Aster scaber

Aster scaber
Aster scaber
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Aster
Species: A. scaber
Binomial name
Aster scaber
Thunb.

Aster scaber is a perennial herb of the Compositae family from Eurasia. It is frequently found in wild mountain regions of Korea, eastern Russia, China and Japan.

Aster scaber is a perennial plant that thrives in the dry mountain ranges of Korea. It is known for its distinctive odor and taste, and is frequently used in cuisine. Known among locals for its medicinal use, studies show it contains many beneficial compounds. It is also commonly referred to as 'Chamchwi' or 'Chwinamul' by the Korean locals.[1]

Distribution

Aster scaber is native to Eurasia, which includes eastern Russia, China, Japan, and Korea. It is actively cultivated in temperate regions of Korea for varying uses.[2]

Habitat and Ecology

Aster scaber is found in woods and thickets. Low hills and mountains frequently harbor its growth. Forest clearings and warm temperate areas suit it well. Moist soil and full sun conditions are ideal for A. scaber Thunb. It can be cultivated in lightly sandy, loamy, or clay soils. Adequately drained soil is needed. It cannot grow in the shade.[3]

Description

Aster scaber grows up to 1.2 meters (4 ft). Its stems stand tall. Its hermaphrodite flowers bloom between August to October. Its seeds ripen between September to November. Insect pollinators such as bees and flies aid pollen exchange. It is capable of self-fertilization. The palmate venation leaves are green and Cordate-shaped. Its edges are serrated; jagged and resemble saw blades. Trichome can be found all over its surface.[3]

Usage

Food

Its young stems are frequently used in Korean cuisine: usually stir-fried or blanched and lightly salted.

Medicinal

Traditional Eastern medicine used Aster scaber for its various medicinal effects. Ground A. scaber can be used to treat external wounds and snakebites by applying directly to the skin. Studies have shown that A. scaber aqueous extract can be used to improve immune response via increased macrophage activation in mice over the course of 4 weeks. A. scaber most notably upped pro-inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and expression of iNOS and COX-2.[4] It displays anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. When treated with reactive oxygen species, its protective effect can be maximized by blanching with hypochlorite ion. Preparation time directly affects its anti-oxidant ability.[5] Caffeoyl quinic acid from its extract has shown to display inhibitory activity against HIV-1 integrase.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Yung, Tae; Chung, Takayuki; Eiserich, Jason P.; Shibamoto (1993). "Volatile compounds isolated from edible Korean chamchwi (Aster scaber Thunb)". J. Agric. Food Chem. 41 (10): 1693–1697. doi:10.1021/jf00034a033.
  2. ↑ Aster scaber information from NPGS/GRIN, USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Accessed May 5, 2014, http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?5657
  3. 1 2 Aster scaber - Thunb, PFAF Plant Database, Accessed May 5, 2014, http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aster+scaber
  4. ↑ Kim, Jin; Park, Chang-Shin; Lim, Yunsook; Kim, Hyun-Sook (2009). "Paeonia japonica, Houttuynia cordata, and Aster scaber Water Extracts Induce Nitric Oxide and Cytokine Production by Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Macrophages". Journal of Medicinal Food. 12 (2): 365–373. doi:10.1089/jmf.2008.1013.
  5. ↑ Antioxidant Activity of Aster scaber Thunb. With Different Cooking Methods (LB409), Gun-Hee Kim1, Hye-Young Choi1 and Hee Sook Park, The FASEB Journal vol. 28 no. 1 Supplement LB409, April 2014, http://www.fasebj.org/content/28/1_Supplement/LB409.short
  6. ↑ Kwon, HC; Jung, CM; Shin, CG; Lee, JK; Choi, SU; Kim, SY; Lee, KR (2000). "A new caffeoyl quinic acid from aster scaber and its inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) integrase.". Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 48 (11): 1796–1798. doi:10.1248/cpb.48.1796. PMID 11086919.

External links

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