• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2018

Background: Astilbe chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. is a plant belonging to Saxifragaceae family and contains various active ingredients including astilbin and bergenin. It has been used as a traditional Korean medicine to improve fever, pain, and cough. Recently, a number of Korean medical resources have been studied for cancer and inflammation treatment, but A. chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. has not yet been investigated. Consequently, this study investigated the inhibitory effect of ethanol extracts from A. chinensis (Maxim.) Franch. Et Savat. (ARE) on oxidative stress and colorectal cancer using RAW264.7 and the human colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116. Methods and Results: In total, $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ ARE reduced cell viability by $38.96{\pm}1.32%$, and increased caspase-3 activity by $133.08{\pm}3.41%$ in HCT-116 cells. Moreover, TUNEL signaling and the early apoptosis ratio ($34.56{\pm}1.67%$) increased by $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ ARE treatment. $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and cell death were diminished by $500{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ ARE treatment through decreasing ROS (reactive oxygen species). Conclusions: The inhibitory effects of ARE against human colorectal cancer cells is mediated by apoptosis and caspase-3 activation, and $H_2O_2$-induced ROS generation and cell death are decreased by ARE treatment in RAW264.7 cells. However, further study is required to explore how ARE treatment is involved in the signaling pathway to decrease ROS.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2008

Saxifraga stolonifera (Saxifragaceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant growing in Korea, China, Japan and Russia. The aerial part has been used as herbal medicine for treatment of pneumonia, frostbite, inflammation and microbial infection. In this study, fresh juice and methanol extract were prepared from the aerial part of S. stolonifera, and their antimicrobial, antithrombin, and antioxidant activity were evaluated, respectively. The fresh juice showed weak antimicrobial activity against Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Candida albicans with ignorable DPPH scavenging activity. But, the methanol extract showed strong antioxidant activity ($IC_{50}$ of $37.5{\mu}g/mL$) with minor, broad-range antimicrobial activity. Antithrombin activities were not observed in fresh juice and extract, up to 1.5 mg/mL. Sequential organic solvent fractionation of methanol extract showed that $IC_{50}s$ of ethylacetate and the butanol fraction were 6.9 and $7.8{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, that is comparable with vitamin C or butylated hydroxytoluene. Analysis of component in extract and fractionates suggested that the antioxidants in fractions are diverse and the active substances have glycosylated phenolic structure. Our results suggest that the aerial part of S. stolonifera could be used as the natural source of potential antioxidant.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.235-240
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• 2016

Factors affecting germination of seeds in the forms of various environment and chemical compounds. The present study was aim to produced effective seed propagation method of Astilbe koreana (Kom.) Nakai which had expected high value for the cut flower, ornamental and pharmaceutical material. Seed width and length ranged 0.62, 2.22 ㎜, respectively, and weight of thousand seeds was 40.5 ㎎. As result of imbibition test, showed moisture content of fresh seed (2.57%) increased rapidly by water-soaking treatment under 24 hours, recording to maximum value of 29.8%, and expansion of the seed coat was observed. Seed germination was the best at 15℃ and light conditions (40.8%) among temperature and light conditions treated. Percent germination of seeds was improved under the low (15, 20℃) than high temperature (25, 30℃). In addition, the seed was not germinated at dark condition regardless of temperature. Seeds of A. koreana thus seemed that it had low temperature germinability conditions. To improve germination rate, seeds were submerged in various concentrations of growth regulators such as GA₃ and kinetin, and minerals as KNO₃ and KCl. As a results, KNO₃ treatment, regardless of concentrations, promoted germination compared to control. Especially, percent of germination (77.8%), germination energy (96.1%), mean germination time (11.3 days) and T₅₀ (6.5 days) were effectively improved by treatment of KNO₃ 20 mM.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2009

Astilbe (Saxifragaceae) is a genus well known for its disjunctive distribution in Asia and eastern North America. In this study, we reconstructed a molecular phylogeny of the genus using the sequences of ITS regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. A total of 17 species representing major lineage of Astilbe and closely related taxa were included in the phylogenetic analyses. We obtained a Bayesian phylogenetic tree in which Saxifragopsis was positioned as a sister group to Astilbe. The Japanese endemic species, A.platyphylla was the most basal lineage within the genus. This species is well known for its distinct morphological features such as unisexual flowers, apetaly, and calyx with 7-11 lobes. Two species, A. biternata, a New World representative of the genus, and A. rivularis widely distributed in S. Asia, branched off early in the evolution of Astilbe. The remaining species formed a strongly supported core clade, which diverged into two robust geographical lineages: the first ("Japonica" clade) of species distributed in Japan, Taiwan, and Philippines and the other ("Rubra" clade), of taxa in China and Korea. The ITS phylogeny indicates that the Bering land bridges were the major route for the origin and dispersal of A. biternata. The two Taiwanese taxa and A. philippinensis were found to derive from the Japanese member, as the genus advanced southwards. The ITS phylogeny suggests that apetaly originated independently at least two times within the genus. Our results do not support Engler's classification system of the genus based on the leaf type (simple vs. compound), but reaffirm Hara's taxonomic idea which primarily considered the features of calyx.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.306-317
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• 2015

This study was conducted to address the taxonomic status of the Korean endemic species Saxifraga octopetala, which is sometimes considered conspecific to Micranthes manchuriensis. Extensive molecular phylogenetic analysis using nrITS sequences as well as morphological examination of type specimens of the two species were undertaken to ascertain the phylogenetic position and species delimitation of S. octopetala. In the resulting nrITS trees, a total of 65 accessions representing S. octopetala grouped together and nested within the Micranthes clade, exhibiting a close relationship with M. nelsoniana and M. manchuriensis. Multiple accessions of M. manchuriensis collected from China and Russia also formed a clade, showing a sister group relationship with M. nelsoniana var. pacifica and M. fusca. The ambiguous species entity of S. octopetala is thought to have originated from Nakai's misinterpretation of Wilford's collection (type specimens of M. manchuriensis), which is a complex collection including an inflorescence of M. nelsoniana. In spite of apparent morphological similarity between S. octopetala and M. manchuriensis, they differ in the presence and absence of underground stolons. The distinct position of S. octopetala within the Micranthes clade on the nrITS tree suggests that it should retain species status in Micranthes. Thus a new combination (Micranthes octopetala) is proposed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.446-450
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• 2007

Tiarella polyphylla D. Don(Saxifragaceae) is a perennial herb and distributed in China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea. Especially, it only grows in Ulleung island of Korea. It has been using for asthma, bruise and audition troubles with main components of some Triterpenoids and seven oleanolic Saponins. There is only known its chromosomal number rarely and cytogenetic study was not done. From this study, karyotype analysis and chromosomal localization of 5S and 45S rDNAs using bicolor-FISH(fluorescence in situ hybridization) were carried out. The somatic metaphase chromosome number was 2n=2x=14 and the size of chromosomes ranged $1.66{\sim}3.50{\mu}m$. The chromosome complement consisted of four pairs of submetacentrics(chromosomes 1, 2, 3 and 6), two pairs of subtelocentrics(chromosomes 5 and 7) and one pair of telocentrics(chromosome 4). We also observed NOR(nucleolus organizer region) on the chromosome 4. In bicolor-FISH, one pair of 55 and 45S rDNA sites was detected on the centromeric region of chromosome 3 and short arm of chromosome 4, respectively. Bicolor FISH was very useful tool for the localization and identification of rDNAs on the chromosomes in Tiarella polyphylla.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.407-414
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• 1998

The rare and endangered plants in Naesorak area were investigated for four months during May to August in 1997, and the results were summarized as 35 taxa which is classified as 19 families, 32 species, and 3 varieties. At the level of families, 19 families such as Pinaceae(1 species), Taxaceae(1 species), Cupressaceae(1 species and 1 variety), Liliaceae(5 species and 1 variety), Aristolochiaceae(2 species), Ranunculaceae(4 species), Berberidaceae(1 species), Saxifragaceae(2 species), Rosaceae(1 species), Oleaceae(2 species and 1 variety), Solanaceae(1 species), Scrophulariaceae(1 species), Valerianaceae(1 species), Campanulaceae(1species), and Compositae(1 species) were recorded. The most of the habitats of the species was easily found along the major mountain trails, and a kind of destructions of these plants by human interferences is due to the fact that the illegal collections for food and medicine are occurred. Those species of Taxus caespitosa, Rhododendron aureum, Vaccinium bracteatum, Allium victoralis var. platyphullum and Leontice microryncha has a few individuals in habitats and also shows the unfavorable growing state, so the intensive and continuous habitat management of the habitats were inevitably dimanded.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.365-380
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• 2009

Flora of vascular plants in mountains located at Wonju-si and Hoengseong-gun areas such as Chiak-san(1,288m), Taegi-san(1,261.4m), Obong-san(1,126.2m), Eungbong-san(1,094.9m), Eodab-san(789.4m), Deokgo-san(521.2m), Deokga-san(700.5m) and Seongji-bong(791m) was investigated from April, 2008 to May, 2009, and results from the previous researches in which voucher specimens had been presented from Balgyo-san(998.4m), Oeum-san(930.4m), Baekun-san(1,037.1m) and Chiak-san(1,288m) were included in the list of vascular plants from these areas. This investigations resulted in 804 taxa consisted of 680 species, 1 subspecies, 111 varieties, and 12 forms of 383 genera under 97 families, and totally in 973 taxa (21.14% of all vascular plants in Korea) of 818 species, 1 subspecies, 138 varieties and 16 forms of 418 genera under 105 families on addition of voucher specimens in the previous researches. Forests of the investigated areas were generally mixed of Pinus densiflora and deciduous trees. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were valley from Guryong-sa (temple) to Biro-bong (summit) via Seryeom-pokpo (fall) in Mt. Chiak-san, and Keunseong-gol (valley) and eastern slope from Taegibungyo-teo to Naksu-dae (fall) in Mt. Taegi-san. 10 families with abundantly collected species were Compositae, Graminae, Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Leguminosae, Cyperaceae, Liliaceae, Saxifragaceae, Umbelliferae and Labiatae in order, and they occuied 49.12% of all collected taxa. Endemic plants found in these areas were 38 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Megaleranthis saniculifolia, and Pyrus ussuriensis var. diamantica, and rare and endangered ones were 24 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Viola websteri, Viola diamantica, and Patrina saniculaefolia. Specially designated plants by the Ministry of Environment were 88 taxa including 12 taxa of 5th degree such as Woodsia intermedia, Hanabusaya asiatica, Equisetum pratense, Iris koreana, Lilium cernum, Trillium tschonoskii, Magnolia kobus(cultivated), Gastrodia elata, Polypodium virginianum, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Megaleranthis saniculifolia and Viola websteri. 47 taxa of alien plants were found. As to 609 taxa (13.23% of all vascular plants in Korea) of useful plants, 334 taxa for the edible, 269 taxa for the medicinal, 127 taxa for the ornamental, 332 taxa for the forage, 3 taxa for the industrial raw material, 31 taxa for the timber and 13 taxa for the fiber were classified, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.363-371
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• 2018

Tiarella polyphylla D. Don is a native plant distributed only in Ulleung Island in Korea and has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, although it is also used ornamentally. This study was conducted to determine the requirements for dormancy break and germination and to classify the type of seed dormancy. The experiments were performed with cold stratification (0 or 12 weeks at $5^{\circ}C$), warm stratification (0, 4, 8, or 12 weeks at $23^{\circ}C$, followed by 8 weeks at $5^{\circ}C$, and then incubation at $23^{\circ}C$), and $GA_3$ treatments (0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg/L). The treated seeds were incubated on aseptic media at room chamber ($23^{\circ}C$, a 16h photoperiod of fluorescent lamps with $40{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$). The seeds were dispersed in nature as underdeveloped embryos with no physical barrier to absorb water to prevent water absorption. However, the seeds did not germinate for 30 days after sowing without any pre-treatments. Thus, the seeds had morphological dormancy (MD) and physiological dormancy (PD). The final germination percentage following cold stratification (0 or 12 weeks) was 66.7% and 45.6%, respectively. The cold stratification delayed seed germination by about 3 weeks. In the warm stratification experiment (0, 4, 8, or 12 weeks), the final germination percentage was 21.1%, 27.8%, 41.1%, and 57.8%, respectively, 20 weeks after sowing. The embryos of the T. polyphylla seed grew in relatively warm temperatures ($23^{\circ}C$). $GA_3$ application overcame seed dormancy and promoted germination. Following $GA_3$ treatment (0, 10, 100, or 1000 mg/L), the final germination percentage was 33.3%, 45.0%, 42.5%, and 72.5%, respectively. These results suggest that the T. polyphylla seeds had non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy (MPD) and $GA_3$ treatment could be used as a substitute for warm stratification for breaking seed dormancy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of seed dormancy characteristics of the genus Tiarella native to Korea.