Immunostimulating effects of sugar cane extract on X-ray radiation induced immunosuppression in the chicken

Effects of sugar cane extract on steroidogenesis in testicular interstitial cells of male Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Sugar cane extract (SCE) is the end product of glucose, fructose, and sucrose elimination in molasses. SCE has various biological effects, such as anti-inflammation and antioxidation, and it is commonly found in animal feed. The present research is aimed at investigating the reproductive endocrine influence of SCE in male Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) by feeding SCE containing food. In addition, in vitro Leydig cell culture was conducted to clarify the mechanism of SCE's influence. Our results showed that SCE feed extended the latency to the first neck grab, decreased male quail testis and epididymis weights, cloaca gland size, and reduced serum testosterone concentrations. Steroidogenic enzymes 3βHSD, 17βHSD, P450c17, and P450scc gene expression in the testis were decreased in the SCE groups. Western blot analysis showed decreased 3βHSD in the testis after feeding SCE. Isolated testicular interstitial cells cultured with SCE and ovine-LH suppressed testosterone secretion and 3βHSD gene expression. In conclusion, SCE as a feed additive has an impact on the sexual behavior and reproductive function of male Japanese quail, with the suppression of steroidogenesis in the Leydig cell. Our results may provide beneficial information to the livestock management and the poultry industry.

Reduced Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Nitric Oxide Production in Peritoneal Macrophages and Inhibited LPS-Induced Lethal Shock in Mice by a Sugar Cane (Saccharum officinarumL.) Extract

A sugar cane extract (SCE) has been found to have an immunostimulating effect in several animals. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to induce endotoxin shock via the production of inflammatory modulators such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and nitric oxide (NO). We examined in the present study the effects of SCE on the TNF-alpha and NO production in LPS-stimulated mice peritoneal cells and the endotoxin shock in mice. The supplementation of SCE to peritoneal macrophages cultured with LPS resulted in a significant decrease in NO production. All the mice injected intraperitoneally with LPS and D-galactosamine (LPS+GalN) died within 24 h. However, a peritoneal injection, but no intravenous or oral administration, of SCE (500-1,000 mg/kg) at 3 to 48 h before the LPS+GalN-challenge resulted in a significantly improved survival rate. These results suggest that SCE had a protective effect on LPS-induced endotoxin shock via one of possible mechanisms involving the suppression of NO production in the mouse peritoneal cavity.

Studies on Emblica officinalis derived tannins for their immunostimulatory and protective activities against coccidiosis in industrial broiler chickens

The present study reports the effect of Emblica officinalis (EO) derived tannins on humoral immune responses and their protective efficacy against Eimeria infection in chickens. Tannins were extracted from EO and characterized by HPLC. EO derived tannins (EOT) and commercial tannins (CT) were orally administered in broiler chicks in graded doses for three consecutive days, that is, 5th-7th days of age. On day 14 after administration of tannins, humoral immune response was detected against sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) by haemagglutination assay. Protective efficacy of tannins was measured against coccidial infection, induced by Eimeria species. Results revealed higher geomean titers against SRBCs in chickens administered with EOT as compared to those administered with CT and control group. Mean oocysts per gram of droppings were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in EOT administered chickens as compared to control group. Lesion scoring also showed the lowest caecal and intestinal lesion score of mild to moderate intensity in chickens administered with EOT. Further, significantly higher (P < 0.05) daily body weight gains and antibody titers were detected in EOT administered chickens as compared to those of CT administered and control groups. EOT showed the immunostimulatory properties in broilers and their administration in chickens boost the protective immunity against coccidiosis.

Immunostimulation of sugar cane extract on neutrophils to Salmonella typhimurium infection in mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of sugar cane extract (SCE) on the biological activities of neutrophils in mice. Six-week-old BALB/c mice were fed 1250 mg/kg of SCE once. The generation, migration and biological functions of neutrophils and the survival rates of the mice in response to Salmonella typhimurium infection were evaluated. The results show that the numbers of both bone marrow cells and neutrophils were significantly increased in response to SCE administration (p < 0.05) compared with controls. The migration, phagocytosis and H₂O₂ generation of neutrophils were all significantly enhanced in SCE-treated mice (p < 0.05). After challenge with S. typhimurium (lethal dose, 50% (LD₅₀), SCE-treated mice had a 19.2% higher survival rate and milder hepatic lesions than the controls. Additionally, fewer invasive bacteria were recovered from the spleens of SCE-treated mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that SCE has a positive regulatory effect on the biological function of mouse neutrophils that may increase host resistance against bacterial infections.

Immunomodulatory activity of Toxicodendron pubescens in experimental models

BACKGROUND

Toxicodendron pubescens is a botanical name of Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus tox). This plant is widely used in its homeopathically diluted form in the treatment of inflammatory and edematous conditions. In this study, various dilutions of Rhus tox including its crude form have been evaluated for their effects on immune response in the in vivo and in vitro experimental models.

METHODS

Rhus tox in the form of mother tincture, 6cH, 30cH, 200cH and 1000cH dilutions was tested through in vivo models including sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) induced cellular and humoral immune response in C57/BL6 mice. The effects of Rhus tox dilutions were also evaluated in vitro on the functions of human polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells such as phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Candida albicans, chemotaxis, and reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) dye.

RESULTS

Rhus tox was found to intensify SRBCs induced antibody titer and delayed type hypersensitivity response in mice. Even higher dilutions such as 200cH and 1000cH were found to affect the immune response; however, the crude form, mother tincture, 6cH and 30cH dilutions revealed more potent effects than the 200cH and 1000cH dilutions. In in vitro assays, all the dilutions exerted stimulation of phagocytosis, candidacidal activity and chemotaxis of human PMN cells. The NBT dye reduction assay revealed that oxidative processes in the PMN cells are accelerated in the presence of Rhus tox. This study shows that Rhus tox possesses immunostimulatory activity in its crude form as well as in homeopathically diluted forms. These effects appeared to be concentration dependent as higher dilutions had less potent effects.

Cross-cultural adaptation in urban ethnobotany: the Colombian folk pharmacopoeia in London

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate traditional health care practices and changes in medicinal plant use among the growing Colombian community in London.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethnobotanical fieldwork consisted of qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 23 Colombians living in London and botanical identification of 46 plant species actively used as herbal remedies. Subsequently, research data were compared with literature on ethnobotany and traditional herbal medicine in the home country, using a framework on cross-cultural adaptation, adjusted for the purpose of this study.

RESULTS

Similarities and discrepancies between data and literature are interpreted as potential indicators of continuity and loss (or deculturation) of traditional remedies, respectively. Remedies used in London that are not corroborated by the literature suggest possible newly acquired uses.

CONCLUSIONS

Cross-cultural adaptation related to health care practices is a multifaceted process. Persistence, loss and incorporation of remedies into the Colombian folk pharmacopoeia after migration are influenced by practical adaptation strategies as well as by symbolic-cultural motives of ethnic identity.

Histological alterations of the intestinal villi and epithelial cells in chickens fed dietary sugar cane extract

1. Sugar cane extract (SCE) is the residue after removing glucose, fructose and sucrose from sugar cane juice. To investigate the effects of dietary SCE on growth performance and alterations to intestinal histology, 36 male Sanuki Cochin chickens were divided into three groups: a control group was fed a commercial diet (180 g/kg CP, 13.59 MJ/kg ME) and the treatment groups were fed the commercial diet supplemented with 0.5 or 10 g/kg SCE ad libitum for 35 d. 2. Feed intake and weight gain tended to be higher in the 0.5 and 10 g/kg SCE groups than in the control group. No specific gross morphological alterations were observed in the visceral organs of chickens in any of the groups. However, intestinal villus height, villus area, epithelial cell area and cell mitosis in each intestinal segment had higher values in the SCE groups than in the control group. In the 0.5 and 10 g/kg SCE groups, but not in the control group, the cells on the villus apical surface protuberated and had larger cell clusters and some areas with cells with no microvilli. 3. The observed alterations to intestinal histology in chickens fed dietary SCE diets demonstrate that the function of villi and cells on the villus tip might be activated in all the intestinal segments and that cell turnover is also accelerated. These activated intestinal functions appear to promote growth and immuno-stimulation in chickens fed SCE diets, especially in the 0.5 g/kg group.

Immunostimulating effects of the polyphenol-rich fraction of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) extract in chickens

The phagocytic activity of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) in chickens orally administered sugar cane extracts (SCE) or polyphenol-rich fraction (PRF) of SCE (500 mg/kg/day) for 3 consecutive days increased significantly, when compared with that of saline-administered control chickens. Chickens orally administered SCE or PRF (500 mg/kg/day) for 3 consecutive days showed significantly higher antibody responses against sheep red blood cells and Brucella abortus than control chickens. In addition, oral administration of SCE or PRF also resulted in a significant increase in the number of IgM- and IgG-plaque forming cell responses of PBL, intestinal leukocytes and splenocytes, when compared with those of control chickens. Furthermore, delayed type hypersensitivity responses to human gamma globulin significantly increased in chickens orally administered SCE or PRF, compared with those of control chickens when evaluated on the basis of net increased wattle thickness at 24, 48 and 72 h after challenge. These results suggest that PRF of SCE has an immunostimulating effect in chickens.

Effects of sugar cane extract on pseudorabies virus challenge of pigs

This experiment aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sugar cane extract (SCE) on the modulation of porcine immunity against pseudorabies virus (PrV) infection. Twelve-week-old experimental pigs were fed with SCE (500 mg/kg of body weight per day) for 3 days and challenged with PrV (2 x 10(5) TCID(50)) on the second day. Pigs that were only challenged with PrV and without SCE-treatment served as controls. The leukocyte functional assays were performed on the 7th and 14th day post-PrV challenge. Our results showed a significant enhancement (P<0.05) of natural killer cytotoxicity, lymphocyte proliferation, phagocytic function of monocytes, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production of CD4(+) and gammadelta T cells in the SCE-treated pigs compared with the controls. In addition, SCE administration reduced the severity of clinical signs and brain lesion in the course of disease in PrV-challenged pigs. SCE-treated pigs showed a 12% growth enhancement compared with untreated controls. SCE administration had an immunostimulating effect on porcine immunity that may subsequently enhance protective activities against PrV infection which may be extensively applied in field for the prevention of infections.

Histological Intestinal Recovery in Chickens Refed Dietary Sugar Cane Extract

Sugar cane extract (SCE), the residue after removing glucose, fructose, and sucrose from sugar cane juice, has growth-promoting, antistress, and immunostimulation effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of refeeding dietary SCE on recovery of BW and intestinal histology after withdrawing feed from chickens. Forty-eight male Sanuki Cochin chickens were assigned randomly to 6 treatments and 8 replicates in a completely randomized design. The 6 treatments were intact control chickens fed ad libitum a basal commercial grower mash diet; 3 d of feed withdrawal; feed withdrawal followed by 1 d of ad libitum access to the same commercial mash diet (AFC); and free access to the commercial mash diet with 0.05, 1, or 3% SCE for 1 d. All SCE groups gained more weight in 1 d of refeeding than the AFC group (P < 0.05). Compared with the AFC group, the SCE groups increased cell mitosis (P < 0.05). On the villus apical surface, flat epithelial cells of the feed withdrawal group developed more protuberated cells than those of the intact control group in all refeeding groups. Compared with the AFC group, the SCE groups showed more protuberated cells. In addition, in the 0.05% SCE group, cell clusters aggregated by many cells were observed on the villus apical surface. The present histological intestinal alterations in chickens refed a SCE-containing diet demonstrate that the villi and epithelial cells might be hypertrophied because of some component in the SCE, resulting in quicker BW recovery in SCE-fed birds compared with those in the AFC group.

Protective effects of sugar cane extract on endotoxic shock in mice

Sugar cane extract (SCE) has been shown to have an immunostimulating effect in chickens. This study evaluated the effect of SCE on Salmonella Abortusequi lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lethal shock in d-galactosamine (GalN)-sensitized mice. Mice were administered intraperitoneally SCE (500 mg/kg) or phosphate buffered saline before or after injection of LPS and GalN. All the mice injected with LPS and GalN (control group) died of histopathologically congestive and hemorrhagic hepatic insufficiency within 24 h, showing significantly increased activities of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 380 IU/mL) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 130 IU/mL). Pretreatment of mice with SCE at 3 h before challenge with LPS and GalN (SCE treated group) resulted in significantly improved survival rates (92.3%) and a decrease in liver injury. These surviving mice in the SCE treated group showed no changes in the mean levels of plasma AST (60 IU/mL) and ALT (18 IU/mL). However, the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the SCE treated group was not significantly different when compared with that in the control group challenged with LPS and GalN. These results suggest that SCE has protective effects on LPS-induced mortality in this mouse model.

Radioprotective effect of sugar cane extract in chickens

To evaluate the radioprotective effect of sugar cane extract (SCE), SCE was orally administered into the crop of 3-week-old chickens for 3 consecutive days before or after x-ray radiation at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day. The survival rate of SCE administered chickens before x-ray radiation at a dose of 920 rad increased to 68.8% when compared with that of the irradiated control (50%). Histopathological examination revealed the intestine of SCE administered chickens to have mild to moderate pathological changes, when compared with that of the irradiated control animals.

Preventive and therapeutic effects of sugar cane extract on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in chickens

Effects of oral administration of sugar cane extract (SCE) on immunosuppression in chickens treated with cyclophosphamide (CPA) were evaluated. Three-week-old inbred chickens were inoculated into the crop with SCE (500 mg/kg/day) for three consecutive days before or after injection of CPA 12 or 20 mg/chicken. At the last day of SCE or CPA treatment, all chickens were immunized intravenously with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and Brucella abortus (BA). Chickens administered SCE showed a significant increase in body weight, gain in body weight/day, relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius and antibody responses to SRBC and BA than untreated control chickens. Chickens injected with CPA alone showed significantly decreased body weight, gain in body weight/day, relative weight of the bursa and antibody responses to SRBC and BA, showing immunosuppression in the bursa-dependent immune system. All chickens administered SCE before or after the treatment with CPA showed significantly higher values in body weight, gain in body weight/day, relative bursal weight and antibody responses to both antigens, when compared to chickens treated with CPA alone. In histological examination, chickens administered SCE showed a typical bursa with well constituted follicles, although chickens treated with CPA alone showed a severely atrophied bursa with rudimentary follicles and enormous proliferation of interfollicular connective tissue. Chickens treated with SCE and CPA showed a well-reconstituted bursa with almost normal structure. These results suggest that SCE has functionally and morphologically reconstituting effects on the bursa-dependent immune system in immunosuppressed chickens induced by injection of CPA.