Exploring the Probiotic and Compound Feed Fermentative Applications of Lactobacillus plantarum SK1305 Isolated from Korean Green Chili Pickled Pepper.

Herein, we explore the probiotic potentials and soybean meal (SBM) compound feed fermentative applications of Lactobacillus plantarum SK1305 strain isolated previously from Korean green chili pickled pepper (gochu-jangajji). The isolate exhibited higher acid (pH 2.5) and bile tolerance (0.3%, w/v) up to 2 h and 4 h, respectively. The cell-free culture supernatant (CFCS) displayed a broad spectrum antibacterial activities against various pathogens, which may be ascribed to high lactic acid production (L-form, 86.8 ± 0.8 mM and D-form, 44.8 ± 0.2 mM). Further, the strain displayed high cell-surface hydrophobicity (92.7 ± 1.0%), coupled with low auto-aggregation (23.6 ± 4.4%) but relatively higher co-aggregation properties with C. perfringens (49.6 ± 0.6%) as well as H2O2 (1.0 mM) resistant property. Additionally, the isolate displayed significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity (55.2 ± 0.6%) and superoxide reducing ability in MAC-T cells. Considering safety, the isolate has no transmissible antibiotic resistant genes and harmful enzymes as well as non-hemolytic activities. Ushered by these appreciable probiotic properties, the isolate was used for solid state fermentation (SSF) of SBM compound feed. Notably, we observed a higher strain adaptability (> 1010 CFU/g) following the production of L- (> 6.0 ± 0.0 mM) and D-form (> 5.2 ± 0.3 mM) lactic acid during fermentation for 8 h. The methanolic extracts of fermented feed displayed high antibacterial and antioxidant activities, affirming the potential functional activities of fermented compound feeds. Therefore, L. plantarum SK1305 may act as a worthy inoculum toward fermentation of feed with enhanced nutritional properties.

Protective effects of methoxyflavone derivatives from black galingale against glutamate induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells.

To examine the neuroprotective effects of black galingale, its protection was tested against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cortical cultured neurons. It was found that an aqueous extract of this medicinal plant exhibited significant protection against glutamate-induced toxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells. In order to clarify the neuroprotective mechanism(s) of this observed effect, isolation was performed to seek and identify active fractions and components. By such fractionation, bioactive methoxyflavone derivatives were isolated from the methanol extracts from the air-dried rhizomes of black galingale. 5-Hydroxy-3,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone exhibited significant neuroprotective activities against glutamate-induced toxicity, exhibiting cell viability of about 60-70%, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 µm to 10 µm. Therefore, the neuroprotective effect of black galingale might be due to the inhibition of glutamate-induced toxicity by the methoxyflavone derivatives it contains.

Immunotoxicity activity of sesquiterpenoids from black galingale (Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex. Baker) against Aedes aegypti L.

The roots of black galingale (Kaempferia parviflora) were chloroform-extracted and the isolated two sesquiterpene and immunotoxicity effects were studied. The structures and stereochemistry of these compounds were established on the basis of analysis of spectra including UV, MS, (1)H-NMR, and (13)C-NMR as follows: 1 (4α-acetoxycadina-2,9-diene-1,8-dione), 2 (1α,3α,4ß-trihydroxy-9-cadinen-8-one). Compound 2 had a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L. with an LC(50) value of 0.7 µM and an LC(90) value of 3.8 µM. The results could be useful in search for newer, safer, and more effective natural immunotoxicity agents against A. aegypti.

Composition and immunotoxicity activity of essential oils from leaves of Zingiber officinale Roscoe against Aedes aegypti L.

The leaves of Zingiber officinale Roscoe were extracted and the major essential oil composition and immunotoxicity effects were studied. The analyses were conducted by gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) revealed that the essential oils of Z. officinale leaves. The Z. officinale essential oil yield was 0.26%, and GC/MS analysis revealed that its major constituents were Camphene (5.26%), Phellandrene (6.58%), Zingiberene (36.48%), Geranial (4.32%), ß-gurjunene (2.74%), and Citronellol ß-sesguiphellandrene (12.31%). The essential oil had a significant toxic effect against early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti L with an LC(50) value of 46.38 ppm and an LC(90) value of 84.32 ppm. Also, Camphene (≥95.0%), Phellandrene (≥95.0%), Zingiberene (≥95.0%), Geranial (≥95.0%), ß-gurjunene (≥97.0%), and Citronellol (≥95.0%) were tested against the F21 laboratory strain of A. aegypti. Zingiberene (≥95.0%) and Citronellol (≥95.0%) have medium activity with an LC(50) value of 99.55 ppm and 141.45 ppm. This indicates that other major compounds may play a more important role in the toxicity of essential oil.

Neuroprotective effects of a sesquiterpene lactone and flavanones from Paulownia tomentosa Steud. against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultured rat cortical cells.

The neuroprotective effects of Paulownia tomentosa against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity were studied in primary cultured rat cortical cells. It was found that the aqueous extract of this medicinal plant significantly attenuated glutamate-induced toxicity. In order to clarify the mechanism(s) underlying this neuroprotective effect, the active fractions and components were isolated and identified. Five compounds were isolated as the methanol extracts from air-dried flowers of P. tomentosa. Isoatriplicolide tiglate exhibited significant neuroprotective activity against glutamate-induced toxicity at concentrations ranging from 1 µM to 10 µM, and exhibited cell viability of approximately 43-78%. Therefore, the neuroprotective effect of P. tomentosa might be due to the inhibition of glutamate-induced toxicity by the sesquiterpene lactone derivative it contains.

Anti-complement activity of isolated compounds from the roots of Clerodendrum bungei Steud.

To determine the anti-complement activity of natural diterpenes, chromatographic separation of the acetone-soluble fraction from the roots of Clerodendrum bungei (Verbenaceae) led to the isolation of five diterpenoids. An acetone-soluble extract of the roots of C. bungei exhibited significant anti-complement activity on the classical pathway complement system, which was expressed as total hemolytic activity. Five compounds isolated from the roots of C. bungei, namely 12-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-3,11,16-trihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene (1), 3,12-O-ß-d-diglucopyranosyl-11,16-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene (2), ajugaside A (3), uncinatone (4) and 19-hydroxyteuvincenone F (5). Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 showed inhibitory activity against complement system with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) values of 24 µm, 138 µm, 116 µm, 87 µm and 232 µm. Among the compounds tested, 1 showed the most potent anti-complement activity (IC(50), 24 µm).