Interaction of tetracycline and copper co-intake in inducing antibiotic resistance genes and potential pathogens in mouse gut.

The widespread use of copper and tetracycline as growth promoters in the breeding industry poses a potential threat to environmental health. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, the potential adverse effects of copper and tetracycline on the gut microbiota remain unknown. Herein, mice were fed different concentrations of copper and/or tetracycline for 6 weeks to simulate real life-like exposure in the breeding industry. Following the exposure, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), potential pathogens, and other pathogenic factors were analyzed in mouse feces. The co-exposure of copper with tetracycline significantly increased the abundance of ARGs and enriched more potential pathogens in the gut of the co-treated mice. Copper and/or tetracycline exposure increased the abundance of bacteria carrying either ARGs, metal resistance genes, or virulence factors, contributing to the widespread dissemination of potentially harmful genes posing a severe risk to public health. Our study provides insights into the effects of copper and tetracycline exposure on the gut resistome and potential pathogens, and our findings can help reduce the risks associated with antibiotic resistance under the One Health framework.

Plant identity shapes phyllosphere microbiome structure and abundance of genes involved in nutrient cycling.

The phyllosphere is a fluctuant micro-environment habitat that harbors diverse microbial communities that have the potential to influence plant growth through their effect on host fitness. However, we know little about the driving factors of phyllosphere microbial functional traits, e.g., genes related to nutrient cycling and microbial community structure under anthropic disturbance. Here, we characterized phyllosphere microbial communities and the abundance of genes related to nutrient cycling from diverse plant species between urban and natural habitats. We measured leaf functional traits to investigate the potential drivers of the phyllosphere microbial profile. Results indicated that phyllosphere microbial communities differed significantly between urban and natural habitats, and that this variation was dependent upon plant species. Host plant species had a greater influence on the abundance of genes involved in nutrient cycling in the phyllosphere than habitat. In addition, phyllosphere microbial diversity and functional gene abundance were significantly correlated. Furthermore, host leaf functional traits (e.g., specific leaf area and nutrient content) were potential driving factors of both phyllosphere microbial community structure and the abundance of genes involved in nutrient cycling. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the phyllosphere microbiome and its biotic and abiotic controlling factors, which improves our understanding of plant-microbe interactions and their ecosystem functions under anthropic disturbance.

The inhibitory effect of Zingiber corallinum Hance essential oil on drug-resistant bacteria and evaluation of its acute toxicity.

BACKGROUND: The excessive and irregular use of antibiotics could result in the generation and diffusion of drug-resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Zingiber corallinum Hance essential oil (ZCHO) on drug-resistant bacteria, especially on drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. MATERIAL/METHODS: Susceptibility testing was used to evaluate the effect of ZCHO on growth inhibition of drug-resistant bacteria by paper disk method. Mice orally administered with ZCHO were used to observe acute toxicity and to determine median lethal dose (LD50) of ZCHO. Broth dilution method was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ZCHO on drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. RESULTS: ZCHO exhibited an obvious inhibitory effect not only on gram-negative drug-resistant bacteria including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter baumannii, but also on gram-positive drug-resistant bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus haemolyticus. The ZCHO containing 79% terpinen-4-ol revealed better bacteriostatic effect than ZCHO with 34% terpinen-4-ol. The LD50 of ZCHO was 1790.427 mg/kg. The MIC and MBC of ZCHO on drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii were 1457.81 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS: ZCHO has obvious bacteriostasis and bactericidal effects, especially against drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Therefore, ZCHO is a promising natural bioactive component with antibacterial effect and satisfactory safety due to its low toxicity.

[Dynamic change of paeoniflorin content in root of Paeonia lactiflora growing at Duolun County, Inner Mongolia].

UNLABELLED: To explore the dynamic change of paeoniflorin content in root of Paeonia lactiflora. METHOD: The samples were collected and paeoniflorin content was determined by HPLC. RESULT: The results showed that the average content of paeoniflorin was the lowest at 3.05% in the roots collected in May, and during the fruit time it was rather high in August at 4.72%, and in September at 4.58%. The average content showed no significant differences during June to October. CONCLUSION: Wild plant of P. lactiflora might be collected for medical use during blooming stage until wilting stage.

Studies on the toxicity of Aristolochia manshuriensis (Guanmuton).

AIMS: (1) To study the acute and chronic toxicity of stem of Aristolochia manshuriensis (AMA Guanmuton) which is a Chinese medicinal herb in order to provide basis for safe clinical use. (2) To investigate the possibility of reducing toxicity of the herb combined with Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian). METHODS: The 70% ethanol extract of the herb was fed to mice via gastric tube for 8 weeks. The blood was collected to assess liver and renal functions. The tissue samples of the liver, kidney and bladder were collected from executed animals for pathology examination. RESULTS: The LD50 with a 95% average trustable probability (P=0.95) of AMA from Hanzhong (HZ) is 29.2+/-3.71 g/kg. The weight of animals in the treatment group at a dose of 4 g/kg raw drug, equivalent to 40 times of normal human dose in clinical prescription, remained the same as the control group (P>0.05). On pathological examination, there were no morphological changes under light microscope in the liver and bladder. For the kidney, the renal toxicity was significantly reduced after using ethanol extract of R. coptidis to process HZ AMA in that there were no interstitial inflammation, formation of hyaline cast or regeneration of renal tubules.

[Quick identification of scullcaps in different geographical origins using clustering analysis method and infrared fingerprint spectra].

Based on the infrared fingerprint spectra, scullcap samples from 15 geographical origins were clustered into 6 classes with principal component analysis. The classification was related to their geographical origins and weather. In the same class, chemical components of scullcaps are similar to each other, which can be considered as the criterion of evaluating the quality of scullcaps. 43 geographical origins were predicted with radial basis function, which was demonstrated to be a powerful ANN method in discrimination. The classes of scullcaps can be distinguished by the method. The method can be used to class and identify geographical origins of scullcaps. It is one of the methods in the quality control of traditional Chinese medicines.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartm. var. bracteatum (Willd.) Richter].

AIM: To study the chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartm. var. bracteatum (Willd.) Richter. METHODS: The compounds were mainly isolated with normal phase and reverse phase column chromatographic methods and HPLC. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical constants and spectral analysis (UV, IR, EI-MS, positive and negative FAB-MS, APCI-MS, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC and HMBC). RESULTS: Eight compounds were obtained from the ethanolic extract of the rhizomes of this plant, dactylorhin B (I), loroglossin (II), dactylorhin A (III), militarine (IV), coelovirin A (V), gastrodin (VI), thymidine (VII) and quercetin-3,7-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (VIII). CONCLUSION: All the compounds were obtained from this plant and genus Coeloglossum for the first time. V named coelovirin A, is a new compound.

[A study on genetic variation between wild and cultivated populations of Paeonia lactiflora Pall].

AIM: To discuss the genetic differentiation between wild and cultivated populations of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., and to find the reason for forming the genuineness of Radix Paeoniae rubra (Chishao) and Radix Paeoniae alba (Baishao). METHODS: Forty three representative samples of P. lactiflora from 11 localities were analyzed by RAPD method with 21 random primers. According to RAPD results, the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of P. lactiflora were detected by the percentage of polymorphic sites (PPB), the coefficient of gene differentiation (GST) and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). RESULTS: (1) At species level, the PPB of P. lactiflora was 85.26%, the Nei's gene diversity (Ht) was 0.166. The PPB in wild population (WP) was 77.61%, which was more than that (54.96%) in cultivated population for medicine (MP), and that (61.76%) in cultivated population for ornament (OP). (2) AMOVA showed that 29.50% of the genetic diversity resulted from differentiation among populations. Pairwise Phist distance (0.3632) between WP and MP was furthest, while that (0.0973) between MP and OP was closest, indicating population differentiation was significant (P < 0.001). (3) In general, cluster analysis revealed that the samples of P. lactiflora were divided in wild and cultivated groups (except for 39). In WP, individuals of Duolun were separated from those of other localities. In MP, the clusters of samples corresponded well with their own habitats. CONCLUSION: In addition to environmental factor, genetic differentiation should be the main cause for the genuineness of "Chishao" and "Baishao". Because of over collection and worse habitat, P. lactiflora in Duolun, whose root is the famous Chinese Geo-herbal--"Duolun Chishao", is progresively rare. So, it should become the endangered germplasm resource to protect.

[Study on the physicochemical properties of cultivated soil of genuine crude and no-enuine crude Chinese Angelica].

OBJECTIVE: To provide basis for environmental factors of genuine crude Chinese angelica. METHOD: On-the-spot investigation and indoor chemical analysis were made to study the physicochemical properties of cultivated soil of Chinese angelica. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The physical properties and the organic matte and mineral nutrition of cultivated soil of Chinese angelica are best in Min County, Gansu Province. The ecological environment is the leading factor in forming genuine crude Chinese angelica.

[Studies on chemical constituents from Tibetan medicine wangla(rhizome of Coeloglossum viride var. bracteatum)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Tibetan Madicine Wangla. METHOD: Sepearing the chemical constituents by means of chromatography and identifying their structures on the basis of MS and NMR spectra and TLC with authentic samples. RESULT: Eight compounds were isolated as 4-[(4-hydroxyphenyl) methoxy]benzenemethanol(I), 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl methane(II), 4,4'-dihydroxydibenzyl ether(III), gastrodin(IV), 4-hydroxy benzenemethanol(V), 4-hydroxybenz aldehyde(VI), beta-sitosterol(VII) and beta-daucosterol(VIII). CONCLUSION: All the compounds were obtained from genus Coeloglassum for the first time. The compound I is a new natural product.

[Determination of flavone for Scutellaria baicalensis from different areas by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the difference between native and nonative herbs by determining contents of seven kinds of flavone for twenty-five samples from seventeen areas. METHODS: HPLC. Fluid phase: MEOH-H2O-CH3COOH(ICE) (41:59:0.2) and (50:50:0.2). Detection wavelength: 275. RESULTS: The contents of baicalin are 6%-9%, wogenin are 2%-8%, baicalein are 0.1%-1.6%, neobaicalein are 0.01%-0.2%, wogonin are 0.01%-0.3%, visidulin and oroxylin are trace amounts or undetected. CONCLUSION: The native and nonative herbs have no distinct differce in absolute component ratio. The ratio of baicalin and wogenin is under three. The ratio of baicalin and baicalein, baicalin and wogonin is between twenty and fifty.