• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.254-254
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• 2022

Astragalus membranaceus (A. membranaceus) has traditionally been used as a medicinal plant in East Asia for the treatment ofvarious diseases. A. membranaceus belongs to the legume family and is known to be rich in substances such as flavonoids and saponins. Recent pharmacological studies of A. membranaceus have shown that the plant has immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, knowledge of major biosynthetic pathways in A. membranaceu is still lacking. Recently developed sequencing techniques enable high-quality transcriptome analysis in plants, which is recognized as an important part in elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of many plant secondary metabolic pathways. However, it is difficult to predict the number of transcripts because plant transcripts contain a large number of isoforms due to alternative splicing events, which can vary depending on the assembly platform used. In this study, we constructed three unigene sets using Pac-Bio isoform sequencing, Trinity and rnaSPAdes assembly for detailed transcriptome analysis mA. membranaceus. Furthermore, all genes involved in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway were searched from three unigene sets, and structural comparisons and expression profiles between these genes were analyzed. The isoflavone synthesis was active in most tissues. Flavonol synthesis was mainly active in leaves and flowers, and anthocyanin synthesis was specific in flowers. Gene structural analysis revealed structural differences in the flavonoid-related genes derived from the three unigene sets. This study suggests the need for the application of multiple unigene sets for the analysis of key biosynthetic pathways in plants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4495-4499
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• 2013

Morinda citrifolia, also known as Great Morinda, Indian Mulberry, or Noni, is a plant belonging to the family Rubiaceae. A number of major chemical compounds have been identified in the leaves, roots, and fruits of the Noni plant. The fruit juice is in high demand in alternative medicine for different kinds for illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, muscle ached and pains, menstrual difficulties, headache, heart diseases, AIDS, gastric ulcer, sprains, mental depression, senility, poor digestion, arteriosclerosis, blood vessel problems, and drug addiction. Several studies have also demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and apoptosis-inducing effects of Noni in various cancers. Based on a toxicological assessment, Noni juice was considered as safe. Though a large number of in vitro, and, to a certain extent, in vivo studies demonstrated a range of potentially beneficial effects, clinical data are essentially lacking. To what extent the findings from experimental pharmacological studies are of potential clinical relevance is not clear at present and this question needs to be explored in detail before an recommendations can be made.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.51-58
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• 2006

Objectives : In this study, we investigate that Ulmi cortex extract contributes to growth inhibitory effect and anti-cancer activity on the HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Methods : Ulmi cortex was extracted from the leaves of the plant using water. The Ulmi cortex extract was treated to different concentrations for 24 hr. Growth inhibitory effect was analyzed by measuring FACS study and MTT assay. Cell cycle inhibition was confirmed by kinases assay. Cell apoptosis was confirmed by surveying caspases cascades activation using Western blot. Results : Exposure to Ulmi cortex extract (0.4mg/ml) results in an inhibitory effect on cell growth in HT-29 cells. Growth inhibition by Ulmi cortex extract in HT-29 cells was related with the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The Ulmi cortex extract induces G1-cell cycle arrest and DNA fragmentation in HT-29 cells. Furthermore, Ulmi cortex extract induces cell apoptosis through the activation of caspases-3 and PARP cleavage. Conclusion : Ulmi cortex extract induces apoptosis in human colon cancer cells, therefore, we suggest that Ulmi cortex extract can be used as a novel class of anti-cancer drugs.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.507-512
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• 2010

In this study, we investigated the ability of luteolin, a plant derived flavonoid on hepatocarcinoma cell growth using HepG2 cell culture system. We found that luteolin increased the Smac/DIABLO releases, a mitochondrial protein that potentiates apoptosis. Luteolin also induced either transcriptional activity or expression of PPAR-gamma, a target of cancer growth that PPAR-gamma agonist sensitizes to apoptosis in certain cancer types. To find the possible upstream target molecules of PPAR-gamma activated by luteolin treatment, we used compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMP-activated protein kinase. Pre-treatment of Compound C significantly restored the activation or expression of PPAR-gamma stimulated by luteolin. This result indicated that AMPK signaling might be involved in the activation or expression of PPAR-gamma signaling pathway stimulated by luteolin. Moreover, we also found that luteolin inhibited the insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation as well as AICAR, a specific AMPK activator. These results propose that luteolin significantly induces cancer cell death through modulating survival signal pathways such as PPAR-gamma and Akt. AMPK signaling pathway may be an upstream regulator for survival signal pathways such as PPAR-gamma and Akt stimulated by luteolin.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.433-438
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• 2014

Plant sterols have shown potent anti-proliferative effects and apoptosis induction against breast and prostate cancers. However, the effect of sterols against hepatic cancer has not been investigated. In the present study, we assessed whether the stigmasterol isolated from Navicula incerta possesses apoptosis inductive effect in hepatocarcimona (HepG2) cells. According to the results, Stigmasterol has up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic gene expressions (Bax, p53) while down-regulating the anti-apoptotic genes (Bcl-2). Probably via mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway. With the induction of apoptosis caspase-8, 9 were activated. The DNA damage and increase in apoptotic cell numbers were observed through Hoechst staining, annexin V staining and cell cycle analysis. According to these results, we can suggest that the stigmasterol shows potent apoptosis inductive effects and has the potential to be tested as an anti-cancer therapeutic against liver cancer.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.10-10
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• 2021

Natural products have been used as drugs and cosmetics due to their bioactivity and their biochemical diversity. Natural products usually refer to secondary metabolites produced by various living organisms including marine animals, insects, microbes, amphibians, and plants. These secondary metabolites, which usually have molecular weights less than 2,000 amu, are unnecessary for survival, development, growth, and reproduction but play major roles in plant defense systems against other species. These secondary metabolites such as lignans, flavonoids, monoterpenes, and phenylethanoid glycosides showed various biological activities like anti-oxidant behavior, anti-cancer properties, neuroprotective properties, and so forth. Thus, isolation and elucidation of secondary metabolites from living organisms is of great significance to human life.

• Plant Resources
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2001

Many plant species are used in China in tradtional medicine for the prevention and treatment of cancer. This paper presents some of these species with defals on other pharmacologic evaluation and its tradional Chinese meditional uses. The known bioaktivities and some chemical constituents of each of the species given. Information on bioactivities of each species resulting from tests on experimental animals are given. Many of the known chemical constituents of each species are given. Various species of plants elective for various types. In this meeting I will present on some antitumor of the plants which are as follows ; (1) Akebia trifoliata(Thunb.)Koidz. ((2) Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F, H, Chen ., (3)Ziziphus jujuba Mill., (4)coriotus versicolor(Fr.) Quel., (5) Trich osanthes kirilowii Maxim., (6) Ficus carica Linnaeus., (7) Acanthopanax senticosus(Rupr. et Maxim.)Harms.,(5) Hibiscus mutabilis Linnaeus.,(9) Arctium lappa Linnaeus., (11) Agrimonia pilose Ledebour and (12) Hedyotis diffusa Willd.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.52-63
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• 2000

Many plant species are used in China in traditional medicine for the prevention and treatment of cancer. This paper presents some of these species with details on other pharmacologic evaluation and its traditional Chinese meditional uses. The known bioaktivities and some chemical constituents of each of the species given. Information on bioactivities of each species resulting from tests on experimental animals are given. Many of the known chemical constituents of each species are given. Various species of plants elective for various types. In this meeting I will present on some antitumor of the plants which are as follows; (1) Akebia trifoliata(Thunb.)Koidz. ((2) Panax notoginseng(Burk.) F, H, Chen., (3) Ziziphus jujuba Mill., (4) coriolus versicolor(Fr.)Que l., (5) Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim., (6) Ficus carica Linnaeus., (7) Acanthopanax senticosus(Rupr.et Maxim.)Harms., (8) Hibiscus mutabilis Linnaeus., (9) Arctium lappa Linnaeus., (11) Agrimonia pilosa Ledebour and (12) Hedyotis diffusa Willd.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.191.1-191.1
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• 2003

Germanium is present in all living plant and animal matter in micro-trace quantities. Clinical trials and use in private practices for more than a decade have demonstrated germanium's efficacy in treating a wide range of serious afflications. including cancer, arthritis and senile osteoporosis. To investigate anti-inflammatory activity of organic germanium, we measured the effect of organic germanium on histamine release, (omitted)

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.96-102
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• 2008

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.(family Nymphaeaceae) has been used for summer heat syndrome as home remedy in Japan, China and Korea. Although whole plant parts are edible, root is commonly consumed. It has been reported that rhizome extract showed anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, in spite of usefulness for treatment of various diseases, the effect of Nelumbo nucifera rhizome(NNR) on proliferation, migration and matrix degrading enzymes-matrix metalloproteinsases(MMPs), the expression of which degrades extracellular matrix(ECM) leading to metastasis, has not been fully elucidated. We examined the effect of hot water extract of NNR on the proliferation, migration and secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rat smooth muscle cells(rSMC), epidermoid cancer cells(A431) and breast cancer cells(MDA-MB-231). The proliferation assay was carried out using MTT assay, the principle of which depends upon the conversion of MTT by mitochondrial dehydrogensases of viable cells to formazan crystals. The effect of NNR on migration of cells was examined using wound healing assay. Our results showed that there was inhibition in the proliferation, migration and expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in dose dependent fashion in all the cells used. Thus, we concluded that NNR could be used as traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases where proliferation, migration and MMPs' expression plays a pathological role like in restenosis and metastasis.