Oplopanax Elatus Research Articles

A high production of flavonoids and anthraquinones via adventitious root culture of Oplopanax elatus and evaluating antioxidant activity

Adventitious root (AR) culturing is an effective approach for obtaining bioactive compounds from the endangered plant species of Oplopanax elatus Nakai. In the present study, flavonoids and anthraquinones, both important bioactive compounds were identified via HPLC-ESI–MS/MS, and flavonoid monomers of quercetin and kaempferide and anthraquinone monomers of aloe-emodin, rhein, and emodin were detected in O. elatus AR cultures. To enhance synthesis of both compounds, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was used as the elicitor to treat ARs. At 200 µM, MeJA significantly increased the contents of quercetin, aloe-emodin, rhein, and emodin, whereas 225 µM was the optimal concentration for kaempferide accumulation. The antioxidant property in ARs was evaluated by determining activities of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and alkyl radical scavenging using the an electron spin resonance spectrometer. The IC50 of DPPH (6.2 µg/mL) and alkyl (20.2 µg/mL) radical scavenging activities with MeJA treatment were lower than that of the control, thereby indicating that ARs treated with MeJA possess stronger antioxidant activity. Hence, AR cultures can be deployed as raw materials or additives in the production of antioxidant-related O. elatus products using the MeJA as elicitor.

Anti-arthritic Effects of Oplopanax elatus in a Rat Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis (Adjuvant-induced Arthritis)

The stems of Oplopanax elatus (OE) have long been used to treat inflammatory disorders in herbal medicine, and in the previous investigation, OE was found to possess anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages, RAW 264.7 cell. OE reduces inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase-induced NO production, and interferes with mitogen-activated protein kinase activation pathways. In the present study, the pharmacological action of the water extract of OE was examined to establish anti-arthritic action, using a rat model of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). The water extract of OE administered orally inhibited AIAinduced arthritis at (100 - 300) mg/kg/day. The paw edema was significantly decreased, in combination with reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The action mechanism includes an inhibition of MAPKs/ nuclear transcription factor-κB activation. These new findings strongly suggest that OE possesses anti-arthritic action, and may be used as a therapeutic agent in inflammation-related disorders, particularly in arthritic condition.

Chemo-Preventive Potential of Falcarindiol-Enriched Fraction from Oplopanax elatus on Colorectal Cancer Interfered by Human Gut Microbiota.

Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai is an oriental herb, the polyyne-enriched fraction of which (PEFO) showed anticolorectal cancer (anti-CRC) effects. Other concomitant components, which are inevitably bio-transformed by gut microbiota after oral administration, might be interfere with the pharmacodynamics of polyynes. However, the influence of human gut microbiota on molecules from O. elatus possessing anticancer activity are yet unknown. In this study, the compounds in PEFO and PEFO incubated with human gut microbiota were analyzed and tentatively identified by HPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS. Two main polyynes ((38-falcarindiol and oplopandiol) were not significantly decomposed, but some new unknown molecules were discovered during incubation. However, the antiproliferative effects of PEFO incubated with human gut microbiota for 72 h (PEFO I) were much lower than that of PEFO on HCT-116, SW-480, and HT-29 cells. Furthermore, PEFO possessed better anti-CRC activity in vivo, and significantly induced apoptosis of the CRC cells, which was associated with activation of caspase-3 according to the Western-blot results (). These results suggest anticolorectal cancer activity of polyynes might be antagonized by some bio-converted metabolites after incubation with human gut microbiota. Therefore, it might be better for CRC prevention if the polyynes could be orally administrated as purified compounds.

Synergetic Inhibition of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells by Combining Polyyne-Enriched Fraction from Oplopanax elatus and Irinotecan

Although irinotecan is an important anticancer drug for treating colorectal cancer, its dose-dependent side effects limited its clinical application. Thus, it’s important to develop low-toxic candidates to enhance the efficacy of irinotecan. Polyynes from genus Oplopanax were reported to possess potential anticancer effects on colorectal cancer. Hereby, we evaluated the synergetic inhibition of human colorectal cancer cells by combining polyyne-enriched fraction from Oplopanax elatus (the dichloromethane fraction of Oplopanax elatus, OED) and irinotecan. The results showed that 5 μg/ml of OED combined with 40 μM of irinotecan possessed significant synergetic inhibition on SW-480 cells with a combination index (CI) of 0.56. Besides, the percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased from 69.57% (40 μM of irinotecan) or 72.7% (5 μg/ml of OED) to 95.6% after treatment of OED combined with irinotecan (OCI), suggesting OED and irinotecan possess the synergistic apoptotic effect (P < 0.01). Furthermore, Caspase-3 was significantly activated in OCI group (P < 0.05). Besides, the percentage of apoptotic cells of OED or/and irinotecan significantly decreased after inhibition of caspase-3. These data indicated that OED could enhance antiproliferative effects of irinotecan on colorectal cancer cells, which was related with induction of apoptosis and regulations of activity of caspase-3.

Anticancer Activity of an Oplopanax elatus Stem Extract and Biologically Active Isolated Compounds.

Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai is used in folk medicine in China. In this study, the antiproliferative activity of an O. elatus fraction extracted by ethyl acetate (EF) was tested on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, human colon cancer HCT-116 cells, and human stomach cancer AGS cells. The potential mechanism of antiproliferation was also investigated using an apoptosis assay. The results showed that the EF remarkably suppressed proliferation of human breast, stomach, and colon cancer cells. Further apoptosis tests by flow cytometry and immunoblot analyses showed the EF inhibited HCT-116 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis. The bioassay-monitored fractionation of the EF resulted in the isolation of two polyacetylenes, falcarindiol (compound 1) and oplopandiol (compound 2), with falcarindiol possessing the strongest antiproliferative activity in colon cancer cells. Together, this study evaluated the anticancer activity of an O. elatus extract against human cancer cells, and provided the basis for further development of this herbal extract for the treatment of cancer.

STUDY OF COMPONENT COMPOSITION OF MEDICINAL PLANT MATERIALS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH MASS-SPECTROMETRIC DETECTION

Component composition of extracts 14 medicinal materials kinds was study by gas chromatography with mass-spectrometric detection for revealing of the marker compounds specific for particular plant species. Extraction of components from the investigated objects was carried out by extraction of dry ground raw material with ethanol. For the analysis of polar compounds, the extracts were further derivatized to give the corresponding trimethylsilyl derivatives. Identification of components was carried out using commercial (NIST11, Wiley14) and own custom mass-spectrometer libraries. A number of compounds with species specificity were found for Schisandra chinensis, Ginkgo biloba, Oplopanax elatus, Oplopanax horridus, Ferula soongarica, Epimedium brevicornu, Epimedium koreanu, Cnidium Monnieri, Tribulus terrestris. The possibility of practical application of identified marker compounds for establishing the authenticity and quality control of multicomponent plant gathering and biologically active food additives on the example of the analysis BAA «Vertera Endo mix», «REDTEST», «Devil’s Club» is shown. Based on the analysis of extracts Panax ginseng, Aralia mandshurica, Rhodiola rosea, Eurycoma longifolia and Eleutherococcus senticosus, it was not possible to identify marker compounds

Establishment of culturing conditions and assessment of antioxidant activity and somaclonal variation in the adventitious root suspension cultures of Oplopanax elatus Nakai

Oplopanax elatus Nakai, a plant traditionally used in folk medicine, is currently in population decline due to uncontrolled harvesting. In the present study, we investigated the factors affecting O. elatus adventitious root production, including hormones (alone or in combination), explant type, basal salt type and strength, sucrose concentration, pH, and temperature. Results revealed that adventitious root formation was optimal with root explants grown on 1/2 Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.5 mg L−1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (pH 5.8) at 25 °C. Chlorogenic acid concentration was highest in roots propagated in 1/2 MS medium containing 0.5 mg L−1 IBA; vanillin, another phenolic compound, was also detected in cultures. Liquid media containing 3% sucrose exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity and total phenolic compound contents. X-ray diffraction revealed significant differences in the elemental intensity between adventitious root and field-grown plantlet extracts. Analysis of simple sequence repeats confirmed that adventitious roots regenerated in vitro were genetically similar to their mother plant. Thus, we identified the optimal conditions for proliferation of O. elatus adventitious roots in liquid culture, from which, secondary metabolites, particularly bioactive compounds associated with the medicinal use of this plant, can be mass produced without further population deterioration.

Polyyne-Enriched Extract from Oplopanax elatus Significantly Ameliorates the Progression of Colon Carcinogenesis in ApcMin/+ Mice

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world. Oplopanax elatus is widely used in traditional medicine. However, little is known about its pharmacological effects and bioactive compounds. We evaluated the effects of the polyyne-enriched extract from O. elatus (PEO) on the progression of colon carcinogenesis in ApcMin/+ mice. In addition, these effects were also investigated in HCT116 and SW480 cells. After PEO oral administration (0.2% diet) for 12 weeks, PEO significantly improved body weight changes and reduced the tumor burden and tumor multiplicity compared with the untreated mice. Meanwhile, western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed PEO significantly reduced the expression of β-catenin and cyclinD1 in both small intestine and the colon tissues compared with the untreated mice. In addition, PEO treatment significant decreased the cell viability in both HCT116 and SW480 cell lines. It also decreased the levels of β-catenin, cyclinD1, c-myc and p-GSK-3β in HCT116 and SW480 cells at 25 μM. These results indicate that PEO may have potential value in prevention of colon cancer by down-regulating Wnt-related protein.

Improvement of bioactive compound accumulation in adventitious root cultures of an endangered plant species, Oplopanax elatus

Efficiently culturing adventitious roots (ARs) has become an alternative route for the protection and utilization of endangered plant resources. In the present study, to improve accumulation of bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids) in AR cultures of endangered plant species—Oplopanax elatus—effects of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) were investigated. The optimal concentration of MeJA was 200 μM and SA was 100 μM for enhancement of polysaccharide, phenolic, and flavonoid contents. In addition, MeJA (200 μM) was more suitable than SA (100 μM) for polysaccharide and flavonoid production, but both elicitors were equally favorable for phenolic production. During AR bioreactor culture, MeJA was as an elicitor to study the effect of its addition time and contact time. Contents of polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids increased when MeJA was added to culture medium after 40 days of culture, but the increased degree was lower and the AR biomass significantly inhibited. However, when MeJA was added to culture medium after 30 days of culture, polysaccharide, phenolic, and flavonoid contents dramatically increased without AR biomass decrease; the maximum productivity of three bioactive compounds was found on day 8 after the MeJA treatment. Therefore, a novel elicitation method during bioreactor culture of O. elatus ARs was established in the present study, the method could be applied to commercial production of O. elatus products in the future.

The Identification of Araliaceae Species by ITS2 Genetic Barcoding and Pollen Morphology.

The genetic barcode ITS2 (ITS: internal transcribed spacer) and pollen morphology were used for the identification of the pharmacologically valuable wild Araliaceae species Panax ginseng, Oplopanax elatus, Aralia elata, Aralia continentalis, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus inhabiting the natural forests of Primorye, Russia. The ITS2 locus successfully identified all six species, which supports the use of ITS2 as a standard barcode for medicinal plants. However, the ITS2 locus was insufficient for intra-specific discrimination in these species, neither within Primorye nor from other world representatives within GenBank. Araliaceae pollen was confirmed to undergo size-reducing metamorphosis. The final morphotypes were species-specific for each of the six species but could not discriminate intra-species geographic localities within Primorye. The morphologies of the final pollen morphotypes from homologous species inhabiting other parts of the world are not yet known. Therefore, whether pollen is applicable for Araliaceae intra-species discrimination between Primorye and other world localities could not be established. Based on these findings, we propose that the ITS2 genetic barcode and the final pollen morphotypes are suitable for the identification of Araliaceae species. However, further studies will be needed to determine the suitability of genetic and pollen traits for Araliaceae geographic authentication.

De novo transcriptomic analysis to reveal functional genes involved in triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis in Oplopanax elatus NAKAI

Oplopanax elatus is a valuable medicinal plant in the family Araliaceae that recommends itself as source of herbal preparations. Although, as in ginseng, triterpenoid saponins make up the major bioactive component of O. elatus , nothing is known about the genes that are involved in the biosynthesis of these complex compounds, as reflected also by a lack of genomic information in public databases. Using Illumina paired-end sequencing technology, we have therefore generated a transcriptome library of O. elatus from a pooled RNA sample from different organs. 208,959 unigenes were assembled from approximately 77 million high-quality reads, and 110,202 unigenes (52.7% of the unigenes) were annotated. In addition, 47,273 cDNA-derived SSRs in 38,446 unigenes were identified as potential molecular markers. Furthermore, 122 unigenes encoding 47 putative enzymes related to the biosynthesis of the backbone of triterpenoid saponins were identified by analyzing our library. The organ-specific expression of selected genes suggests that the leaves of O. elatus are the main site of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis. The transcriptome data reported here provides valuable and comprehensive information for further research into the metabolic pathways of O. elatus as well as into genetic variation in the Oplopanax genus. The online version of this article (doi: 10.5073/JABFQ.2017.090.004) contains supplementary files .

Screening and identifying antioxidants from Oplopanax elatus using 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl with off-line two-dimensional HPLC coupled with diode array detection and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

The root of Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai has a well-known history of use for the treatment of diseases such as neurasthenia, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer by the native people in northeast China. It is important to screen and identify the bioactive molecules from its root rapidly. Hereby, an off-line two-dimensional high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry together with 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl was established to screen antioxidants from the root of O. elatus. A Waters cyanogen column (150 × 3.9 mm, id, 4 μm) was used for the first dimensional liquid chromatography, while a Hypersil BDS-C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, id, 5 μm) was installed for the second dimension liquid chromatographic analysis. Twenty-eight compounds had been tentatively identified from the methanol extract of the air-dried root of O. elatus including six polyynes and eight phenolic derivatives were screened with antioxidant activity. The developed method could be expedient for screening and identifying antioxidants from O. elatus.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of falcarindiol and oplopandiol in rats after oral administration of polyynes extract of Oplopanax elatus

Polyynes, such as facarindiol (FAD) and oplopandiol (OPD), are responsible for anticancer activities of Oplopanax elatus (O. elatus). A novel approach to pharmacokinetics determination of the two natural polyynes in rats was developed and validated using a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. Biosamples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate/n-hexane (V : V = 9 : 1) and the analytes were eluted on an Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 threaded column (4.6 mm × 50 mm, 1.8 μm) with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% aqueous formic acid at a flow-rate of 0.5 mL·min−1 within a total run time of 11 min. All analytes were simultaneously monitored in a single-quadrupole mass spectrometer in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode using electrospray source in positive mode. The method was demonstrated to be rapid, sensitive, and reliable, and it was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of the two polyynes in rat plasma after oral administration of polyynes extract of O. elatus.

Effect of Germanium Treatment on Growth and Production of Organic Germanium in Oplopanax elatus

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of germanium treatment on the growth and organic germanium production in the roots of Oplopanax elatus plantlets. Methods and Results: O. elatus plantlets were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different concentrations of germanium dioxide (GeO₂) to analyze optimum growth conditions. Exogenous treatment of 10 ㎎/ℓ GeO₂ promoted growth and an increase in the contents of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid in O. elatus. The germanium accumulation and production in roots of O. elatus plantlets treated with organic germanium reached the highest levels. The growth of the aerial and underground portion of O. elatus with organic germanium was greater than that of the control. The accumulation and production of organic germanium reached the highest level (40.89 ㎍/plantlet) with the treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO₂. Antioxidant activity measured by DPPH and ABTS assays also increased with the germanium treatment and improved the DPPH and ABTS radical activity by 200% compared with that in the control. In addition, the total phenol and flavonoid contents of the plantlets with a treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO₂ were higher than in the control. Conclusions: Taken together, the growth of O. elatus was increased with the treatment of 50 ㎎/ℓ GeO₂ germanium and the biological references improved, with increased antioxidant activity and organic germanium production.

Bioactive compound production by adventitious root culture of Oplopanax elatus in balloon-type airlift bioreactor systems and bioactivity property

Oplopanax elatus Nakai is a high-value medicinal plant, but the availability of this resource is rare under natural conditions. To provide a novel source of O. elatus products, we used balloon-type airlift bioreactor systems to investigate a culture method. This method was developed to obtain adventitious roots (ARs), which contain a high yield of bioactive compounds. Antioxidant and anticancer properties were also investigated to evaluate the bioactivity of AR extracts. The bioreactor culture more efficiently promoted AR growth and bioactive compound accumulation (polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids) than the agitated flask and solid cultures. During bioreactor culture, the maximum AR fresh (114.6 g L−1) and dry (12.7 g L−1) weights were found in the medium supplemented with 50 g L−1 sucrose and 3 mg L−1 IBA. The highest bioactive compound content was also found in the same medium; the productivities of polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids reached 1913.9, 459.7, and 713.7 g L−1, respectively. The polysaccharide, phenolic, and flavonoid content of ARs from the bioreactor culture were compared with those of roots from field-grown plants. The polysaccharide content reached the maximum levels in ARs (152.5 mg g−1 DW) and in roots of 3-year-old plants (147.5 mg g−1 DW), with no evident difference. The phenolic (32.1 mg g−1 DW) and flavonoid (50.5 mg g−1 DW) contents in ARs were higher than those in the roots of plants grown in the field for 2 and 3 years. The kinetic study showed that the highest AR biomass and bioactive compound productivity were found at 40 days. Therefore, 40 days of culture is appropriate for the mass production of bioactive compounds from O. elatus by AR culture in bioreactor systems. Polysaccharide, phenolic, and flavonoid contents were higher in bioreactor-cultured ARs than in the roots of 2-and 3-year-old field-grown plants. ARs exhibited an effective antioxidant activity; the rate of DPPH radical scavenging in the AR extract was higher than that in the root extracts of field-grown plants (2 and 3 years); IC50 of AR extract was only 33.5 μg mL−1. The AR extract also elicited anticancer effect on human cancer cell lines, particularly the gastric cancer cell line AGS. AGS cell proliferation was reduced by 50 % after 24 h of these cells were exposed to 78.3 μg mL−1 AR extracts. Our results suggested that the bioreactor culture of O. elatus AR can be used to produce bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids). ARs are also a potential resource to develop O. elatus products.

Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai: chemistry, traditional use and pharmacology

Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai, a member of the ancient angiosperm plant family Araliaceae, is used for the treatment of different disorders in the medicine systems of China, Russia, and Korea, and was designated in Russia as a classical adaptogen. Despite extensive studies of classical adaptogens, there are comparatively few reports concerning the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of O. elatus in English. The plant is a potential source of saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenes, and other active compounds. Experimental studies and clinical applications have indicated that O. elatus possesses a number of pharmacological activities, including adaptogenic, anti-convulsant, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, blood pressure modulating, and reproductive function effects. In this review, the chemistry, safety, and therapeutic potential of O. elatus are summarized and highlighted to encourage the further development of this plant.

Determination of six polyynes in Oplopanax horridus and Oplopanax elatus using polyethylene glycol modified reversed migration microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography.

A PEG-modified reversed migration MEEKC method was developed for simultaneous determination of six polyynes, including oplopandiol, falcarindiol, oplopandiol acetate, (11S, 16S, 9Z)-9,17-octadecadiene-12,14-diyne-1,11,16-triol,1-acetate, oplopantriol B, and oplopantriol A, in Oplopanax horridus and Oplopanax elatus. The running buffer containing 0.8% v/v ethyl acetate, 3.8% w/v SDS, 6.6% v/v n-butanol in 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.5), followed by mixing with propan-2-ol at 30% v/v and PEG-1000 at 15% w/v, was applied in the analysis. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine the six polyynes in five samples of Oplopanax horridus and one of O. elatus. The result showed that the types and amounts of polyynes present were obviously different when comparing the two herbs. Besides, the developed PEG-modified reversed MEEKC method might be suitable for the analysis of hydrophobic analytes in herbal medicines.

한반도 주요 산정의 식물종 분포와 기후변화 취약종

This work aims to select the potentially vulnerable plant species against climate change at alpine and subalpine belts of Mts. Sorak, Jiri, and Halla, from central, southern, southern insular high mountains of the Korean Peninsula, respectively. The selection of global warming related vulnerable plants were performed by adapting various criteria, such as flora, endemicity, rarity, floristically specific and valuable species, species composition at mountain summits, horizontal and vertical ranges of individual species, and their distributional pattern in the Korean Peninsula. Line and quadrat field surveys along the major trails from all directions at height above 1,500 meters above sea level of Mts, Sorak, Jiri and Halla were conducted each year during spring, summer, and autumn from 2010 to 2011. Based upon above mentioned eight criteria, high level of climate change related potentially vulnerable arboral plants, such as Rhododendron aureum, Taxus caespitosa, Pinus pumila, Oplopanax elatus, Vaccinium uliginosum, and Thuja koraiensis are noticed from at subalpine belt of Mt. Sorak. Species of Abies koreana, Rhododendron tschonoskii, Oplopanax elatus, Taxus cuspidata, Picea jezoensis, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii belong to climate change concerned vulnerable species at subalpine belt of Mt. Jiri. High level of climate change related species vulnerability is found at alpine and subalpine belts of Mt. Halla from Diapensia lapponica var. obovata, Salix blinii, Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii, Taxus cuspidata, Rhamnus taquetii, Abies koreana, Hugeria japonica, Prunus buergeriana, and Berberis amurensis var. quelpartensis. Countermeasures to save the global warming vulnerable plants in situ are required.

수분스트레스가 땃두릅나무의 광합성 능력 및 광계 II의 활성에 미치는 영향

This study was performed to investigate the physiological responses of Oplopanax elatus by water condition. Drought stress was induced by withholding water for 26 days. The results show that PN max, SPAD, gs, E and Ci were significantly decreased with decreasing of soil moisture contents. However, AQY and WUE were decreased slightly only at 26 day. This implies that photosynthetic rate is reduced due to an inability to regulate water and CO₂ exchange through the stomatal. According to JIP analysis, ΦsubPO/sub, ΨsubO/sub, ΦsubEO/sub and PIABS were dramatically decreased at 21 day and 26 day, which reflects the relative reduction state of the photosystem II. On the other hand, the relative activities per reaction center such as ABS/RC, TRo/RC were significantly increased at 26 day. Particularly, Dio/RC and DIo/CS increased substantially under drought stress, indicating that excessive energy was consumed by heat dissipation. These results of chlorophyll a fluores-cence show that the sensitivity changes photosystem II activity. Thus, according to the results, O. elatus was exhibited a strong reduction of photosynthetic activity to approximately 10% soil moisture contents, and JIP parameters could be useful indicator to monitor the physiological states of O. elatus under drought stress.

땃두릅(Oplopanax elatus Nakai) 추출물의 면역자극 활성 및 항암 증진 효과

The present study is designed to explore an anti-tumor activity on crude extracts of Oplopanax elatus. Water extractions of Oplopanax elatus were performed at <TEX>$100^{\circ}C$</TEX>(OeE-100). OeE-100 doses up to <TEX>$62.5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$</TEX> had no cytotoxicity on the tumor cell lines in vitro. In experimental lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 carcinoma or B16-BL6 melanoma, the prophylactic intravenous (<TEX>$4{\sim}100{\mu}g/mouse$</TEX>) or oral (2 mg/mouse) administration of OeE-100 significantly inhibited tumor metastasis as compared with tumor controls. Peritoneal macrophages stimulated with OeE-100 produced various cytokines such as TNF-<TEX>${\alpha}$</TEX>, IL-6 and IL-12. In an analysis of NK-cell activities, i.v. administration of OeE-100 (<TEX>$10{\sim}100{\mu}g/mouse$</TEX>) significantly augmented the cytotoxicity to YAC-1 tumor cells. Vaccination of mice with boiling-treated tumor cells (BT-vaccine) in combination with OeE-100 (<TEX>$100{\mu}g/mouse$</TEX>) showed higher inhibitions in tumor metastasis when compared with the mice of BT-vaccine treatment. In addition, the splenocytes from OeE-100 admixed BT-vaccine immunized mice secreted a higher concentration of Th1 type cytokine such as IFN-<TEX>${\gamma}$</TEX>. These results suggested that the OeE-100 stimulated immune system and was a good candidate adjuvant of anti-tumor immune responses.