An ethnopharmacological review of Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit

This review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of ethnobotanical uses, chemical constituents, posology, and toxicology of Hyptis  suaveolens, and to address the significant medicinal benefits in order to promote its application. An extensive and systematic review of the literature was undertaken and all relevant abstracts and full-text articles analyzed and included in the review. A wide range of traditional uses are cited in the literature, ranging from uses for malaria, constipation, stomach problems, renal inflammation to external uses in repelling insects and treating injuries such as lacerations and burnrelated damage to skin and tissues. To date, pharmacological studies have demonstrated the  significant activities of this plant that support uses such as antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiulcer, and antiinflammatory. Numerous important phytochemicals, including 6 triterpenes, 8 diterpenes and 1 flavonoid have been isolated, identified and reported. The extracts and phytochemicals isolated from the plants show considerable potential for medicinal exploitation and utilization, including antimitotic, antiproliferative, cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-secretory, hepatoprotective, insecticidal, and acaricidal activities. As a medicinal plant, H. suaveolens is endowed with immense exploitation and utilization value and is widely used worldwide Therefore, further studies to fully elucidate its medicinal potential are warranted. Keywords: Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit, Ulcer Antimicrobial Inflammation, Diterpenes, Traditional medicine, Ethnopharmacology, Lamiacea

Influence of hydrolysis rate of urea on ruminal bacterial diversity level and cellulolytic bacteria abundance in vitro

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of urea hydrolysis rate on ruminal bacterial diversity level and cellulolytic bacteria abundance in vitro. To control urea hydrolysis rate, urea and urease inhibitor (acetohydroxamic acid, AHA) were supplemented to a 2 × 2 factorial design, with urea supplemented at 0 or 20 g/kg dry matter (DM) of substrate, and AHA equivalent to 0 or 450 mg/kg DM of substrate. Ruminal fluid was collected from three Chinese Holstein dairy cows, fed a TMR, and incubated at 39 °C for 12 h after the addition of urea and AHA. Rumen fermentation parameters, which indicated the rate of ammonia formation (including ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) and urea-nitrogen concentrations, urease activity, and microbial crude protein) were measured by chemical analysis. Bacterial diversity was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Total bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria abundance was detected by quantitative PCR. Results showed that AHA addition significantly decreased the rate of ammonia formation when urea was supplemented. Urea and AHA supplementation significantly increased the bacterial community diversity level according to the Shannon–Weiner index of 16S DGGE images. Furthermore, ruminal bacterial profiles were separated by ammonia release rate when urea was supplemented, according to the DGGE and hierarchical cluster analysis. Urea supplementation reduced the abundance of cellulolytic bacteria, such as Ruminococcus albus, R. flavefaciens, Fibrobacter succinogenes, and Butyrivibrio fibrosolvens, but inhibition of urea hydrolysis by AHA addition alleviated the reductions during the early period of incubation. In conclusion, slow release of ammonia induced by urease inhibitor influenced the ruminal bacterial diversity level and lessened the inhibition of total bacteria growth at the incubation of 12 h and F. succinogenes during the early period of incubation

Analysis of 22 Elements in Milk, Feed, and Water of Dairy Cow, Goat, and Buffalo from Different Regions of China

The objectives of this study were to measure the concentrations of elements in raw milk by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and evaluate differences in element concentrations among animal species and regions of China. Furthermore, drinking water and feed samples were analyzed to investigate whether the element concentrations in raw milk are correlated with those in water and feed. All samples were analyzed by ICP-MS following microwave assisted acid digestion. The mean recovery of the elements was 98.7 % from milk, 103.7 % from water, and 93.3 % from a certified reference material (cabbage). Principal component analysis results revealed that element concentrations differed among animal species and regions. Correlation analysis showed that trace elements Mn, Fe, Ni, Ga, Se, Sr, Cs, U in water and Co, Ni, Cu, Se, U in feed were significantly correlated with those in milk (p < 0.05). Toxic and potential toxic elements Cr, As, Cd, Tl, Pb in water and Al, Cr, As, Hg, Tl in feed were significantly correlated with those in milk (p < 0.05). Results of correlation analysis revealed that elements in water and feed might contribute to the elements in milk

Moringa oleifera leaf ethanolic extract benefits cashmere goat semen quality via improving rumen microbiota and metabolome

BackgroundArtificial insemination (AI) is an effective reproductive technique to improve the performance of cashmere goats and prevent the spread of diseases, and the quality of the semen determines the success of AI. The potential of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) and Moringa oleifera leaf ethanolic extract (MOLE) to improve semen quality has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. For the purpose, 18 mature male cashmere goats were randomly assigned into three groups: the control (CON), MOLP, and MOLE groups. The CON group received distilled water orally; the MOLP group was orally treated with 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) MOLP; and the MOLE group was orally treated with 40 mg/kg BW MOLE.ResultsResults showed that MOLE contained long-chain fatty acids and flavonoids. Treatment with MOLP and MOLE increased the activities of the serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase (P &lt; 0.05), enhanced the total antioxidant capacity (P &lt; 0.05), and reduced the serum malondialdehyde level (P &lt; 0.05). At the same time, MOLE increased the contents of serum gonadotropin releasing hormone and testosterone (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, MOLE significantly increased sperm concentration, motility, and viability (P &lt; 0.05). Meanwhile, MOLE raised the Chao1 index (P &lt; 0.05) and altered the composition of the rumen microbiota; it also raised the relative abundance of Treponema (P &lt; 0.05) and Fibrobacter (P &lt; 0.05) and reduced the relative abundance of Prevotella (P &lt; 0.1). Correlation analysis revealed the genus Prevotella was significantly negatively correlated with sperm concentration, as well as sperm motility and viability. Furthermore, MOLE significantly increased the rumen levels of the steroid hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (P &lt; 0.05), as well as the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) alpha-Linolenic acid, gamma-Linolenic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and 9-S-Hydroperoxylinoleicacid (P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsOral MOLE supplementation can improve semen quality by increasing the antioxidant capacity and altering the rumen microbiota and metabolites of cashmere goats. Moreover, the MOLP supplementation could enhance the antioxidant capacity of cashmere goats

Multi-omics revealed rumen microbiota metabolism and host immune regulation in Tibetan sheep of different ages

The rumen microbiota and metabolites play an important role in energy metabolism and immune regulation of the host. However, the regulatory mechanism of rumen microbiota and metabolite interactions with host on Tibetan sheep’s plateau adaptability is still unclear. We analyzed the ruminal microbiome and metabolome, host transcriptome and serum metabolome characteristics of Tibetan sheep at different ages. Biomarkers Butyrivibrio, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group, Prevotella, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were found in 4 months, 1.5 years, 3.5 years, and 6 years Tibetan sheep, respectively. The rumen microbial metabolites were mainly enriched in galactose metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and fatty acid degradation pathways, and had significant correlation with microbiota. These metabolites further interact with mRNA, and are co-enriched in arginine and proline metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, propanoate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, gap junction pathway. Meanwhile, serum metabolites also have a similar function, such as chemical carcinogenesis − reactive oxygen species, limonene and pinene degradation, and cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, thus participating in the regulation of the body’s immune and energy-related metabolic processes. This study systematically revealed that rumen microbiota, metabolites, mRNA and serum metabolites of Tibetan sheep were involved in the regulation of fermentation metabolic function and immune level of Tibetan sheep at different ages, which provided a new perspective for plateau adaptability research of Tibetan sheep at different ages

Integrative Analyses of Long Non-coding RNA and mRNA Involved in Piglet Ileum Immune Response to Clostridium perfringens Type C Infection

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in regulating host immune and inflammatory responses to bacterial infection. Infection with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), a food-borne zoonotic pathogen, can lead to a series of inflammatory diseases in human and piglet, greatly challenging the healthy development of global pig industry. However, the roles of lncRNAs involved in piglet immune response against C. perfringens type C infection remain unknown. In this study, the regulatory functions of ileum lncRNAs and mRNAs were investigated in piglet immune response to C. perfringens type C infection among resistance (IR), susceptibility (IS) and sham-inoculation (control, IC) groups. A total of 480 lncRNAs and 3,669 mRNAs were significantly differentially expressed, the differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in the IR and IS groups were enriched in various pathways of ABC transporters, olfactory transduction, PPAR signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, involving in regulating piglet immune responses and resistance during infection. There were 212 lncRNAs and 505 target mRNAs found to have important association with C. perfringens infectious diseases, furthermore, 25 dysregulated lncRNAs corresponding to 13 immune-related target mRNAs were identified to play potential roles in defense against bacterial infection. In conclusion, the results improve our understanding on the characteristics of lncRNAs and mRNAs on regulating host immune response against C. perfringens type C infection, which will provide a reference for future research into exploring C. perfringens-related diseases in human

Tailoring microstructure and phase segregation for low friction carbon-based nanocomposite coatings

Friction has a direct relation with the energy efficiency and environmental cleanliness in all moving mechanical systems. To develop low friction coatings is extremely beneficial for preserving not only our limited energy resources but also the earth’s environment. This study proposes a new design for low friction carbon-based nanocomposite coatings by tailoring the microstructure and phase segregation,and thereby it contributes to better controlling the mechanical and tribological properties. Experimental findings and theoretical calculations reveal that high-hardness (18.2 GPa), high-adhesion strength (28 N) as well as low-internal stress (-0.8 GPa) can be achieved by a nanocrystallite/amorphous microstructure architecture for the nc-WC/a-C(Al) carbon-based nanocomposite coating;in particular low friction (~0.05) can be acquired by creating a strong thermodynamic driving force to promote phase segregation of graphitic carbon from the a-C structure so as to form a low shear strength graphitic tribo-layer on the friction contact surfaces. This design concept is general and has been successfully employed to fabricate a wide class of low friction carbon-based nanocomposite coating