Tannins extract from Galla Chinensis can protect mice from infection by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli O101.

BACKGROUND: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is classically associated with acute secretory diarrhea, which induces 2 million people death in developing countries over a year, predominantly children in the first years of life. Previously, tannins (47.75%) were extracted from Galla Chinensis and prepared as Galla Chinensis oral solution (GOS) which showed significant antidiarrheal activity in a castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. Whether the tannins extract were also effective in treatment of ETEC-induced diarrhea was determined in this study. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 22). The mice in the normal and untreated groups were given normal saline. Three GOS-treated groups were received different concentrations of GOS (5, 10 and 15%, respectively) at a dose of 10 mL/kg. Mice in the positive control group were fed with loperamide (10 mg/kg). The treatment with GOS started 3 days before infection with ETEC and continued for 4 consecutive days after infection. On day 3, mice were all infected with one dose of LD50 of ETEC, except those in the normal group. Survival of mice was observed daily and recorded throughout the study. On days 4 and 7, samples were collected from 6 mice in each group. RESULTS: GOS could increase the survival rate up to 75%, while in the untreated group it is 43.75%. The body weights of mice treated with 15% GOS were significantly increased on day 7 in comparison with the untreated group and the normal group. GOS-treatment recovered the small intestine coefficient enhanced by ETEC-infection. The diarrhea index of mice treated with GOS was significantly decreased. GOS increased the levels of IgG and sIgA in the terminal ileum and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-8) in serum. GOS could increase the amount of intestinal probiotics, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. GOS could alleviate colon lesions induced by ETEC-infection. GOS showed higher potency than loperamide. CONCLUSIONS: GOS could be a promising drug candidate for treating ETEC infections.

Effects of polysaccharides from wild morels on immune response and gut microbiota composition in non-treated and cyclophosphamide-treated mice.

Polysaccharides isolated from mushrooms have been identified as potential prebiotics that could impact gut microbiota. In this study, a water-soluble polysaccharide (MP) extracted from wild morels was evaluated for its effects on the gut microbiota of non-treated and cyclophosphamide (CP)-treated mice. The results showed that MP restored the spleen weight and increased the counts of white blood cells and lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and spleen of the CP-treated mice. Mice treated with MP exhibited increased levels of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, especially Lachnospiraceae, compared to normal mice, and increased levels of Bacteroidetes and SCFA-producing bacteria, especially Ruminococcaceae, compared to the CP-treated mice. Moreover, MP treatment increased the production of valeric acid and decreased the production of acetic acid in the non-treated mice and increased the production of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid in the CP-treated mice. These results show that MP is potentially good for health.

[Making of compound Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii naphtha emulsion].

OBJECTIVE: To determine an ideal recipe and technique for making of compound Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii naphtha emulsion (CRATNE) , diameter for the granule in 10 to approximately 20 microm. METHODS: CRATNE was made by two-step emulsification and the recipe was evaluated to investigate the effect of diameter for the granule on stir time and stir speed and oxygen ventilated. RESULTS: The percentages of diameter for the granule in 10 to approximately 20 microm was 72%. Emulsion was made on recipe No. 4 [ Rhizoma Acori Tatarimowii naphtha (ml): liquid paraffin (ml): Sorbian monooleate (g): 0.5% gelatin solution (ml): distilled water (ml) is 1.05: 16: 7: 1: 16] and compound emulsion is made on recipe No. 4 [fore emulsion (g): Tween-80 (g): distilled water (ml) is 10: 1: 9]. Recipe No. 4 was the best one if stiring at low speed through magnetic force mixer was used. Stir time was 1 min. The oxygen was ventilated with a flow rate of 2 L/min for CRATNE. Ventilation time was 1 h. The percentages of diameter for the granule in 10 to approximately 12 microm increased from 72% to 79%. was type W/O/W. CONCLUSION: The diameter of CRATNE for the granule is in 10 to approximately 20 microm, can be made following above-mentioned methods.