• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.736-744
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• 2010

The root of Playtcodon grandiflorum, called Platycodi radix, has been a favorite edible plant in Asia and contains a large amount of saponins. Melanoma cells (B16F10) were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of aged black Platycodi radix extract (ABPRE) on oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Platycodon radix has been known to have a variety of medicinal effects such as prevention of gastric ulcers, antiallergenic activities, histamine release inhibition, and antioxidant effects. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear in humans. ABPRE was prepared using ethanol extraction of aged black Platycodi radix. In an antioxidant effect study of ABPRE, it was observed that ABPRE specifically exhibited the scavenging activity of DPPH radical, but did not inhibit the production of malondialdehyde from lipid peroxidation. DNA oxidation was also blocked in the presence of ABPRE. In addition, ABPRE decreased the expression and activation of MMP-2 stimulated by phenazine methosulfate. Furthermore, ABPRE revealed the inhibitory effect on melanin production induced by L-dopa via antioxidant effect and the reduction of tyrosinase expression. Especially, the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD-1 and SOD-2 regulated by Nrf2 was increased in the presence of ABPRE. Therefore, it appears that ABPRE may be a possible chemopreventive agent for the prevention of metastasis related to oxidative stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.47-71
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• 2009

The resource plants of northern region in Gapyeong-gun were investigated 7 times from Apr. 2007 to Oct. 2007. In the result of survey, the flora of this area, depend on voucher specimens, consist of 480 taxa totally; 94 families, 286 genera, 412 species, 4 subspecies, 52 varieties and 12 forms. The Resource plants in this area were categorized by their use into edible 177, pasturing 136, medicinal 124, stainable 69, ornamental 133, afforest 24, timber 10, fiber 6, industrial 2 taxa and unknown use plants 72, respectively. There were remarkable plants such as 14 taxa of Korean endemic plants, 85 taxa of specific plants which were designated by the Ministry of Environment, and 12 taxa of rare and endangered plants of Korea Forest Service. Furthermore, 22 taxa of naturalized plants 4.6% were also observed in this area and Urban Index (UI) was 8.2%. The vegetation status of investigated area was comparatively well conserved, but the degree of UI could be increased rapidly by the climbers, development of forest road. Therefore, the systems for conservation need to prepared for the effective management of forest, and the special plans need to control the number of climbers and visitors.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2011

Oudemansiella mucida, an edible and medicinal mushrooms belonging to Tricholomataceae of Basidiomycota, has been known to produce antifungal substances to inhibit the mycelial growth and spore germination of the plant pathogenic fungi. To produce good amount of antifungal substances from culture media, the optimal culture conditions of O. mucida were investigated. The most favorable conditions for the mycelial growth were $25^{\circ}C$ and pH 5 in potato dextrose agar. The most favorable carbon and nitrogen sources promoting mycelial growth were maltose and calcium nitrate, respectively. The optimum C/N ratio was about 20 : 1 in case that 3% glucose was supplemented to the basal medium as a carbon source. The optimal mycelial growth of O. mucida was found in the Hennerberg medium. The crude extract from submerged culture of potato dextrose broth exhibited inhibition of mycelial growth of Colletotrichum acutatum, Botrytis cinerea and Pyricularia oryzae but, fungicidal activity is not good enough to compared with commercially available fungicides tested. Therefore, the antifungal substances extracted from submerged culture of O. mucida might have a potential to be used for biocontrol agent of fungal diseases of plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.62-89
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• 2016

The great part of the traditional knowledge on ethnobotanical plants and their uses is gradually vanishing due to industrialization, therefore ethnobotanical studies that explore and preserve the knowledge are in urgent needed before the knowledge are lost ever. This study was conducted to record and conserve the traditional knowledge of botanical taxa in Korea from 2006 to 2014. According to the survey results, derived from 17,328 sheets of 1,771 residents at 868 places, the ethnobotanical plants in Korea consisted of a total 924 taxa; 130 families, 493 genera, 813 species, 7 subspecies, 92 varieties and 12 form. Of them, herbs were 619 taxa (67.0%) and woody plants were 305 taxa (33.0%). 707 taxa (76.5%) out of 924 taxa grow wild, 44 taxa (4.8%) were cultivated wild species, 145 taxa (15.7%) were introduced for cultivation, and 28 taxa (3.0%) were naturalized plants. The analysis of usage for 924 taxa showed that the edible use was the highest with 58.9%, followed by medicinal with 26.9%, material with 3.7% and ornamental with 2.3%, respectively. The leaf of plant was the most useful part, followed by stem and root. Quantitative analysis of the ethnobotanical plants in Korea was performed by the basic values of FC, NU and UR, and indices of CI, RFC, RI and CV. As a result, The CI place Artemisia princeps in first position, followed by Aster scaber, Kalopanax septemlobus. The RFC place A. scaber in first position, followed by A. princeps, Aralia elata. The RI place A. princeps in first position, followed by Pinus densiflora, Morus alba. The CV place A. princeps in first position, followed by P. densiflora, K. septemlobus.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.60-78
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• 2010

To clarify the distribution of vascular plants and their usefulness in Heoninlleung, Ecological Landscape Conservation Areas of Seoul, we investigated it from April, 2006 to June, 2009. Total 313 taxa; 68 families, 191 genera, 264 species, 41 varieties and 8 forma were distributed in Heoninlleung. Among them, 37 taxa were highly abundant everywhere (3A), 16 taxa were highly abundant locally (3B), 70 taxa were moderately abundant everywhere (2A), 96 taxa were common in certain regions locally (2B), 9 taxa were rare but observed everywhere with low frequency (2A) and 85 taxa were rare and observed locally (1B). The economic plants were 293 taxa. There were 156 taxa of edible source, 223 taxa of medicinal source, 141 taxa of ornamental source, 69 taxa of pastoral source, 12 taxa of industrial, and 8 taxa of timber source. Twelve Korean endemic plants were collected. Based on the list of rare plants by the Korea National Arboretum and Ministry of Environment, 2 rare species were found. The specific species of I~V grades by phytogeography were 19 taxa. And twentyfour taxa of naturalized plant species were distributed. Naturalization Index was 7.7% and Urbanization Index was 8.4% in the investigated area.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.76-88
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• 2011

The flora of vascular plants in the mountains located in the Uiryeong-gun area, in the South province of the Korean Peninsula, such as Jagul-san(897.1 m), 676 Highland(676 m), Byeokhwa-san(522 m), and the Bangeo-san(530.4 m), was investigated between April 2008 and August 2009. These investigations found 580 taxa consisting of 496 species, 1 subspecies, 77 varieties, and 6 forms, found within 319 genera under 103 families. The count totaled at 744 taxa(16.2% of all vascular plant taxa in Korea), which was made up of 648 species, 3 subspecies, 81 varieties, and 12 forms, found within of 362 genera under 109 families, when voucher specimens from the previous research studies were added. Forests of the investigated areas were generally composed of mixed Pinus densiflora and Quercus sp. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were the valley neighboring Baekun-sa(temple) (in the eastern slope of Mt. Jagul-san), the southwest slope of Mt. 676 Highland, the eastern slope of Mt. Byeokhwa-san, and the northern slope of Mt. Bangeo-san. 10 families were collected in abundance: Compositae, Graminae, Leguminosae, Liliaceae, Rosaceae, Cyperaceae, Labiatae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Violaceae these families made up 50% of all collected taxa. 19 taxa were endemic to the area, including Salix hallaisanensis H.Lev, S. koriyanagi Kimura, Aconitum austrokoreense Koidz, A. pseudolaeve Nakai, Clematis trichotoma Nakai, Thalictrum uchiyamai Nakai, Stewartia pseudocamellia Maxim, Philadelphus schrenkii Rupr., Lespedeza ${\times}$ robusta Nakai, Vicia chosenensis Ohwi, Euonymus trapococca Nakai, and Angelica cartilagino-marginata var. distans(Nakai) Kitag. Eight of the taxa were rare and endangered plants, as designated by the Korea Forest Service, including Jeffersonia dubia(Maxim.) Baker & S. Moore and Viola diamantiaca Nakai. 38 taxa of alien plants were found. Vegetation of the surveyed areas falls in the South province of the Korean Peninsula. Of all the taxa collected, 463 taxa(10.06% of all vascular plants in Korea) are considered useful plants, 231 taxa are edible, 193 taxa have medicinal uses, 65 taxa are used ornamentally, 234 taxa are important forage, 3 taxa are used as an industrial raw material, 17 taxa are used for timber, 18 taxa contain useful dyes, and 7 taxa are used for fiber.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.365-380
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• 2009

Flora of vascular plants in mountains located at Wonju-si and Hoengseong-gun areas such as Chiak-san(1,288m), Taegi-san(1,261.4m), Obong-san(1,126.2m), Eungbong-san(1,094.9m), Eodab-san(789.4m), Deokgo-san(521.2m), Deokga-san(700.5m) and Seongji-bong(791m) was investigated from April, 2008 to May, 2009, and results from the previous researches in which voucher specimens had been presented from Balgyo-san(998.4m), Oeum-san(930.4m), Baekun-san(1,037.1m) and Chiak-san(1,288m) were included in the list of vascular plants from these areas. This investigations resulted in 804 taxa consisted of 680 species, 1 subspecies, 111 varieties, and 12 forms of 383 genera under 97 families, and totally in 973 taxa (21.14% of all vascular plants in Korea) of 818 species, 1 subspecies, 138 varieties and 16 forms of 418 genera under 105 families on addition of voucher specimens in the previous researches. Forests of the investigated areas were generally mixed of Pinus densiflora and deciduous trees. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were valley from Guryong-sa (temple) to Biro-bong (summit) via Seryeom-pokpo (fall) in Mt. Chiak-san, and Keunseong-gol (valley) and eastern slope from Taegibungyo-teo to Naksu-dae (fall) in Mt. Taegi-san. 10 families with abundantly collected species were Compositae, Graminae, Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Leguminosae, Cyperaceae, Liliaceae, Saxifragaceae, Umbelliferae and Labiatae in order, and they occuied 49.12% of all collected taxa. Endemic plants found in these areas were 38 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Megaleranthis saniculifolia, and Pyrus ussuriensis var. diamantica, and rare and endangered ones were 24 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Viola websteri, Viola diamantica, and Patrina saniculaefolia. Specially designated plants by the Ministry of Environment were 88 taxa including 12 taxa of 5th degree such as Woodsia intermedia, Hanabusaya asiatica, Equisetum pratense, Iris koreana, Lilium cernum, Trillium tschonoskii, Magnolia kobus(cultivated), Gastrodia elata, Polypodium virginianum, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Megaleranthis saniculifolia and Viola websteri. 47 taxa of alien plants were found. As to 609 taxa (13.23% of all vascular plants in Korea) of useful plants, 334 taxa for the edible, 269 taxa for the medicinal, 127 taxa for the ornamental, 332 taxa for the forage, 3 taxa for the industrial raw material, 31 taxa for the timber and 13 taxa for the fiber were classified, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.240-252
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• 1999

Floristic composition and phytosociological studies of Mt. Chongok and Mt. Tuta were investigated, and that was compared with the previously published report in 1993. Vascular plants were composed of 100 families, 358 genera, 573 species, 95 varieties, and 18 formae, totaling 686 taxa. The vegetation was relatively well conserved based on Pteridophyta calculation (Pte-Q), 1.13. Compared with the vascular plants of the southern and northern slope area, the vascular plants of the southern slope area were composed of 87 families, 287 genera, 419 species, 73 varieties, and 11 formae, totaling 503 taxa, and those of the northern slope area consisted of 94 families, 293 genera, 427 species, 73 varieties, and 12 formae, totaling 512 taxa, respectively. Also, compared with the taxa in each side, both sides were composed of 332 species in common, southern sides, 172 species and northern sides, 182 species, respectively. The number of species of 11 families belonged to the higher level among total families taxa was composed of 328 species(47.8%). Among them, Compositae and Rosaceae were included much more species than remnant families. Korean endemic species were composed 16 families, 24 genera, 20 species, 8 varieties and 2 formae, totaling 30 species(4.4%). Compared with the Korean endemic taxa in each side, both sides were composed of 14 species in common, southern sides, 11 species and northern sides, 5 species, respectively. A naturalized plants were 20 species, correspond to 9.2% of totaling 218 species appeared in South Korea. Among them,12 species were appeared commonly in both sides, southern sides, 16 species and northern sides, 16 species, respectively. Life form spectra was H-D1-R5-e type and, useful resources plants are as follows; edible source(42.4%), medicinal source(31.5%), ornamental source(15.6%) and pasture source (13.3%) in the total region. The forest vegetation of the southern slope was classified into 1 order, 1 alliances and 5 communities; Rhododendro-Quercetalia mongolicae, Lindero-Quercion mongolicae, Quercus mongolica Typical community, Populus davidiana-Quercus mongolica community, Pinus koraiensis-Taxus cuspidata community, Pinus densiflora-Carex humilis var. nana community, Betula costata-Betula ermanii community. It is considered that the slight difference of the flora and vegetation in the northern and southern slope is mostly due to the topographical and climatic difference. Even closer investigation is required for the more accurate comparison in this area.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-70
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• 2009

Floral study on the vegetation of 8 mountains including Taehwa-san, Mugab-san, Haehyeob-san, Guksa-bong, Gwanggyo-san, Samseong-san, Suri-san, and 200m peak neighboring to Mulwang lake was carried out from April to October, 2007. They belong to the middle part of Gyeonggi Province, and located between Lat. $37^{\circ}$13' 31.19" ${\sim}37^{\circ}$33' 3.48", Long. $26^{\circ}$43' 04.1" ${\sim}127^{\circ}$26' 28.38". Vascular plants collected in these areas were total 447 taxa composed of 386 species, 5 subspecies, 46 varieties and 10 forms of 262 genera under 92 families. The area from which the most plentiful plants were found was Mt. Gwanggyo-san. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation are easy slopes nearby valleys in Mt. Gwanggyo-san, Mt. Suri-san and Mt. Haehyeob-san. Forests of the examined areas are generally mixed of Pinus densiflora and Quercus plants, but herbaceous plants covering soil are becoming nearly extinct by air and soil pollutions except some sites. Families with abundant species are Compositae, Rosaceae, Liliaceae and Graminae, etc. Endemic plants found in these areas are 8 taxa of Clematis brachyura, Euonymus trapococcus, Viola seoulensis, Ajuga spectabilis, Scutellaria insignis, Weigela subsessilis, Aster koraiensis, Aconitum chiisanense and rare and endangered plants are 7 taxa of Arisaema heterophyllum, Iris odaesanensis, Eranthis stellata., Aconitum chiisanense, Prunus yedoensis (cultivar), Viola albida, and Syringa wolfi. As to useful plants, 192 taxa for the edible, 132 taxa for the medicinal, 130 taxa for the ornamental and 11 taxa for the staining were classified respectively. Among 17 taxa of specially designated plants, 5th degree plants are 2 taxa of Iris odaesanensis and Prunus yedoensis (cultivar), 4th degree plants are 2 taxa of Symplocarpus renifolius and Syringa wolfi, 3rd degree plants are 13 taxa of Dryopteris gymnophylla, Juniperus chinensis, Betula chinensis, Betula davurica, Diarrhena fauriei, Aconitum longecassidatum, Eranthis stellata, Spiraea salicifolia, Acer palmatum, Vaccinium koreanum, Scutellaria insignis, Weigela florida and Adoxa moschatellina.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.3 s.76
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• pp.546-554
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• 2006

To understand antitumor activity of Zanthoxylum schinfolium, which has been used as an aromatic and medicinal plant in Korea, the cytotoxic effect of various organic solvent extracts of its leaves on human tumor cells were investigated. Among these extracts such as methanol extract (SL-13), methylene chloride extract (SL-14), ethyl acetate extract (SL-15), n-butanol extract (SL-16), and residual fraction (SL-17), SL-14 appeared to contain the most cytotoxic activity against leukemia and breast cancer cells tested. The methylene chloride extra.1 (SL-14) possessed an apoptogenic activity causing apoptotic DNA fragmentation of human acute leukemia Jurkat T cells via mitochondrial cytochrome c release into cytoplasm, subsequent activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP, which could be negatively regulated by antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL. The GC-MS analysis of SL-14 revealed that the twenty-two ingredients of SL-14 were 9,19-cyclolanost-24-en-3-ol (15.1%), 2-a-methyl-17, b-hop-21-ene (15.1%), 15-methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H benzazepin (11.95%), phytol (10.38%), lupeol (9.92%), 12-methylbenzofuran (8.23%), hexadecanoic acid (5.96%), cis,cis,cis-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid-methyl-ester (5.49%), 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid-methylester (3.59%), 15-methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-2-(4-nitrophenyl) (3.36%), hexadecanoic acid methyl ester (1.93%), vitamine E (1.88%), beta-amyrin (0.96%), and auraptene (0.89%). These results demonstrate that the cytotoxicity of the methylene chloride extract of the leaves of Z. schinifolium toward Jurkat T cells is mainly attributable to apoptosis mediated by mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade regulated by Bcl-xL, and provide an insight into the mechanism underlying antitumor activity of the edible plant Z. schinifolium.