Publications by authors named "Seon-Mi Seo"

We investigated the larvicidal potential of 10 plant essential oils (EOs) against the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. Among the EOs, larvicidal activity against Ae. albopictus was strongest in those derived from massoia (Massoia aromatica) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Sulfonated cellulose nanocrystals (S-CNCs) can be used to encapsulate thyme white essential oil (EO) that is volatile and immiscible with water. S-CNCs form a Pickering emulsion (PE) with EOs and the micron-scale PEs are embedded in sodium alginate (SA) to form macroscale hydrogel beads. The incorporation of PEs with SA is confirmed with FTIR, XRD, SEM and confocal microscopic characterizations and the release behavior is monitored to understand the time-dependent biological activity of the EOs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The dotted white geometrid moth, Naxa seriaria Motschulsky (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), is a pest of Oleaceae in Korea, Japan, and China. In this study, we identified (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-heneicosapentaene (C-21 pentaene) as the only compound in extracts of the pheromone glands of female N. seriaria causing a response from receptors on the antennae of males in analyses by gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

To find new and safe type of control agents against phytopathogenic fungi, the fumigant antifungal activity of 10 plant essential oils and constituents identified in cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) essential oils was investigated against two phytopathogenic fungi, Raffaelea quercus-mongolicae and Rhizoctonia solani. Among plant essential oils, cinnamon bark and lemongrass essential oils showed 100% inhibition of R. quercus-mongolicae and R.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The fumigant antibacterial activities of 50 plant essential oils belonging to 10 families were investigated against Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Among the test plant essential oils, Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon bark) essential oil showed the most potent fumigant antibacterial activity. When we investigated the antibacterial activities of compounds identified from cinnamon bark essential oil and 9 congeners of trans-cinnamaldehyde, lengths of inhibition zone of trans-cinnamaldehyde, salicylaldehyde and hydrocinnamaldehyde were 1.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We investigated the repellent effect of 12 Apiaceae plant essential oils on nymphal and adult (male and female) forms of the bean bug, Riptortus clavatus (Thunberg) (Hemiptera: Alydidae), using a four-arm olfactometer. Among the essential oils tested, ajowan ( Sprague) essential oil showed the strongest repellent activity against the nymphal and adult bean bugs. For female adults, the repellent activity was significantly different between an ajowan oil-treated chamber and an untreated chamber down to a concentration of 14.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are produced by sulfonic acid hydrolysis and used for the formation of Pickering emulsion (PE) with thyme white essential oil (EO). Highly volatile and hydrophobic thyme white is encapsulated in PE by the amphiphilicity of CNCs. Encapsulation of EO in a CNC shell is determined by confocal microscopy with distinct fluorescent labelling.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In this study, the fumigant antifungal activity of 10 Lamiaceae plant essential oils was evaluated against two phytopathogenic fungi, and Among the tested essential oils, thyme white () and summer savory () essential oils exhibited the strongest fumigant antifungal activity against the phytopathogenic fungi. We analyzed the chemical composition of two active essential oils and tested the fumigant antifungal activities of the identified compounds. Among the tested compounds, thymol and carvacrol had potent fumigant antifungal activity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Matsuone is a well-known sex pheromone of the genus Matsucoccus (Hemiptera: Margarodidae), including species Matsucoccus matsumurae (Kuwana), Matsucoccus resinosae Bean & Goldwin, and Matsucoccus thunbergianae Miller & Park. In this study, we investigated the effects of matsuone dose and trap height on the capture of M. thunbergianae and developed an alternative synthesis of racemic matsuone.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The insecticidal activities of 13 Lamiaceae plant oils and their components against adult German cockroaches, Blattella germanica L. (Blattodea: Blattellidae), were evaluated using fumigant and contact bioassay. Among the tested oils, basil, pennyroyal, and spearmint showed the strongest insecticidal activities against adult B.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Among 98 3-acyltetramic acid analogues, compounds , , and , showed >90% nematicidal activity against the pine wood nematode at a 10 μg/mL concentration. The nematicidal activities of compounds , , and were a little lower at 88.0%, 85.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Widespread concern for the occurrence of resistant strains, along with the avoidance of the use of highly toxic insecticides and their wide environmental dispersal, highlights the need for the development of new and safer pest control agents. Natural products provide inspiration for new chemical entities with biological activities, and their analogues are good lead compounds for the development of new pest control agents. For this purpose, we evaluated the larvicidal and nematicidal activities of 48 3-acylbarbituric acid analogues against the Asian tiger mosquito, and the pine wood nematode, , organisms of increasing global concern.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study evaluated the larvicidal activity of 12 Apiaceae plant essential oils and their components against the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, and the inhibition of acetylcholine esterase with their components. Of the 12 plant essential oils tested, ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi), caraway seed (Carum carvi), carrot seed (Daucus carota), celery (Apium graveolens), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), dill (Anethum graveolens), and parsley (Petroselinum sativum) resulted in >90% larval mortality when used at 0.1 mg/mL.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In this study, we evaluated the nematicidal activity of natural ester compounds against the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, to identify candidates for the development of novel, safe nematicides. We also tested the nematicidal activity of synthesized analogues of these ester compounds to determine the structure-activity relationship. Among 28 ester compounds tested, isobutyl 2-methylbutanoate, 3-methylbutyl 2-methylbutanoate, 3-methylbutyl tiglate, 3-methyl-2-butenyl 2-methylbutanoate, and pentyl 2-methylbutanoate showed strong nematicidal activity against the pine wood nematode at a 1 mg/mL concentration.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study investigated the fumigant toxicity of 4 Asteraceae plant essential oils and their constituents against the Japanese termite Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe. Fumigant toxicity varied with plant essential oils or constituents, exposure time, and concentration. Among the tested essential oils, those from Chamaemelum nobile exhibited the strongest fumigant toxicity, followed by those from Santolina chamaecyparissus, Ormenis multicaulis, and Eriocephalus punctulatus at 2 days after treatment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Doxorubicin is one of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs, but its clinical application is compromised by severe adverse effects in different organs including cardiotoxicity. In the present study we explored mechanisms of doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity by revealing a novel role for the AMP-activated protein kinase α2 (AMPKα2) in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Doxorubicin robustly induced the expression of AMPKα2 in MEFs but slightly reduced AMPKα1 expression.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Colon cancer is associated with a poor prognosis, motivating strategies to prevent its development. An encouraging preventative strategy is the use of nutraceuticals; however, scientific verification of therapeutic functions and mechanisms of biological activity are necessary for the acceptance of dietary supplements in cancer treatment. Berberine is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from many kinds of medicinal plants that has been extensively used as a Chinese traditional medicine.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study evaluated the larvicidal activity of 20 plant essential oils and components from ajowan ( Trachyspermum ammi ) and Peru balsam ( Myroxylon pereira ) oils against the mosquito, Aedes aegypti . Of the 20 plant essential oils, ajowan and Peru balsam oils at 0.1 mg/mL exhibited 100 and 97.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Medicinal plant extracts from 27 plant species in 20 families were tested for their larvicidal activity against housefly, Musca domestica (L.). Responses varied with plant material and concentration.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nematicidal activity of aliphatic compounds was tested to determine a structure-activity relationship. There was a significant difference in nematicidal activity among functional groups. In a test with alkanols and 2E-alkenols, compounds with C(8)-C(11) chain length showed 100% nematicidal activity against pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus , at 0.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Plant essential oils from 26 plant species were tested for their insecticidal activities against the Japanese termite, Reticulitermes speratus Kolbe, using a fumigation bioassay. Responses varied with source, exposure time, and concentration. Among the essential oils tested, strong insecticidal activity was observed with the essential oils of ajowan ( Trachyspermum ammi ), allspice ( Pimenta dioica ), caraway ( Carum carvi ), dill ( Anethum graveolens ), geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ), and litsea ( Litsea cubeba ).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

(+)-Eudesmin [4,8-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane] was isolated from the stem bark of Magnolia kobus DC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF