Schizandrin attenuates inflammation induced by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli in chicken type II pneumocytes

Dietary ethylenediamine dihydroiodide mitigated Escherichia coli O78-induced immune and intestinal damage of ducks via suppression of NF-κB signal

This study investigated the effect of Ethylenediamine dihydroiodide (EDDI) on growth performance, immune function and intestinal health of meat ducks challenged with Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). A total of 360 one-day-old Cherry Valley ducks with similar body weight were randomly allocated to 6 treatments (6 floor cages, 10 birds/cage). A 3 × 2 factor design was used with 3 dietary iodine levels (0, 8, 16 mg/kg in the form EDDI and whether APEC was challenged or not at 7-day-old ducks. The feeding period lasted for 20 d. The results showed that the addition of EDDI reduced APEC-induced decrease of the 20-d weight loss of meat ducks (P < 0.05), and alleviated the inflammatory response of liver tissue induced by APEC challenge in meat ducks. In terms of immune function, EDDI supplementation reduced the immune organ index and increased the immune cell count of meat ducks, reduced the level of endotoxins in the serum of meat ducks (P < 0.05), as well as inhibited the expression levels of liver and spleen inflammatory factors and TLR signaling pathway related genes induced by APEC (P < 0.05). In terms of intestinal health, EDDI inhibited APEC-induced decreases in ZO-3 genes expression and increases in IL-1β and TNF-α expression, increased relative abundance of beneficial bacteria in the cecum and content of metabolites. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between liver inflammatory factors and TLR4 signaling pathway genes, and there might be a significant correlation between intestinal microbial flora and other physiological indexes of meat ducks, which indicated that EDDI could reduce the damage to immune function and intestinal health caused by APEC challenge through regulating the structure of intestinal flora. Collectively, our findings suggest that the EDDI can promote growth performance, improve immune function and the intestinal barrier in APEC-challenged meat ducks, which may be related to the suppression of NF-κB signal.

A comprehensive review on Schisandrin and its pharmacological features

Schisandrin stands as one of the primary active compounds within the widely used traditional medicinal plant Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. This compound exhibits sedative, hypnotic, anti-aging, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, showcasing its effectiveness across various liver diseases while maintaining a favorable safety profile. However, the bioavailability of schisandrin is largely affected by hepatic and intestinal first-pass metabolism, which limits the clinical efficacy of schisandrin. In this paper, we review the various pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of schisandrin, in order to provide reference for subsequent drug research and promote its medicinal value.

Targeting NF-κB pathway by dietary lignans in inflammation: expanding roles of gut microbiota and metabolites

Inflammation is a major factor affecting human health. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) plays a vital role in the development of inflammation, and the promoters of most inflammatory cytokine genes have NF-κB-binding sites. Targeting NF-κB could be an exciting route for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases. As important constituents of natural plants, lignans are proved to have numerous biological functions. There are growing pieces of evidence demonstrate that lignans have the potential anti-inflammatory activities. In this work, the type, structure and source of lignans and the influence on mitigating the inflammation are systematically summarized. This review focuses on the targeting NF-κB signaling pathway in the inflammatory response by different lignans and their molecular mechanisms. Lignans also regulate gut microflora and change gut microbial metabolites, which exert novel pathway to prevent NF-κB activation. Taken together, lignans target NF-κB with various mechanisms to inhibit inflammatory cytokine expressions in the inflammatory response. It will provide a scientific theoretical basis for further research on the anti-inflammatory effects of lignans and the development of functional foods.

The bird's immune response to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) cause colibacillosis in birds, a syndrome of severe respiratory and systemic disease that constitutes a major threat due to early mortality, condemnation of carcasses and reduced productivity. APEC can infect different types of birds in all commercial settings, and birds of all ages, although disease tends to be more severe in younger birds likely a consequence of an immature immune system. APEC can act as both primary and secondary pathogens, with predisposing factors for secondary infections including poor housing conditions, respiratory viral and Mycoplasma spp. infections or vaccinations. Controlled studies with APEC as primary pathogens have been used to study the bird's immune response to APEC, although it may not always be representative of natural infections which may be more complex due to the presence of secondary agents, stress and environmental factors. Under controlled experimental conditions, a strong early innate immune response is induced which includes host defence peptides in mucus and a cellular response driven by heterophils and macrophages. Both antibody and T-cell mediated adaptive responses have been demonstrated after vaccination. In this review we will discuss the bird's immune response to APEC as primary pathogen with a bias towards the innate immune response, as mechanistic adaptive studies clearly form a much more limited body of work despite numerous vaccine trials.

Schisandrol A Suppresses Catabolic Factor Expression by Blocking NF-κB Signaling in Osteoarthritis

Schisandrol A possesses pharmacological properties and is used to treat various diseases; however, its effects on osteoarthritis (OA) progression remain unclear. Here, we investigated Schisandrol A as a potential therapeutic agent for OA. In vitro, Schisandrol A effects were confirmed based on the levels of expression of catabolic factors (MMPs, ADAMTS5, and Cox2) induced by IL-1β or Schisandrol A treatment in chondrocytes. In vivo, experimental OA in mice was induced using a destabilized medial meniscus (DMM) surgical model or oral gavage of Schisandrol A in a dose-dependent manner, and demonstrated using histological analysis. In vitro and in vivo analyses demonstrated that Schisandrol A inhibition attenuated osteoarthritic cartilage destruction via the regulation of Mmp3, Mmp13, Adamts5, and Cox2 expression. In the NF-κB signaling pathway, Schisandrol A suppressed the degradation of IκB and the phosphorylation of p65 induced by IL-1β. Overall, and Schisandrol A reduced the expression of catabolic factors by blocking NF-κB signaling and prevented cartilage destruction. Therefore, Schisandrol A attenuated OA progression, and can be used to develop novel OA drug therapies.

Redox Homeostasis in Poultry: Regulatory Roles of NF-κB

Redox biology is a very quickly developing area of modern biological sciences, and roles of redox homeostasis in health and disease have recently received tremendous attention. There are a range of redox pairs in the cells/tissues responsible for redox homeostasis maintenance/regulation. In general, all redox elements are interconnected and regulated by various means, including antioxidant and vitagene networks. The redox status is responsible for maintenance of cell signaling and cell stress adaptation. Physiological roles of redox homeostasis maintenance in avian species, including poultry, have received limited attention and are poorly characterized. However, for the last 5 years, this topic attracted much attention, and a range of publications covered some related aspects. In fact, transcription factor Nrf2 was shown to be a master regulator of antioxidant defenses via activation of various vitagenes and other protective molecules to maintain redox homeostasis in cells/tissues. It was shown that Nrf2 is closely related to another transcription factor, namely, NF-κB, responsible for control of inflammation; however, its roles in poultry have not yet been characterized. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe a current view on NF-κB functioning in poultry with a specific emphasis to its nutritional modulation under various stress conditions. In particular, on the one hand, it has been shown that, in many stress conditions in poultry, NF-κB activation can lead to increased synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines leading to systemic inflammation. On the other hand, there are a range of nutrients/supplements that can downregulate NF-κB and decrease the negative consequences of stress-related disturbances in redox homeostasis. In general, vitagene-NF-κB interactions in relation to redox balance homeostasis, immunity, and gut health in poultry production await further research.

Pharmacodynamic effects and molecular mechanisms of lignans from Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.), a current review

Fruit of Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.) (S. chinensis) is a traditional herbal medicine widely used in China, Korea, and many other east Asian countries. At present, S. chinensis commonly forms Chinese medicinal formulae with other herbal medicines to treat liver disease and neurological disease in clinical. Modern researches indicated that lignans were the main active ingredients of S. chinensis with high content and novel dibenzocyclooctadiene skeletal structure, exhibited considerable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Additionally, some of these lignans also showed certain potentials in anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, and other effects. In the current review, we summarize literature reported lignans from S. chinensis in the past five years, and highlight the molecular mechanisms of lignans in exerting their biological functions. Also, we point out some deficiencies of existing researches and discuss the future direction of lignans study.