Immune-enhancing effect of fermented Maesil (Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc.) with probiotics against Bordetella bronchiseptica in mice

Vascular Relaxation and Blood Pressure Lowering Effects of Prunus mume in Rats

Prunus mume Siebold et Zuccarini is mainly consumed as processed fruits in beverages, vinegar, alcohol, or fruit syrup; studies have reported various functional effects. Many pharmacological and functional studies exist on fruit extracts or processed foods using fruits, however, efficacy studies on various parts of P. mume, including the bark, branches, flowers, and leaves, have not been sufficiently conducted. A previous study revealed that a 70% ethanol extract of P. mume branches induced vascular endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant effects in rat thoracic aortic rings. Therefore, we hypothesized that various parts (the fruits, flowers, leaves, and bark) might have vasorelaxant effects. We evaluated the effects of P. mume extracts on the vascular relaxation of isolated rat thoracic aorta and hypotensive effects in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). A 70% ethanol extract of P. mume bark (PBaE) was the most effective, thus, we investigated its vasorelaxant mechanisms and hypotensive effects. PBaE lowered the blood pressure in SHR and induced the vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation of isolated rat aortic rings via the NO/sGC/cGMP and the PGI₂ pathways in the vascular smooth muscle. Potassium channels, such as K_Ca, K_ATP, K_V, and K_ir, were partially associated with a PBaE-induced vasorelaxation. Therefore, PBaE might help prevent and treat hypertension.

CNN-based object detection and growth estimation of plum fruit (Prunus mume) using RGB and depth imaging techniques

Modern people who value healthy eating habits have shown increasing interest in plum (Prunus mume) fruits, primarily owing to their nutritiousness and proven efficacy. As consumption increases, it becomes important to monitor work to prevent Prunus mume fruits from falling out. Moreover, determining the growth status of Prunus mume is also crucial and is attracting increasing attention. In this study, convolutional neural network (CNN)-based deep learning object detection was developed using RGBD images collected from Prunus mume farms. These RGBD images consider various environments, including the depth information of objects in the outdoor field. A faster region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN), EfficientDet, Retinanet, and Single Shot Multibox Detector (SSD) were applied for detection, and the performance of all models was estimated by comparing their respective computing speeds and average precisions (APs). The test results show that the EfficientDet model is the most accurate, and SSD MobileNet is the fastest among the four models. In addition, the algorithm was developed to acquire the growth status of P. mume fruits by applying the coordinates and score values of bounding boxes to the depth map. Compared to the diameters of the artificial Prunus mume fruits used as the experimental group, the calculated diameters were very similar to those of the artificial objects. Collectively, the results demonstrate that the CNN-based deep learning Prunus mume detection and growth estimation method can be applied to real farmlands.

Comprehensive Review of Phytochemical Constituents, Pharmacological Properties, and Clinical Applications of Prunus mume

Prunus mume is one of the most ancient medicinal herbs and health foods commonly used in Asian countries. It is widely used as a constituent of many medicinal preparations and as a food ingredient for its beneficial health effects. In this review, we retrieved reports from PubMed, embase, Scopus, and SciFinder databases, to collect extensive scientific evidence on the phytochemical constituents, pharmacological properties, and clinical applications of Prunus mume. The literature review revealed that approximately 192 compounds have been isolated from different parts of the plant, and their molecular structures have been identified. The pharmacological properties of the plant, including anti-diabetic, liver-protective, antitumor, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as their underlying mechanisms, have been clarified by in vitro and in vivo studies. Clinical studies, although very limited, have been highlighted in this review to provide a reference for further exploration on therapeutic applications of the plant.

Anticancer properties of Prunus mume extracts (Chinese plum, Japanese apricot)

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Extracts of the fruit of Prunus mume (Rosaceae) have been used for a long time in Eastern Asia, in many culinary and medicinal preparations. The plant originates from the south of mainland China (named méi) and was introduced later in Japan (ume), Korea (maesil) and Vietnam (mai or mo). Extracts of the fruits (Chinese plum or Japanese apricot, 'Nanko' mume cultivar of Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) are used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, and various Korean medical preparations, for more than 2000 years. The medicinal use of the flesh of the fruits is cited in ancient Japanese monographies (such as Shokokukodenhiho published in 1817).

AIM OF THE STUDY

To analyze the anticancer activities of P. mume extracts and their potential use to prevent or treat cancers. The use of P. mume extracts to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, notably drug-induced gastro-intestinal toxicities, is also reviewed.

METHODS

Extensive database retrieval, such as SciFinder and PubMed, was performed by using keywords such as "Prunus mume", "Chinese plum", "Japanese apricot", and "cancer". In addition, relevant textbooks, patents, reviews, and digital documents (in English) were consulted to collate all available scientific literature and to provide a complete science-based survey of the topic.

RESULTS

P. mume extracts display hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antibacterial effects, as well as anticancer properties. A survey of the antitumor activities of MK615 and other P. mume extracts is provided here, with information about the natural products found in the extracts (such as ursolic acid and oleanic acid) and the mechanisms of action of these extracts. MK615 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptotic death of different types of cancer cells from both solid and hematological tumors.

CONCLUSION

The pool of in vitro data and signs of anticancer activities in mice models and in Human, although very limited, support the use of this extract to treat cancer, notably gastro-intestinal tumors. However, more robust evidence of anticancer activity in Human are awaited. Beyond cancer treatment, the use of P. mume extracts to prevent or to treat mucositis and other gastro-intestinal damages induced by anticancer drugs is underlined. The woody plant Prunus mume, a member of the Rosaceae family, has a long plantation history in China, and has widely been planted in Asia due to its high ornamental value (colorful corollas, pleasant fragrance, weeping trait) and the culinary, nutritional and medicinal potential of the fruits from the specie Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc (Mei). Over the past 20 years the therapeutic potential of the extract of Japanese apricot "Ume" has been regularly reported. Anti-bacterial, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties have been described. A complete analysis of the published scientific literature on Ume and cancer is presented here.

A Novel Compound, "FA-1" Isolated from Prunus mume, Protects Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Keratinocytes from Cigarette Smoke Extract-Induced Damage

Extract of the Japanese apricot (JAE) has biological properties as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. We hypothesized that JAE might exert therapeutic effects on cigarette smoke (CS)-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity. In this study, we found that concentrated JAE protects against cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage accompanied by increased levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)2, 3A1, and Werner's syndrome protein (WRN) in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC2) and normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK). Using the centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) method, we identified an undescribed compound, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde bis(5-formylfurfuryl) acetal (which we named FA-1), responsible for the protective effects against CSE. This chemical structure has not been reported from a natural source to date. Protective effects of isolated FA-1 against CSE were observed in both HBEC2 and NHEK cells. The studies described herein suggest that FA-1 isolated from JAE protects against CSE-induced DNA damage and apoptosis by augmenting multiple isozymes of ALDH and DNA repair and reducing oxidative stress.

Antiplatelet mechanism of an herbal mixture prepared from the extracts of Phyllostachys pubescens leaves and Prunus mume fruits

Background

Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) leaves and Japanese apricot (Mume fructus) fruit are traditionally recognized to be safe herbs broadly used for food and medicinal purposes in Southeast Asia. Our group previously explored their antiplatelet effects. This study was designed to confirm inhibition effects of PM21 (a 2:1 mixture of bamboo leaf extract and Japanese apricot fruit extract) on platelet aggregation and evaluate its potency to use as an herbal remedy to prevent and/or treat the diseases caused by platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.

Methods

Washed platelets were prepared and platelet aggregation was induced by adding 5 μg/mL collagen. Anti-platelet effects of PM21 (75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg for ex vivo and in vivo assays, and 50, 100, 200 μg/mL for in vitro assays) were evaluated. In ex vivo assays, PM21 was orally administered to rats daily after overnight fasting for 3 days and blood was collected 1 h after the final treatment. In vivo antithrombotic effect of PM21 was observed from a carrageenan induced mouse tail thrombosis model.

Results

In ex vivo assay, PM21 inhibited platelet aggregation significantly. PM21 showed a strong antithrombotic effect by reducing significantly the length of mouse tail thrombus. PM21 increased intracellular cAMP level and reduced the release of ATP, TXA₂, and serotonin. PM21 also reduced intracellular concentration of calcium ion, fibrinogen binding to integrin α_IIbβ₃, and phosphorylation of ERK2, p38, PLCγ2, and PI3 K.

Conclusions

PM21 showed remarkable inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Its inhibitory function seems to influence on GPVI binding to its ligand and subsequent initiation of a signaling cascade that involves activation of effector proteins and secretion of effector molecules, such as ATP, TXA₂, serotonin, and Ca²⁺. PM21 also appears to exert its anti-platelet effect by deactivation of ERKs activation pathway as well as inhibition of fibrinogen binding to integrin α_IIbβ₃.

Effects of Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc. in the pacemaking activity of interstitial cells of Cajal in murine small intestine

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) function as pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and therefore, serve an important role in regulating GI motility. The effects of a species of plum (Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc.) on cultured ICC cluster-induced pacemaker potentials in the mouse small intestine were investigated, and the effects of a methanolic extract of Prunus mume (m-PM) on ICC pacemaker activities were examined using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. ICC pacemaker membrane potentials were depolarized by m-PM in a concentration dependent manner in current clamp mode. 4-Diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methiodide, which is a muscarinic 3 (M₃) receptor antagonist, was able to block m-PM-induced pacemaker potential increases, whereas methoctramine, which is a muscarinic 2 (M₂) receptor antagonist, was not. When 1 mM guanosine diphosphate β-5 was present in the pipette solution, m-PM induced slight pacemaker depolarization. Following pretreatment in bath solution of Ca²⁺-free solution or a Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum, the pacemaker currents were inhibited. Furthermore, pretreatment with PD98059, SB203580 or SP600125, which is a c-jun NH2-terminal kinase inhibitor, blocked m-PM-induced ICC potential depolarization. Furthermore, m-PM inhibited transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) 7 channels, but did not affect Ca²⁺-activated Cl^- channels. These results suggest that m-PM is able to modulate pacemaker potentials through the muscarinic M₃ receptor, via G-protein and external and internal Ca²⁺, in a mitogen-activated protein kinase and TRPM7-dependent manner. Therefore, m-PM may provide a basis for the development of a novel gastroprokinetic agent.

Antiviral effect of dietary germanium biotite supplementation in pigs experimentally infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Germanium biotite (GB) is an aluminosilicate mineral containing 36 ppm germanium. The present study was conducted to better understand the effects of GB on immune responses in a mouse model, and to demonstrate the clearance effects of this mineral against Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in experimentally infected pigs as an initial step towards the development of a feed supplement that would promote immune activity and help prevent diseases. In the mouse model, dietary supplementation with GB enhanced concanavalin A (ConA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation and increased the percentage of CD3+CD8+ T lymphocytes. In pigs experimentally infected with PRRSV, viral titers in lungs and lymphoid tissues from the GB-fed group were significantly decreased compared to those of the control group 12 days post-infection. Corresponding histopathological analyses demonstrated that GB-fed pigs displayed less severe pathological changes associated with PRRSV infection compared to the control group, indicating that GB promotes PRRSV clearance. These antiviral effects in pigs may be related to the ability of GB to increase CD3+CD8+ T lymphocyte production observed in the mice. Hence, this mineral may be an effective feed supplement for increasing immune activity and preventing disease.

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic effect of Phyllostachys pubescens leaves and Mume Fructus combination

Background

Agents currently used for the treatment and prevention of thrombosis have a number of side effects. We conducted this study to develop antithrombotic agents from herbs that are used in food.

Methods

The 80% (v/v) ethanol extracts of Phyllostachys pubescens leaf (PL) and Mume Fructus (MF) and their combinations—2:1 (PM21), 1:1 (PM11), and 1:2 (PM12)—were evaluated on rat platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in vitro and on arteriovenous shunt thrombosis after 3 days of oral treatment in rats in vivo.

Results

At 100 μg/mL, PM21 and PM11 inhibited in vitro ADP-induced aggregation by 44.0 ± 4.3% and 30.0 ± 3.2%, respectively, whereas PL, MF, and PM12 weakly or scarcely inhibited ADP-induced aggregation by 3.9 ± 3.2%, 13.0 ± 2.7%, and 5.2 ± 1.3%, respectively. The IC₅₀ values of PM21 on ADP-, collagen-, and thrombin-induced platelet aggregations were 135.6 ± 7.4 μg/mL, 142.7 ± 5.8 μg/mL, and 186.5 ± 9.7 μg/mL, respectively. In an in vivo rat arteriovenous-shunt thrombosis model, thrombus weight was significantly decreased after the oral administration of 400 mg/kg PL (27.8 ± 3.0%, p < 0.01) or MF (35.2 ± 2.1%, p < 0.01), and with a good accord to the in vitro results, the combination of PL and MF in the ratio of 2:1, PM21 (60.9 ± 1.2%, p < 0.001), showed a superior antithrombotic effect to those of individual extracts. At dosages of 200 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 50 mg/kg, PM21 dose-dependently decreased thrombosis weight (ED₅₀, 314 mg/kg).

Conclusion

These results suggest that combination preparations of PL and MF, especially their 2:1 combination, can increase antiplatelet and antithromboticeffects more than PL and MF alone, offering evidence for a potential novel combination antithrombotic therapy.

Immunoprophylactic effects of shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) against Bordetella bronchiseptica in mice

Antimicrobials are used as feed additives to improve growth performance and to prevent subclinical disease challenge in industrial animals. However, these drugs can lead to the development of resistant strains of bacteria. Shiitake mushrooms (SM) (Lentinula edodes) have long been popular as a health food in East Asia. Moreover, SM-derived polysaccharides are well-known as immunostimulants that possess antimicrobial properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunoprophylactic effects of SM against Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in mice as an initial step towards the development of eco-friendly feed additives to reduce the use of antimicrobials. Although SM had no effect on body weight gain under the un-infected conditions, SM alleviated progressive weight loss and helped in the recovery of body weight in B. bronchiseptica infected mice. Dietary supplementation with SM reinforced bacterial clearance in the infected mice. Of note, SM markedly increased the percentage of various T lymphocytes and the relative mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ in the bronchial lymph node early in the infection. Taken together, these findings suggest that SM could help in the improvement of body weight gain during B. bronchiseptica infection and may enhance the protective immune activity against a subclinical disease challenge, such as B. bronchiseptica infection in mice, probably by a strong stimulation of non-specific immune responses. Hence, SM may provide an alternative to reduce use of antimicrobials. Confirmation of the beneficial effects of SM as a feed additive is now required in industrial animals.

The laxative effects of Maesil (Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc.) on constipation induced by a low-fibre diet in a rat model

Maesil (the fruit of Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc.) has long been used as an alternative medicine and functional food in Korea and Japan for preventive and therapeutic purposes. We examined the laxative effect of unripe Maesil (UM) and ripe Maesil (RM) in a rat model on constipation induced by a low-fibre diet and the possible mechanisms of Maesil in the rat colon. In vivo studies were conducted on the low-fibre diet-induced constipation rat model, and isolated rat colon was used in in vitro experiments to measure the changes in spontaneous colon contraction generated by Maesil and organic acids as standard and effectual ingredients, respectively. The aqueous extract of both UM and RM applied orally (100 and 300 mg/kg) produced significant increase of faeces frequency (p < 0.05) and moisture (p < 0.001). Moreover, the number faecal pellets number was reduced (p < 0.05) in the distal colons of the Maesil-treated rats. Gastrointestinal (GI) motility, measured by charcoal meal, was activated more fully by UM than in the low-fibre diet group. Both UM and RM and its organic acids produced a dose-dependent stimulation of the spontaneous contractile amplitude (p < 0.001) and frequency (p < 0.01) of the isolated rat colon. Although both UM and RM were an effective laxative, the RM was significantly more effective than the UM in the in vivo and in vitro constipation experiments because of the changes in the composition of organic acids during the ripening of the fruit. Our results demonstrated that Maesil was effective in promoting the frequency of defaecation and contraction of the rat colon, which provided scientific basis to support the use of Maesil as potential therapeutics in treating constipation.

Oxygenated drinking water enhances immune activity in broiler chicks and increases survivability against Salmonella Gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks

It has been suggested that drinking oxygenated water may improve oxygen availability, which may increase vitality and improving immune activity. The present study evaluated the immune enhancing effects of oxygenated drinking water in broiler chicks and demonstrated the protective efficacy of oxygenated drinking water against Salmonella Gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks. Continuous drinking of oxygenated water markedly increased serum lysozyme activity, peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation and the CD4(+)/CD8(+) splenocyte ratio in broiler chicks. In the chicks experimentally infected with S. Gallinarum, oxygenated drinking water alleviated symptoms and increased survival. These findings suggest that oxygenated drinking water enhances immune activity in broiler chicks, and increases survivability against S. Gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks.