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This study explored the palatability of dog feed in response to different levels of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), and the impact of APS on blood biochemistry and immunity in growing Beagles. A total of three APS treatments were manufactured: a control diet (CD, 0 mg/kg APS), a low APS concentration diet (LD, 400 mg/kg) and a high APS concentration diet (HD, 800 mg/kg). Based on our findings, APS did not have an influence on the first-choice ratio and consume ratio. In feeding trial, weight gain and feed efficiency were decreased in dogs fed the HD. APS increased the white blood cell count and serum total protein in Beagles. However, red blood cell count and haematocrit values followed an opposite trend. Serum levels of antibodies against canine distemper virus and rabies virus were improved by APS addition. Furthermore, C-reactive protein level was decreased in dogs fed the HD. As it can be concluded, this study indicated that APS could be safely and beneficially used in dog foods without compromising palatability. Further research is needed to investigate the feasibility of APS in coping with obesity and study the detailed mechanisms by which dietary APS improves immunity of Beagles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new triterpenoids, 2α,3β,16α,19α,23-pentahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1) and 2α,3α,11α,21α,23-pentahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), were isolated from the aerial parts ofCallicarpa kwangtungensis. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D analyses, as well as MS and IR spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new flavan glycosides, (2S)-5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavan-7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1) and (2S)-5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavan-5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), and a new neolignan, (7S,8S)-3-methoxyl-3′-O-β-d-glucopyrannosyl-4′:8,5′:7-diepoxyneolignan-4,9′-diol (3), were isolated from the leaves ofLiquidambar formosanaHance. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ajania belonging to the subtribe Artemisiinae of Anthemideae(Asteraceae) is a genus of semi-shrubs closely related to Chrysanthemum. There are 24 species of Ajania in northwestern China, most of which are folk herbal medicines with strong stress tolerance. Modern medical studies have demonstrated that the chemical constituents of Ajania mainly include terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkynes, and essential oils. These compounds endow the plants with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimalarial, antioxidant, and insecticide effects. In this study, we reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Ajania, aiming to provide reference for the further research and development of Ajania.

The study investigated the inhibitory effect and mechanism of tectorigenin derivative(SGY) against herpes simplex virus type Ⅰ(HSV-1) by in vitro experiments. The cytotoxicity of SGY and positive drug acyclovir(ACV) on African green monkey kidney(Vero) cells and mouse microglia(BV-2) cells was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method, and the maximum non-toxic concentration and median toxic concentration(TC_(50)) of the drugs were calculated. After Vero cells were infected with HSV-1, the virulence was determined by cytopathologic effects(CPE) to calculate viral titers. The inhibitory effect of the tested drugs on HSV-1-induced cytopathy in Vero cells was measured, and their modes of action were initially explored by virus adsorption, replication and inactivation. The effects of the drugs on viral load of BV-2 cells 24 h after HSV-1 infection and the Toll-like receptor(TLR) mRNA expression were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR). The maximum non-toxic concentrations of SGY against Vero and BV-2 cells were 382.804 μg·mL~(-1) and 251.78 μg·mL~(-1), respectively, and TC_(50) was 1 749.98 μg·mL~(-1) and 2 977.50 μg·mL~(-1), respectively. In Vero cell model, the half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC_(50)) of SGY against HSV-1 was 54.49 μg·mL~(-1), and the selection index(SI) was 32.12, with the mode of action of significantly inhibiting replication and directly inactivating HSV-1. RT-qPCR results showed that SGY markedly reduced the viral load in cells. The virus model group had significantly increased relative expression of TLR2, TLR3 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3(TRAF3) and reduced relative expression of TLR9 as compared with normal group, and after SGY intervention, the expression of TLR2, TLR3 and TRAF3 was decreased to different degrees and that of TLR9 was enhanced. The expression of inflammatory factors inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) was remarkably increased in virus model group as compared with that in normal group, and the levels of these inflammatory factors dropped after SGY intervention. In conclusion, SGY significantly inhibited and directly inactivated HSV-1 in vitro. In addition, it modulated the expression of TLR2, TLR3 and TLR9 related pathways, and suppressed the increase of inflammatory factor levels.

This study aims to explore the protective effect of Forsythiae Fructus extract(FFE) against herpes simplex virus encephalitis(HSE) in mice. To be specific, life extension rate of mice, viral load in mouse brain, levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and interferon-α(IFN-α), and nitric oxide(NO) content in mouse brain were determined. Mice were classified into normal group, model group, acyclovir(ACV) group, and high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose(100, 50, 25 mg·kg~(-1), respectively) FFE groups. HSE was induced in mice in corresponding groups. Then, the life extension rate was compared among groups. Viral load in brain was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR, the changes of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-α in brain by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), NO content in brain with nitrate reduction method, and pathological changes by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The result showed that the life extension rate in the high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose FFE groups was 27.93%, 19.94%, and 10.66%, respectively, and the difference between the high-dose group and the model group was statistically significant(P<0.05). FFE decreased the viral load in brains of HSE mice. The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-α in ACV group and high-dose and medium-dose FFE groups were lower than those in the model group(P<0.01,P<0.05), and NO content in the three FFE groups was lower than that in the model group(P<0.01). In conclusion, FFE can improve the survival rate of HSE mice, reduce the load of herpes simplex virus type Ⅰ(HSV-1) in the brains of HSE mice, decrease the levels of inflammatory factors and NO content, and alleviate inflammation and pathological damage, thereby protecting the central nervous system.

Objective: To study the ethyl acetate-soluble chemical constituents of Callicarpa kwangtungensis., Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and MPLC. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of special analysis., Results: Eleven compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble part of Callicarpa kwangtungensis, whose structures were elucidated as 4-methoxybenzoic acid (1), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2), 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid(3), phenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), 2α,3β,22β,23-tetrahydroxyursolic-12-en-28-oic acid (6), 2α,3β,6β,19α-tetrahydroxy-urs-12-en-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), 2β,3β,6β,16α-tetrahydroxy-olean-12-en-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), (3S, 6E, 10R)-10-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3,11-dihydroxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6-diene (9), icariside C5(10), and (2E, 6E)-10-β-D-glucopyranosyl-1, 11-dihydroxy-3, 7, 11-trimethyldodeca-2,6-diene (11)., Conclusion: Compounds 4 - 11are isolated from Callicarpa genus for the first time, compounds 1 - 3 are isolated from this plant for the first time.

Objective: To study the ethyl acetate-soluble chemical constituents of Callicarpa kwangtungensis., Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and MPLC. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of special analysis., Results: Seven compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate part, whose structures were elucidated as caffeic acid(1),2α,3α, 19α-trihyhydroxy-urs-12-en-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2),2α,3, 19α-trihyhydroxy-olean-12-en-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), 2α, 3α, 19α-trihyhydroxy-olean-12-en-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), ferulic acid (5), 2α, 3β, 19α-trihyhydroxy-urs-12-en-28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6), and ( + )-isolariciresinol-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(7)., Conclusion: All these compounds are isolated from this plant for the first time.