• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.769-779
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• 1994

The root of Bupleurum falcatum L.(BF) has been widely used in oriental medicine as a major camponent in many prescriptions for chronic hepatitis, renal disease, tuberculosis and some other infectious diseases. Many attempts have done to investigate the therapeutic effects of these principles. However, any kinds of screenig on immune regulatory- and antitumor- effects of BF has not been reported. The present study, therefore, was undertaken to investigate the BF-effects on cellular- and humoral-immune responses, phagocytic activities of macrophages, lymphokine- and Immunoglobulin(Ig)-production of lymphocytes, tumorigenesis of implanted sarcoma 180 cells and B16 melanoma cells, and proliferations of some tumor cell lines(Fsa II, 3LL and EL4). BF increased phagocytic activities of mouse peritoneal macrophages in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Arthus reaction and antibody responses to SRBC were slightly enhanced but delayed hypersensitivity was depresed when BF was injected before- and after-SRBC sensitization. BF inhibited the proliferative responses of human tonsillar lymphocytes to PHA- and Con A-stimulation but slightly augmented the response of these cells to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan 1(SAC)-activation. Ig secretion of human mononuclear cells activated with SAC was slightly increased by BF. BF significantly augmented the SAC-induced IL 6 production of human mononuclear cells but not influenced Con Ainduced IL 2 secretion. NK cell activities of mouse splenocytes were somewhat increased when BF was pretreated and this responses were due to the increment of binding affinities of effector cells to target cells and of lytic activities of effector cells against target cells. In vitro BF significantly inhibited the proliferations of cancer cells such as Fsa II, 3LL and EL4 strains. BF decreased not only the frequency of tumor induction but also the tumor size per sarcoma 180 or B16 cell-implanted mouse. Taken together, these results indicate that BF is one of the potential immunomodulator, and suggest its possibility to be used as a desirable antitumor agent.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.216-220
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• 1998

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of some seed pretreatments on seed germination, emergence, growth and yield of Bupleurum falcatum L. Seed treatments included stratification in open-field during winter, washing with running water, low temperature storage, soaking into $H_2SO_4$ solution, and scarification. Germination increased 15% by stratification and 9% by washing treatment compared to non-treatment, control. It was suggested that washing treatment leached inhibiting substance, while stratification treatment leached inhibiting substance and promoted growth of immatured embryo. In the field mulched with rice straw, stratification and washing treatments were effective to shorten days to emergence by 31 and 21 days and to increase emergence rate by 7 and 5 %, respectively, compared with control. By these two treatments, root growth was improved, the number of harvested plants was increased considerably and dry root yield per ha were increased by 29 and 22 %, respectively, compared with control.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.422-430
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• 2012

Previous studies have demonstrated that repeated restraint stress in rodents produces increases in depression and anxiety-like behaviors and alters the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. The current study focused on the impact of Bupleurum falcatum (BF) extract administration on repeated restraint stress-induced behavioral responses using the forced swimming test (FST) and elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Immunohistochemical examinations of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in rat brain were also conducted. Male rats received daily doses of 20, 50, or 100 mg/kg (i.p.) BF extract for 15 days, 30 min prior to restraint stress (4 h/day). Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation in response to repeated restraint stress was confirmed base on serum corticosterone levels and CRF expression in the hypothalamus. Animals that were pre-treated with BF extract displayed significantly reduced immobility in the FST and increased open-arm exploration in the EPM test in comparison with controls. BF also blocked the increase in TH expression in the locus coeruleus of treated rats that experienced restraint stress. Together, these results demonstrate that BF extract administration prior to restraint stress significantly reduces depression and anxiety-like behaviors, possibly through central adrenergic mechanisms, and they suggest a role for BF extract in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.146-148
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• 2001

In order to investigate the inhibitory effects on the type IV allergy reaction of the hot water extracts (10 mg/20 g body weight) from medicinal herbs (Flos magnoliae, Poncirus trifoliata, Bupleurum falcatum, Scutellaria baicalensis, Schisandra chinensis), delayed type hypersensitivity by 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene (DNFB) was measured. Scutellaria baicalensis, Schisandra chinensis and Poncirus trifoliata showed inhibitory effects on the delayed type hypersensitivity by DNFB in the 1'st and 2'nd sensitized mice, but Flos magnoliae showed valuable changes only in the 2'nd sensitized mice. Inhibitory effect of Bupleurum falcatum had no statistical significance (p>0.05). According to above results, Scutellaria baicalensis, Schisandra chinensis and Poncirus trifoliata are supposed to be effective as anti-delayed type allergic regimen.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.453-457
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• 1994

Six local strains collected in Korea and one cultivar (Samdo) introduced from Japan were applied for comparative cultivation to investigate growth characteristics, root yield potentials and saikosaponin contents of root in Bupleurum falcatum L. The one and two year old plants of the native local strains flowered in August 2~3 and July 16~18, respectively, whereas Samdo was late flowering type, being delayed by 18~32days and sustained the growth of above ground parts to the end of November. All the native local strains have similiar characteristics but Samdo was completely different in plant and root type. Local strain collected from Chunchon showed better in growth and root characteristics, consequently resulting high yield of dry roots and saikosaponin contents in both one and two year old plants. The average yield of two year cultivation system was 2.6 times high as 105Kg /10a, compared with that of one year.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.75-78
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• 1980

Potential antinumor activity of sixteen Korean medicinal plants was tested against leukemia SN 36, murine tomor model. Survival studies by measuring life span indicated that Morus alba (Moraceae), Verbascum phlomoides (Scrophulariaceae), Curcuma longa (Zingbieraceae), Torilis japonica (Umbelliferae), Bupleurum falcatum (Umbelliferae) and Codonopsis pilosula (Campanulaceae) exhibited significant antitumor activity with the dose-schedule employed in the experiment. Methanol (70%) extracts of Platycodon gradiflorum (Campanulaceae), Bupleurum longeradiatum (Umbelliferae) and Asiasarum sieboldii (Aristolochiaceae) showed rather potent toxicity.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.317-326
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• 2002

This study was conducted to determine the optimum planting dates and density of one year old Bupleurum falcatum L. to improve its productivity and quality. Two cultivars of B. falcatum, originated from Jeongseon, Korea and Mishima, Japan were used. Some of the results obtained are as follows : Jeongseon cultivar showed less stem branches and shoot weight compared to Mishima. However, Jeongseon cultivar showed tall plant height, high root fresh and dry weight, and high levels of saikosaponin, but low saikosaponin content than that of Mishima. Both cultivars seeded on March 20 had long main root, big stem diameter, few stem branch, and high saikosaponin c content compared to those of late seeded one, April 30. Growth characteristics such as plant height, stem diameter, stem branch number, shoot weight, root diameter, root fresh and dry weight, and root branch number were increased in a low planting $density(30\;{\times}\;15cm)$, but the content of saikosaponin was not affected by planting density. Jeongseon and Mishima cultivars seeded on April 10 with $30\;{\times}\;15cm$ planting density and April 30 with $30\;{\times}\;10cm$ planting density contained the highest total saikosaponin levels, respectively. However, average root dry weight were not affected by planting time or density in both Bupleurum cultivars.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.291-298
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• 1995

This study describes plant regeneration from leaf explant of Bupleurum falcatum through somatic embryogenesis, and the effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on somatic embryo abnormalities. The relationship between the cotyledon number of somatic embryo and its germinability is also described. Embryogenic calli were selected from calli formed on explants cultured on MS solid basal medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 2,4-D. Cotyledonary abnormalities were observed in somatic embryos which were developed from calli cultured on MS medium with 1 mg/L 2,4-D for 6-week and then subcultured on 2,4-D free MS medium for 3 weeks. The frequency of abnormalities was as follows: 7% of somatic embryos had one cotyledon, 65% of them had two cotyledons, 25% three cotyledons, 5% four cotyledons, 2% five cotyledons, and 3% trumpet-like cotyledons. The two cotyledon somatic embryos were germinated at a frequency of 80%. However the germination frequency of one cotyledon embryo and multicotyledonary embryo was lower than that of the two cotyledon somatic embryo. All of trumper-like somatic embryos did not germinate. Histological observations of multicotyledon embryo showed circular procambium in the root but pocambial strands in the cotyledonary node or upper hypocotyl. The number of the strands was equal to the cotyledon number.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding Bupleurum falcatum L.(BFL) on performance, blood component and hormonal secretion in broiler breeder hens. A total of 800 broiler breeder hens were allotted to four treatments(BFL ; 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0%) with four replications for eight weeks. Weight gain was not significantly different between the groups in growing period($20{\sim}24$ weeks), but egg production and egg mass of broiler breeder hens fed BFL were significantly(p<0.05) higher than those of the control groups in laying period($24{\sim}28$ weeks). Dietary BFL did not affect serum triglyceride concentration, whereas serum cholesterol concentration was significantly increased(p<0.05) in 2.0% BFL-fed groups. No statistical differences were found in serum glucose, Ca, P, Mg, total protein, albumin, GGT, AST, ALT and BUN concentrations. However, albumin/globulin ratio was statistically higher in BFL-fed groups compared to the control groups(p<0.05). Serum estrogen concentrations were significantly increased by feeding a diet containing 0.5% BFL, but progesterone were not influenced. Serum IGF-I of BFL groups was greater than that of control groups at 28 weeks(p<0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that the dietary addition of BFL into broiler breeder diets improved egg production, serum estrogen and IGF-I concentration, and decreased serum cholesterol concentration and albumin/globulin ratio.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 1994.06a
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• pp.150-151
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• 1994