• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2009

In the present study, ultrastructural features of the mesophyll tissue have been investigated in Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM)-performing succulent Orostachys. A large central vacuole and numerous small vacuoles in the peripheral cytoplasm were characterized at the subcellular level in both developing and mature mesophyll cells. The most notable feature was the invagination of vacuolar membranes into the secondary vacuoles or multivesicular bodies. In many cases, tens of single, membrane-bound secondary vacuoles of various sizes were found to be formed within the central vacuole. multivesicular bodies containing numerous small vesicles were also distributed in the cytoplasm but were better developed within the central vacuole. Occasionally, electron-dense prevacuolar compartments, directly attached to structures appearing to be small vacuoles, were also detected in the cytoplasm. One or more huge central vacuoles were frequently observed in cells undergoing differentiation and maturation. Consistent with the known occurrence of morphologically distinct vacuoles within different tissues, two types of vacuoles, one representing lytic vacuoles and the other, most likely protein storage vacuoles, were noted frequently within Orostachys mesophyll. The two types coexisted in mature vegetative cells but did not merge during the study. Nevertheless, the coexistence of two distinct vacuole types in maturing cells implies the presence of more than one mechanism for vacuolar solute sorting in these species. The vacuolar membrane is known to be unique among the intracellular compartments for having different channels and/or pumps to maintain its function. In CAM plants, the vacuole is a very important organelle that regulates malic acid diurnal fluctuation to a large extent. The membrane invagination seen in Orostachys mesophyll likely plays a significant role in survival under the physiological drought conditions in which these Orostachys occur; by increasing to such a large vacuolar volume, the mesophyll cells are able to retain enormous amounts of acid when needed. Furthermore, the mesophyll cells are able to attain their large sizes with less energy expenditure in order to regulate the large degree of diurnal fluctuation of organic acid that occurs within the vacuoles of Orostachys.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2017

This study was designed to extracts from Orostachys japonicas were investigated to assess anti-oxidation and biological activity. Phenolic content was maximum of $10.56{\pm}0.32mg/g$ when extracted with 50% ethanol. In anti-oxidative activity, Orostachys japonicus electric donating activity was higher than 80% in both water and ethanol extract at $200{\mu}g/mL$. 2,2'-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation decolorization of both water and ethanol extract was higher than 95.0% but antioxidant protection factor of water extract was higher than ethanol extract. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance of ethanol extract was higher than water extract. For antihypertensive effect determination, angiotesin converting enzyme of water and ethanol extract showed 6.67 and 7.98% each at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Ethanol extract of $200{\mu}g/mL$ showed xanthin oxidase inhibitory effect of 60.85% but was not shown with water extract. Orostachys japonicus ethanol extract showed higher tyrosinase inhibitory activity of 64.59% which was higher than kojic acid of control indicating higher whitening effect. In anti-wrinkle effect, ethanol extract at $50-200{\mu}g/mL$ showed collagenase inhibitory effect of 75.95-85.02% which was higher than 68.91-76.64% of epigallocatechin-gallate of control group. 50% ethanol extract showed higher elastase inhibitory activity than water extract. Therefore, Orostachys japonicus extracts were identified to have high anti-wrinkle effect. These results identify anti-oxidative activity, gout prevention, whitening effect, and anti-wrinkle effect which indicate the possibility as a source for functional material.

• 한국전자현미경학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1996.05a
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• pp.32-33
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• 1996

• 한국전자현미경학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2000.05a
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• pp.26-26
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• 2000

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.05a
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• pp.74-75
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• 2000

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.10a
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• pp.250-250
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• 2017

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2002.11b
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• pp.78-78
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• 2002

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.204.1-204.1
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• 2001

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.301-307
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• 2011

The hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of two dietary dosages (0.1% and 0.5%) of water and 80% ethanol extracts from hot-air dried Orostachys japonicus A. Berger were evaluated in the serum and organ tissues of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The STZ-induced diabetic groups supplemented with the O. japonicus extracts showed significantly higher body weight compared to a diabetic control group at the end of experiment. The extracts exhibited substantial hypoglycemic effects by significant reductions of fasting blood glucose levels at all time points tested compared to the initial stage before treatment of the extracts. Declines of serum and hepatic triglyceride levels were greater than declines of total cholesterol in the groups treated with the 0.5% O. japonicus extract (DBW2 and DBE2) when compared to the DBC group. Hepatic glycogen content was higher in the groups treated with O. japonicus extract, while lipid peroxide content was decreased in these treated groups compared to the DBC group. Hepatic antioxidant activity was significantly increased in the groups supplemented with the O. japonicus ethanol extract The hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects of the O. japonicus ethanol extract were significantly greater than the effects of the water extract. Based on this study, it seems that O. japonicus ethanol extract, due to its higher phenolic and flavonoid components than the water extract, may control blood glucose and alleviate hyperlipidemia in diabetes.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.310-315
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• 2020

Orostachys japonicus (O. japonicus) is known as a medicinal plant for the treatment of various symptoms. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of the hexane fraction from O. japonicus (OJH) on the LPS-stimulated response in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. This study was conducted to confirm the effect of cell cytotoxicity and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in OJH-treated macrophage cells. Additionally, pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors were determined using RT-PCR and western blotting assay. OJH showed no change in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and exhibited reduced ROS levels in LPS-induced inflammatory cells. Moreover, OJH significantly suppressed the mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IP-10. Furthermore, OJH effectively inhibited the protein levels of AP-1 (p-c-Jun and p-c-Fos) and p-IRF3 in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that OJH exhibits strong anti-inflammatory activities via regulation of inflammatory factors.