Clinical safety of lauric acid for cattle and its in vitro and in vivo efficacy against Rhipicephalus microplus

Scabicidal Potential of Coconut Seed Extract in Rabbits via Downregulating Inflammatory/Immune Cross Talk: A Comprehensive Phytochemical/GC-MS and In Silico Proof

Scabies is an invasive skin condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites. The present study investigates the antiscabies potential of coconut seed extract (CSE) in rabbits. GC-MS analysis of the seed oil identified 17 known compounds, while CSE phytochemical investigation afforded 4 known ones. The topical application of seed extract improved all signs of infection, and the improvement started 3 days post application. However, in vitro application of the extract caused 99% mortality of mites 1 day post application. Histopathological examination revealed the absence of inflammatory infiltration and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis, compared with ivermectin-treated groups which revealed less improvement. The mRNA gene expression results revealed a suppression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, MMP-9, VEGF, and MCP-1, and an upregulation of I-CAM-1, KGF as well as TIMP-1. The docking analysis emphasized a strong binding of gondoic acid with IL-1β, IL-6, and VEGF with high binding scores of -5.817, -5.291, and -8.362 kcal/mol, respectively, and a high binding affinity of 3″(1‴-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-sucrose with GST with -7.24 kcal/mol. Accordingly, and for the first time, our results highlighted the scabicidal potential of coconut seed extract, which opens the gate for an efficient, cost-effective as well as herbal-based alternative for the control of scabies in rabbits.

First report on efficacy of Citrus limetta seed oil in controlling cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus in red Sahiwal calves

The objective of the study was to evaluate the acaricidal activity of Citrus limetta seed oil (CLO) for controlling the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. C. limetta seeds were collected as a waste product from different juice corners. CLO was obtained after extraction of seeds on soxhlet apparatus using n-hexane as solvent. It was characterized through Gas Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectroscopy (GC-HRMS) to determine the presence of active constituents. In vitro bioassays were performed using adult immersion test (AIT) and larval packet test (LPT). In vivo acaricidal efficacy of CLO was performed on red Sahiwal calves using ear bag method. Clinical safety of CLO was evaluated by observing haematological parameters and skin irritancy assay. Results of GC-HRMS showed that mainly fatty acids such as linoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid were present in the CLO. CLO in the concentration of 125 mg/mL (CLO8) exhibited 100 % mortality in both AIT and LPT. CLO significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the number of ticks from 35 to 5.05 and 3.24 on 144 h after treatment with CLO7 and CLO8, respectively. CLO was found clinically safe without producing erythema and edema on skin. Haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (11.48 g/100 mL), total leucocytes count (4.32 10⁶/cumm), total erythrocytes count (6.80 10⁶/cumm), and packed cell volume (34.39 %) were normal and controlled. CLO may be used as effective and safe drug therapy for controlling R. microplus ticks.

Screening out important substances for distinguishing Chinese indigenous pork and hybrid pork and identifying different pork muscles by analyzing the fatty acid and nucleotide contents

Fatty acids and nucleotides are major contributors of pork flavor, which are key quality traits influencing consumers' preference. In this study, we investigated the contents of nucleotides (inosinic acid, inosine, and hypoxanthine) and 26 fatty acids by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography in longissimus dorsi and semimembranous muscle of four breeds (Dongbei Min pig, Beijing Black pig, Wuzhishan pig, and DLY pigs). Combining with multivariate statistics, we found significant differences in the nucleotides and fatty acids compositions among the breeds and muscles. Furthermore, the content of total unsaturated fatty acids and DHA were higher in native pigs than crossbred pigs. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the composition of flavor precursor substances, as well as for the identification of different muscles.

Rhipicephalus microplus (acari: Ixodidae): Clinical safety and potential control by topical application of cottonseed oil (Gossypium sp.) on cattle

The present study was performed to determine the acaricidal activity of the cottonseed oil (CSO) against cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. CSO was analyzed using Gas Chromatograph with high-resolution Mass Spectrometer (GC-HRMS) to identify the presence of active compounds. In vitro bioassays were performed using larval packet test (LPT) and adult immersion test (AIT) by taking different concentrations of CSO (i.e. 0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 and 12.5%). In vivo acaricidal activity of CSO was evaluated by its topical application on red Sahiwal calves for 144 h. Clinical safety of CSO was evaluated by performing skin irritancy test and examination of hematological profile of calves'. GC-HRMS analysis of CSO revealed the presence of many fatty acids including oleic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and other components. Results exhibited that all the concentrations of CSO were effective in reducing the number of ticks and their growth. However, CSO at concentrations of 10% (CSO7) and 12.5% (CSO8) exhibited 100% mortality of R. microplus larvae and adults in LPT and AIT, respectively. In vivo acaricidal assay revealed that CSO7 and CSO8 shown 85% and 89% inhibition of ticks, respectively on calves after 144 h as compared to the control group. CSO was clinically safe on calves' skin with mild erythema up to 20 min. Hematological profile of calves revealed no sign of toxicity after treatment with CSO. Thus, CSO can be used as an alternative and safe drug therapy against R. microplus.