Effects of allicin on growth performance, antioxidant profile, and microbiota compared to monensin of growing goats.

Allicin is a sulfur-containing compound extracted from raw garlic (Allium sativum L.). We compared the effect of allicin addition on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and rumen microbiota of goats compared to monensin. Twenty-four Anhui white goats were assigned randomly to one of three dietary treatments: 1) a basal diet (CON); 2) the basal diet with allicin addition at 750 mg per head per day (AC); 3) the basal diet with monensin addition at 30 mg per kg of diet (MS). Animals were fed for 8 weeks. Results showed the average daily gain, and feed efficiency was increased with allicin and monensin addition. Serum levels of IgG, total superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were higher in the AC group than those in the CON and MS groups. The microbiota analysis revealed that monensin addition mainly affected genera related to carbohydrate and protein metabolism, and allicin mainly affected genera related to energy metabolism and intestinal health. In conclusion, allicin could improve growth performance and have advantages over monensin in improving the antioxidant capacity and immune function of goats. Allicin may be a potential alternative to monensin.

Flavonoid glycosides isolated from Epimedium brevicornum and their estrogen biosynthesis-promoting effects.

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim has a long history of use in the treatment of estrogen deficiency-related diseases. However, the chemical constituents and mechanism of action of this medicinal plant are not fully understood. In the present study, we isolated four new isoprenylated flavonoid glycosides, as well as 16 known flavonoids (13 isoprenylated flavonoids), from this plant. The chemical structures of the new flavonoid glycosides were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The new compounds 1-4 were potent promoters of estrogen biosynthesis in human ovarian granulosa-like KGN cells. ZW1, an isoprenylated flavonoid analogue and a specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), was synthesized and used to explore the mechanism of the isoprenylated analogues on estrogen biosynthesis. ZW1 treatment increased estrogen production by upregulation of aromatase mRNA and protein expression. ZW1 increased the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Further study showed that the inhibition of PDE5 by ZW1 increased estrogen biosynthesis partly through suppression of phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3). Our results suggested that the isoprenylated flavonoids from E. brevicornum may produce beneficial health effects through the promotion of estrogen biosynthesis. PDE5 warrants further investigation as a new therapeutic target for estrogen biosynthesis in the prevention and treatment of estrogen-deficiency related diseases.