Immunomodulatory effect of petroleum ether extract and ethyl acetate fraction of bengkoang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) in vitro

Bengkoang (Pachyrhizus erosus (L.) Urban) contains phytosterol and the isoflavone daidzein, which are thought to have immunomodulatory activity. There have been no studies reporting on the immunomodulatory effects of bengkoang extract containing polar and semi-polar compounds, such as phytosterols and isoflavone-like compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of bengkoang extracts, including petroleum ether extract (PEE), methanol extract (ME), and the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of bengkoang, in vitro. The immunomodulatory effects of PEE, ME, and EAF of bengkoang were determined according to the phagocytic activity of macrophages based on phagocytosis of latex beads, lymphocyte proliferation, and detection of cytokine production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Results: The phagocytic index and phagocytic capacity of ME, PEE, and EAF of bengkoang on macrophage cells were significantly increased (p < 0.05), whereas lymphocyte proliferation was unchanged compared with the control (p > 0.05), and ME of bengkoang enhanced the levels of the cytokines TNF-α and IL-6. In contrast, PEE and EAF of bengkoang decreased TNF-α and IL-6 levels compared with the control group. All of the bengkoang extracts decrease the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In conclusion, this study showed that PEE, ME, and EAF of bengkoang could increase the non-specific immune response (phagocytic activity) but had a lesser effect on the specific immune response (lymphocyte proliferation). The ME of bengkoang acts as an immunostimulant by increasing the levels of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 and decreasing those of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.

A Nutritional Comparison Study of Three Oaks Species Grown in Gara Mountains

The preferred livelihood assets for meat and nutritious milk in thousands villages of Kurdistan rejoin/Iraq are sheep and goats. They generally rely on free roaming in rangeland during the growing seasons. In order to maintain their livestock during the scarcity of forages at winter seasons, the leaves and twigs of (Quercus aegilops, Q. infectoria and Q. libani) are harvested and dried as (dry leaf faggots) at autumn season to use as major substitute of feed. This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional values of those three oaks species’ leaves at the same time of collecting period. Gara Mountains were chosen due to the wide presence of all three species. Leaves samples were collected at late September 2015 at elevation about 1250 MASL. The results have shown differences in chemical composition. Q. libani recorded higher content of dry matter (DM), ash and crude protein (CP), and lower content of crud fiber (CF). Higher content of ether extract (EE) was recorded in both Q. aegilops and Q. libani. The higher content of nitrogen free extract (NFE) and potassium (K) were recorded in Q. infectoria. While Q. aegilops recorded higher (CF) content. All Quercus species can be used as alternative feed substitute for small ruminant especially with some additives (such as salt, vitamin, and water), but more nutritive value was Q. libani then Q. infectoria followed by Q. aegilops. Therefore, the priority should be for Q. libani in foremost followed by Q. infectoria when dry leaves faggot were made.

Zizaane-Type Sesquiterpenoids and Their Rearranged Derivatives from Agarwood of an Aquilaria Plant

Nine new sesquiterpenoids (1–9) were isolated from ethyl ether extract of agarwood originated from Aquilaria sp., including three novel sesquiterpenoids (1–3) derived from zizaane, together with six zizaane-type sesquiterpenoids (4–9). All structures were unambiguously elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR spectra as well as by HRESIMS data. The absolute configuration of sesquiterpenoids was determined by comparison of the experimental and computed ECD spectra. In vitro anti-inflammatory assessment showed that compound 9 exhibited inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with an IC50 value of 62.22 ± 1.27 μM.

In- vitro Hepatoprotective Action of the Crude Extracts of Luffa amara (Whole Fruit) and Rheum emodi (Rhizomes) in CCl4 Intoxicated Rat Hepatocytes

Aim: The objective of this in-vitro study involves evaluating the protective action of the extracts of L. amara (LA) (whole fruits including seeds) and R. emodi (RE) (rhizomes) at various concentrations on isolated primary rat hepatocytes. Methods: The pulverised dried whole fruits of L. amara (LA) and rhizomes of R.emodi (RE) were extracted successively with petroleum ether (PE), ethanol (EE) and distilled water (AE) and vacuum dried. These extracts of LA petroleum ether (PE), ethanolic (EE) and aqueous (AE) extracts and RE obtained were subjected to in vitro studies at doses of 25, 75, 100, and 150 µg/ml and silymarin (250 µg/ml) in CCl4 (1%) intoxicated primary hepatocytes monolayer cultures the hepatoprotective action of all the extracts of both plants at different doses was carried out using isolated rat hepatocytes which were subjected to CCl4 intoxication followed by estimating/ measuring the changes in serum biochemical markers – SGPT, SGOT, ALP, Total proteins (TP), total bilirubin (TB), albumin (ALB) and triglycerides (TGL). Results: Hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 was demonstrated in the rat primary monolayer hepatocyte culture using MMT assay with the ethanolic extracts of both plants showing more hepatocyte protective action compared to the aqueous and petroleum ether extracts by reducing the elevated serum marker levels. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts were found to express more protective action towards CCl4 intoxicated isolated primary rat hepatocytes in a dose dependant manner. Conclusion: Based on the result, it is suggested that the extract with the most hepatocyte protective action at a dose of 150µg is LA ethanolic extract (viability=88.24%), followed by LA aqueous extract (viability=84.31%), RE ethanolic extract (viability=88.24%) and RE aqueous extract (viability=88.24%) - which are comparable to the reference silymarin with viability at 92.15%. the petroleum ether extracts of both plants showed least hepatic cell viability with LA pet ether extract at 49.02% and RE pet ether extract at 47.85%

Water loss and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes submitted to post-harvest storage periods

The objective of this study was to evaluate water loss and chemical composition of cactus pear genotypes submitted to post-harvest storage periods. The experimental design adopted was a the completely randomized, in a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, with three cactus pear genotypes and five storage periods, and ten replications. The cactus pear genotypes [Doce, Baiana and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (OEM)] were harvested after 2 years of cultivation under rainfed conditions, and stored in a ventilated shed (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). The genotype Baiana showed greater water reduction in the stored cladodes when compared to the other genotypes. All cactus pear genotypes showed reduction in crude protein and carbohydrates in the storage period of 60 days. There were no losses of nutrients, dry matter and ether extract during the storage periods for the genotype Doce. There was increase in the fiber content of the cladodes of all stored genotypes. During the storage period of the cladodes of all genotypes, there was reduction in the contents of Ca, Mg and Cu. The cactus pear genotypes Doce and OEM can be stored for up to 60 days after harvest. Highlights: • Cactus is also considered a strategic forage reserve and, in this case, the frequency of cutting can vary according to the producer's needs and weather conditions.• Post-harvest storage can be an alternative to reduce costs, as well as transporting the material.• The variety Doce Baiana showed greater water loss in relation to the other varieties.

Phytochemical screening and hemolytique activity of some leaves extracts of Lantana camara L.

Medicinal plants have several therapeutic properties; they have been used for a long time to treat different diseases. Lantana camara L. has been widely used by man for healing these diseases. In this study, four leaves extracts of L. camara were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening to determine the presence and/or the absence of phytochemical constituents; In addition, they were tested for hemolytic activity on human erythrocytes. This activity is performed using the UV-Vis spectrophotometer method at 520 nm and at five different concentrations (125 µg/ml, 250 µg/ml, 500 µg/ml, 750 µg/ml, and 1000 µg/ml). The phytochemical screening showed the presence of various phytochemical groups such as phenolic compounds, saponins, sterols, tannins, flavonoids, reducing compounds and the absence of alkaloids in the four extracts. These same extracts showed average hemolytic activity sequentially: chloroformic extract, petroleum ether extract, aqueous extract and then methanolic extract. This activity is dependent on the concentration of the extract.

Extruded soybean in pig feeding in the nursery phase:performance

The objective of this study was to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by extruded whole soybean in the feeding of pigs in the nursery phase. Thirty-six piglets (Landrace x Large White), with 45 days weighing on average 11.36 kg, distributed in arandomized block design, three treatments, six replicates, two animals per repetition were used. The treatments consisted of: control treatment (T1) basal diet, basal diet with 10% replacement of soybean meal by extruded soybean (T2), basal diet with 20% replacement of soybean meal by extruded soybean (T3). The variables analyzed were: average weight, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion. The levels of ureatic activity, ether extract, crude protein, protein solubility and volatile moisture of extruded soybean were verified. No difference was found (P>0.05) between the inclusion levels of extruded soybean in piglet diets in the nursery phase for the variables studied. The processing of extruded whole soybean did not affect its digestibility. Extrudedsoybeans at a level of up to 20% included in piglet feeding during the nursery phase can be a possible substitute for soybean meal, without compromising the performance of the animals.

Production and quality of tropical grasses at different regrowth intervals in the Brazilian semiarid

The objective of this study was to evaluate the production and chemical composition of three forage species at different regrowth intervals. A 3 x 4 randomized-block factorial design with three forage species (Andropogon, Buffel, and Massai) and four regrowth intervals (21, 35, 49, and 63 days) was used. There was no interaction (p > 0.05) between forage species and regrowth interval on any of the chemical components evaluated. The crude protein content decreased but the contents of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicellulose increased with increasing regrowth interval (p > 0.05). Only the contents of crude protein and ether extract were similar (p > 0.05) among grasses. A significant interaction was observed (p < 0.05) between forage species and regrowth interval on forage mass. Andropogon grass had the highest forage mass at 63 days (3,270.1 kg ha-1 DM cut-1) and the highest productivity regardless of the regrowth interval (19.1 t ha-1 DM year-1). Therefore, Andropogon grass was the most productive forage among the tested species. Pastures should be managed with shorter growth intervals due to the highest crude protein level and the lowest contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber.