• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Azadirachta Indica extract(AIE) and Sophorae radix extract(SRE) are widely used as environment-friendly organic materials of plant origin in South Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the in vitro micronucleus(vitMN) tests of two samples of AIE and SRE were conducted to evaluate their genotoxicity using the Chinese hamster lung(CHL) cell. This study was composed of two parts; cytochalasin B(cyto B) test and non-cyto B test. Mitomycin C and colchicine were used as positive controls. As a result, the incidence of micronucleus(MN) in all AIE and SRE treated groups increased in dose-dependent manner, but were less than 2.2% in 1,000 binucleated cells. In addition, there were no significant increases of MN incidence in all AIE and SRE treated groups, compared with the negative control group. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we suggest that AIE samples and SRE samples used in this study may have no genotoxicity in the in vitro micronucleus test using the CHL cells. In our previous study, we reported that AIE and SRE did not cause genotoxicity in Ames test. According to the genotoxicity battery system, we concluded that AIE and SRE used in this study have no genotoxic effects to humans.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Azadirachta indica Extract(AIE) containing azadirachtin as active ingredient have been used worldwide as environment-friendly organic material having pest control properties. However, the extracts prepared with different solvent and from different plant site is very diverse and have different toxicity. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the four week repeated oral dose toxicity test of aqueous AIE in Sprague-Dawley rats was carried out to investigate the toxic effect of liver, main toxicity target organ of AIE. The male and female rats were divided into 4 groups, respectively; control(0 g/Kg bw), low-dose group(0.5 g/Kg bw), middle-dose(1.0 g/Kg bw) and high-dose group(2.0 g/Kg bw). As a results, relative liver weight increased with dose-dependent of AIE(p<0.05). Serum LDH in all AIE-treated groups were significantly lower than the control in male rats(p<0.05). However, serum GOT and GPT were significantly increased in all male AIE-treated groups in male rats(p<0.05) and, in particular, increase of serum GPT in dose-dependent manner raise the possibility of liver damage. Even through serum GLU was increased significantly in high-dose group in male rats compared to control, there were no significant differences of urinary GLU among all groups(p<0.05). In addition, histopathological examination of the liver did not reveal any lesions in all AIE-treated groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, 4 weeks of the repeated oral administration of AIE 2.0 g/Kg to rats has resulted no toxic response in liver. Therefore, AIE was no indicated to have any toxic effect in the SD rats, when it was orally administrated below the dosage 2.0 g/Kg/day for 4weeks.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.88-92
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• 2015

This study investigated the thermal stabilities of the four limonoidal active compounds like azadirachtin A, azadirachtin B, deacetylsalannin and salannin and of the two alkaloidal active compounds like matrine and oxymatrine in commercial biopesticides at incubated conditions ($30^{\circ}C$, $35^{\circ}C$, $40^{\circ}C$, $45^{\circ}C$, and $54^{\circ}C$). Half-lives of the limonoidal compounds in biopesticide ranged from 25.6 to 220 days. And the total limonoid contents changed over 15% after 14 days at all the conditions in the tested biopesticide containing neem extract. On the contrary, half-lives of the alkaloidal compounds in biopesticide showed the ranges from 231 to 346 days. And total alkaloidal compounds in all the tested biopesticides containing Sophora flavescens extracts decomposed below 15% after 14 days incubation at $54^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2014

Azadirachta indica extract (AIE) has been regarded as a promising source of environment-friendly organic materials owing to their low mammalian toxicity. However, quite a bit of research has been reported that AIE may cause clastogens in human lymphocytes. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the antimutagenic and genotoxicity of two samples of AIE. Antimutagenic test was experimented by using bacterial reverse mutation test. In the bacterial reverse mutation test, five strains Salmonella Typhimurim of two samples of AIE in order to evaluate its mutagenic potential. Bacterial reverse mutation test was also performed on positive control and negative control groups in the presence of the metabolic activation system (S-9 mix) and metabolic non-activation system. In the chromosome aberration test, Chinese hamster lung cells were exposed to AIE for 6 or 24 h with BPS, or for 6 h with S-9 mix. Negative and positive control groups were experimented for chromosome aberration test. As a result, the number of mutated colonies induced by 4-NQO were reduced by AIE treatment in all strains, indicating that AIE may have antimutagenic effects. Bacterial reverse mutation and chromosomal aberration were not shown at all concentration of AIE, regardless of activation of the metabolic system. we concluded that two AIE samples used in this study have no genotoxic effects to human, according to the genotoxicity battery system suggested by ICH (International Conference on Harmonization).

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2015

Promoting the organic farming, much of the plant extracts used for controlling pests and fungi have been imported from China, India and Myanmar. But, it is so worrisome that aquatic animals such as muddy loach inhabiting in paddy field and common carps in river exposed to the pests and fungi likely be harmed. This study was conducted in order to evaluate the risks of aquatic animals influenced by the three plant extracts, i.e. Sophora flavescens, Azadirachta indica and Derris elliptica. The toxicities of common carp (Cyprinus Carpio), muddy loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) and PEC (Predicted environmental concentration) exposed to the three plant extracts were estimated by the typical spray volume method. Risks were determined by the toxicity value as 48-hr $LC_{50}$ (Lethal concentration, median) or NOEC (No observed effect concentration) into PEC. 48-hr $LC_{50}$ of Common carp and NOEC by Sophora flavescens extracts was 7.9 and 6.2 mg/L, 26.8 and 21.8 mg/L by Azadirachta indica extracts and 47.0 and < 24.0 mg/L by Derris elliptica extracts, respectively. 48-hr $LC_{50}$ of Muddy loach and NOEC by Sophora flavescens extracts was 16.9 and 10.0 mg/L, 35.6 and 30.0 mg/L by Azadirachta indica extracts, and 73.9 and < 40 mg/L by Derris elliptica extracts, respectively. Therefore, acute toxicities of the three plant extracts for aquatic animals were proved to be very low level. PEC of Sophora flavescens extracts in paddy, drainage and river water was 68.0~3.0, 11.33~0.50 and 3.0~0.0018 mg/L, respectively. TER of Sophora flavescens extracts in the three water was 0.2~5.6, 1.5~33.8 and 2.6~4388.9, respectively. PEC of Azadirachta indica extracts in paddy, drainage and river water was 90.9~1.2, 15.2~0.2 and 4.8~0.00075 mg/L, respectively. TER of Azadirachta indica extracts in the three water was 0.4~29.7, 2.3~178.0 and 4.5~35733.3, respectively. PEC of Derris elliptica extracts in river water was 0.0063 mg/L. TER of Derris elliptica extracts in river water was 5222~15667.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.156-160
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• 2014

The stabilities of four limonoidal substances including azadirachtin A, azadirachtin B, deacetylsalannin and salannin were investigated both in controlled aquatic and soil conditions. The half-life of the total limonoid for neem extracts and its two commercial biopesticides was estimated 86.6-173 days in water under air, while degradation of the compounds was detected below 10% after eight weeks in deoxygenated water. The half-life in dry soil was estimated 43.3-57.7 days, and there was a similar degradation pattern with in aerobic water condition. In case of wet soil condition, the total bacteria of the soils ranged 6-8 log CFU/g soil for during the experiment, and the half-life of the total limonoid was 6.4-12.3 days. From the result, the fast limonoid degradation in wet soil environment was the result of both chemical oxidation and microbial degradation.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.473-477
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the acute contact and oral toxicity of plant extracts (neem, sophora and derris) against Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). As a result of acute contact toxicity test, $LD_{50}$ of neem and derris extracts were more than 100 ${\mu}g/bee$ while $LD_{50}$ of sophora extracts were 1.7 ${\mu}g/bee$. In case of acute oral toxicity test, $LD_{50}$ of neem and derris extracts were more than 100 ${\mu}g/bee$ while $LD_{50}$ of sophora extracts were 1.7 and 0.3 ${\mu}g/bee$. In conclusion, it is evaluated that neem and derris extracts are practically nontoxic while sophora extracts are highly toxic.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.193-205
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• 2023

Botanical insecticides derived from plant extracts exhibit repellent, antifeedant and enzyme-inhibiting activities against insect pests. Among such pests, phytophagous mites are major threats to horticultural crops. Botanical extracts derived from neem, chrysanthemum, and shrubby sophora are employed as field acaricides. These botanical extracts have low toxicities against natural enemies of the insect pests and, thus, are valuable in pest management. This review focuses on the potential for botanical extracts in the controls of mites, with comparisons of the spectrum of activity, the lethal dose and times and their mode of action. This information will enable better formulation of botanical extracts in integrated mite control.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.478-481
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• 2013

This study was performed to evaluate the acute skin and eye irritation of plant extracts (neem and sophora) against rabbit. The result of skin irritation test indicated that neem extracts and sophora extracts were not irritant. For eye irritation test, the result showed no irritation for neem extracts. Sophora extracts have a severe eye irritation and the symptoms have been reduced to day 3. Thus, safety guidelines for agricultural workers is considered to be needed when sophora extracts is used as an organic agricultural materials.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Azadirachta indica has been widely used as environment-friendly organic materials because of its insecticidal properties. This study was carried out to investigate the acute toxicity and the subacute toxicity of Azadirachta indica extract(AIE) in rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: For the oral acute toxicity test, Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with 2.0 g/Kg bw of AIE. The $LD_{50}$ value was greater than 2.0 g/Kg bw for both male and female rats. For the subacute toxicity study, rats were treated with AIE at doses of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/Kg bw once a day for 4 weeks(n=10 animals per each group). There were no significant changes in body weight, food intake and water consumption observed during the experimental duration. In addition, no difference of relative kidney weight was observed among all treated groups. Serum creatinine level in the AIE 2.0 g/Kg group increased significantly compared with that of control group in male rats, but serum blood urea nitrogen was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). Significant increase of serum cholesterol levels were observed in all AIE groups, compared with the control group, in the female rats (p<0.05). However, histopathological examination of the kidney did not reveal any significant lesions in all groups. CONCLUSION: On the basis of results, it could be concluded that oral administration AIE didn't cause any toxic response in kidney, except the increased serum cholesterol.