Correlation between Polyphenol Contents and Antioxidant Activities in Different Echinacea Purpurea Varieties

Objective:Polyphenols are complex compounds containing multiple phenolic hydroxyl groups.They are widely distributed in plants and have antioxidant activities.Whether the antioxidant activities of the cultivated varieties of Echinacea are similar to or better than those of the wild ones and the relationship between the accumulation of polyphenols and their antioxidant activities are still not clear.Methods:Folin-Ciocalteu method,high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)radical scavenging assay,ferric ion reducing antioxidant power(FRAP)assay,2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6)-sulfonic acid(ABTS)radical scavenging assay,and Fe^(2+)chelating ability assay were used,respectively,to detect the total polyphenols and 5 kinds of caffeic acid derivatives(chicoric acid,caffeic acid,caftaric acid,chlorogenic acid,and 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid)in the roots,stems,leaves,and flowers,and the antioxidant activities of 3 varieties of Echinacea:E.purpurea L.,cultivar E.purpurea'Aloha',and E.purpurea'White Swan'.Results:E.purpurea L.had the highest contents of total polyphenols,5 caffeic acid derivatives and antioxidant activities,followed by E.purpurea'White Swan'and E.purpurea'Aloha',respectively.E.purpurea'White Swan'had the strongest ability to remove the DPPH,ABTS·^(+)and free radicals,and to chelate Fe^(2+);E.purpurea L.had the strongest ability to reduce FRAP.The correlation analyses revealed that the contents of total polyphenols and caffeic acid derivatives of E.purpurea L.and E.purpurea'White Swan'were correlated with their antioxidant activities.Conclusion:E.purpurea L.was the most appropriate material for the development of medicinal plants.E.purpurea'White Swan'could be used as a substitute for E.purpurea L.in terms of its antioxidant activity.

Effects of Echinacea purpurea Polysaccharide on IEC-6 Cell Proliferation

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Echi-nacea purpurea polysaccharides （EPS） on proliferation of rat intestinal epithelial cel IEC-6. [Method] The proliferation rate of IEC-6 cel s cultured in EPS at different concentrations and for different time was measured by MTT assay and analyzed by statistic methods. [Result] The proliferation rate of IEC-6 cel s cultured in EPS at al the concentrations and for different time was improved by different extents in com-parison with the control. In detail, 50 and 200 μg/ml EPS greatly improved the IEC-6 cel proliferation after 24 h of culture; then, the cel proliferation rate in the two treatments increased from 24 to 48 h, and declined from 48 to 72 h. The cel pro-liferation was also significantly improved by culturing in 100 μg/ml EPS for 72 h and in 500 μg/ml EPS for 48 h. After 48 h of culture, the proliferation rate of IEC-6 cel increased in a EPS dose-dependent manner. [Conclusion] EPS can promote IEC-6 cel proliferation, and thus improve the intestinal mucosal absorption and immune function of rat.

Effect of Echinacea purpurea Polysaccharide on IL-6 m RNA Expression Level in IEC-6 Cell after LPS Injury

[Objective] The aim was to investigate the effect of Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide （EPS） on IL-6 mRNA expression level in IEC-6 cell after lipopolysac- charide （LPS） injury. [Method] Total RNA of IEC-6 cell was extracted with TRIzon reagent and amplified by R-r-PCR. The amplification products were examined by a- garose gel electrophoresis and graphed for analysis. [Result] After stimulation by LPS, the IL-6 mRNA expression level in iEC-6 cell increased. However, EPS could inhibit this effect, and the inhibitory effect was dose-dependent. At the concentration of 50 μg/ml, EPS could partially inhibit the IL-6 mRNA expression in IEC-6 cell after LPS stimulation; in the concentration range of 100-500 μg/ml, the inhibitory effect of EPS on IL-6 mRNA expression in iEC-6 cell increased with the increase of con- centration. When the IEC-6 cell was pre-treated with EPS （50, 100, 200 and 500 μg/ml） for 24 h and then stimulated with LPS （10 μg/ml） for 1 and 4 h, respectively, it was found that the LPS-induced mRNA expression of IL-6 in IEC-6 cell was in- hibited by EPS, and this kind of inhibitory effect was time-dependent. [Conclusion] After small intestinal epithelial cells were stimulated by LPS, the IL-6 mRNA expres- sion level increased. However, EPS could inhibit the LPS-induced mRNA expression of IL-6, thus protecting the intestinal mucosa. In addition, this kind of inhibitory effect showed time and concentration dependence.

Effects of Echinacea Compound on the Immune Function of Weaned Piglets

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate effects of Echinacea compound on the immune function of weaned piglets. [Method] Eighty Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire crossbred piglets were randomly divided into four groups： control group （drug-free group）, 1.5% close group, 1.0% dose group and 0.5% dose group. Blood samples of piglets were collected at 20, 35, 50, 60, 70 and 80 days old, respective- ly, to determine neutrophil leukocyte percentage in peripheral blood, lymphocyte trapsformation rate and the levels of antibodies against classical swine fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disorder. [Result] Applying a certain dose of Echinacea compound could significantly increase neutrophil leukocyte per- centage in peripheral blood and lymphocyte transformation rate （P〈0.05）, and ex- tremely significantly improve the levels of antibodies against classical swine fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome disorder （P〈0.01）. [Conclusion] Echi- nacea compound has played a certain role in promoting nonspecific and specific im- mune function of piglets.

免疫增强剂紫锥菊(Echinacea purpurea)提取物对大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)头肾内非特异性免疫基因表达量的影响

通过给大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)注射不同浓度的紫锥菊(Echinacea purpurea)提取物,测定其非特异性免疫指标的变化水平,研究其对大菱鲆的头肾内非特异性免疫分子基因相对表达量的影响,进而为其在大菱鲆养殖生产过程中推广应用提供科学依据。试验选取体重(250±20)g的大菱鲆作为试验动物,分别注射10、20、40mg/m L浓度的紫锥菊提取物,试验共进行28d,注射试验结束后,分别从高、中、低剂量组及空白对照组选出6尾大菱鲆,分别取出大菱鲆的头肾并提取总RNA。采用?Ct法进行目标基因的荧光定量分析,再应用SPSS17.0软件对获得的实验数据进行单因素方差分析。研究结果表明,紫锥菊提取物能够不同程度地提高大菱鲆头肾内非特异性免疫分子基因相对表达量。注射紫锥菊提取物28d后对大菱鲆头肾中Lysozyme基因相对表达量的影响显著(P<0.05),对C3补体基因相对表达量的影响极显著(P<0.01),对Transferrin基因相对表达量的影响显著(P<0.05),对TGF-β1基因相对表达量的影响极显著(P<0.01),对IL-1h基因相对表达量的影响极显著(P<0.01),本试验研究表明,紫锥菊提取物能够显著提高大菱鲆头肾内非特异性免疫分子基因的相对表达量。

The Synthesis and Storage Sites of Phenolic Compounds in the Root and Rhizome of <i>Echinacea purpurea</i>

Cichoric acid is the main phenolic compound in the root and rhizome of the medicinal part, Echinacea purpurea that is known for possessing immune enhancing characteristics. In this study, we analysis the the synthesis and storage sites of phenolic compound in E. purpurea. We used fluorescent microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cytochemical and immunocytochemical localization to observe the distribution of phenolic compounds. Our results show that the phenolic compounds were mostly distributed in the cortex parenchyma cells, vascular parenchyma cells and pith parenchyma cells in the root and rhizome, and mainly present in the vacuoles, large intercellular spaces and their surrounding cell walls. No phenolic compounds were observed in the cytoplasm and the organelles. We concluded that the phenolic compounds were synthetized in the cortex parenchyma cells, vascular parenchyma cells and pith parenchyma cells in the root and rhizome, and stored in the vacuoles of parenchyma cells. The above results provided significantly cytological information for further approaching the metabolic regulation and transfer pathways of phenolic compounds in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Influences of Echinacea Polysaccharide on Secretion of IL-8mRNA by LPS-injured IEC-6 Cells

[ Objective] The paper aimed to study the effects of Echinacea polysaccharide on secretion of IL-8mRNA by LPS-injured IEC-6 cells, in order to figure out the mechanism of EPS on injured cells. MethodI Total RNA was extracted with TRlzon reagent. IL-8 mRNA was amplified by RT-PCR and detected by agar- ose gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, electrophoresis and image was analyzed. [ Result] The 50 μg/mL EPS could partially inhibit IL-8 mRNA level produced by -stimulated IEC-6; with the increasing concentration of EPS （200 and 500 μg/mL） , the inhibitory effect against IL-8 mRNA gradually enhanced. IEC-6 was pretreated by 50, 100,200 and 500 μg/mL EPS for ：24 h, then stimulated by 10 μg/ml 1,PS for 1 and 4 h, respectively. RT-PCR analysis showed that the expres- sion of 1L-8 mRNA induced by LPS was effectively inhibited by EPS; the inhibitory effect of EPS on expression of IL-8mRNA after stimulated by LPS for 4 h was more intense and the expression concentration was lower; the inhibitory rate at 4 h was higher than that at I h. [ Conclusion] EPS protected intestinal mucosa by inhibiting secretion of IL-8 mRNA by LPS-stimulated cells, and the inhibition of EPS was dependent to concentration and time.

Effect of Echinacea Polysaccharide on Secretion of IL-1αmRNA by IEC-6 Injured by LPS

[ Objective ] This study was conducted to investigate Echinacea polysaccharide （EPS） on expression of tumor necrosis factor （TNF） under injury of intestinal epithelial cells （IEC-6） by lipopolysaccharide （LPS）, so as to discuss the action mechanism of EPS to injured cells. [Method] Total DNA was extracted with TRIzon reagent, TNF-α mRNA was amplified, and the amplification products were subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis and imaging. [Result] 50 μg/ml EPS could partially inhibited the production of IL-α mRNA by IEC-6 under the stimulation of LPS, while the inhibition of 2（10 and 500 μg/ml EPS on the level of IL-1α mRNA gradually increased with the concentration increasing; and IEC-6 cells pretreated with 50,100,200 and 500 μg/ml EPS for 24 h and then stimulated by 10 μml IPS for 1 and 4 h were analyzed by RT-PCR method, and it was found that the expression of IL-α mRNA induced by LPS could be effectively inhibited by EPS, and the inhibition rate at 4 h was higher than that at 1 h. [ Conclusion] EPS could play its role of protecting intestinal mucosa by inhibiting the secretion of IL-1α mRNA by cells under the stimulation of LPS, and such inhibition effects of EPS had concentration dependency and time dependency.

Effect of Echinacea Polysaccharide on Secretion of IkB-αmRNA by IEC-6 Injured by LPS

[ Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of Echinacea polysaccharide （EPS） in treatment of various bacterial infection and reduction of inflammation, so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinic application of EPS. [ Method ] Nuclear protein extracted from six groups, the normal control group, the simple lipopolysaccharide （LPS） group and the EPS （ with concentrations of 50,100,200 and 500 μg/ml, respectively） ＋ LPS groups was subjected to SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, and pIkB-α protein contents in the extracts were analyzed by Coomassie brilliant blue （CBB） staining and Western-Blot method. [ Result] The simple LPS group showed the highest pIkB-α protein level, and in the EPS concentration range of 0 -200 μg/ml, the expression level of pIkB-α pro- tein was improved with the increase of EPS concentration. [ Conclusion The expression level of pIkB-α protein was improved under the simulation of IEC-6 by LPS, while EPS could effectively inhibit the expression of pIkB-α protein. The expression level of pIkB-α was the lowest in the LPS ＋500 μg/ml EPS group.

Effect of Extraction Methods on the Active Compounds and Antioxidant Properties of Ethanolic Extracts of Echinacea purpurea Flower

The extraction yields, active compounds and antioxidant properties of 50%-aqueous-ethanolic extracts of freeze-dried Echinacea purpurea flower with multi-steps and multi-batches extraction methods were assessed. In multi-steps extraction, the extraction yields of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd extracts were 21.52%, 9.33%, and 2.90%, and their total phenols contents were 182.08, 176.33, and 177.08 mg CAE/g, respectively, with cichoric acid (62.07 - 66.57 mg/g) being the main phenolic compound. No differences in the contents of individual and total caffeic acids derivates existed among 1st, 2nd, and 3rd extracts. The dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10(E/Z)-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide (alkamide 8/9) contents of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd extracts were 505.38, 598.61, and 585.99 &#181g/g, respectively. In multi-batches extraction, the extracted dry weight increased with increasing the sample batches, with the extraction yields and alkamide 8/9 contents of samples decreased from 19.93% to 12.98% and 534.36 to 269.76 &#181g/g, respectively. The total phenol (177.25 - 186.92 mg CAE/g), individual and total caffeic acid derivatives (85.99 - 95.06 mg/g) contents of extracts among different sample batches were not significantly different, with cichoric acid (63.66 - 70.31 mg/g) being the main phenolic compound. All the prepared extracts also exhibited potent antioxidant properties. Overall, the two-step sequential extraction is desirable for extracting bioactive compounds from freeze-dried E. purpurea flower.

The Biomass Dosage Influences the Effects of Diethyl Aminoethyl Hexanoate on Micropropagation of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

The plant growth regulator diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6) has proved highly effective on micropropagation of the medicinal plant purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench), however, sharp variation of the effects existed among explants in the same treatment, making the application of DA-6 in micropropagation difficult. In order to clarify factors that influencing the treating results of DA-6, explants with different biomass dosage were prepared and inoculated onto medium supplemented with different concentrations of DA-6. It was found that among the three kinds of biomass dosage explants, the lowest biomass explants required the lowest concentration of DA-6, and the highest biomass explants required the highest concentration of DA-6 for the best results on adventitious buds regeneration. Similar results were obtained when regenerated buds of three different biomass dosages were cultured. It could be concluded from the above experimental results that for achieving better DA-6 application results, the concentration of DA-6 should be determined not only by the types but also by the biomass dosage of the explants. The present finding might help to improve the micropropagation efficiency in E. purpurea, and might be applicable for other species

Anther Culture and Plant Regeneration of Tetraploid Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea L.)

Anthersisolated from tetraploid purple coneflowerplants were cultured in vitro. The highest callus induction rate was obtained when the medium was consisted of N6 basal elements, 4% sucrose, 0.5 mg?L?1 BA, and 0.10 mg?L?1 NAA. Various morphogenesis such as globular, heart-shape, torpedo-shapeand final state embryos as well asvarious texture calluses around were observed. Out of 110 plantlets regenerated, 104 were confirmed as diploid and the rest were as tetraploid. Plants of one diploid offspring strain presented aspecialcharacter in pot: unlike the original tetraploid plants, it grown tubular, bisexual ray florets. The results obtained in the present studies indicated that although the tetraploid purple coneflower plants produced only diploid microspores, the recovery of some useful mutants through in vitro anther cultures might be reasonably expected.

Determination of Cichoric Acid as a Biomarker in Echinacea Purpurea Cultivated in Iran Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Echinacea purpurea (Purple coneflower) is an immunostimulating drug, containing multiple substances. The most important substance in activity is polysaccharide, caffeic acid derivatives (cichoric acid), alkamides and glycoproteins. It is not clear yet, which substances are responsible for activity. Cichoric acid is an appropriate marker of the quality of Echinacea purpurea containing product, because it has immune stimulatory effects and it is susceptible to degradation. In this study a TLC scanner system and HPLC method has been used for identification and determination of cichoric acid in aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea. The results showed that the cichoric acid content of Echinacea purpurea cultivated in Iran is about 1.50 &#177;0.65% (w/w) which is comparable with cichoric acid content in native plants. The local conditions have no significant effect on cichoric acid content as a biomarker of Echinacea purpurea quality.

Mannitol and Sorbitol Improve Uniformity of Adventitious Shoots Regeneration in Echinacea purpurea L. Moench

Mannitol or sorbitol was added into the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium contain-ing certain concentrations of 6-Benzyladenine (BA) which was used to induce adventi-tious buds of Echinacea purpurea L. Results showed that the induced adventitious buds growing from medium added with 15 g·L-1 mannitol or sorbitol of the same con-centration were more consistent in height. The regeneration rates in MS medium containing 0.2 mg·L-1 BA and 15 g·L-1 mannitol were increased, while in MS medium containing 0.2 and 0.5 mg·L-1 BA, and 15 g·L-1 sorbitol, the regeneration rates were suppressed. On the other hand, genotype of explants and the concentration of BA in-fluenced the incidence of hyperhydricity, and the hyperhydricity of regenerated buds was more severe when the petiole explants were inoculated on medium with 15 g·L-1 mannitol or 15 g·L-1 sorbitol. The present study offers new possibility to the production of uniform plantlets for commercial cultivation in this important medicinal plant.

松果菊苷对细胞外组蛋白介导的细胞损伤及红细胞和血小板聚集的保护作用

目的:探讨松果菊苷(ECH)对细胞外组蛋白介导的细胞损伤以及红细胞和血小板聚集的保护作用。方法:采用Calcein-AM和PI双染色法考察ECH与组蛋白共同使用时对组蛋白介导人微血管内皮细胞(HMEC)毒性作用影响以及ECH介导的HMEC损伤的逆转作用;考察ECH对组蛋白诱导的小鼠红细胞聚集作用的影响;进一步考察了ECH对组蛋白介导小鼠体内生物标志物(ALT、LDH、Crea)以及血液学参数(白细胞、血小板、红细胞、血红蛋白)变化的影响。结果:ECH对组蛋白介导的HMEC损伤作用呈剂量依赖性保护作用,并且ECH(100μg/mL)处理10min后可部分逆转组蛋白介导的HMEC细胞毒性作用;组蛋白可以加速未经处理的红细胞的自然聚集率,而加入200μg/mL的ECH溶液对红细胞聚集具有明显的抑制作用;ECH可以剂量依赖性的抑制血清中生物标记物循环丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和肌酐(Crea)表达,并显著增加小鼠体内的循环血小板、白细胞、红细胞和血红蛋白数量。结论:ECH可减轻组蛋白介导的细胞毒性,并抑制组蛋白介导的红细胞凝集以及血液学参数变化,ECH体外实验加上相关的体内模型,证实其可通过与细胞外组蛋白作用从而降低脓毒症患者器官损伤和死亡率的治疗潜力。

Co-cultured adventitious roots of Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation via MAPK pathway in mouse peritoneal macrophages

Objective:In order to elucidate the biological activity of the Co-cultured adventitious roots(ARs) of Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea and provide theoretical basis for its application,and the antiinflammatory activities and potential mechanisms of Co-cultured ARs were studied.Methods:The experimental materials were obtained by bioreactor co-culture technology and used in the activity research.In this study,mouse macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) were used as in vitro model.Different concentrations of AR extract(50-400 g/mL) were used to treat cells.The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression,mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) phosphorylation,and the inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B-a levels were determined by the Western blot analysis.Results:In the co-cultured ARs,total flavonoids and total caffeic acid were determined,and the contents of both bioactive compounds were significantly higher than those ARs from the single-species culture.Compared with the control group,the large amount of pro-inflammatory mediators was released after LPS stimulation.However,in the extract groups with different concentrations(25,50,and 100 g/mL),the production of these pro-inflammatory mediators was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner.Furthermore,the levels of phosphorylation of MAPK proteins,including p-p38, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase,and p-extracellular regulated protein kinases were significantly(P <0.05) decreased in the extract groups,revealing that the AR extract probably involved in regulating the MAPK signaling pathway.Conclusion:Collectively,our findings suggested that the co-cultured ARs of E.pallida and E.purpurea can inhibit production of pro-inflammatory mediators in mouse peritoneal macrophages and possess the anti-inflammatory effect by regulating MAPK signaling pathways.

新外来中药紫锥菊对虚热证虚寒证小鼠甲状腺激素和物质能量代谢的影响

目的:考察紫锥菊水提物对虚寒、虚热证小鼠内分泌激素、物质能量代谢水平的影响,探讨紫锥菊水提物的药性。方法:将KM雄性小鼠随机分为空白组、虚热模型组、虚热西洋参组、虚热紫锥菊水提物低剂量组、虚热紫锥菊水提物高剂量组、虚寒模型组、虚寒人参组、虚寒紫锥菊水提物低剂量组、虚寒紫锥菊水提物高剂量组;虚热模型组小鼠每天灌胃甲状腺片水溶液(160 mg/kg),虚寒模型组小鼠灌胃氢化可的松溶液(25 mg/kg),1次/d,连续14 d制备虚热、虚寒模型,各给药组灌胃相应药物。检测各组小鼠血清三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T_(3))、甲状腺素(T_(4))、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)以及血糖(GLU)等指标变化,比色法检测小鼠肝脏乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)、Na^(+)-K^(+)-ATP酶活力,采用实时聚合酶链反应法检测小鼠肝组织细胞色素c氧化酶7A2(COX7A2)、琥珀酸脱氢酶复合体D亚基(SDHD)mRNA表达情况。结果:与虚热模型组比较,紫锥菊水提物对虚热小鼠整体状态有一定程度改善,体质量和脾脏指数有所改善(P<0.05),T_(3)、T_(4)水平显著降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),TP、ALB、GLU、LDH的水平显著升高(P<0.01),SDH、Na^(+)-K^(+)-ATP酶、COX7A2、SDHD mRNA的表达水平显著降低(P<0.05,P<0.01),紫锥菊水提物与寒凉性质的西洋参表现出相似的作用;与虚寒模型组比较,紫锥菊水提物对虚寒小鼠整体状态、胸腺指数以及脾脏指数无明显改善,紫锥菊水提物高剂量显著升高SDH、Na^(+)-K^(+)-ATP酶水平(P<0.01),而紫锥菊水提物对虚寒小鼠T_(3)、T_(4)、TP、ALB、TC、TG、GLU、COX7A2 mRNA、SDHD mRNA表达水平的调节不明显,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),紫锥菊水提物与温热性质的人参作用趋于相反。结论:紫锥菊水提物性凉,可能是紫锥菊寒凉药性的物质基础。

新外来中药紫锥菊清泻肺热治疗急性肺炎及其机制研究

目的:研究新外来中药紫锥菊清泻肺热功效和归肺经的中药药性。方法:将56只Wistar大鼠分为空白组、模型组、地塞米松组、紫锥菊醇提物低剂量组、紫锥菊醇提物高剂量组、紫锥菊水提物低剂量组、紫锥菊水提物高剂量组,每组8只。除空白组外,其余各组大鼠灌胃相应药物14 d,最后1 d雾化吸入脂多糖制备急性肺炎模型。检测各组大鼠肺湿/干质量比、肺泡灌洗液中白细胞总数、外周血相关炎症细胞占比、血清炎症介质水平、环腺苷酸(cAMP)水平、氧化应激水平、大鼠肺部病理变化、大鼠右下肺组织TLR4、核因子κB(NF-κB)、血红素氧合酶1(HO-1)、核转录因子红系2相关因子2(Nrf2) mRNA表达水平。结果:与模型组大鼠比较,紫锥菊醇提物组大鼠肺部病理减轻,肺湿/干质量比显著降低(P<0.05),肺泡灌洗液和外周血中白细胞(WBC)显著降低(P<0.05),炎症介质肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、IL-6显著降低(P<0.05),抑炎因子IL-10显著升高(P<0.05),丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P<0.05)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)显著升高(P<0.05),cAMP显著降低(P<0.05),NF-κB、HO-1、Nrf2 mRNA表达显著降低(P<0.05),TLR4mRNA表达无统计学意义;紫锥菊水提物高剂量组大鼠肺部病理表现为肺泡毛细血管轻度充血和扩张,炎症细胞浸润,局部性肺泡间隔增厚情况减少,肺湿/干质量比显著降低(P<0.05),外周血中WBC显著降低(P<0.05),炎症介质TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6显著降低(P<0.05),抑炎因子IL-10显著升高(P<0.05),MDA含量显著降低(P<0.05)、GSH-Px显著升高(P<0.05),cAMP显著降低(P<0.05),NF-κB、HO-1、Nrf2 mRNA表达显著降低(P<0.05),TLR4mRNA表达无统计学意义。结论:紫锥菊对急性肺炎有预防作用,作用机制与抑制TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6含量及NF-κB、HO-1、Nrf2 mRNA表达水平有关。从中医理论分析,与紫锥菊归肺经、清泻肺热的特点有关。

紫锥菊多酚-纳米银复合物的绿色制备及表征

紫锥菊多酚(Echinacea polyphenol)为菊科植物紫锥菊的茎叶、根提取物,主要作为免疫调节剂及免疫刺激素,具有抗病毒、抗真菌、抗肿瘤及杀虫、消炎的药理作用。试验通过单因素试验优化紫锥菊多酚-纳米银复合物的制备工艺,最终得到合成过程中的最佳体积比为3∶7,硝酸银浓度为0.02 mol/L,反应时间为120 min和反应温度为100℃,并对最佳合成工艺制得的纳米银复合物进行了表征考察。结果表明,紫锥菊多酚-纳米银复合物呈现不规则的球形,大部分纳米银直径位于100 nm以下,分布系数小,粒径分布均匀;电位为-8.05 mV,纳米银复合物比较稳定;体外释放率试验表明,紫锥菊多酚-纳米银复合物有良好的缓释性能。稳定性试验表明,在4℃条件下,纳米银复合物稳定性较好。说明通过绿色合成法制备的紫锥菊多酚-纳米银复合物,有利于减少投药量,提高药物疗效,为紫锥菊多酚在临床兽医上的使用提供了新的方法。

紫锥菊及其提取物的生物活性和在动物养殖中的应用

紫锥菊(Echinacea)是备受欢迎的天然植物之一,具有抗炎、抗氧化和抑菌等多重生物活性。作为一种安全且具有强免疫活性的天然药物,紫锥菊及其提取物成为不同领域科学家的研究热点。从紫锥菊物种中分离出了多组具有药理活性的化合物,如多糖、糖蛋白、烷酰胺类化合物和咖啡酸类衍生物等,大量研究证明它们可能通过多种信号通路发挥作用,如通过丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)、c-Jun N-末端激酶(JNK)等发挥免疫作用,以及通过核因子E2-相关因子2-Kelch样ECH关联蛋白1(Nrf2-Keap1)、核因子kappa B(NF-κB)等发挥抗氧化作用。近年来,在天然原料需求不断增加的背景下,紫锥菊及其提取物在动物养殖方面也显示出良好的应用前景。动物试验表明,紫锥菊及其提取物在一定程度上可促进动物生长,缓解氧化应激,提高繁殖性能,并调节机体免疫反应,提高抗病能力,降低疾病的发生率和传播风险,从而保障动物健康和生产效益。这种天然的功能性添加剂符合现代消费者对安全、健康食品的需求,也为畜禽养殖业的可持续发展提供了可行的选择。作者就紫锥菊的主要化学组分及其生物活性、作用机制,以及紫锥菊及其提取物在畜禽和水产养殖中的应用现状进行综述,旨在为规范紫锥菊有效成分的标准化提取、深入探究紫锥菊及其提取物在动物生产中的作用机制以及进一步拓宽其在畜禽和水产领域的应用提供理论参考。