• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.68-75
• /
• 2012

Two unrecorded species (Sceptridium atrovirens and S. microphyllum), previously known only in Japan, were found in a forest in Dosun-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do for the first time in Korea. S. atrovirens was distinguished from other related species of the genus Sceptridium in Korea by having the thickest rhizome and root, irregularly crenulate or roughly serrate, and a shorter sporophore blade. The local name was newly given as 'Sup-go-sa-ri-sam' for the species, denoting the habitat. S. microphyllum was distinguished by having the smallest plant height, compact sterile blades, and partly lateritious tropophyll in winter. The local name was newly given as 'Aegi-go-sa-ri-sam' for species, meaning of a small size. To reveal the interspecific relationships within the genus Sceptridium in Korea, cladistic analysis was performed for 27 morphological characteristics. The morphological characteristics and illustrations of the two taxa, as well as photographs at the habitat, are provided with a taxonomic key to the species of Sceptridium in Korea.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.1016-1020
• /
• 2007

In this study, dioscin was isolated from Dioscoreae Rhizoma (DR), which is the rhizome of Dioscorea batatas DECNE. that inhabits broad areas of Korea and Japan. To determine whether dioscin induced growth hormone (GH) release, we evaluated its induction effects on GH release both in vitro and in vivo. The 70% methanol extract of DR, and its n-hexane and n-BuOH fractions, induced rat GH (rGH) release in rat pituitary cells 10-fold, 8-fold, and 5-fold higher than the control ($0.36{\pm}0.02 nM$), respectively (p < 0.05 each). The dioscin-induced rGH release of the cells was concentration-dependent and its $ED_{50}$ was $1.14{\times}10^{-5} M$. Within 90 minutes after intravenous administration of $10{\mu}g$/kg (p < 0.05 at $t_{max}$), dioscin caused the greatest increase in rGH concentration ($C_{max}$) in the rat plasma ($34.16{\pm}14.10 ng/ml$) (n = 4), which was twice as high as the control group ($12.88{\pm}3.29 ng/ml$) (n = 27).

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.351-357
• /
• 2009

Phytoestrogens are the natural compounds isolated from plants, which are structurally similar to animal estrogen, $17{\beta}$-estradiol. Tectoridin, a major isoflavone isolated from the rhizome of Belamcanda chinensis. Tectoridin is known as a phytoestrogen, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying its estrogenic effect are remained unclear. In this study we investigated the estrogenic signaling triggered by tectoridin as compared to a famous phytoestrogen, genistein in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Tectoridin scarcely binds to ER ${\alpha}$ as compared to $17{\beta}$-estradiol and genistein. Despite poor binding to ER ${\alpha}$, tectoridin induced potent estrogenic effects, namely recovery of the population of cells in the S-phase after serum starvation, transactivation of the estrogen response element, and induction of MCF-7 cell proliferation. The tectoridin-induced estrogenic effect was severely abrogated by treatment with U0126, a specific MEK1/2 inhibitor. Tectoridin promoted phosphorylation of ERK1/2, but did not affect phosphorylation of ER ${\alpha}$ at $Ser^{118}$. It also increased cellular accumulation of cAMP, a hallmark of GPR30-mediated estrogen signaling. These data imply that tectoridin exerts its estrogenic effect mainly via the GPR30 and ERK-mediated rapid nongenomic estrogen signaling pathway. This property of tectoridin sets it aside from genistein where it exerts the estrogenic effects via both an ER-dependent genomic pathway and a GPR30-dependent nongenomic pathway.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.638-649
• /
• 2016

In the previous study, the rhizome mixture of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Coptis chinensis (DW2007), improved TNBS-, oxazolone-, or DSS-induced colitis in mice by regulating macrophage activation. Therefore, to understand the effect of DW2007 on the T cell differentiation involved in the adaptive immunity, we measured its effect on both Th17 and Treg cell differentiation in splenocytes, in the lamina propria of mice with DSS-induced colitis (DIC), and in the spleens of mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Results showed that DW2007 potently inhibited the differentiation of splenocytes into Th17 cells, but increased Treg cell differentiation in vitro. In the colon of wild type and $TLR4^{-/-}$ mice with DIC, DW2007 potently suppressed DSS-induced colon shortening and myeloperoxidase activity. DW2007 also suppressed collagen-induced paw thickening, clinical index, and myeloperoxidase activity in CIA mice. Overall, DW2007 potently suppressed Th17 cell differentiation in mice with CIA and DIC, but increased Treg cell differentiation. Moreover, DW2007 strongly inhibited the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$, as well as the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$. Based on these findings, DW2007 may ameliorate inflammatory diseases by regulating the innate immunity via the inhibition of macrophage activation and the adaptive immunity via the correction of disturbed Th17/Treg cells.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.520-525
• /
• 1998

Effects of plant growth regulators and anti-oxidants for rapid multiplication of Cymbidium kanran were investigated. The best gelling agent was 2.5 g/1 gelrite which needed less quantity (about 28%) and half price than 9 g/1 chemi-cal agar. Undefined edible agar was only a little bit worse than chemical agar in growth, but the price was half as much as the latter. The higher concentration of BA and NAA, the deeper browning of medium that prevented from performing its functions of plant growth regulators. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (M.W. 40,000) was the most effective anti-oxidant other than ascorbic acid, aspartic acid, and rutin in protecting the browning of medium, enhancing the effect of plant growth regulators, and thus prolonging the subculture cycle. Vigorous seedlings were obtained by 0.1∼1.0 mg/1 BA,0.1 mg/1 NAA and 1 g/1 polyvinylpyrrolidone treatments. Therefore, the best result for growth and econo-mic aspects in rhizome culture of Cymbidium kanran were obtained by using MS basal medium with 2.5 g/1 gelrite, 1 g/1 polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.1∼1.0 mg/1 BA and 0.1 mg/1 NAA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.15
• /
• pp.6279-6284
• /
• 2015

Opisthorchis viverrini (OV)-induced cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an important cancer in the Great Mekong region, particularly in Thailand. Limitations of treatment options and the lack of an effective diagnostic tool for early detection of CCA are major concerns for the control of this type of cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate anti-CCA activity of the ethanolic extract of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC., and the applicability of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) as a tool for detection and monitoring the progression of CCA in Opisthorchis viverrini (OV)/dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced CCA hamsters. Male Syrian hamsters were used for toxicity tests and anti-CCA activity evaluation. Development of CCA was induced by initial feeding of 50 metacercariae of OV, followed by drinking water containing 12.5 ppm of DMN in hamsters. The ethanolic extract of A. lancea (Thunb.) DC. was administered orally for 30 days. PET-CT was performed every 4 weeks after initiation of CCA using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ($^{18}F-FDG$). Results from the present study suggest that the ethanolic extract of A. lancea (Thunb.) DC. rhizome exhibited promising anti-CCA activity and safety profile in the OV/DMN-induced hamster model. To successfully apply PET-CT as a tool for early detection of tumor development and progression, modification of radiolabeling approach is required to improve its specificity for CCA cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.1807-1810
• /
• 2014

Background: It is known that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/nitric oxide (NO) plays an integral role during intestinal inflammation, an important factor for colon cancer development. Natural compounds from Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) have long been a potential source of bioactive materials with various beneficial biological functions. Among them, a major active curcuminoid, demethoxycurcumin (DMC) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages or microglia cells. However, the role of DMC on iNOS expression and NO production in an in vitro inflamed human intestinal mucosa model has not yet been elucidated. This study concerned inhibitory effects on iNOS expression and NO production of DMC in inflamed human intestinal Caco-2 cells. An in vitro model was generated and inhibitory effects on NO production of DMC at 65 ${\mu}M$ for 24-96 h were assessed by monitoring nitrite levels. Expression of iNOS mRNA and protein was also investigated. DMC significantly decreased NO secretion by 35-41% in our inflamed cell model. Decrease in NO production by DMC was concomitant with down-regulation of iNOS at mRNA and protein levels compared to proinflammatory cytokine cocktail and LPS-treated controls. Mechanism of action of DMC may be partly due to its potent inhibition of the iNOS pathway. Our findings suggest that DMC may have potential as a therapeutic agent against inflammation-related diseases, especially in the gut.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.248-251
• /
• 2006

The growth of stem and leaves in Saururus chinensis. in the 2nd year was markedly increased comparing to that in the 1st year, however the growth in the 3rd you was not increased significantly. The growth in the 1st yew was greater in low planting density, while the growth in the 3rd year decreased in higher planting densities. The num- ber of leaves and stems per unit area increased in higher planting densities and later years. The weight of stem and leaves in Saururus chinensis was higher at the highest planting density in the 1st yew, at $40{\times}10cm$ planting in the 2nd year and at $40{\times}20cm$ planting in the 3rd year. The weight of rhizome in Saururus chinensis increased greatly in the 2nd you comparing to that in the 1st year, but the increase was insignificant in the 3rd year. The weight of rhizomes in Saururus chinensis showed significant interaction between planting densities and years showed highly significant difference.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.397-416
• /
• 2002

A taxonomic study of Viola section Chamaemelanium in Korea, based on morphological characters, was conducted with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Two species, V. orientalis W. Becker and V. brevistipulata (Fr. et Sav.) W. Becker, are recognized by rhizome and cauline habits, trichomes on the ovary and the shape and beards of stigmas. The latter can be split further into three varieties, var. brevistipulata, var. minor Nakai and var. laciniata (Boiss.) W. Becker, according to the leaf morphology in particular. Viola brevistipulata var. laciniata has the most tooth number, and its teeth are irregular erose but the other two varieties are regular sinuate or serrate. As for the size of leaves, V. brevistipular var. brevistipulata is the largest but V. brevistipulata var. minor is the smallest among the varities. Of them, V. brevistipulata var. laciniata is newly recorded in Korea. It was also revealed that both development and arrangement of the beards developed on the ovary and stigma were particularly diagnostic in the identification of the Viola section Chamaemelanium species.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.481-489
• /
• 2002

Unrecorded fern species of Korean flora, Thelypteris interrupta (Willd.) K. Iwats. (Thelypteridaceae) and Dryopteris subexaltata (H. Christ) C. Chr. (Dryopteridaceae), were collected from Jeju island off the south coast of Korean peninsula and reported here. T. interrupta is most similar to T. acuminata (Houtt.) C. V. Morton in morphology, however, the two species are readily distinguishable by the plant color including rhizome, stipe base and spore, and the presence of glandular hair as well as the distribution pattern of sorus on lower leaf surface. D. subexaltata is also well distinguishable from its relatives, D. sparsa (D. Don) Kuntze, D. sabaei (Franch. & Sav.) C. Chr., and D. yakusilvicola Sa. Kurata by the presence of proliferation, shape of pinnae, distribution pattern of sori on lower leaf surface, and shape of indusium.