Effects of Atractylodes lancea extracts on intestinal flora and serum metabolites in mice with intestinal dysbacteriosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the effect of an extract of Atractylodes lancea (A. lancea) on antibiotics-induced intestinal tract disorder and the probable therapeutic mechanisms employed by this extract to ameliorate these disorders. METHODS: Three days after acclimatization, nine male and nine female specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice were randomly assigned into three groups: Group C (normal saline), Group M (antibiotic: cefradine + gentamicin), and Group T (antibiotic + A. lancea extract). Each mouse in Groups M and T received intragastric (i.g.) gavage antibiotics containing cefradine and gentamicin sulfate (0.02 ml/g-1/D-1) for 7 days. A. lancea extract (0.02 ml/g-1/D-1) was administered by i.g. gavage to Group T mice for 7 days following the cessation of antibiotic therapy. Group M received an equivalent volume of normal saline for 7 days, while Group C received an equivalent volume of normal saline for 14 days. Afterwards, we collected mouse feces to assess changes in intestinal microbiota by 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequencing and metabolomics. In addition, serum samples were gathered and analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LS-MS). Finally, we performed a correlation analysis between intestinal microbiota and metabolites. RESULTS: After treatment with antibiotic, the richness and diversity of the flora, numbers of wall-breaking bacteria and Bacteroidetes, and the numbers of beneficial bacteria decreased, while the numbers of harmful bacteria increased. After i.g. administration of A. lancea extract, the imbalance of microbial flora began to recover. Antibiotics primarily influence the metabolism of lipids, steroids, peptides, organic acids, and carbohydrates, with lipid compounds ranking first. Arachidonic acid (AA), arginine, and proline have relatively strong effects on the metabolisms of antibiotic-stressed mice. Our findings revealed that A. lancea extract might restore the metabolism of AA and L-methionine. The content of differential metabolites detected in the serum of Group T mice was comparable to that in the serum of Group C mice, but significantly different from that of Group M mice. Compared to putative biomarkers in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database, it was found that altered metabolites, such as amino acids, glycerol, and phospholipids, were primarily associated with the metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The effective mechanisms of A. lancea extract in regulating the disorder of intestinal flora in mice are related to the mechanisms of A. lancea. It could relate to lipid metabolism, bile acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. These results will provide a basis for further explaining the mechanism by which A. lancea regulats intestinal flora.

[Decolorization of chitin from Catharsius molossus discards].

OBJECTIVE: Decolorization of crude chitin from Catharsius molossus was studied in order to prepare chitosan with white color and high viscosity. METHODS: Some factors affecting decolorization such as the kind of decolorant reagent, H2O2 concentration, pH, solid-liquid ratio, temperature and other factors were studied by single factor test and orthogonal design. RESULTS: The best decolorization process of chitin from Catharsius molossus was as follows:treated with 15 times of 15% H2O2 at 45 degrees C. CONCLUSION: The process is stable and feasible. The chitosan from Catharsius molossus might be used as a new carrier of colon-specific drug delivery system.

Effects of Desmodium caudatum on Gastrointestinal Hormones and Intestinal Flora in Rats with Gastritis.

In order to preliminarily explore the effects of Desmodium caudatum on gastritis and intestinal flora in rats, a chronic gastritis rat model was established using the classic sodium salicylate method. Eighteen SPF rats were divided into three groups: the control group (Group C), the model group (Group M), and the treatment group (Group T). Pathological sections of the gastric wall were taken from rats in each group. Furthermore, the concentrations of gastrin and malondialdehyde in the serum of rats in each group were determined by ELISA. Additionally, the effects of D. caudatum on the intestinal flora of rats with gastritis were explored through a detailed comparison of gut bacterial communities in the three groups, employing Illumina-based 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results indicated that D. caudatum decoction could reduce the malondialdehyde content and increase the gastrin content. Moreover, D. caudatum decoction was found to enhance the diversity and abundance of intestinal flora, exerting a positive impact on the treatment of gastritis by regulating and restoring the intestinal flora.

Berberine hydrochloride-loaded dung beetle chitosan/sodium alginate microspheres ameliorate DSS-induced colitis and regulate gut microorganisms in mice.

Berberine hydrochloride (BH) has long been known for its therapeutic efficacy. In the present study, we aimed to treat mice with colitis using dung beetle chitosan (DCS) -transported BH. To achieve this, BH-loaded DCS/sodium alginate microspheres (SA-DCS-BH) were prepared. The SA-DCS-BH was characterized using SEM, DLS, FT-IR, and XRD, then was used for administration and anti-inflammatory examination in mice. SEM and DLS confirmed the surface morphology of the microspheres, and the particle size was relatively uniform. FT-IR and XRD results confirmed that BH was successfully loaded. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that SA-DCS-BH had slow-release ability. After treatment with SA-DCS-BH, DAI was significantly reduced, colon weight and length increased, spleen length and weight reduced, concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colonic tissues were reduced, and gut microbiota species abundance was modulated. In addition, this study found a correlation between specific microbes and colitis indicators, Muribaculaceae showed sequential growth after receiving BH, SA-CS-BH, and SA-DCS-BH treatments, respectively. It was concluded that SA-DCS-BH effectively delivered the BH to the intestine with slow-release ability and exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by immune response. Compared to commercial chitosan, DCS has potential for modulating intestinal microorganisms and more suitable carrier for intestinal drug delivery systems.

Chitosan microspheres-based controlled-release nitrogen fertilizers improve the biological characteristics of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis and the soil.

Present study investigates the impact of chitosan microspheres-based controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer (Cm-CRNFs) on biological characteristics of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis (Chinese cabbage) and soil. The study was carried out under various four treatments, urea (0.8033 g), blank chitosan microspheres (without urea), Cm-CRNFs (0.8033 g), and a control group (CK). The results indicated that Cm-CRNFs significantly prolonged the nitrogen release and enhanced the plant shoot length, shoot diameter, number of branches, pods, total amino acids, and vitamin C of Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis as well as increased the soil nutrient availability. Chao index of bacterial diversity analysis showed a significant reduction of 15.89 % in Cm-CRNFs, but the Shannon index value in Cm-CRNFs was increased by 23.55 % compared to CK. Furthermore, Cm-CRNFs treatment significantly influenced genus richness level of Arthrobacter, Archangium, Bacillus, and Flavihumibacter. Moreover, relative abundance of bacteria significantly enhanced Cm-CRNFs, including Acidobacteriota, Acitinobacteriota, Cloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, and Patescibacteria. Soil enzyme activity such as: urease, acid phosphatase, and catalase enzymes in Cm-CRNFs and urea treatment significantly increased. Besides, other enzymes such as: cellulase and ß-glucosidase activity decreased in the Cm-CRNFs treatment. It was concluded that Cm-CRNFs potentially prolonged discharge of micro/macronutrients and improved soil bacterial diversity, which ultimately enhanced the soil fertility and improved the soil enzyme activity.

[Preparation and preliminary characterization of chitosan from Catharsius molossus discards].

OBJECTIVE: To study preparation and characterization of chitosan from Catharsius Molossus processing discards and explore the feasibility of utilization of insects residue. METHODS: Preparation technique of chitosan was studied by orthogonal design,and properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. RESULTS: Preparation techniques were as follows: demineralizing: soaked for 30 min at 80 degrees C with 1.3 mol/L HCl, then kept for 12 h under room temperature. Deproteinization and delipidation: treated for 6 h at 90 degrees C with 4 mol/L NaOH. Decolorizing: soaked at room temperature with 3% KM-nO4, then treated with 2% oxalic acid at 70 degrees C. Deacetylating:treated for 5 h at 110 degrees C with 14 mol/L NaOH. CONCLUSION: The technique is stable and feasible. The result also preliminarily showes that chitosan from Catharsius Molossus is better than shrimp's. It will be widely applied in biomedical and other industrial areas with such exciting properties.

Terrestrial insects as a promising source of chitosan and recent developments in its application for various industries.

Chitosan is a deacetylated form of chitin and increasingly important amino-polysaccharide used in many various sectors including agriculture, food, and biomedicine. However, chitosan from marine sources has several adverse effects, including allergenic components harmful to human health. Furthermore, marine resources are seasonal, and availability is limited due to dependency on environmental conditions and climate change. In addition, shell infection in crustaceans and environmental contamination make the harvesting of chitin and chitosan problematic. In recent years, chitosan from terrestrial insects has attracted considerable interest. The discoveries show insect chitosan is more advantageous compared to crustacean chitosan. In addition, we were unable to find any literature about the adverse effects of insect chitosan thus far. This review aims to reveal information regarding crustacean and terrestrial insect chitosan and recent advances in chitosan sources. Applications from specific insect orders and perspectives for further study will also be highlighted, including medical and sensing applications.

[Preparation technology of effective fraction of Catharsius molossus based on determination of effective composition and characterization of physico-chemical property].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the preparation technology of effective fraction of Catharsius molossus, and investigate the feasibility of process control by the physical and chemical characterization of extracts. METHOD: Used single-factor test method, choosed the main effective components of peptides and amino acids as indexes, combined with theology, chemistry, electricity, and other characterization, the study researched the prepared technology of effective fraction of C. molossus including extraction, concentration, separation, purification, drying and so on. RESULT: The optimal preparation technology of effective fraction of C. molossus was that soaked an amount of crude drugs with three times of 85% ethanol for 48 h, added 10 times of 85% ethanol, percolated in 4 mL x min(-1) x kg(-1), collected percolation liquid, concentrated to 1:1 at 50-55 degrees C, removed fat by frozen, adopted DA201-C macroporous resin, used 1 BV of water and 4 BV of 70% ethanol as eluting agent, collected eluant respectively. The water part was concentrated and dried, then washed twice with 85% ethanol, collected washing liquid and mixed with 70% ethanol eluant. The product was obtained by concentrating and dring. At the same time, the liquid-phase system of each link was characterized in preparation of effective fraction of C. molossus, which showed that the surface tension related to polypeptide was essentially unchanged, and the conductivity related to salt decreased by about 90% with ineffective substances closely related to salt The results showed that the preparation technology maximumly retained the effective information, and removed the invalid information. CONCLUSION: The preparation technology of effective fraction of C. molossus is stable and reliable, and the process control in physico-chemical characterization of extracts is feasible.

Preparation, physicochemical and pharmaceutical characterization of chitosan from Catharsius molossus residue.

Polypeptide from Catharsius molossus L. is an active ingredient in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The residue after extraction is harmful to the environment and is also a waste of resources. Chitosan was extracted from C. molossus L. residue with chemical methods and with an improved intermittent heating method. Physicochemical and pharmaceutical characteristics of chitosan from C. molossus L. and shrimp were mainly measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed chitosan from C. molossus L. was superior to commercial medical-grade chitosan from shrimp in the aspects of degree of deacetylation, crystallinity, heavy metal content, viscosity, protein residue, ash content, and in vitro adhesion. In addition, properties of chitosan membrane were studied, including water vapor permeability, light transmittance, enzymatic hydrolysis, swelling behavior, mechanical properties, and SEM images. It was found that the membrane of chitosan from C. molossus L. had better performance. This preliminary result shows chitosan from C. molossus L. is more suitable than shrimp's as a pharmaceutical excipient in colonic adhesive drug delivery system.

Preparation of melanin from Catharsius molossus L. and preliminary study on its chemical structure.

A great deal of melanin was found in the waste alkali liquor produced by extraction of chitin from Catharsius molossus L. Discarding the lye could harm the environment and cause waste of resources. In this paper, melanin from C. molossus L. was recovered through acid precipitation and purified by pepsin and so on. The purity, chemical composition and structure of the prepared melanin were explored by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high resolution (13)C Cross polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry, X ray diffraction, X ray fluorescence, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight tandem mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, and so on. The results showed that the purity of the prepared melanin was higher than the commercial standard melanin and it was a kind of nanoaggregates composed of a large quantity of 5,6-dihydroxyindole eumelanin and a small amount of phaeomelanin. In addition, the prepared melanin was irregular in shape and its structure could be divided into three levels: advanced structure maintained by polypeptides, substructure maintained by the ferric ion and microstructure. In particular, the smallest structural unit showed the graphite-like layered structure containing five layers linked by non-covalent bonds and each layer mainly consisted of 5,6-dihydroxyindole and its derivatives, which might be connected to each other through various chemical bonds.