHT-encoding cDHA clones from Gypsophila paniculata L.. Inspection of the 1471 bp long sequence revealed an open reading frame 1047 bp, including a 190 bp 5' leader region and 288 bp 3' untranslated region. Comparison of the coding region of this FHT cDHA sequence including the sequences of Arabidopsis thaliana, Citrus sinensis, Dianthus caryophyllus, Ipomoea batatas, Matthiola incana, Nierembergia sp, Petunia hybrida, Solanum tuberosum, Vitis vinifera reveals a identity higher than 69% at the nucleotide level. The function of this nucleotide sequences were verified by comparison with amino acid sequences of the amino-terminus and tryptic peptides from purified plant enzyme, by northern blotting with mRHA from wild type and mutant plants, by in vitro expression yielding and enzymatically active hydroxylase, as indicated by the small dihydrokaempferol peak. Genomic southern blot analysis showed the presence of only one gene for FHT in Gypsophila paniculata.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.1181-1187
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• 2003

Hibiscus hamabo, called "Hwang-geun", growing about 3m in height is a deciduous shrub or subtree of Malvaceae. Because the number of these species is very limited in the world, the Ministry of Environment has designated H. hamabo as a preserved plant. The Korea Forest Service also protects it strictly by law since H. hamabo is an out-of-the-way plant and possibly may be exterminated soon in Korea. Investigation for distribution and ecological characteristics of the habitat for H. hamabo was carried out on Soan Island. Two wild H. hamabo were found at the forest edge (equation omitted) along the sea coast located in the southern part of Soan Island and this was the first report in the Korean academic world. These two wild H. hamabos were growing in a naturally inhibited area. The diameters at the base were 12cm and 15cm. The Tree heights were 150cm and 210cm and the number of branches of each wild H. hamabo was 4 and 7. However, the present condition of these plants was not good. Environmental conditions of the naturally inhibited area of H. hamabo were very mild because it is located at the edge of the forest and is always sunny during the daytime since the slope of the inhibited area is facing South. The ground drained very well since the soil was made of gravels and sand. Because the percent of vegetation of the subtree layer where H. hamabo was growing was 40%, the cover degree and sociability of flex crenata trees and Eurya japonica were found to be high. In the naturally inhibited area of H. hamabo, a dominant value of Rubus parvifolius in the lower part of the herb layer was very high and many plants in Compositae, such as Artemisia princeps var. orientalis and Erigeron annuus, were also present. A dominant value of liana, such as Vitis thunbergii var. sinuata, Rosa multiflora, Clematis terniflora and Hedera rhombea, and Gramineae plants that rhizomes were well developed and aggressively propagated, such as Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens, Phragmites communis, Spodiopogon cotulifer and Oplismenus undulatifolius which were surveyed as high, too. These results imply that H. hamabo might be exterminated soon through a natural selection if the proper management of the naturally inhibited area of H. hamabo is not conducted continually.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.59-59
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• 2019

본 연구는 몇 가지 광량 조건하에서 자생 동백나무속 상록활엽 목본 2종의 생육 및 엽록소 형광 반응을 조사함으로써 실내 도입가능 여부를 판단하고자 수행되었다. 연구재료는 2년생 차나무[Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] 삽목묘와 3년생 동백나무(C. japonica L.) 실생묘를 사용하였다. 실내 광환경의 사전조사를 토대로 광량을 10, 50, 100 및 200 PPFD (${\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$)로 달리하였으며, 실험기간 동안 광 주기(12/12 h), 온도($25{\pm}1^{\circ}C$) 및 습도($55{\pm}3%$)를 통일하였다. 총 8주간 재배하였으며, 유리온실에서 동일기간 동안 재배중인 식물을 대조구로 비교하였다. 연구의 결과, 차나무는 50 PPFD 이상의 조건에서 초장, 줄기직경, 엽수 및 엽장 등의 생육이 대조구와 유사한 수준이었다. 그러나 10 PPFD에서는 모든 식물체의 잎이 말리거나 떨어지는 등의 관상가치가 저하되었으며, 엽록소 함량은 유의적으로 광량에 반비례하는 경향을 보였다. 엽록소 형광 반응은 100, 200 PPFD의 광량에서 모든 조사 항목이 대조구와 유사하였다. 동백나무는 50 PPFD에서 25%의 고사율이 나타냈다. 100 또는 200 PPFD에서 전반적인 생육이 대조구와 유사하거나 우수하였으며, 엽폭과 SPAD는 광량에 관계없이 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 또한 100, 200 PPFD의 엽록소 형광 반응은 모든 조사 항목에서 대조구와 비슷하거나 우수한 결과를 보였다.