• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.7-11
• /
• 2004

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants have been reported to be autotoxic as well as allelopathic. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments through petri-dish and pot test were conducted to determine autotoxic effects of alfalfa leaf and soil extracts on the germination or early seedling growth of alfalfa, and to evaluate allelopathic effects of alfalfa leaf residues on alfalfa, barnyard grass, com, eclipta and soybean. Alfalfa seed germination was delayed depending on aqueous extract concentration, with no difference in final germination after 48 hours. Alfalfa root length was more sensitive to the autotoxic chemicals from leaf extracts than was germination or shoot length. Root growth of alfalfa was significantly inhibited at extract concentration of more than 1 g dry tissue/L (g $\textrm{L}^{-1}$). Hypocotyl growth, however, was not affected by all the concentrations of leaf extracts. Soil extracts from 4-yr-old alfalfa stand significantly reduced alfalfa root length by 66%, while soil extracts from 0,1, and 3yr-old stand stimulated root length up to 14-32% over the control. Residue incorporation with dry matters of alfalfa leaf at 100 g $\textrm{kg}^{-1}$ reduced seedling length of several crop and weed species, ranging from 53 to 87% inhibition. Addition of nutrient solution into alfalfa leaf extracts alleviated alfalfa autotoxic effect. This result indicates alfalfa leaf and soil extracts or residues could exert autotoxic as well as allelopathic substances into soil environments during and after establishment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.137-140
• /
• 2008

The effects of Picrorrhiza Rhizoma (PR) aqueous extracts were observed on xylene-induced acute inflammation. The xylene was topically applied 60 min after administration of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg of PR extracts, and all animals were sacrificed 2 hrs after xylene application. The changes on ear weights, histolopathological analyses of ear were evaluated as compared with indomethacin and dexamethasone 15 mg/kg treated groups - well known anti-inflammatory agents. Xylene application resulted in marked increases in induced ear weights as compared with intact control ear. Severe vasodilation, edematous changes of ear skin and increase in the thickness of the ear tissues as acute inflammation were detected in xylene-treated control ears at histopathological observation. However, these xylene-induced acute inflammatory changes were dosedependently decreased by oral treatment of PR extracts. Therefore, it is concluded that PR extracts has favorable anti-inflammatory effects on xylene-applicated acute ear inflamed mice.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.374-379
• /
• 2008

In the present study, various extracts of Clerodendrum infortunatum leaves have been studied for its anthelmintic, antimicrobial and antipyretic activities. In the anthelmintic and antipyretic study it was observed that the benzene extract was more potent than the other two extracts (ethanol and aqueous) even though all the three extracts were endowed with both the properties. The study reveals antimicrobial activity of the extracts against the tested strains of microorganisms between concentration ranges of $75\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $350\;{\mu}g/ml$ and shows effectiveness more against gram-positive bacteria than the gram-negative bacteria.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.520-526
• /
• 2007

To select submerged macrophytes to suppress growth of Microcystis aeruginosa through releasing allelochemicals, we conducted growth experiments with water from patches of submerged macrophytes and with aqueous extracts of those submerged macrophytes. In the first experiment, growth rates of M. aeruginosa decreased as biomass of Myriophyllum spicatum and Hydrilla verticillata increased. In the second experiment, M. aeruginosa showed approximately 50% growth reduction with extracts from M. spicatum and 24% reduction with extracts from Ottelia alismoides. Both M. aeruginosa growth experiments with water and plant extracts suggest that M. spicatum would be the best candidate to reduce M. aeruginosa growth.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.203-210
• /
• 1998

Environmental concerns arising from synthetic herbicides in plant management systems have led to an interest in plant-derived compounds as natural herbicides. Inhibitory effects of compounds extracted with 50% methanol from corn (Zea mays L.) and pine (Pinus densiflora L.) were evaluated on large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.), annual bluegrass Poa annua L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) The aqueous extracts inhibited seed germination and had postemergence activity on the four species. The stability of biological activity of corn grain, stover, and root extracts was not affected by heating to $135^{\circ}C$ or freezing/thawing treatments when applied at levels above 0.25kg m(sup)-2 based on dry weights of powders before extraction. Heating reduced the activity of pine litter and bark extracts at all levels except the highest application level but had little effect on pine needle extracts.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.755-759
• /
• 2007

In this study, we screened twenty four extracts of eight medicinal plants and three extracts of the commercial product for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts were found active where as aqueous extracts were little or no active. Extracts of Sophora flavescens, Salvia miltlorrhiza and Glycyrrhiza uralensis showed strong activity againsttested organisms and could be the potential antimicrobial agent. The increase of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of formulations might be due to synergic effect. The results also indicated that the activity of bamboo salt and herbal products can be enhanced by making appropriate formulations.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2013

Objective: Evaluations of the in-vitro anti-bacterial activities of aqueous extracts of Acacia catechu (L.F.)Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and Shilajita mumiyo against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are reasonable since these ethnomedicinal plants have been used in Persian folk medicine for treating skin diseases, venereal diseases, respiratory problems and nervous disorders for ages. Methods: The well diffusion method (KB testing) with a concentration of $250{\mu}g/disc$ was used for evaluating the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Maximum synergistic effects of different combinations of components were also observed. Results: A particular combination of Acacia catechu (L.F.) Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and shilajita mumiyo extracts possesses an outstanding anti-bacterial activity. It's inhibiting effect on microorganisms is significant when compared to the control group (P<0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive microorganism. The highest anti-bacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) or gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was exerted by formula number 2 (table 1). Conclusion: The results reveal the presence of anti-bacterial activities of Acacia catechu, Castanea sativa husk, Ephedra sp. and Mumiyo against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic effects in a combined formula, especially in formula number 2 (ASLAN$^{(R)}$) can lead to potential sources of new antiseptic agents for treatment of acute or chronic skin ulcers. These results considering the significant anti-bacterial effect of the present formulation, support ethnopharmacological uses against diarrheal and venereal diseases and demonstrate use of these plants to treat infectious diseases.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.147-152
• /
• 2013

The fibrinolytic activity of aqueous extracts from Korean indigenous insects were studied. Fibrinolytic activity of aqueous extract from 5 insects (larva and adult parts of Meloimorpha japonica, Allomyrina dichotoma, Cetonia pilifera, Apis mellifera) showed 2.7-fold potent than that of plasmin used as a positive control. In addition, the fibrinolytic activity was observed through the degradation products by SDS-PAGE. The extracts efficiently hydrolyzed ${\alpha}-$, ${\beta}-$ and ${\gamma}$ chains of human fibrinogen. This study suggested that aqueous extracts from Korean indigenous insects have potential in developing a useful source of antithrombosis agent(s).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.46-58
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The object of this study was to obtain acute information (single oral dose toxicity) of Scutellariae Radix Aqueous Extracts (SR; yield = 27.20%) which traditionally have been used in Korean medicine for treating various diseases including inflammatory diseases. Methods : In order to observe the 50% lethal dose ($LD_{50}$), approximate lethal dosage (ALD) and target organs, SR Aqueous Extracts were once orally administered to female and male ICR mice at dose levels of 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 0 (control) mg/kg (body weight.) according to the recommendation of KFDA Guidelines. The mortality and changes on body weight, clinical signs and gross observation were monitored during 14 days after single oral treatment of SR according to KFDA Guidelines with organ weights and histopathological observations of 14 types of principle organs. Results : After single oral treatment of SR, we could not find any mortality and toxicological evidences up to 2,000 mg/kg treated group, the limited dosages in rodents, on the body and organ weights, clinical signs, gross and histopathological observations, except for some accidental findings. Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that the $LD_{50}$ and ALD of SR in both female and male mice after single oral treatment be considered as over 2,000 mg/kg because no mortalities were detected up to 2,000 mg/kg that was the highest dose recommended by KFDA and OECD, and can be safely used in clinics.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.100-108
• /
• 2011

The object of this study was two. One was if Polygonati Rhizoma preparata had a benzo(a)pyrene, the other was to evaluate the single dose toxicity of 9 repetitive steaming and fermenting processed Polygonati Rhizoma, dried root parts of Polygonati Rhozoma preparata extract, in male and female mice. We measured a content of benzo(a)pyrene in Polygonati Rhozoma preparata using a method with HPLC/FLD. And for single dose toxicity, aqueous extracts of Polygonati Rhozoma preparata (EPP; Yield = 35.4 %) was administered to female and male ICR mice as an oral dose of 2,000, 1,000 and 500 mg/kg (body weight) according to the recommendation of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) Guidelines. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy; organ weight and histopathology of 12 principle organs were examined. As results, we could not find any mortality, clinical signs, and changes in the body and organ weight except for slight soft feces sporadically detected in EPP treated male mice at 1 day after administration. In addition, no EPP-treatment related abnormal gross findings and changes in histopathology of principle organs were detected except for some sporadic accidental findings. The results obtained in this study suggest that benzo(a)pyrene was not existed in Polygonati Rhozoma preparata and the 50% lethal dose and approximate lethal dose of EPP aqueous extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2,000 mg/kg, the limited highest dosage recommended by KFDA Guidelines. However, it also observed that the possibilities of digestive disorders, like soft feces when administered over 500 mg/kg of EPP aqueous extracts in the present study.