Ginkgo biloba L. stands as one of the oldest living tree species, exhibiting a diverse range of biological activities, including antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular activities. As part of our ongoing discovery of novel bioactive components from natural sources, we directed our focus toward the investigation of potential bioactive compounds from G. biloba fruit. The profiles of its chemical compounds were examined using a Global Natural Products Social (GNPS)-based molecular networking analysis. Guided by this, we successfully isolated and characterized 11 compounds from G. biloba fruit, including (E)-coniferin (1), syringin (2), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), vanillic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), syringic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), (E)-ferulic acid 4-O-β-D-glucoside (6), (E)-sinapic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), (1′R,2′S,5′R,8′S,2′Z,4′E)-dihydrophaseic acid 3′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), eucomic acid (9), rutin (10), and laricitrin 3-rutinoside (11). The structural identification was validated through a comprehensive analysis involving nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic data and LC/MS analyses. All isolated compounds were evaluated using an E-screen assay for their estrogen-like effects in MCF-7 cells. As a result, compounds 2, 3, 4, 8, and 9 promoted cell proliferation in MCF-7 cells, and these effects were mitigated by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. In particular, cell proliferation increased most significantly to 140.9 ± 6.5% after treatment with 100 µM of compound 2. The mechanism underlying the estrogen-like effect of syringin (2) was evaluated using a Western blot analysis to determine the expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα). We found that syringin (2) induced an increase in the phosphorylation of ERα. Overall, these experimental results suggest that syringin (2) can potentially aid the control of estrogenic activity during menopause.

Equisetum arvense L. (Equisetaceae), widely known as ‘horsetail’, is a perennial plant found extensively across Asia. Extracts of E. arvense have been used in traditional medicine, particularly for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical compounds in E. arvense ethanolic extract and their anti-inflammatory properties. Subsequently, we isolated and identified nine secondary metabolites, including kaempferol 3,7-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), icariside B₂ (2), (Z)-3-hexenyl β-D-glucopyranoside (3), luteolin 5-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), 4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl caffeic acid (5), clemastanin B (6), 4-O-caffeoylshikimic acid (7), (7S,8S)-threo-7,9,9′-trihydroxy-3,3′-dimethoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), and 3-O-caffeoylshikimic acid (9). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds (1–9) were elucidated using HR-ESI-MS data, NMR spectra, and ECD data. Next, the anti-inflammatory effects of the isolates were evaluated in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α/interferon (IFN)γ-induced HaCaT, a human keratinocyte cell line. Among the isolates, compound 3 showed the highest inhibitory effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines, followed by compounds 6 and 8. Correspondingly, the preceding isolates inhibited TNFα/IFNγ-induced activation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, and nuclear factor-κB. Collectively, E. arvense could be employed for the development of prophylactic or therapeutic agents for improving dermatitis.

The spotted sleeper, Odontobutis interrupta, is a fish species endemic to Korea and shows potential as an aquaculture species. Nevertheless, the population size of this species has declined significantly in recent years. To characterize the population structure and genetic diversity of O. interrupta in Korea, we analyzed four microsatellite loci in twelve populations from four major river systems. The provenance of the population was investigated to discern the origin of the translocated populations. The genetic diversity of the microsatellite ranged from 0.440 to 0.756, showing a high level of diversity similar to that of other freshwater fishes. However, mitochondrial DNA analysis exhibited low genetic diversity (H_d: 0.000–0.674, π: 0.00000–0.00159). The F_ST values of microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA ranged from 0.096 to 0.498 and −0.046 to 0.951, suggesting genetic admixture among populations. All populations exhibited an effective population size of <100; therefore, preservation efforts to prevent inbreeding depression would be required. The genetic structure could be divided into unique genotypes from the Seomjingang and Geumgang Rivers. However, genetic admixture was observed in all populations, rendering it impossible to distinguish them. Our findings provide fundamental but significant genetic insights pursuant to devising conservation strategies for O. interrupta.

Ranunculus sceleratus (family: Ranunculaceae) is a medicinally and economically important plant; however, gaps in taxonomic and species identification limit its practical applicability. This study aimed to sequence the chloroplast genome of R. sceleratus from Republic of Korea. Chloroplast sequences were compared and analyzed among Ranunculus species. The chloroplast genome was assembled from Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencing raw data. The genome was 156,329 bp and had a typical quadripartite structure comprising a small single-copy region, a large single-copy region, and two inverted repeats. Fifty-three simple sequence repeats were identified in the four quadrant structural regions. The region between the ndhC and trnV-UAC genes could be useful as a genetic marker to distinguish between R. sceleratus populations from Republic of Korea and China. The Ranunculus species formed a single lineage. To differentiate between Ranunculus species, we identified 16 hotspot regions and confirmed their potential using specific barcodes based on phylogenetic tree and BLAST-based analyses. The ndhE, ndhF, rpl23, atpF, rps4, and rpoA genes had a high posterior probability of codon sites in positive selection, while the amino acid site varied between Ranunculus species and other genera. Comparison of the Ranunculus genomes provides useful information regarding species identification and evolution that could guide future phylogenetic analyses.

Here, we report the complete mitogenome of Myotis frater with the GenBank accession number MH177276 as a first step to elucidate genetic characteristics of this species. Its mitogenome was 17,089bp long and consisted of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. The gene order and composition of M. frater was similar to that of most other vertebrates. The base composition of the 13 PCG in descending order was A (33.8%), C (22.7%), T (30.4%), and G (13.1%), with an AT content of 64.2%. Four overlapping regions in ATP8/ATP6, ATP6/COX3, ND4L/ND4, and ND5/ND6, among the 13 PCGs were found. The 935bp long control region is located between tRNA-Pro and tRNA-Phe with 4 ATTACATAATACATTATATGTATAATCGTACATTAAATTAACTCCCACATGAATATTAAGCATGTCCATACTAATATTAAT-repeat at 5 region and 45 ACGCAT-repeat at 3 terminus. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that M. frater is most closely related to M. bechsteinii (KX757757), it was supported by 100% bootstrap under both ML and NJ tree.

Salix species, including willow trees, are distributed in the temperate regions of Asian countries, including South Korea. Willow trees are used to treat pain and inflammatory diseases. Due to the medicinal properties of willow trees, pharmacological studies of other Salix spp. have gained attention; however, only a few studies have investigated the phytochemicals of these species. As part of our ongoing natural product research to identify bioactive phytochemicals and elucidate their chemical structures from natural resources, we investigated the marker compounds from indigenous Korean Salix species, namely, Salix triandra, S. chaenomeloides, S. gracilistyla, S. koriyanagi, S. koreensis, S. pseudolasiogyne, S. caprea, and S. rorida. The ethanolic extract of each Salix sp. was investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with thin-layer chromatography and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry-based analysis, and marker compounds of each Salix sp. were isolated. The chemical structures of the marker compounds (1–8), 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propyl β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 2-O-acetylsalicin (2), 1-O-p-coumaroyl glucoside (3), picein (4), isograndidentatin B (5), 2′-O-acetylsalicortin (6), dihydromyricetin (7), and salicin (8) were elucidated via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-resolution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a G6545B Q-TOF MS system with a dual electrospray ionization source. The identified marker compounds 1–8 were examined for their antimicrobial effects against plant pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Dihydromyricetin (7) exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, inducing 32.4% inhibition at a final concentration of 125 μg/mL with an MIC₅₀ value of 250 μg/mL. Overall, this study isolated the marker compounds of S. triandra, S. chaenomeloides, S. gracilistyla, S. koriyanagi, S. koreensis, S. pseudolasiogyne, S. caprea, and S. rorida and identified the anti-Staphylococcus aureus bacterial compound dihydromyricetin.