Rectal microbiomes and serum metabolomics reveal the improved effect of Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharides on the lactation performance, antioxidant status, and immune responses of lactating donkeys.

This study is aimed at investigating the effects of dietary supplementation with Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharides (AOCP) on lactation performance, antioxidant status, and immune status of lactating donkeys and analyzing rectal microbiomes and serum metabolomes. Fourteen lactating Dezhou donkeys with similar age (6.16 ± 0.67 yr of BW ± SD), weight (250.06 ± 25.18 kg), DIM (39.11 ± 7.42 d), and average parity of 3 were randomly allocated into 2 treatments: a control group (CON, basal diet) and an AOCP group (AOCP, basal diet with 1.0 g/kg DM AOCP). Ten weeks were allotted for the experiment, 2 wk for adaptation, and 8 wk for collecting data and samples. The results showed that supplementation of donkey diets with AOCP increased lactation performance, including DMI, milking yield, estimated milk yield, solids-corrected milk, ECM, milk fat yield, milk protein yield, milk lactose yield, milk TS yield, and milk SNF yield. The digestibility of DM, CP, ADF, and NDF was increased in the AOCP group compared with the CON group. The AOCP group increased the concentrations of IgA, IgG, and IgM, the activities of the superoxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity in the serum. Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharides decreased the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde in the serum. Compared with the CON group, AOCP increased propionate, butyrate, isovalerate, and total VFA concentrations in rectal feces (P < 0.05). The addition of AOCP to increased diversity (Shannon index) and altered structure of the rectal microflora. As a result of AOCP supplementation, there has been a significant improvement in the colonization of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Unclassified_f_Prevotellacea, Ruminococcus, and Fibrobacter genera. In contrast, a decrease in the colonization of the Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 bacterial genus and other pathogenic bacteria was observed. Meanwhile, metabolomics analysis found that AOCP supplementation upregulated metabolites l-tyrosine content while downregulating 9(S)-HODE, choline, sucrose, lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC) (18:0), LysoPC (18:1(9Z)), and LysoPC (20:2(11Z,14Z)) concentrations. These altered metabolites were involved in the PPAR signaling pathway, prolactin signaling pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolism, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and tyrosine metabolism pathways, which were mainly related to antioxidant capacity, immune responses, and protein metabolism in the lactating donkeys. As a consequence of feeding AOCP diets, beneficial bacteria were abundant, and antioxidant and protein metabolism-related pathways were enriched, which may enhance lactation performance in donkeys. Therefore, supplementing AOCP diets is a desirable dietary strategy to improve donkey health and lactation performance.

Precipitation pattern changed the content of non-structural carbohydrates components in different organs of Artemisia ordosica.

BACKGROUND: Non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) play a significant role in plant growth and defense and are an important component of carbon cycling in desert ecosystems. However, regarding global change scenarios, it remains unclear how NSCs in desert plants respond to changing precipitation patterns. [Methods] Three precipitation levels (natural precipitation, a 30% reduction in precipitation, and a 30% increase in precipitation) and two precipitation intervals levels (5 and 15 d) were simulated to study NSC (soluble sugar and starch) responses in the dominant shrub Artemisia ordosica. RESULTS: Precipitation level and interval interact to affect the NSC (both soluble sugar and starch components) content of A. ordosica. The effect of precipitation on NSC content and its components depended on extended precipitation interval. With lower precipitation and extended interval, soluble sugar content in roots increased and starch content decreased, indicating that A. ordosica adapts to external environmental changes by hydrolyzing root starch into soluble sugars. At 5 d interval, lower precipitation increased the NSC content of stems and especially roots. CONCLUSIONS: A. ordosica follows the "preferential allocation principle" to preferentially transport NSC to growing organs, which is an adaptive strategy to maintain a healthy physiological metabolism under drought conditions. The findings help understand the adaptation and survival mechanisms of desert vegetation under the changing precipitation patterns and are important in exploring the impact of carbon cycling in desert systems under global environmental change.

Interspecific interactions alter plant functional strategies in a revegetated shrub-dominated community in the Mu Us Desert, China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous studies investigating plant-plant interactions have focused on plant growth, context dependence and shifts in interactive outcomes. However, changes in functional traits in the context of interactions have been inadequately explored; few studies have focused on the effects of interactions on the plasticity of functional strategies. METHODS: We conducted a 4-year removal experiment for the xeric shrub Artemisia ordosica and perennial graminoids (PGs) in the Mu Us Desert, northern China. Soil nutrient content, biomass and 12 functional traits related to plant morphology and nutrient status were measured for the shrub species and a dominant PG species (i.e. Leymus secalinus) in the presence and absence of shrubs and PGs. KEY RESULTS: Shrubs affected the functional traits of L. secalinus, reducing leaf dry matter content and increasing plant height, which probably promoted the functional strategy of L. secalinus towards a more resource-acquisitive and competitive strategy. In contrast, when the shrubs were affected by PGs, they shifted towards a resource-conservative and stress-tolerative strategy, by increasing leaf dry matter content and decreasing specific leaf area. Moreover, the shrub species relied more on internal nutrient recycling (higher nitrogen resorption efficiency) rather than on external nitrogen uptake under nitrogen competition; instead, L. secalinus tended to exhibit higher external nitrogen uptake from soil during nitrogen shortages. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that the functional strategies and nutrient cycling of the shrub species and the dominant PG were altered by each other. The shifts in functional traits may help plants to coexist in the community for a relatively long time. Our findings highlighted that interspecific interactions alter plant functional strategies and provided new insights into community assembly and succession mechanisms in a revegetated shrubland for ecological restoration of drylands.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant and Antibacterial Potencies of the Artemisia ordosica Aerial Parts Essential Oil during the Vegetative Period.

As one of the vital shrubs growing in crusted areas in China, Artemisia ordosica (belonging to the Asteraceae family) is abundant in essential oil, and its aerial part's essential oil has been reported to have some biological activities during the flowering and fruit set stage, and has been used in folk medicine. However, little is known about the biological activities of its aerial part's essential oil during the vegetative period. Thus, the purpose of this work was to determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial potencies of the essential oil extracted from A. ordosica aerial parts during the vegetative stage. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed that spathulenol (9.93%) and α-curcumene (9.24%), both sesquiterpenes, were the most abundant of the 74 chemical constituents detected in the essential oil of A. ordosica. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was found to be relatively moderate against 2,2-diphenylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and hydroxyl radical (OH●) radicals. The essential oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella abony and Escherichia coli, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 2.5, 5, and 10 µL/mL, respectively. The results indicate that the essential oil of A. ordosica possesses notable antibacterial properties as well as antioxidant capability and can thus be employed as a natural ingredient which can be used as a substitute for antibiotics in the animal feed industry. However, in vivo toxicological studies are still required to determine the safety level and beneficial outcomes of the A. ordosica essential oil for future utilization.

Artemisia ordosica Polysaccharide Alleviated Lipopolysaccharide-induced Oxidative Stress of Broilers via Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4/NF-κB Pathway.

Artemisia ordosica is one of the main shrubby perennials belonging to Artemisia species of Asteraceae and could be used in folk Chinese/Mongolian medicine to treat symptoms of various inflammatory ailments. The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of dietary Artemisia ordosica polysaccharide (AOP) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced oxidative stress in broilers via Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4/NF-κB pathway. A total of 192 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allotted to four treatments with 6 replicates (n = 8): (1) CON group, non-challenged broilers fed basal diet; (2) LPS group, LPS-challenged broilers fed basal diet; (3) AOP group, non-challenged broilers fed basal diet supplemented with 750 mg/kg AOP; (4) LPS+AOP group, LPS-challenged broilers fed basal diet supplemented with 750 mg/kg AOP. The trial included starter phase (d 1-14), stress period Ⅰ (d 15-21), convalescence Ⅰ (d 22-28), stress period Ⅱ (d 29-35) and convalescence Ⅱ (d 36-42). During stress period Ⅰ (on d 15, 17, 19 and 21) and stress period Ⅱ (on d 29, 31, 33 and 35), broilers were injected intra-abdominally either with LPS solution or with an equal amount of sterile saline. The results showed that dietary AOP supplementation alleviated LPS-induced reduction in antioxidant enzyme activity and excessive production of ROS, 8-OHdG and PC in serum of broilers challenged with LPS. Moreover, dietary AOP supplementation alleviated the decrease of T-AOC and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx in liver of broilers challenged with LPS by increasing expression of Nrf2, and inhibiting over-expression of Keap1 both at gene and protein level. Additionally, dietary AOP supplementation decreased the over-production of IL-1ß and IL-6 in liver of broilers challenged by LPS through decreasing mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB P65, IL-1ß and IL-6, and alleviating the increase of protein expression of TLR4, IKKß, NF-κB P65, IL-1ß, IL-6, and the decrease of protein expression of IkBα. In conclusion, dietary AOP supplementation could alleviate LPS-induced oxidative stress through Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Effects of Artemisia ordosica roots on the cadmium adsorption characterization on particulate organic matter and soils.

Particulate organic matter (POM) is an effective adsorbent for decreasing the contaminant of cadmium, but little is known about the relevant mechanisms under the effect of plant. In this work, POM were used to study the removal of Cd2+ in the initial concentration range of 0-4.46 mmol L-1 at pH 5.5, and the effect of Artemisia ordosica roots and pH on kinetics and equilibrium of cadmium adsorption on POM and soils were examined. The result indicated that adsorption kinetics fit well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the equilibrium data for Cd adsorption fit much well to the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity for POM at equilibrium corresponding to the monolayer coverage reached 0.287 mmol/g for Cd. The amount of Cd adsorbed in the POM and soil increased with the increase of pH from 4 to 8.5. The Artemisia ordosica roots decreased Cd adsorption in POM; instead, the adsorption capacity of soil for Cd was improved under the effect of Artemisia ordosica roots. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analysis indicated that the complexation of POM and Cd was mainly through sulfhydryl, hydroxyl and carboxyl groups.

Water extract of Artemisia ordosica enhances antioxidant capability and immune response without affecting growth performance in weanling piglets.

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of water extract of Artemisia ordosica (WEAO) on growth performance, antioxidant capability and immune response in weanling piglets. Seventy-two 28-day-old weanling piglets were randomly allocated into four treatments with six replicate pens per treatment and three piglets per pen (n = 18). These four treatment diets were formulated by adding 0, 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg WEAO to the basal diet. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Body weight and feed intake were measured. Blood samples were collected to determine immune and antioxidative parameters. The experimental results showed that WEAO supplementation improved the apparent nutrient digestibility of piglets in a linear or quadratic dose-dependent manner. In addition, dietary WEAO quadratically increased serum concentrations of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-4, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble surface antigen CD8 (sCD8), immunoglobulins (Ig)-A and linearly increased serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-6, IgG, IgM. Furthermore, dietary WEAO linearly or quadratically decreased serum concentrations of malondialdehyde but quadratically increased activities of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidative capacity. These results suggested that WEAO may prove useful as a natural phytogenic feed additive with antioxidative potential and could be incorporated into diets of piglets.

We Happy Few: Using Structured Population Models to Identify the Decisive Events in the Lives of Exceptional Individuals.

In any population, some individuals make it big: they are among the few that produce many offspring, grow to large size, and so on. What distinguishes the lives of these happy few? We present three approaches for identifying what factors distinguish those "lucky" individuals who come to dominate reproduction in a population without fixed differences between individuals (genotype, site quality, etc.): comparing life-history trajectories for lucky and unlucky individuals and calculating the elasticity of the probability of becoming lucky to perturbations in demographic rates at a given size or a given age. As examples we consider published size-structured integral projection models for the tropical tree Dacrydium elatum and the semiarid shrub Artemisia ordosica and an age-size-structured matrix model for the tropical tree Cedrela ordosica. We find that good fortune (e.g., rapid growth) when small and young matters much more than good fortune when older and larger. Becoming lucky is primarily a matter of surviving while others die. For species with more variable growth (such as Cedrela and Ordosica), it is also a matter of growing fast. We focus on reproductive skew, but our methods are broadly applicable and can be used to investigate how individuals come to be exceptional in any aspect.

Optimal balance of water use efficiency and leaf construction cost with a link to the drought threshold of the desert steppe ecotone in northern China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In arid environments, a high nitrogen content per leaf area (Narea) induced by drought can enhance water use efficiency (WUE) of photosynthesis, but may also lead to high leaf construction cost (CC). Our aim was to investigate how maximizing Narea could balance WUE and CC in an arid-adapted, widespread species along a rainfall gradient, and how such a process may be related to the drought threshold of the desert-steppe ecotone in northern China. METHODS: Along rainfall gradients with a moisture index (MI) of 0·17-0·41 in northern China and the northern Tibetan Plateau, we measured leaf traits and stand variables including specific leaf area (SLA), nitrogen content relative to leaf mass and area (Nmass, Narea) and construction cost (CCmass, CCarea), δ(13)C (indicator of WUE), leaf area index (LAI) and foliage N-pool across populations of Artemisia ordosica KEY RESULTS: In samples from northern China, a continuous increase of Narea with decreasing MI was achieved by a higher Nmass and constant SLA (reduced LAI and constant N-pool) in high-rainfall areas (MI > 0·29), but by a lower SLA and Nmass (reduced LAI and N-pool) in low-rainfall areas (MI ≤ 0·29). While δ(13)C, CCmass and CCarea continuously increased with decreasing MI, the low-rainfall group had higher Narea and δ(13)C at a given CCarea, compared with the high-rainfall group. Similar patterns were also found in additional data for the same species in the northern Tibetan Plateau. The observed drought threshold where MI = 0·29 corresponded well to the zonal boundary between typical and desert steppes in northern China. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that below a climatic drought threshold, drought-resistant plants tend to maximize their intrinsic WUE through increased Narea at a given CCarea, which suggests a linkage between leaf functional traits and arid vegetation zonation.

The anti-rheumatoid arthritic activity of Artemisia ordosica Krasch. (traditional Chinese/Mongolian medicine) extract in collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) seriously affects the daily life of people. The whole plant of Artemisia ordosica Krasch. (AOK) has been used in folk medicine. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo anti-RA effects of AOK extract (AOKE) on collagen-induced arthritis in rats. METHODS: AOKE (400, 200, or 100 mg/kg) was administered orally to animals for 30 days. Body weight, paw swelling, arthritis index, thymus, and spleen indices, and pathological changes were assessed for effects of AOKE on RA. Furthermore, the inflammatory cytokines in rat serum were detected. In addition, the expressions of STAT3, Caspase-3, Galectin-3, and S100A9 in synovial tissue were researched using immunohistochemistry. KEY FINDINGS: The AOKE significantly reduced the arthritis indices, paw swelling, spleen, and thymus indices. Meanwhile, AOKE (400 mg/kg) decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-17A, and increased the level of IL-10 in rat serum. Histopathological examination showed that AOKE reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and cartilage erosion. Then, AOKE decreased the expressions of STAT3, Galectin-3, S100A9, and increased the expression of Caspase-3. CONCLUSION: AOKE had interesting anti-RA activity in rats, which deserved further research for the development and clinical use of this medicinal resource.

[Environmental regulation of water use efficiency in Artemisia ordosica in Mu Us Sandy Land: From leaf to ecosystem]. / æ¯›ä¹Œç´ æ²™åœ°é»‘æ²™è’¿æ°´åˆ†åˆ©ç”¨æ•ˆçŽ‡çŽ¯å¢ƒè°ƒæŽ§:从叶片到生态系统.

Water use efficiency (WUE) is a key indicator for predicting the impacts of climate change on ecosystem carbon and water cycles. Most studies have explored the changes in the response environment of WUE at a particular scale. Few studies have examined how WUE responds to environments at multiple scales, thus limiting our in-depth understanding of the cross-scale carbon and water cycles. In this study, we measured photosynthesis and transpiration in situ periodically and continuously from June to October 2022 in a community dominated by Artemisia ordosica in Mu Us Sandy Land, and analyzed the seasonal variations in WUE at leaf, canopy, and ecosystem scales. The results showed there were significant seasonal variations in leaf water use efficiency (WUEL), canopy water use efficiency (WUET), and ecosystem water use efficiency (WUEE). WUEL was large in June and small in both August and September, ranging from 0.73-2.98 µmol·mmol-1. Both WUET and WUEE were lowest in June and highest in July and August, ranging from 0.10-7.00 and 0.06-6.25 µmol·mmol-1. WUEL was significantly negatively correlated with stomatal conductance. WUET was significantly positively correlated with canopy conduc-tance and soil water content, and negatively correlated with vapor pressure deficit (VPD). There was a significant positive correlation between WUEE and soil water content (SWC10) in 10 cm soil depth. The structural equation model showed that SWC10 and air temperature affected net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate by modifying stomatal conductance, and thus affecting WUEL. VPD and SWC10 affected WUET by altering transpiration. SWC10, air temperature, and VPD affected WUEE by regulating ecosystem gross primary productivity. The modelling of carbon and water cycles should thoroughly consider the path and intensity of the effect of environmental factors on WUE at multiple scales.

Dietary Artemisia Ordosica Polysaccharide Enhances Spleen and Intestinal Immune Response of Broiler Chickens.

The spleen and small intestines are the primary immune organs that provide important immunity against various diseases. Artemisia ordosica polysaccharide (AOP) could be used as an immunologic enhancer to boost immunity in response to infection. This study was performed to explore the effects of the dietary supplementation of AOP on the growth performance and spleen and small intestine immune function in broilers. A total of 288 AA broilers (1 day old) were randomly assigned into six dietary groups. Each group included six replicates of eight broilers per cage. The broilers were fed with a basal diet supplemented with 0 mg/kg (CON), 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC), 250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/kg AOP for 42 d. The results showed that dietary AOP supplementation affected broiler growth performance, with 750 and 1000 mg/kg of AOP being able to significantly improve broiler BWG, and 750 mg/kg of AOP was able to significantly reduce the FCR. The dietary AOP supplementation increased the levels of IgA, IgG, IgM, IL-1ß, IL-2, and IL-4 in the spleen and small intestine in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, we found that AOP can promote the mRNA expression of TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB signaling-pathway-related factors (TLR4, MyD88, P38 MAPK, JNK, NF-κB p50, and IL-1ß). In addition, the dietary supplementation of 750 mg/kg AOP provides better immunity in the tissue than the CON group but showed no significant difference from the CTC group. Therefore, AOP has an immunoregulatory action and can modulate the immune function of broilers via the TLR4/ NF-ΚB/MAPK signal pathway. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 750 mg/kg AOP may be alternatives to antibiotics for enhancing broilers' health, immunity, and growth performance.

Effects of Artemisia ordosica Crude Polysaccharide on Antioxidant and Immunity Response, Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Microbiota in Cashmere Goats.

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with Artemisia ordosica crude polysaccharide (AOCP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant and immunity capacity, rumen fermentation parameters, and the microbiota of cashmere goats. A total of 12 cashmere goats (2 years old) with similar weight (38.03 ± 2.42 kg of BW ± SD) were randomly divided into two dietary treatments with six replicates. The treatments were as follows: (1) control (CON, basal diet); and (2) AOCP treatment (AOCP, basal diet with 0.3% AOCP). Pre-feeding was conducted for 7 days, followed by an experimental period of 21 days. The results showed that the ADG; feed/gain (F/G); and the digestibility of DM, CP, and ADF of cashmere goats in the AOCP group were greater than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Still, there was no significant effect on the digestibility of EE, NDF, Ca, and P (p > 0.05). Compared to the CON group, AOCP increased BCP, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate, and TVFA concentrations (p < 0.05), but it reduced the protozoa numbers of acetate and A/P (p < 0.05). The serum CAT, GSH-Px, T-SOD, 1L-6, and NO levels were higher in AOCP than in the CON group (p < 0.05). The addition of AOCP increased the Sobs and Ace estimators (p < 0.05) and reduced the Simpson estimator in the ruminal fluid compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the AOCP group increased the colonization of beneficial bacteria by positively influencing GSH-Px and IL-6 (norank_f__F082, unclassified_p__Firmicutes), as well as bacteria negatively associated with F/G (norank_f__norank_o__Bacteroidales, unclassified_p__Firmicutes, and norank_f__F082). It decreased the colonization of potential pathogenic bacteria (Aeromonas and Escherichia-Shigella) (p < 0.05) compared to the CON group. In conclusion, 0.3% AOCP improves the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, immune function, rumen fermentation, and microflora of cashmere goats.

Artemisia ordosica polysaccharide ameliorated LPS-induced growth inhibition and intestinal injury in broilers through enhancing immune-regulation and antioxidant capacity.

The study investigated the effects of dietary Artemisia ordosica polysaccharide (AOP) on growth, intestinal morphology, immune responses and antioxidant capacity of broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 192 1-d-old broilers were randomly allotted to four treatments with 6 replicates (n = 8): (1) CON group, non-challenged broilers fed basal diet; (2) LPS group, LPS-challenged broilers fed basal diet; (3) AOP group, non-challenged broilers fed basal diet supplemented with 750 mg/kg AOP; (4) LPS+AOP group, LPS-challenged broilers fed basal diet supplemented with 750 mg/kg AOP. The trial included starter phase (d 1 to 14), stress period Ⅰ (d 15 to 21), convalescence Ⅰ (d 22 to 28), stress period Ⅱ (d 29 to 35) and convalescence Ⅱ (d 36 to 42). During stress period Ⅰ and Ⅱ, broilers were injected intra-abdominally either with LPS solution or with equal sterile saline. The results showed that AOP alleviated LPS-induced growth inhibition by prompting protein digestibility, and decreasing serum stress hormones and pro-inflammatory cytokines content of broilers. Moreover, AOP decreased LPS-induced over-production of IL-1ß and IL-6 through suppressing TLR4/NF-κB pathway, and alleviated LPS-induced decreasing of T-AOC, CAT and GPx activities by activating Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, which ultimately improved jejunum morphology. In conclusion, AOP alleviated LPS-induced growth inhibition and intestinal damage by enhancing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities of broilers.

HPLC analysis of 16 compounds from Artemisia ordosica.

Objective: To establish a high-performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) for the simultaneous determination of 16 compounds from Artemisia ordosica. Methods: HPLC was used to analyze 16 quality indicators of A. ordosica. The HPLC conditions were as follows: Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with acetonitrile (A)-water (B) as mobile phase, gradient elution: 0-10 min, 75%-65% B; 10-30 min, 65%-35% B; and finally 30-40 min, 35%-15% B. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, the column temperature was 40 °C, the injection volume was 10 µL, and monitored by absorbance at 285 nm for compounds 1-10, 12 and 225 nm for compounds 11, 13-16. Results: Under the selected experimental chromatographic conditions, compounds 1-16 showed good linearity (r > 0.9993) in a wide concentration range. Their average recoveries were 99.50%, 95.38%, 97.75%, 96.00%, 98.20%, 97.50%, 95.50%, 99.33%, 96.75%, 96.50%, 98.50%, 97.83%, 99.20%, 95.33%, 97.33% and 96.30%, respectively, and the RSD were 1.99%, 1.81%, 1.63%, 1.98%, 1.67%, 1.92%, 1.74%, 1.67%, 1.90%, 1.72%, 1.88%, 1.83%, 1.79%, 1.76%, 1.81% and 1.96%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results of the HPLC analysis, it was concluded that p-hydroxycinnamic acid (1), O-hydroxycinnamic acid (2), coniferyl alcohol (5), 5,4'-dihydroxy-7,3'-dimethoxyflavanone (8), 5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (9), 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavanone (12), dehydrofalcarindiol (13), arteordoyn A (14), dehydrofalcarinol (15) and capillarin (16) are best suited for the role of quality indicators of A. ordosica grown in different ecological environments.

[Responses of spatial distribution pattern of the dominant population Artemisia ordosica to enclosure restoration in desert steppe.] / è’æ¼ è‰åŽŸä¼˜åŠ¿ç§ç¾¤æ²¹è’¿ç©ºé—´åˆ†å¸ƒæ ¼å±€å¯¹å°è‚²æ¢å¤çš„å“åº”.

Shrubs play an important role in maintaining biodiversity, stability and ecological service in grassland. Exploring the effects of enclosure on dominant shrub population can provide scientific guidance for grassland restoration and tending management. In this study, we investigated main growth characteristics and spatial distribution pattern of Artemisia ordosica population in four enclosed grasslands with duration of 0, 5, 15, and 25 years. The results showed that population density increased first and then decreased with time extension, and peaked after enclosed for 15 years, which was 3.7 times that of unenclosed plot. The crown and projected area showed opposite responses trend to that of density, which decreased by 31.7% and 52.3% after enclosed 15 years, respectively. The height decreased by 25.3% after 5 years of enclosure, and then increased gradually. Semi-variance function analysis showed that population distribution in all grasslands conformed to Gaussian model. The spatial variation decreased gradually in the early stage of enclosure, and then increased after enclosed for 15 years. Structure ratio in each plot was higher than 0.75, but nugget was relatively small, indicating that spatial autocorrelation of population was mainly affected by structural factors rather than random factors. Spatial distribution of A. ordosica population was patchy and striped. Enclosure reduced spatial variation of population at small scale. However, spatial heterogeneity and scale dependence of population enhanced after enclosed 25 years as plaque dissociating. Our findings suggest that enclosure duration is the key factor affecting plant growth and spatial distribution of dominant population in desert steppe. Long-term fencing enhances the spatial heterogeneity of dominant population. Appropriate human intervention should be carried out after 15 years of enclosure.

Improved Tolerance of Artemisia ordosica to Drought Stress via Dark Septate Endophyte (DSE) Symbiosis.

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) usually colonize plant roots, especially in stress environments. However, their relationship with plants ranges from beneficial to harmful and has remained largely uncharacterized. In the present study, 14 DSE species grouped into 11 genera were isolated from the roots of a desert plant, Artemisia ordosica, which is widely distributed in northwest China. Three dominant DSE species-Paraphoma chrysanthemicola (Pc), Alternaria chartarum (Ac), and Acrocalymma vagum (Av)-were selected and tested for their resistance to drought in vitro. Furthermore, we characterized the responses of A. ordosica under drought conditions in relation to the presence of these DSEs following inoculation. The results showed that all three strains grew well under in vitro drought stress, and the biomass of Ac and Av was significantly higher than that of the unstressed control. The effects of DSE inoculation on the growth of A. ordosica under drought stress varied according to the different DSE species but were generally beneficial. Under drought stress, Av and Pc promoted plant growth, antioxidant enzyme activity, and root development of the hosts. The Ac strain conferred obvious positive effects on the antioxidant enzyme activity of the hosts. In general, Av and Pc demonstrated better application potential for improving the drought resistance of A. ordosica.

An Artemisia ordosica extract: Effects on growth performance, immune, and inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide-challenged broilers.

Artemisia ordosica has been applied as a traditional Chinese/Mongolian medicine for treating csertain inflammatory ailments. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Artemisia ordosica alcohol extract (AOAE) supplemented in diets on growth performance, immune, and inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acre male broilers were randomly allotted into 5 groups with 6 replicates (n = 8), which were basal diet group (CON), LPS-challenge and basal diet group (LPS), LPS-challenge and the basal diet added with low (500 mg/kg), middle (750 mg/kg), and high (1,000 mg/kg) dose of AOAE groups (AOAE-L, AOAE-M, and AOAE-H), respectively. On d 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, all broilers were injected intra-abdominally either with LPS or an equivalent amount of saline. Results showed that dietary AOAE alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in average daily gain and average daily feed intake in the broilers (P < 0.05). Dietary AOAE supplementation reversed the increased spleen index and the decreased bursa index in LPS-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). Moreover, feeding AOAE could mitigate the elevation of IL-1ß in serum, liver, and spleen, IL-2 in serum and liver, IL-6 in serum and spleen, and the decrease of IgG in spleen, IgM in serum, liver, and spleen, and IL-4 in serum of the LPS-challenged broilers (P < 0.05). This study also showed that AOAE supplementation alleviated the increase of mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, NF-κB p65, NF-κB p50, IL-1ß, and IL-6, and the decrease of gene expression of IκBα and PPARγ in liver and/or spleen of broilers challenged by LPS (P < 0.05). We speculated that AOAE administration could effectively alleviate LPS-induced inflammation via decreasing over-production of proinflammatory cytokines, ultimately relieving the growth inhibition of broilers caused by LPS. In conclusion, 1,000 mg/kg AOAE has a strong capacity to enhance immunity and inhibit inflammation, and can be used as a potential novel feed additive with applications in treating inflammation-related diseases and bacterial infection in broilers.

Effects of Total Flavonoids of Artemisia ordosica on Growth Performance, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Status of Lipopolysaccharide-Challenged Broilers.

Artemisia ordosica has been applied as a traditional Chinese/Mongolian medicine for the treatment of certain inflammatory ailments. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Artemisia ordosica total flavonoids (ATF) supplemented in diets on growth performance, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acre broilers were randomly allotted into 5 groups with 6 replicates (n = 8), which were the basal diet group (CON), LPS-challenged and basal diet group (LPS), and the LPS-challenged and basal diet added with low (500 mg/kg), middle (750 mg/kg), and high (1000 mg/kg) doses of ATF groups (ATF-L, ATF-M, and ATF-H), respectively. On day 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, and 28, broilers were injected intra-abdominally either with LPS or an equivalent amount of saline. Results showed that dietary ATF alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in BW, ADG, and ADFI in broilers. Dietary ATF supplementation reversed the increased serum oxidative damage indexes (reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine) and the decreased serum antioxidant indexes [total superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)] in LPS-challenged broilers. Moreover, ATF alleviated the decreased antioxidase activity and the over-production of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver and spleen induced by LPS. This study also showed that ATF alleviated the increased mRNA expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and the decreased mRNA expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), CAT, SOD, and GPx in the liver and spleen of broilers challenged with LPS. In conclusion, ATF has a strong capacity to enhance antioxidant enzyme activity and relieve oxidative stress and can be used as a potential novel feed additive in poultry diets to improve growth performance and antioxidant capacity.

Bioassay-Guided Isolation of Broad-Spectrum Fungicidal Active Compound from Artemisia ordosica.

To avoid the widespread resistance of commercial fungicides, new broad-spectrum botanical fungicides need to be developed. In previous bioactive screening assays, extracts of Artemisia ordosica Krasch. (A. ordosica) had highly antifungal activities, but the responsible phytochemicals were unidentified. In this study, active compounds of A. ordosica extracts were identified using a bioassay-guided method, and antifungal assays were performed in vitro and in vivo. The bioactive compounds were dissolved in petroleum ether, and the best antifungal fraction contained four compounds: trans-dehydromatricaria ester (TDDE), 7, 4-demetylnringenin, capillarin, and stearic acid. Among them, TDDE exhibited the highest antifungal activity against six pathogenic fungi and five bacteria. It exhibited significant fungicidal activity against Thanatephorus cucumeris and Botrytis cinerea with EC50 values of 0.464 µg/mL and 1.4 µg/mL, respectively. The living tissue bioassay results showed that the relative protection effects (RPE) of TDDE on tomato leaves, tomato fruit, and strawberry leaves infected with B. cinerea reached 76.78%, 86.2%, and 80.89%, respectively. In pot experiments, the RPE on tomato and strawberry plants infected with B. cinerea reached 84.11% and 96.37%, respectively. Morphological and physiological examination showed that TDDE had significant inhibitory effects on mycelial growth, including increased top offshoot, contorted hyphal tips, and extravasated cytochylema. Meanwhile, bactericidal activities of TDDE were significantly higher than kanamycin and streptomycin in five bacteria, and the plant tissue experiments further demonstrated that it had an 88.31% RPE on walnut leaves infected with Xanthomonas campestris pv. jugiandis, 72.18% RPE on potato infected with Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora, and 82.50% RPE on kiwifruit branches infected with Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. The active compounds isolated from A. ordosica in this study show great potential value for developing broad-spectrum fungicides, and also provide an important way to identify and isolate new bioactive products from medicinal plants.