Anthelmintic activity of Trianthema portulacastrum L. and Musa paradisiaca L. against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep

Evaluation of anthelmintic effects of Trianthema (T.) portulacastrum L. (Aizoaceae) whole plant and Musa (M.) paradisiaca L. (Musaceae) leaves against prevalent gastrointestinal worms of sheep was done that may justify their traditional use in veterinary clinical medicine. In vitro anthelmintic activity of the crude aqueous methanolic extract (CAME) of both the plants was determined using mature female Haemonchus (H.) contortus and their eggs in adult motility assay (AMA) and egg hatch test (EHT), respectively. In vivo anthelmintic activity of crude powder (CP) and CAME in increasing doses (1.0-8.0 g kg(-1)) was determined in sheep naturally infected with mixed species of nematodes using fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and larval counts. The study design also included untreated as well as treated controls. Fecal egg count reduction and larval counts from coprocultures were performed pre- and post-treatments to assess the anthelmintic activity of the plants. CAME of T. portulacastrum and M. paradisiaca showed a strong in vitro anthelmintic activity and pronounced inhibitory effects on H. contortus egg hatching as observed through AMA and EHT, respectively. Both plants exhibited dose and time dependent anthelmintic effects on live worms as well as egg hatching. M. paradisiaca (LC(50)=2.13 μg mL(-1)) was found to be more potent than T. portulacastrum (LC(50)=2.41 μg mL(-1)) in EHT. However, in vivo, maximum reduction in eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces was recorded as 85.6% and 80.7% with CAME of T. portulacastrum and M. paradisiaca at 8.0 g kg(-1) on 15th day post-treatment, respectively as compared to that of Levamisole (7.5 mg kg(-1)) that caused 97.0% reduction in EPG. All the species of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs), i.e. Haemonchus contortus, Trichostronglyus spp., Oesophagostomum columbianum and Trichuris ovis which were prevalent, found susceptible (P<0.01) to the different doses of CP and CAME of both plants. The data showed that both T. portulacastrum and M. paradisiaca possess strong anthelmintic activity in vitro and in vivo, thus, justifying their use in the traditional medicine system of Pakistan.     

Anticoccidial activity of the methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca root in chickens

The study was designed to evaluate the anticoccidial activity of the methanolic extract of Musa paradisiaca root in chickens. The chickens were divided into six groups of 12 chickens each. Each chicken in five groups was infected with 8,000 infective coccidia (Eimeria tenella) oocysts at day 28 of age while one group served as uninfected control. At day 7 post-infection, two chickens remaining in each group were sacrificed for postmortem examination to confirm coccidiosis. Also at day 7 post-infection, each chicken in four infected groups was given graded doses (250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg b.w.) of the extract or amprolium (conventional drug). Two groups (an infected and uninfected group) did not receive treatment. Parameters used to assess progress of infection and response to treatment included clinical signs typical of coccidiosis, oocyst count per gramme of faeces (OPG) and packed cell volume (PCV). Treatment of previously infected chickens with M. paradisiaca root extract resulted in a progressive decrease in severity of observed clinical signs, marked reductions in OPG and a gradual increase in PCV. In each case, the changes were dose dependent. There was no significant difference in mean OPG and mean PCV of the extract (at 1,000 mg/kg b.w.) and amprolium-treated groups at termination of the study (at day 50 of age). In the acute toxicity study, the extract was found to be non-toxic to the chickens even at the highest dose of 4,000 mg/kg b.w. The results of this study demonstrated that the extract has anticoccidial activity in a dose-dependent manner and at a dosage of 1,000 mg/kg b.w. had similar efficacy with amprolium in the treatment of chicken coccidiosis.     

香蕉茎叶与柱花草混贮饲料的品质

为分析香蕉(Musa paradisiaca)茎叶与柱花草(Stylosanthes guianensis)混合青贮发酵品质,本研究选择新鲜香蕉茎叶和柱花草进行香蕉茎叶单独青贮(以下简称单贮)、柱花草单贮、75%香蕉茎叶+25%柱花草混合青贮(以下简称混贮)及50%香蕉茎叶+50%柱花草混贮,青贮5周后,对青贮饲料进行感官评定和品质检测,探讨香蕉茎叶与柱花草的适宜混合比例。感官评定结果表明,香蕉茎叶单贮感官评定最优,柱花草单贮感官评分等级最低,二者混贮评分居中,并且随着香蕉茎叶比例的降低青贮饲料感官品质下降。实验室指标分析表明,香蕉茎叶单贮时pH值最低,随着柱花草比例的增加,青贮饲料pH升高(P0.01),而乳酸菌菌落数增加(P0.05);柱花草单贮,乙酸含量最低,乳酸和丁酸含量各处理组间差异不显著(P0.05),且丁酸含量很低,对青贮品质影响不大;75%香蕉茎叶与25%柱花草混贮提高了青贮饲料乳酸菌菌落数和乳酸、乙酸的含量。随着柱花草比例的增加,混贮饲料初水分含量降低,粗纤维和粗蛋白的含量显著上升(P0.05),可溶性碳水化合物含量下降(P0.05)。综合青贮饲料品质感官评定和实验室检测结果,香蕉茎叶与柱花草混贮可降低香蕉茎叶初水分含量,提高柱花草可溶性碳水化合物水平,改善青贮饲料的发酵品质,当75%香蕉茎叶与25%柱花草混贮时,青贮效果最佳。     

Anthelmintic Activity of Extracts of Spondias mombin Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Sheep: Studies In Vitro and In Vivo

This study was carried out to validate the efficacy of Spondias mombin, used locally as an anthelmintic, and to standardize the effective dose of the plant extract required for worm control in livestock. In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to determine the direct anthelmintic effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of S. mombin towards different ovine gastrointestinal nematodes. A larval development assay (LDA) was used to investigate the in vitro effect of extracts on strongyle larvae. Another study was conducted in vivo to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the extracts administered orally at dose rates of 125, 250, 500 mg/kg to sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Twenty sheep were selected on the basis of positive faecal egg counts (750 epg). The sheep were allocated randomly to a non-medicated control group (A) or to groups given 125 mg/kg (B), 250 mg/kg (C) or 500 mg/kg (D) of extract, respectively. Sheep in groups B-D were given extracts orally on two days. Individual faecal egg counts were performed on days 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12. The presence of S. mombin extracts in in vitro cultures of larvae decreased the survival of L3 larvae. The LC50 of the aqueous extract of S. mombin was 0.907 mg/ml, while the LC50 of the ethanolic extract was 0.456 mg/ml. This difference in LC50 was statistically significant (p > 0.05). The mean percentage faecal egg reduction of sheep drenched with 500 mg/kg S. mombin extracts was 15.0%, 27.5%, 65.0%, 65.0%, 100.0% against Haenmonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Oesophagostomunm spp., Strongyloides spp. and Trichuris spp. respectively, on day 12. Extracts of S. mombin could find application in the control of helminths in livestock.     

叶下珠提取物体外抗氧化和保肝作用

采用叶下珠水提取物、75%乙醇提取物、95%乙醇提取物体外对羟自由基(·OH)、超氧阴离子(O2-)的清除和抑制H2O2诱导小鼠红细胞氧化溶血性等方法来研究叶下珠的抗氧化活性。以体外培养法获取罗非鱼的原代肝细胞,用CCl4对肝细胞建立体外损伤模型,研究叶下珠水提取物、75%乙醇提取物、95%乙醇提取物对丙氨酸转氨酶(Alanine aminitransperase,ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(Aspartate aminotransferase,AST)活力的影响。叶下珠水提取物对羟自由基(·OH)、超氧阴离子(O2-)的清除和抑制H2O2诱导小鼠红细胞氧化溶血性最强。加药组丙氨酸转氨酶、天冬氨酸转氨酶活性显著低于损伤组,差异极显著(P<0.01)。叶下珠提取物具有明显的体外抗氧化和保肝作用。     

反季节宝岛蕉果实生长发育规律研究

以抗香蕉枯萎病品种宝岛蕉为对象,结合反季节栽培技术,在断蕾后每隔20天采集果实样品直至收获,测定每梳的果指性状、产量及其构成,探讨反季节宝岛蕉果实生长发育规律,为宝岛蕉生产提供参考。结果表明,宝岛蕉果实留8梳,果穗果指数平均为149.3个,且每梳果指数呈现逐渐减少的趋势,第一梳果指数最高,平均为26.3个;每梳果指长、果指围和单果重均随着生长期逐渐增加,断蕾后20天至40天增幅均表现最大,平均分别为34.22%、18.28%、106.54%。宝岛蕉同一采收期果梳间相邻果梳间果指长无显著差异,但是每相隔一梳的两梳果指长有明显差异,果指围间差异甚微。就产量而言,反季节宝岛蕉产量为18.491 kg/株,进一步分析可知,香蕉果梳产量从第一梳到第八梳呈现降低趋势,其中第一梳香蕉产量最高,第二梳次之,均显著高于其他果梳,分别高达3.371kg/梳和2.521kg/梳,前四梳产量占单株果实产量的62.40%。综合以上结果,反季节宝岛蕉断蕾后20天至40天是反季节宝岛蕉果实快速、关键生长的阶段,应注重营养供应以确保宝岛蕉产量。     

In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of Euphorbia helioscopia L

The anthelmintic potentials of the aqueous and methanol extracts of Euphorbia helioscopia were investigated. In folklore medicine, E. helioscopia (Euphorbiaceae) is used in the treatment of various gastrointestinal ailments and diseases. A worm motility inhibition (WMI) assay and egg hatch assay (EHA) were used for in vitro assessment, and a faecal egg count reduction (FECR) assay was used for an in vivo study. The in vitro study revealed anthelmintic effects of crude methanolic extracts of E. helioscopia on live Haemonchus contortus worms as evident from their paralysis and/or death at 8h after exposure, different concentrations (12.5mgml(-1), 25mgml(-1) and 50mgml(-1)) of aqueous and methanolic extracts were used against H. contortus which exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic effects on H. contortus. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of aerial parts (stem, leaves and flowers) of E. helioscopia were found to have very low percent inhibitory egg hatching as compared to levamisole. It is concluded that the entire plant of E. helioscopia possesses significant anthelmintic activity and could be a potential alternative for treating cases of helminth infections in ruminants.     

龙葵抗肿瘤活性研究进展

龙葵在我国大部分地区均有分布。龙葵全草含有多种化学成分,最重要的是生物碱类和多糖,具有抗肿瘤、抗炎、抗过敏、抗菌等作用,尤其在抗肿瘤方面的作用成为近年来研究的热点。笔者等对龙葵的抗肿瘤作用方面的研究进行综述。     

补骨脂水提液及补骨脂素对体外培养成骨细胞的影响

为了探讨补骨脂水提液及补骨脂素对体外培养成骨细胞的影响,采用MTT法、PNPP(对硝基苯磷酸二钠盐)法及流式细胞术,分别检测不同浓度的补骨脂水提液(10-4～101 mol·L-1)及补骨脂素(10-8～10-4mol·L-1)对体外培养小鼠成骨细胞增殖、分化及细胞周期的影响.结果表明,10、10-8 mg·ml1补骨脂水提液对成骨细胞有明显的促增殖作用;高浓度(10-4、10-5 mol·L-1)补骨脂素抑制细胞增殖,而低浓度(10-7、10-8mol·L-1)补骨脂素能够促进增殖;10-4、10-6 、10-8 mol·L-1补骨脂素均能使成骨细胞碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性明显上升;各浓度的补骨脂水提液及补骨脂素使细胞G1期百分比降低,而S期、G2期百分比显著增加.试验结果证实补骨脂水提液及补骨脂素具有植物雌激素样作用,可以促进成骨细胞增殖,促使细胞由G1期向S期、G2期转化;补骨脂素是促进成骨细胞分化的有效成分.     

万寿菊的生物活性及其在动物生产中的应用研究

万寿菊中主要含有叶黄素、黄酮、精油和α-三联噻吩等活性成分,具有抗炎、抗氧化、抑菌杀虫等生物活性.万寿菊在动物生产中具有提高机体免疫力和生产性能、改善畜产品品质等重要作用.文章对万寿菊的生物活性及其在动物生产中的应用进行综述,旨在为万寿菊的进一步开发利用提供参考.     

抗猪嗜血支原体中药单体的体外筛选

为体外筛选具有杀灭猪嗜血支原体(M.suis)作用的中药单体,应用血液直接PCR扩增中药单体作用不同时间后培养体系中的M.suis,通过比较电泳条带灰度值筛选出具有抗M.suis作用的中药单体;应用qPCR测定所筛选中药单体作用后培养体系中M.suis的拷贝数,通过杀灭率来评估中药单体对M.suis的杀灭效果。结果筛选出丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠、甘草酸二钾、秦皮甲素、黄芩苷和肉桂酸5种具有体外抗M.suis作用的中药单体,其中在药物作用18h,丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠、甘草酸二钾和秦皮甲素对M.suis杀灭率分别为76.9%,90.6%和79.2%。体外试验表明,丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠、甘草酸二钾和秦皮甲素对M.suis的杀灭效果较好,是理想的抗M.suis目标药物,具有潜在的临床应用与研究价值。     

Stability of canine factor VIII: coagulant activity in vitro.

A pilot study was undertaken to assess the stability of canine factor VIII:coagulant (FVIII:C) activity over three days, under various storage conditions (plasma at 4, 20 and 37 degrees C, whole blood at 4 and 20 degrees C). Blood collected from normal and hemophiliac dogs was used. Both plasma and whole blood samples appeared to be stable for up to 48 h at 4 and 20 degrees C. A subsequent study evaluated FVIII:C stability at 4 and 20 degrees C when stored as whole blood only. Samples were tested at 0, 24 and 48 h after collection. At 4 degree C there was a significant decline at 24 h (p less than 0.05), from 110% to 97% (mean values). Although the mean value was further decreased at 48 h (89%) this was not significant (p greater than 0.05). No significant change in FVIII:C activity was observed in whole blood stored at 20 degrees C for 24 or 48 h (110% and 107% respectively). These results suggest that canine whole blood samples collected into sodium citrate stored at 20 degrees C are adequate for routine FVIII:C assay for up to 48 h after collection.     

Phenotypic maintenance of articular chondrocytes in vitro requires BMP activity.

Articular chondrocytes are phenotypically unique cells that are responsible for the maintenance of articular cartilage. The articular chondrocytic phenotype is influenced by a range of soluble factors. In particular, members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family support the articular chondrocytic phenotype and stimulate synthesis of cartilaginous matrix. This study was carried out to determine the importance of BMPs in supporting the differentiated phenotype of articular chondrocytes in vitro. Exogenous BMP-2 supported expression of collagen type II and aggrecan in monolayer chondrocyte cultures, slowing the dedifferentiation process that occurs under these conditions. In contrast, BMP-2 had little effect on expression of these genes in three-dimensional aggregate cultures. Endogenous BMP-2 expression was lost in monolayer cultures, coincident with the down-regulation of collagen type II and aggrecan mRNAs, whereas BMP-2 mRNA levels were stable in aggregate cultures. Antagonism of endogenous BMP activity in aggregate cultures by Noggin or a soluble form of the BMP receptor resulted in reduced expression of collagen type II and aggrecan mRNAs, reduced collagen type II protein and sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) deposition into the aggregate matrices and reduced secretion of GAGs into the culture media. These results indicate that endogenous BMPs are required for maintenance of the differentiated articular chondrocytic phenotype in vitro. These findings are of importance to cell-based strategies designed to repair articular cartilage. Articular chondrocytes require conditions that will support endogenous expression of BMPs to maintain the specialized phenotype of these cells.     

In vitro growth of mastitis-inducing Escherichia coli in milk and milk fractions of dairy cows

The outcome of E. coli mastitis in cows ranges from mild to severe in individual animals. This study explored the hypothesis that milk from individual cows differs in its growth medium properties for E. coli, and whether possible variation could be related to specific milk constituents. To mimic the early phase of intramammary E. coli infection, a low inoculum size and a short incubation period were used. Cell-reduced, cell- and fat-free (skim) and cell- and fat-free and protein-reduced (whey) fractions were prepared from whole milk samples (n=18). Ten ml of whole milk, milk fractions and brain heart infusion broth (BHI) were inoculated with approximately 100cfu E. coli. After 6h of incubation, bacterial counts were assessed by dilution plating in triplicate. Bacterial counts in whole milk differed up to a 100-fold between cows, which was not associated with SCC. Bacterial counts were significantly higher in whey fractions than in whole milk, cell-reduced and skim fractions and variation in whey was smaller, indicating that the acid-precipitable protein fraction contains the milk constituents of major relevance for inhibition of and variation in bacterial growth. The presence of fat and cells added to bacterial growth inhibition to a lesser extent. In conclusion, in vitro growth of E. coli in milk differs substantially between individual cows within an incubation period comparable with the early phase of intramammary infection. This suggests that the growth medium properties of milk could be of importance in the pathogenesis of E. coli mastitis and subsequent outcome of disease.     

Serum total amylase activity and its isoenzyme fractions in newborn pigs with relation to growth and iron dextran-treatment.

Serum amylase activity was analyzed chromogenically (blue starch method) and its isoenzyme was separated by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis in newborn pigs comparing with those in adult pigs. Serum amylase activity in newborn pigs was about one half of adults' and increased with age. Serum amylase isoenzymes were separated into 4 fractions from the cathode. The isoenzymes were also classified in 5 types on the basis of the combination of these 4 fractions. Incidences of the fractions and the types were not significantly different between adults and newborns. After the iron dextran treatment, serum amylase activity as well as levels of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and packed cell volume increased. The rates of increase in hemoglobin and packed cell volume were more significant in the double treatment group than in the single treatment group, while serum amylase activity increased similarly in these 2 groups. The increase in serum amylase activity seemed to indicate that the development of amylase-producing organs was reinforced by the iron compound treatment. It is thought that serum amylase activity may be an indicator of healthy growth in newborn pigs.     

Characterization of in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity of lactoferrin and ribavirin upon hantavirus.

Mechanisms of anti-hantaviral activities of bovine lactoferrin (LF) and ribavirin (Rbv) were investigated. Hantavirus focus formation at 48 hr was 15% of the control in cells treated with 400 microg/ml LF for 1 hr at 37 degrees C prior to viral infection. Post infection treatment with 100 microg/ml Rbv also inhibited the focus formation to 2.5% of the control. Combined LF pre- and Rbv post-infection treatment completely inhibited focus formation. Viral glycoprotein (G2) and nucleocapsid protein (NP) syntheses were delayed in LF pretreated cells up to 24 hr post infection (hpi) but became comparable to the control by 48 hpi. Further, LF inhibited viral shedding at 24 hpi but did not inhibit shedding after 48 hpi. However, Rbv was able to inhibit synthesis of viral proteins, (+) and (-) strand RNAs also inhibited viral shedding after 24 hr. These results suggest that LF inhibits viral adsorption to cells, while Rbv inhibits viral RNA synthesis. For in vivo trials of LF and Rbv, LF pre- and Rbv post-treatment were evaluated in suckling mice infected with hantavirus, of which 7% survived. LF concentrations of 40 and 160 mg/kg administered prior to viral challenge improved survival rates to 15% and 70%, respectively for single administration and 85% and 94%, respectively, for double administration. Rbv concentrations of 25 and 50 mg/kg gave survival rates of 68% and 81%, respectively. This suggests that both LF and Rbv are efficacious in hantavirus infection in vivo.     

LED红、蓝光源对香蕉组培苗生长的影响

以香蕉组培苗为材料,研究了不同LED光质及其比例对香蕉组培苗生长的影响。结果表明,459 Lx及以上光强的红光处理可显著增加香蕉组培苗的根数和根长,促进植株长高,而在其他指标上,与对照无显著差异;459 Lx及以上光强的蓝光可以促进根的伸长,抑制株高,其他指标与对照无显著差异;红蓝光比例为80%R+20%B时,香蕉组培苗植株的根数、根长、叶片数、茎粗、各部分鲜重及干物质率显著增加,株高、顶叶面积与对照无差异为香蕉组培苗最佳LED光照处理。     

Conditions for in vitro haemolytic activity by Corynebacterium ovis exotoxin.

A substance, concluded to be Corynebacterium ovis exotoxin on the basis of properties shared, was found to have haemolytic activity below pH 6 and red cell adhesion activity at neutral or slightly alkaline pH. An acidified, solid blood agar medium was used to demonstrate the extent of haemolysis that could be obtained at optimal pH and its inhibition by immune serum. Culture in a liquid medium giving rise to a suitably acidic pH allowed titration for haemolytic activity by the exotoxin and use of supernatant in a haemolysis-inhibition test to detect antitoxin.     

Effects of Thymus vulgaris L. as feed additive in piglets and against haemolytic E. coli in vitro

The aim of the study was to test Thymi herba (1.66% v/w essential oil with 39% p-cymene and 32% thymol) in the rearing period of piglets as feed additive. Therefore, two feeding trials were performed with piglet groups ranging from 17 to 22 animals each. Either 10 g of Thymi herba/kg feed (Thymi herba group), 10 mg flavophospholipol/kg feed (flavophospholipol group) or nothing (control group) was added to the animals' feed. No significant differences in the performance parameter daily weight gain among any groups were recorded. No differences concerning feed efficiency or isolation of haemolytic E. coli serotypes were shown. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the essential oil of Thymi herba against 39 haemolytic E. coli isolates from the same weaners was investigated in vitro by disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and bactericidal concentration testing. In contrast to the feeding results, the essential oil of the thyme batch fed showed antibacterial activity against all haemolytic E. coli investigated. This interesting antibacterial potential of Thymi herba prompts further investigations as to its value as feed additive.