• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.300-318
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• 2019

Many infraspecific taxa within Lespedeza maximowiczii and hybrids with related species have been described, but taxonomic verification remains controversial. We examined the morphological traits of hybrids (L. chiisanensis and L. patentibicolor) and infraspecific taxa (var. tomentella, elongata, and tricolor) and analyzed their genetic structures using microsatellite loci. Flower and leaflet shapes in var. tomentella and elongata were within the range of variation of those in var. maximowiczii, and individuals in the two former varieties were grouped into var. maximowiczii. Lespedeza maximowiczii var. tricolor was similar to L. buergeri in terms of the structure and flower color, whereas the leaflet and bracteole shapes of var. tricolor were similar to those of var. maximowiczii. Based on the genetic structure (K = 3), var. tricolor had a mixed lineage with L. maximowiczii and L. buergeri. In addition, these formed a distinct lineage at K = 5. For two hybrids, the flower and leaflet structure in L. chiisanensis did not differ from those in L. maximowiczii, whereas the flowers of L. patentibicolor were within the range of variation of L. bicolor. In addition, L. chiisanensis and L. patentibicolor were assigned to L. maximowiczii and L. bicolor, respectively, based on the genetic structure. We treated var. tomentella and elongata as a forma, f. friebeana, because L. friebeana preceded var. tomentella, whereas var. tricolor was treated as a distinct species, L. tricolor. Lespedeza chiisanensis was recognized as a synonym of L. maximowiczii. Lespedeza patentibicolor was considered to be L. bicolor.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.417-424
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Lespedeza maximowiczii var. tricolor Nakai (LMTN) on glucose metabolism. LMTN extract significantly enhanced the glucose uptake and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared with control. Also, LMTN extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes significantly increased the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, insulin receptor substrate-1, and glucose transporter (GLUT)4. The regulatory effect on glucose uptake or insulin signal transduction of LMTM extract was lower than troglitazone or pinitol such as the positive control, but increased PPARγ activation. Additionally, LMTM extract has an insulin-mimetic effect. In db/db mice, LMTN extract (250 mg/kg BW) significantly reduced water and food intake, blood glucose, and level of plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol. Furthermore, the expression of PPARã and GLUT4 mRNA in adipose or muscle tissue effectively was increased by oral treatment of LMTN extract. Thus, our results suggest that LMTN extract improves the glucose metabolism through PPARγ and insulin-mimetic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and db/db mice.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.579-603
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• 2020

In order to provide fundamental information about the floristic composition of the area along with an assessment of the environmental impact, a floristic study of the vascular plants in the Tamjin River estuary in Gangjin-gun was conducted for a total of nine days, in the period from June 2014 to September 2014. We found that the vascular plants in this region comprised 424 taxa belong to 102 families, 281 genera, 390 species, 5 subspecies, 26 varieties, and 3 forma. Five taxa of Korean endemic plants including Weigela subsessilis (Nakai) L.H.Bailey, Lespedeza maximowiczii var. tricolor (Nakai) Nakai, and Clematis trichotoma Nakai were collected. Two least concern (LC) taxa of rare plants (as designated by the Korea Forest Service) were collected: Hydrocharis dubia (Blume) Backer and Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco. Ten the floristic regional indicator taxa from the third to the fifth grade were identified: two taxa belonged to grade IV, and eight taxa belonged to grade III. Twenty-four taxa of salt-tolerant plants, including Artemisia fukudo Makino, Carex rugulosa Kuk., and Suaeda glauca (Bunge) Bunge, as well as 44 taxa of aquatic plants, including Najas marina L., Nuphar oguraensis Miki, and Nymphoides indica (L.) Kuntze, were investigated in this region. Fifty-nine taxa of naturalized plants were recorded, among which the following six taxa were plants that caused ecosystem disturbance: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr., Lactuca scariola L., Rumex acetosella L., Solidago altissima L., and Symphyotrichum pilosum (Willd.) G.L.Nesom.