• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1244-1251
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• 2014

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been known to possess many biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy activity and anti-obesity and hyperlipidemia effects. However, little research has been conducted regarding its anticancer effects, with the exception of its ability to stimulate apoptosis in skin cells. There has also been no study regarding PG-induced autophagy. The modulation of autophagy is recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Depending on the type of cancer and the context, autophagy can suppress or help cancer cells to overcome metabolic stress and the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether or not extracts from PG-induced cell death were connected with autophagy and apoptosis in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells. PG stimulation decreased cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis, which was partially dependent on the activation of caspases. PG treatment also resulted in the formation of autophagic vacuoles simultaneously with regulation of autophagy-related genes. Interestingly, a PG-mediated apoptotic effect was further triggered by pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenin and bafilomycin A1. However, cell viability recovered quite well with bafilomycin A1 treatment. These findings show that PG treatment promotes both autophagy and apoptosis and that PG-induced autophagic response might play a role in the autophagic cell death of HCT-116 cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 2018

Purpose: Platycodon grandiflorum (a domestic diploid variety, DV-PG) has been used as a food and component of various traditional oriental medicines. Although DV-PG is known to have an anti-allergic effect, little is known about the beneficial health effects of the tetraploid 'Etteum' variety in the Platycodon grandiflorum (TV-PG), which is a recently developed variety. In this study, we investigated the effect of TV-PG on the rat basophilic leukemia mast cell (RBL-2H3)-mediated allergic response. Methods: To examine the effects of TV-PG on the allergic response, RBL-2H3 cells were sensitized with dinitropheny (DNP)-immunoglobin E, treated with various concentrations of TV-PG, and challenged with DNP-human serum albumin. We estimated cell granulation by measuring the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and production of inflammatory mediators by ELISA. Results: TV-PG had no effect on the proliferation or cytotoxicity of RBL-2H3 cells within the concentration range of 0 to $200{\mu}g/mL$. TV-PG inhibited degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells by antigen stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. TV-PG also suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as interleukin-4, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, prostagladin E2, and leukotriene B4 in RBL-2H3 cells by antigen stimulation. Conclusion: These results indicate that TV-PG exhibits anti-allergic activity via inhibition of degranulation as well as suppression of inflammatory mediators and cytokine release. These findings suggest that TV-PG may have potential as a preventive and therapeutic agent for the treatment of various allergic diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.495-501
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• 2018

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure is a risk factor for skin damage resulting in oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) to improve its biological activities using a three-step steaming process. We investigated the protective effects of PG and steamed PG extracts on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) against UVB radiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the underlying mechanisms. The antioxidant potential of the PG extracts was evaluated by measuring the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity. ABTS and DPPH were shown by the 0, 30, and 70% ethanol extracts of 2S-PG and 3S-PG ($IC_{50}$, 28~45 and $27{\sim}30{\mu}g/mL$, respectively). Treatment of UVB-irradiated cells with steamed PG ($25{\sim}400{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect their viability. The streamed PG extract suppressed UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, streamed PG extract reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in UVB-irradiated HDF, regulating nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ expression. These findings suggest that steamed PG extract may be potentially effective against inflammation associated with UVB-induced oxidation stress.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2018

In this study, oil of Platycodon grandiflorum seeds was prepared using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCE) and its physicochemical indices as a new edible oil were investigated. Compared to Soxhlet solvent extraction, SCE under the condition of 6,000 psi at $40^{\circ}C$ produced more oil, especially from the roasted seeds to 32.7%. TLC analysis showed triacylglycerols accounted for most of the oil obtained from roasted Platycodon grandiflorum seeds by SCE similarly to commercial soybean oil or perilla seeds oil. The oil had highly unsaturated lipid with considerable amount of linoleic acid(73.27%) much more than two commercial oils followed by oleic acid(13.16%). Physicochemical properties of the oil were as follows; specific gravity, 0.92; dynamic viscosity, 45.37 cP; refractive index, 1.48; color, L=47.30, a=-3.69, b=25.72; iodine value, 141.57 g $I_2/100g$ oil; saponification value, 191.21 mg of KOH/g of oil; acid value, 2.60 mg of KOH/g of oil. Among those, refractive index, viscosity and iodine value, which were related to unsaturation degree of lipid, were ranged between those of two commercial oils. The oxidation stability of oil(2.03 hr) was also ranged between less stable perilla seeds oil(1.79 hr) and more stable soybean oil(2.94 hr) based on the induction time measured by Rancimat assay. In addition to extraction yield increase, seeds roasting provided further benefits such as reductions of cholesterol ester content and acid value without change in fatty acid composition. In conclusion, oil was extracted from the roasted Platycodon grandiflorum seeds at high yield by supercritical carbon dioxide and it seemed to have proper characteristics as a edible oil.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.259-274
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• 2017

Platycodon grandiflorum (Bell flower) is an important plant that has traditionally been used as herbal medicine for the treatment of cough, phlegm, sore throats, lung abscesses, chest pains, dysuria, and dysentery. The present study was initiated to investigate the feasibility of inducing shoot and root organogenesis in cultured explants of P. grandiflorum in a range of culture media and through use of various plant growth regulators (PGRs). The plantlets (Stem containing one node) were isolated and cultured on different concentrations of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with PGRs. We found that proliferation and elongation of shoots and roots could be achieved on 1/4 MS for P. grandiflorum with wild and green petals and on 1/8 MS for P. grandiflorum with double petals. The highest levels of development and elongation of adventitious shoots and roots were observed when petal explants were cultured on 1/4 MS (pH 3.8) supplemented with 5% sucrose. Increasing the agar concentration reduced shoot growth and rooting potential; nevertheless, the highest number of shoots and roots was observed on 0.6% agar. In the case of growth regulators, 1/4 MS supplemented with $1mg\;L^{-1}$ 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) was found to be best for shooting, although higher concentrations of BA tended to reduce shoot and root elongation. The highest number of shoots was achieved on $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ thidiazuron (TDZ) from double petal explants grown on 1/8 MS. However, root and shoot elongation were found to decrease when TDZ concentrations were increased. Low concentrations of kinetin, naphthalene acetic acid, indole acetic acid, and 3-indole butyric acid induced shoot and root proliferation and elongation. Taken together, our study showed that low concentrations of PGRs induced the greatest root formation and elongation, showing that the optimal concentration of PGRs for shoot proliferation was species-dependent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.506-510
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• 2002

The effect of antioxidant activity of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) on the liposomal phospholipid membrane was investigated by spectrophotometry. Membrane oxidation causes damage to the membrane fluidity and permeability. It brings further destruction to the sustenance of biological homeostasis. In addition, it is related to several diseases, aging and carcinogenesis. The sample PG was extracted and fractionated to five different types; butanol (PGMB), ethylacetate (PGMEA), ethylether (PGMEE), hexane (PGMH) and methanol (PGMM). The oxidation indices of PGMEA and PGMEE fractions in oxidized dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC) liposomes had stronger antioxidant activities than that of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and were similar to antioxidant activities compared with butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT), a well-known potent antioxidant, in oxidized DLPC liposomes. The oxidation indices of PGMM extract, PGMB and PGMH fractions exhibited weak antioxidant activity compared with ${\alpha}$-tocopherol in oxidized DLPC liposomes. The oxidation indiex of PGMEE fractions added with vitamin C showed even strong antioxidant activity in the oxidized DLPC liposomes. The oxidation activity of BHT with vitamin C also proved to be stronger than BHT without vitamin C. Therefore vitamin C evidently helps to improve the effect of antioxidant in DLPC liposomes. These results indicate that potentially bioactive substances in PGMEE fraction has a function as potent antioxidant against phospholipid membrane oxidation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2016

Platycodon grandiflorum A. De Candolle (Korean name, ‘Doraji’) is a perennial plant containing various triterpenoid saponins. The roots of this plant have traditionally been used as a food material in Korea. Here, we prepared a fermented P. grandiflorum extract (PG). Although it was previously reported that P. grandiflorum A. extract has a variety of physiological functionalities, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, little is known about its vascular functions. In this study, we executed a series of experiments to identify the effect of PG on endothelial cells. PG at a high concentration (100 μg/ml) was found to induce cell detachment, whereas PG at a low concentration (0.1 μg/ml) appeared to promote cell proliferation and migration in bovine aortic endothelial cells. The cell detachment induced by the high concentration was not associated with cell death, such as apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. In addition, we found that PG at the high concentration formed a small vesicular structure called an endothelial microparticle (EMP). The EMP was prepared by centrifugal fractionation and determined with flow cytometry and a microscope. Interestingly, PG-induced cell detachment was found to be mediated by EMP. We furthermore determined that PG at the low concentration activated Akt, a crucial cell-signaling molecule, and then controlled cell proliferation and migration. Overall, our findings suggest that PG at low doses maintains vascular stability by promoting endothelial cell proliferation, and enhances the efficacy of wound healing by cell proliferation and migration activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2020

The biological activities of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) root extracts have been studied intensively, whereas there are limited number of studies on PG seed extract (PGSE). PGSE was prepared by ethanol extraction, and its antidiabetic effect was evaluated in mice with type 2 diabetes (C57BLKS/J-db/db). Results indicated that the administration of high-dose PGSE (600 mg/kg, wb) significantly stabilized the blood glucose levels, as evidenced by the results of the oral glucose tolerance test. Mice treated with high-dose PGSE exhibited significantly lower serum hemoglobin A1c, insulin, and leptin levels after eight weeks of feeding trial (p<0.05). High-dose PGSE administration significantly improved glucose uptake in the femoral muscle of db/db mice by activating both IRS-1/PI3K/AKT/AS160 and AMPK phosphorylation pathways. GLUT4 translocation from the cytosol to the plasma membrane increased 1.7-fold in the PGSE high-dose group. These results suggest that PGSE has potential for development as an antidiabetic agent.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.394-400
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• 2015

The roots of Platycodon grandiflorum species either dried or fresh, are used as an ingredient in salads and traditional cuisine in Korea. To interpret the root proteins, a systematical and targeting analysis were carried out from diploid and tetraploid roots. Two dimensional gels stained with CBB, a total of 39 differential expressed proteins were identified from the diploid root under in vivo condition using image analysis by Progenesis Same Spot software. Out of total differential expressed spots, 39 differential expressed protein spots (${\geq}\;1.5$-fold) were analyzed using LTQ-FTICR mass spectrometry. Except two proteins, the rest of the identified proteins were confirmed as down-regulated such as Isocitrate dehydrogenase, Proteasome subunit alpha type-2-B. However, the most of the identified proteins from the explants were mainly associated with the oxidoreductase activity, nucleic acid binding, transferase activity and catalytic activity. The exclusive protein profile may provide insight clues for better understanding the characteristics of proteins and metabolic activity in various explants of the economically important medicinal plant Platycodon grandiflorum.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.172-172
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• 2017

Pollen germination and its' viability in bellflower hybrid system are of great importance. The present study was conducted to investigate the several factors underlying the pollen germination of Platycodon grandiflorum and obtain the basic data for effective artificial pollination for the production of sound specifies. The pollens of Platycodon grandiflorum started germination from one hour after planting, and the germination was actively progressed as time dependent manner. For lighting conditions, the germination of pollens under the light was faster by more than twice than that without the light. Furthermore, the germination was better in the high temperature rather than in the low temperature. The germination rate was higher in the $30^{\circ}C$. For the carbon source, the germination rate was better at the concentration of 15% regardless of the kinds. In particular, the highest value was observed with glucose. The germination rate was decreased substantially as the increasing with the higher pH. The dynamic germination of pollens was observed at the pH 5. With respect to the growth regulator, the higher concentration of NAA induced the higher the germination rate. $GA_3$ showed a good germination rate in $0.05mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$. Meanwhile, for kinetin, lower concentration increased the germination rate, unlike NAA. The higher concentrations of boric acid degraded the germination rate, and the addition of boric acid of $10mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ demonstrated higher germination rate than the addition of other growth regulators. Notably, the addition of asparaginic acid exhibited the similar results in all test sectors regardless of concentration, whereas a little higher result was observed in the high concentration sector. Taken together, the results concluded that the boric acid was considered as one of the essential minerals that played an important role on the germination of pollens.