• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.165-172
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• 2003

The objectives of this study were to examine the physiological responses to ozone and to measure ozone uptake rates of Betula species exposed to relatively high concentration of pollutants. At the end of the growing season, photosynthesis, pigments contents, antioxidants (SOD and GR) and ozone uptake rates were measured or estimated at the leaves of five Betula species (Betula costata, B. davurica, B. platyphylla var. japonica, B. schmidtii and B. ermanii) exposed to 100ppb ozone concentration. On the termination of the experiment, growth effects were determined by measuring leaf area and dry weights of leaf, stem and root. Ozone treatment showed the significant reduction the leaf area and dry weight of four Betula species, except for B. ermanii. Shoot / root (SR) ratio of five species represented two different types. SR ratio of B. costata and B. davurica were lower than control, in contrast, SR ratio of B. platyphylla var. japonica, B. schimidtii and B. emani, were higher than that of control. The photosynthetic responses of five species were different in responses to ozone exposure. Four species, except for B. emanii, maintained or increased the stomatal conductance, but B. emanii decreased both stomatal conductance and photosynthesis. SOD activities of five species decreased by the ozone exposure, especially B. ermanii showed the largest reduction, GR activities of B. platyphylla var. japonica and B. schmidtii increased, B. costata and B. emanii decreased. Instantaneous ozone uptake rate was the highest at the leaves of B. ermanii and B. costata, ozone uptake per seedling was the highest at the leaf of B. schmidtii and B. emanii. It was concluded that B. costata, B. davurica and B. platyphylla var. japonica, appeared the growth reduction and visible ozone injury, were sensitive species to ozone, and B. schmidtii with the increased antioxidant activity and B. ermanii without the growth reduction were relatively resistant species to high ozone concentration at the early growing stage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.391-399
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• 2013

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant efficacies between extracts of Prunus yedoensis(PY) and Betulae platyphyllae var. japonica(BP). HPLC pattern was different between barks and extract solvents. Content of total phenolic compound was the highest in ethanol extract of BP(382.201 mg/g ext.) and its content was 1.9 times higher than that from the water extract of PY. Total antioxidant efficacy also was the highest in ethanol extract of BP (292 copper reducing equivalents). Nitric oxide scavenging activity was almost 70% in ethanol extract of BP treated 200 ug/ml and it was higher than positive control(ascorbic acid). DPPH radical scavenging ability was up by 80% in all samples. ABTS cation decolorization from each barks was activated over 85% in all samples at 100 ug/ml concentration, especially, the activity was the highest (94.4%) in ethanol extract of BP. Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were also highest (45%) in ethanol extract of BP at 200 ug/ml concentration and were as high as positive control. Stimulation of the macrophages RAW 264.7 cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased intracellular ROS levels and ethanol extract of BP at 200 ug/ml concentration reduced ROS levels up to 41 %. The results indicated that the barks of PY and BP has potent antioxidant activities and ethanol extract of BP of them has the highest antioxidant activities.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.635-640
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• 2011

Betulae Cortex of Betula platyphylla Suk. var. japonica Hara (Betulaceae) has long been used for treatment of various inflammation, fever and cough in Eastern Asia. In order to investigate antibacterial activity of the Betulae Cortex against Streptococcus mutans or Porphyromonas gingivalis, MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) and pH were checked, and for anti-inflammation activity, the experiments about trypsin-induced paw edema, vascular permeability and myeloperoxidase activity in rat's hind-paw tissue, were carried out with various extracts of Betulae Cortex (BCXs) respectively. The BCXs showed significant antibacterial activity, and at the dose of over 50 mg/kg, BCX showed significant inhibition on the paw edema, vascular permeability and myeloperoxidase activity. These results indicate that BCXs have antibacterial activity against oral cariogenic bacteria and anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.6
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• pp.693-698
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• 2007

We have only one type of forest fertilizer involved a composition ratio of 12:16:4% (N:P:K). It is required to develop new fertilization ratios which are suitable to soil environmental conditions and seedling growth characteristics. This study was carried out to determine change of seedlings growth on different fertilizer composition ratios. Two coniferous seedlings (2-year old Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc., 2-year old Larix leptolepis Gordon) and two deciduous seedlings (2-year old Quercus acutissima Carruth., 1-year old Betula platyphylla var. japonica Hara) were planted in pots (about 30 l) and the seedling growth responses after composition ratio treatments (N:P:K, 2:2:1, 3:4:1, 3:8:1, 6:4:1, 3:4:2, control) with 30g fertilizer were measured for three-year study period. Growth of height and root collar diameter of two coniferous seedlings was highest in 3:8:1 ratio compared with other fertilizer composition treatments or control, while there was not significantly different among fertilizer composition ratios except for 2:2:1 and 3:4:1 ratios. Height growth of two deciduous seedlings was highest in 3:8:1 ratio compared with other fertilizer composition treatments or control, while growth of root collar diameter showed the highest values in 6:4:1 ratio. The results indicated that the growth of four tree seedling types were better in 3:8:1 or 6:4:1 ratios than in 2:2:1 or 3:4:1 ratios.