• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.82-86
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• 2003

We investigated the variation in adaptation to growth for four ecotypically-differentiated population of Taraxacum officinale found naturally in temporal environmental heterogeneity. Seeds collected from the four seasons were germinated in incubators and were grown for four months in greenhouse to test genetic variation among biotypes. Biotypes, segregated by seeds collected seasonally, were the part of natural population in Mokpo, South Korea. Each biotype was different in total dry weight of seeds, biomass, and leaf area, confirming previous finding. Differences between biotypes grown under a common environment indicated a genetic basis to their distinct demographic rates. Therefore, biotypes with similar annual rates of growth and contrasting seasonal rates should persist in the population. This differential response suggests that temporal variation in environment may be responsible, in part, for the maintenance of genetic variation within populations.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2019

Glutamate acts as an important neurotransmitter in brain. However, high concentration of glutamate showed an excitatory neurotoxicity and resulted to neuronal cell death. Neuronal cell death is known for one of the reason of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disease. We tried to find neuroprotective medicinal plants by neuroprotection activity against glutamate injured HT22 cells as a model system. In the course of bioscreening of various medicinal plants, Taraxacum platycarpum extract showed significant neuroprotective activity. We tried to elucidate mechanisms of neuroprotective activity. T. platycarpum extract reduced ROS and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration increased by glutamate induced neurotoxicity. In addition, mitochondrial membrane potential was restored to the control level. Also, glutathione level, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activity were increased by T. platycarpum extract treatment. These data suggested that T. platycarpum showed neuroprotective activity via antioxidative activity.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.415-422
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• 2021

This study assessed the preparation and quality characteristics of cookies prepared from Taraxacum coreamm powder (TCP) (0, 2, 4, 6, 8%) substituting wheat flour. The pH of the cookie dough significantly decreased with increasing TCP. However the density of the cookie dough was not significantly different among the test groups. The baking loss rate of the groups with TCP was slightly lower, whereas the moisture content was higher than the control group. The spread factor of the cookies decreased significantly with increasing TCP. The hardness of the cookies increased as TCP increased. In Hunter's color value, the L and a value of the cookies decreased with increasing TCP, while the b value increased. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of the cookies significantly increased with increasing TCP. Based on the above results, this study suggested that TCP can be a good ingredient to increase the functionality of cookies.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.501-514
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• 2018

Taraxacum hallaisanense (pr), a species of the family Compositae is a perennial herb plants that inhabit to Jeju Island. In the study, we performed to determine the anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and antioxidant activity of ethanol extracts from T. hallaisanense whole plants. The antioxidant activity of extracts was measured by contents of polyphenol and flavonoid, DPPH radical scavenging, and reducing power activity. The anti-inflammatory effect of T. hallaisanense extracts was measured by NO and $IL-1{\beta}$ production inhibitory activity and the expression of pro-inflammatory in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Raw 264.7 cells. Also, the expression of pro-inflammatory genes such as iNOS, COX-2 and NF-kB protein were reduced. In the cytotoxicity measurement by cytotoxicity kit, the extract was exhibited Raw 264.7 cell viabilities as nontoxic result in concentration of $25{\sim}400{\mu}g/ml$. These results indicated that ethanol extracts of T. hallaisanense whole plants expected development possibility as nutrial additives through high anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.54-65
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• 2012

1. Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of TAM (Taraxacum mongolicum) on Th2 cytokine production in MC/9 mast cells. 2. Methods : The effects of TAM was analyzed by ELISA and Real-time PCR in MC/9 mast cells. Levels of IL-5, IL-13 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA). mRNA levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13 were analyzed with Real-time PCR. 3. Results : 1) TAM inhibited the IL-4 production significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$, $100{\mu}g/ml$, $200{\mu}g/ml$. 2) TAM inhibited the IL-13 production significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$, $100{\mu}g/ml$, $200{\mu}g/ml$. 3) TAM inhibited the IL-4 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. 4) TAM inhibited the IL-5 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$, $100{\mu}g/ml$. 5) TAM inhibited the IL-6 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. 6) TAM inhibited the IL-13 mRNA expression significantly in comparison to PI-control group at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. 4. Conclusions : These results indicate that TAM (Taraxacum mongolicum) has the effect of decreasing the Th2 cytokine production in the MC/9 mast cell.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.819-825
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• 2003

pharbitis nil and Taraxacum mongolicum are representative herbs that have been used for cancer treatment in Korean traditional medicine. To understand the molecular basis of the antitumor function, we analyzed the effect of these herbs on proliferation and apoptosis of tumor cells using a gastric cancer cell line AGS. Cell counting assay showed that pharbitis nil strongly inhibit cell proliferation Of AGS whereas Taraxacum mongolicum exhibit no detectable effect on cellular growth. [³H]thymidine uptake analysis also demonstrated that DNA replication of AGS is suppressed in a dose-dependent manner by treatment with pharbitis nil. Additionally, tryphan blue exclusion assay showed that Pharbitis nil induce apoptotic cell death of AGS in a dose-dependent. To explore whether anti antiproliferative and/or proapototic property of Pharbitis nil is associated with their effect on gene expression, we performed RT-PCR analysis of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related genes. Interestingly, mRNA expression levels of c-Jun, c-Fos, c-Myc, and Cyclin D1 were markedly reduced by Pharbitis nil. Taraxacum mongolicum also showed inhibitory action on expression of these growth-promoting protooncogene but there effects are less significant, as compared to Pharbitis nil. Furthermore, it was also found that Pharbitis nil activates expression of the p53 tumor suppressor and its downstream effector p21Waf1, which induce G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Collectively, our data demonstrate that Pharbitis nil induce growth inhibition and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells and these effects are accompanied with down-and up-regulation of growth-regulating protooncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, respectively. This observation thus suggests that the anticancer effect of Pharbitis nil might be associated with its regulatory capability of tumor-related gene expression.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.255-259
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• 2008

This study was investigated antioxidant and anticancer activity of water, methanol extract from upper and root part of Taraxacum mongolicum H. Total phenolic compound contents of methanol and water extracts from upper part were $51.95{\pm}0.18$ mg/g and $48.16{\pm}0.89$ mg/g respectively, and total flavonoid compound contents were estimated as $20.57{\pm}1.12$ mg/g in methanol extract and $6.55{\pm}1.20$ mg/g in water extract. $EC_{50}$ values for DPPH radical scavenging activity of methanol and water extract from upper part were $138.47{\pm}3.78{\mu}g/mL$ and $204.38{\pm}5.32{\mu}g/mL$, and methanol and water extracts from root part were as $512{\pm}8.11{\mu}g/mL$ in methanol extract and $1315.05{\pm}11.98{\mu}g/mL$ in water extract. Reducing power and hydroxyl radical $({\bullet}OH)$ scavenging activity estimated that methanol extract of each part were higher than water extracts. The cell viability showed that the methanol extract from upper part had a cytotoxicity in the growth of colon carcinoma cell (44.58%). Both water extract $(51.97{\pm}11.43%)$ from upper part and methanol $(53.46{\pm}19.77%)$, water $(52.79{\pm}13.53%)$ extracts from root part had quite higher cytotoxicity than that of methanol extract $(88.25{\pm}2.02%)$ from upper part. Based on the results, It was suggested that the methanol extract of Taraxacum mongolicum H. were potential materials for use as functional food and medicine.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2010

Several presowing seed treatments have been used to facilitate the seed germination and seedling emergence. The study was performed to design a model of presowing seed treatments in Taraxacum platycarpum. Germination and seedling growth responses to temperature, drying, chilling, $GA_3$ and priming were investigated to know the optimum germination conditions and presowing treatment. The optimum temperature condition for germination and seedling growth were $15{\sim}20^{\circ}C$ at dark condition. The seeds exposed to infra red light, however, did not germinate. The moisture content of seeds dried at $35^{\circ}C$ for 3.5 hours was returned to the level of unimbibed seeds. The germination of seeds dried under dark condition was better than those dried under infra red light. Prechilling treatment imposed for 6 weeks showed higher germination rate than $GA_3$ treatment or priming. In field test, the highest field emergence was observed in the seeds dried after prechilled for 6 weeks and followed by drying followed by $GA_3$ > low temperature > $KNO_3$ priming. Imbibition with 0.1 mM $GA_3$ solution for 2 hours then drying at 35 for 3.5 hour under dark condition was effective to the practical presowing treatment for Taraxacum seeds.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2016

Background: Many Taraxacum spp. plants are widely used in medicine, but some of them have propagation problems, such as strong dormancy and poor germination rates. This study investigated the effects of temperature, gibberellic acid ($GA_3$), and potassium nitrate ($KNO_3$) on seed germination in Taraxacum ohwianum. Methods and Results: The seeds (NIBRGR0000135524) were exalbuminous, and their length and width were $4.54{\pm}0.032mm$ and $0.97{\pm}0.029mm$, respectively. Various germination temperatures were tested (15, 20, 25, and $30^{\circ}C$), the optimum temperature for germination was found to be $20^{\circ}C$ (31.3%). High temperature ($30^{\circ}C$) resulted in non-typical seedlings (thickened and crumpled cotyledons, with a restricted root system). To increase the germination capacity, $GA_3$ (200, 500, and $1,000mg/{\ell}$) or $KNO_3$ (20, 50, 100, 200, and $500mg/{\ell}$) solutions were used as pre-soaking solutions instead of water. The $GA_3$ treatments increased the germination percentage and rate, but germination percentage was higher with the $KNO_3$ treatments. Under the $50-200mg/{\ell}\;KNO_3$ treatments, the germination percentage exceeded 80% after 12 days, and $50mg/{\ell}\;KNO_3$ was notably effective (91.2% after 15 days). Conclusions: T. ohwianum seeds showed improved germination at low temperatures. The best method for germination was presoaking in $50mg/{\ell}\;KNO_3$ for 24 h, in the dark at $4^{\circ}C$, and then incubating the germinated seed at $20^{\circ}C$ for 15 days.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.5_1
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• pp.457.2-486
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• 1998

Ecological success of introduced species is frequently attributed to the reproductive characters of those species. We examined the relationship between both flowering season and plant size and reproductive characters in two introduced species of Taraxacum, e.g., T. officinale and T.laevigatum. Seventy six plants of T. officinale and 23 plants of T. laevigatum were randomly tagged from a population at the sungshin Women's University in April of 1997. The size and number of vegetative characters such as rosette diameter, leaf number, and the largest leaf length and width were measured for each plant at the onset of flowering. The infructescence was collected continually from each plant before seed dispersal from April to August of 1997. The number of infructescence per plant, and seed number and total seed weight per infructescence were measured. Mean individual seed weight per infructescence was also obtained. T. officinale possessed larger sized, but smaller number of, leaves than T. laevigatum, thereby resulting in no significant difference in total leaf area. There was a trend that vegetatively larger plants in both of these species produced reproductive characters larger in size or greater in number, except for seed number and total seed weight per infructescence in T. laevigatum. All reproductive characters examined in T. officinale decreased toward the end of flowering season. In T. laevigatum, infructescence number per plant also declined during a flowering season: however, mean seed number per infructescence increaed toward the end of flowering season with no significant seasonal change in the total seed weight per infructescence. T. officinale produced on average about twice as many seeds per plant as T. laevigatum during a growing season. These two Taraxacum species produced quite small seeds in size compared to the endemic species, exhibiting a far better dispersal ability of introduced species. These data demonstrate that most reproductive characters decline in size and number in both species during a long flowering period, but the two species appear to employ different strategies to achieve reproductive success in disturbed habitats.