• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.310-318
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• 2010

Verbena officinalis (Verbenaceae) has been used as herbal medicine or health supplement in both Western and Eastern countries for centuries. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the methylene chloride fraction of V. officinalis (VMC). To elucidate the anti-inflammatory properties of VMC, we investigated the inhibition effects of nitric oxide production in interferon-gamma (IFN-$\gamma$) and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. VMC suppressed nitric oxide production, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression dose-dependently without notable cytotoxicity. In various radical scavenging assays, VMC exhibited strong scavenging effect on DPPH radical, superoxide radical, nitric oxide radical and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical. VMC also showed potent reducing power. These findings strongly suggest that VMC may be beneficial in oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.96-105
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• 2018

This study examined the growth of herb plants in response to irrigation on a green rooftop area in order to select herb plants that can be used for rooftop greening. Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens), Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans), Choco Mint (Mentha ${\times}$ piperita 'Choco Mint'), Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum), Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) showed increased growth when irrigated. Conversely, Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia ), Peppermint (Mentha ${\times}$ piperita ), Vicks Plant (Plectranthus tomentosa), Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla), Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) and Lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) demonstrated satisfactory growth regardless of irrigation. Peppermint, Tansy, Lemon Verbena, Soapwort, and Lady's mantle seem to be suitable for green rooftop because of their overwintering ability and drought hardiness. Pineapple sage, Apple Mint and Thyme would seem to be inappropriate for rooftop greening because they showed negative growth response to drought and failed overwintering. Although Spearmint, Lemon balm, Choco Mint, Ox-eye Daisy and Roman Chamomile had reduced growth during dry conditions, they were able to overwinter satisfactorily and can be used as rooftop plants with irrigation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.364-368
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• 2022

Objectives: Verbenalin is a compound found in herbs such as Cornus officinalis and Verbena officinalis. This study investigated whether verbenalin is safe by analyzing its mutagenicity. Methods: To examine the mutagenic potential of verbenalin, a bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test) was conducted with Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli strains. Experiments with and without metabolic activity were performed. Results: The mean colony number was less than double that of the control. Growth inhibition and precipitation of verbenalin were not apparent in all strains at different concentrations regardless of metabolic activity. Conclusion: Verbenalin did not show any signs of mutagenicity in this study. Additional toxicity studies including repeated oral toxicity, reproductive toxicity, and carcinogenicity tests are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.310-316
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• 2022

Background: Verbenalin is an iridoid glucoside, which is among the active components of some medicinal herbs such as Verbena officinalis Linn, and Cornus officinalis Siebold and Zucc. Previous studies have confirmed the antioxidant activity and neuroprotective potential of verbenalin. To confirm the safety of verbenalin, an approximate lethal dose was determined based on a single oral dose toxicity study. Methods: Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly assigned to three verbenalin exposure groups (250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) and a control group (5% methylcellulose solution). There were (5 male and 5 female mice per group). Mortality, clinical signs, and body weight were monitored for 14 days, and necropsies were conducted. Results: No mortalities were observed in the control group or the verbenalin 250 mg/kg group, whereas mortalities were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups. During the observation period, stool abnormalities such as mucous stools were observed. Clinical signs such as loss of locomotor activity were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups. During the study period, significant changes in body weight were observed in the 500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg verbenalin groups; however, no gross abnormalities were observed at necropsy. Overall, no toxicity was found in the 250 mg/kg group. Conclusion: The approximate lethal dose of verbenalin was estimated to be 500 mg/kg. For a more accurate assessment of the safety of verbenalin, other types of studies such as repeated-dose toxicity studies should also be conducted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.25-40
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• 2011

The vascular plants in Jeokjabong, Bogil Island were listed 350 taxa composed of 89 families, 233 genera, 309 species, 1 subspecies, 36 varieties and 4 forms. Divided into woody plants were 142 taxa (40.6%) and herbaceous plants were 208 taxa (59.4%). Based on the list of rare and endangered species by Korea Forest Service and Korea National Arboretum, 3 taxa were recorded; Celtis choseniana, Asarum maculatum, Rubus sorbifolius, and endemic plants, 10 taxa were recorded; Asarum maculatum, Cephalotaxus koreana, Carpinus coreana, Celtis choseniana, Lespedeza maritima, Indigofera koreana, Dendropanax morbifera, Ligustrum quihoui var. latifolium, Weigela subsessilis, Carex okamotoi, and plant species subject to permission for taking abroad, 4 taxa were recorded; Celtis choseniana, Asarum maculatum, Vaccinium oldhami, Carex okamotoi. Based on the list of floristic regional indicator plants by Korean Ministry of Environment were total 64 taxa (18.3% of all 350 taxa of vascular plants); Ligustrum quihoui var. latifolium in class IV, 19 taxa (Stauntonia hexaphylla, Cinnamomum japonicum, Zanthoxylum ailanthoides, Daphniphyllum macropodum, Centella asiatica, Verbena officinalis, Mitchella undulata, etc.) in class III, 5 taxa (Potentilla dickinsii, Ostericum melanotilingia, Sanicula rubriflora, Caryopteris incana, Teucrium veronicoides) in class II and 39 taxa (Gleichenia dichotoma, Cyrtomium fortunei, Aphananthe aspera, Rubus hirsutus, Meliosma myriantha, Hedera rhombea, Ainsliaea apiculata, etc.) in class I. Based on the list of naturalized plants, 5 families, 17 genera, 20 taxa (Phytolacca americana, Lepidium virginicum, Robinia pseudo-acacia, Verbesina alternifolia, Lolium perenne, etc.) and naturalization rate was 5.7% of all 350 taxa of vascular plants. Hereafter natural ecosystem into disturbance on naturalized plants and legal protection species and rare and endangered species distribute in the Bogil Island, precision investigation after management counterplan of the monitoring a point of view be required.