Sasa quelpaertensis is a species of bamboo belonging to the family Poaceae. Native to Jeju Island in South Korea, this dwarf bamboo is renowned for its cold resistance and ability to thrive in challenging climatic conditions. The plant is used for soil stabilization, ornamental purposes, and, in some cases, for its medicinal properties.
Botanical Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Order: Poales
- Family: Poaceae
- Genus: Sasa
- Species: Sasa quelpaertensis
Plant Characteristics
- Height: Typically grows to a height of 50–100 cm, making it a dwarf bamboo.
- Leaves: Green, lance-shaped leaves, approximately 10–15 cm long, with serrated edges. The leaves remain green year-round, giving the plant an evergreen appearance.
- Rhizomes: Spreads through underground rhizomes, forming dense mats of vegetation.
- Natural Habitat: Prefers cool temperate climates and well-drained soils but can tolerate poor, windy environments.
Chemical Composition
Sasa quelpaertensis contains several bioactive compounds, including:
- p-coumaric acid, Myricetin and Tricin perform cancer stem cell contrast action (1)
- Polyphenols: Antioxidants with potential health benefits.
- Flavonoids: Known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Silica: Present in the leaves, providing structural strength.
- Fibers: The leaves and stems are rich in fibers, suitable for industrial applications.
Habitat and Ecology
- Environment: Found primarily in mountainous and hilly areas, often in mixed woodlands and marginal soils.
- Adaptability: Cold-hardy and capable of growing in extreme climatic conditions, including strong winds and poor soils.
- Ecological Role:
- Helps prevent soil erosion through its rhizomatous growth.
- Provides habitat for small animals and insects.
How to Cultivate Sasa quelpaertensis
Sasa quelpaertensis is a low-maintenance plant, ideal for gardens and conservation projects:
- Climate: Prefers cool temperate climates but tolerates both cold and moderate heat.
- Soil: Thrives in well-drained, moderately fertile soils but can adapt to sandy or clayey substrates.
- Light: Grows well in full sun or partial shade.
- Watering: Requires regular watering during the early growth stages. Once established, it becomes drought-tolerant.
- Growth Control: To prevent invasive spreading, use barriers to contain the rhizomes.
Uses and Benefits
- Soil Stabilization: Its rhizomes are used to prevent soil erosion, especially in hilly or coastal areas.
- Ornamental: Commonly planted in gardens and parks for its evergreen appearance and ability to form dense borders.
- Traditional Medicine: In some Asian cultures, the leaves of Sasa quelpaertensis are used in teas and decoctions, often for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Industrial Applications: The plant’s fibers can be utilized for paper production and other materials.
Applications
Environmental and Safety Considerations
Environmental Benefits:
- Promotes biodiversity by providing shelter for wildlife and insects.
- Contributes to soil stabilization in fragile ecosystems.
Safety:
- Generally non-invasive in controlled conditions, but rhizomes may spread quickly without barriers.
- No known risks to humans or animals.
References__________________________________________________________________________
(1) Min SJ, Lim JY, Kim HR, Kim SJ, Kim Y. Sasa quelpaertensis Leaf Extract Inhibits Colon Cancer by Regulating Cancer Cell Stemness in Vitro and in Vivo. Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Apr 30;16(5):9976-97. doi: 10.3390/ijms16059976.
Abstract. A rare subpopulation of cancer cells, termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), may be responsible for tumor relapse and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. The development of a non-toxic, natural treatment for the elimination of CSCs is considered a strategy for cancer treatment with minimal side effects. In the present study, the potential for Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract (SQE) and its two bioactive compounds, tricin and p-coumaric acid, to exert anti-CSC effects by suppressing cancer stemness characteristics were evaluated in colon cancer cells. CD133+CD44+ cells were isolated from HT29 and HCT116 cell lines using flow-activated cell sorting (FACs). SQE treatment was found to significantly suppress the self-renewal capacity of both cell lines. SQE treatment was also associated with the down-regulation of β-catenin and phosphorylated GSK3β, while significantly enhancing cell differentiation by up-regulating CK20 expression and blocking the expression of several stem cell markers, including DLK1, Notch1, and Sox-2. In vivo, SQE supplementation suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft model by down-regulating stem cell markers and β-catenin as well as HIF-1α signaling. Compared with two bioactive compounds of SQE, SQE exhibited the most effective anti-CSC properties. Taken together, these results provide evidence that SQE inhibits colon cancer by regulating the characteristics of CSCs.
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Kim KM, Kim YS, Lim JY, Min SJ, Ko HC, Kim SJ, Kim Y. Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract by suppressing lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory mediators in intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells co-cultured with RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Nutr Res Pract. 2015 Feb;9(1):3-10. doi: 10.4162/nrp.2015.9.1.3.
Abstract. Background/objectives: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Previously, Sasa quelpaertensis leaves have been shown to mediate anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects, although it remains unclear whether Sasa leaves are able to attenuate inflammation-related intestinal diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract (SQE) using an in vitro co-culture model of the intestinal epithelial environment.......Conclusions: SQE exhibited intestinal anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting various inflammatory mediators mediated through nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-kB) activation. Thus, SQE has the potential to ameliorate inflammation-related diseases, including IBD, by limiting excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators.
An SM, Lee SI, Choi SW, Moon SW, Boo YC. p-Coumaric acid, a constituent of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai, inhibits cellular melanogenesis stimulated by alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. Br J Dermatol. 2008 Aug;159(2):292-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08653.x.
Abstract. Background: Recent study has demonstrated that Sasa quelpaertensis (Korean name, Jeju-Joritdae) extracts inhibit cellular melanogenesis implicating potential use in the control of skin pigmentation. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the active constituents of this plant inhibiting melanogenesis and the associated mechanism.....Conclusions: The present study identified p-coumaric acid as a main constituent of S. quelpaertensis inhibiting cellular melanogenesis. Because of its structural similarity, p-coumaric acid may interfere with l-tyrosine action in the control of tyrosinase expression in response to alpha-MSH.
Pyeon DB, Lee SE, Yoon JW, Park HJ, Oh SH, Lee DG, Kim EY, Park SP. Comparison of the improving embryo development effects of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai extract, p-coumaric acid, and myricetin on porcine oocytes according to their antioxidant capacities. Theriogenology. 2022 Jun;185:97-108. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.03.009.
Sasa Quelpaertensis 
