Effect of fermentation on Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) toxicity in mice

Antifatigue effects and antioxidant activity in polysaccharide fractions from Chinese yam bulbils

Polysaccharides are the principal component in Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) bulbils. The properties and antifatigue of polysaccharides from yam bulbils (PYB) were identified and compared. Their molecular weights (PYB-1 and PYB-2) were approximately 145 and 11 kDa, respectively, with active β-configurations. Meanwhile, the antifatigue activities of PYBs were tested in mice via exhaustive swimming tests (EST). The EST results indicated that PYB-1 and PYB-2 significantly prolonged swimming time in mice (p < .05). Associated with this increase was a rise in hepatic glycogen content and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)) activity, along with a decline in blood urea nitrogen, lactic acid, and malondialdehyde levels. The results showed that molecular weight might contribute to the antifatigue effects of PYBs. Additionally, antioxidant tests showed that PYB-1 had stronger free-radical scavenging activity than PYB-2. Taken together, the findings indicated that PYBs exhibited effective antifatigue and antioxidant activities providing additional evidence supporting the use of PYBs as functional food ingredients for relieving fatigue.

Biotransformation patterns of dictamnine in vitro/in vivo and its relative molecular mechanism of dictamnine-induced acute liver injury in mice

Dictamnine (DIC), a typical furan-quinoline alkaloid, has a wide range of pharmacological and toxicological effects, such as anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-cancer, and hepatoxicity. But the molecular mechanism of DIC-induced hepatoxicity in mice remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the biotransformation patterns of DIC in vitro/in vivo and the relative molecular mechanism of DIC-induced hepatoxicity in mice. All metabolites of DIC were identified by comparing the blank and drug-containing urine, feces, plasma, and liver samples. The structure of epoxide intermediate derived from DIC was confirmed by trapping assay. Oxidative stress injury and inflammation have been confirmed to be involved in the toxicological process of DIC-induced hepatoxicity in mice by detecting the relative biochemical indexes. The results will help to develop a deeper understanding about the biotransformation patterns of DIC, structure of the epoxide intermediate, and the molecular mechanism of DIC-induced hepatoxicity in mice.

ESI-Mass spectrometric and HPLC elucidation of a new ergot alkaloid from perennial ryegrass hay silage associated with bovine reproductive problems

This case report involves four dairies in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, which experienced reproductive problems associated with the presence of a large, previously unidentified, peak eluting at 5 min in a standard ergovaline high-performance liquid chromatography assay of perennial ryegrass silage fed to those animals. Mycotoxin analysis of the silage was negative, as was serological screening of the herds for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine diarrhea virus and Leptospirosis, including culturing of urine for Leptospira hardjo hardjobovis. Prolactin concentrations were low in most cattle, consistent with ingestion of ergot alkaloids. We believe that this peak represents a novel ergot alkaloid-related compound due to its extractability with Ergosil, its detectability due to fluorescence, and its chromatographic retention between ergovaline (mw = 533) and ergotamine (mw = 581). Its molecular weight was calculated as 570 owing to the predominance of a m/z 593.5 ion in the full scan ESI(+)MS and its deduced tendency to complex with Na(+) (as m/z 593) or K(+) (as m/z 609) ions. We offer rationales for elucidation of the structure of this compound, with the closest starting point comprising an m.w. of 566-a fructofuranosyl-(2-1)-O-beta-D-fructofuranoside derivative of 6,7-secoergoline from Claviceps fusiformis. This m.w. requires modifications, such as reduction of two double bonds in the secoergoline component to give the target 570 m.w. Despite the lack of a definitive structure, the analysis herein provides a starting point for eventual elucidation of this apparently new ergot alkaloid, and to guide and encourage further investigation as to its association with endophyte toxicosis in livestock.