• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.307-313
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• 2014

Rumex crispus (curled dock), which is a perennial wild plant, has long been used as a laxative, astringent, and medicine to treat blood and skin diseases. We recently reported that the roots of R. crispus are an effective nutraceutical for bone. This study prepared ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of R. crispus, and analyzed the major constituents using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. In addition, their effects on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells, such as cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen content, and mineralization, were compared. The chromatograms of the chemical constituents of the two extracts exhibited quite different profiles: quercetin and quercitrin were identified as major peaks in the leaf extract, whereas cinnamtannin B1 and procyanidin isomers were the major peaks for the root extract. Neither extract was cytotoxic at concentrations of < $25{\mu}g/ml$. ALP activity and collagen synthesis-which are markers of the early stage of osteogenesis-in MG-63 cells were significantly increased upon the addition of the root extract compared with the addition of the leaf extract. In contrast, the leaf extract had a more stimulatory effect on mineralization-which is marker of the late stage of osteogenesis-in MG-63 cells than did the root extract. In conclusion, extracts of both leaves and roots of R. crispus stimulated the bone-forming activity of osteoblasts; in particular, the root extract was more effective in the early stage of osteoblast differentiation, while the leaf extract was more effective in the late stage. This difference in anabolic activity may be due to differences in the constituents of the leaves and roots. The leaves and roots of R. crispus appear to complement each other as stimulators of bone formation.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.390-398
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• 2018

Miscanthus is a perennial energy plant that reproduces via rhizomes and has C4 metabolism. The flowering pattern of a wild type M. sacchariflorus (WTM) is affected by environmental conditions such as photoperiod and soil water status. Geodae-Uksae 1 (Geodea), which is a new M. sacchariflorus cultivar, has a lower heading rate than WMS; however the mechanism with why this happens is unknown. To confirm the effects of drought or waterlogging stresses on the growth of WTM and Geodea at the reproductive stage, we investigated variations in morphological characteristics and nutrient contents of the two Miscanthus species after four months of three water treatments. Morphological traits of the two Miscanthus species under the drought condition were similar to those under the control condition. But, the height of Geodea increased by 30% in response to the waterlogging stress. In WTM, the heading rate under the drought condition was lowest, while there was no significant difference between the waterlogging and control conditions. In the two Miscanthus species, nutrient contents, such as sucrose, total N, $P_2O_5$, K and Mg, were the highest under the drought condition, wherea Ca and Mg contents under the waterlogging condition were more than three times lower than those under the drought condition. The current study results showed that drought stress accelerated senescence and then inhibited nutrient mobilization in WTM, while waterlogging stress promoted the growth. This study is the first report to confirm that waterlogging stress promotes flowering of M. sacchariflorus.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.378-386
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• 2018

GROWTH-REGULATING FACTOR (GRF) genes encode plant-specific transcription factors and play critical roles in regulating the growth and development of lateral organs. In order to explore the agricultural potential of Brassica rapa GRF genes (BrGRFs), we constructed two BrGRF-overexpressing B. napus plants (BrGRF3-1OX and -9OX). BrGRF3-1OX and -9OX developed larger cotyledons, leaves, and seeds than the wild type. The increased organs' sizes were due to increases in cell number, but not due to cell size alterations. RT-PCR analysis revealed that BrGRFs regulated the expression of a wide range of genes that are involved in gibberellin-, auxin-, cell division-related growth processes. Taken together, our data indicate that BrGRFs act as positive regulators of B. napus growth, thus raising the possibility that they may serve as a useful genetic source for crop improvement with respect to organ size and seed production.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.131-141
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• 2011

This study, as a purpose of base study for landscape redevelopement of Seowon, pointed out problems of planting patterns in each sector and suggested an alternative through analyzing old literature, complete enumeration survey in each sector and taking aerial images. the conclusions drawn from this study are as follows. A Pilam Seowon(historic site no 242) is located in a Pyungya-Sanrok(plain and mountain) district in Jangsung-gun and has Junhak-Humyo(Study room in the front and Shirne in the back) type. 23 taxonomic group of arbor, 6 taxonomic group of shrub and 5 taxonomic group of flowers are planted high-densitily in limited flat surface. It can be classified into being planted by family and being planted through landscape redevelopement in 1980s. Korean traditional trees are planted in this area like Pinus densiflora, Juniperus chinensis L., Thuja orientalis L., Zelkova serrato Makino, Sophora japonica L., Lagerstroemia indica, Prunus mume include Ginkgo biloba which is old big tree and is registered in Jangsung-gun as protected trees. The tea tree in this area was introduced from wild tea plantation in Yonhwa moutain and was planted. From now on, we have to pay consideration a form management of planted trees in the historical area, rearrangement of plant density due to over planting, removal of alien trees like Pinus bungeana and Canna generalisa, prevention a dwarfishness of main area due to over planting in outside facilities, recovery a alienation among each planting area, and planting concept from plants drawings on wall of buildings can be suggested. The implications of this case study is that introduction of over planting can make more problems like losing sense of place. Therefore, we must do a actual state survey on traditional landscape area like Seowon from preservation point of view.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2021

Background: Abnormal chloride (Cl-) transport has a detrimental impact on mucociliary clearance in both cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF chronic rhinosinusitis. Ginseng is a medicinal plant noted to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. The present study aims to assess the capability of red ginseng aqueous extract (RGAE) to promote transepithelial Cl- secretion in nasal epithelium. Methods: Primary murine nasal septal epithelial (MNSE) [wild-type (WT) and transgenic CFTR-/-], fisher-rat-thyroid (FRT) cells expressing human WT CFTR, and TMEM16A-expressing human embryonic kidney cultures were utilized for the present experiments. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and airway surface liquid (ASL) depth measurements were performed using micro-optical coherence tomography (μOCT). Mechanisms underlying transepithelial Cl- transport were determined using pharmacologic manipulation in Ussing chambers and whole-cell patch clamp analysis. Results: RGAE (at 30㎍/mL of ginsenosides) significantly increased Cl- transport [measured as change in short-circuit current (ΔISC = ㎂/㎠)] when compared with control in WT and CFTR-/- MNSE (WT vs control = 49.8±2.6 vs 0.1+/-0.2, CFTR-/- = 33.5±1.5 vs 0.2±0.3, p < 0.0001). In FRT cells, the CFTR-mediated ΔISC attributed to RGAE was small (6.8 ± 2.5 vs control, 0.03 ± 0.01, p < 0.05). In patch clamp, TMEM16A-mediated currents were markedly improved with co-administration of RGAE and uridine 5-triphosphate (8406.3 +/- 807.7 pA) over uridine 5-triphosphate (3524.1 +/- 292.4 pA) or RGAE alone (465.2 +/- 90.7 pA) (p < 0.0001). ASL and CBF were significantly greater with RGAE (6.2+/-0.3 ㎛ vs control, 3.9+/-0.09 ㎛; 10.4+/-0.3 Hz vs control, 7.3 ± 0.2 Hz; p < 0.0001) in MNSE. Conclusion: RGAE augments ASL depth and CBF by stimulating Cl- secretion through CaCC, which suggests therapeutic potential in both CF and non-CF chronic rhinosinusitis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.294-304
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• 2021

This study aims to obtain basic data for systematic restoration by analyzing the monitoring results of the Shimwon Valley Ecological Landscape Restoration Project area in Jirisan National Park. In 2017, when the restoration project was completed, 12 monitoring plots and 4 control plots were installed for vegetation monitoring, and changes in the relative dominance, species diversity index and similarity between 2017 and 2020 were analyzed. The species diversity index of the surveyed areas where trees were planted during the restoration project was 0-1.4552, and the similarity index with the control group was 0% except for one survey area at 1.32%. The very low species diversity index and similarity index in the survey areas were attributed to the loss of trees planted during the restoration project due to death, damage by wild boars, or erosion by running water. On the other hand, the species diversity index was 0.9538-2.3222 in the monitoring plot where no tree was planted, and the similarity index was analyzed to be as high as 8.33%. It is necessary to continue the long-term monitoring for the development of ecological landscape restoration methods in the national park and analysis of the succession in monitoring plots where no trees were planted.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.253-259
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• 2019

Prostate cancer(PrCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in man. Medicinal plants are exploited for many drugs to treat various ailments. The drugs derived from the plants promote health, augmented the resistance of the body against disease. Pueraia lobata(wild) Ohwi(P. Lobata), kudzu, which is a twining perennial woody herb native to China, Korea, Japan, India, and the United States. Plants such as Moringa oleifera, have hypoglycemic properties and other beneficial properties. The objective of the study was to analyze the effects of kadzu and moringa, natural plant products on antioxidant activity and proliferation of the hormone-sensitive prostate cancer LNCaP cells. MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis were employed to investigate the anticancer mechanism and DPPH assay was determined to the antioxidant activity to scavenge free radicals in extract of these. All two extracts showed significantly antioxidant activity at 10 and 50mg/ml of concentration. kadzu and moringa reduced LNCaP cell viability in a dose dependent manner. Specially moringa extract was more potent cytotoxic than kadzu extract. Statistical analyses revealed kadzu and moringa exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity in LNCaP. The finding of this study provides a scientific basis for using kadzu and moringa in future development of chemotherapeutic drugs against hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.561-571
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• 2023

Background: Escalating evidence shows that ginseng possesses an antiaging potential with cognitive enhancing activity. As mountain cultivated ginseng (MCG) is cultivated without agricultural chemicals, MCG has emerged as a popular herb medicine. However, little is known about the MCG-mediated pharmacological mechanism on brain aging. Methods: As we demonstrated that glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is important for enhancing memory function in the animal model of aging, we investigated the role of MCG as a GPx inducer using GPx-1 (a major type of GPx) knockout (KO) mice. We assessed whether MCG modulates redox and cholinergic parameters, and memory function in aged GPx-1 knockout KOmice. Results: Redox burden of aged GPx-1 KO mice was more evident than that of aged wild-type (WT) mice. Alteration of Nrf2 DNA binding activity appeared to be more evident than that of NFκB DNA binding activity in aged GPx-1 KO mice. Alteration in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was more evident than that in acetylcholine esterase activity. MCG significantly attenuated reductions in Nrf2 system and ChAT level. MCG significantly enhanced the co-localization of Nrf2-immunoreactivity and ChAT-immunoreactivity in the same cell population. Nrf2 inhibitor brusatol significantly counteracted MCG-mediated up-regulation in ChAT level and ChAT inhibition (by k252a) significantly reduced ERK phosphorylation by MCG, suggesting that MCG might require signal cascade of Nrf2/ChAT/ERK to enhance cognition. Conclusion: GPx-1 depletion might be a prerequisite for cognitive impairment in aged animals. MCG-mediated cognition enhancement might be associated with the activations of Nrf2, ChAT, and ERK signaling cascade.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.965-976
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• 2023

Reynoutria japonica is a perennate plant belonging to Polygonaceae and grows wild in East Asia containing Korea. Roots of Reynoutria japonica (R. japonica), part of roots of Reynoutria japonica, has been used for anti-inflammation and antispasmodics and contains emodin as active compound. Epidermis of skin is crucial roles to defense our body against stimulants, harmful substance and prevent water loss. In this study, we examined the effect of R. japonica and emodin, its active compound, on skin-barrier and moisturizing on HaCaT cells. First, antioxidant effect of R. japonica was prominent by scavenging ABTS⁺ radicals. Next, we conducted real time PCR and expression of filaggrin mRNA which is crucial role in differentiation of keratinocyte increased by R. japonica and emodin dose-dependently. In addition, R. japonica and emodin significantly elevated the expression of HAS-2 mRNA which play a role in hyaluronic acid synthesis on HaCaT cells. Taken together, R. japonica containing emodin, as active compound has potential as a cosmetic material for enhancing the function of skin-barrier and moisturizing in epidermis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.347-366
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• 2023

In the present study, the vegetation was classified using the phytosociological method and canonical-correlation analysis (CCA) was implemented to analyze correlation between community structure and environmental factors in the natural habitats of forest byproducts, especially medicinal plants, such as Cudrania tricuspidata, Sorbus commixta, and Hovenia dulcis, in 2021-2022 to provide primary ecological data to establish environmental conditions for wild vegetable cultivation. A total of 11 plots in five regions, 8 plots in three regions, and 17 plots in 5 regions were selected for the natural habitats of C. tricuspidata in southern Korea, S. commixta in high mountains, and H. dulcis in valleys of central Korea, respectively. The importance value in each community was respectively analyzed as follows, in C. tricuspidata community, the importance value of C. tricuspidata (61.10) was the highest, followed by Celtis sinensis, Pinus thunbergii, Neolitsea aciculata, Styrax japonica, Carpinus coreana, Quercus serrata, and Q. acutissima. In Sorbus commixta community, Q. mongolica (57.21) was the highest, followed by, S. commixta (42.58), Betula ermani, Tilia amurensis, A. pseudosieboldianum, A. tschonoskii var. rubripes, Cornus controversa, Magnolia sieboldii, and Taxus cuspidata. In H. dulcis community, H. dulcis (64.58) was the highest, followed by Zelkova serrata, Cornus controversa, A. mono, Q. serrata, C. cordata, and Juglans mandshurica. As the result of the analysis on DBH of the major species having the high importance value, in C. tricuspidata community, C. tricuspidata, C. sinensis, Neolitsea aciculata, and C. coreana show the density of normal distribution, so the dominant status of these species is likely to continue. In S. commixta community, S. commixta show the density of reverse J-shaped curve, so the dominant status of these species is likely to be stable, and Q. mongolica, B. ermani and T. amurensis, show the density of normal distribution, so the dominant status of these species is likely to continue. In H. dulcis community, C. cordata, and J. mandshurica show the density of reverse J-shaped curve, so the dominant status of these species is likely to be stable, and H. dulcis, Z. serrata, C. controversa and A. mono had a formality distribution, suggesting a continuous domination of these species over the other species for the time being. The results of CCA ordination analysis using 11 environmental factors and 30 communities of three taxa classified by TWINSPAN analysis revealed that the altitude showed the strongest correlation with the vegetation. C. tricuspidata community was distributed on the moderate and gentle northeastern slope at low altitude with the highest pH, C.E.C, Ca²⁺, and Mg² and various P₂O₅, whereas S. commixta community was distributed on the steep slope at high altitude with the highest O.M and T-N and lower P₂O₅, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, C.E.C and pH, which is the opposite tendency of the environment of C. tricuspidata community. H. dulcis community was distributed on the gentle northern slope at lower altitude with an average pH, O.M, T-N, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and C.E.C, except higher P₂O₅.