Rhododendric acid A, a new ursane-type PTP1B inhibitor from the endangered plant Rhododendron brachycarpum G. Don

본 연구는 만병초와 구상나무 추출물의 항알러지 효과에 대해 조사하였다. 비만세포 RBL-2H3에 concanavalin A (Con A)를 처리하여 면역반응을 유도한 후 만병초와 구상나무 추출물을 농도별로 처리하여 real-time PCR을 이용하여 IL-4, IL-13의 mRNA 발현량을 확인하였다. 또한 β-hexosaminidase 분비를 측정하여 탈과립 유도효과를 평가하였다. IL-4의 발현은 만병초 10-7, 10-5, 10-3% 농도와 구상나무의 모든 농도에서 유의성 있게 감소하였으며, IL-13의 발현은 만병초와 구상나무 모든 농도에서 유의성 있게 감소되었다. 만병초 추출물과 구상나무 추출물의 10-5, 10-3% 농도에서는 β-hexosaminidase 분비가 유의성 있게 감소하였다. 이러한 결과를 통해 만병초와 구상나무 추출물이 면역반응 표적유전자의 발현을 감소시키고 면역반응에 의해 유도되는 탈과립유도 효과도 감소시킴을 확인할 수 있었다. 이는 만병초와 구상나무 추출물이 항알러지 효과가 있음을 제시하는 결과이다.

Inhibitory Effect of Extracts from Rhododendron Brachycarpum and Abies Koreana E.H. Wilson on Degranulation and Cytokine Expression in RBL-2H3 Cells

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

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Elevational distribution ranges of vascular plant species in the Baekdudaegan mountain range, South Korea

: The conservation status of an endemic perennial herb, Hanabusaya asiatica (Nakai) Nakai (Cam-panulaceae) was determined by applying the IUCN risk assessment criteria from our field study and availablespecimen data. Also, the GIS technology was used to develop a species distribution map to calculate the extentof occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for the taxon. After two years of continuous field studies,269 mature individuals were found in four localities in 2011, while 216 mature individuals were confirmed inthree localities in 2012. Based on the following data, such as EOO (2,742 km 2 ), AOO (76 km 2 ) and estimatedpopulation size of mature individuals, the taxon, which is known as 20 localities in Korean peninsula, is eval-uated as the category of Endangered (EN). A major difficulty in application of IUCN criteria to Korean rareplants were the lack of essential biological information and understanding the correct knowledge of the IUCNcriteria in previous Korean studies. Sound conclusions regarding the conservation status of individual speciesrequire more intensive population studies, observations, and applying IUCN assessment procedures correctly.

Assessing Red List categories to a Korean endangered species based on IUCN criteria - Hanabusaya asiatica (Nakai) Nakai-

Azaleas and Rhododendrons@@@The Azalea Book@@@Rhododendrons of the World and How to Grow Them

Rhododendron brachycarpum is a evergreen broad-leaved shrub and belongs to the Ericaceae family and the Rhododendron genus. It is well known for its beautiful leaves and flowers. There are 11 species of the Rhododendron genus in Korea. It includes 3 species - Rhododendron brachycarpum, Rhododendron aureum Georgi and Rhododendron brachycarpum var. roseum Koidz. They grow naturally over 1,000 meters above sea level of the Baekdu Mountain Range in Korea. These habitats, according to investigations of 9 Rhododendron brachycarpum natural habitats, are mostly located on the slope of mountains facing north at an altitude of 1,200 m to 1,526 m above sea level with angle of inclination from 30 degrees to 45 degrees. Based on the result of vegetation analysis of dominance species in the quadrates, there are Quercus aliena, Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb, Abies holophylla in species of upper trees, and so on. Dominant species of woody plants in tree layer are Quercus aliena, Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb, Abies holophylla, Betula platyphylla and Veeatrum patulum Loes. fil, Erythronium japonicum, Dryopteris crassirhizoma, Paeonia japonica var. glabra Makino are founded in herbaceous plants. And we can see another result of the investigation that the flowering rates of the plants with the buds are highly ranked mountains such as Mt. Hambaek 68%, Mt. Gyebang 40%, Mt. Yagksu 9%, Mt. Gaein 7% and Mt. Seolag 0%. The results show that there are 24 over 15-year-old Rhododendron brachycarpums in Mt. Odae and are 56 under 15-year-old trees in Mt. Hambaek and are no trees in Mt. Gyebang and are 9 over 30-year-dead trees only in Mt. Taebaeg. Out of found trees, the highest tree is 7 m in height and 0.6 m in diameter. Also this result shows what are the vulnerability factors of the natural habitats. They are as follows: indiscriminate trails in mountains, damages by mountain climbers, uncareful plant collecting, the fierce competitions with other plants such as Acer pseudosieboldianum var. ishidoyanum Uyeki, Quercus aliena, Celastrus orbiculatus and damages by disease and insect, unusual temperature in natural habitats, etc. Rhododendron brachycarpums have high ornamental value and excellent pharmaceutical effect. But the areas of its habitats decrease dramatically. So we need measures to protect and their natural habitats. It is necessary that we conduct further investigations to designate conservation area for Rhododendron brachycarpums.

http://koreascience.or.kr:80/article/JAKO201132833917952.pdf

Byung Chul Lee

Papers

Environmental and Ecological Characteristics Distribution of Natural Growth Region in Rhododendron Brachycarpum