A Polysaccharide Isolated from Codonopsis pilosula with Immunomodulation Effects Both In Vitro and In Vivo

In this study, an acidic polysaccharide from Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L. T. Shen (WCP-I) and its main fragment, WCP-Ia, obtained after pectinase digestion, were structurally elucidated and found to consist of a rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) region containing both arabinogalactan type I (AG-I) and type II (AG-II) as sidechains. They both expressed immunomodulating activity against Peyer’s patch cells. Endo-1,4-β-galactanase degradation gave a decrease of interleukine 6 (IL-6) production compared with native WCP-I and WCP-Ia, but exo-α-l-arabinofuranosidase digestion showed no changes in activity. This demonstrated that the stimulation activity partly disappeared with removal of β-d-(1→4)-galactan chains, proving that the AG-I side chain plays an important role in immunoregulation activity. WCP-Ia had a better promotion effect than WCP-I in vivo, shown through an increased spleen index, higher concentrations of IL-6, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum, and a slight increment in the secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocyte ratio. These results suggest that β-d-(1→4)-galactan-containing chains in WCP-I play an essential role in the expression of immunomodulating activity. Combining all the results in this and previous studies, the intestinal immune system might be the target site of WCP-Ia.

Stimulation of embryonic and post-embryonic development of broilers using modern national immunomodulators

Much controversy exists concerning the problem of immunomodulators (IMD) usage in aviculture. We state that most reasonable way consists in the usage of IMD possessing not only immunomodulating activity, but some additional useful features as well: adjuvant, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative activities, stimulation of growth and development, etc. In this review special emphasis is made upon Phosprenyl and Gamavit, IMD which meet all of the above criteria. Moreover, use of these drugs poultry farmers literally begin ab ovo. We analyzed specific features of Phosprenyl and Gamavit usage both in the embryonic and postembryonic periods of broiler chickens breeding. An important advantage of these medicines is that, being classic IMD, they simultaneously possess the ability to enhance embryogenesis, growth and development of chickens, have antioxidant effect, stimulate hematopoiesis. All this makes it possible to widely use these drugs in industrial poultry, ensuring food security of our country.