Effects of lotus plumule supplementation before and following systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide on the splenocyte responses of BALB/c mice

Dietary supplementation with anthocyanin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal damage through antioxidant effects in yellow-feathered broiler chicks

This study investigated the protective effects of anthocyanin (AC) supplementation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged yellow-feathered broiler chicks. A total of 480 1-d female broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups: basal diet (CON), basal diet + LPS-challenge (LPS), supplementation with 100 or 400 mg/kg AC + LPS-challenge (AC100, AC400). On d 17 and d 19, birds in LPS, AC100 and AC400 received an intramuscular dose of LPS, while birds in CON received saline. The result showed that (1) LPS injection significantly decreased (P < 0.05) body weight on d 21 and average daily gain of broiler chicks from 1 to 21 days of age, and supplementation with 100 mg/kg AC increased (P < 0.05) those of LPS-challenged broilers. (2) There were no differences among the treatments (P > 0.05) in relative weights of immune organs. (3) Supplementation with AC (AC100 and AC400) increased (P < 0.05) the jejunal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio (AC100) of LPS-challenged birds. Challenge with LPS decreased the relative expression of OCLN (Occludin), ZO-1, JAM2, and MUC2 in jejunal mucosa of broilers, and supplementation with AC offset the relative expression of ZO-1, JAM2 (AC100 and AC400), and OCLN (AC400) in LPS-injected broilers. (4) LPS-induced increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and decreases in activity of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and expression of SOD1, CAT and GPX in jejunal mucosa, were attenuated by dietary AC supplementation. In conclusion, in yellow-feathered broiler chicks, dietary supplementation with AC alleviated LPS-induced declined growth performance and mucosal damage of the intestine through antioxidant effects.

Evaluation of Glycyrrhizic Acid Therapeutic Effect and Safety in Mycoplasma gallisepticum (HS Strain)-Infected Arbor Acres Broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety of GA in MG-infected broilers. Our results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of GA was 31.25 μg/mL. Moreover, GA inhibited the expression of MG adhesion protein (pMGA1.2) in the broilers' lungs. GA treatment clearly decreased the morbidity of CRD and mortality in the MG-infected broilers. Compared with the model group, GA treatment significantly decreased gross air sac lesion scores and increased average weight gain and feed conversion rate in the MG-infected broilers. Histopathological examination showed GA treatment attenuated MG-induced trachea, immune organ and liver damage in the broilers. Moreover, GA treatment alone did not induce abnormal morphological changes in these organs in the healthy broilers. Compared with the model group, serum biochemical results showed GA treatment significantly decreased the content of total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, and increased the content of albumin/globulin, alkaline phosphatase, apolipoprotein B and apolipoprotein A-I. In conclusion, GA displayed a significant therapeutic efficacy regarding MG infection and had no adverse effects on the broilers (100 mg/kg/d).

Protective Effect of Nelumbo nucifera Plant on Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats

Objectives Ulcerative colitis is a global disease with increasing incidence and worldwide prevalence. So this study was undertaken to observe antiulcerative colitis activity of ethanolic extract of seeds of Nelumbo nucifera plant on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

Materials and Methods The effect of ethanolic extract of N. nucifera seed (EENNS) was studied on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in albino Wistar rats for 11 days. Disease pathogenesis was assessed by evaluation of disease activity index (DAI) including the following parameters: change in body weight, stool constituency, rectal bleeding in animals. Estimation of myeloperoxide (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), and antioxidant parameters like malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase level was performed in colon homogenate of animals. TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor- α) level was measured in colon homogenate using rat TNF-α ELISA kit.

Statistical Analysis Significant differences (mean ± standard error of the mean) were detected using one-way analysis of variance followed by post-test using Graphpad prism 7.0 for multiple comparisons.

Results EENNS (400 mg/kg) significantly improved the disease progression, body weight, and colon length of the animals as compared with the disease control group. Animal treated with EENNS (400 mg/kg) showed significantly improved colon mucosal damage index (1.66 ± 0.21) and DAI (11.66 ± 4.01) as compared with the disease control group. A higher level of SOD and catalase and a lower level of MDA were observed in animals treated with EENNS (400 mg/kg) as compared with the disease control group. Animals treated with EENNS (400 mg/kg) significantly decreased in NO and MPO levels as compared with the disease control group. A lower level of TNF-α (561.94 ± 14.84) was observed in EENNS (400 mg/kg)-treated animals as compared with the disease control group (736.92 ± 15.3). These observations were comparable to those of the standard control group. Histopathological data showed that EENNS (400 mg/kg) has shown reversal of tissue inflammation as compared with the disease group and evidence of less cell infiltration of lymphocytes and monocytes with normal structures of goblet cell and crypts as compared with the disease group.

Conclusions EENNS (400 mg/kg) is endowed with severity of the ulcerative colitis produced by DSS. EENNS showed a protective effect against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis which may be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Impact of an anti-Salmonella. Typhimurium Bacteriophage on intestinal microbiota and immunity status of laying hens

Typhoid is a distinct gastrointestinal disease that largely affects the public by consumption of inadequately or partially cooked eggs from contaminated laying hen farms. This has led the research on laying hens to focus on controlling the contamination by an effective anti-Salmonella spp. agent in the intestine. The treatments included, control, without challenge; PC, Salmonella typhimurium challenged (STC); BP5, 5 ppm bacteriophage/kg + STC; BP10, 10 ppm bacteriophage/kg + STC, on Salmonella shedding, body organs inflammatory reactions, and expression of toll-like receptor (TLR), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and heat shock protein (HSP) in the jejunum, liver,and thigh muscle in the STC laying hens. The RT-PCR method was used to enumerate the number of Salmonella typhimurium in the organs. The birds in the STC groups exhibited the increased population of Salmonella spp. in the excreta (p < .01). In the STC groups, the BP5 and BP10 laying hens exhibited a lower (p < .01) population of Salmonella spp. in the excreta at d 7 after STC. Supplementation of bacteriophage significantly decreased (p < .01) the colonization of S. Typhimurium in the spleen, oviduct, caecum and excreta. Among the STC treatments, the BP10 laying hens showed lower (p < .01) mRNA expression of interferon-γ (IFNγ) and TLR-4 in the jejunum compared with the PC treatment. After the STC, dietary supplementation with BP5 or BP10 decreased (p < .01) the mRNA expressions of IFNγ, HSP-27 and tumour necrosis factor-α in the liver compared with the PC treatment. These results suggest that bacteriophage can be used as an effective agent to decrease S. Typhimurium contamination in laying hens and possibly lower S. Typhimurium transfer to foods.

Spray-dried plasma attenuates inflammation and lethargic behaviors of pregnant mice caused by lipopolysaccharide

This study evaluated whether dietary spray-dried plasma (SDP) can ameliorate inflammation, lethargic behaviors, and impairment of reproduction caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge during late pregnancy. Two experiments were conducted with 125 mated female mice (C57BL/6 strain) in each experiment. All mice were shipped from a vendor on the gestation day (GD) 1 and arrived at the laboratory on GD 3. Mice were randomly assigned to dietary treatments with or without 8% SDP in the diet. On GD 17, mice determined pregnant by BW and abdomen shape were randomly assigned to intraperitoneal injections with or without 2 μg LPS. In experiment 1, 17 mice (26.7 ± 1.7 g BW) were identified pregnant and euthanized 6 h after the LPS challenge to measure inflammatory responses in uterus and placenta. In experiment 2, 44 mice (26.0 ± 1.6 g BW) were identified pregnant and euthanized 24 h after the LPS challenge to assess behavior and late-term pregnancy loss. Growth performance and reproductive responses, such as loss of pregnancy, percentage of fetal death, and etc., were measured in all pregnant mice. The LPS challenge increased (P < 0.05) uterine and placental tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, late-term pregnancy loss, and lethargy score, and decreased (P < 0.05) uterine transforming growth factor-β1, moving time and number of rearing, and growth and feed intake. The SDP decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in one or both tissues, and the lethargy score, and increased (P < 0.05) moving time and number of rearing, growth of pregnant mice, and fetal weight. However, the SDP did not affect late-term pregnancy loss caused by the LPS challenge. Consequently, dietary SDP attenuated acute inflammation and lethargic behaviors of pregnant mice caused by the LPS challenge, but did not affect late-term pregnancy loss after the acute inflammation.

Lotus Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids: Health Promotion and Safe Consumption Dosages

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., also known as the sacred lotus, is extensively cultivated in Southeast Asia, primarily for food and as an herbal medicine. This article reviews studies published between 1995 and 2017, on flavonoid and phenolic acid profiles and contents of 154 different cultivars of lotus. So far, some 12 phenolic acids and 89 to 90 flavonoids (47 flavonols, 25 to 26 flavons, 8 flavan-3-ols, 4 flavanons, and 5 anthocyanins) have been isolated from different parts of the lotus plant, including its leaves (whole leaf, leaf pulp, leaf vein, and leaf stalk), seeds (seedpod, epicarp, coat, kernel, and embryo), and flowers (stamen, petal, pistil, and stalk), although not all of them have been quantified. Factors affecting flavonoids and phenolic acid profiles, including types of tissues and extracting factors, are discussed in this review, in order to maximize the application of the lotus and its polyphenols in the food industry. Health promotion activities, attributed to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic acids, are described along with toxicology studies, illustrating appropriate usage and safe consumption dosages of lotus extracts. This review also presents the controversies and discusses the research gaps that limit our ability to obtain a thorough understanding of the bioactivities of lotus extracts.

Farnesol, a sesquiterpene alcohol in essential oils, ameliorates serum allergic antibody titres and lipid profiles in ovalbumin-challenged mice

BACKGROUND

Farnesol, a natural sesquiterpene alcohol in essential oils, was found to have potential for alleviating massive inflammation, oxidative stress and lung injury. However, effects of farnesol supplementation on allergic asthma remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To clarify the puzzle, this work investigates the effects of farnesol on allergic asthma using an ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitised and challenged mouse model.

METHODS

Farnesol was administered to OVA-sensitised and challenged mice for 5 weeks. Three farnesol doses, namely 5, 25 and 100mg farnesol/kg BW/day, non-sensitised control, dietary control, and positive control (dexamethasone 3mg/kg BW by gavage) were included. Sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from the experimental mice were collected to measure farnesol concentrations, serum lipid profiles, antibody titres, differential cell counts or Th1/Th2 cytokines levels.

RESULTS

The results showed that farnesol supplementation increased serum farnesol concentration dose-dependently, significantly increased (P<0.05) OVA-specific IgG2a/IgE antibody titre ratios, but decreased total IgE levels. Farnesol supplementation markedly reversed the aberrated LDL-c/HDL-c and HDL-c/TC ratios in the sera of asthmatic mice, suggesting that farnesol supplementation might ameliorate serum lipid profiles in the OVA-sensitised and challenged mice.

CONCLUSION

Our results evidenced that farnesol supplementation might improve serum allergic antibody titres and lipid profiles in asthmatic mice.

Relaxant action of plumula nelumbinis extract on mouse airway smooth muscle

The traditional herb Plumula Nelumbinis is widely used in the world because it has many biological activities, such as anti-inflammation, antioxidant, antihypertension, and butyrylcholinesterase inhibition. However, the action of Plumula Nelumbinis on airway smooth muscle (ASM) relaxation has not been investigated. A chloroform extract of Plumula Nelumbinis (CEPN) was prepared, which completely inhibited precontraction induced by high K⁺ in a concentration-dependent manner in mouse tracheal rings, but it had no effect on resting tension. CEPN also blocked voltage-dependent L-type Ca²⁺ channel- (VDCC-) mediated currents. In addition, ACh-induced precontraction was also completely blocked by CEPN and partially inhibited by nifedipine or pyrazole 3. Besides, CEPN partially reduced ACh-activated nonselective cation channel (NSCC) currents. Taken together, our data demonstrate that CEPN blocked VDCC and NSCC to inhibit Ca²⁺ influx, resulting in relaxation of precontracted ASM. This finding indicates that CEPN would be a candidate of new potent bronchodilators.

Quercetin, but not its metabolite quercetin-3-glucuronide, exerts prophylactic immunostimulatory activity and therapeutic antiinflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-treated mouse peritoneal macrophages ex vivo

This study investigated the prophylactic or therapeutic effects of quercetin (Q) and its metabolite quercetin-3-glucuronide (Q3G) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in mouse peritoneal macrophages ex vivo. Changes in pro- and antiinflammatory cytokine secretion profiles were determined. The results showed that Q or Q3G in vitro treatments lower than 50 μM did not exhibit cytotoxicity on macrophages. At noncytotoxic doses, Q and Q3G, particularly Q, administration in a prophylactic ex vivo model increased pro-/antiinflammatory cytokine secretion ratios by macrophages in the absence or presence of LPS. Quercetin, but not Q3G, administration in a therapeutic ex vivo model decreased pro-/antiinflammatory cytokine secretion ratios in the absence or presence of LPS. Our results indicated that Q and Q3G administrations in a prophylactic manner might act as an immunostimulatory agent, but Q presented better ability than Q3G. Quercetin might have a therapeutic, but not prophylactic, effect on spontaneous or LPS-induced inflammation in vivo.

Identification and comparison of anti-inflammatory ingredients from different organs of Lotus nelumbo by UPLC/Q-TOF and PCA coupled with a NF-κB reporter gene assay

Lotus nelumbo (LN) (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an aquatic crop that is widely distributed throughout Asia and India, and various parts of this plant are edible and medicinal. It is noteworthy that different organs of this plant are used in traditional herbal medicine or folk recipes to cure different diseases and to relieve their corresponding symptoms. The compounds that are contained in each organ, which are named based on their chemical compositions, have led to their respective usages. In this work, a strategy was used to identify the difference ingredients and screen for Nuclear-factor-kappaB (NF-κB) inhibitors with anti-inflammatory ability in LN. Seventeen main difference ingredients were compared and identified from 64 samples of 4 different organs by ultra-performance liquid chromatography that was coupled with quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) with principal component analysis (PCA). A luciferase reporter assay system combined with the UPLC/Q-TOF-MS information was applied to screen biologically active substances. Ten NF-κB inhibitors from Lotus plumule (LP) extracts, most of which were isoquinoline alkaloids or flavone C-glycosides, were screened. Heat map results showed that eight of these compounds were abundant in the LP. In conclusion, the LP extracts were considered to have the best anti-inflammatory ability of the four LN organs, and the chemical material basis (CMB) of this biological activity was successfully validated by multivariate statistical analysis and biological research methods.

Purified active lotus plumule (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) polysaccharides exert anti-inflammatory activity through decreasing toll-like receptor-2 and -4 expressions using mouse primary splenocytes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Lotus plumule is widely used as traditional Chinese medicine. Among the active components in lotus plumule, polysaccharides exhibit promising potential for its potent anti-inflammatory effects. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanism of purified polysaccharides from lotus plumule remains unknown. To evaluate their anti-inflammatory potential and possible mechanisms of purified polysaccharides in lotus plumule, two active lotus plumule polysaccharides, fractions F1 and F2, were subjected to assay their anti-inflammatory potential and possible mechanisms using murine primary splenocytes in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two purified active lotus plumule polysaccharides, F1 and F2, were cultured independently with murine primary splenocytes in the absence or presence of LPS under four different experiment models in vitro. Changes in pro-inflammatory IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines secreted by the treated splenocytes were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The amount of toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and TLR-4 mRNA expression levels in the cells were quantitated using a two-step real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

RESULTS

The results showed that F1 and F2 treatments alone, particularly F2, significantly (P<0.05) decreased pro-/anti-inflammatory (IL-1β/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10) cytokine secretion ratios dose-dependently. F1 and F2 treatments in the presence of LPS significantly decreased TLR-2 and/or TLR-4 mRNA expression levels in the splenocytes under inflammatory and repair experiment models.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study proved that F1 and F2 had strong anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting TLR-2 and/or TLR-4 expressions in the splenocytes in normal, inflammatory and repair situations. Our results further suggest that F2, which is a glycoprotein with low molecular weight of 25.7 kDa, may serve as a promising lead for the development of selective TLR antagonistic agents for inflammatory diseases.

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) plumule polysaccharide protects the spleen and liver from spontaneous inflammation in non-obese diabetic mice by modulating pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression

A novel lotus plumule polysaccharide (LPPS) was administered to non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice for 15weeks to evaluate the protective effects of LPPS on type 1 diabetes. After the 15-week feeding experiment, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 expressions in the spleen, liver and kidney of the experimental mice were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. The results showed that LPPS significantly (p<0.05) decreased the absolute weights of the enlarged spleens in the NOD mice in a dose-dependent manner, inhibited pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IL-6 cytokine production and decreased the secretion ratio of IL-6/IL-10 in splenocyte cultures. LPPS markedly decreased the relative expression of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine genes (TNF-α/IL-10 and IL-6/IL-10) in the livers of NOD mice. Our results suggest that LPPS protected the spleen and liver from spontaneous inflammation in NOD mice by modulating pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine gene expression.

Five bitter compounds display different anti-inflammatory effects through modulating cytokine secretion using mouse primary splenocytes in vitro

Bitter foods are generally recognized as anti-inflammatory agents in traditional Chinese medicine. To verify the anti-inflammatory effects of some bitter compounds in foods or plants, five bitter compounds, aloperine, amygdalin, berberine, crotaline, and naringenin, were selected and added to primary mouse splenocytes in the absence or presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) under four different in vitro experimental models. Anti-inflammatory cytokine secretions such as interleukin (IL)-10 and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that all selected bitter compounds except amygdalin exhibited apparent cytotoxic effects. On the basis of changes in the secretion profiles between anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines, the five selected bitter compounds demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities via modulating either IL-6/IL-10 or TNF-α/IL-10 ratios at noncytotoxic doses. Berberine and naringenin treatments showed the strongest potential for anti-inflammation among the five selected bitter compounds. Berberine especially displayed strong anti-inflammatory activity in both preventive and repair manners.

In vivo morphine treatment synergistically increases LPS-induced caspase activity in immune organs

Caspases are a family of proteins important for the elimination of infected cells through the induction of apoptosis as well as the initiation of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β and IL-18. Morphine exposure to animals and/or cells has been associated with the induction of apoptosis. The most common practices of apoptosis detection have involved removing tissues from animal or humans and the analysis of apoptosis on cells or tissues. These methods can potentially induce spontaneous apoptosis that is unrelated to the actual treatment. The objective of this study was to develop an in vivo detection method for assessing caspase activity induced both by morphine directly and by morphine combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-immune activation. Mice were administered saline, morphine, LPS, or a combination of morphine and LPS. Prior to sacrifice, mice were injected with a polycaspase-specific apoptosis detection probe to detect internal caspase activity in vivo. Results revealed that morphine alone did not directly induce caspase activity. However, morphine significantly enhanced the LPS-induced caspase activity in spleen, thymus, and bone marrow-derived immune cells. The use of a poly-caspase detection probe methodology to label caspase activity in vivo provides a powerful quantitative tool for the in vivo analysis of caspase activity.

Lotus (Nelumbo nuficera) flower essential oil increased melanogenesis in normal human melanocytes

In this study, the essential oil from lotus flower extract, including petals and stamens, was assessed with regard to its effects on melanogenesis in human melanocytes. The lotus flower essential oil was shown to stimulate melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner. The lotus flower essential oil induced the expression of tyrosinase, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor M (MITF-M), and tyrosinase-related proten-2 (TRP-2) proteins, but not tyrosinase mRNA. Moreover, it increased the phosphorylation of ERK and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). In order to verify the effective components of the lotus flower oil, its lipid composition was assessed. It was found to be comprised of palmitic acid methyl ester (22.66%), linoleic acid methyl ester (11.16%), palmitoleic acid methyl ester (7.55%) and linolenic acid methyl ester (5.16%). Among these components, palmitic acid methyl ester clearly induced melanogenesis as the result of increased tyrosinase expression, thereby indicating that it may play a role in the regulation of melanin content. Thus, our results indicate that lotus flower oil may prove useful in the development of gray hair prevention agents or tanning reagents.

Partial characterization of three Korean white lotus cultivars

The nutritional and bioactive values of Korean white lotus cultivars (Muan, Chungyang, and Garam) extracted with methanol, water, and acetone solvents were evaluated by the contents of their bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity determined by ABTS, CUPRAC, FRAP, DPPH, and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. HPLC, fluorometry, and FTIR spectroscopy were employed for evaluation of polyphenols and fatty acids. All lotus cultivar extracts possessed high amounts of total phenolics, ascorbic acid, proteins, and fatty acids and exhibited high levels of antioxidant activity, which were higher in water than in organic solvents. The significant highest content of the above-mentioned indices and biological activity were recorded in the Chungyang cultivar. Therefore, all studied Korean white lotus cultivars and in particular Chungyang could be recommended as effective nutritional and bioactive products, however, after investigation on humans.

Extracellular expression of a functional recombinant Ganoderma lucidium immunomodulatory protein by Bacillus subtilis and Lactococcus lactis

Bacillus subtilis and Lactococcus lactis are ideal hosts for the production of extracellular heterologous proteins of major commercial importance. A recombinant gene for the novel Ganoderma lucidium immunomodulatory protein LZ-8, recombinant LZ-8, was designed encoding the same amino acid sequence but using the preferred codons for both strains and was synthesized by overlapping extension PCR. Using the signal peptide (SP) from subtilisin YaB (SP(YaB)), recombinant LZ-8 was expressed extracellularly in Bacillus subtilis and Lactococcus lactis. In the absence of SP(YaB), recombinant LZ-8 was expressed extracellularly in B. subtilis, but not in L. lactis. The three expressed recombinant LZ-8s showed different capacities for modulating the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and of tumor necrosis factor alpha by a macrophage cell line.