Response surface methodology for optimization of the extraction of polysaccharide from the roots of onosma hookeri clarke. var. longiforum duthie and its antioxidant capacity and immune activity.

Onosma hookeri Clarke. var. longiforum Duthie (OHC-LD), one of the traditional Tibetan medicine, has been found many functions, including removing heat to cool blood, nourishing lung and inhibiting bacteria. In order to study the polysaccharides in OHC-LD water extract, the optimal extraction progress of polysaccharides of the roots of OHC-LD by response surface method designed with three-factor three-level Box-Behnken method and the antioxidant capacity and immune activity of the crude polysaccharide were studied in this investigation. Under the best conditions, the extraction yield of polysaccharide was 3.19±0.09% (n = 3). After purification, the crude polysaccharide was obtained with polysaccharide contents of 42.57%, which demonstrated stronger DPPH scavenging activity than BHT at low concentrations (<625 µg/mL), and comparable ABTS radical scavenging activity as BHT at high concentrations (≥1250 µg/mL). Additionally, it also exhibited a certain cell proliferation activity and an enhancement of the phagocytic ability of RAW264.7 cells. This study revealed that the crude polysaccharide from the roots of OHC-LD might be exploited as a natural antioxidant and immune enhance agent in the future in both medical and food industry.

Preparation of shikonin liposome and evaluation of its in vitro antibacterial and in vivo infected wound healing activity.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of antibiotic resistance over the past decade has made the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infection difficult. Burn wounds infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) can cause mortality in animals. Shikonin (SH) has been reported to possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and is also responsible for the process of wound healing. However, the pharmacological mechanism of its wound healing process remains poorly comprehended, hence the probable mechanism deserves further investigation. PURPOSE: The current study was designed to develop a novel SH-liposome with improved anti-MRSA effect and to detect its beneficial wound healing effects. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro antibacterial tests and in vivo infected wound healing test were conducted. METHODS: SH-liposome was produced by the film formation method, and the characteristics were measured using a laser particle size analyzer, transmission electron microscopy, and the dialysis method. Additionally, in vitro antibacterial tests were conducted to investigate the antibacterial effects and the relative mechanism of SH-liposome. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects and bioactivity of SH-liposome in MRSA infected burn wounds were investigated in rats. Sixty-four male Sprague Dawley rats (250 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into four groups, including Group I (control group); Group II (model group); Group III (SH-liposome group) and Group IV (Arnebia oil® group), and the drug treatments were applied topically twice daily for 21 days. Further, full thickness skin biopsies at different periods were collected aseptically to evaluate tissue cytokines, recognize flora, observe histopathological changes, and determine the mechanism underlying the wound healing effects of SH-liposome. The data were analyzed via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's multiple range test. RESULTS: The results showed that SH-liposome was successful with a drug load of 4.6 ± 0.17%. Moreover, SH-liposome showed a sustained-release behavior and improved antibacterial ability in a dose-dependent manner. For the possible antibacterial mechanism, we observed that SH-liposome achieved antibacterial activity by damaging the integrity of bacterial cell wall and membrane to further disturb the physiological activities of S. aureus. In addition, SH-liposome facilitated wound healing by inhibiting bacterial activities to control infection, regulating the I-κBα/NFκB-p65 pathway to alleviate inflammation, and directly promoting repair in burn wounds. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, SH-liposome showed an antibacterial effect against S. aureus, promoted effective healing of infected burn wounds; hence, it could be used as an alternative therapy for drug-resistant infections.

Restorative Effects of Inulin From Codonopsis pilosula on Intestinal Mucosal Immunity, Anti-Inflammatory Activity and Gut Microbiota of Immunosuppressed Mice.

An inulin (CPPF), isolated from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine Codonopsis pilosula, was characterized and demonstrated with potential prebiotic activity in vitro before. Based on its non-digested feature, the intestinal mucosa and microbiota modulatory effects in vivo on immunosuppressed mice were investigated after oral administration of 200, 100 and 50 mg/kg of CPPF for 7 days. It was demonstrated that the secretions of sIgA and mucin 2 (Muc2) in ileum were improved by CPPF, and the anti-inflammatory activities in different intestine parts were revealed. The intestine before colon could be the target active position of CPPF. As a potential prebiotic substance, a gut microbiota restorative effect was also presented by mainly modulating the relative abundance of Eubacteriales, including Oscillibacter, unidentified Ruminococcus and Lachnospiraceae after high-throughput pyrosequencing of V4 region of 16S rRNA analysis. All these results indicated that this main bioactive ingredient inulin from C. pilosula was a medicinal prebiotic with enhancing mucosal immune, anti-inflammatory and microbiota modulatory activities.

Chitosan-poloxamer-based thermosensitive hydrogels containing zinc gluconate/recombinant human epidermal growth factor benefit for antibacterial and wound healing.

Chitosan/poloxamer-based thermosensitive hydrogels containing zinc gluconate/recombinant human epidermal growth factor (ZnG/rhEGF@Chit/Polo) were developed as a convenient, safe and effective dressing for skin wound treatment. Their fabrication procedure and characterization were reported, and their morphology was examined by a scanning electron microscope. Antibacterial and biofilms activities were evaluated by in vitro tests to reveal the inhibitory effects and scavenging activity on the biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ZnG/rhEGF@Chit/Polo was also investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for wound healing therapy. In vivo wound healing studies on rats for 21 days proves that ZnG/rhEGF@Chit/Polo supplements the requisite Zn2+ and rhEGF for wound healing to promote the vascular remodeling and collagen deposition, facilitate fibrogenesis, and reduce the level of interleukin 6 for wound basement repair, and thus is a good wound therapy.

Protective effect of dietary supplementation of Bupleurum falcatum L saikosaponins on ammonia exposure-induced ileum injury in broilers.

Ammonia (NH3) at a high concentration has been recognized as a highly poisonous pollutant affecting both air and water quality. NH3, as a stimulus, exerts negative impact on broiler growth and production, but the molecular mechanisms are not clear yet. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Bupleurum falcatum L saikosaponins (SP) on the growth and ileum health status in broilers exposed to NH3. Day-old Arbor Acers broilers (n = 480) were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 treatments. The main factors were dietary SP supplementation (0 or 80 mg/kg of diet) and NH3 challenge (with or without 70 ± 5 ppm NH3). The data of growth, intestinal morphology, and mRNA expression related to ileal function were collected from broilers exposed to NH3 for 7 d. Results showed that NH3 remarkably suppressed growth performance and intestinal development as well as induced biological injuries in the ileum of broilers, resulting from oxidative stress, mucous barrier damage, and immune dysfunction as well as upregulated apoptosis. These negative effects of NH3 were alleviated by the SP supplement. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of SP may be helpful in alleviating the detrimental effects of NH3 on the ileum development in broilers.

Protective effect of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in chickens.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the protective effects of polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharide (PP), an important component of rhizome polygonatum, on cyclophosphamide (CY) induced immunosuppressed chickens. Four hundred and eighty one-day-old Erlang mountainous chickens were randomly allocated into four treatments. The main factors consisted of dietary supplement (PP at 0 or 800 mg/kg of diet) and immunosuppressive challenge (birds challenged with CY or treated with sterile saline). The results showed that PP enhanced chickens' growth performance via elevating daily weight gain (DWG), serum protein production, and decreasing feed conversion ratio (FCR). Moreover, physical measurements revealed that PP accelerated recovery of relative weights of immune organs and maintained their structure and function. Biochemical analysis indicated that PP significantly stimulated immunoglobulin and antioxidant indexes in serum, and improved the proliferation of peripheral blood T lymphocytes. In addition, PP promoted immune organs cells to enter into S and G2/M phases as well as inhibited the apoptosis in the spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius. PP up regulated the expression of IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-γ genes. Therefore, PP performs a profile in antagonizing Cy-induced immunosuppression in chickens, and it seems that PP can be used as a potential immunostimulant agent.

Determination of the main naphthoquinones in Onosma hookeri Clarke. var. longiforum Duthie and its optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction using response surface methodology.

In this study, besides isovaleryl shikonin, another shikonin derivative, tigloylshikonin, was also isolated from the roots of Onosma hookeri Clarke. var. longiforum Duthie as a main naphthoquinone constituent for the first time. Then optimization of the ultrasonic-assisted extraction was done by Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology on the basis of single-factor experiments. The optimized conditions were 72% (v/v) ethanol and the material to solution ratio was 1:37(g/mL) at 52 °C for 77 min. Under these conditions, the extraction yield of ethanol extract was 36.74 ± 0.32%, the contents of isovaleryl shikonin and tigloylshikonin reached 0.094 ± 0.003% and 0.223 ± 0.006%, respectively. Notably, in that optimized condition, the yield of isovaleryl shikonin increased by approximately 7.64-fold than the previous report. In the in vitro antioxidant activity assay, the optimal ethanol extract exhibited similar 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity as butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT), but slightly weaker 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity than that of BHT. However, the active polar fraction, the ethyl acetate fraction, which is enriched with naphthoquinone constituents, performs as a better antioxidant agent than BHT. Therefore, both of them could be considered as a naturally sourced antioxidants compared to commercially available synthetic drugs. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Onosma hookeri Clarke. var. longiforum Duthie, a traditional Chinese medicine and food item, has been in use since a long time. A systematic determination of the main naphthoquinones, and antioxidant capacity of the naphthoquinones-enriched ethanol extract and different polar fractions, was carried out in the present study. The results may provide theoretical basis for the claim that naphthoquinones-enriched ethanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction from the roots of Onosma hookeri Clarke. var. longiforum Duthie could be used as potential natural antioxidants in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.

Characterization of inulin-type fructans from two species of Radix Codonopsis and their oxidative defense activation and prebiotic activities.

BACKGROUND: Codonopsis pilosula and C. tangshen are both plants widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Polysaccharides, which are their primary active components, are thought to be important in their extensive use. In this study, two neutral polysaccharide fractions of C. pilosula (CPPN) and C. tangshen (CTPN) were obtained by fractionation on a DEAE-Sepharose column and characterized. RESULTS: It was confirmed that the neutral polymers CPPN and CTPN were ß-(2,1)-linked inulin-type fructans with non-reducing terminal glucose, and degree of polymerization (DP) of 19.6 and 25.2, respectively. The antioxidant and prebiotic activities in vitro were assayed based on IPEC-J2 cell lines and five strains of Lactobacillus. Results indicated that the effects of CPPN and CTPN were increased antioxidant defense in intestinal epithelial cells through enhanced cell viability, improved expression of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, and reduced levels of malondialdehyde and lactic dehydrogenase. The prebiotic activity of CPPN and CTPN was demonstrated by the promoting effect on Lactobacillus proliferation in vitro. The different biological activities obtained between the two fractions are probably due to the different DP and thus molecular weights of CPPN and CTPN. CONCLUSION: The inulin fractions from C. pilosula and C. tangshen were natural sources of potential intestinal antioxidants as well as prebiotics, which will be valuable in further studies and new applications of inulin-containing health products. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Optimization Extraction of Shikonin Using Ultrasound-Assisted Response Surface Methodology and Antibacterial Studies.

The objectives of this study were to develop and optimize ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for shikonin from Arnebia euchroma using response surface methodology (RSM) and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of shikonin. The maximum yield of shikonin was 1.26% under the optimal extraction conditions (ultrasound power, 93 W; time, 87 min; temperature, 39°C; and liquid-solid ratio, 11 : 1). Shikonin showed inhibitory activity against standard strains and clinical isolates to varying extents (MICs ranging from 128 to 1024 µg/mL, MBCs ranging from 256 to 2048 µg/mL), and it was more effective for Gram-positive bacteria as indicated by lower MIC and MBC values. Time-kill curves revealed that antibacterial activity of shikonin exhibited a dose-response relationship. In summary, via this study, we identified ultrasound-assisted RSM as the optimal extraction method for shikonin, which is a potential material for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Anticoccidial effect of Fructus Meliae toosendan extract against Eimeria tenella.

CONTEXT: Fructus Meliae toosendan extracts (FMTE) have a good therapeutic effect on coccidiosis, but there is no relevant research on its prophylactic effect on coccidiosis. OBJECTIVE: This study comprehensively evaluates the anticoccidial effect of FMTE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro, the unsporulated oocysts were treated with serial dilutions of FMTE and incubated for 7 d, and the sporulated oocysts were counted for calculating the median lethal concentration (LC50) of FMTE. In vivo, 180 10-day-old broiler chickens free of coccidiosis were weighted and randomly distributed into six groups: normal group, untreated group, 4 protective groups (positive group and three FMTE groups). From day 10 to day 21, chickens in the three FMTE groups were pre-treated with FMTE at the dosage of 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg/d, respectively, and chickens in the positive group were pre-treated with qiuliling (10 g/kg/d). On day 14, chickens in all groups except the normal group were orally infected with 1.5 × 104 sporulated oocysts. The clinical symptoms were observed from day 10 to day 21, the anticoccidial index (ACI), tissue lesions, and intestinal microflora were determined on day 21. RESULTS: FMTE showed anti-sporulation effect against E. tenella and the LC50 value was 245.83 µg/mL in vitro. In vivo, FMTE at the dosage of 10 g/kg/d was effective against E. tenella infection, and its ACI value was 162.56, which was higher than the value of positive drug qiuliling (128.81). Discussion and conclusions: FMTE have potent anticoccidial effects, and it presents an alternative anticoccidial agent for avian coccidiosis control.

A Polysaccharide Isolated from Codonopsis pilosula with Immunomodulation Effects Both In Vitro and In Vivo.

In this study, an acidic polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L. T. Shen (WCP-I) and its main fragment, WCP-Ia, obtained after pectinase digestion, were structurally elucidated and found to consist of a rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) region containing both arabinogalactan type I (AG-I) and type II (AG-II) as sidechains. They both expressed immunomodulating activity against Peyer's patch cells. Endo-1,4-ß-galactanase degradation gave a decrease of interleukine 6 (IL-6) production compared with native WCP-I and WCP-Ia, but exo-α-l-arabinofuranosidase digestion showed no changes in activity. This demonstrated that the stimulation activity partly disappeared with removal of ß-d-(1→4)-galactan chains, proving that the AG-I side chain plays an important role in immunoregulation activity. WCP-Ia had a better promotion effect than WCP-I in vivo, shown through an increased spleen index, higher concentrations of IL-6, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum, and a slight increment in the secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio. These results suggest that ß-d-(1→4)-galactan-containing chains in WCP-I play an essential role in the expression of immunomodulating activity. Combining all the results in this and previous studies, the intestinal immune system might be the target site of WCP-Ia.

Chemical characterization and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides isolated from the stems of Parthenocissus tricuspidata.

Four polysaccharides, PTP-1, PTP-2, PTP-3 and PTP-4, were obtained from the water extraction of the stems of P. tricuspidata by anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The antioxidant activities of four PTPs were investigated, exhibiting different antioxidant activities, in which PTP-4 performed noticeable, with strong superoxide radical activity (comparable to BHT), high DPPH radical activity (78.53% at 1250 µg/mL), moderate hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and reducing power activity. Furthermore, the chemical structure of PTP-4 was measured by FT-IR, GC, 1H and 13C NMR spectra, indicating its mainly composition of the arabinose, xylose, galactose, glucuronic acid, and mannose. Thus, the stems of P. tricuspidata could be used as a potential source for natural antioxidant.

Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Water Extract of Galla Chinensis In Vivo Models.

AIM: Pain and inflammation are associated with many diseases in humans and animals. Galla Chinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, has a variety of pharmacological properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Galla Chinensis through different animal models. METHOD: The analgesic activities were evaluated by hot-plate and writhing tests. The anti-inflammatory effects were assessed by ear edema, capillary permeability, and paw edema tests. The contents of cytokines (NO, iNOS, PGE2, and IL-10) in serum of rats in paw edema test were inspected by ELISA assays. RESULTS: In the hot-plate test, Galla Chinensis could significantly extend pain threshold when compared to control group. The inhibitory rates of writhes ranged from 36.62% to 68.57% in Galla Chinensis-treated mice. Treatment with Galla Chinensis (1 and 0.5 g/kg) could significantly inhibit ear edema (47.45 and 36.91%, resp.; P < 0.01). Galla Chinensis (1 g/kg) had significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory activity in capillary permeability test (29.04%). In carrageenan-induced edema test, the inhibitory rates were 43.71% and 44.07% (P < 0.01) at 1 h and 2 h after administration of Galla Chinensis (1 g/kg), respectively, and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Galla Chinensis has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, which may be a candidate drug for the treatment of inflammation and pain.

In Vivo Evaluation of Galla chinensis Solution in the Topical Treatment of Dermatophytosis.

AIM: Dermatophytosis is one of the main fungal diseases in humans and animals all over the world. Galla chinensis, a traditional medicine, has various pharmacological effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate the treatment effect of Galla chinensis solution (GCS) on dermatophytosis-infected dogs (Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, resp.). METHODS: The treatment effects of GCS were evaluated by mycological cure rates and clinical score comprised of three indices, including inflammation, hair loss, and lesion scale. RESULTS: The results showed that, in the three models of dermatophytosis, GCS significantly (P < 0.05) improved skin lesions and fungal eradication. GCS (10% and 5%) had higher efficacy compared to the positive control (Tujingpi Tincture). The fungal eradication efficacy exceeds 85% after treatment with GCS (10%, 5%, and 2.5%) on day 14. CONCLUSION: The GCS has antidermatophytosis effect in dogs, which may be a candidate drug for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

Optimization of the ultrasound-assisted extraction of antioxidant phloridzin from Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd. using response surface methodology.

The purpose of this study was to optimize the extraction process of phloridzin from Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd. leaves using response surface methodology and to determine the antioxidant capacity of the extract. A Box-Behnken design was used to analyze the effects of ethanol concentration, liquid-solid ratio, soak time and extraction time on the extraction yield of phloridzin. The content of phloridzin was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. To assess the antioxidant capacity of the extract, three in vitro test systems were used (1,1-,diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl radical scavenging test and reduction force). The optimal parameters obtained by response surface methodology were a volume fraction of ethanol of 64%, a liquid-solid ratio of 37:1, a soaking time of 35 h and a sonication time of 38 min. The proportion of the extraction of phloridzin from L. polystachyus under these industrial process conditions was 3.83%. According to the obtained results, response surface methodology could be suggested as an adequate model for optimizing the extraction process of phloridzin from L. polystachyus. Ultrasound extraction significantly increased the extraction rate of phloridzin, which could be used as an antioxidant in pharmaceutical and food products.

Preparation of Galla Chinensis Oral Solution as well as Its Stability, Safety, and Antidiarrheal Activity Evaluation.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: As a widely used traditional medicine, Galla Chinensis is rich in tannins. However, there are few detailed studies about pharmaceutical preparations of Galla Chinensis tannin extract (GTE). In the present experiments, for better application and to investigate the possibility that Galla Chinensis tannin extract can be used as an antidiarrheal drug, we prepared Galla Chinensis oral solution (GOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: GOS was prepared with GTE, and its physicochemical and microbiological stability was evaluated. The oral acute toxicity of GOS was calculated by the 50% lethal dose (LD50). The antidiarrheal activity was determined in a castor oil-induced diarrhea model in mice through diarrhea symptoms, fluid accumulation ratio, and percentage of distance moved by charcoal meal. RESULTS: The tannin content of GTE was 47.75%. GOS could endure a high temperature without a significant decrease of tannin content. After storage for six months, the tannin content of GOS was still more than 90%. GOS was determined to be nontoxic. Meanwhile, GOS showed significant antidiarrheal activity in a castor oil-induced diarrhea model in mice (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that GOS is an effective and stable antidiarrheal drug that can be used to complement other therapies.

Therapeutic effect of Chinese patent medicine "Wuhuanghu" on porcine infectious pleuropneumonia and its acute and subchronic toxicity as well as evaluation of safety pharmacology.

Chinese patent medicines play an important role in veterinary clinical use. The aim of this study is to research the anti-infection effect of Chinese patent medicine "Wuhuanghu" for the treatment of porcine infectious pleuropneumonia and to evaluate the safety of "Wuhuanghu" in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of its toxicity. The anti-infection results showed that the treatment with "Wuhuanghu" could significantly inhibit pneumonia and decrement of the pneumonia in high, medium and low doses of "Wuhuanghu" groups were 70.97%, 61.29% and 58.06% respectively. The acute toxicity test showed that rats in the highest group (5000mg/kg) had no death and no abnormal response, suggesting the LD50 of "Wuhuanghu" was more than 5000mg/kg. The subchronic toxicity study showed that hematology indexes in all groups had no obvious differences; blood biochemical index, only albumin and total cholesterol in middle and low doses of "Wuhuanghu" groups were significantly decreased when compared with control group. The clinical pathology showed that the target organ of "Wuhuanghu" was liver. The safety pharmacology study indicated that "Wuhuanghu" had no side effects on rats. In conclusion, "Wuhuanghu" has therapeutic and protective effects to porcine infectious pleuropneumonia in a dose-dependent manner and "Wuhuanghu" is a safe veterinary medicine.

In vitro acaricidal activity of 1,8-cineole against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi and regulating effects on enzyme activity.

1,8-Cineole found in many essential oils is a monoterpene and acts as a repellent against Sarcoptes scabiei var. cuniculi. In the present study, the acaricidal activity of 1,8-cineole against S. scabiei var. cuniculi was evaluated and the acaricidal mechanism was also investigated by assaying enzyme activities. The results showed that the lethal concentration of 50% (LC50) value (95% confidence limit (CL)) and the lethal time of 50% (LT50) value (95% CL) of 1,8-cineole were 2.77 mg/mL and 3.606 h, respectively. The pathological changes under transmission electron microscopy showed that the morphology of the mitochondria was abnormal, the cell nuclear membrane was damaged, and the nuclear chromatin was dissoluted. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-s-transferases (GSTs), monoamine oxidase (MAO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were significantly changed after treatment with 1,8-cineole for 4, 8, 12, and 24 h. SOD and GSTs are associated with the protection mechanism of scabies mites. And, the activities of SOD and GSTs were increased as compared with the control group. MAO, AChE, and NOS are associated with the nervous system of scabies mites. The activity of MAO was increased whereas the AChE was suppressed. The activity of NOS was suppressed in the high-dose group whereas increased in the middle-dose group and low-dose group. These results indicated that the mechanism of 1,8-cineole mainly attributed to the changes of these enzyme activities related to the nervous system of scabies mites.

Antiviral effect of sulfated Chuanmingshen violaceum polysaccharide in chickens infected with virulent Newcastle disease virus.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) belonging to the Paramyxovirinae subfamily is one of the most devastating pathogens in poultry. Although vaccines are widely applied to control the infection, outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) repeatedly happen. Currently, there are no alternative control measures available for ND. In the present study, we found that sulfated Chuanmingshen violaceum polysaccharide (sCVPS) were potent inhibitors of NDV in specific pathogen free chickens infected with a virulent strain. With sCVPS treatment, the survival rate increased by almost 20% and virus titers in test organs, including brain, lung, spleen and thymus, were significantly decreased. The sCVPS also exhibited the ability to prevent viral transmission by reducing the amount of virus shed in saliva and feces. Higher concentrations of interferon α and γ in serum were detected in chickens treated with sCVPS, indicating that one of the antiviral mechanisms may be attributed to the property of immunoenhancement. Histopathological examination showed that sCVPS could alleviate the tissue lesions caused by NDV infection. These results suggest that sCVPS are expected to be a new alternative control measure for NDV infection and further studies could be carried out to evaluate the antiviral activity of sCVPS against other paramyxoviruses.

Acute and subchronic toxicity as well as evaluation of safety pharmacology of Galla chinensis solution.

Galla chinensis has been popularly used in traditional Chinese medicine which is beneficial for the treatment of various diseases, such as inflammation, dysentery, toxicosis and sore. However, it has not previously been evaluated for safety through systematic toxicological studies. In the present study, acute and subchronic oral toxicity studies and safety pharmacology evaluation of Galla chinensis solution (GCS) were conducted in specific pathogen-free (SPF) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Acute administration of GCS was done as single dose from 3333 mg to 6912 mg per kg/bodyweight (bw) and subchronic toxicity study for 30 days was done by daily oral administration of GCS at doses of 500, 1500 and 2500 mg/kg body weight in SPF SD rats. The acute toxicity study showed the LD50 of GCS was greater than 5000 mg/kg. The results of sunchronic toxicity study showed that the no-observed effect level of GCS was lesser than 1500 mg/kg bw day, which suggested three times higher than that of recommended dose for clinical applications (500 mg/kg bw day). The dose at 2500 mg/kg bw day of GCS may slow down the growth of rats and lead to degeneration and necrosis of tissue cells to some extent. In the safety pharmacology study, GCS did not produce any side effects to rats in central nervous system, cardiovascular system and respiratory system. Therefore, from the results of the study presented herein, it could be concluded that the use of appropriate levels (one to three times of recommended dose for clinical applications) of GCS as a topical preparations is considered safe.