• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.223-234
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• 2017

Background: Spatial structure of plants in a population reflects complex interactions of ecological and evolutionary processes. For dioecious plants, differences in reproduction cost between sexes and sizes might affect their spatial distribution. Abiotic heterogeneity may also affect adaptation activities, and result in a unique spatial structure of the population. Thus, we examined sex- and size-related spatial distributions of old-growth forest of dioecious tree Torreya nucifera in extremely heterogeneous Gotjawal terrain of Jeju Island, South Korea. Methods: We generated a database of location, sex, and size (DBH) of T. nucifera trees for each quadrat ($160{\times}300m$) in each of the three sites previously defined (quadrat A, B, C in Site I, II, and III, respectively). T. nucifera trees were categorized into eight groups based on sex (males vs. females), size (small vs. large trees), and sex by size (small vs. large males, and small vs. large females) for spatial point pattern analysis. Univariate and bivariate spatial analyses were conducted. Results: Univariate spatial analysis showed that spatial patterns of T. nucifera trees differed among the three quadrats. In quadrat A, individual trees showed random distribution at all scales regardless of sex and size groups. When assessing univariate patterns for sex by size groups in quadrat B, small males and small females were distributed randomly at all scales whereas large males and large females were clumped. All groups in quadrat C were clustered at short distances but the pattern changed as distance was increased. Bivariate spatial analyses testing the association between sex and size groups showed that spatial segregation occurred only in quadrat C. Males and females were spatially independent at all scales. However, after controlling for size, males and females were spatially separated. Conclusions: Diverse spatial patterns of T. nucifera trees across the three sites within the Torreya Forest imply that adaptive explanations are not sufficient for understanding spatial structure in this old-growth forest. If so, the role of Gotjawal terrain in terms of creating extremely diverse microhabitats and subsequently stochastic processes of survival and mortality of trees, both of which ultimately determine spatial patterns, needs to be further examined.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.213-220
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• 2023

The most common skin disease, acne, often occurs in adolescence, but it is also detected/observed in adults due to air pollution and drug abuse. One of the causative agents of acne, Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) plays a role in the development of skin acne by inducing inflammatory mediators. Torreya nucifera (TN) is an evergreen tree of the family Taxaceae, having well reported antioxidant, anti-proliferative, liver protection, and nerve protection properties. Improvement of these bioactive properties of natural products is one of the purposes of natural product chemistry and pharmaceuticals. We believe biorenovation could be one improvement strategy that utilizes microbial metabolism to produce unique derivatives having enhanced bioactivity. Therefore, in this study, the C. acnes-induced RAW264.7 inflammation model was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the biorenovated Torreya nucifera product (TNB). The results showed improved viability of TNB-treated cells compared to TN-treated cells in the concentration range of 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL. At non-toxic concentrations, TNB inhibited the production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 by suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression. TNB also attenuated the expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α induced by C. acnes. Furthermore, TNB inhibited the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, a transcription factor known to regulate inflammatory mediators. Based on these results, this study suggests the potential of using TNB as natural material for the treatment of acnes and thus, supporting our postulation of biorenovation as an bioactivity improvement strategy.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.121-124
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• 1977

Aspidium ether extract was obtained from Dryopteris crassirhizoma(Aspidiaceae), which is widely distributed in Korea and its vermicidal effect on the rats infected with Hymenolepis diminuta was investigated. Effects of Aspidium ether extract purchased from the market, several fractions obtained from the seed of Torreya nucifora and bithionol were also compared. Vermicidal effect of Aspidium against Hymenolepis diminuta was found only in one-third of the rats used for investigation and the effect of the fresh Aspidium ether extract was similar to that of Aspidium ether extract purchased from market. However, it was observed that the whole seeds of Torreya nucifera (Torreyaceae) and its residue from which oil fraction was removed as well as bithionol were highly effective against Hymenolepis diminuta.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.307.1-307.1
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• 2007

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.231-240
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• 2000

The forest vegetation of southern area of Mt. Naejang National Park, Korea was classified into nine communities of Zelkova serrata, Torreya nucifera, Quercus aliena, Carpinus tschonoskii, C. laxifora Q. variabilis, Q. serrata, Q. mongolica and Pinus densiflora based on the floristic composition and physiognomy Q. mongolica community distributes at elevation above 600 m in sea level, Q. variabilis community on xeric ridges and Q. serrata community on xeric slopes at elevation 250 m∼600 m, C. tschonoskii community on mesic sites and C. laxiflora community on xeric ones at elevation 200 m∼400 m,Q. aliena community on mesic slopes and Zelkova serrata community on mesic stony slopes at stream sides, Torreya nucifera community around the Paegyang temple and Pinus densiflora community on lower parts or ridges of mountain. The actual vegetation map of the area was made in scale 1: 25,000, including above mentioned nine plant communities.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2012

The sex ratio and spatial structure of different sexes are major components that affect the reproductive success and population persistence of dioecious plants. The differential reproductive costs between male and female plants are often believed to cause a biased sex ratio and spatial segregation of the sexes through slower growth and/or lower female survivorship. In this study, we examined the sex ratio and spatial structure of one population of $Torreya$ $nucifera$ trees in Jeju Island, Korea. We also tested the effects of the current tending actions in relation to tree vitality. At the population level, the sex ratio of the 2,861 trees was significantly biased toward males; however, it also showed considerable variation among different diameter at breast height classes and across habitats according to terrain level (from upper to lower). In 1999, before tree management (tending) began, among the ecological traits examined, only climber coverage correlated with tree vitality. Intensive tending such as climber removal since 1999 clearly enhanced the vitality of the majority of trees, but its effects were more conspicuous in medium-sized trees than in small ones, in upper terrain trees than those in other terrains, and in females than in males. Both male tree domination in small and large trees and tending effects on females are likely to reflect the effects of female reproductive costs regarding growth and/or survivorship. Spatial segregation between males and females was not observed in $T.$ $nucifera$. Habitat heterogeneity created by the forest's rocky ground and its implications regarding sex ratios and spatial structure require further studies.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 1981

Studies on the physico-chemical properties of acetone-solubles from Torreya nucifera seeds, the composition, and chemical structure of desmethylsterol from the lipids are summarized as follows; 1. The acetone-soluble lipids and moisture content of Torreya nucifera seeds amounted to 46.6% and 9.3%, respectively. 2. The unsaponifiable content, iodine value, and saponification value of the lipids were 0.3%, 122 and 189.3, respectively. 3. The desmethylsterols comprised three components, whose Rrts (1.5% OV-17 to ${\beta}$-sitosterol) corresponded to 1.09 (trace), 1.16 (trace) and 1.33 (98%). 4. From IR, mass and NMR spectrometric features, the prominent desemethylsterol appears to be 24(?)-ethylcholesta-5-en-3${\beta}$-ol.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2019

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are final products formed by glycation reaction between reducing sugars and proteins, lipids or nucleic acids. These AGEs are related to progress of skin aging. In this study, we evaluate anti-aging activity of Defatted Torreya nucifera seed extract (DTSE) through antioxidant, anti-glycation, anti-elastase and inhibitory and breaking activity on the cross-linking of AGEs to collagen assay. Results showed that DTSE contained polyphenols and flavonoids. The $IC_{50}$ values of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were $16.4{\mu}g$ (Dried materials, DM)/mL and $16.7{\mu}g\;DM/mL$, respectively. DTSE also inhibited the formation of AGEs, elastase activity and cross-linking of AGEs to collagen as well as broke existing cross-linking of AGEs to collagen in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, our findings suggest that DTSE could be useful as a cosmetic material with anti-aging activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

This study was investigated to analyze the contents of flavonoid and polyphenol compounds, and inhibitory activities of tyrosinase and antioxidation to measure physiological effect of reflux water extraction (WE), reflux ethanol extraction (EE) and hot water extract under high pressure (HWE) of Torreya nucifera seed. HWE yields the highest contents of flavonoid compounds (176.34 mg/g) and polyphenol compounds (112.95 mg/g). The tyrosinase inhibitory rates were $5.62{\sim}28.71%$ at 2.0 mg/mL and HWE showed the highest inhibition rate. The nitrite scavenging abilities of all extracts were over 90% at pH 1.2 and 3.0 at the concentration of 2.0 mg/mL. The superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activities of HWE was the highest value of 33.58%. The electron donating abilities (EDA) were $66.46{\sim}89.72%$ and HWE was the highest when the extracts were tested at 0.1 mg/mL. The EDA of all extracts were decreased with an increment of the extracts concentrations. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory rate of HWE was the highest value of 89.29% at the concentration of 2.0 mg/mL and the WE and HWE were over 75% rate of xanthine oxidase inhibition at 0.5 mg/mL.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 1970

This investigation was one of the series of ecological studies on the plant communities of Quelpart Island which was held in 1969. It was aimed at studying the ground vegetation of Torreya nucifera and the soil properties of the ground in which it grows. Observaton of the flora in a place where wild growth of Crinum maritimum, soil properties and distribution of micro-organisms in a place where wild growth occurs, were also made. 1) A few kinds which have important values among the ground vegetation fo Torreya nucifera forest are Liniope graminifolia, Convallaria keiskei, Sasaquelpaertensis, Carex kingiana, Pteridium aquilinum, Pyrola japonica, Hedera tobleri, etc. 2) While the studies of 25 Quadrats were being held, 29 species in A plot, 30 species in B plot, and 26 species in C plot have been found. 3) The kind which has the highest important value among the species located in naked plot(outside of Torreya nucifera forest) is Zoysia japonica and 18 other kinds were found. 4) The soil fertility through all depths are found higher in the forest soil than in that of open places. 5) P2O5, K, and total exchangeable bases etc. have shown the difference of contents according to the depth and generally had lower value as much as it goes down. 6) The content of N was a lot higher than any other forest soil and P2O5, K and total exchangeable bases seemed to be a little lower. 7) The overall flora of Todo consists of 71 species (9 species of wood plant and 62 species of herbs) added 28 kinds of non-reported species. 8) Themineral contents are the highest at a place of wind growth of Crinum maritimum which has much organic matter. The subsoil of this place is more fertile than surface soil. 9) The soil of Todo which is sandy soil, consists of shellfish shell and quartz, and has low fertility and alkali. 10) In the total occurrences of micro-organisms, bacteria was the greatest in number followed by actinomycete and fungi, in that order. 11) A survey of the soil depth and the ecological distributional pattern of micro-organismsm revealed that the number of micro-organisms is the greatest on the surface, gradually decreasing in proportion to the depth. 12) It was found that a comparatively greater number of micro-organisms occurred when the soil showed an adequate increase in water content.