• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 1998

To determine the differences among cultivated , non-cultivated and imported bupleurum falcatum, contents and compositions of fatty acids and saikosaponins which are known as a major biologically acitive compounds in Bupleurum falcatum were meausred with GC and HPLC. Color of grinded powder of Bupleuri radix determined by colorimeter showed that the imported one has the highest white and yellow coloer Among the Bupleuri radix cultivated in China, Hong-siho(red-Bupleurum) produced in Yungil Province contained the highest red color. Cultivated Korean Bupleurum radix contained higher saikosaponi a, c, and than the imported ones which were cultivated in Yungil, Ankuk , and Gillium Province in China. Levels of saikosaponin c are 3 times higher in cultivated Korean Bupleuria radix compared the with imported ones. Furthermore, Bupleurum falcatum cultivated in Korea contained higher amount of palmitic and linoleic acids than those of improted and non-cultivated ones. Particularly they contain two to six times higher linoleic acid.

• Plant Resources
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.102-106
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• 2001

To develop optimumal storage method of root of Bupleurum falcatum Radix grown on major cultural herbal medicine materials, root of Bupleurum falcatum Radix was stored for 10 months with different packing materials and sealing methods. The loss in dry weight as influenced by packing materials and sealing methods was the lowest at vacuum packing and followed by complete sealing methods with transparent polyethylene film. The ratio of root rot during the storage period was not significantly different between packing materials but was significantly different between sealing conditions. Conclusionally, vacuum packing and complete sealing with polyethylene film appears to be optimal for storage of Bupleurum falcatum Radix.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.59-68
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• 2009

Objectives : Bupleuri Radix (Siho) is prescribed as the root of different Bupleurum species on the pharmarcopoeia in Korea and China. Moreover, other species and varieties of the genus Bupleurum have been also distributed on the herbal market as Bupleuri Radix. However, due to the morphological similarity and frequent occurrence of intermediate forms, the correct identification of this radix is very difficult. To develop a reliable method for correct identification and improving the quality standards of official Bupleuri Radix, we analyzed sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (rDNA-ITS) region. Methods : PCR amplification of rDNA-ITS region was performed using ITS1 and ITS4 primer from 6 Bupleurum species and 1 variety, B. falcatum L. (Siho), an improved breed of B. falcatum L. (Samdo-Siho), B. chinense DC. (Buk-Siho), B. scorzonerifolium Willd. (Nam-Siho), B. longiadiatum Turcz. (Gae-Siho), B. euphorbiodes Nakai (Deungdae-Siho) and B. latissimum Nakai (Seom-Siho), and nucleotide sequence was determined after sub-cloning into the pGEM-Teasy vector. Authentic marker nucleotides were estimated by the analysis of ClastalW using entire rDNA-ITS sequence of three samples per species. Results : In comparative analysis of the rDNA-ITS sequences, we found specific nucleotides to distinguish Korean (B. falcatum L. and its variety) and Chinese official species (B. chinense DC. and B. scorzonerifolium Willd.) from others at positions 411 and 447, and positions 89, 101, 415 and 599, respectively. Futhermore, we also found nucleotide indels (insertion and/or deletion) and substitutions to identify each of different Bupleurum species, 2 positions for B. falcatum L. and its variety, 6 positions for B. chinense DC., 49 positions for B. scorzonerifolium Willd., 8 positions for B. euphorbioides Nakai, 7 positions for B. longiradiatum Nakai and 9 positions for B. latissimum Nakai. These sequence differences at corresponding positions are avaliable nucleotide markers to determine the botanical origins of Bupleuri Radix. Moreover, we confirmed the phylogenetic relationship of B. latissimum Nakai, a Korean endemic speices, among Bupleurum species based on the rDNA-ITS sequence. Conclusions : These marker nucleotides would be useful to identify the official herbal medicines by the providing of definitive information that can identify each plant species and distinguish it from unauthentic adulterant Bupleurum species.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.175-179
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• 1985

The optimal condition for the determination of saikosaponin a and d, the major pharmacologically active saponins of the roots of Bupleurum falcatum, was studied with the conversion of these saponins into diene saponins $(saikosaponin\;b_1\;and\;b_2)$. The complete separation and quantitative analysis of these saponins were performed by the method of high performance liquid chromatography using $NH_2$ column. The conversion of saikosaponin a and d into diene saponins under gastric pH was calculated. Thirty-three percent of saikosaponin a was converted to saikosaponin $b_1$ and 63 percent of saikosaponin d was converted to saikosaponin $b_2$.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.205-210
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• 1974

Four kinds of Bupleuri Radix, namely 'Dang shiho', 'Won shiho', 'Shik shiho' and 'Jook shiho', are currently used in the market of Korea. It is thought that 'Dang shiho' is the root of Bupleurum falcatum and B. scorzoneraefolium. It was also reported that 'Won shiho' and 'Shik shiho' are the root of B. falcatum. Since 'Jook shiho' which is widely used in the market and even exported, has not been clarified as to the origin of the plant and the chemical components, the author obtained some results by this study, the summaries of which are as following: 1. The results of microscopical examination of 'Jook shiho' and 'Kae shiho' were entirely identical and the TLC patterns were coincided as well. It was therefore definitely clarified that the origin of 'Jook shiho' is Bupleurum longe-radiatum. 2. The TLC patterns of 'Won shiho', 'Jook shiho' and 'Kae shiho' which are belonging to the same family and the same genus, appeared identical, and reveal the similarity of the chemical constituents and thereby strongly support the fact that 'Jook shiho' can be used for the same purpose as 'Won shiho'.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.269-274
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• 2006

In order to characterize saikosaponin biosynthesis in Bupleurum falcatum, the expression of five isoprenoid pathway genes and their relationship to saikosaponin accumulation in the hairy roots were analyzed. The hairy roots exhibited a rapid accumulation of saikosaponins when incubated in a root culture medium (3XRCM). Homology-based RT-PCR was used to isolate core fragments of five genes, HMGR, IPPI, FPS, SS, and OSC, from the hairy roots. The deduced amino acid sequences exhibited amino acid identities of more than 85% to previously reported genes. Using the fragments as probes, the expression of these five genes in the hairy roots during incubation in 3XRCM medium was examined. Expression of all five genes in the hairy roots increased soon after incubation. In particular, the SS and OSC genes were coordinately induced at 8 days of incubation, and their expression persisted throughout the incubation period. A quantitative HPLC analysis showed that the saikosaponin content of the hairy root culture also began to increase at 8 days of culture. The correlation between SS transcript level and saikosaponin content in the hairy roots suggests that transcriptional regulation plays a regulatory role in saikosaponin biosynthesis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.714-723
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• 2012

The object of this study was to evaluate the effect of Bupleuri Radix, aqueous extracts of the root part of Bupleurum falcatum on the 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU)-induced rat hypothyroidism. Aqueous extracts of Bupleuri Radix (BR; yield = 11.73%) were administered, once day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 300 and 150 mg/kg (body weight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28 days. The changes on the body weight, thyroid gland weights, serum thyroid hormone - thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine ($T_3$) and thyroxine ($T_4$), serum lipid profiles - total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride, liver antioxidant defense system - lipid peroxidation, $H_2O_2$, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were observed with histopathology of thyroid glands. Results were compared with $LevoT_4$ 0.5 mg/kg treated rats. As results of PTU treatment, marked decreases of body weights, triglyceride contents, liver CAT activities and changes of serum thyroid hormone levels were observed with increases of serum AST, HDL contents, liver $H_2O_2$ and SOD activities and thyroid gland weight. In addition, marked hyperplasia of follicular cells with decreases of follicular colloid contents and sizes were demonstrated at histopathological inspections. However, these PTU induced hypothyroidism were dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of BR extracts, and BR extracts effectively regulated the hypothyroidism related changes on the antioxidant defense system. The results obtained in this study suggest that BR extracts have favorable effects on the thyroid hormone productions with beneficial effects on the hypothyroidism mediated by the modulatory effects on the antioxidant defense system.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.41 no.spc1
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• pp.123-144
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• 1996

This review deals briefly with the various medicinal components(mainly saikosaponins), their biological activities and the variation of their contents by different cultivation environment and plant parts in Bupleurum species. Bupleuri radix, a crude drug, is the root of Bupleurum falcatum L. (Korea, Japan), B. chinense(China), and their related species (Umbelliferae). There are over 120 species in Bupleurum genus throughout world, mainly Asian area, and over 5 species in Korea, investigated up to now. These plants contain many physiological active compounds and the principal components are saikosaponins. Major activities of this crude drug and saikosaponins are the anti-inflammatory and antihepatotoxic activities. Saikosaponins and their derivatives in Bupleurum spp. have been chemically studied, isolated and identified over 70 compounds in over 50 species. Other components, physiologically active ones, also have been investigated, which are the groups of lignan, flavonoid, essential oil, polyacetylene, polysaccharide, etc. Saikosaponins belong to the group of triterpenoid saponin chemotaxonomically and occur the accumulation and turnover in plant tissues through secondary metabolism, mevalonic acid pathway. The contents and kinds of saikosaponins and other components in Bupleurum spp. plants are various due to different species and growing environments, as the plant growth characters and yield are various. Most of medicinal plants as well as Bupleurum species are very useful as agricultural products and traditional medicines, and also are very valuable as genetic resources and natural products. So we need to collect, evaluate, preserve, and utilize various medicinal plants, and also to under-stand secondary metabolism and improve the breeding and cultivation techniques for the safe production of crude drugs with high quality and yielding.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 1976

The effects of root of the Bupleurum falcatum L. on the serum transaminase (SGP-T, SGO-T) activities and the content of total cholesterol in serum from normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits were observed. The preparations were extracted by methanol, and extracted samples were orally administrated to the normal and alloxandiabetic rabbits. The transaminase activities and the content of total cholesterol in serum of normal rabbits were significantly increased by administration of the alloxan. The increased serum transaminase activities of the alloxandiabetic rabbits were significantly decreased after 96 hours by administration of the extracted samples. The increased content of total cholesterol in serum of the alloxan-diabetic rabbits were gradually decreased by administration of the extracted samples and were recovered to the control levels after 12 days. According to the above results, it would be concluded that the extract of Bupleuri Radix influences for the recovery of the increased contents of total cholesterol and serum transaminase activities by alloxan.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 1990

This study was carried out to find out favourable soil conditions to give good quality of Bupleuri Radix for Korean medicine. The major ingredients were saikosaponin a and c, which were determined by HPLC. The contents of saikosaponin a and c in the root were determined to be 0.141-0.479% and 0.042-0.094%, respectively. The content of saikosaponin a was negatively correlated with the total nitrogen contents in surface soils, but that of saikosaponin c was independent of physico-chemical properties of the soil. The contents of saikosaponin a and c were decreased in the root with high Ca and Fe.