• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.99-102
• /
• 1989

The tissue culture of Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis and R. akane were performed to enhance the biosynthesis of anthraquinone pigments under various conditions. The production of alizarin and purpurin in the callus was separately analysed and was quantitatively compared. The pigment biosynthesis was more active in the callus from R. cordifolia var. pratensis than from R. akane. The addition of ${\alpha}-ketoglutaric$ acid, a biosynthetic precursor of anthraquinones, enhanced the production of alizarin and purpurin remarkably.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.233-237
• /
• 2010

The crude drug 'CheonKun' is derived from the underground portions of Rubia species. However, the aerial parts of the plants are also sold under the 'GgogDuSeoNiIp' in Korea. To clarify the botanical origin of 'GgogDuSeoNiIp' the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the leaves of Rubia species growing in Korea, i.e. Rubia akane, R. chinensis var. glabrescens, R. cordifolia var. pratensis were compared. As a result, it was determined that 'GgogDuSeoNiIp' was the leaf of Rubia akane and R. cordifolia var. pratensis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.326-331
• /
• 2013

A Korean folk medicine, "SinKyungCho" has been used to cure common cold and rheumatis. While this crude drug has similar morphological feature to that of Rubia species, the botanical origin has never been studied pharmacognostically. Therefore, in order to clarify the botanical origin of "SinKyungCho", the morphological and anatomical characteristics of Rubia species growing in Korea, i.e. R. akane, R. chinensis var. glabrescens, R. cordifolia var. pratensis, R. cordifolia var. sylvatica were studied. Especially, differing from the other three species, R. cordifolia var. pratensis has 2-4 cork cell layers under the endodermal cell layer. R. cordifolia var. sylvatica showed the largest number of parenchyma cell layers in cortex by 8-17. While the average ratio of stele to root transverse section is over 45% for R. akane and R. cordifolia var. pratensis, the ratio is under 45% for R. chinensis var. glabrescens and R. cordifolia var. sylvatica. According to these morphological criteria, the folk medicine "SinKyungCho" from Korean traditional market was proved to be the underground part of R. akane.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.301-308
• /
• 1996

Hairy roots induced from stems of Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis were cultured in the liquid medium under a variety of auxins to find the optimal condition for the growth and production of pigments. Culture of the hairy roots on NN liquid medium containing NAA 0.5 mg/l was best for growth of hairy roots. Production of yellow anthraquinone derivatives and purpurin in hairy roots was enhanced by the culture on NN liquid medium without auxins. Effects of L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine and juglone, synthesized via the shikimic acid pathway, on growth and production of pigments in hairy roots were studied in the present study. Concentration of exogeneous L-phenylalanine. L-tyrosine and juglone in liquid culture system of hairy root containing NAA 0.1 mg/l was decreased quickly in its early stages of the culture period. Addition of juglone to NN liquid medium containing NAA 0.1 mg/l enhanced the productivity of pigments in hairy roots.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.235-239
• /
• 2000

The effects of several compounds related to signal transduction cascade were determined to induce the production of alizarin and purpurin in the hairy root culture system of Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis. It was found that out of five tested compounds jasmonic acid(1 mg/l) and methyl jasmonate(1 mg/l) stimulated strongly the biosynthesis of the pigments while linolenic acid(1 mg/l) induced no significant increase of the product. Yeast extract(600 mg/l) and arachidonic acid(1 mg/l) showed relatively mild inducing effects on production of alizarin. The effects of jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate were reduced by treatment with cycloheximide(2.8 mg/l).

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.137-141
• /
• 1992

The cells of Rubia cordifolia var. pratensis were transformed by Agrobactrium tumefaciens strain 11157. Surface-sterilized young leaves and stems of the plants were cocultivated with bacterial suspensions. Crown galls induced from stems were cultured with variation of culturing conditions and compared with untransformed cells. The growth rates and production of anthraquinone pigments of cells were remarkably improved by transformation. Furthermore, hairy roots were induced by inoculation or cocultivation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains.