• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2009

In the present study, the anti-cancer activity of 80% ethanol extracts from 120 kinds of medicinal herbs and native plants were investigated. Among them, the barks of Melia azedarach L. var. japonica Makino showed the highest cytotoxicity in HCT-15 human colon cancer cell. With this result, we carried out hollow fiber (HF) assay and anti-metastasis study to confirm the anti-cancer effects of M. azedarach var. japonica. In MTT assay, M. azedarach var. japonica.inhibited the proliferation of HCT-15 cells in dose-dependent manner. HF assay was carried out using A549 human adenocarcinoma cell, HCT-15 and SK-Hep1 human liver cancer cell via intraperitoneal (IP) and subcutaneous (SC) site. As a results, SK-Hep1 implanted in IP site showed the highest cytotoxicity. The result from metastatic model using B16/BL6 mouse corresponded to that of HF assay. These results suggest that the ethanol extract from M. azedarach var. japonica. might have a potent anti-cancer activity and advanced study is needed for the development of novel natural anti-cancer drug.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2012

In this study, the 4-week oral toxicity and anti-cancer activity of the hexane layer of Melia azedarach L. var. japonica Makino's bark extract were investigated. We carried out a hollow fiber (HF) assay and 28-day repeated toxicity study to confirm the anti-cancer effect and safety of the hexane layer. The HF assay was carried out using an A549 human adenocarcinoma cell via intraperitoneal (IP) site with or without cisplatin. In the result, the 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer with 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin treated group, showed the highest cytotoxicity aginst A549 carcinoma cells. For the 28-day repeated toxicity study, 6 groups of 10 male and female mice were given by gavage 200, 100, or 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer with or without 4 mg/kg b.w of cisplatin against body weight, and were then sacrificed for blood and tissue sampling. The subacute oral toxicity study in mice with doses of 200, 100, and 50 mg/kg b.w hexane layer showed no significant changes in body weight gain and general behavior. The cisplatin-treated group significantly decreased in body weight compared to the control group but regained weight with 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w of hexane layer. The biochemical analysis showed significant increase in several parameters (ALT, total billirubin, AST, creatinine, and BUN) in cisplatin-treated groups. However, in the group given a co-treatment of hexane layer (200 mg/kg b.w), levels of these parameters decreased. In hematological analysis, cisplatin induced the reduction of WBCs and neutrophils but co-treatment with hexane layer (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w) improved these toxicities caused by cisplatin. The histological profile of the livers showed eosinophilic cell foci in central vein and portal triad in cisplatin treated mice. These results show that hexane layer might have an anti-cancer activity and could improve the toxicity of cisplatin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.270-274
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• 2011

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis has markedly increased in recent years but the mechanism has not been clearly revealed. Recent study exhibited that atopic dermatitis was exacerbated by the increase of proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)-2 expression, which activated $I{\kappa}B$ kinase --> nuclear factor kappa B. Therefore, we determined whether the allergens of dust mites induced the expression of PAR-2, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, adehision molecule), interleukins (IL)-6 in HaCaT keratocytes and which herbal 1,3-butylene glycol extracts (Mori Cortex Radicis, Sanguisorba officinalis L., Arctium lappa Linne, Torilis japonica DC, Melia azedarach Linne var. japoinca Makino) suppressed their expression. Dust mite allergen increased PAR-2, ICAM-1 and IL-6 expression in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner up to $3{\mu}g/mL$ but their expression reached the plateau over the dosages. The allergen ($3{\mu}g/mL$) also secreted more cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 into the media. Among five different herbal extracts ($50{\mu}g/mL$), Mori Cortex Radicis and Sanguisorba officinalis L. suppressed the PAR-2, ICAM-1 and IL-6 expression in HaCaT cells, which was activated by dust mite allergen ($3{\mu}g/mL$) and they also reduced the secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 into the media. In conclusion, Mori Cortex Radicis and Sanguisorba officinalis L. can effectively reduce the prevalence and progression of atopic dermatitis by dute mite allergen.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.209-221
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• 2010

This study was carried out to apply basic data of the native trees for planting in the salinity area by the vegetation ecological selection. Which focused on native woody species to the tolerances of saline soil and salt spray drift on the coastal forests in the West-Sea, Korea. The soil salinity($EC_{1:5}$) was 0.11dS$m^{-1}$, ranging of 0.00dS$m^{-1}$~0.68dS$m^{-1}$. The soil salinity was gradually decreasing from Belt I to Belt Ⅳ except the Belt I in some coastal windbreaks. The order of decreasing soil salinity was Belt I>Belt II>Belt III>Belt Ⅳ and the soil salinity was $EC_{1:5}$ 0.14dS$m^{-1}$, 0.11dS$m^{-1}$, 0.10dS$m^{-1}$, and 0.08dS$m^{-1}$, respectively. The total 181 taxa consisted of 52 families, 104 genus, 157 species, and 24 varieties were recorded as the trees tolerating to both soil salinity and salt spray drift. The trees emerged in the highest degree of salinity($EC_{1:5}$ 0.51dS$m^{-1}$) was nothing but appearanced Pinus thunbergii Parl., Smilax china L., Quercus dentata Thunb. ex Murray, Quercus serrata Thunb. ex Murray and so on at the level of singular and ideal value. The emerged trees in the high salinity of $EC_{1:5}$0.41dS$m^{-1}$~0.50dS$m^{-1}$ were Albizia kalkora Prain, Melia azedarach L., Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merr. var. scandens These species were trees of tolerance to saline soil. The emerged woody species in all belts were Pinus rigida Mill., Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc., Pinus thunbergii Parl., Juniperus rigida Siebold & Zucc. and so on. The woody species with high important value(I.V.) were Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc., Pinus thunbergii Parl., Pseudosasa japonica (Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud.) Makino, Smilax china L., Platycarya strobilacea Siebold & Zucc. var. strobilacea for. strobilacea and so on, which can be classified as highly tolerant native trees to salt spray drift.