• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.148-153
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• 1995

Glyphosate (N-[phosphonomethyl]glycine) applied to the assimilate-exporting leaves or sprayed to the whole plants of tomato(Lycopersicon esculentum Mil var. Moneymaker) induced the rapid inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl skimic acid 3-phosphate synthase(EPSP-synthase). It shows that EPSP-synthase activity precedes chlorophyll loss. There is no difference in EPSP-synthase activity between in vivo tomato meristem and cell suspension culture if glyphosate is not applied. The EPSP-synthase activity is in a range of 4 to 6 nkat per mg protein. The inhibition of EPSP-synthase action is induced within 36 h after glyphosate application while the Chl contents were reduced 48 h after the application. In cell suspension culture of tomato and Corydalis (Corydalis sempervirens), a sublethal concentration of glyphosate retards the fresh weight increase and prolonged lag phase. The fresh weight is reached maximal about 14 days after the subculture in the presence of glyphosate. The inhibitory effect of glyphosate on EPSP-synthase is remarkably induced in lag phase.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.213-226
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the effect of essential oils and ethanolic extracts of approximately 650 plant species on acetylcholine esterase (AChE) enzyme activity using Ellman's colorimetric method in 96-well microplates. The results showed that the ethanolic extracts from twig of Sophora subprostrata, twig of Phellodendron amurense, seed of Corylopsis coreana, and essential oil (EO) from Citrus paradisi, Cupressus sempervirens, Ocimum basilicum, Pinus sylvestris and Rosmarinus officinalis inhibited more than 80% of AChE activity. Among these, EO from Pinus sylvestris, C. sempervirens and C paradisi exhibited higher values of AChE inhibitory activity, which were 75, 84 and 99% at a concentration of 50 ug/ml, respectively. Finally, EO from C paradisi (grapefruit, GEO) showed the highest inhibitory activity towards AChE, which showed 91% of inhibition at a concentration of 20 ug/ml. We also examined the anti-dementia effects of GEO in mouse by passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. The model mouse (male, ICR) of dementia (negative control) was induced by administration of scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight). The latency time of sample group administrated with GEO (100 mg/kg, p.o.) increased significantly as compared with negative control on passive avoidance test. There were significant recovery from the scopolamine-induced deficits on learning and memory in water maze test through daily administrations with GEO (100 mg/kg, p.o.). From these results, we conclude that GEO treatment might enhance the cognitive function, suggesting that the EO of C. paradis may be a potential candidate for improvement of perceptive ability and dementia.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 1983

Buxus leaves(Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai) have been used as a folk medicine in treating woman's disease. The chemical constituents, which have teen identified from Buxus sempervirens L. in Europe, are so far known in isolation of buxus alkaloids, cyclobuxine, buxamine, norbuxamine and buxaminol. But But any study on the pharmacological action of Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai has not yet teen rallied out, however, active substances have not been identified. As an attempt to isolate the biologically active substances from this plant, the examination of chemical constituents was undertaken. In the experiment, the crystalline component$(C_{10}H_8O_4)$ obtained from Buxus microphylla var. koreana Nakai was identified as a 6-methoxy, 7-hydroxy coumarin by chemical and physical methods. We named this crystal buxuletin. Therefore, we intended to screen the pharmacological action of buxuletin, especially, its diuretic effects in rabbits. Buxuletin was intraveneously injected to the rabbit in the dose of 20 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg. The variations of urine volume and minerals $(Na^+,\;K^+\;and\;Cl^-)$ in urine were measured at an interval of 15 minutes for 4 hours after the treatment of buxuletin. The observed results are as follows: 1) With the administration of buxuletin (20 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg), the remarkable increment of the excreted urine volume was observed during the relatively long period. Excretion rates of urinary minerals $(Na^+,\;K^+\;and\;Cl^-)$ were also increased. 2) In a dose of 5 mg/kg, the slight increment on the diuretic actions of rabbits was observed. From the above results, authors name this crystal buxuletin and buxuletin shows the diuretic action.