• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.268-271
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• 2004

In order to examine their effects on the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in human breast cancer cells, MCF-7/ADR, one hundred Indonesian plant extracts were screened. Among them, the five chloroform extracts of Calotropis gigantea, Curcuma aeruginosa, Merremia mammosa, Sindora sumatrana, and Zingiber cassumunar, showed the most potent P-gp inhibitory activity. When each of these extracts was treated together with the anticancer agent, daunomycin, they increased the cytotoxic activity of daunomycin up to $IC_{50}$ values of less than $6.62\;{\mu}M$, which is a value with a positive control, verapamil. Also, other 15 plant extracts exhibited significant P-gp inhibitory activity with $IC_{50}$ values between 6.62 and $13.20\;{\mu}M$. These prospective samples will be subjected to further laboratory phytochemical investigation to find active principles.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.391-397
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• 2010

E2F transcription factors and their target genes have been known to play an important role in cell growth control. We found that curcumin, a polyphenolic phytochemical isolated from the plant Curcuma longa, markedly suppressed E2F4 expression in HCT116 colon cancer cells. Hydrogen peroxide was also found to decrease E2F4 protein level, indicating the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in curucmin-induced downregulation of E2F4 expression. Involvement of ROS in E2F4 downregulation in response to curcumin was confirmed by the result that pretreatment of cells with N-acetylcystein (NAC) before exposure of curcumin almost completely blocked the reduction of E2F4 expression at the protein as well as mRNA level. Anti-proliferative effect of curcumin was also suppressed by NAC which is consistent to previous reports showing curcumin-superoxide production and induction of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage as well as apoptosis. Expression of several genes, cyclin A, p21, and p27, which has been shown to be regulated in E2F4-dependent manner and involved in the cell cycle progression was also affected by curcumin. Moreover, decreased (cyclin A) and increased (p21 and p27) expression of these E2F4 downstream genes by curcumin was restored by pretreatment of cells with NAC and E2F4 overexpression which is induced by doxycycline. In addition, E2F4 overexpression was observed to partially ameliorate curcumin-induced growth inhibition by cell viability assay. Taken together, we found curcumin-induced ROS down-regulation of E2F4 expression and modulation of E2F4 target genes which finally lead to the apoptotic cell death in HCT116 colon cancer cells, suggesting that E2F4 appears to be a novel determinant of curcumin-induced cytotoxicity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9997-10001
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• 2014

Background: Curdione, one of the major components of Curcuma zedoaria, has been reported to possess various biological activities. It thus might be a candidate anti-flammatory and cancer chemopreventive agent. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of action of curdione on cancer cells are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of curdione on breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Xenograft nude mice were used to detect the effect of curdione on breast cancer in vivo; we also tested the effect of curdione on breast cancer in vitro by MTT, Flow cytometry, JC-I assay, and western blot. Results: Firstly, we found that curdione significantly suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft nude mouse breast tumor model in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, curdione treatment inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, after curdione treatment, increase of impaired mitochondrial membrane potential occurred in a concentration dependent manner. Furthermore, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins including cleaved caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax was increased in curdione treatment groups, while the expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased. Inhibitors of caspase-3 were used to confirm that curdione induced apoptosis. Conclusions: Overall, our observations first suggested that curdione inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. These results might provide some molecular basis for the anti-cancer activity of curdione.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2307-2312
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• 2015

Curcumol is a sesquiterpene originally isolated from curcuma rhizomes, a component of herbal remedies commonly used in oriental medicine. Its beneficial pharmacological activities have attract significant interest recently. In this study, anti-cancer activity of curcumol was examined with both in vitro and in vivo models. It was found that curcumol exhibited time- and concentration-dependent anti-proliferative effects in SPC-A-1 human lung adenocarcinoma cells with cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase while apoptosis-induction was also confirmed with flow cytometry and morphological analyses. Interestingly, curcumol did not display growth inhibition in MRC-5 human embryonic lung fibroblasts, suggesting the anti-proliferative effects of curcumol were specific to cancer cells. Anti-neoplastic effects of curcumol were also confirmed in tumor bearing mice. Curcumol (60 mg/ kg daily) significantly reduced tumor size without causing notable toxicity. In conclusion, curcumol appears a favorable anti-cancer candidate for further development.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-17
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• 2010

Ten numbers of plants, based on their medicinal value, were used to test their efficacy against virosis (caused by cytoplassmic polyhedrosis virus) in tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury. in indoor rearing conditions. The aqueous extracts of leaf of Azadirichita indica (neem), Acharanthus aspera, Psoralea corylifolia, Asparagus racemosus, Adhatoda zelanica (Basak), Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh), Moringa oilephera (sahjan), whole plant of Phyllanthus urinaria (Bhuiamla), Centella asiatica (Veng sag) and Curcuma longa (Haldi powder) in different concentrations were used for containment of virosis in silkworm larvae. The tasar silkworm larvae were orally inoculated with PIBs ($1\times10^6$) of AmCPV in $2^{nd}$ instar and treated with plant extracts in each instar ($2^{rd}$ instar onwards). The mortality due to virosis was recorded during larval period. The plant extracts, irrespective of their concentrations, were found effective in suppressing the virosis where P. urinaria reduced the virosis to 56.90% followed by A. paniculata (53.82%) and least in C. asiatica (5.15%). The lowest pooled larva mortality 36.99% was recorded in the treatment of P. urinaria. Comparatively higher larva mortality 39.91% was observed with the treatment of A. paniculata. The highest larva mortality in treatment was with C. asiatica (81.99%). In treated control larva mortality was 86.50%.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2012

Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L.), Dandelion (Taraxacum platycarpum H. DAHLST.), Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), Gree kyllinga (Kyllinga brevifolia var.), Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), Annual lespedeza (Kummerowia striata (Thunb.)Schindl.), Mugwort (Artemisia capillaris Thunb.), Horseweed (Erigeron canadensis L.), Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) are major weeds in turf. In this study, 23 medicinal plant extracts were tested for herbicidal activities against crabgrass and dandelion in the course of major weed in turf. In pot experiment, we implemented pre-emergence application used medicinal plant extracts showed herbicidal activity in petridish experiment. In effect, inhibition rates of germination were 61.0% at Curcuma longa extract and 62.5% at Cnidium officinale extract in crabgrass pot experiment, and 77.8% at Ailanthus altissima extract in dandelion pot experiment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.56 no.3 s.102
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• pp.73-80
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• 2006

This study is aimed to produce natural dyeing garments, which contain the sentiments and color sense of Koreans, by using various household supplies, with a view to increase the values added and utilization of natural dyeing. The dyes mainly used for this study are multi-colored ones which are durable after dyeing and can represent various colors. They include Lithodpermum officinale, Caesalpinia sappan, Rubia Cordifolia, Pellodendron Bak, Curcuma Longa L., fallen Ginkgo Biloba, Artemisia Princeps, and Quereus acutissima carr shell. Considering water pollution and other things, aluminum acetate and ferrous chloride were used as mordants. Cheap and practical materials such as cotton cloth and those with traditional patterns and elegance such as silk and ramie fabrics were used to produce baby goods, household supplies, clothes, and accessories. The produced supplies closely contact with our body, so they may have a great effect on human body. The household supplies produced include rug, bedclothes, room bedclothes, curtain, bedding set, cushion, and sunlight blind, in consideration of the functionality or medical actions of the goods which are closely related to the human skin. The infant supplies produced include longcloth for newborn baby, bedding set, gauze handkerchief, and doll. The clothes include night gown, shirt, bath gown, and Korean traditional clothes. The accessories include tablecloth, cup pad, bag, wrapping cloth, mouse and keyboard cushion, and scarf. Nowadays, consumers prefer environment-friendly naturally dyed garments and products. In order to control the naturally dyed garments and products which are traded in the domestic market, it is urgent to introduce such ecological marks as 'Toxproof' and 'Ecoproof.' Currently, many ordinary persons, who are not experts, have interest and participate in natural dyeing, but they simply produce naturally dyed garments, not artistic works or everyday supplies. The present author expects this study will contribute to the production of household goods by such persons. The author also hopes that they will develop and commercialize such designs as suit to modern tastes and senses based on the unique cultural assets of Koreans, so that Korean naturally dyed products may be recognized as reliable commodities equipped with international competitiveness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3917-3922
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• 2015

Curcumin, a lipid-soluble compound extracted from the plant Curcuma Longa, has been found to exert immunomodulatory effects via macrophages. However, most studies focus on the low bioavailability issue of curcumin by nano and microparticles, and thus the role of macrophages in the anticancer mechanism of curcumin has received little attention so far. We have previously shown the potential biocompatibility, biodegradability and anti-cancer effects of dendrosomal curcumin (DNC). In this study, twenty-seven BALB/c mice were equally divided into control as well as 40 and 80 mg/kg groups of DNC to investigate the involvement of macrophages in the antitumor effects of curcumin in a typical animal model of metastatic breast cancer. At the end of intervention, the tumor volume and weight were significantly reduced in DNC groups compared to control (P<0.05). Histopathological data showed the presence of macrophages in tumor and spleen tissues. Real-time PCR results showed that DNC increased the expression of STAT4 and IL-12 genes in tumor and spleen tissues in comparison with control (P<0.05), referring to the high levels of M1 macrophages. Furthermore treatment with DNC decreased STAT3, IL-10 and arginase I gene expression (P<0.05), indicating low levels of M2 macrophage. The results confirm the role of macrophages in the protective effects of dendrosomal curcumin against metastatic breast cancer in mice.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 1977

In an attempt to deduce which plants might have been used for their anticancer activities in traditional oriental herb medicine, 127 prescriptions were selected from 'Dong-Eui-Bo-Gam', the Classic Handbook of Korean Traditional Medicine, written by $H_{UH}$ Jun and published in 1613. These are the prescriptions indicated for the systemic treatment of various tumors and some conditions resembling tumors, e.g. inflammatory masses and indurations, and they include 150 natural products of plant origin. The frequency of appearance of each medicinal plant in these selected prescriptions was compared with the frequency of its appearance in all prescriptions listed in 'Bang-Yak-Hap-Pyon', another popular Oriental Medicine Formulary in Korea, written by $H_{WANG}\;Pil-Su$ in 1885. From the latter book, $H_{ONG}$ has recently enumerated frequencies of 235 medicinal plants included in a total of 467 prescriptions. Chi-square tests revealed that 11 plant remedies appear with significantly higher frequency in the prescriptions for "tumors", and 10 for "inflammations". The plants with potential antitumor activities, in decreasing order of statistical significance, are Scirpus maritimus, Curcuma zedoaria, Prunus persica, Rheum coreanum, Foeniculum vulgare, Rhus vernifera, Daphne pseudogenkwa, Galarhaeus sieboldiana, Croton tiglium, Raphanus sativus and Galarhaeus pekinensis. The drugs for potential antibacterial or anti-inflammatory activities are Olibanum(Frankincense), Forsythia coreana, Lonicera japonica, Gleditchia officinalis, $M_{YRRH}$, Trichosanhes kirilowii, Astragalus membranaceus, Rheum coreanum, Platycodon grandiflorum and Fritillaria verticillata. Despite the uncertainties involved in the terminology of various diseases used in pre-modern medicine, and the reservations about the efficacy of remedies used for those diseases, it would be worthwhile to investigate these few selected plants for anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory or antifungal effects, employing modern scientific methodology.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.241-254
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• 2015

This study attempts to examine farmers' preference and perception towards cropland agroforestry (CAF) and its economic benefits in Bangladesh. It surveys 84 farmers of two sub-districts named Manirampur and Bagherpara under Jessore district of Bangladesh to address the study objectives with the help of a questionnaire during the period of June to July 2013. We follow a multistage random sampling procedure for selecting respondents of the survey. A total of 27 plant species under 19 families are identified in the surveyed crop fields, among which 11 are tree species and 1 is shrub from 8 families and 15 species are agricultural crops from 11 families. According to the survey findings, most of the farmers prefer multipurpose tree species like Swietenia macrophylla (67 percent), Phoenix sylvestris (48 percent), Mangifera indica (48 percent) and Cocos nucifera (43 percent). We also find that Curcuma longa (92 percent), Oryza spp. (56 percent), Solanum melongena (43 percent) and Amorphophallus campanulatus (33 percent) are the available agriculture crops which are grown in association with trees in the study area. The surveyed farmers report that they practice CAF to get fuel wood, fodder, juice, fruit and food for family consumption and revenue earnings. About 76 percent of the surveyed farmers endorse the existence of a positive interaction between trees and agriculture crops, while the rest 24 percent endorse the existence of a negative interaction between trees and agriculture crops. This study finds that CAF farmers on an average earn US$ 1,410 per farm per year and the yearly average revenue difference between CAF and non-cropland agroforestry (NCAF) farmers is US$ 214. Overall, CAF needs to develop through scientific intervention in the study area to conserve the biodiversity and to enhance farmers' sustainable livelihood.