Impacts of dietary supplementation of bamboo vinegar and charcoal powder on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora of large-scale loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus.

Although accumulating data demonstrate that dietary supplementation of bamboo vinegar and charcoal powder (BVC) can significantly strengthen the immunity and boost the growth of domestic animals, its application potency still awaits verification in commercial fish species such as the large-scale loach Paramisgurnus dabryanus. The impacts of 90-day dietary supplementation of 1% and 2% BVC on survival and growth performance of the loach, and on the intestinal morphological characteristics and gut microflora were analyzed. Our data show that the large-scale loach supplied with BVC at the experimental doses had significant higher survival rates and better growth performance (indicated by greater weight gain (1.13-1.14 times), higher specific growth rate (1.04 times), and lower feed conversion ratio (0.88-0.89 times)) compared to that of the control (P<0.05). Histological examination revealed significant longer villus (3.22-5.54 times), deeper crypt (1.77-1.87 times), and thicker muscle (1.59-3.17 times) in the intestines of large-scale loach fed with BVC (P<0.05). Furthermore, we found that the gut microflora consisted of significantly fewer proportions of potential pathogenic bacterial species (Aeromonas veronii and Escherichia coli), but significantly greater proportions of beneficial microbes (Lactococus raffinolactis and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii). Therefore, dietary intake of BVC can promote intestinal tract development and optimize gut microflora, by which the survival and growth of large-scale loach may be improved.

Small Molecule Compounds of Natural Origin Target Cellular Receptors to Inhibit Cancer Development and Progression.

Receptors are macromolecules that transmit information regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis, play key roles in oncogenic processes and correlate with the prognoses of cancer patients. Thus, targeting receptors to constrain cancer development and progression has gained widespread interest. Small molecule compounds of natural origin have been widely used as drugs or adjuvant chemotherapeutic agents in cancer therapies due to their activities of selectively killing cancer cells, alleviating drug resistance and mitigating side effects. Meanwhile, many natural compounds, including those targeting receptors, are still under laboratory investigation for their anti-cancer activities and mechanisms. In this review, we classify the receptors by their structures and functions, illustrate the natural compounds targeting these receptors and discuss the mechanisms of their anti-cancer activities. We aim to provide primary knowledge of mechanistic regulation and clinical applications of cancer therapies through targeting deregulated receptors.