• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1437-1444
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• 2010

This research was to find out the effectiveness of the horticultural therapy program based on the therapeutic factors and the most meaningful experiences of the clients. For this purpose "Green harmony" program focused on harmony through horticulture was implemented. It is based on the preposition that holistic health is promoted with harmonious relationships with oneself, other people, community and nature. The program has three-fold structure: In innermost it deals with the task of the late adolescent, i.e., self identity, secondly the experience of communication and solidarity in the group, and finally extension of interest to the community. For the therapeutic intervention, questions using the metaphor of the activity were given to the clients for the establishment of self-identity, while group activity and the donation of the works let the second and third purpose accomplished. Outdoor activity, 'Tire garden project', has provided the clients with chances of the contact with nature, cooperation with other group members, and a contest to provoke enthusiasm. Also recycling and greening of the community were possible by utilizing old tires for the containers and by donating the final works to the community. For the evaluation of the result, the effect of the program on the stress of the college students was tested, and the most meaningful experiences during the participation to the program were asked to identify the therapeutic factors acknowledged by clients. "Green harmony" program has brought positive effects on the stress of the clients in spite of relatively short period of five weeks. The clients has acknowledged plant/nature contact and interactions between group members for the most meaningful experiences. This research suggests "Green harmony" horticultural therapy program based on the therapeutic factors is highly applicable for the general populations.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.653-660
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• 2019

Ganoderma lucidum, an oriental polypore fungus and medicinal mushroom, has a long history of use for promoting health and longevity in Korea, China, and other Asian countries. This study was aimed at determining the anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of action of Ganoderma lucidum in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Ganoderma lucidum was extracted with ethanol and freeze-dried. The anti-inflammatory effect (nitrite production) of Ganoderma lucidum extracts was tested using a nitric oxide (NO) colorimetric assay. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to quantify the mRNA expression of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6. Western blotting was performed to measure the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65, and phosphorylated $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. The NO colorimetric assay showed that NO production increased with the treatment of lipopolysaccharide in (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages and decreased with the cotreatment of Ganoderma lucidum extracts and LPS. Ganoderma lucidum extracts repressed the mRNA expressions of cytokines, which were increased after the LPS treatment. In addition, Ganoderma lucidum extracts inhibited the LPS-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 and the LPS-induced phosphorylation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65. These results suggest that the Ganoderma lucidum extracts exert an anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting $NF-{\kappa}B$ related proteins and cytokines.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.244-254
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• 2020

Purpose: Ixeris strigosa (IS) is a perennial plant that commonly grows in meadows. The leaves and roots of IS have been used in medicine as a sedative. This study evaluated the antioxidant and carbohydrate-digestive-enzyme inhibitory effects of IS to determine its potential as an essential antioxidant and glycemic inhibitor for type 2 diabetics. Methods: The antioxidative and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were examined using the water extracts (ISW), ethanol extracts (ISE), and solvent fractions from IS. The antioxidative activities were measured using in vitro methods by measuring the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging activity. Results: Investigations of the total polyphenol, flavonoid content, in vitro antioxidant activity, and α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the IS extract showed that the ISE had higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents than the ISW, as well as high antioxidant activity. The ethanolic extracts of IS (70%) had an α-amylase inhibitory activity of 78.55%. The ethyl acetate fraction (90.56%) showed higher α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than the positive control, acarbose (83.01%). Conclusion: Among the ISE fractions, the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions showed the best digestive enzyme inhibitory activity. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of the extract and the carbohydrate, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects showed a stronger correlation with the total phenol and flavonoid contents compared to the ISW. As a result, the antioxidant and digestive enzyme inhibitory activities of high ISE are due to the phenolic compounds, particularly the flavonoid compounds. Therefore, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the 70% ethanol extract are excellent anti-diabetic functional materials.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.69-73
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• 2015

The antioxidant capacities, total phenolic contents (TPC), and total quercetin contents (TQC) of a red (Chenjujuck), a yellow (Sunpower), and a white (Grasier) onion cultivar were determined in this study. Onion was separated into edible portion and dry skin. In the case of edible portion, the yellow onion had the highest antioxidant activity, followed by the red onion. The white onion showed neither antioxidant activity nor quercetin compounds. On the other hand, the dry skin of the red onion showed higher antioxidant activity than yellow onion skin. The white onion skin had slight antioxidant activity, low TPC, and no quercetin compounds. In addition, the flavonoid compounds of the edible portion and dry skins of these colored onions were analyzed by UFLC(ultra-fast liquid chromatography). The major compounds were quercetin 3,4-diglucoside and quercetin 4-glucoside in yellow and red onion edible portion, whereas the major compounds in yellow and red onion skins were quercetin 4-glucoside, quercetin, and quercetin 3,4-diglucoside.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2016

Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) causes bacterial canker disease in kiwifruit. Antibacterial activity of plant essential oils (PEOs) originating from 49 plant species were tested against Psa by a vapor diffusion and a liquid culture assays. The five PEOs from Pimenta racemosa, P. dioica, Melaleuca linariifolia, M. cajuputii, and Cinnamomum cassia efficiently inhibited Psa growth by either assays. Among their major components, estragole, eugenol, and methyl eugenol showed significant antibacterial activity by only the liquid culture assay, while cinnamaldehyde exhibited antibacterial activity by both assays. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of estragole and cinnamaldehyde by the liquid culture assay were 1,250 and 2,500 ppm, respectively. The MIC of cinnamaldehyde by the vapor diffusion assay was 5,000 ppm. Based on the formation of clear zones or the decrease of optical density caused by these compounds, they might kill the bacterial cells and this feature might be useful for managing the bacterial canker disease in kiwifruit.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.9-16
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• 2011

This research was done in an effort to look into the influence on self-esteem and achievement motivation by putting the horticultural activity program into practice targeting the elementary school students in rural areas. This research conducted the program on the 4th graders of C elementary school located at a rural area in Gyeongnam by dividing them into an experimental group and control group for one session every week (3 hours each) for 12 weeks. First, it was found that the experimental group, which went through the horticultural activity program, improved in their self-esteem more than the control group and there appeared a statistically significant difference as well. In addition, the experimental group, as compared to the control group, was found to improve more in their achievement motivation and there appeared a statistically significant difference as well. Accordingly, this research was able to confirm that the horticultural activity program was effective in promoting the self-esteem and enhancing the achievement motivation of the elementary school students in rural areas.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.204-204
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• 2005

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.565-576
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• 2020

Background and objective: The elderly living in homeless living facilities for a long time suffer from various mental health problems. This study aims to determine the psychological, emotional, and social effects of a horticultural therapy program composed of gardening activities, which was designed based on the semantic structures of life for the homeless elderly living in the facilities for a long time. Methods: A total of 12 subjects (6 in the control group and 6 in the experimental group) participated in the study. The horticultural therapy program consisted mainly of gardening activities, and a total of 16 sessions were conducted once a week for 16 weeks, 60-90 minutes per session. The subjects were tested to evaluate their self-esteem, depression, and horticultural activities. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon rank test, and Friedman test, which were nonparametric tests, conducted at a 95% significance level. Results: First, in the case of self-esteem, a significant difference was found between the groups, 20.00 points (SD = 5.69) in the control group, and 25.50 points (SD = 3.73) in the experimental group (p = .034). Second, in the case of depression, no statistically significant difference was found in the posttest. Finally, in the case of the horticultural activity evaluation, the scores of most variables gradually and significantly increased during the program [Verbal interaction during activity (p = .006), Self-concept and identity (p = .006), Need-drive adaptation (p < .001), Interpersonal and social relations (p < .001)]. Conclusion: These results support that the horticultural therapy program could help the elderly improve psychological relaxation, emotional stability, and social relationships. In order to generalize the results, it is suggested to increase the number of subjects or conduct additional repetitive experiments in further research.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.349-352
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• 2004

Antimicrobial activity of garlic extracts of four local cultivars (Namdo, Goheung, Danyang and garlic imported from China) against several plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi was investigated. The garlic extracts exhibited marked in vitro antimicrobial activities against the Gram-positive and -negative bacteria as well as fungal pathogens. Of the four cultivars, two cultivars (Namdo and garlic imported from China) showed relatively good antimicrobial activities. Gram-positive bacteria, Clavibater michiganensis was most sensitive, whereas Burkholderia cepacia was the strong resistant towards garlic extracts. Results from the planta bioassays under greenhouse conditions indicated that garlic extracts significantly reduced the cucumber powdery mildew disease showing control value 59.7-61.9% compared with the nontreated controls.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 2006

The effectiveness of four plant oils (garlic, ginger, cinnamon and lemongrass) against a range of plant pathogenic organisms was tested in vitro. Of the four oils, two oils (garlic and cinnamon) showed relatively good antimicrobial activities. Activity of garlic oil was shown against the plant pathogenic bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Ewinia carotovora, Ralstonia solanacearum, Xanthomonas campestris, and the fungi Phytophthora infestans, Fusarium oxysporum, Collectotricum sp., whereas Acidovorax avenae and Pythium sp. showed the resistance towards garlic oil. Results from the planta bioassays under greenhouse conditions indicated that garlic oil significantly reduced the cucumber powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fusca) and tomato powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) showing control value 70.0-74.6% and 71.2%, respectively.