Achyranthes Japonica Research Articles

Life history ofAchyranthes japonica(Amaranthaceae): an invasive species in southern Illinois1

Abstract Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai (Japanese chaff flower) is a relatively new, invasive species to the United States, with limited information on its life history characteristics. The purpose of this study was to assess the importance of seed survivorship in the soil of A. japonica and to compare survivorship, fecundity, and morphological characteristics within populations at two different sites, Chestnut Hills Nature Preserve (CH) and Bellrose Waterfowl Reserve (BWR), in southern Illinois. Plots were established at each site to determine seed viability by burying seed bags over each of three winters (2012 to 2014) to quantify seedling emergence in the latter 2 yr (2013 and 2014) and to monitor survival of three cohorts of 50 seedlings per site starting in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In addition, 20 reproductive adults were selected outside of the plots to determine average fecundity and to measure a suite of morphological characteristics. Environmental factors had a significant effect on seed viabilit...

한려해상국립공원 일대의 민속식물

본 연구는 한려해상국립공원 일대에서 이용되는 민속식물에 대한 전통지식 정보를 수집 및 보존을 위하여 2012년 3월부터 2013년 10월까지 수행되었다. 한려해상국립공원 일대 70개소에서 주민 183명을 대상으로 수집한 조사야장 1,430장의 설문조사를 수행한 결과, 조사된 식물은 총 82과 197속 224종 3아종 19변종 1품종의 총 247분류군으로 정리되었다. 용도별 이용현황은 식용 166분류군, 약용 138분류군, 생활용품 27분류군, 용재용 16분류군, 제례용 9분류군 등으로 주로 식·약용 이용 높았다. 이용 부위로는 잎, 줄기, 열매, 뿌리 순으로 나타났다. 또한 조사된 247분류군의 전통지식에 대한 정량적 분석을 통하여 특정식물 종의 이용을 언급한 정보보유자의 수(FC), 이용범주 수(NU), 특정식물을 이용하는 수(UR), 문화적 중요도 지수(CI), 상대적 인용빈도(RFC), 상대적 중요도(RI), 문화적 가치(CV)를 산출하였다. 그 결과, 문화적 중요도 지수(CI)는 쑥, 칡, 민들레, 상대적 인용빈도(RFC)는 쑥, 쇠무릎, 참취, 상대적 중요도(RI)는 쑥, 칡, 소나무, 문화적 가치(CV)는 쑥, 칡, 쇠무릎 등의 순으로 나타났다. 또한 본 조사지역의 고유한 전통지식으로 털머위뿌리를 관절염, 산후풍, 혈액순환 장애 등에 사용한 것으로 나타났다. The ethnobotanical study was conducted to record and conserve the traditional knowledge of botanical taxa in Hallyeo-Haesang National Park area, S. Korea from 2012 to 2013. According to the survey results, derived from 1,430 sheets of 183 residents at 70 places, the ethnobotanical plants in Hallyeo-Haesang National Park area consisted of a total 247 taxa; 82 families, 197 genera, 224 species, 3 subspecies, 19 varieties and 1 form. The analysis of usage for 247 taxa showed that the edible use was the highest with 166 taxa, followed by medicinal with 138 taxa, craft with 27 taxa, material with 16 taxa and ritual with 9 taxa respectively. The leaf of plant was the most useful part, followed by stem and fruit plant. Quantitative analysis of the ethnobotanical plants in Hallyeo-Haesang National Park area was performed by the basic values of FC, NU and UR, and indices of CI, RFC, RI and CV. As a result, The CI places Artemisia princeps in the first position, followed by Pueraria lobata, Taraxacum platycarpum. The RFC place A. princeps in first position, followed by Achyranthes japonica, Aster scaber. The RI places A. princeps in the first position, followed by P. lobata, Pinus densiflora. The CV places A. princeps in the first position, followed by P. lobata, A. japonica. Farfugium japonicum had been used as specific ethnobotanical plant in this area, for arthralgia, postpartum arthrodynia, circulatory disturbance.

Using integral projection models to compare population dynamics of four closely related species

AbstractDemographic processes, such as survival, growth, and reproduction, can inform us about invasion risk, extinction risk, and trade‐offs in life history strategies. The population dynamics of four Amaranthaceae species in southern Illinois, USA were examined using integral projection models (IPMs) to determine whether vital rates reflect life history among these closely related species. Two of the species, Amaranthus palmeri and Amaranthus tuberculatus, are summer annuals and considered to be some of the most problematic agricultural weeds in the US Midwest. Achyranthes japonica is a relatively new invasive exotic species that primarily inhabits forests. Iresine rhizomatosa, is an endangered species in the study area, which also inhabits forests. Two populations of each species were studied from 2012 to 2014 in which height of individuals were measured and used as the state variable in the IPMs. The Amaranthus species and Achyranthes japonica had an estimated population growth rate >1, projecting increases in population size. By contrast, λ was <1 for I. rhizomatosa, projecting a decline in population size demonstrating its endangered status. Germination rates and seed viability were dependent on species and varied over time. Elasticity analyses showed that survival and growth contributed most to λ for the perennial species; whereas, for the annual species population dynamics were driven primarily by fecundity. Overall, Achyranthes japonica and the Amaranthus species show similar trends in demographic processes that align with their invasive nature and not with their life histories. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that more research on the competitive nature of Achyranthes japonica is needed.

Chikusetsusaponin IVa Methyl Ester Isolated from the Roots of Achyranthes japonica Suppresses LPS-Induced iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β Expression by NF-κB and AP-1 Inactivation.

We investigated the effect of chikusetsusaponin IVa (CS) and chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester (CS-ME) from the roots of Achyranthes japonica NAKAI on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in RAW264.7 macrophages. CS-ME more potently inhibited LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production than CS. CS-ME concentration-dependently inhibited LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β production in RAW264.7 macrophages and mouse peritoneal macrophages. Consistent with these findings, CS-ME suppressed LPS-induced expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 at protein level as well as iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β at mRNA level. In addition, CS-ME suppressed LPS-induced transcriptional activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1. The anti-inflammatory properties of CS-ME might result from suppression of iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expression through downregulation of NF-κB and AP-1 in macrophages.

쇠무릎 에탄올 추출물의 DPPH, 히알루로니다아제 및 리폭시게나아제 저해 효과

The 1, 1- diphenyl 2-picrylhyorazyl (DPPH) is a well-known radical and a trap (scavenger) for other radicals. Hyaluronidase (HAase) is an enzyme that depolymerizes the polysaccharide hyaluronic acid (HA) in the extracellular matrix of connective tissue. Lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme was reported to convert the arachidonic, linoleic and other polyunsaturated fatty acid into biologically active metabolites involved in the inflammatory and immune responses. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate plant extracts as sources of natural antioxidants and to examine whether Achyranthes japonica having significant DPPH, HAase and LOX inhibitory activity. The inhibitory effect of HAase by A. japonica was assayed using a Morgan microplate assay. The antioxidant activity of the A. japonica extracts was measured on the basis of the scavenging activity of the stable 1, 1- diphenyl 2-picrylhyorazyl (DPPH) free radical. DPPH scavenging activity of matured roots of A. japonica was evaluated at 4.0 mg/ml was 87.8% and that of young roots was 86.2% at same concentration. The roots of A. japonica showed maximum inhibition of HAase activity (IC 50 = 27.7 μg/ml). The highest LOX inhibition was recorded in the root extract among three vegetative parts. Inhibition of HAase activity of roots may contribute towards the development of herbal medicines. Although percent inhibition of lipoxygenase by Achyranthes japonica for all young and matured groups for leaves, stems, and roots at different concentrations, there were not show a statistically significant difference (p<0.05).

Heme Oxygenase-1 발현과 NO 생성에 미치는 Achyranthoside C Dimethyl Ester의 효과

Achyranthoside C dimethyl ester (ACDE)는 우슬에서 분리한 oleanolic acid glycoside이다. 본 연구에서는 RAW264.7 대식세포에서 ACDE의 항염증 효과를 관찰하고 그 작용 기전을 연구하였다. ACDE는 세포에 독성을 유도하지 않으면서 heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)의 발현을 유도하였다. ACDE 는 HO-1의 발현에 관여하는 전사인자인 nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)를 핵으로 이동시켰다. 또한 ACDE에 의한 HO-1의 발현은 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) 및 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) 억제제에 의해 감소되었으며, ACDE가 Akt, c-Jun kinase (JNK), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), p38 kinase의 인산화를 유도하였다. 한편 ACDE는 lipopolysaccharide (LPS)로 인한 nitric oxide (NO)의 생성과 inducible NO synthase (iNOS) 발현을 억제하였으며 HO-1 siRNA를 처리했을 때 ACDE가 iNOS의 발현을 억제하지 못하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합해보면, ACDE는 대식세포에서 PI3K/Akt 및 MAPK와 Nrf2 신호전달과정을 통해 HO-1의 발현을 유도함으로써 NO와 같은 염증매개물질의 생성을 억제한다는 것을 알 수 있다. 이러한 연구결과는 ACDE가 항염증제로 사용될 수 있음을 시사한다. Achyranthoside C dimethyl ester (ACDE) is an oleanolic acid glycoside from Achyranthes japonica which has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of edema and arthritis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of ACDE in RAW264.7 macrophages. ACDE significantly induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression in RAW264.7 cells, while ACDE improved LPS-induced toxicity of cells. And ACDE induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. Further study demonstrated that ACDE-induced expression of HO-1 was inhibited by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) (LY294002), c-Jun kinase (JNK) (SP600125), extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) (PD98059) and p38 kinase (SB203580). Moreover, ACDE phosphorylated Akt, JNK, ERK, and p38 MAPK. In addition, ACDE inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of ACDE on iNOS expression were abrogated by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knock-down of HO-1. Therefore, these results suggest that ACDE suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory mediator such as NO by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt/MAPK-Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings could help us to understand the active principle included in the roots of A. japonica and the molecular mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory action of ACDE.

Do plant traits predict the competitive abilities of closely related species?

Invasive species are a threat to every ecosystem. There is a strong incentive to predict which species will become invasive before they become too widespread and unmanageable. Different approaches have been advocated to assess invasive species potential. These include examining plant functional traits, quantifying competitive ability and phylogenetic comparison. In this study, we conducted experiments based on the above approaches in a multi-year, temporally replicated, set of experiments to compare these assessment methods to determine the invasive potential of Japanese chaff flower (Achyranthes japonica). We compared plant traitsand competitive ability of Japanese chaff flower with two agricultural invasive species, Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and tall waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus), and one endangered plant species, bloodleaf (Iresine rhizomatosa), in the Amaranthaceae. Additionally, we assessed the invasive potential based on each of these approaches and determined the degree of agreement between them. A relatively conservative assessment integrating all three approaches would be that the competitive ability of closely related individuals with similar functional traits would share invasive potential. In a greenhouse experiment, each of the study species and soya beans were grown as monocultures and were evaluated to assess the drawdown of an aboveground (light) and a belowground (nitrogen) resource. In a field experiment, each study species was grown at varying densities per 15-cm-diameter pot with or without one or two soya bean plants, to simulate relative densities for soya beans grown in 38- and 76-cm-wide row spacing, respectively. In addition, Japanese chaff flower seedlings were planted either as un-manipulated seedlings or as a seedling cut back to the soil surface at the four-node stage (cut Japanese chaff flower) at which point seedlings have reached a perennial growth stage. The greenhouse experiment showed that each species drew down light differently, but not nitrogen. Shading decreased the aboveground biomass of the species in comparison with unshaded controls. Nitrogen, however, increased the aboveground biomass of Palmer amaranth and Japanese chaff flower. In the field experiment, a competitive effect ranking was determined to be: tall waterhemp ≥ Palmer amaranth = cut Japanese chaff flower ≥ uncut Japanese chaff flower ≥ bloodleaf, with the competitive response ranking being the inverse. These results suggest that under specific conditions, these closely related species do exhibit similar competitive abilities. Furthermore, the invasiveness and not the life history or habitat of these closely related species appeared to be the driving factor of competitiveness.

Phytoecdysones from the Roots of Achyranthes japonica Nakai and their Anti-atopy Activity

The roots of Achyranthes japonica Nakai were extracted with 100% aqueous and concentrated subfraction was separated with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-based activity profiling. Three compounds were isolated from the subfraction 5 through the repeated prep- high performance liquid chromatography column chromatography. According to the results of physico-chemical and spectroscopic data including NMR and MS, the chemical structures of the compounds were determined as ecdysterone (1), 25S-inokosterone (2), and 25R-inokosterone (3). Three phytoecdysones were showed weak inhibitory activity for thymus and activation-regulated chemokine expression levels in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α plus IFN-γ induced HaCaT cells, respectively. However, those compounds 1-3 were exhibited the most potent inhibition (80-95% at 200 µg/mL) against TNF-α expression levels in A23187 plus phorbol-myrisrate acetate-induced RBL-2H3 cells. As result, 100% aqueous extract of A. japonica has an excellent anti-atopy activity. It could be used to a large range of functional anti-atopy cosmetics.

Chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester induces cell cycle arrest by the inhibition of nuclear translocation of β-catenin in HCT116 cells

We demonstrate that chikusetsusaponin IVa methyl ester (CME), a triterpenoid saponin from the root of Achyranthes japonica, has an anticancer activity. We investigate its molecular mechanism in depth in HCT116 cells. CME reduces the amount of β-catenin in nucleus and inhibits the binding of β-catenin to specific DNA sequences (TCF binding elements, TBE) in target gene promoters. Thus, CME appears to decrease the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins such as Cyclin D1, as a representative target for β-catenin, as well as CDK2 and CDK4. As a result of the decrease of the cell cycle regulatory proteins, CME inhibits cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Therefore, we suggest that CME as a novel Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor can be a putative agent for the treatment of colorectal cancers.

Characterization of secondary metabolite compounds correlated with the seasons in Artemisia princeps var. orientalis (Pamp.) H. Hara leaves using direct sample injection and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry: contribution to phytotoxicity

Leaves from a natural population of Artemisia princeps var. orientalis (Pamp.) H. Hara were collected monthly from April through October and characterized for composition of secondary metabolite compounds and their phytotoxic effects on seed germination and seedling growth of Achyranthes japonica and Lactuca sativa. The compounds were identified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) coupled with a solvent-free solid injector (SFSI). GC/MS analyses of all samples revealed qualitative variability in the composition of secondary metabolites. The greatest number of compounds was identified in July (56) followed by September (30) and April (24), and the lowest number was found in June (2) and August (2). Among 92 compounds, the major compounds were various terpenes (23) (mono-, sesqui, di-, and tri-terpenes) followed by heterocyclic compounds (18) and hydrocarbons (14). The higher the concentration of the secondary metabolites, the lower the seed germination and seedling growth of A. japonica and L. sativa. Plant samples collected in July and August were most detrimental. Taken together, variability in the secondary metabolites compounds of A. princeps var. orientalis was verified during different seasons, and the compounds were successfully identified by a combination of SFSI and GC/MS. Notably, the antimicrobial and antioxidative effects were inconsistent throughout the various seasons.

쇠무릎 잎과 줄기 추출물의 항산화 활성 연구

This study was conducted to investigate the physiological characteristics of water and ethanol extracts from leaves and stems of Achyranthes japonica. The highest contents of total polyphenol and flavonoid compounds were 58.27 and 42.22 mg/g in water extract from leaves, respectively. The protein content was the highest at 16.42 mg/g in water extract from leaves. Ethanol extract from stems showed the highest content of reducing sugars at 11.35 mg/g. In the measurement of electron donating ability (EDA), ethanol extract from stems showed the highest EDA at 93.41% at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL. Superoxide dismutase-like activity of ethanol extract from leaves was the highest at 8.13% at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL. In the analysis of nitrate scavenging activity, water extract from leaves showed the highest activity at 94.90% at pH 1.2, and the activity increased as concentration increased and pH decreased. In the measurement of xanthine oxidase inhibition, ethanol extract from stems showed the highest inhibitory activity at 66.67% at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL. Especially, nitrate scavenging activities of water extract from leaves were the highest under all pH conditions. These results verify that extracts from leaves of A. japonica have strong antioxidant activity and can be used as an effective antioxidant source for nutraceutical foods, medicines, and cosmetic stuffs.

오배자, 우슬, 가자 및 감초를 포함하는 혼합추출물의 항산화 및 항균활성

In this study, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethanolic crude extract and its five different solvent subfractions (namely, ethyl acetate fraction, n-butanol fraction, chloroform fraction, n-hexane fraction and the aqueous fraction) from a mixture of four different medicinal herbs (Galla rhois, Achyranthes japonica Nakai, Terminalia chebula Retz and Glycyrrhiza uralensis) were investigated. Among all the tested mixture combination of four medicinal herbs, 5:3:1:1 ratio of Galla:Achyranthes : Terminalia : Glycyrrhiza had the best antimicrobial effects against four strains of microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and exhibited the highest DPPH radical-scavenging activity. Further sub-fractions with solvents were screened for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Antioxidant activity in order was ethyl acetate fraction > n-butanol fraction > chloroform fraction > nhexane fraction > aqueous fraction. The n-butanol extracted fraction showed the highest level of antimicrobial activity in com- parison to other fractions. In addition, all those fractions did not show any cytotoxicity against human skin cell CCD-986sk. These results suggest that 5:3:1:1 combination extracts of medicinal herbs (Galla : Achyranthes : Terminalia : Glycyrrhiza) may be potentially used as a safe natural antimicrobial preservative.

A Comparison of the Components and Biological Activities of the Ethanol Extracts of Achyranthes japonica Nakai and Achyranthes bidentata Blume

In the course of a study for the development of functional foods utilizing Woosul (Achyranthis radix), the components and various biological activities of Korean Woosul (AJN: Achyranthes japonica Nakai) and Chinese Woosul (ABB: Achyranthes bidentata Blume) were compared. Woosul in Korea, including AJN and ABB, are regulated and part of the Korean Pharmacopoeia. From AJN and ABB, ethanol extracts and their subsequent organic solvent fractions were prepared and their in-vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-diabetes activities were evaluated. Although AJN and ABB have no clear distinction in terms of usage in Korea, our results suggest that AJN has higher quantities of lipid-soluble components and lower amounts of water-soluble sugars than does ABB. ABB also appears to possess greater amounts of flavonoid and polyphenol substances than AJN. Analyses of biological activities showed that the fractions of AJN were more active as antibacterial agents, and possessed more pronounced -glucosidase inhibitory activities than those of the ABB fractions. However, the antioxidant activities of the ABB fractions, as determined by DPPH anion-, ABTS cation-, nitrite-scavenging activity and reducing power, were higher than those of the AJN fractions. Our results suggest that the components and bioactivity of the extracts and subsequent fractions of AJN and ABB are different. Therefore, usage of either AJN or ABB should be carefully considered, as regards their individual properties, when the active fractions of Woosul are employed in the development of functional foods or novel plant-derived medicines.

LPS로 인한 RAW 264.7 세포의 염증반응에 미치는 achyranthoside E dimethyl ester의 효과

Achyranthoside E dimethyl ester (AEDE) is an oleanolic acid glycoside from Achyranthes japonica. In this study, we investigated the effects of AEDE on nitric oxide (NO) production and underlying molecular mechanisms in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. AEDE inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression, without affecting cell viability. Further study demonstrated that AEDE induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression. In addition, the inhibitory effects of AEDE on iNOS expression were abrogated by small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of HO-1. Moreover, AEDE induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a transcription factor that regulates HO-1 expression. AEDE-induced expression of HO-1 was inhibited by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2). AEDE phosphorylated Akt and ERK1/2 as well. Therefore, these results suggest that AEDE suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory mediator such as NO by inducing HO-1 expression via PI-3K/Akt/ERK-Nrf2 signaling. These findings provide the scientific rationale for anti-inflammatory therapeutic use of AEDE.

Fluctuation of 20-hydroxyecdysone in individual organs of Achyranthes japonica during reproductive growth stage and its accumulation into seed

To better understand 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) fluctuation and accumulation in perennial plant, 20E concentration in individual organs of Achyranthes japonica during reproductive growth stage were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Concentrations of 20E in root and floral part were much higher than those in stem and leaf during reproductive growth stage and rapidly increased from flowering stage in August to seed-setting stage in October, and thereafter decreased at the stage of seed maturing in November. In contrast, the 20E concentrations in stem and leaf gradually decreased during reproductive growth. In the analysis of detailed fluctuation of 20E in floral part, the 20E concentration was highest in the seed at the early stage of seed development, compared to flower, peduncle, seed coat, and/or seed in other growth stages, and decreased during seed maturation. The accumulation of 20E in reproductive organs, especially seed and root, suggests that 20E has a defensive role for protection of especially newly developing organs against phytophagous insects.

Antioxidant Activities of Achyranthes japonica Nakai Extract and Its Application to the Pork Sausages.

Influence of Achyranthes japonica Nakai Extract (AJNE) on properties of pork sausages were studied in the present investigation. AJNE was added to sausages alone or in combination with ascorbic acid to obtain a comparative analysis on properties of control and ascorbic acid added-sausages. Results showed that addition of 0.05% AJNE led to a decrease in color L* and whiteness (W), and an increase in color b* of pork sausage samples (p<0.05). Although color a* of pork sausages containing AJNE was not significantly different, ascorbic acid added-sausages were highest amongst other treatments (p<0.05). Sausages containing AJNE had lower non-heme iron values and peroxide value (POV) than control sausages (p<0.05); however, high nitrosomyoglobin content was observed in AJNE added-sausages (p<0.05). Ascorbic acid led to a decrease in residual nitrite concentration of sausages (p<0.05), but no difference was found in AJNE added-sausages. Free radical scavenging analysis showed that AJNE did not affect 1,1-diphenyl -2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity of sausages, whereas ascorbic acid added-sausages showed relatively higher activity among the samples (p<0.05). Addition of AJNE had no influence on texture properties of sausages. In sensory evaluation, AJNE treatment had significant effects on color (p<0.05), but no significant effects on aroma, flavor, springiness, juiciness, and overall acceptability. In conclusion, the addition of AJNE, as a natural supplement may offer natural antioxidants for pork sausages, and appears to be particularly effective in inducing changes in non-heme iron concentration, POV value and nitrosomyglobin content.

수리분류를 이용한 쇠무릎 분류군의 외부형태 연구

초록·키워드 목차 오류제보하기 "Usul" is a traditional medicinal herb, which has anti-inflammatory activities is distributed in India, Nepal, China, Korea, Japan. Korea pharmacopeia listed "Usul" as either a species of Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai or A. bidentata Blume. Recent taxonomic studies in China and Japan delimited these taxa as two varieties, A. bidentata Blume var. bidentata and var. japonica Miq. A multivariate morphometric study of Achyranthes bidentata complex was undertaken to assess the entities of taxa that usefully could be recognized. Five quantitative characters were reviewed and analyzed with 293 specimens from Korea. The univariate analysis of inflorescence length, interval between florets, angle between floret and floral axis indicated that ranges among all taxa were continuous. However, quantitative characters of membrane size and the number of hairs within 4 were useful to identify two varieties. In PCA, the first three principal components accounted for 89.4% of the total variance. PCA revealed that var. bidentata showed distinctions in morphological attributes from var. japonica entity. Therefore, continued recognition at the infraspecifc level for these taxa is supported. #Achyranthes bidentata #Numerical Taxonomy #Principal Component Analysis 등록된 정보가 없습니다.

Achyranthes japonica exhibits anti-inflammatory effect via NF-κB suppression and HO-1 induction in macrophages

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe roots of Achyranthes japonica Nakai have been used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of edema and arthritis in Korea. Aim of the studyIn this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism responsible for anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of A. japonica roots (AJ) in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Materials and methodsNitric oxide (NO) production and as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression were examined in TG-elicited peritoneal macrophages and RAW 264.7 cells. Cell viability was monitored by MTT assay. Protein and mRNA expressions were determined by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The activity of NF-κB and Nrf2 were examined by EMSA, immunocytochemistry or reporter assay. ResultsAJ inhibited LPS-induced NO secretion as well as iNOS expression, without affecting cell viability. Furthermore, AJ suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation, degradation of IκB-α, phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. Further study demonstrated that AJ induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene expression via nuclear translocation and transactivation of Nrf2. In addition, the inhibitory effects of AJ on iNOS expression were abrogated by small interfering RNA-mediated knock-down of HO-1. ConclusionsThese results suggest that AJ suppresses LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression in macrophages through the inhibition of IκB/NF-κB and MAPK as well as the Nrf2-mediated HO-1 induction. These findings provide the scientific rationale for anti-inflammatory therapeutic use of A. japonica roots.

Molecular database construction of rDNA and polyploidy identification by FISH on Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai

Numerous studies on Achyranthes japonica have been investigated on physiological and pharmacological interests, however, no information of molecular cytogenetic level has been introduced yet, which, in turn, it is very essential to construct the molecular database and polyploidy primarily for any further researches. In this study, full unit of 5S and partial unit of 45S rDNA including two ITS regions were analyzed with chromosomal loci of examined rRNA genes on mitotic chromosomes. From the sequence analysis of rDNA unit, only a few polymorphic sites revealed in both coding and non-coding regions of NTS, ITS 1 and 2 giving an idea that no inter-specific hybrids has been involved in A. japonica as highly conserved specie through the high evolutionary period. To identify the polyploidy of A. japonica which has been unclear due to the very small size and unspecific centromere, FISH analysis was carried out on mitotic chromosomes using analyzed 5S and pTa-71 for 45S rDNA. 2 loci of each 5S and 45S rDNA were confirmed on the short arm of different chromosomes which were assumed to be a pair of each rDNA by a very similar size. Thus, the analyzed sequence of rDNA with low polymorphic rates and the identified loci on a relative size chromosome suggest the polyploidy of A. japonica as highly conserved diploid specie.

High performance liquid chromatography used for quality control of Achyranthis Radix

To establish a standard of quality control and to identify reliable Achyranthis Radix, three phytoecdysones including ecdysterone (1), 25R-inokosterone (2) and 25S-inokosterone (3) were determined by quantitative HPLC/UV analysis. Three phytoecdysones were separated with an YMC J'sphere ODS C(18) column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 4 μm) by isocratic elution using 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile (85:15, v/v%) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min and the UV detector wavelength was set at 245 nm. The standards were quantified by HPLC/UV from Achyranthes bidentata Blume and Achyranthes japonica Nakai, as well as Cyathula capitata Moq. and Cyathula officinalis Kuan, which are of a different genus but are comparative herbs. The method was successfully used in the analysis of Achyranthis Radix of different geographical origin or genera with relatively simple conditions and procedures, and the assay results were satisfactory for linearity, recovery, precision, accuracy, stability and robustness. The HPLC analytical method for pattern recognition analysis was validated by repeated analysis of eighteen A. bidentata Blume samples and ten A. japonica Nakai samples. The results indicate that the established HPLC/UV method is suitable for quantitation and pattern recognition analyses for quality evaluation of Achyranthis Radix.