• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.374-379
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• 2020

The white-spotted flower chafer (Protaetia brevitarsis) larva is one of the insects widely-used for edible and medicinal purposes in Eastern Asia. As a result of increasing demand for P. brevitarsis, massrearing systems in domestic farms have become necessary. However, the mass-rearing of larvae under confined rearing conditions could provide conditions unsuitable for preventing entomopathogenic diseases. Metarhizium anisopliae is the strongest fatal entomopathogenic fungus against P. brevitarsis. For inhibition of M. anisopliae, we used a Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract that has antifungal components. We investigated the inhibitory effect of the R. verniciflua extract at 1%, 5%, and 10% concentrations. The results showed that a 1% R. verniciflua extract added to sawdust produced a significantly low P. brevitarsis mortality rate. Moreover, extract-treated groups were heavier and had a shorter larval period than those of the untreated group. Consequently, we suggest that using an R. verniciflua extract can reduce the P. brevitarsis fatality rate from entomopathogenic fungi (e.g. M. anisopliae), resulting in more effective mass-rearing systems for P. brevitarsis.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.281-293
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• 2020

The Korean thistle (Cirsium setidens) is grown in Gangwon province as a food ingredient called gondre. Based on regular monitoring of Korean thistle cultivation, we detected local outbreaks of a stick insect causing severe damage. Here we report the identification of the stick insect and its ecological characteristics. The survey involved 3 farms located in Jeongeon-gun, Gangwon province and lasted from May 28 to October 1 in 2019. According to morphological and DNA analyses the stick insect was identified as Ramulus koreanus Kwon Ha and Lee. a member of the family Phasmatidae. Its outbreak in the Korean thistle farms was observed from June 11 to August 22 with peak density on July 23. Spatial distribution analyses, using Taylors power law and Greens index showed that R. koreanus was uniformally distributed. Food consumption rate of Korean thistle leaves was estimated as 60.98±4.35 ㎠/day/adult. The main food plants were identified as Juglans mandshurica and Aronia melanocarpa. Further study needs to pursue the mechanism of the outbreak and its possible impact on agricultural and forest ecosystems. Additionally, means to relieve crop damage need to be identified.

• Journal of Ginseng Culture
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• v.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Panax ginseng (Ginseng or Korean ginseng) is one of the most important medicinal herbs in the world. We made a high-quality whole genome sequence of P. ginseng using 'Chunpoong' cultivar, which is the first cultivar registered in Korea Seed and Variety Service (KSVS) with relatively similar genotypes and superior phenotypes, representing approximately 3 Gbp and 60,000 genes. Genome sequence analyses of P. ginseng and related speciesrevealed the origin of Korean ginseng and the ecological adaptation of 18 Panax species around the world. Korean ginseng and American ginseng (P. quinquefolius) are tetraploid species having 24 chromosome pairs, while the other 16 species are diploid species with 12 chromosome pairs. Panax and Aralia are the closest genera belonging to the Araliaceae family that diverged approximately 8 million years ago (MYA). All Panax species evolved as shade plants adapting to cool climates and low light conditions under the canopy of deep forests from Southeast Asia such as Vietnam to Northeast Asia such as Russia approximately 6 MYA. However, through recurrent ice ages and global warming, most diploid Panax species disappeared due to the freezing winter, while tetraploid P. ginseng may have appeared by allotetraploidization, which contributed to the adaptation to cold temperaturesin Northeast Asian countries including the Korea peninsula approximately 2 MYA. American ginseng evolved by the adaptation of P. ginseng in Northeast America after the intercontinental migration 1 MYA. Meanwhile, most of diploid Panax species survived in high-altitude mountains over 1,600 meters in Southeast Asia because they could not endure the hot temperature and freezing cold. The genome sequence provides good basisto unveil the origin and evolution of ginseng and also supports practical gene chips which is useful for breeding and the ginseng industry.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.134-148
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• 2021

Background: Lung cancer has a high incidence worldwide, and most lung cancer-associated deaths are attributable to cancer metastasis. Although several medicinal properties of Panax ginseng Meyer have been reported, the effect of ginsenosides Rk1 and Rg5 on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) stimulated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and self-renewal in A549 cells is relatively unknown. Methods: We treated TGF-β1 or alternatively Rk1 and Rg5 in A549 cells. We used western blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), wound healing assay, Matrigel invasion assay, and anoikis assays to determine the effect of Rk1 and Rg5 on TGF-mediated EMT in lung cancer cell. In addition, we performed tumorsphere formation assays and real-time PCR to evaluate the stem-like properties. Results: EMT is induced by TGF-β1 in A549 cells causing the development of cancer stem-like features. Expression of E-cadherin, an epithelial marker, decreased and an increase in vimentin expression was noted. Cell mobility, invasiveness, and anoikis resistance were enhanced with TGF-β1 treatment. In addition, the expression of stem cell markers, CD44, and CD133, was also increased. Treatment with Rk1 and Rg5 suppressed EMT by TGF-β1 and the development of stemness in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, Rk1 and Rg5 markedly suppressed TGF-β1-induced metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP2/9) activity, and activation of Smad2/3 and nuclear factor kappa B/extra-cellular signal regulated kinases (NF-kB/ERK) pathways in lung cancer cells. Conclusions: Rk1 and Rg5 regulate the EMT inducing TGF-β1 by suppressing the Smad and NF-κB/ERK pathways (non-Smad pathway).

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2021

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is a medicinal plant containing madecassic acid, triterpenoids and asiaticoside, and has a wound healing effect. However, since it grows only in some regions of Korea, it is necessary to breed stable varieties. In this study, it were analyzed for the growth characteristics, asiaticoside, anxiodant components and 2,2-diphenyl-1picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavening activity of C. asiatica collected from domestic natural habitat (Hapcheon, Gyeongnam). In the growth characteristics of each resource, CA9 and CA10 were superior in characteristics of aerial part and in dry weight. In asiaticoside content analysis, CA5 and CA3 were high with 53.96 mg/g and 52.40 mg/g, respectively. CA12 showed the possibility of development because the resource showed high in total flavonoid (7.3 mg/g), total polyphenol (10.64 mg/g) and DPPH activity (11.96 mg AAE/g) among other resources. However, it is necessary to select a resource suitable for each characteristic of C. asiatica and to study charateristics through additional resources collection since the excellent growth characteristics of the collected resources do not necessarily coincide with the content and antioxidant activities.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.118-125
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• 2021

In this study Orostachys japonica A. Berger used is a medicinal herb that has long been used as a folk remedy for cancer treatment. In this study, the antioxidant efficacy of the ethyl acetate fraction of Orostachys japonica A. Berger was confirmed. The results of the Orostachys japonica A. Berge ethyl acetate fraction of antioxidant activity assays showed Antioxidant effect of Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extract at 0.10 mg/mL was showed a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 78.54% and ABTS+ radical scavenging rate of 73.48%. Also, the toxicity result of Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts using alternative experimental animal model zebrafish, confirmed a 100% the survival of the zebrafish embryo was shown that there was no coagulation and no hatching delay at all concentrations. also ROS generation induced by UV-B irradiation was confirmed that the fluorescence intensity decreased as a whole in all larvae treated with Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts. In particular, it was confirmed that ROS generation was effectively suppressed by showing a 35.7% reduction rate compared to the positive control at a concentration of 3 ㎍/mL. These results were confirmed that Orostachys japonica A. Berger EtOAc fraction extracts has the possibility of application in the cosmetics field as a natural antioxidant.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.316-327
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• 2022

This study empirically analyzed the effects of beauty service training on customer orientation and job performance of beauty industry workers. First, as a result of the study, there were differences in service training, customer orientation, and job performance according to general characteristics, and service training showed significant differences in age, highest level of education, work experience, and number of employees, job performance in age, work experience, and number of employees, and job performance in age, academic background, work experience, and number of employees. Secondly, it was identified that service training makes a significant effect on customer orientation, the factor that makes the greatest effect on customer orientation among sub-factors of service training is educational content, and it can be seen that customer orientation increases when educational content, educational instructor, and educational environment are higher. Thirdly, it was identified that service training and customer orientation make a significant effect on job performance. hese research results show that the better the educational environment, instructor, and educational content of beauty industry workers, the higher the customer-oriented service, leading to the creation of loyal customers and can improve job performance as well.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.106-113
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• 2022

Objectives: Herbal medicine is a worldwide health topic. Vitex agnus-castus L. (VAC) is a popular plant used for gynecologic problems due to its hormonal effects. The aim of this study is to reveal VAC extract effect on fetus when this herb is used started from antenatal period or during pregnancy. Methods: Performed from starting day of January 2019 till February 2019, 48 rats were assigned in randomly divided eight-member six groups: control (C1), treated group with 365 mg/kg VAC from initiation of insemination (T1) and 30 days prior to pregnancy (T2), control that underwent caesarean section on 15^th day of gestational age (C2) and treated group with 365 mg/kg VAC from initiation of insemination (T3) and 30 days prior to pregnancy (T4) that underwent caesarean section. Weight, sex and number of fetuses, abortion and still birth rate and estradiol level were evaluated using t-test by SPSS software. Results: We showed increased weight among T1 group considering totally and sex-dependent which is significant (all p-value < 0.05). We also detected significantly decreased weight in T2 in total (p-value < 0.0001) and when considering female fetuses (0.043) but not males (0.17). Although the results showed slightly non-significant increased weight among fetuses of T3 (totally or based on the fetus sex) compared to the control group (C2), T4 group had statistically decreased weight compared to control group. Pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome were affected by VAC usage. The time of VAC initiation also affected live birth and abortion rates. Conclusion: VAC extract may affect pregnancy rate, live birth rate, abortion and stillbirth rates. Its effect on the weight and the sex showed dual pattern depends on the time of initiation and pregnancy trimester of evaluation. Prescribing this medicinal plant for patients being prone to pregnancy should be with caution. Further study is recommended.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2022

Purpose: Natural medicinal plant extracts have recently attracted attention as health beneficial foods and potential therapeutic agents for prevention of various diseases. This study was undertaken to measure the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol-water fraction obtained from the above-ground portion of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora, a wild-growing plant in Korea. The final fraction used in this study was the H₂O-EtOH (40:60) fraction (SP60), which had the highest antioxidant activity, as determined in previous studies. Methods: The amounts of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β production were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells exposed to SP60. Western blot was performed to measure the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Results: SP60 exerted no cytotoxicity up to concentrations of 125 ㎍/mL. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, were significantly decreased in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells exposed to SP60. In addition, the expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, and phosphorylated p65 showed a concentration-dependent decrease subsequent to SP60 treatment. These results indicate that SP60 inhibits the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2, by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, which is responsible for the expression of inflammatory mediators. Conclusion: The results presented in this study indicate that the H₂O-EtOH (40:60) fraction (SP60) extracted from the above-ground portion of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora has the potential to be developed as a medicine or healthcare food and functional material possessing anti-inflammatory effects. However, it is necessary to first confirm the anti-inflammatory effects of SP60 in in vivo models.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.548-557
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• 2021

Background: Due to the emergence of new diseases such as COVID-19, an increasing number of people are struggling with stress and depression. Interest is growing in forest-based recreation for physical and mental relief. Objectives: A prediction model equation using meteorological factors and data was developed to predict the quantities of medicinal substances generated in forests (monoterpenes) in real-time. Methods: The concentration of phytoncide and meteorological factors in the forests near Chuncheon in South Korea were measured for nearly two years. Meteorological factors affecting the observation data were acquired through a multiple regression analysis. A model equation was developed by applying a linear regression equation with the main factors. Results: The linear regression analysis revealed a high explanatory power for the coefficients of determination of temperature and humidity in the coniferous forest (R²=0.7028 and R²=0.5859). With a temperature increase of 1℃, the phytoncide concentration increased by 31.7 ng/Sm³. A humidity increase of 1% led to an increase in the coniferous forest by 21.9 ng/Sm³. In the deciduous forest, the coefficients of determination of temperature and humidity had approximately 60% explanatory power (R²=0.6611 and R²=0.5893). A temperature increase of 1℃ led to an increase of approximately 9.6 ng/Sm³, and 1% humidity resulted in a change of approximately 6.9 ng/Sm³. A prediction model equation was suggested based on such meteorological factors and related equations that showed a 30% error with statistical verification. Conclusions: Follow-up research is required to reduce the prediction error. In addition, phytoncide data for each region can be acquired by applying actual regional phytoncide data and the prediction technique proposed in this study.