• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.316-325
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• 2017

Background: Ginseng essence (GE) is a formulation comprising four medicinal and edible herbs including ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera), and lily bulb (Lilium longiflorum). This study was aimed at investigating the hepatoprotective effect of GE against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury in rats. Methods: We treated Wistar rats daily with low, medium, and high [0.625 g/kg body weight (bw), 1.25 g/kg bw, and 3.125 g/kg bw, respectively] doses of GE for 9 wk. After the 1st wk of treatment, rats were administered 20% $CCl_4$ (1.5 mL/kg bw) two times a week to induce liver damage until the treatment ended. Results: Serum biochemical analysis indicated that GE ameliorated the elevation of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and albumin decline in $CCl_4$-treated rats. Moreover, $CCl_4$-induced accumulation of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride was inhibited. The hepatoprotective effects of GE involved enhancing the hepatic antioxidant defense system including glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. In addition, histological analysis using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining showed that GE inhibited $CCl_4$-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of alpha-smooth muscle actin indicated that $CCl_4$-triggered activation of hepatic stellate cells was reduced. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that GE improves $CCl_4$-induced liver inflammation and fibrosis by attenuating oxidative stress. Therefore, GE could be a promising hepatoprotective herbal formulation for future development of phytotherapy.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.6
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• pp.49-69
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• 1988

In order to develop a cropping system that can produce garlic in the period of short supply from March to April, effects of low temperature treatment of seed bulbs and planting dates, starting date of low temperature treatment, days of low temperature treatment on plant growth, maturity and yield were studied in Southern strain, 'Namhae' and in Northern strain, 'Euiseong' of garlic (Allium sativum). The results obtained were as follows. In Sorthern strain, sprouting was significantly enhanced by low temperature treatment only in Sep. 14, and Sep. 29 plantings. Days to sprout were least in 30 days of low temperature treatment of Sep. 14 planting and in 45 days treatment of Sep. 29 planting. When considering on the beginning date of low temperature treatment, a marked difference was observed between treatments started before July 31 and after Aug. 15. Sprouting was most enhanced in 45 days low temperature treatment of Aug. 15 and Aug. 30 plantings. In Northern strain, sprouting was en hanced by low temperature treatment in planting from Sep. 29 to Nov. 13 and low temperature treatment for 60 days was most effective. Effect of low temperature treatment on early plant growth was observed in Sep. 14 and Sep. 29 plantings, but the effect on plant growth at intermediate stage or thereafter was observed in up to Oct. 29 plantings. Optimun days for low temperature treatment on growth enhancement was 45 and 60 days in Southern strain and 60 days in Northern strain in each planting dates. In Southern strain, the longer the low temperature treatment and the later the planting date the less the number of leaves developed. In Northern strain, normal leaves were not developed in plantings from Sep. 14 to Nov. 13. In Southern strain, clove differentiation and bulbing were earlist in 45 and 60 days treatment of Sep. 14, Sep. 29, and Oct. 14 planting initiated on July 31 and Aug. 15. In Northern strain, clove differentiation and bulbing were earlist in 60 days treatment of Oct. 14 planting initiated on Aug. 15 and Aug. 30. In treatment initiated later than above, longer the low temperature treatment the earlier the clove differentiation and bulbing in both Southern and Northern strains. The earlier the initiation date and the longer of low temperature treatment, the earlier bolting in southern strain. In Northern strain, bolting was most enhanced in 45 and 60 days of low temperature treatment initiated on Aug. 15 and Aug. 30. The longer the low temperature treatment in plantings thereafter, the earlier the bolting. The earlier the planting date garlic bulbs. Harvest date was earliest in 45 and 60 days low temperature treatment started from July 31 to Aug. 30 in Southern strain, and it was in 60 and 90 days low temperature treatment initiated from July 31 to Aug. 30 in Northern strain. Bulb weight was heaviest in 45 days low temperature treatment of Oct. 14 planting and next was in 45 days treatment of Sep. 29 planting in Southern strain. In Northern strain, bulb weight was heaviest in 60 days treatment of Oct. 14 planting and next was in 45 days treatment of Oct. 14 planting. When considered in the aspect of the beginning date of low temperature treatment, bulb weight was heaviest in 45 days treatment started on Aug. 30 in Southern strain and in 60 days treatment started on Aug. 15 in Northern strain. A high negative correlation between days to harvest and plant height on January 12, and a high positive correlation between days to harvest and days clove differentiation were observed. This indicates that enhanced plant growth and clove differentiation induced by low temperature treatment advanced the harvest date. A high negative correlation between bulb weight and days to clove differentiation, days to harvest suggests that the enhanced clove differentiation result and in heavier bulb weight. From the above results, it suggested that early crop of garlic can be harvested by planting at the period of Sep. 29 to Oct. 14 after 45 days of low temperature treatment of seed bulbs of Southern strain. Then harvest date can be shortened by 30 days compared to control and garlic can be harvested in early April.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1430-1436
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• 2017

This study assessed the effects of treatment with sap extract from onion residues postharvest and purslane on the quality and quantity of organic onions. At the bending stage, onions treated with the sap extract showed vigorous growth, with higher plant heights, more leaves, and longer sheath lengths than untreated onions. The onion yield was significantly increased when the plant was treated with extracted sap as compared with that of untreated plants (p<0.05). The bulb weight distribution of onions in the mixed onion and purslane treatment was also significantly increased (~300 g) as compared with that of the other treatment (p<0.05). Except for CaO and S, the mineral content of the onions produced from plants treated with the onion and purslane extract mixture was higher than those of onions in the other treatment. The hardness of onions produced from plants treated with the onion and purslane extract was significantly increased (8% and 20%, respectively) as compared with that of onions produced from plants treated with the onion extract only or no treatment (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the sugar contents of the onions produced from extract-treated and nonextract-treated plants. Postharvest, the content of inorganic components (phosphate, calcium, sulfuric acid, and manganese) was higher in soil treated with the onion extract than in soil treated with the onion and purslane extract and non-treated soil. It can be concluded that residues left after onion harvests and purslane extract can be used as natural and environmentally friendly materials for the cultivation of organic onions.

• FLOWER RESEARCH JOURNAL
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2008

For effective production of interspecific hybrids of Lilium and valuable new cultivars, we used Lilium Asiatic hybrid 'Tiny Ghost' as the female parent, and Oriental group, and Longiflorum group and Martagon as the male parents. Percentage pollen germination in Oriental hybrid 'Sorbonne' was the highest with 64%. As results of using normal style pollination and cut style pollination methods, all seed sets were formed in normal style pollinated treatment, except in 'Aktiva'. Pollen germination percent of Longiflorum hybrid 'Norina' was higher than that 'Gelria'. However, all crossings using 'Norina' failed to set seeds. Corresponding fertilization ratio was different from genetic compatibility, even in the same group. From the crossing using 'Aktiva' as the male parent one bulb was obtained derived from one embryo sac. And using 'Sorbonne' as the male parent, one plantlet was obtained after four ovule cultures. Crossing using 'Gelria' as the male parent five embryos, 15 embryo sacs, and seven ovules per one ovary were obtained. Among them, 18 plantlets germinated, with the germination percent of 66.7%. Crossings using L. hansonii, Martagon group, as the male parent resulted in 40% germination from five ovules.