• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 1999

Methanol extracts of 9 kinds of native medicinal plants(Taraxacum platycarpum, leaf; Pinus densiflora, leaf; Artemisia prinseps, leaf; Allium tuberosum, leaf; Cassia obtussifolia, whole; Sophora angestifolia, root; Stemonae sessilifolia, root; Lonicera japonica stem, leaf, flower; and Clivia miniata) were investigated for insecticidal effect. Methanol extracts of Pinus densiflora leaves and Sophora angestifolia radix showed relatively good insecticidal activity against Culex pipiens pallens larvae. Strong larvicidal activity against the Musca domestica larvae was produced from methanol extracts of Taraxacum platycarpum leaves and Allium tuberosom leaves. while Stemonae radix showed moderate activity. All materials tested revealed little or weak insecticidal activity against M. domestica adults.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.238-243
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• 1999

This study was undertaken to test for anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity of the aqueous extracts prepared from 9 medicinal plants of Korea (Cornus officinalis, Caesalpinia sappan, Rubus coreanus, Lycium chinense, Artemisia capillaris, Isatis tinctoria, Phyllanthus urinaria, Lysimachia christinae, Lonicera japonica). Aqueous extracts were tested for cytotoxicity and assayed for inhibition of HBV replication by measurement of HBV DNA and surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in the extracellular medium f HepG2 2.2.15 cells. The extract from Rubus coreanus, Artemisia capillaris, Phyllanthus urinaria decreased the levels of extracellular HBV virion DNA at concentrations ranging from 128 to $256\;{\mu}g/ml$ and inhibited the production fo HBsAg dose-dependently without showing cytotoxicity. Our findings suggest that these three hebal medicinal plants may have potential to develop as specific anti-HBV drugs in the future.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.160-164
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• 2011

The purpose of this investigation was to extract the bioactive agents from Alpinia officinarum Hance. The methanol with ethylacetate extracts alone and combined were examined for their activities against VRE (vancomycin-resistant enterococci) and pathogenic yeast in vitro. The incidence of infections caused by VRE and other pathogenic microorganisms and the importance of using novel synergistic drug combinations has become important. Previously, we reported the antimicrobial effects of the butanol extract from Lonicera japonica and have evaluated combinations of solvent extracts, with a focus on the MeOH and EtOAc extracts from A. officinarum. In the present study, enhanced inhibitory effects were achieved by employing a combination of the two solvent extracts. The MeOH and EtOAc combination was especially effective against four VRE strains: E. faecalis (K-10-22), E. faecaium (K-11-212), E. faecalis (K-10-57) and E. faecalis (K-10-361) with MIC values of 12.5, 12.5, 6.25 and 25 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. Thus, the combination was more effective than other antibiotics such as kanamycin, gentamicin or tetracycline against bacteria including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Micrococcus luteus. In addition, the combination was effective against yeasts such as Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 1994

To investigate the structure of natural forest at Nature Conservation Area in Tokyusan National Park, 29 plots (400$m^2$) set up with random sampling method. Four groups were classified by cluster analysis. High positive correlations was proved between Quernus mongolica and Fraxinus mandshurica, and Symplocos chinensis for. pilosa, and Lespedeza bicola, Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes and Taxus cuspidata, Magnolia sieboldii and Callicarpa japonica, Taxus cuspidata and Abies koreana, and high negative correlations was proved between Quercus mongolica and Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes, Taxus cuspidata, and Lonicera maackii. Species diversity(H') of investigated area was calculated 0.9969~1.2217.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.169-173
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• 2007

Luteolin is a major flavonoid of Lonicera japonica and has anti-inflammatory effect. The activation of proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)-2 and -4 by trypsin appears to play a role in inflammation, In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effects of luteolin on activation of trypsin-induced human leukemic mast cells (HMC-1). HMC-1 cells were stimulated with trypsin, PAR-2 and PAR-4 agonist, in the presence or absence of luteolin. The level of TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of tryptase and phosphorylated-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were assessed by Westem blot analysis. Moreover, trypsin activity was measured by the substrate Bz-DL-Arg-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA). TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion and Tryptase expression in trypsin-stimulated HMC-1 cells were markedly inhibited by pretreatment of luteolin. Furthermore, the pretreatment of luteolin resulted in the reduction of ERK phosphorylation and trypsin activity. These results suggest that luteolin might has the inhibitory effects on the PAR-2 and -4-dependent inflammation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.366-371
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• 2012

In this present study, we determined whether or not there is an immunoadjuvant effect of ochnaflavone, a biflavone isolated from Lonicera japonica. As an antigenic source, the cell wall (CACW) of Candida albicans, a fungal pathogen, was used. CACW consists of 95% carbohydrate (mannan). In the experiments, BALB/c mice were immunized with emersion forms of CACW combined with or without ochnaflavone (Och) in the presence of IFA containing mineral oil or CACW alone. Then, the amounts of antisera collected from these mice groups were measured by the ELISA method. Data from these experiments showed that CACW combined with Och (CACW/Och/IFA) provoked the production of antisera app. 2.2 or 5 times more than the corresponding CACW/IFA or CACW alone (CACW/DPBS), respectively, in mice (P<0.05). We further examined the immune response type induced by Och. Analysis of the values of the IgG1/IgG2a ratios obtained from IgG isotyping revealed that Och induced Th2-immunity more dominantly than Th1. This finding was confirmed by cytokine profile. CACW/Och/IFA formulation induced IL-4 (Th2-type cytokine) more than IFN${\gamma}$ (Th1-type cytokine) as compared with CACW/IFA and CACW/DPBS formulations (P<0.05). All data combined, Och appears to have an immunoadjuvant activity that may convert Th1 immunity into Th2 immunity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.989-997
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• 2013

In this study, based on the antioxidative effects in organic solvent fractions obtained from the main methanolic extract of L. japonica, the protective cellular effects and gene expression patterns of ethyl acetate fractions on $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell death ($IC_{50}$) were analyzed. The antioxidant activity of the fractions measured using DPPH free radical scavenging activity increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the $ED_{50}$ exhibited the highest $39.56{\mu}g/ml$ in the ethyl acetate fraction. In addition, the ethyl acetate fractions' cell viability on $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell damage increased in a concentration-dependent manner, showed a visible cell survival rate of 82.49% at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. The gene expression patterns related to the ethyl acetate fractions' cytoprotective effect in $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cell damage presented similar patterns to those of BHA. In comparative analysis for antioxidant activity-related genes affected by ethyl acetate fractions and BHA in $H_2O_2$-induced Raw 264.7 cells, both ethyl acetate fractions and BHA showed very similar gene expression patterns, but the gene expression level of the heme oxygenase 1 (Hmox1) gene making antioxidant enzymes in cells was four times higher in ethyl acetate fractions than BHA. In inflammation-related genes in $H_2O_2$induced Raw 264.7 cells, the T-box transcription factor (Tbx21) gene was expressed about two times more frequently in the ethyl acetate fraction treatment group, while it was expressed half as frequently in the BHA treatment group.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.545-563
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• 2007

The investigated vascular plants of Dok-do island were confirmed that consisted of 46 species, 1 subspecies, 1 varieties in total of 48 taxa growing spontaneously. 1 taxa of Pteridophyta, 36 taxa of Dicotyledon and 11 taxa of Monocotyledon identified. In 48 identified taxa in this study, total 13 taxa included Orobanche coerulescens Stephan, Fallopia sachalinensis (F. Schmidt) Rouse Decr., Lonicera insularis Nakai identified according to the Korean plant taxa for environmental assessment. Planting species were about 10 taxa included Pinus thunbergii Parl., Hibiscus syriacus L. and etc. Four species confirmed in this study such as between Chenopodium virgatum Thunb. and Chenopodium album L., Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) P.Beauv. and Echinochloa crusgalli var. oryzicola (Vasinger) Ohwi. were doubt on identification in taxonomic entity due to morphological characteristics. The dispersion type of Do-kdo plants were anemochore 31 taxa, zoodchore 8 taxa, hydrochore 2 taxa and the others by artificial means.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.38-50
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• 2017

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate effects of Lonicera Flos Extracts(LFE) on whitening using B16F10 cell lines. Methods : In this experiment, we observed effects of LFE on cell viability, inhibitory effects of melanin synthesis, inhibitory effect on tyrosinase, tyrosinase activity, superoxide dismutase(SOD)-like activity and mRNA expression. Results : In results, more than $2000{\mu}g/ml$ of LFE treated group showed lowered cell viability rates significantly compared to albutin treated group. More than $2000{\mu}g/ml$ of LFE treated groups were lower levels of melanin synthesis. Inhibitory effects of melanin production showed in $1000{\mu}g/ml$ of LFE treated group. $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ of LFE treated group significantly suppressed tyrosinase activities in vitro. LFE and albutin treated group significantly decreased tyrosinase activity compared to non treated group. SOD-like activity of LFE treated group was lower than vitamin C treated group but increased depending on concentration. $500{\mu}g/ml$ of LFE treated group and $1,000{\mu}g/ml$ of LFE treated group was significantly increased. Tyrosinase mRNA expression of ${\alpha}$-MSH and LFE $250{\mu}g/ml$ treated group significantly decreased compared to ${\alpha}$-MSH treated group. Conclusions : These results suggest that LFE can inhibit melanin synthesis through inhibitory action on tyrosinase activity. And LFE suppressed tyrosinase activities B16F10 cells significantly. So I suggest LFE can apply to whitening.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.282-287
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• 2009

Ochnaflavone is a natural biflavonoid and mainly found in the caulis of Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae). Biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic effects have been previously reported. The anticancer activity of ochnaflavone, however, has been poorly elucidated yet. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ochnaflavone on the growth inhibitory activity in cultured human colon cancer cell line HCT-15. Ochnaflavone inhibited the proliferation of the cancer cells with an $IC_{50}$ value of $4.1{\mu}M$. Flow cytometric analysis showed that ochnaflavone arrested cell cycle progression in the G2/M phase, and induced the increase of sub-G1 peak in a concentration-dependent manner. Induction of cell cycle arrest was correlated with the modulation of the expression of cell cycle regulating proteins including cdc2 (Tyr15), cyclin A, cyclin B1 and cyclin E. The increase of sub-G1 peak by the higher concentrations of ochnaflavone (over $20{\mu}M$) was closely related to the induction of apoptosis, which was evidenced by the induction of DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, and cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase. These findings suggest that the cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis might be one possible mechanism of actions for the anti-proliferative activity of ochnaflavone in human colon cancer cells.