Effect of Supplementing Vitamin E, Selenium, Copper, Zinc, and Manganese during the Transition Period on Dairy Cow Reproductive Performance and Immune Function.

The transition dairy cows are challenged by various stresses such as decreased dry matter intake, liver dysfunction, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress, particularly in subtropical regions. These might increase the requirement for vitamin E and trace elements. To examine whether supplementation of vitamin E, selenium or copper, zinc, and manganese complex would help transition dairy cows to achieve greater reproduction performance by overcoming the immune function and postpartum disorders in subtropical Taiwan. A total of 24 Holstein Friesian dairy cows were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups (n = 8 cows/group): treatment 1 supplemented with organic selenium and vitamin E (SeE), treatment 2 supplemented with organic copper, zinc, and manganese complex (CZM) and control (CON). The results showed SeE supplementation improved immune function, reproductive performance, and milk yield, but not negative energy balance status. Supplementation of CZM improved milk yield and energy regulation through antioxidative capacity and immune function, but had no influence on reproductive performance.

Characteristics of neonicotinoid and metabolite residues in Taiwanese tea leaves.

BACKGROUND: Neonicotinoids are widely used insecticides, and tea is a popular non-alcoholic beverage in Taiwan. However, the levels of neonicotinoids in Taiwanese tea leaves remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to understand the characteristics of neonicotinoid and metabolite residues in Taiwanese tea leaves. METHODS: In this study, 12 tea leaf samples were collected in Taiwan and extracted by solid-phase extraction before analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, the levels of neonicotinoids were compared with the maximum residue level standards from other countries. RESULTS: In Taiwanese tea leaves, five neonicotinoids and seven metabolites were detected. Different tea species influenced the levels of neonicotinoids and their metabolites in the present study. Moreover, the levels of neonicotinoids and their metabolites in partially fermented leaves were higher than in completely fermented leaves. In Jin-Xuan tea, the levels of neonicotinoids and their metabolites in most winter-harvested teas were lower than in summer-harvested teas. CONCLUSION: The residue levels of neonicotinoids and their metabolites were detectable in Taiwanese tea leaves. Moreover, different tea species, manufacturing processes, and harvest seasons might influence the levels of these pesticides. Therefore, the government should monitor the use of neonicotinoids. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Chrysophanol Regulates Cell Death, Metastasis, and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Oral Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer belongs to the class of head and neck cancers and can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Activation of cell death via apoptosis or reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and inhibition of cell cycle progression, migration, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be a good strategy to arrest the development of oral cancer. In this study, we analyzed the possible action of chrysophanol isolated from the rhizomes of Rheum palmatum on the oral cancer cell lines FaDu (human pharynx squamous cell carcinoma) and SAS (human tongue squamous carcinoma) by investigating whether chrysophanol could influence cell death. METHOD: Cell viability was measured by using the MTT assay. For the detection of apoptosis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and subG1 population analysis were used. We also examined cell cycle progression and ROS levels by flow cytometry. Additionally, the expression of p53, p21, procaspase 3, cyclin D1, CDK4, cdc2, CDK2, E-cadherin, vimentin, and PCNA was evaluated by western blotting. CONCLUSION: Chrysophanol has an anticancer effect on FaDu and SAS cell lines. There is an increase in subG1 accumulation, ROS production, and cell cycle G1 arrest after treatment with chrysophanol. On the other hand, chrysophanol inhibited cell migration/metastasis and EMT. We proposed that chrysophanol may be a good candidate compound on oral cancer treatment in the further.

Garcimultiflorone K inhibits angiogenesis through Akt/eNOS- and mTOR-dependent pathways in human endothelial progenitor cells.

Background Garcimultiflorone K is a novel polyprenylated polycyclic acylphloroglucinol isolated from the stems of Garcinia multiflora that exhibits promising anti-angiogenic activity in human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Purpose This study sought to determine the underlying anti-angiogenic mechanisms and pharmacological properties of garcimultiflorone K. Methods We examined the anti-angiogenic effects of garcimultiflorone K and its mechanisms of action using in vitro EPC models and in vivo zebrafish embryos. Results EPCs proliferation, migration, differentiation and capillary-like tube formation were effectively and concentration-dependently inhibited by garcimultiflorone K without any signs of cytotoxicity. Our investigations revealed that garcimultiflorone K suppressed EPCs angiogenesis through Akt, mTOR, p70S6K, and eNOS signaling cascades. Notably, garcimultiflorone K dose-dependently impeded angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos. Conclusion Our data demonstrate the anti-angiogneic effects of garcimultiflorone K in both in vitro and in vivo models. Garcimultiflorone K appears to have potential in the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases.

Tanshinone IIA inhibits angiogenesis in human endothelial progenitor cells in vitro and in vivo.

Accumulating evidence reports that bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) regulate angiogenesis, postnatal neovascularization and tumor metastasis. It has been suggested that understanding the molecular targets and pharmacological functions of natural products is important for novel drug discovery. Tanshinone IIA is a major diterpene quinone compound isolated from Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Evidence indicates that tanshinone IIA modulates angiogenic functions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. However, the anti-angiogenic activity of tanshinone IIA in human EPCs has not been addressed. Here, we report that tanshinone IIA dramatically suppresses vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-promoted migration and tube formation of human EPCs, without cytotoxic effects. We also show that tanshinone IIA markedly inhibits VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Importantly, tanshinone IIA significantly attenuated microvessel formation and the expression of EPC-specific markers in the in vivo Matrigel plug assay in mice. Further, we found that tanshinone IIA inhibits EPC angiogenesis through the PLC, Akt and JNK signaling pathways. Our report is the first to reveal that tanshinone IIA reduces EPC angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Tanshinone IIA is a promising natural product worthy of further development for the treatment of cancer and other angiogenesis-related pathologies.

A novel immunomodulatory effect of ugonin U in human neutrophils via stimulation of phospholipase C.

Neutrophils have a crucial role in the immune system and are the first line of defense against pathogenic invaders. Neutrophil activation is required for their defensive function and can be induced by diverse stimuli, through either binding to cell surface receptors or direct intracellular target molecule stimulation. In this study, we found that 4″a,5″,6″,7″,8″,8″a-hexahydro-5,3',4'-trihydroxy-5″,5″,8″a-trimethyl-4H-chromeno [2″,3″:7,6]flavone (ugonin U), a flavonoid isolated from Helminthostachys zeylanica (L) Hook, significantly induced superoxide production and release in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. A series of experiments was performed to dissect the mechanism of ugonin U-induced respiratory burst in human neutrophils. Our results demonstrated that ugonin U induced a slow increase in intracellular Ca(2+), which was necessary for ugonin U-stimulated superoxide release. Use of a formyl peptide receptor (FPR) blocker, G protein inhibitor, and protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor proved that FPR, G proteins, and PTKs were not associated with ugonin U-induced respiratory burst. Additionally, immunoblotting results revealed that ugonin U did not affect the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein tyrosine. Nevertheless, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor and an inositol triphosphate (IP3) receptor antagonist considerably suppressed ugonin U-stimulated Ca(2+) mobilization and subsequent superoxide release. Ugonin U also induced an increase in intracellular IP3 formation, which could be blocked using a PLC inhibitor. In conclusion, our study reveals that ugonin U represents the first identified natural flavonoid compound to directly stimulate PLC. Moreover, ugonin U induces respiratory burst via the PLC/IP3/Ca(2+) pathway in human neutrophils.

Induction of apoptosis by the Lactuca indica L. in human leukemia cell line and its active components.

Lactuca indica L. (Compositae family) is used as a folk medicine in anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, and other medications in Asia. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antiproliferative effect of ethanol extracts of Lactuca indica L. (EEL) on human leukemic HL-60 cell lines and its active components. The results showed that EEL exhibited strong cytotoxic effects against HL-60 cells; the IC50 value was 313 microg/mL. Flow cytometric analysis of the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) using the annexin V/PI method on EEL-treated HL-60 cells showed a concentration-dependent increase of apoptosis. Moreover, EEL could induce typical DNA fragmentation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner as determined by electrophoresis and TUNEL assays. The treatment of HL-60 cells with EEL induced significant accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase, indicating that EEL is a cell-cycle-dependent anticancer agent. Our results also indicate that EEL-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells is associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (delta psi m). EEL contains 5% phenolic compounds, such as quercetin, caffeic acid, rutin, and chlorogenic acid. Among the four active phenolic compounds, quercetin was found to be the most effective in inhibition against cell viability and in alteration of mitochondrial function. Our results suggest that the induction of apoptosis by EEL might offer a pivotal mechanism for its chemopreventive action.