• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2019

From the pericarps of Litsea japonica (Thunb.) Jussieu, eighteen butanolide derivatives (1 - 18) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HeLa, HL-60, and MCF-7 cells. Compounds 1-9 with 2-alkylidene-3-hydroxy-4-methylbutanolides structure exhibited cytotoxic activities against cancer-cell lines. Among them, compound 8 (litsenolide $D_2$) exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity against the tested cell lines, including HeLa, HL-60, and MCF-7, with $IC_{50}$ values of $17.6{\pm}1.3$, $4.2{\pm}0.2$, and $12.8{\pm}0.0{\mu}M$, respectively. Compound 8 induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Annexin V/Propidium Iodide (PI) double staining confirmed that 8 effectively induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. To the best of our knowledge, we have reported cytotoxic activity of butanolides from L. japonica against these cancer-cell lines for the first time.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.65-69
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• 2009

The present study investigated the antiproliferative effect of Litsea japonica in HL-60/ADR, adriamycin resistant human promyelocytic leukemia cells. The 80% ethanol extract of L. japonica markedly inhibited the growth of HL-60/ADR cells. When HL-60/ADR cells were treated with the extract, several apoptosis events like as DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation and the increase of the population of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells were observed. In the mechanism of apoptosis induction by L. japonica, we examined the changes of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression levels, and activation of caspases. After the HL-60/ADR cells were treated with the extract, the Bcl-2 expression was decreased, whereas the expression of Bax was increased in a time-dependent manner compared to the control. In addition, the active forms of caspase-9 and -3 were increased and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a vital substrate of effector caspase, was observed. The results suggest that the inhibitory effect of L. japonica on the growth of the HL-60/ADR appears to arise from the induction of apoptosis via the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and the activation of caspases.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.87-92
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to investigate Ozone which we have to contact in our daily lives. Recently Ozone becomes a serious pollutant in the inside and outside. To select th indicator plants or the purifier plants for air pollution caused by ozone, this stud has been conducted with interior landscape plant of 10 species. The results are as follows; 1) The visible demage by Ozone was firstly observed on Viburnum awabuki among 10 species, and it occurred after the lapse of 10, 8 and 4 hours on 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ppm ozone treatment, respectively. The first symptom of visible demage appeared on chlorosis or blotting of leaves, then progressed on necrosis of leaves. 2) On the other hand, Litsea japonica and Ardisia japonica were so resistant against Ozone fumigation that they were not demage independently of Ozone concentration till the lapse of 60 hours. 3) Chlorophyll contents were decreased by the increased Ozone concentration. At this time, grana destruction was observed. The most sensitive plant to ozone was Viburnum awabuki, and we suggest that Viburnum awabuki would be possible one to use for the indicator plant. The most resistance plant to Ozone was Litsea japonic and Ardisia japonica, we suggest that Litsea japonica and Ardisia japonica would be possible to use for the purifier plant for Ozone pollution.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2009

This study investigated the antiproliferative effect of the EtOH extract from Litsea japonica. The extract markedly inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells. When treated with the extract, several apoptosis events like as DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation and the increase of the population of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells were observed. The extract decreased the Bcl-2 expression, whereas the Bax expression was increased. Caspase-9 and -3 were activated and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase was cleaved. The results suggest that the antiproliferative effect of L. japonica in HL-60 appears to arise from apoptosis induction via the down-regulation of Bcl-2 and the activation of caspases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.307-318
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• 2018

Objectives : Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress designates cellular responses to the accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins in ER, which is related to a variety of liver diseases. Present study investigated the inhibitory effects of Litsea japonica flesh water extract (LJE) aganist ER stress. Methods : After HepG2 cells were pretreated with LJE and subsequently exposed to tunicamycin (Tm) or thapsigargin (Tg), expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), glucose regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78), asparagine synthetase (ASNS), and endoplasmic reticulum DnaJ homologue 4 (ERDJ4) were determined by immunoblot and real-time PCR analysis. Three canonical signaling pathways in response to ER stress were examined to explore molecular mechanisms involved. Results : Pretreatment of 1 mg/mL LJE inhibited Tm- or Tg-induced CHOP expression, while L. japonica fruit water extract did not. In addition, LJE decreased the levels of GRP78, ASNS, and ERDJ4 mRNA by Tm. Moreover, phosphorylations of eukaryotic translation initiation factor $2{\alpha}$ and inositol-requiring enzyme 1, expression of nuclear form of activating transcription factor $6{\alpha}$, and transactivation of ER stress response element- and unfolded protein response element-harboring luciferase activities were inhibited by LJE pretreatment. Conclusions : Present results suggest that LJE would be a candidate to prevent or treat ER stress-mediated liver injuries.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.372.1-372.1
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• 2002

AIzelin (1) and quercitrin (2) isolated from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the leaves of Litsea japonica Jussieu (Lauraceae) showed inhibitory activity against classical pathway complement system with 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$/) values of 112.2 and 198.2 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$. respectively. For the structure-activity relationship of flavonoids on anti-complement system. myricitrin (3) from JUQ/ans mandshurica Maximowicz (Juglandaceae) also tested anti-complement activity. while this was devoid of any significant activity. (omitted)

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.1017-1024
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Litsea japonica fruit flesh extract (LJF-HE) on gastritis in an indomethacin-induced SD rat model. Rats were randomly divided into six groups: G1 (normal group), G2 (control group, indomethacin-induced gastritis), G3 (positive group, indomethacin-induced gastritis and ranitidine 50 mg/kg), G4 (LJF-HE-L group, indomethacin-induced gastritis and L. japonica fruit flesh extract at 30 mg/kg), G5 (LJF-HE-M group, indomethacin-induced gastritis and L. japonica fruit flesh extract at 60 mg/kg), G6 (LJF-HE-H group, indomethacin-induced gastritis and L. japonica fruit flesh extract at 120 mg/kg). In the group treated with LJF-HE (G4, G5, and G6), gastric mucosal damage, gastric juice secretion and pepsin activity were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Additionally, there were decreases in the expression of cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK-2r), histamine receptor H2 (H2r) and H+/K+ ATPase in the gastric lesions. The plasma levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ significantly decreased in LJF-HE (G4, G5, and G6) treated groups compared with control. The plasma level of PGE2 was also significantly increased by LJF-HE (G5 and G6). These results suggest that LJF-HE (G4, G5, and G6) has the ability to inhibit on indomethacin-induced gastritis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.284-289
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• 2020

This study was performed with hot water extract (LJF-W) and 70% ethanol extract (LJF-70E) of Litsea japonica fruit to investigate the immunostimulatory activity and bone health-promoting effect of L. japonica fruit. The production of pro-inflammatory mediator (nitric oxide) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were estimated to examine the immunostimulatory activity of the fruit extracts. The immunostimulatory activity of LJF-W was higher than that of positive control (geinsenosides). However, there was no effect in LJF-70E. Futhermore, both LJF-W and LJF-70E appeared to stimulate the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells, proving the effect as a bone health agent. From this result it could be presumed that L. japonica fruit extracts not only stimulate the immune system, but also the ability to promote bone health.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.4
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• pp.393-404
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• 2023

The Natural Monument Forest (NMF) is a form of natural and cultural heritage that has symbolized the harmony between nature and culture in Korea for a long time. Recently, the NMF has deteriorated due to industrialization and reckless city expansion. Given this situation, it is necessary to preserve and manage the ecosystem of the NMF through preferential research regarding the forest community structure. Accordingly, this study sought to identify the community structure by analyzing the vegetation classification, stratum structure,and species diversity using vegetation data collected from the Forest of Japanese Torreyas in Pyeongdae-ri, Jeju and the Subtropical Forest of Nabeup-ri, Jeju. The results classified the forest vegetation as a Litsea japonica community group divided into two communities: a Torreya nuciferacommunity and a Quercus glauca community. The T. nuciferacommunity was subdivided into the Idesia polycarpa group and Dryopteris erythrosora group, while the Q. glauca community was subdivided into the Mercurialis leiocarpa group and Arachniodes aristata group. The T. nucifera species showed the highest level of importance in vegetation units 1 (Litsea japonicacommunity group-Torreya nucifera community-Idesia polycarpa group) and 2 (Litsea japonica community group-Torreya nucifera community-Dryopteris erythrosora group), whereas Q. glauca showed the highest level of importance in vegetation units 3 (Litsea japonica community group-Quercus glauca community-Mercurialis leiocarpa group) and 4 (Litsea japonica community group-Quercus glauca community-Arachniodes aristata group). In terms of the species diversity, vegetation units 1, 2, 3, and 4 had 2.866, 2.716, 2.222, and 2.326 species, respectively. These findings suggest that it is necessary to prepare a differentiated management plan for each vegetation unit.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2018

This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxicity of Litsea japonica fruit-hexane extract (LJF-HE). In order to examine the genotoxicity, we carried out bacterial reverse mutation assay, chromosome aberration assay, and a micronucleus induction (MN) test according to the OECD and the Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) toxicity test guidelines. In the bacterial reverse mutation assay, no significant increase in revertant colonies, nor bacterial toxicity, was observed in the LJF-HE treatment group, regardless of the absence or presence of metabolic activation by the S9 mixture. However, in the positive control group, revertant colony counts were shown to be more than twice that of the negative control group. The chromosome aberration test showed that the repetition rate of abnormal chromosome aberration was less than 5%, regardless of the treatment time, and with or without the S9 mixture. No significant change was observed when (p < 0.05) compared with the negative control group. The micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) repetition rate of the polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) showed no significant changes when compared with the negative control group (p < 0.05). The PCE portion of total erythrocytes also showed no significant changes (p < 0.05). These results showed that LJF-HE had no significant genotoxic effects.