• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.375-380
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• 2017

Background: The objective of this study were to determine the antibacterial activity and antibiotic activity-enhancing effect of 70% ethanol extract of the root of Rumex japonicus Houtt. and its fractions when used in combination with gentamicin against aerobic skin flora. Methods and Results: The antibacterial activity and antibiotic (gentamicin) activity enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora were determined using the disc diffusion assay. Chloroform fraction (CF) and ethyl acetate fraction (EF) showed higher activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than those shown by other fractions. Regarding the antibiotic (gentamicin) activity-enhancing effect against aerobic skin flora, the n-hexane fraction (HF) and CF showed strong activity. The combination of HF and CF with gentamicin was evaluated using the broth dilution assay to determine the inhibitory effect on the growth of aerobic skin flora. The combination of CF with gentamicin exhibited the highest inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus and S. epdermidis. MTT assay performed to determine the viability of L929 cells revealed that EF treatment resulted in viability of 33.96 - 116.76% at the tested concentration. The combination of 70% ethanol extract and its other fractions with gentamicin showed low cell toxicity. Conclusions: Appropriate use of antimicrobial agents is important prior to the development of new antibiotics. The 70% ethanol extract of the root of R. japonicus Houtt. and its fractions showed significant synergism with gentamicin when used in combination against S. aureus and S. epdermidis. Thus, R. japonicus Houtt. could be used as a functional materials in antimicrobial-related fields.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.99-107
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to authenticate whether fractionated extract of Rumex japonicus HOUTT. (RJ) has anti-inflammatory effects in mouse macrophage, RAW264.7 cells. Methods : Roots of RJ were extracted by methanol for 48hours. The methanol that gained was filtered and freeze dried. The methanol extract was dissolved in water and dichloromethane (DCM). After that, two layers were separated. Ethyl acetate (EA) added to the water layer and separated again. All the layers were filtered and freeze dried and the extracts were tested. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using MTS assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured and proinflammatory cytokines and $PGE_2$ were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), I ${\kappa}$-B-${\alpha}$ and nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 expression were detected by western blot. Results : Our results indicated that DCM and EA extracts of RJ inhibited the LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells most effectively. DCM and EA extracts also had suppression effects of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ and MAPKs activation. Conclusions : This results demonstrate that fractionated extract of RJ has anti-inflammatory effects and among the fractioned extract, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extract have best anti-inflammatory effects.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2011

Objectives : The aerial parts of Rumex japonicus Houtt. (RF) is used by traditional clinics to treat parasite infection in East asia. This study aims a verification of anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of RF methanol extract. Methods : Anti-oxidative effects of RF were measured by scavenging activities of DPPH, superoxide, nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite radicals. And also scavenging activities of anti-oxidation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells were measured. The inhibitory effects against the production of inflammatory mediators including NO, prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and the translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells by RF were tested. Results : RF scavenged DPPH, superoxide, NO and peroxynitrite radicals, and RF (at $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) reduced the inflammatory mediators definitely. Conclusions : These results indicate that RF may be a potential drug source for oxidative stress related inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2017

Background: We investigated the antioxidative and tyrosinase inhibitory activities of 70% ethanol extract, and its fractions, of the root of Rumex japonicus HOUTT. Methods and Results: The total phenolic compound contents of the 70% ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction were 168.99 mg/g and 651.78 mg/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity was compared through the DPPH radical and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging assays. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest DPPH radical and NO scavenging abilities, which confirmed the antioxidant activity. Specifically, the ethyl acetate fraction showed a higher DPPH radical scavenging ability than ascorbic acid. These results were related to the total phenolic compound content of the ethyl acetate fraction. Moreover, in the tyrosinase inhibition assay, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited stronger inhibitory activity than arbutin, which was used as the positive control. The cell viability of L929 cells was analyzed by MTT assay after treatment with 70% ethanol extract and all fractions; no changes in viability were observed, which demonstrated the nontoxic nature of the extract and fractions. Conclusions: These results suggested that the extract from the root of R. japonicus and its ethyl acetate fraction could be a novel resource for the development of a cosmetic with antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 1998

Activity-guided fractionation and repeated column chromatography afforded two cytotoxic compounds R-3 and R-4 from the root of Rumex japonicus HOUTT. Compou nds were identified as musizin and emodin, respectively, by the physicochemical and spectral data. Besides R-3 and R-4, two compounds R-1 and R-2, chrysophanol and physcion, respectively, were also isolated. The compound R-3 and R-4 exhibited cytotoxicity against cultured human tumor cell lines, A-549, SK-OV-3, SK-MEL-2, XF498 and HCT15 with $ED_{50}$ values ranging from 2.68 to $10.06{\mu}g/ml$.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.12
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• pp.1885-1895
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• 2020

Rumex japonicus Houtt (RJH) is a valuable plant used in traditional medicine to treat several diseases, such as scabies and jaundice. In this study, Jurkat cell growth inhibitory extracts of R. japonicus roots were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation, resulting in the isolation of three naphthalene derivatives (3-5) along with one anthraquinone (6) and two phenolic compounds (1 and 2). Among these compounds, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) exhibited potent anti-proliferative effects on Jurkat cells. Analysis by flow cytometry confirmed that 2-methoxystypandrone (5) could significantly reduce mitochondrial membrane potential and promote increased levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting a strong mitochondrial depolarization effect. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis was also performed, and the results revealed that the accumulation of ROS was caused by reduced mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase (HO-1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) triggered strong apoptosis that was mediated by the arrest of the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, 2-methoxystypandrone (5) downregulated p-IκB-α, p-NF-κB p65, Bcl2, and Bcl-xl and upregulated BAX proteins. Taken together, these findings revealed that 2-methoxystypandrone (5) isolated from RJH could potentially serve as an early lead compound for leukemia treatment involving intracellular signaling by increasing mitochondrial ROS and exerting anti-proliferative effects.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.274-278
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• 2004

Four anthraquinone derivatives were isolated from the root of Rumex japonicus Houtt. These compounds were identified as physcion, emodin, chrysophanol-10,10'-bianthrone and $physcion-10,10'-bianthrone^(a)$, respectively. The last compound (a), especially, showed strong activity against A549, PC-3, UO-31 and HCT-15 human cancer cell lines with $IC_{50}$ values, ranging from 0.45 to $1.33\;{\mu}g/ml^{-1})$.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2020

Red spots symptoms were observed on the leaves of Rumex japonicus Houtt. in Goesan, Korea, in May 2019. Diseased leaf showing red spot and white-colored sori were found behind of diseased leaves. Aeciospores were confirmed and observed using a stereomicroscope, light microscope, and scanning electron microscope. They were globose or ovoid and measured 19.0-24.4×19.0-24.5 ㎛, with verrucae ornamentation. For the phylogenetic analysis, partial of large subunit rDNA region and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III were sequenced. As a result, the isolated fungus species showed high similarities with Puccinia prizeliana. Based on the previous report, morphological characters, phylogenetic analysis, it was confirmed as Puccinia phragmitis which have not been reported in Korea, and we firstly report this fungal agent on R. japonicus as P. phragmitis in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2008

Objectives : There have been few studies on external treatment for itching. A clinical study was performed to evaluate the effect of a newly developed herbal ointment. Methods : A newly developed herbal ointment made from Rumex japonicus Houtt, Prunus persica(Linne) Batsch, Sesamum indicum L., and Sus scrota domestics Brisson., was given to 49 participants with itching to administer for approximately a month. Demographic characteristics, treatment experiences, symptom change, and other comments were self-reported on a pre-defined questionnaire. Results : Most frequent complaint was itching (24.01%), followed by sensitivity (19.60%), dryness(18.62%), frustration (13.72%) and insomnia (12.25%). Of 41 participants who had been given treatment for itching, around a half of them (n=21) have been treated with Korean Medicine, but all of them tried Western Medicine as well. The effect of the ointment was evaluated as excellent or good/fair (67.32%). Continuity was reported as excellent or good/fair (51.0%) and fragrance (73.44%) and color (75.48%) was reported as excellent or good/fair. Convenience, however, was assessed as good/fair (67.32%) and as inconvenient (22.4%). Conclusion : The newly developed herbal ointment seems promising for relieving itching and further research to standardize and develop this kind of ointment is warranted.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 1993

Many plants, which collected from Korea, were applied to antitumor and cytotoxic screeing tests against sarcom 180 a ascitec in mice, V-79 KB and P388 cultured cells. The results are summarixed as follows:1) The total packed cell volum method has been used for the antineoplastic screening for from natural higher plants in Korea. By this method, we have found out that the root, leaf and stem of Tripterygiu, regelii Spragne & Taketa having strong antineoplastic activity and also Rumex Japonicus Houtt. Eragrositis ferru-ginea Beauv. and Patrinia scabio-saefolia Fischer showed significant activity to anticancer tumor while cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, and Rosa polyantha Sieb. et Zacc. showed slight activity to antitumor. 2) Among the 13 tested plants, the root and stem of Tripterygium regelii Spragne & Taketa and Amethystanthus excisus Nakai showed strong antitumor activity by the V79 cytotoxic cell screening test. 3) Twelve plants, which are glowing in mountainous area of Korea tested to anticancer activity. From the results, Eragrositis ferru-ginea Beauv., Angelica gigas Nakai, Geranium sibiricum L., Patrinia scabio-saefolia Fisher, Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley, and Rubia akane Nakai have been proved to be anti-cancer plants by using P388 cell cultured method. 4) Tripterygiu, resgelii Spragne & Taketa, Eragrositis ferru-ginea Beauv., Patrinia scabio-saefoli Fisher, Cynanchum wilfordii Hemsley and Rasa polyantha Sieb. et Zacc., var. genuina Thunb. showed strong anti-tumor activity both total packed cell volume method and Cytotoxicity method.