Nutrient and Rumen Fermentation Studies of Indian Pasture Legumes for Sustainable Animal Feed Utilisation in Semiarid Areas.

This study evaluated 5 annual and 11 perennial Indian pasture legumes species for their nutritive value, dry matter and mineral contents and in vitro fermentation parameters. Legume species differed significantly (p < 0.05) in various nutritional aspects such as organic matter, crude protein (CP), ether extract, fibres and protein fractions. Perennial Clitoria ternateaa had higher (p < 0.05) buffer soluble protein (477), while neutral detergent soluble protein was highest in annually grown Lablab purpureus (420 g/kg CP). Atylosia scarabaeoides (AS) had higher levels of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) (392 g/kg dry matter (DM)) than structural carbohydrates (SC) (367 g/kg DM). Its rapidly degradable fraction (51.7 g/kg (total carbohydrate) tCHO) was lower (p < 0.05) than other fractions of carbohydrates. Total digestible nutrients, digestible energy and metabolisable energy varied, with Desmodium virgatus (DV) having higher values and Stylosanthas seabrana (SSe) having the lowest. Predicted dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and relative feed value also showed significant differences (p < 0.05). Annual grasses such as Dolichos biflorus, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Rhynchosia minima (RM) were found to be better balanced with micro minerals. In vitro dry matter degradability, partition factor, short-chain fatty acids and microbial protein production of legumes varied significantly (p < 0.05). Gas and CH4 production (mL/g and mL/g (digestible DM) DDM) also varied, with Clitoria ternatea-blue having the highest gas production and C. ternatea -white (CT-w) and AS having lower CH4 production. Methane in total gas was low for DV, RM and CT-w (8.99%, 9.72% and 9.51%). Loss of DE and ME as CH4 varied (p < 0.05) among the legumes. Each legume offers unique benefits, potentially allowing for tailored combinations of annual and perennial legumes to optimize rumen feed efficiency.

Proanthocyanidins Modulate Rumen Enzyme Activities and Protein Utilization In Vitro.

This study investigated the principal leaf protein (rubisco) solubilization and in vitro ruminal enzyme activity in relation to the molecular structure of proanthocyanidins extracted from leaves of Anogeissus pendula and Eugenia jambolana. Six proanthocyanidin fractions were extracted by 50% (v/v) methanol−water followed by 70% (v/v) acetone−water and then distilled water from leaves of A. pendula (AP) and E. jambolana (EJ) to yield EJ−70, EJ−50, EJ−DW, AP−70, AP−50 and AP−DW. Fractions were examined for their molecular structure and their effects on sheep ruminal enzymes and solubilization of rubisco in vitro. All fractions significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the activity of ruminal glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. The fractions AP−50 and EJ−50 significantly inhibited the activity of the R-cellulase enzyme. Most of the fractions inhibited R-glutamate dehydrogenase activity (p < 0.05) by increasing its concentration, while protease activity decreased by up to 58% with increasing incubation time and concentration. The solubilization of rubisco was observed to be comparatively higher in A. pendula (16.60 ± 1.97%) and E. jambolana (15.03 ± 1.06%) than that of wheat straw (8.95 ± 0.95%) and berseem hay (3.04 ± 0.08%). A significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein solubilization was observed when wheat straw and berseem hay were supplemented with A. pendula and E. jambolana leaves at different proportions. The efficiency of microbial protein was significantly (p < 0.05) greater with the supplementation of leaves of A. pendula in comparison to E. jambolana. The overall conclusion is that the proanthocyanidins obtained from E. jambolana exhibited greater inhibitory activities on rumen enzymes, whereas A. pendula recorded higher protein solubilization. Thus, PAs from A. pendula and E. jambolana appear to have the potential to manipulate rumen enzyme activities for efficient utilization of protein and fiber in ruminants.

Sequential Extraction of Proanthocyanidin Fractions from Ficus Species and Their Effects on Rumen Enzyme Activities In Vitro.

Three proanthocyanidin fractions per species were sequentially extracted by 50% (v/v) methanol−water, 70% (v/v) acetone−water, and distilled water from leaves of Ficus racemosa (fractions FR) and F. religiosa (fractions FRL) to yield fractions FR-50, FR-70, FR-DW, FRL-50, FRL-70, and FRL-DW. Fractions were examined for their molecular structure, effect on ruminal enzyme activities, and principal leaf protein (Rubisco) solubilization in vitro. All fractions except FRL-70 contained flavonoids including (+) catechin, (−) epicatechin, (+) gallocatechin, (−) epigallocatechin, and their -4-phloroglucinol adducts. The fractions FRL-50 and FRL-DW significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the activity of ruminal glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase. All fractions inhibited glutamate dehydrogenase activity (p < 0.05) with increasing concentration, while protease activity decreased 15−18% with increasing concentrations. Fractions FRL-50 and FRL-DW completely inhibited the activity of cellulase enzymes. Solubilization of Rubisco was higher in F. religiosa (22.36 ± 1.24%) and F. racemosa (17.26 ± 0.61%) than that of wheat straw (WS) (8.95 ± 0.95%) and berseem hay (BH) (3.04 ± 0.08%). A significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein solubilization was observed when WS and BH were supplemented with FR and FRL leaves at different proportions. The efficiency of microbial protein was significantly (p < 0.05) greater in diets consisting of WS and BH with supplementation of F. racemosa leaves in comparison to those supplemented with F. religiosa leaves. The overall conclusion is that the fractions extracted from F. religiosa showed greater inhibitory effects on rumen enzymes and recorded higher protein solubilization in comparison to the F. racemosa. Thus, PAs from F. religiosa are potential candidates to manipulate rumen enzymes activities for efficient utilization of protein and fiber in ruminants.

Effect of Trimeric Myricetin Rhamnoside (TMR) in Carrageenan-induced Inflammation and Caecal Ligation and Puncture-induced Lung Oxidative Stress in Mice.

The Eugenia jambolana is used in folklore medicine. Leaves of E. jambolana contain flavonoids as their active constituents which possess in vitro antiinflammatory, antioxidant and the antimicrobial activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects of a flavonoid glucoside, trimeric myricetin rhamnoside (TMR) isolated from leaves of E. jambolana. TMR was studied for antiinflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema and antioxidant activity in lung by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis in mice. Results of the present study indicated that TMR significantly attenuated the oedema, myeloperoxidase (MPO), cytokines and prostaglandin levels in the paw after 5 h of carrageenan injection as compared to vehicle control. It also reduced the lung MPO, lipid peroxides, and serum nitrite plus nitrate levels and increased lung reduced glutathione levels 20 h of CLP as compared to vehicle control. Thus the results of this study concluded that the TMR appears to have potential benefits in diseases that are mediated by both inflammation and oxidative stress and support the pharmacological basis of use of E. jambolana plant as traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Neuroprotective effect of 5,7,3',4',5'-pentahydroxy dihydroflavanol-3-O-(2''-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, a polyphenolic compound in focal cerebral ischemia in rat.

Ischemia/reperfusion injury ends up in the cascade of excitotoxic stimulation of superoxide and nitric oxide formation leading to the generation of highly reactive products, including peroxinitrite and hydroxyl radical, which are capable of damaging lipids, proteins and DNA. Several polyphenolic compounds scavenge the radicals and protect from injury. 5,7,3',4',5'-pentahydroxy dihdroflavanol-3-O-(2''-O-galloyl)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (AP1), a polyphenolic compound, isolated from Anogeissus pendula Edgew was tested for its neuroprotective effect in transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was produced by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2h for studying infarct volume, brain edema, apoptosis and oxidative stress. AP1 was tested for in vitro protection from glutamate and hydrogen peroxide-induced damage to Neuro-2a cells by MTT assay. It was also tested for its in vitro antioxidant, lipid peroxidation inhibition, NO scavenging and cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities. AP1 treatment (30 mg/kg i.p.) before reperfusion injury (0 h) significantly reduced the infarct volume, cerebral edema, number of apoptotic cells in penumbra and neurobehavioural abnormality score and lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl levels and total thiols in brain. Increased catalase activity and NOx levels in ischemic animals were significantly reduced by AP1 treatment. AP1 (3 microg/ml) protected Neuro-2a cells to H2O2 and glutamate-induced damage. In in vitro studies, AP1 was found to possess reducing and NO scavenging activities. It also reduced lipid peroxidation and inhibited cyclooxygenase activity (cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2). AP1 can be used as a neuroprotective agent in stroke as it reduced apoptosis and found to be a good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound.