• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2005

Leucas aspera Link. (Lamiaceae) is an important medicinal plant in indigenous systems of medicine in India and commonly known as 'Thumbai'. It has various ethnomedicinal values as various traditional communities find diverse medicinal properties. It is used as antipyretic, stimulant, expectorant and diaphoretic drug. The present communication deals with the detailed pharmacognostical evaluation of whole plant of L. aspera collected from five different geographical zones of the country-Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka, West Bengal and Gujarat. The botanical characters and TLC fingerprint profile of all the samples were quite similar but some variations were observed in physicochemical parameters. However, some microscopical characters and TLC profile can be used as diagnostic characters for identification of L. aspera, for example amphistomachic leaves and two types of trichomes-abundant, non glandular, uniseriate, 1-3 celled and few glandular, 2-5 celled stalk with rounded tip. Presence of some components at $R_fs-0.56$, 0.65 and 0.76 under UV 366 and at $R_fs-0.31$, 0.43, 0.60, 0.76 and 0.82 under visible light after derivetization in TLC profile may also be used as diagnostic character.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.174-178
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• 2006

The ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera root was studied for its effect on the central nervous system (CNS) using pentobarbitone induced sleeping time test, the open field test and the hole cross test in Swiss albino mice. The present investigation revealed that the extract at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, significantly prolonged the pentobarbitone induced sleeping time in mice though the onset of sleep was delayed as compared to control. In open field test the depressing effect was prominent from the second observation period (30 min) and persisted throughout the entire experimental period (240 min). In the hole cross test, the depressing effect was observed significant from the third observation period (60 min) and persisted up to the seventh observation period (240 min) except at fourth observation (90 min) for 250 mg dose group and depressing effect was significant from second observation (30 min) up to seventh observation period (240 min) for 500 mg dose group. These results support the finding that Leucas aspera root may contain biologically active constituent(s) having CNS activity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.202-207
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• 2006

The crude methanol extract of the roots of Achyranthes aspera Linn. was investigated for its possible antinociceptive, diuretic and neuropharmacological activities in animal models. At the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, the extract showed a significant antinociceptive effect in acetic acid induced-writhing in mice comparable to that produced by diclofenac sodium, used as standard drug. The crude extract produced significant diuretic effect at the dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight comparable to that produced by furosemide, used as standard drug. The extract also potentiated significantly the pentobarbital induced sleeping time in mice; decreased the open field score in open field test, decreased the number of hole crossed from one chamber in the hole cross test and decreased the head dip responses. The obtained results provide a support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine and its further investigation.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.336-343
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• 1999

Fifty six mycelial cultured Basidiomycetes were screened for their inhibitory effects against prolyl endopeptidase(PEP), acetylcholine esterase(AChE) and thrombus coagulation. Out of them, methanolic extract of mycelium and/or ethylacetate(EtOAc) soluble fraction from culture broth of Peniophora quercina, Amanita aspera, Phellinus chrysoloma, Grifola frondosa, Wolfiporia extensa, Clavicorona pyxidata and Phanerochaete sordida inhibited more than 90% of PEP activity at 40 ppm. The extracts of Lenzites betulina, Phellinus chrysoloma, Wolfiporia extensa, Phanerochaete sorrlida, Hypocrea nigricans, Coriolus azureus, Flammulina velutipes, Phlebiopsis gigantea and Bondarzewia montana exhibited about 40% of inhibitory activity against AChE at 40 ppm. In thrombin times assay, the extracts of Amanita aspera, Oxyporus latemarginata, Peniophora quercina, Fomes fomenfarius, Trametes versicolor, and Phlebiopsis gigantea delayed coagulation of thrombus about two to three times over control at ca 550 ppm. In activated partial thromboplastin times assay, none of the tested Basidiomycetes showed significant effect.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.150-160
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• 1988

Food habits of Alaska plaice, Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus, and ecological interactions of this species with yellowfin sole, Limanda aspera, and rock sole, Lepidopsetta bilineata, in the eastern Bering Sea were studied. Alaska plaice mainly feed on polychaetes regardless of sex and size of fish. However, it was shown that food differed by sampling area. Feeding did not occur at night. Food competition seems to be negligible among the three shallow water fiatfish species inhabiting the eastern Bering Sea due to differences in food spectra or spatial distribution.

• Journal of Agricultural Extension & Community Development
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.345-354
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• 2015

In this study, the landscape characteristics and culture of the sacred Dangsan forests at Dongnae-ri, Seonae-ri, Namnae-ri, Pyeongchon-ri and Gyochon-ri were investigated. And the potential for registration in the World Heritage List has been discussed by linking the Dangsan forests at the five sites. Dangsan forest, a traditional village forests of rural Korea is a representative cultural heritage with a history of more than several hundred years of Dangsan ritual. The Dangsan forests in the neighborhood of Naganeuoseong have retained the landscape of town fortress during Choseon Dynasty and the Dangsan ritual as a living culture. The three villages inside Naganeuoseong have kept their Upper Dang, Middle Dang and Lower Dang. There were 21 old trees in total; Zelkova serrata (2), Celtis sinensis (7), Aphananthe aspera (5) trees, Carpinus tschonoskii (2) and Ginkgo biloba (3). The three Dangsan trees and an old Aphananthe aspera, known as to be planted by the Admiral Yi Sun-sin were recognized. The two villages located outside of village fortress also have kept their Dangsan ritual. It is important whether the sites possesses authenticity in order to be listed in the World Heritage. The Dangsan forests in the neighborhood of Naganeuoseong have been verified for the authenticity, which should be focused. The places need to be clarified for their landscape features formed as a Dangsan forest, and sustainable protection and management plans are to be devised.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.441-443
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• 2007

A preliminary in vitro acid neutralizing capacity test of twelve traditional Ayurvedic antacids were performed in this study. Five traditional preparations of ash of conch shell, ash of oyster, ash of pearl, limestone, and ash of cowrie showed high acid neutralizing capacity similar to standard antacid combination of $Al(OH)_3\;and\;Mg(OH)_2$. Among these the ash of conch shell found the highest acid neutralizing capacity. The ash of tamarind and ash of Achyranthus aspera showed moderate acid neutralizing capacity. The acid neutralizing capacity of red ochre; ash of iron; mixture of niter, alum and ammonium chloride; saltpeter; and ash of mica found below the USP 23 limit.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 2009

Pre-dispersal seed predation by a granivorous bird, the masked grosbeak (Eophona personata, Fringillidae), was investigated in two bird-dispersed trees, Celtis sinensis and Aphananthe aspera (Ulmaceae). The objectives of this study were to 1) measure direct damage of predation by grosbeaks on plant crops, 2) reveal the temporal pattern of predation within each tree species and its causal factors, and 3) test whether foraging grosbeaks hinder foraging of frugivorous birds, thereby indirectly impacting the reproduction of both tree species. A substantial amount of fruit and seed crop was consumed by grosbeaks (24.3% in Celtis; 55.5% in Aphananthe), and only 17.7% (Celtis) and 16.7% (Aphananthe) were removed by frugivorous birds. At the study site, the grosbeak population size fluctuated greatly during the fruiting seasons of both plant species. As for Celtis, predated seed density also fluctuated temporally, and the local population size of grosbeaks was responsible for predated seed density. In Aphananthe, predation was not fully explained by grosbeak populations or plant phenology, but its peak coincided with that of grosbeak population. These results suggest that predispersal seed predation by granivorous birds can have large negative impacts on the bird-dispersed plants. Changes in local population size of granivorous birds can influence predatation and can affect reproductive success of the bird-dispersed plants available to the birds.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2007

Ethanol extract of 20 botanicals in 3 concentrations i.e., 2.5%, 5% and 10% were evaluated for their efficacy to improve reproductive performance of mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mod L.) through feeding botanical enriched mulberry leaves during $2^{nd}$ day of $4^{th}$ age as well as $1^{st}$ and $3^{rd}$ day of $5^{th}$ age larvae. The preliminary screening was done by ranking the botanicals based on influence in most important reproductive contributing parameters such as single cocoon weight, effective rate of rearing, pupation rate, fecundity and recovery of eggs/kg cocoon. Five botanicals viz., Asparagus recemosus, Achyranthes aspera, Tribulus terrestris, Withania somnifera, Parthenium histerophorus ranked first were further evaluated at 8% 5% and 3% concentrations to confirm their effectiveness and standardize effective concentration. Among the rearing parameters, mature larval weight, shell ratio and number of cocoons/kg were not significantly influenced by the treatments. However, reproductive parameters such as effective rate of rearing (wt), pupation rate (%), fecundity (No.) and egg recovery (g)/kg cocoon were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the botanicals. Higher fecundity and egg recovery were obtained on treatment with Withania somnifera irrespective of concentrations. However at 5% concentration, pupation rate, fecundity as well as egg recovery were found significantly higher than that of other concentrations, confirming its effectiveness for improving reproductive efficiency.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.85-98
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• 2013

In order to propose effective conservation management plan, this study verified ecological characteristics, humanities and Social characteristics. The research site is private property which is owned belonging to the Kim's of Gimhae that have long history. The study site is more than a thousand years old and was created for protecting from typhoon. There held the religious ritual what is called Dongsinje until 1960s. There have been protected and managed by the villagers. As the results of analysis, the area of windbreak are $12,392.69m^2$. The windbreak is dominated old years deciduous broad-leaved tree such as Zelkova serrata, Celtis sinensis, Aphananthe aspera. Around there were farmlands(52.1%), urbanized area(26.3%), forest area(16.6%). The vegetation communities of windbreak were classified by considering the dominant species and current status of forest. The forest types are following as; A. aspera community(I) which is using less pressure, Platycarya strobilacea-Carpinus coreana-Z. serrata community(II). Z. serrata community(III) which is using high pressure, Z. serrata-A. aspera community(IV), Z. serrata community(V) which is damaged under canopy trees. The windbreak was in good condition whereas, there were concerns the some wrong status was being undermined such as the wrong forest restoration projects in the past, the trails that is penetrating inside the forest, building up education facilities. Therefore, in order to restore the value of windbreak what is so called Suwol forest, we should improve the problems of forest ecosystem such as wrong management, forest fragmentation by facilities and decline in forest by lack of growing the next generation trees. In addition, we should remove excessive resting facilities and lead to passive use of forest. to improve the way of wrong management, moreover, we should close off he trails that is penetrating inside the forest for improving fragmentation. We should restore vegetation restoration and fostering the next generation trees for forest ecosystem. In order to restore unique of histo-cultural and ecological forest landscape, the next generation trees should be grown up that is the dominant species in Suwol forest. Moreover, as a results of comparing the between good vegetation communities and damaged vegetation communities, it is necessary to complementary planting for demeged vegetation communities, therefore there needs to 10.8 under canopy trees, 79.7 shrubs.