• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.218-224
• /
• 2024

Plants are treasure trove of novel compounds that have potential for antifungal chemicals and drugs. In our previous study, we had screened plant extracts obtained from more than eight hundred plant materials collected in Korea, and found that butanol fraction of the Actinostemma lobatum were most potent in suppressing growth of diverse fungal pathogens of plants. Here in this study, we describe further analysis of the butanol fraction, and summarize the results of subsequent antifungal activity test for the sub-fractions against a selected set of plant pathogenic fungi. This line of analyses allowed us to identify the sub-fractions that could account for a significant proportion of observed antifungal activity of initial butanol fraction from A. lobatum. Further analysis of these sub-fractions and determination of structure would provide the shortlist for novel compounds that can be a lead to new agrochemicals.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.685-691
• /
• 2022

Plants produce chemicals of immense diversity that provide great opportunities for development of new antifungal compounds. In search for environment-friendly alternatives to the fungicide of current use, we screened plant extracts obtained from more than eight hundred plant materials collected in Korea for their antifungal activity against the model plant pathogenic fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. This initial screening identified antifungal activities from the eleven plant extract samples, among which nine showed reproducibility in the follow-up screening. These nine samples were able to suppress not only M. oryzae but also other fungal pathogens. Interestingly, the plant extracts obtained from Actinostemma lobatum comprised five out of eight samples, and were the most effective in their antifungal activity. We found that butanol fraction of the A. lobatum extract is the most potent. Identification and characterization of antifungal substances in the A. lobatum extracts would provide the promising lead compounds for new fungicide.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.673-677
• /
• 2013

In order to examine the effects of Korean cucurbitaceous plants on sonic hedgehog pathway and growth of cancer cells with over-activated hedgehog pathway, we measured the sonic hedgehog conditioned medium (shh-CM) induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and cell viability of pancreatic cancer cell lines by treatment of cucurbitaceous plants. Among the tested cucurbitaceous plants, Actinostemma lobatum Maxim, Cucumis sativus L., Momordica charantia L., Schizopepon bryoniaefolius Maxim and Trichosanthes kirilowii Max, var. japonica Kitam showed the potent inhibitory effects (> 50 % at $20{\mu}g/mL$) on shh-CM induced ALP activity. We also evaluated the cell viability of pancreatic cancer cells treated with the cucurbitaceous plants. The tested cucurbitaceous plants showed the very weak effects on cancer cell proliferation but, T. kirilowii Max, var. japonica Kitam presented the inhibitory effect of 72.7 % on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells at $20{\mu}g/mL$. Taken together, we screened the effects of Korean cucurbitaceous plants on shh-CM induced ALP activity and cell viability of pancreatic cancers to search for the modulators of the hedgehog pathway leading to the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. T. kirilowii Max, var. japonica Kitam, among the tested cucurbitaceous plants, showed the inhibitory effects on the shh-CM induced ALP activity and the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.59-81
• /
• 2011

The flora of the Sinpyeong and Churyeong stream were listed 324 taxa; 87 families, 227 genera, 289 species, 1 subspecies, 31 varieties and 3 forms. The Sinpyeong stream were 249 taxa and Churyeong stream were 221 taxa. Based on the rare plants (IUCN) by the Korea Forest Service and Korea National Arboretum were recorded; Penthorum chinense (Crassulaceae), etc. and endemic plants, 6 taxa; Weigela subsessilis (Caprifoliaceae), Lycoris flavescens (Amarylidaceae), etc. Based on the specific plants by floral region were total 12 taxa (3.7% of all 324 taxa of flora); Monochoria korsakowi (Pontederiaceae), etc. in class III. 10 taxa (Salix glandulosa (Salicaceae), Ulmus parvifolia (Ulmaceae), Impatiens noli-tangere (Balsaminaceae), Grewia biloba var. parviflora (Tiliaceae), Nymphoides peltata (Gentianaceae), Actinostemma lobatum (Cucurbitaceae), Cirsium pendulum (Compositae), Microstegium japonicum (Gramineae), etc.) in class I. Based on the naturalized plants, 51 taxa and ecosystem disturbing wild plants, 6 taxa (Rumex acetosella, Sicyos angulatus, Aster pilosus, Ambrosia artemisiaefolia, Hypochaeris radicata, Paspalum distichum var. distichum) and naturalization rate was 15.7% of all 324 taxa of flora, urbanization index was 18.8% of all 271 taxa of naturalized plants. Based on the hydrophytes, 23 taxa and emergent hydrophytes were 17 taxa, floating-leaved hydrophytes were 3 taxa, submergent hydrophytes were 2 taxa, free-floating hydrophytes was Spirodela polyrhiza.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.151-159
• /
• 2007

We studied the optimal ranges of water and soil characteristics for wetland plants, particularly Scirpus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush) and Typha latifolia (broadleaf cattail), which are dominant species with potential for restoration of Korean wetlands. We observed vegetation in S. tabernaemontani and T. latifolia communities from the mid to late June, 2005, and measured characteristics of water environments such as water depth (WD), temperature (WT), conductivity (WC), and concentration of several ions $(NO_3{^-}-N,\;Ca^{2+},\;Na^+,\;Mg^{2+},\;and\;K^+)$, and characteristics of soil environments such as soil texture, organic matter (loss on ignition, LOI), conductivity, and pH. The S. tabernaemontani community was accompanied by Zizania latifolia (Manchurian wildrice), Persicaria thunbergii (Korean persicary), Actinostemma lobatum (lobed actinostemma), and Beckmannia syzigachne (American slough grass), while the T. latifolia community was accompanied by P. thunbergii, T. angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail), and Glycine soja (wild soybean). We defined the optimal range for distribution (ORD) as the range that each plant was crowded. The optimal range of water characteristics for the S. tabernaemontani community was a $WD\;10{\sim}50cm,\;WT\;24.0{\sim}32.0^{\circ}C,\;WC\;100{\sim}500{\mu}S/cm,\;{NO_3}{^-}-N\;0{\sim}60ppb,\;K^+\;0.00{\sim}1.50ppm,\;Ca^{2+}\;7.50{\sim}17.50ppm,\; Na^+\;2.50{\sim}12.50ppm,\;and\;Mg^{2+}\;3.00{\sim}7.00ppm$. In addition, the optimal range of soil characteristics for the S. tabernaemontani community was a soil texture of loam, silty loam, and loamy sand, $LOI\;8.0{\sim}16.0%,\;pH\;5.25{\sim}6.25$, and conductivity $10{\sim}70{\mu}S/cm$. The optimal range of water characteristics for the T. latifolia community was a $WD\;10{\sim}30cm,\;WT\;22.5{\sim}27.5^{\circ}C,\;WC\;100{\sim}400{\mu}S/cm,\;{NO_3}{^-}-N\;0{\sim}60ppb,\;K^+\;0.00{\sim}1.50ppm,\;Ca^{2+}\;0.00{\sim}17.50ppm,\;Na^+\;0.00{\sim}12.50ppm,\;and\;Mg^{2+}\;0.00{\sim}5.00ppm$, and the optimal range of soil characteristics for the T. fatifolia community was a soil texture of loam, sandy loam, and silty loam, LOI $3.0{\sim}9.0%,\;pH\;5.25{\sim}7.25$, and conductivity $0{\sim}70{\mu}S/cm$.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.113-124
• /
• 2007

The vascular plants of the studied area in Keum River lower stream were listed 238 taxa: 74 families, 179 genera, 211 species, 24 varieties and 3 forms. In this, Woody plant were 60 taxa (25.2%), Herb plants were 178 taxa (74.8%) of all 238 taxa vascular plants. Pteridophyta were 4 families, 4 genera, 4 taxa, Gymnospermae were 2 families, 2 genera, 3 taxa and Angiospermae were 68 families, 173 genera, 231 taxa. Based on the list of Korean endemic plant, 2 taxa were recorded; Populus tomentiglandulosa, Forsythia koreana. Specific plant species by floral region were total 7 taxa; Salix siuzevii in class III, 6 taxa (Ainus hirsute, Quercus variabilis, Mallotus japonicus, Plantago camtschatica, Actinostemma lobatum, Sagittaria aginashi) in class I. The naturalized plants in this site were 14 families, 35 genera, 40 species, 2 varieties, 42 taxa and naturalization rate was 17.6% of all 238 taxa vascular plants. Wild plants disturbing ecosystem like Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. etatior have been increasing. So, it needs continuing control and conservation measures on the plant ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.209-224
• /
• 2012

This study was carried out to survey the vascular plants of Namhan River located in Chungju-si, and the period of survey was from June, 2010 to June, 2011. The results are as follows. The vascular plants distributed in Neungam, Mokgye and Jangcheon around Namhan river were summarized as 225 taxa including 52 families, 164 genera, 200 species, 23 varieties and 2 forms. The rare plant designated by Korea Forest Service was $Aristolochia$ $contorta$ Bunge, and the endemic plant was identified as $Salix$ $koriyanagi$ Kimura. The specific plants by floristic region were 7 taxa including $Salix$ $chaenomeloides$ Kimura, $Aristolochia$ $contorta$ Bunge, $Actinostemma$ $lobatum$ Maxim., $Artemisia$ $selengensis$ Turcz., $Cirsium$ $pendulum$ Fisch., $Alisma$ $plantago-aquatic$ var. $orientale$ Samuels. and $Carex$ $versicaria$ L.. The naturalized plants were 47 taxa including $Fallopia$ $dumetorum$ (L.) Holub., $Chenopoidum$ $album$ L., $Silene$ $armeria$ L., $Brassica$ $juncea$ (L.) Czern., $Melilotus$ $alba$ Medicus, $Trifolium$ $pratense$ L., $Oenothera$ $erythrosepala$ Borb$\acute{a}$s, $Ipomoea$ $hederacea$ var. $integriuscula$ A.Gray, $Bidens$ $frondosa$ L., $Matricaria$ $inodora$ L., $Xanthium$ $canadense$ Mill., $Panicum$ $dichotomiflorum$ Michx. and so forth. In life forms, megaphanerophytes (M) were 13 taxa, 13 taxa in nanophanerophytes (N), 14 taxa inchamaiphytes (Ch), 40 taxa in hemicryptophytes (H), 20 taxa in geophytes (G), 103 taxa in therophytes (Th) and 22 taxa in hydrophytes (HH). The ratios of the naturalized index (NI), the urbanized index (UI) and the disturbed index (DI) were 20.9%, 14.6% and 18.2% in all sites.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.83-96
• /
• 2016

Through the research and analysis on the vegetation environment, flora of habitats through documentary and field studies over 14 habitats of Euryale ferox Salisbury within Jeollabukdo, with the objective of acquiring the basic data for forming an environment based on plantation of reservoirs that are composed with Euryale ferox, the following results were obtained. 1. The entire flora of the 14 habitats appeared to be 79 families, 211 genus, 298 species, two subspecies, 30 varieties and six forma, thus, a total of 336 taxa was confirmed. Among these, emergent water plants appeared to compose 17 taxa, floating-leaved plants to compose seven taxa including Euryale ferox floating plants to compose five taxa and submerged water plants to compose two taxa. As a result of analyzing the similarity only over the water plants. The lowest similarity rate appeared between Gamdong Reservoir and Aedang Reservoir, as the similarity rate between the two regions appeared to be 0% as a result of the analysis. Floating-leaved plants, lotuses and caltrops, appeared to be equally inhabiting in Hanseongji at Jeongeup and Seoknam Reservoir at Gochang, which showed the highest similarity rate, in addition to Euryale ferox. 2. When examining the appearance frequency of aquatic plants per growth type, Actinostemma lobatum and Phragmites communis, in addition to Euryale ferox each appeared 11 times, showing a high frequency of 78.6% and Trapa japonica, which is a floating-leaved water plant, appeared ten times(71.4%) and Zizania latifolia appeared eight times(57.1%). In addition, the appearance rate appeared to be high in the order of Persicaria thunbergii, Leersia sayanuka, Ceratophyllum demersum, Echinochloa crusgalli var. oryzicola, Scirpus maritimus, and Nelumbo nucifera. 3. The rare plants discovered in the Euryale ferox habitats pursuant to the IUCN evaluation standards was confirmed to be composed of five taxa, with three taxa including the least concerned species(LC), Melothria japonica at Yanggok Reservoir, Hydrocharis dubia at Myeongdeokji and Ottelia alismoides at Daewi Reservoir, in addition to vulnerable species(VU), Utricularia vulgaris at Sangpyeong Reservoir, along with Euryale ferox. 4. Most of the group or community types of the natural habitats of Euryale ferox appeared to be the Euryale ferix community' and the Daewi Reservoir of Gunsan was defined as caltrop + Euryale ferox + Nymphoides indica community. The green coverage ratio of Euryale ferox per natural habitats showed a considerably huge deviation from 0.03 to 36.50 and as the average green coverage ratio was appropriated as 9.8, it can be considered that maintaining the green coverage ratio of Euryale ferox in a 10% level would be advisable when forming a reservoir with Euryale ferox as the key composition species. 5. The vegetation community nearby the natural habitats of Euryale ferox per research subject area appeared to be composed of three Leersia japonica communities, two communities each for Zizania latifolia community and Trapa japonica community and one community each for Nelumbo nucifera community, Nymphoides peltata + Typha orientalis community, Trapa japonica + Nelumbo nucifera community, Hydrocharis dubia community, Leersia japnica + Paspalum distichum var. indutum community and Euryale ferox + Trapa japonica community, showing a slight difference depending on the location conditions of each reservoir. Thus, this result may be suggested as a guideline to apply when allocating the vegetation ratio and the types of floating-leaved plants upon planting plants in reservoirs with Euryale ferox as the main companion species.