• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.674-683
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• 2012

A new strain, SD12, was isolated from tannery waste polluted soil and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the basis of phenotypic traits and by comparison of 16S rRNA sequences. This bacterium exhibited broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi. The strain produced phosphatases, cellulases, proteases, pectinases, and HCN and also retained its ability to produce hydroxamate-type siderophore. A bioactive metabolite was isolated from P. aeruginosa SD12 and was characterized as 1-hydroxyphenazine ((1-OH-PHZ) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral analysis. The strain was used as a biocontrol agent against root rot and wilt disease of pyrethrum caused by Rhizoctonia solani. The stain is also reported to increase the growth and biomass of Plantago ovata. The purified compound, 1-hydroxyphenazine, also showed broad-spectrum antagonistic activity towards a range of phytopathogenic fungi, which is the first report of its kind.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 2010

Decamer RAPD primers were tested on dioeceious and hermaphrodite plants of Commiphora wightii to identify sex-specific molecular markers. Sixty different random decamer primers were screened out of which only three primers were found to be associated with sex expression. A ~1,280-bp fragment from the primer OPN06 was found to be present in all the female individuals. Another primer OPN 16 produced a unique ~400-bp amplification product in only hermaphrodite individuals. The third marker, OPA20 amplified a ~1,140-bp fragment from female and hermaphrodite DNAs, but failed to do so from the male plant DNAs.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2011

The biotransformation potential of cell suspension cultures generated from Withania somnifera leaf was investigated, using withanolides, i.e. withanolide A, withaferin A, and withanone as precursor substrates. Interestingly, the cell suspension cultures showed inter-conversion of withanolides, as well converted to some unknown compounds, released to the culture media. The bio-catalyzed withanolide was detected and quantified by TLC and HPLC, respectively. There is noticeable conversion of withanolide A to withanone, and vice versa though at a lower level. The type of reaction of this biotransformation appears to be substitution of 20-OH group to 17-OH in withanolide A. In this paper, we present for the first time the possibility of biotransformation by inter-conversion of withanolides of pharmacological importance through cell suspension culture of W. somnifera. The possible role of putative cytochrome $P_{450}$ hydroxylases is implicated in the conversion.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2018

Background: The study was carried out to assess the genetic variability present in ashwagandha and to examine the nature of associations of various traits to the root yield of the plant. Methods: Fifty-three diverse genetic stocks of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) were evaluated for 14 quantitative characteristics. Analysis of variance, correlation, and path coefficient analysis were performed using the mean data of 2 years. Results: Analysis of variance revealed that the genotypes differed significantly for all characteristics studied. High heritability in conjunction with high genetic advance was observed for fresh root weight, 12 deoxywithastramonolide in roots, and plant height, which indicated that selection could be effective for these traits. Dry root weight has a tight linkage with plant height and fresh root weight. Further, in path coefficient analysis, fresh root weight, total alkaloid (%) in leaves, and 12 deoxywithastramonolide (%) in roots had the highest positive direct effect on dry root weight. Conclusion: Therefore, these characteristics can be exploited to improve dry root weight in ashwagandha genotypes and there is also scope for the selection of promising and specific chemotypes (based on the alkaloid content) from the present germplasm.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.279-282
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• 1998

This expriment was carried out to get basic information on composition and yield of aromatic constituents in leaves of four medicinal plants, Angelica tenuissima, Chrysanthemum zawadskii. ssp. latilobum, Artemisia iwayomogi and Artemisia capillaris. Volatile aromatic constituents, 28 compounds in Angelica tenuissima were identified and 19 compounds were indentified in Chrysanthemum zawadskii ssp. latilobum. Volatile aromatic constituents, 23 compounds in Artemisia iwayomogi and Artemisia capillaris were identified. Major volatile aromatic consitiuents analyzed by GC/MS in four plants were $\alpha$-pinene, camphene, sabinene, cis-2-hexanol, and camphor etc. Content of essential oils in Angelica tenuissima, Chrysanthemum zawadskii ssp. latilobum, Artemisia iwayomogi and Artemisia capillaris were 0.014, 0.275, 0.785, and 0.452%, respectively. As a result, it was suggested that a medicinal plant, Artemisia iwayomogi, was worthy of using as a useful material of perfume.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.76-82
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• 2001

The pharmacological activities of the acetonitrile (MeCN), hexane extracts and isolated pure terpenoidal compound Lupeol from the leaves of Teclea nobilis, Delile (TN), on inflammation induced by carrageenan an implantation of cotton pellets in rats; the nociceptive response using writhing and tail flick tests and the antipyretic activity in yeast-induced fever were examined in mice. Oral administration of TN extracts at doses of 150 and 300 mg/ks and lupeol 5 and 10 mg/kg showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extracts of TN and lupeol significantly decreased the number of contractions and stretchings induced by acetic acid and heat-induced pain in mice. The antipyretic effect of extracts and lupeol was also found to be significant. The behavioral observation of animals showed that the hexane extract and lupeol caused CNS depressant activity and did not produce any toxic or lethal effects in animals at various dose levels. The results suggest that the Teclea nobilis extracts and lupeol possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.93-112
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• 2008

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are important sources for plant secondary metabolites, which are important for human healthcare. Improvement of the yield and quality of these natural plant products through conventional breeding is still a challenge. However, recent advances in plant genomics research has generated knowledge leading to a better understanding of the complex genetics and biochemistry involved in biosynthesis of these plant secondary metabolites. This genomics research also concerned identification and isolation of genes involved in different steps of a number of metabolic pathways. Progress has also been made in the development of functional genomics resources (EST databases and micro-arrays) in several medicinal plant species, which offer new opportunities for improvement of genotypes using perfect markers or genetic transformation. This review article presents an overview of the recent developments and future possibilities in genetics and genomics of MAP species including use of transgenic approach for their improvement.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.48
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• pp.41-48
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• 2003

The number of natural products obtained from plants has now reached over 100,000 and new chemical compounds are being discovered ever year. Medicinal and Aromatic plants and their extracts have been used for centuries to relieve pain, aid healing, kill bacteria and insects are important as the antifungal and anti-herbivore agents with further compounds being involved in the symbiotic associations. Although their functions in plants have not been fully established, it is Known that some substances have growth regulatory properties while others are involved in pollination and seed dispersal. The complex nature of these chemicals are usually produced in various types of secretory structures which is an important character of a plant family and also influenced and controlled by genetic and ecological factors. Detailed anatomical description of these structures ave relevant to the market value of the plants, the verification of authenticity of a given species and for the detection of substitution or adulteration. Volatile oils are used for their therapeutic action for flavoring of lemon, in perfumery of rose or as starting materials for the synthesis of other compounds of turpentine. For therapeutic purposes they are administered as inhalations of eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, as gargles and mouthwashes of thymol and transdermally many essential oils including those of lavender, etc. With these current trend for using volatile components in essential oil will be increasing in the future in Korea and in the world as well.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.110-114
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• 2002

The repellent activity of methanol extracts from 8 aromatic medicinal plant species and a steam distillate against blood-starved Aedes aegypti (L.) females was laboratory examined by skin test and compared with that of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (deet). Reponeses varied according to Plant species. At a dose of $0.1mg/\textrm{cm}^2$, potent repellency against adult mosquitoes was obtained with extracts of Cinnamomum camphora (94.1 %) Cinnamomum cassia bark (91.2%), Eugenia caryophyllata flower bud (72.2%), and Tilia amurensis (69.4%). Repellent activity of these plant extracts was comparable to that of deet (83.4%). The plants described merit further study as potential mosquito-repellent agents.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.299-304
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• 1998

This experiment was conducted to determine the essential oil content and the aromatic constituents in the leaves of Saururus chinensis Baill, Angelica dahurica Fischer and Cnidium officinale Makino. Volatile aromatic compounds in three aromatic medicinal plants were extracted with steam distillation extraction method and identified by GC/MS. Major aromatic compounds in Saururus chinensis Baill were 1,6-octadien-3-ol, 1, 3-benzodioxole, myristicin, ${\alpha}-cadinol$ and patchouene. Major aromatic compounds in Angelica dahurica Fischer were terpinolene, 3-carene, ${\beta}-caryophyllene$, ${\beta}-cubebene$, butylated hydroxy toluene, caryophyllene oxide, piperonal, and in Cnidium officinale Makino were aristolene, benzocycloheptene, ylangene, valencene, ${\beta}-cedrene$, satene, and menthofuran. Essential oil content was highest in Saururus chinensis plant.