Protective immunity of a Multivalent Vaccine Candidate against piglet diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in a pig model.

As one of the most challenging problems in swine industry, piglet diarrhea has caused huge economic loss globally. Currently, vaccination is the most effective way of controlling enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) diarrhea. However, existing commercial vaccines could not provide broad protection against different types of ETEC. In this study, we mixed a enterotoxin fusion protein SLS (STa-LTB-STb) with the main fimbrial F4ac and F5 antigens as a novel multivalent vaccine candidate. Then an overall evaluation of this vaccine candidate against ETEC was carried out in a pig model. We found that the IgG titers in serum as well as colostrum in all the vaccinated sows were significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). By using a sensory evaluation method, we demonstrated that piglets in the vaccinated group exhibited significantly healthier status than the unimmunized group. Moreover, in response to F41 + ETEC challenge, none of the piglets with the vaccine candidate experienced diarrhea, whereas 30% of the piglets suffered without vaccination. In conclusion, these results showed that the candidate vaccine could elicit multiple high-titer antibodies against all the main virulence factors and provide a broad and effective protection against ETEC diarrhea.

Protective effects of aqueous extract from Acanthopanax senticosus against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Acanthopanax senticosus, classified into the family of Araliaceae, has been known for thousands of years as a remedy and is used to treat various diseases in traditional Chinese medicine system including hypertension, ischemic heart disease and hepatitis. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to examine the protective effects of aqueous extract from Acanthopanax senticosus (ASE) on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity and its possible mechanisms, using PC12 cells as a suitable in vitro model of depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this paper, PC12 cells were treated with 200 µM of corticosterone in the absence or presence of ASE in varying concentrations for 24 h. Then, cell viability was measured by MTT assay. The release amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was quantified using LDH assay kit. Apoptosis of PC12 cells was measured by Annexin V-FITC and PI labeling. The intracellular Ca(2+) content was tested by fluorescent labeling. The mRNA level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was examined by real-time RT-PCR, and the expression of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) was determined by western blotting. RESULTS: The results showed that treatment with 200 µM of corticosterone could induce cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. However, different concentrations of ASE (50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/mL) significantly increased the cell viability, decreased the LDH release, suppressed the apoptosis of PC12 cells, attenuated the intracellular Ca(2+) overloading, up-regulated the BDNF mRNA level and CREB protein expression compared with the corresponding corticosterone-treated group. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that ASE exerts a neuroprotective effect on corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, which may be one of the acting mechanisms that accounts for the in vivo antidepressant activity of ASE.

Anti-depressant effects of aqueous extract from Acanthopanax senticosus in mice.

In this paper, the anti-depressant effects of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) were studied using animal models of depression including the forced swimming and tail suspension tests. The anti-depressive mechanism of ASE was explored by monitoring the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters including 5-hydroxytrylamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA), as well as cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein expression in the whole brain of mice following the tail suspension test. Our results showed that intragastric administration of ASE at a dose of 2000 mg/kg for seven days significantly reduced the duration of immobility in both the forced swimming test and the tail suspension test. These results indicate that ASE possesses antidepressant-like properties. Pre-treatment with 2000 mg/kg of ASE for seven days significantly elevated the levels of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the whole brain of mice. Moreover, ASE at doses of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg significantly up-regulated the level of CREB protein. Taken together, these findings suggest that the anti-depressive mechanism of ASE may be mediated via the central monoaminergic neurotransmitter system and CREB protein expression. Therefore, administration of ASE may be beneficial for patients with depressive disorders.

Deer antler base as a traditional Chinese medicine: a review of its traditional uses, chemistry and pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Deer antler base (Cervus, Lu Jiao Pan) has been recorded in the Chinese medical classics Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 2000 years ago and is believed to nourish the Yin, tonify the kidney, invigorate the spleen, strengthen bones and muscles, and promote blood flow. In China, deer antler base has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat a variety of diseases including mammary hyperplasia, mastitis, uterine fibroids, malignant sores and children's mumps. AIM OF THE REVIEW: We provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the traditional uses, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and clinical trials of deer antler base in order to explore its therapeutic potentials and future research needs. BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The pharmacological value of deer antler base was ignored for many years while researchers concentrated on the pharmacological value of velvet antler. However, more recently, scientists have carried out a great number of chemical, pharmacological and clinical studies on deer antler base. The present review covers the literature available from 1980 to 2012. All relevant information on deer antler base was collected from ancient Chinese herbal classics, pharmacopoeias, formularies, scientific journals, books, theses and reports via a library and electronic search by using PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, and CNKI (in Chinese). KEY FINDINGS: Both in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies have demonstrated that deer antler base possess immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, anti-fatigue, anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-stress, anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, hematopoietic modulatory activities and the therapeutic effect on mammary hyperplasia. Although the mechanism of actions is still not clear, the pharmacological activities could be mainly attributed to the major bioactive compounds amino acids, polypeptides and proteins. Based on animal studies and clinical trials, deer antler base causes no severe side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Deer antler base has emerged as a good source of traditional medicine. However, further investigations are needed to explore individual bioactive compounds responsible for these in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects and its mechanism of actions. Further safety assessments and clinical trials in humans need to be performed before it can be integrated into medicinal practices. The present review has provided preliminary information for further studies and commercial exploitations of deer antler base.