• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.43-54
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups; normal control (n=8), LPS control (n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV4 (CV4, n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at ST36 (ST36, n=8), and LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 (CV12, n=8). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by peritoneal LPS injection (5mg/kg). Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-10 (IL-10), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) from blood and liver tissue were compared before and 5 hrs after inflammation induction. Results : In CV4 and CV12 groups, plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ levels increased by LPS injection, significantly decreased 5 hrs after injection (p<0.05). For CV12 group, plasma IL-10 concentration significantly increased (p<0.05). Liver IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 levles significantly decreased in CV4 and CV12 groups (P<0.05), while normal and LPS control groups were not significantly different in TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-10 levels. Plasma TBARS concentration was significantly decreased in CV12 group, while there was no significant difference among LPS control and pharmacopuncture groups for liver TBARS concentration. Conclusions : Based on the present findings, Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potentially preventive anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.872-878
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• 2014

This study aimed to enhance storage and freshness of strawberry fruits and foliage vegetables by spray treatment with Chlorella vulgaris as a bio-fertilizer. The tested strain, C. vulgaris CHK0008, was isolated from an organically cultivated rice paddy and identified as C. vulgaris by its morphology and 18S rDNA and 23S rDNA sequence homology. We successfully cultured C. vulgaris CHK0008 in BG11 modified medium (BG11MM) and adjusted $2.15{\times}10^6cell/mL$ C. vulgaris CHK0008 to one OD value by measuring the optical density at 680 nm using a UV-vis spectrophotometer. The soluble solid content of 'Seolhyang' and 'Yukbo' strawberry fruits treated by spray application with C. vulgaris CHK0008 was enhanced by 22.2% and 11.5% respectively, compared to untreated controls. Additionally, the decay rates of treated 'Seolhyang' and 'Yukbo' strawberry fruits decreased 63.8% and 74.4% respectively, compared to untreated control. Surface color changes and chlorosis of leaves in leaf vegetables such as lettuce, kale, red ornamental kale, white ornamental kale and beet were observed in samples treated with water spray for 10 days after cold storage. However, the decay rate of leafy vegetables treated with foliar application of 25% C. vulgaris CHK0008 liquid culture was significantly decreased compared to that of the untreated control during storage at $4^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1422-1427
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• 2011

This study was performed to develop effective antithrombotic agents from traditional herb extracts. Prunella vulgaris L. has been used traditionally as a medical resource in cancer therapy, as well as treatment of hypertension and inflammation, and as a diuretic. However, the effects of Prunella vulgaris on thrombosis and platelet activation have not been clearly understood. Antithrombotic and antiplatelet activities of oriental medicinal herbs were investigated by evaluating the effect of the aqueous extract from Prunella vulgaris on the blood coagulation, platelet aggregation and fibrinolysis. Prunella vulgaris extracts showed effective anticoagulant activity in coagulation times such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Prunella vulgaris also inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. In addition, evaluation of fibrinolytic activity showed that the Prunella vulgaris extracts have high solubility. From these results, it is suggested that Prunella vulgaris can be a potential candidate for anticoagulants and antiplatelets, as well as fibrinolytic agents.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2008

In this study, the potential anti-aging properties of Prunella vulgaris extract were investigated. According to our results, Prunella vulgaris extract increased collagen synthesis(74.7% at 250 ${\mu}g/mL$) and decreased on MMP-1 synthesis(90.2% at 200 ${\mu}g/mL$) and elastase activity(43.7% at 2.0%). Furthermore, it also showed free radical scavenging activity(76.9% at 2.0%) and reduced $H_2O_2$-induced cytoxicity(49.9% at 2.0%). A double-blind clinical study to investigate the effect of Prunella vulgaris extract on the skin's surface was conducted with 22 healthy volunteers, aged 34 to 48 years. The volunteers applied a cream formula with 4.0% of Prunella vulgaris extract, or placebo cream, on each crow's feet twice a day for 12 weeks. Skin wrinkles were evaluated with the naked eye and instrumental image analysis of silicone replicas, followed by statistical analysis. Twelve weeks after application of cream formula with 4.0% of Prunella vulgaris extract, we found significant improvement of facial wrinkle. Moreover, silicone replica analysis confirmed notable improvement in average of R2 and R3 at 12 weeks(p<0.05). These results demonstrate that Prunella vulgaris provides a remarkable and significant tensor and anti-wrinkle effect on the skin, which could be of great use in anti-aging skin care products.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.390-395
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• 2017

The antibacterial activity of ethanol (99.9%) extracts from marine micro-algae, namely, Mixed A (Pavlova sp., Thalassiosira weissflogii, Tetraselmis suecica and Isochrysis galbana were mixed with 1:1:1:1 ratio), Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis oculata and Chaetoceros calcitrans were estimated against food-borne bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. The extracts from these marine micro-algae showed potent antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria by the paper disk method. The extracts from C. vulgaris showed the strongest antibacterial activity against E. coli with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.62 mg/mL, and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 2.50 mg/mL. The extract from C. vulgaris contained 2 active compounds, 38.8% linoelaidic acid and 30.0% phytol. These results indicated that the ethanol extract from C. vulgaris may be a putative natural antibacterial agent against food-borne bacteria.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.547-555
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• 2020

Microalgae are a promising resource in energy and food production as they are cost-effective for biomass production and accumulate valuable biological resources. In this study, CO2 assimilation, biomass, and lipid production of 4 microalgal species (Chlorella vulgaris, Mychonastes homosphaera, Coelastrella sp., and Coelastrella vacuolata) were characterized at different CO2 concentrations ranging from 1% to 9%. Microscopic observation indicated that C. vulgaris was the smallest, followed by M. homosphaera, C. vacuolata, and Coelastrella sp. in order of size. C. vulgaris grew and consumed CO2 more rapidly than any other species. C. vulgaris exhibited a linear increase in CO2 assimilation (up to 9.62 mmol·day-1·l-1) as initial biomass increased, while the others did not (up to about 3 mmol·day-1·l-1). C. vulgaris, Coelastrella sp., and C. vacuolata showed a linear increase in the specific CO2 assimilation rate with CO2 concentration, whereas M. homosphaera did not. Moreover, C. vulgaris had a greater CO2 assimilation rate compared to those of the other species (14.6 vs. ≤ 11.9 mmol·day-1·l-1). Nile-red lipid analysis showed that lipid production per volume increased linearly with CO2 concentration in all species. However, C. vulgaris increased lipid production to 18 mg·l-1, compared to the 12 mg·l-1 produced by the other species. Thus, C. vulgaris exhibited higher biomass and lipid production rates with greater CO2 assimilation capacity than any other species.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.1-3
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• 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the insecticidal effects of the Anethum graveolens and the Artemisia vulgaris oils against Sitophilus zeamais and Sitotroga cerealella, respectively, in granary. Insecticidal effects of the A. graveolens oil showed 100 % mortality against S. zeamais for 5 days. In the case of S. cerealella, the A. vulgaris oil showed 100 % mortality for 2 h. These results indicate that the A. graveolens and A. vulgaris oils have potential for development as insecticidal to control S. zeamais and S. cerealella, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of patients with warts. Methods : We conducted statistics study on 100 patients, who had visited to Wart Clinic, from September 2008 to February 2009. Results : The results were as follows. 1. The wart was found more often from female(64%) than from male(36%). The age distributions of patients showed highest in 21-30 years, followed by 31-40 years, and 11-20 years. 2. The distributions of duration of warts showed highest in 1-5 years, followed by 6-10 years, and over 10 years. 3. The most common warts were Verruca plana(48%), Verruca vulgaris(25%), Verruca vulgaris with Palmoplantar wart(14%), Verruca plana with Verruca vulgaris(9%). 4. The Verruca vulgaris was found mostly in the hand, whereas the Verruca plana was seen mostly in the face. 5. Laser therapy was the most common previous treatment, followed by cryotherapy, immunotherapy in order. 6. The distributions of duration of treatment showed highest in 1-4 weeks, followed by 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks in order. 7. After treatment, 43 cases(43%) showed complete clearance, and 29 cases(29%) showed partial clearnace. Conclusion : We analyzed the characteristics of patients with warts. Further studies would be needed to develop the better treatment on warts.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.209-215
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• 2000

'Ha Go Cho (夏枯草)' is one of the Chinese crude drugs used mainly as a diuretic. With regard to the botanical origin of 'Ha Go Cho', it was reported by Su et al. that those from China were originated from the fruited spica of Prunella vulgaris L. of Labiatae. It was, however, for the herba or spica of Prunella vulgaris L. var. lilacina Nakai from Korea. According to survey of markets in Korea, most of the materials collected in the markets seemed to be originated from Prunella plant, while some seemed to be Thesium plant of Santalaceae. To clarify the botanical origin of 'Ha Go Cho', the anatomical characteristics of Prunella vulgaris L. var. lilacina Nakai and Thesium chinense Turcz. were studied. As a result, it was clarified that some 'Ha Go Cho' from Korea were the herba or spica of Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina, whereas some others were the herba of Thesium chinense.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.192-198
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• 2020

Caenorhabditis elegans model system was used to investigate the antioxidant activity of Beta vulgaris L. (Chenopodiaceae) methanol extract. The methanol extract showed DPPH radical scavenging and superoxide quenching activity in a dose-dependent manner. The B. vulgaris methanol extract was measured for the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and oxidative stress tolerance by using C. elegans, along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. In addition, to see that the regulation of the stress response gene is responsible for the increased stress tolerance of C. elegans treated by the methanol extract, SOD-3 expression was measured using a transgenic strain. As a result, the B. vulgaris methanol extract increased SOD and catalase activities, and decreased ROS accumulation, dose-dependently. Furthermore, the methanol extract-treated CF1553 worm showed higher SOD-3::GFP intensity than the control.