• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2024

This study is to propose Lagerstroemia indica flower as an anti-acne cosmetic material, and confirmed the sebum control, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects using Lagerstroemia indica flower extract (LIFE) . As a result of evaluating the sebum control effectiveness, it was confirmed that LIFE inhibited the production of sebum excessively induced with palmitic acid up to 65%. Subsequently, it was confirmed that LIFE has an antibacterial effect and the ability to inhibit lipase activity against Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), which mainly appears in acne lesions, and can also reduce the inflammatory response caused by virulence factors secreted by C. acnes. It was also confirmed that LIFE inhibited the secretion of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which are inflammatory mediators induced by LPS in macrophages, by 75% and 54%, respectively, and that it also had a high DPPH radical scavenging ability similar to that of ascorbic acid. These results suggest that LIFE, a natural extract, can be used as an anti-acne material to relieve and treat acne, a complex disease, by controlling sebum production and having antibacterial and lipase activity inhibiting against C. acnes, and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.21-28
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• 2011

In this study, we analyzed flower tea activity against oral bacteria. Lagerstroemia indica, Paeonia suffruticosa and Hemerocallis fulva showed high extract yields. Bellis perennis, Punica granatum and Cercis chinensis showed the high rates of yield by ethanol extraction. Extract yield seemed to be related to the characteristics of the specimens rather than to the solvent. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus obrinus, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia were used to investigate extracts activity against bacteria; the former two cause dental caries and the latter two cause halitosis. Cornus officinalis, L. indica, P. granatum and P.s uffruticosa showed high antibacterial activities against S. mutans. In specimens extracted with ethanol, P. suffruticosa, Camellia sinensis, Camellia japonica L. and Rosa hybrida showed high antibacterial activities. L. indica, P. granatum and C. officinalis showed high antibacterial activities against S. sobrinus. C. officinalis, P. granatum, L. indica and P. suffruticosa showed high activities for specimens extracted with ethanol. The results show that the warm extracts of C. officinalis, L. indica and P. granatum may be effective to prevent dental caries. In particular, the ethanol-based extracts of C. officinalis, P. suffruticosa and C. sinensis were effective to prevent dental caries and thus may be highly marketable. Chrysanthemum zawadskii, R. hybrida, P. granatum, C. japonica L. and Zinnia elegans showed high antibacterial activity against P.gingivalis. R. hybrida showed the highest ethanol extract activity, followed by P. suffruticosa, P. granatum, C. japonica L. and L. indica. R. hybrida, P. granatum, C. morifolium and C. japonica showed high activity against Pr.intermedia in the order named. C. zawadskii, P. granatum, L. indica, C. japonica and A. princeps showed high ethanol extract activity. Thus, the warm extracts of R. hybrida, P. granatum and C. japonica may be helpful to reduce halitosis. In addition, the ethanol-based extracts of P. granatum, C. japonica and L. indica are expected to be highly marketable as mouthwashes.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.30-39
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• 2019

In this study, 27 representative plants with symbolism and appreciation were extracted from 68 plants collected in Li Yu (1611-1680)'s monograph named 'Xianqingouji Zhongzhibu'. The interpretations were as follows. First, symbolism of plants could be summarized as 1) Li Yu thought that Paeonia suffruticosa was called 'the king of flowers', not only because of its beauty, but also because of its upright character. The only flower that could compete against Paeonia suffruticosa was Paeonia lactiflora Pall.. This flower was called 'the flower prime minister' by common people. But Li Yu thought that Paeonia lactiflora Pall. should also be included in the feudal princes. 2) Prunus persica and Camellia japonica were compared to 'beautiful cheeks', and Malus spectabilis (Ait.)Borkh, Jasminum sambac, Rosa multiflora var. platyphylla, Narcissus tazetta, Papaver rhoeas were compared to 'beautiful women', expressing his love for flowers. 3) Li Yu called Nelumbo nucifera a 'gentleman in flowers' and Buxus sinica Rehd. et Wils. Cheng a 'gentleman in trees'. On the contrary, Daphne odora was compared to 'villain in flowers'. 4) Ilex integra was compared to a hermit, and Campsis grandiflora was compared to an immortal. Second, appreciation of plants could be organized by 1) Appreciation of plants required assistive tools. When going to suburb to enjoy the scenery, tents needed to be prepared. Paper screens should be used to appreciate Prunus mume in the courtyard so as to gain more elegant. Li Yu also proposed that ornamental objects should be properly placed near Orchidaceae so as to gain more elegant. 2）Li Yu took Lagerstroemia indica and Prunus armeniaca L. as examples to interpret that plants were as perceptive as animals and human beings. 3) Li Yu took Salix pierotii and Albizia julibrissin as examples to interpret that people should communicate with plants through five senses to produce resonance. And took Nelumbo nucifera and Rosa rugosa to emphasize the ornamental and practical value of plants. 4) Plants were metaphored sth. similar to them. An interesting example was Celosia cristata L. which was more like an auspicious cloud in the sky than the crest on the cock's head. To sum up, Li Yu personified plants and thought that people should communicate with plants by multi-sensory world when appreciating plants. Through this, it fully showed his love for plants. Meanwhile, Li Yu's symbolism and appreciation of plants, to some extent, reflected the elegant life of literati in the early Qing Dynasty.