• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.286-290
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• 2005

Ascorbate peroxidase (APX) plays a crucial role in the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. APX activity is maintained significantly higher in the paraquat­treated leaves of the paraquat-tolerant Rehmannia glutinos. This study was conducted to understand structural and regulatory characteristics of APX gene in R. glutinosa. A putative APX cDNA clone (RgAPX1) was isolated from a leaf cDNA library using a partially sequenced expressed sequence tag clone. RgAPX1 is consisted of 1148 bp nucleotides and contains an open reading frame encoding a 250 amino acid-long polypeptide. Deduced RgAPX1 amino acid sequence shares higher sequence similarity to cytosolic APXs. RgAPX1. expression was higher in the leaf than in the flower and root. Southern blot result indicates the presence of one or two RgAPX1-related genes in R. glutinosa genome. RgAPX1 transcription was affected differentially by various stresses and phytohormone. The results indicate that RgAPXl is constitutively expressed in most tissues and its expression is modulated for the immediate and efficient detoxification of $H_2O_2$ under normal and stress conditions.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.270-275
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• 2005

Superoxide dismutases (SOD) are metalloenzymes that convert $O_2^-\;to\;H_2O_2$. Rehmannia glutinosa is highly tolerant to paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The primary objective of this study was to characterize regulation of SOD gene expression in R. glutinosa in response to oxidative stresses and hormones. A full-length putative SOD clone (RgCu-ZnSOD1) was isolated from the leaf cDNA library of R. glutinosa using an expressed sequence tag clone as a probe. RgCu-ZnSOD1 cDNA is 777 bp in length and contains an open reading frame for a polypeptide consisted of 152 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence of the clone shows highest sequence similarity to the cytosolic Cu-ZnSODs. The two to three major bands with several minor ones on the Southern blots indicate that RgCu-ZnSOD1 is a member of a small multi-gene family. RgCuZnSOD1 mRNA was constitutively expressed in the leaf, flower and root. The expression of RgCu-ZnSOD1 mRNA was increased about 20% by wounding and paraquat, but decreased over 50% by ethylene and $GA_3$. This result indicates that the RgCu-ZnSOD1 expression is regulated differentially by different stresses and phytohormones at the transcription level. The RgCu-ZnSOD1 sequence and information on its regulation will be useful in investigating the role of SOD in the paraquat tolerance of R. glutinosa.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2007

We performed the present study to investigate whether Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch (RG) extracts (RGX) and Eleutherococcus senticosus Max (ES) extracts (ESX) play any roles in bone metabolism. We examined cellular activities of bone cells by measurement of osteoblastic cell viability, osteoprotegerin (OPG) secretion from osteoblasts, osteoclastogenesis, and osteoclastic activity. There is no cytotoxicity from osteoblasts after treatment with RGX and ESX. The secretion of OPG from the osteoblasts showed marked increases after treatment with RGX and ESX. In addition, RGX and ESX treatment decreased the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells and the resorption areas. RGX and ESX, when mixed at optimal ratios, induced synergic effects, in vitro. OPB, which showed synergic effects, is the extract of natural ingredients RG and ES mixed at a raw material weight ratio of 4 : 1. It can be suspected that extracts of RG and ES mixtures contains active ingredients involved in bone tissue metabolism and may be effective in improving osteoporosis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.130-141
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• 2000

The dried roots of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) have been used in the traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes, fever and dysuria, etc. In order to investigate the quality evaluation of the dried roots of RG, we conducted the physico-chemical and biological evaluation method. The amount of catalpol from commercial samples is very diverse about $0.00{\sim}3.89%$ by using HPLC method, because it is easily decomposed by processing of RG. So, we should try to identify the correlation with the contents of catalpol and biological activities of RG. We chose 3 samples which were a wide difference of catalpol contents between each sample (Sample-I; 3.4%, Sample-II; 2.8%, Sample-III; 0.05%). Sample-I and Sample-II were found to be more effective than Sample-III on the DPPH free radical scavenging effect and inhibitory effect on $H_2O_2-catalyzed$ lipid peroxidation in rat liver in vitro. And, Sample-I and Sample-II exhibited more significant effects than Sample-III on accelerating actions of the small and large intestinal transport, and diuretic action in mice. So, it is suggested that the quantitative determination of catalpol should be required for the tandardization of the dried roots of RG.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.482-489
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• 2018

Background: This study was carried out to determine the physicochemical components of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) fermented with Rhizopus delemar. Methods and Results: Physicochemical components such as changes in moisture content, pH value, total acidity, amount of reducing sugars as well as quantity of free sugars, free amino acids, and catalpol were investigated. Result showed that, the moisture content ranged from 64.26 to 65.51%. The pH and total acidity of the fermented RG decreased significantly during fermentation. The reducing sugar content ranged from 0.10 to 1.34%. The most abundant main free sugars were identified as raffinose, xylose, glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The sucrose content in 80% ethanol and in water extracts increased during RG fermentation. In total, 26 free amino acids were detected, including seven essential amino acids. In addition, the quantity of free amino acids decreased significantly during fermentation. Finally, the catalpol content of the fermented RG was highest on the $2^{nd}$ day of fermentation at 2,028.67 mg/ 100 g. Conclusions: These results indicated that fermentation of Rhizopus delemar could be used to enhance biological activity, and that fermented RG could be used as a functional material and as an edible resource in food and functional materials industries.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2017

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by recurrent and unpredictable seizures that are usually controlled with antiepileptic/anticonvulsive drugs. However, most antiepileptic drugs produce various side effects such as tolerance and sedation. Thus, there is a growing interest for alternative anticonvulsive drugs, preferably from natural or herbal sources. In this study, we evaluated the anticonvulsive effects of Rehmannia glutinosa (RG). The anticonvulsive effect of RG extract was evaluated using electroshock- and chemical-induced seizure tests in mice. To identify its probable mechanism of action, the effects of RG extract on $Cl^-$ influx was measured in vitro. We found that RG extract has anticonvulsive effects against electroshock-induced seizures, as indicated by an increased seizure threshold in mice. The RG extract also decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by the GABAergic antagonist, pentylenetetrazole. These results suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of RG extract are mediated through a GABAergic mechanism. In support of this mechanism, our in vitro test showed that RG extract increases intracellular $Cl^-$ influx. Furthermore, RG extract did not show sedative and/or muscle relaxant effects in the open-field and rota-rod tests. Altogether, these results confirm that RG extract could be a herbal anticonvulsant and a potential alternative for clinical use.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2020

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and is usually managed using currently available antiepileptic drugs, which result in adverse effects and are ineffective in approximately 20-25% of patients. Thus, there is growing interest in the development of new antiepileptic drugs with fewer side effects. In a previous study, we showed that a Rehmannia glutinosa (RG) water extract has protective effects against electroshock- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures, with fewer side effects. In this study, the objective was to identify the RG components that are responsible for its anticonvulsant effects. Initially, a number of RG components (aucubin, acteoside, catalpol, and mannitol) were screened, and the anticonvulsant effects of different doses of catalpol, mannitol, and their combination on electroshock- and chemically (PTZ or strychnine)-induced seizures in mice, were further assessed. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor binding assay and electroencephalography (EEG) analysis were conducted to identify the potential underlying drug mechanism. Additionally, treated mice were tested using open-field and rotarod tests. Catalpol, mannitol, and their combination increased threshold against electroshock-induced seizures, and decreased the percentage of seizure responses induced by PTZ, a GABA antagonist. GABA receptor binding assay results revealed that catalpol and mannitol are associated with GABA receptor activity, and EEG analysis provided evidence that catalpol and mannitol have anticonvulsant effects against PTZ-induced seizures. In summary, our results indicate that catalpol and mannitol have anticonvulsant properties, and may mediate the protective effects of RG against seizures.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.33-43
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• 2013

Objectives: Osteoporosis is characterized by bone loss and morbidity with osteoporotic fracture. In this study, the author aimed to evaluate the effect of dried roots of Rehmannia glutinosa extract (RGE) on osteoblast proliferation in murine calvarial cells. Methods: The osteoblast separated from murine calvariae was cultivated for 6 days and evaluated the cell function. After the addition of RGE on the culture medium, we determined the effect of RGE on the cell viability, cell proliferation, protein synthesis, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis and calcified nodule formation of the cultivated osteoblast. Results: The results were summarized as follows. 1. RGE did not change the survival rate of rat calvarial osteoblast. 2. RGE increased the proliferation of rat calvarial osteoblast. 3. RGE increased ALP activity of rat calvarial osteoblast., 4. RGE slightly affected protein synthesis of rat calvarial osteoblast. 5. RGE increased collagen synthesis of rat calvarial osteoblast. 6. RGE slightly affected calcified nodule formation of rat calvarial osteoblast. Conclusions: From these results, it is concluded that RG might improve the osteoporosis resulted from augmentation of osteoblast proliferation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.49-54
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• 2012

Objective : We recently reported that OMC-2010 has an immuno-modulatory effects via inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-5. However, we did not find out which constituents play an important role in immuno-modulatory effect of OMC-2010. Thus, this study was performed to estimate the effects of constituents of OMC-2010 on cytokine production in mouse spleen cells, then ultimately reach to find out effective constituents regulating splenic cytokine production. Methods : Mouse spleen cells were pre-treated with water and ethanol extract of constituents of OMC-2010 such as Rehmannia glutinosa (RG), Pinellia ternata (PT), Citrus unshiu Markovich (CUM), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GU), Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), Schisandra chinensis (SC). After 1 h, the cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 ${\mu}g/ml$) for 48 h. Then the cells were harvested for real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to detect cytokine productions. Results : The water extract of RG extract significantly inhibited the LPS-induced inTNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-5 mRNA expressions, but the water extract of PT, CUM, GU, PG, and SC did not. The ethanol extract of RG, PT, and SC significantly inhibited the LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-5 mRNA expressions, but the ethanol extract of CUM, GU, and PG did not. Conclusions : Theses results could suggest that the water extract of RG and the ethanol extract of RG, PT, and SC inhibited the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-5, which means that the possible candidate of OMC-2010 water extract's action might be RG, and ethanol extract's action might be RG, PR, and SC.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.439-445
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• 1998

The antimutagenic activity of the water extract of Rehmannia glutinosa Liboschitz (RG) on the mutagenicity induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), mitomycin C (MMC), $aflatoxin\;B_1\;(AFB_1)$ and benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] were studied using the SOS Chromotest with Escherichia coli PQ37. The water extract of RG was separated into methanol soluble and methanol insoluble parts. The methanol soluble part exhibited higher inhibition effects than the methanol insoluble part against the mutagenic activities of five mutagens. Step-wise fractionation of methanol soluble part was done using methanol, ethyl acetate and water. Among these fractions, water fraction had the strongest inhibitory effects against the mutagenenicity of five model mutagens, showing $4.5{\sim}29.5%$ inhibition, but the $AFB_1$ mutagenic potency was increased slightly by ethyl acetate fraction. The water fraction was further partitioned by sephadex LH-20 column chromtography, and 9 subfractions were obtained. The fraction III showed the strongest inhibitory effects with dose response against the mutagenic activities induced by all the tested chemical mutagens. The inhibition rates of fraction III at concentration of $400\;{\mu}g/assay$ were 29%, 35%, 38%, 25% and 24% against 4-NQO, MNNG, MMC, AFBl and B(a)P, respectively. The fraction III also exhibited a strong bio-an-timutagenicity against 4-NQO and $AFB_1$ by showing more than 40% inhibition.