Korean Endemic Plants Research Articles

Complete chloroplast genome of two Arabis L. species from Korea and assessment of their phylogenetic relationship in plastome based phylogeny

Arabis stelleri DC. and A. takesimana Nakai belong to the family Brassicaceae. Arabis stelleri is widely distributed in East Asia, and A. takesimana is a Korean endemic plant. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genomes of both species, measuring 153,577 bp for A. stelleri and 153,557 bp for A. takesimana. The plastome of A. stelleri comprises two inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,421 bp, a large single-copy (LSC) region measuring 82,705 bp, and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,030 bp. Whereas A. takesimana has IR regions of 26,426 bp, an LSC of 82,694 bp, and an SSC of 18,011 bp. Both the plastomes contain 131 total genes, 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 36.4% GC content. The organization and gene content of both plastomes were found to be similar to previously reported Arabis plastomes. In addition, we have tested the phylogenetic position of both the Arabis species and the relationship of the genus Arabis with other Brassicaceae members in comprehensive family-level plastome-based phylogeny. Arabis stelleri and A. takesimana are phylogenetically placed within the Arabis clade and show a close relationship to A. flagellosa, A. nipponica, A. paniculata, and A. hirsuta.

Glycolipids Derived from the Korean Endemic Plant Aruncus aethusifolius Inducing Glucose Uptake in Mouse Skeletal Muscle C2C12 Cells.

Aruncus spp. has been used as a traditional folk medicine worldwide for its anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and detoxifying properties. The well-known species A. dioicus var. kamtschaticus has long been used for multifunctional purposes in Eastern Asia. Recently, it was reported that its extract has antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects. In this respect, it is likely that other Aruncus spp. possess various biological activities; however, little research has been conducted thus far. The present study aims to biologically identify active compounds against diabetes in the Korean endemic plant A. aethusifolius and evaluate the underlying mechanisms. A. aethusifolius extract enhanced glucose uptake without toxicity to C2C12 cells. A bioassay-guided isolation of A. aethusifolius yielded two pure compounds, and their structures were characterized as glycolipid derivatives, gingerglycolipid A, and (2S)-3-linolenoylglycerol-O-β-d-galactopyranoside by an interpretation of nuclear magnetic resonance and high-resolution mass spectrometric data. Both compounds showed glucose uptake activity, and both compounds increased the phosphorylation levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Gingerglycolipid A docked computationally into the active site of IRS-1, AMPK1, AMPK2, and PPARγ (-5.8, -6.9, -6.8, and -6.8 kcal/mol).

The Potential of Campanula takesimana Callus Extract to Enhance Skin Barrier Function.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent inflammatory skin disease characterized by epidermal barrier dysfunction and Th2-skewed inflammation. Campanula takesimana (C. takesimana), a Korean endemic plant grown on Ulleng Island, has long been associated with a traditional alternative medicine for asthma, tonsillitis, and sore throat. In this study, we reported the effect of C. takesimana callus extract on upregulating epidermal barrier-related proteins dysregulated by Th2 cytokines. C. takesimana callus extract induced the expression of skin barrier proteins, such as filaggrin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens-1, in both human primary keratinocytes and Th2-induced AD-like skin-equivalent models. Additionally, RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that C. takesimana callus extract partially restored Th2 cytokine-induced dysregulation of the epidermal development and lipid metabolic pathways. Considering the advantages of callus as a sustainable eco-friendly source of bioactive substances, and its effect on skin barrier proteins and lipid metabolic pathways, C. takesimana callus extracts can possibly be utilized to improve the integrity of the skin barrier.

Saponins Derived from the Korean Endemic Plant Heloniopsis koreana Inhibit Diffuse-type Gastric Cancer Cells.

Diffuse-type gastric cancer (GC) is a type of stomach cancer that occurs in small clusters of cells that are widely spread. It does not typically manifest with symptoms until the advanced stages and often goes undetected in routine imaging tests. In addition, there is no specific targeted therapy for diffuse-type GC and it has a high mortality risk. Hence, it is worthwhile to discover molecules against this cancer. In this study, the extract of Heloniopsis koreana, which is endemic to Korea, exhibited cytotoxicity against two diffuse-type GC cell lines, MKN1 and SNU668. This led to the isolation of 10 compounds, including a new cinnamic acid glycoside. Of the compounds, saponin Th (4) and SNF 11 (5) showed potent activities with IC50 values of 3.66 and 3.85 μM, respectively, in MKN1 cells, and 1.8 and 1.98 μM, respectively, in SNU668 cells. These compounds prevented cancer cell division, invasion, and colony formation in both cell lines. In addition, these compounds induced cancer cell death through conventional cell death pathways, showing an increase in ADP-ribose polymerase, caspase 3, and BAX and a decrease in BCL2.

Community regeneration based on the distribution and population structure of Syringa fauriei H. Lév. (Oleaceae), a rare and endemic plant in Korea

To meet the specific targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation of 2020 (GSPC-2020), data of species traits for each plant species are investigated. This study investigated a Korean endemic plant (Syringa fauriei H. Lev.) in terms of its current distribution across the southern-central regions of the Korean peninsula, vegetative conditions in natural habitats, distributional characteristics, and population structure. Syringa fauriei was located at the river borders, where vegetative conditions were either limestone and non-limestone zones. The upstream limestone zones offered suitable areas for the distribution of S. fauriei and were epicenters of their distribution. The mature individuals produced seeds. The population structure displayed a stable, reverse J-shape, consisting of an abundance of seedlings and young plants with a few fertile plants that supplied the seeds for population growth; this was termed the ‘ecological founder effect’. In the limestone zones, the S. fauriei community formed on the borders of streams with water flow, implying that the cycle of community generation, growth, and extinction was repeated according to the stream disturbance dynamics. For S. fauriei conservation, naturality of stream environments should be maintained.

Ecdysteroids from the Korean Endemic Species Ajuga spectabilis with Activities against Glucocorticoid Receptors and 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1.

Two new ecdysteroids, spectasterone A (1) and spectasterone B (2), together with four known ecdysteroids, breviflorasterone (3), ajugalactone (4), 20-hydroxyecdysone (5), and polypodine B (6) were isolated from the Korean endemic plant Ajuga spectabilis using feature-based molecular networking analysis. The chemical structures of 1 and 2 were determined based on the interpretation of NMR and mass spectrometric data. Their absolute configurations were established using 3JH,H coupling constants, NOESY interactions, Mosher's method, and ECD and DP4+ calculations. To identify their biological target, a machine learning-based prediction system was applied, and the results indicated that ecdysteroids may have 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1)-related activity, which was further supported by molecular docking results of ecdysteroids with 11β-HSD1. Following this result, all the isolated ecdysteroids were tested for their ability to affect the expression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in HaCaT cells irradiated with UVB. Compounds 2-5 exhibited inhibition of 11β-HSD1 expression and increases in GR activity.

Diterpene and biflavone derivatives from Thuja koraiensis and their cytotoxicities against A549 cells

During the screening of the cytotoxicity of rare Korean endemic plants, the extract of Thuja koraiensis Nakai displayed potent cytotoxicity against the adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial A549 cell line. Through a series of separations via column chromatography, three undescribed abietanes, an undescribed labdane along with a labdane, and a biflavonoid were purified from methylene chloride (CH2Cl2) fraction possessing a potent cytotoxic effect. Extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data analyses, in combination with quantum chemical calculations were conducted to establish the planar and absolute configurations of thujakoraienes A–C. The chemical structure of thujakoraiene D was elucidated by spectroscopic data analysis and competing enantioselective acylation. Thujakoraienes A and C along with 7,7″-di-O-methylamentoflavone, showed cytotoxic effects on A549 cells, with IC50 values of 64.86, 47.97, and 16.14 μM, respectively. Finally, thujakoraiene C and 7,7″-di-O-methylamentoflavone were identified as potent cytotoxic compounds in A549 cells, followed by an additional cytotoxicity test in the normal human lung fibroblast MRC-5 cell line. This is the first study on the non-volatile chemicals in the extract of T. koraiensis and comparison of chemical profiles of T. orientalis and T. koraiensis.

Aster danyangensis, a replacement name for Aster altaicus var. uchiyamae (Asteraceae)

Aster altaicus var. uchiyamae, a Korean endemic plant, should be treated as a species rank because it is clearly distinguished from A. altaicus var. altaicus by the morphological characteristics of the plant habit, leaf width, and head size. Nevertheless, when A. altaicus var. uchiyamae was treated as a species rank, the epithet uchiyamae was unavailable in Aster owing to the earlier name A. uchiyamae, which was a replacement name for the illegitimate name A. depauperatus. Therefore, we propose A. danyangensis as a new replacement name for A. altaicus var. uchiyamae. The specific epithet danyangensis refers to the geographic location of Danyang-gun, where the species was discovered. We also designate the lectotype and isolectotype of A. danyangensis.

충남 광덕산의 식물상

Mt. Gwangdeok is 699.3m high and located between 36°65′00″~ 36° 71′00″ N in latitude and 27°01′00″~127° 05′00″ E in longitude. And it covered on boundary of Gwangdeok-myeon within Cheonan-si and Songak-myeon within Asan-si in Chungcheongnam-do. The investigated vascular plants consist of total 520 taxa: 6 forma, 50 varieties, 3 subspecies, 461 species, 315 genera, 99 families, 41 orders, 5 classes and 3 subphyla. And there are not found of extinct endangered Species in this study. But there are 3 taxa of Korean endemic plants: those are <italic>Weigela florida</italic> (Bunge) A.DC., <italic>Clematis trichotoma</italic> Nakai, <italic>Chrysosplenium sphaerospermum</italic> Maxim. and there found 4 taxa of disturbing invader plants: those are <italic>Ambrosia artemisiifolia</italic> L., <italic>Ambrosia trifida</italic> L., <italic>Eupatorium rugosum</italic> Houtt., <italic>Aster pilosus</italic> Willd. Therefore it needs to eliminate these Invaders and to campaign for hikers this alien taxa elimination movement before fruiting.

Floristic inventory of forest genetic resources reserve in Korea

This study was based on a 12-year survey data on the distribution of vascular plants between 2007 and 2019 in forest genetic resource reserves designated and managed by the Korea Forest Service. A total of 2,039 taxa were identified, which comprised 1,819 species, 33 subspecies, 161 varieties, and 26 forms from 703 genera and 154 families. There were 149 taxa of Korean endemic plants in the study area. There were 198 taxa of rare plants, with 28 critically endangered (CR) taxa 46 endangered (EN) taxa, 68 vulnerable (VU) taxa, 56 taxa of least concern (LC) taxa. There were a total of 739 taxa of floristic target species, Category V (52 taxa), Category IV (178 taxa), Category III (218 taxa), Category II (131 taxa), Category I (160 taxa). There were 1,312 taxa of useful plants: 580 taxa of plants used for pasture (P), 512 taxa of edible plants (E), 455 taxa of medicinal plants (M), 257 taxa of ornamental plants (O), 59 taxa of plants used for timber (T), 48 taxa of plants used for staining (S), 22 taxa of plants used for fiber (F) and 9 taxa of industrial plants (R).

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (Cultivar Okhwang 1) Callus through Inhibition of PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Macrophages

One of the Korean endemic plants, Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (Oleaceae), contains acteoside, which is a glycoside exhibiting neuroprotective, anti-inflammation effects and antibacterial capacities. We conducted an investigation on the effects of the callus of A. distichum (cultivar Okhwang 1, CAO) on pro-inflammatory mediators released following nuclear factor-кB (NF-кB), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K-Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal activation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Immunoblotting was employed to find out the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), and activation of MAPK molecules, NF-κB and Akt. Cytokines, COX-2, and iNOS gene expression were assessed using polymerase chain reaction techniques. Cytokines, COX-2, and iNOS gene expression were assessed using polymerase chain reaction techniques. High-performance liquid chromatography revealed that CAO was rich in acteoside and isoacteoside. As a result, CAO inhibited the generation of NO, cytokines, COX-2, and iNOS expression. Further, translocation to the nuclear of NF-κB p65 and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-кB (IкB) were alleviated by suppressing phosphorylation. Additionally, CAO significantly impacted MAPK pathway activation by potentially reducing phosphorylation of MAPKs. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of CAO is mediated via the inhibition of MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB signaling pathways, probably via glycosides, phenolics, and flavonoids bioactivity derived from plants. CAO can serve as a potential anti-inflammatory agent, which alleviates inflammation factors and act through specific cell signaling pathways.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of the Extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum cell from Ullengdo Island as Korean Endemic Plant

Anti-inflammatory Effect of the Extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum cell from Ullengdo Island as Korean Endemic Plant

Protective and inhibitory effects of acteoside from Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai against oxidative DNA damage.

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai is a Korean endemic plant of the Oleaceae family that contains acteoside, a glycosylated caffeic acid, with neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Previous studies, involving Accelerated Chromatographic Isolation, a high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector and a liquid chromatograph-mass selective detector, isolated and identified acteoside in A. distichum (AAD) and documented its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present study was to determine whether AAD could protect from DNA damage by reducing oxidative stress. AAD treatment protected plasmid DNA against damage to DNA double-strands induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased the levels of phosphorylated p53 and γ-H2AX in ROS-treated NIH 3T3 cells. These findings suggested that AAD could reduce ROS-mediated cellular damage and may represent an effective, natural antioxidant with the ability to protect genetic material.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of male individual of Korean endemic willow, Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz (Salicaceae)

As a Korean endemic plant, Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz belongs to the genus Salix L. which is the largest genus of Salicaceae. In this study, we presented a complete chloroplast genome from male individual of S. koriyanagi which is 155,548 bp and has four subregions: 84,415 bp of large single copy (LSC) and 16,125 bp of small single copy (SSC) regions are separated by 27,459 bp of inverted repeat (IR) regions including 131 genes (85 protein-coding gene, 8 rRNAs, and 38 tRNAs). The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome is 36.7% and those in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions are 34.4%, 31.0%, and 41.9%, respectively. SSC is inverted in comparison to that of female individual of S. koriyanagi. Phylogenetic trees show phylogenetic relationship of Salix and Populus genera.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of the Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz (Salicaceae)

As a Korean endemic plant, Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz belongs to the genus Salix L. which is the largest genus of Salicaceae. In this study, we presented a complete chloroplast genome of S. koriyanagi which is 155,707 bp and has four sub-regions: 84,484 bp of large single copy (LSC) and 16,125 bp of small single copy (SSC) regions are separated by 27,549 bp of inverted repeat (IR) regions including 130 genes (83 coding regions, 8 rRNAs, and 38 tRNAs). The overall GC contents of the chloroplast genome were 36.7% and in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 34.4%, 31.00%, and 41.8%, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis showed that S. koriyanagi is distinct from Salix purpurea, which is incongruent to relationship based on their phenotypes.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Patrinia saniculifolia hemsl. (Disacales: Caprifoliaceae), an endemic plant in Korea

Patrinia saniculifolia Hemsl. is a Korean endemic plant belongs to the family Caprifoliaceae s. l. In this study, we report the complete chloroplast genome of P. saniculifolia. The chloroplast genome was 153,775 bp with LSC (87,529 bp) and SSC (17,236 bp) regions, separated by two IRs regions 23,806 bp, and overall GC content was 38.48%. It contains total of 111 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes.

경남 김해 화포천습지에 분포하는 관속식물상

The purpose of this study was to offer the basic data for conservation of wetland ecosystem by surveying and analysing the vascular plants distributed in Hwapocheon wetland, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, Korea. The numbers of vascular plants were summarized as 292 taxa including 72 families, 192 genera, 262 species, 1 subspecies, 26 varieties and 3 forms. There were 34 taxa of hydrophytes, 23 taxa of emergent plants, 4 taxa of floating-leaved plants, 5 taxa of free-floating plants and 5 taxa of submerged plants. The rare plants were 7 taxa including Aristolochia contorta , Penthorum chinense, Prunus yedoensis( planting), Ixeris tamagawaensis, Hydrocharis dubia , Iris ensata var. spontanea (planting), Acorus calamus and so forth. The Korean endemic plants were 2 taxa including Salix koriyanagi and Salix pseudolasiogyne. The specific plants by floristic region were 19 taxa including 2 taxa of grade Ⅴ, 1 taxa of grade Ⅳ, 5 taxa of grade Ⅲ, 2 taxa of grade Ⅱ and 9 taxa of grade Ⅰ. The naturalized plants were 62 taxa including Chenopodium album, Astragalus sinicus, Helianthus tuberosus, Panicum dichotomiflorum and so forth. The plants that were expected to spread nationwide were 14 taxa includ-ing Cerastium glomeratum, Bidens frondosa, Tagetes minuta, Festuca arundinacea and so forth. The invasive alien plants were 6 taxa including Rumex acetosella , Sicyos angulatus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia , Ambrosia trifida , Aster pilosus and Lactuca scariola .

노추산(정선군, 강릉시)의 관속식물상 및 약용식물 분포 특성

본 연구는 노추산(정선군, 강릉시)지역에 대하여 2014년 4월부터 2015년 10월까지 총 7회에 걸쳐 관속식물 분포를 조사하였다. 전체 조사된 분류군은 89과 304속 448종 4아종 57변종 6품종으로 총 515분류군이 자생하는 것으로 확인되었다. 주요 식물로 한국특산식물이 11분류군, 산림청지정 희귀식물 중 위기종이 1분류군, 취약종이 3분류군, 약관심종이 10분류군, 환경부지정 식물구계학적 특정식물 중 4등급종이 11분류군, 3등급종이 30분류군으로 확인되었다. 귀화식물은 총 24분류군으로서 귀화율은 4.6%, 도시화지수 7.5%로 나타났다. 그밖에 대한약전 및 대한약전외한약(생약)규격집에 수재된 약용식물은 67분류군으로 조사되었다. This study was carried out to investigate the vascular plants of Mt. Nochu (1,322m) from April, 2014 to October, 2015. The vascular plants were summarized as 515 taxa, including 89 families, 304 genera, 448 species, 4 subspecies, 57 varieties and 6 forms. Among the investigated 515 taxa, 11 Korean endemic plants and 14 rare and endangered plants were included. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 11 taxa of grade IV, 30 taxa of grade III. Naturalized plants consisted of 24 taxa that made up 4.6% of the total vascular plants in this area. Medicinal plants of the Korean Pharmacopoeia and Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia distributed in this area consisted of 67 taxa.

한북정맥에 분포하는 관속식물상 - 광덕산, 청계산, 죽엽산을 중심으로 -

This study was carried out to offer the basic data for establishing the management plan and constructing the ecological data by surveying and analysing the flora distributed in main survey sites(Mt. Gwangdeok, Mt. Cheonggye and Mt. Jukyeop), Hanbuk-Jeongmaek. The flora were summarized, numbering 659 taxa including 99 families, 341 genera, 575 species, 4 subspecies, 69 varieties and 11 forms. The rare plants were 16 taxa including Tylophora floribunda, Hanabusaya asiatica, Lilium cernuum, Belamcanda chinensis and so forth. The Korean endemic plants were 24 taxa including Salix koriyanagi, Aconitum pseudolaeve, Clematis trichotoma, Hosta minor and so forth. The specific plants by floristic region were 95 taxa including 32 taxa of grade I, 31 taxa of grade II, 25 taxa of grade III, 5 taxa of grade IV and 2 taxa of grade V. The naturalized plants were 38 taxa including Fallopia dumetorum, Silene armeria, Cosmos bipinnatus, Poa pratensis and so forth. The invasive alien plants were 4 taxa including Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Ambrosia trifida, Aster pilosus and Eupatorium rugosum.

용봉산 및 수암산 일대의 관속식물상

행정구역상 충청남도 예산군 삽교읍과 덕산면, 홍성군 홍북면에 걸쳐있는 용봉산 및 수암산 일대의 식물상을 2010년도 3월부터 2016년 5월까지 총 23회에 걸쳐 조사하였다. 사진과 표본 등의 증거자료를 바탕으로 작성한 소산 관속식물은 105과 312속 468종 4아종 47변종 13품종의 총 532분류군으로 확인되었다. 한반도 특산식물은 은사시나무(식), 외대으아리, 할미밀망, 좀땅비싸리, 개나리(식), 오동나무(식), 병꽃나무, 벌개미취(식) 등 8분류군이 조사되었고, 산림청지정 희귀식물은 주목(식), 개지치, 두메부추(식), 꽃창포(식) 등 4분류군이 관찰되었으며, 환경부지정 멸종위기야생식물은 출현하지 않았다. 식물구계학적 특정식물종은 III~V등급에 해당하는 11분류군이 확인되었다. 귀화식물은 총 68분류군으로 귀화율은 12.8%, 도시화지수는 21.2%로 높은 수치를 보여주었다. A floristic study was conducted 23 times from March 2010 to May 2016 on Mt. Yongbongsan and Mt. Suamsan region of Chungcheongnam-do which lies across Sapgyo-eup, Deoksan-myeon Yesan-gun, and Hongbuk-myeon Hongseong-gun. Based on voucher speciemens, list of vascular plants found in this area were contained 532 taxa in total including 105 families, 312 genera, 468 species, 4 subspecies, 47 varieties, and 13 forma. The 8 taxa were Korean endemic plants such as Populus tomentiglandulosa T.B.Lee, Clematis brachyura Maxim, C. trichotoma Nakai, Indigofera koreana Ohwi, Forsythia koreana (Rehder) Nakai, Paulownia coreana Uyeki, Weigela subsessilis (Nakai) L.H.Bailey, Aster koraiensis Nakai. 4 taxa of rare plants designated by the Korea Forest Service such as Taxus cuspidata Siebold & Zucc., Lithospermum arvense L., Allium senescens L., and Iris ensata var. spontanea (Makino) Nakai. Endangered plants designated by the Ministry of Environment was not found in this study. The 11 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants in 3^rd to 5^th degree were found. 68 taxa naturalized plants were found and the naturalized ratio was 12.8% while 21.2% of urbanized ratio which is regarded quite high.