Manipulating rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and mitigating methane production using bamboo grass pellet in swamp buffaloes.

Bamboo grass (Tiliacora triandra Diels) pellet (BP) was assessed as a rumen modifier on feed intake, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibilities, microbial population, and methane production in swamp buffaloes. Four male swamp buffaloes with 350 ± 10 kg of body weight (BW) were allotted according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The treatments were as follows: roughage to concentrate ratio (R:C) at 70:30 (T1), R:C at 70:30 with BP supplementation at 150 g/day (T2), R:C at 30:70 (T3), and R:C at 30:70 with BP supplementation at 150 g/day (T4). All animals were restricted to 2.5% of BW. The findings revealed that ruminal pH was reduced by the R:C at 30:70 fed groups (T3, T4); however, the rumen pH was enhanced (P < 0.05) in BP supplemented (T4) and there was an interaction between R:C and BP groups (P < 0.05). The propionate (C3) concentration was increased by the R:C ratio at 30:70 and BP fed groups (P < 0.01), and it was the highest at R:C ratio of 30:70 with BP supplemented group. Total VFA and buterate (C4) concentation were not changed (P > 0.05), while acetate (C2) concentration was reduced (P < 0.05) in the BP fed groups and there was an interaction (P < 0.05). Estimation of CH4 production in the rumen was remarkably reduced by the R:C ratio with BP supplementation (P < 0.01). Furthermore, apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF were significantly increased in the R:C ratio 30:70 (P < 0.01). Nitrogen absorption and nitrogen retention were also significantly altered by R:C at 30:70 (P < 0.01) and nitrogen absorption was an interaction (P < 0.01). Based on this study, it could be concluded that supplementation of BP resulted in improvement of ruminal pH, enhanced C3, and reduced CH4 production. Thus, BP could be a dietary rumen enhancer.

Neem, pawpaw and bamboo leaf meal dietary supplementation in broiler chickens: Effect on performance and health status.

The effect of the diet supplemented with leaf meals (LM) of neem (NLM), pawpaw (PLM), bamboo (BLM) and their composite leaf mix (CLM) on broiler chickens was assessed. Three hundred 1-day old broiler chickens were distributed to five diets: (control/no LM), (5 g/kg NLM), (5 g/kg PLM), (5 g/kg BLM) and (5 g/kg NLM+PLM+BLM 1:1:1). Body weight gain of birds fed BLM and CLM supplemented diets were similar but higher (p < 0.05) than those fed the control, NLM and PLM supplemented diets at day 42. The glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels in LM supplemented diets were (p < 0.05) lower compared to the control. The superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase were (p < 0.05) higher in LM supplemented diets compared to the control. The growth promoting potentials of bamboo leaf meal and the composite leaf mix can be harnessed for broiler chicken production. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The use of herbs as the growth promoter is currently gaining research attention in most countries. In particular, herbal supplementation in poultry diets had been proposed as a means of enhancing the performance, stabilizing the physiological state, boosting immunity and antioxidative status in the birds. This study showed that improved body weight gain of broiler chickens at 42 days of age with attendant low serum glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol can be achieved when leaf meals from neem, pawpaw, bamboo and their composite mix were used as phyto-additives. The bamboo leaf meal and the composite leaf meal can be used to reduce the occurrence of arteriosclerosis which predisposes sudden death syndrome in well-grown and healthy broiler chickens. The procedures of raising broiler chickens to reach about 3 kg in less than 2 months impose a heavy burden on the heart, particularly overloading on the ventricular arteries leading to arteriosclerosis with age.

Sasa veitchii extracts suppress acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of a Sasa veitchii leaf extract (SE) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS: Seven-week-old male ddY mice were orally administered SE or saline (0.2 mL) once a day for a week. Twenty-four hours after the last pretreatment, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 550 mg/kg APAP or saline under fasting conditions. The mice from each group were euthanized and bled for plasma analysis 2, 6, 24, and 72 h after the injection. RESULTS: We found that pretreatment with SE significantly decreased hepatic injury markers (i.e., alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and glutathione level), inflammatory cytokines, histological damage, c-jun N-terminal kinase activation, and receptor-interacting protein-1 activation. Further, SE pretreatment decreased Cyp2e1 expression and increased total antioxidant capacity in the liver. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that prophylactic SE treatment protects mice from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through modulation of Cyp2e1 expression and antioxidant capacity.

Evaluation of reactive oxygen species scavenging activities and DNA damage prevention effect of Pleioblastus kongosanensis f. aureostriatus leaf extract by chemiluminescence assay.

Reactive oxygen species scavenging effect of Pleioblastus kongosanensis f. aureostriatus leaf extract against O2(-), OH and H2O2 were investigated by chemiluminescence methods in vitro. Bamboo grass leaves were extracted with 70% ethanol solution and sequentially partitioned with solvents in an order of increasing polarity. Among fractions of different polarity, BuOH and EtOAc fractions showed powerful scavenging activities than others, and showed better scavenging ability on OH than that of O2(-)and H2O2, with IC50 of 0.55 µg/mL and 0.60 µg/mL, respectively. Both OH-induced DNA damage model by chemiluminescence assay and plasmid pUC18 double-strand break model by agarose gel electrophoresis showed that BuOH and EtOAc fractions had remarkable concentration-dependent prevention effect on the OH-induced damage of DNA attribute to their good scavenging effects on ROS. Results from the compositional analysis of different fractions indicate that the flavonoids in the Pleioblastus kongosanensis f. aureostriatus leaf may be responsible for its ROS scavenging activity and DNA damage prevention ability.

[Effects of stand density on Oligostachyum lubricum leaf carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus stoichiometry and nutrient resorption].

Taking pure Oligostachyum lubricum forest as test object, this paper studied the matured and withered leaves carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry and N and P resorption patterns of 1-3 years old stands at the densities of 24600-29800 stem hm-2 (D, ), 37500-42600 stem hm-2 (D2 ), 46500 - 52800 stem hm-2 (D3), and 76500 - 85500 stem hm-2 (D4). With increasing stand density, the matured leaves C, N, and P contents and withered leaves C and P contents had an overall decrease, the withered leaves N content decreased after an initial increase, and the matured leaves C content at density )4 decreased dramatically. The leaf C/N and C/P ratio increased with increasing stand density, whereas the leaf N/P ratio increased first but decreased then. At stand densities D3 and D4, the leaf N and P utilization efficiencies were significantly higher than those at D, and D2. With increasing stand density, the leaf N resorption capacity increased after an initial decrease, while the leaf P resorption capacity increased steadily. At stand densities D,-D3, the matured leaves N/P ratio was 16.24-19.37, suggesting that the P limitation occurred, leaf establishment increased, and population increase and expansion enhanced. At density D4, the matured leaves N/P ratio was 13.42-15.74, implying that the N limitation strengthened, leaf withering and defoliation increased, and population increase inhibited. All the results indicated that O. lubricum could regulate its leaf C, N and P contents and stoichiometry and enhance the leaf N and P utilization efficiency and resorption capacity to adapt to the severe competition of environment resources at high stand density. In our experimental condition, 46500-52800 stem hm-2 could be the appropriate stand density for O. lubricum management.

In vitro seed germination of economically important edible bamboo Dendrocalamus membranaceus Munro.

An in vitro propagation protocol using mature seeds of D. membranaceus was successfully established. Scarcity of seeds in bamboos because of their long flowering periods and irregular seed set resulting in low viability and germination potential, motivated us to undertake the present study. The effects of sterilants, light conditions, exogenous application of plant growth regulators and temperature in overcoming germination barriers in ageing seeds of bamboo were studied. It was found that HgCl2 (0.1%) along with bleach (15%) was more effective in raising aseptic cultures. Dark conditions, high temperatures around 30 degrees C and soaking of seeds in GA3 solution (50 ppm) overnight stimulated high percent of seed germination with corresponding increase in shoot length (2.7 +/- 0.7 mm) and number of sprouts (2.1 +/- 0.7) per explants during culture initiation. 6-benzylaminopurine acted synergistically with kinetin to give optimum germination rate of 70 +/- 13.9% as compared to 63.13% when used individually. For prolonged maintenance of cultures, 2% sucrose was found to be suitable for promoting photomixotrophic micropropagation. Following this procedure, about 65% survival of plantlets could be achieved during hardening. Biochemically seeds consume starchy endosperm for emergence of radicle which is taken as a sign of germination as also evident from the present study. Loss of viability and vigour after a year was confirmed by Tetrazolium chloride test. Micropropagation protocol developed here will ensure regeneration of large number of plants in a relatively short time. Conclusively, in vitro propagation protocol developed in D. membranaceus using mature seeds as an explants is reported for the first time.

Seasonal variations of the antioxidant composition in ground bamboo Sasa argenteastriatus leaves.

Sasa argenteastriatus, with abundant active compounds and high antioxidant activity in leaves, is a new leafy bamboo grove suitable for exploitation. To utilize it more effectively and scientifically, we investigate the seasonal variations of antioxidant composition in its leaves and antioxidant activity. The leaves of Sasa argenteastriatus were collected on the 5th day of each month in three same-sized sample plots from May 2009 to May 2011. The total flavonoids (TF): phenolics (TP) and triterpenoid (TT) of bamboo leaves were extracted and the contents analyzed by UV-spectrophotometer. Our data showed that all exhibited variations with the changing seasons, with the highest levels appearing in November to March. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and FRAP methods. The highest antioxidant activity appeared in December with the lowest in May. Correlation analyses demonstrated that TP and TF exhibited high correlation with bamboo antioxidant activity. Eight bamboo characteristic compounds (orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, homovitexin and p-coumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid) were determined by RP-HPLC synchronously. We found that chlorogenic acid, isoorientin and vitexin are the main compounds in Sasa argenteastriatus leaves and the content of isovitexin and chlorogenic acid showed a similar seasonal variation with the TF, TP and TT. Our results suggested that the optimum season for harvesting Sasa argenteastriatus leaves is between autumn and winter.

Antiviral, antibacterial and vitamin C-synergized radical-scavenging activity of Sasa senanensis Rehder extract.

Sasa senanensis Rehder extract (SE) showed slightly higher cytotoxicity against human squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and human glioblastoma cell lines, as compared with human oral normal cells (gingival fibroblast, pulp cell, periodontal ligament fibroblast), and was more cytotoxic to human myelogenous and T-cell leukemia cell lines. SE showed a bacteriostatic effect on Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia, but almost completely eliminated hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) produced by these bacteria. SE protected human T-cell leukemia MT-4 cells from the cytopathic effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and its anti-HIV activity was much higher than that of tannins and flavonoids, comparable with that of natural and synthetic lignins. SE also protected the MDCK cells from the cytopathic effect of influenza virus infection. SE synergistically enhanced the superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity of vitamin C. The present study suggests the functionality of SE as a complementary alternative medicine.

[Effects of Fargesia denudata density on its litterfall production, nutrient return, and nutrient use efficiency].

A two-year study on the effects of three densities (D1, 80 +/- 5 stems x m(-2); D2, 140 +/- 8 stems x m(-2); and D3, 220 +/- 11 stems x m(-2)) of Fargesia denudate in a F. denudata--Picea purpurea natural forest on the F. denudate litterfall production, nutrient return, and nutrient use efficiency showed that at the densities of D1, D2 and D3, the annual litterfall production was 793.2, 1135.7 and 1458.5 kg x hm(-2), carbon return was 370.7, 516.2 and 671.5 kg x hm(-2), and the total return of N, P, K, Ca and Mg was 16.3, 22.9 and 29.3 kg x hm(-2), respectively. Ca had the highest return (45%-48% of the total), followed by N (24%-29%), and the lowest were P and Mg (3%-5%), with the sequence of Ca > N > K > Mg and P. The peaks of litterfall production and nutrients return at the three densities were appeared in October (by the end of F. denudate growth season), and another peak at D3 was observed in August. There were no significant differences in the re-allocation of N and K in F. denudate leaves at the three densities, but the P re-allocation and the Ca and Mg accumulation increased with increasing density. The litterfall P use efficiency was the highest and increased with increasing density, implying that P could be a limiting factor for the growth and regeneration of F. denudate.

[Effect of stand condition improvement on surface soil nutrient losses of hilly land Dendrocalamus latiflorus plantations].

A comparative study on the soil nutrient losses of hilly land shoot-used Dendrocalamus lati florus plantations at the Nanjing stated-owned forest farm, Fujian Province showed that the losses of soil N, P and K under three treatments of stand condition improvement varied with season, and 90% or more of these losses appeared from April to September, with the order of overall ploughing > strip ploughing > control. There was no significant difference of N and P losses among the three treatments, while the K loss was markedly higher under overall ploughing than the control.