Artificial Bear Bile:A Novel Approach to Balancing Medical Requirements and Animal Welfare

Bear bile has been a valuable and effective medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for over 13 centuries.However,the current practice of obtaining it through bear farming is under scrutiny for its adverse impact on bear welfare.Here,we present a new approach for creating artificial bear bile(ABB)as a high-quality and sustainable alternative to natural bear bile.This study addresses the scientific challenges of creating bear bile alternatives through interdisciplinary collaborations across various fields,including resources,chemistry,biology,medicine,pharmacology,and TCM.A comprehensive efficacy assessment system that bridges the gap between TCM and modern medical terminology has been established,allowing for the systematic screening of therapeutic constituents.Through the utilization of chemical synthesis and enzyme engineering technologies,our research has achieved the environmentally friendly,large-scale production of bear bile therapeutic compounds,as well as the optimization and recomposition of ABB formulations.The resulting ABB not only closely resembles natural bear bile in its composition but also offers advantages such as consistent product quality,availability of raw materials,and independence from threatened or wild resources.Comprehensive preclinical efficacy evaluations have demonstrated the equivalence of the therapeutic effects from ABB and those from commercially available drained bear bile(DBB).Furthermore,preclinical toxicological assessment and phase I clinical trials show that the safety of ABB is on par with that of the currently used DBB.This innovative strategy can serve as a new research paradigm for developing alternatives for other endangered TCMs,thereby strengthening the integrity and sustainability of TCM.

Application of zebrafish in the study of the gut microbiome

Zebrafish(D anio rerio)have attracted much attention over the past decade as a reliable model for gut microbiome research.Owing to their low cost,strong genetic and development coherence,efficient preparation of germ-f ree(GF)larvae,availability in high-t hroughput chemical screening,and fitness for intravital imaging in vivo,zebrafish have been extensively used to investigate microbiome-h ost interactions and evaluate the toxicity of environmental pollutants.In this review,the advantages and disadvantages of zebrafish for studying the role of the gut microbiome compared with warm-b looded animal models are first summarized.Then,the roles of zebrafish gut microbiome on host development,metabolic pathways,gut-b rain axis,and immune disorders and responses are addressed.Furthermore,their applications for the toxicological assessment of aquatic environmental pollutants and exploration of the molecular mechanism of pathogen infections are reviewed.We highlight the great potential of the zebrafish model for developing probiotics for xenobiotic detoxification,resistance against bacterial infection,and disease prevention and cure.Overall,the zebrafish model promises a brighter future for gut microbiome research.

Toxicological Evaluation of Chicken-Breast Meat with High-Dose Irradiation

In this paper, toxicity and safety of high-dose irradiated chicken-breast meat were evaluated. For assays of acute toxicity, genetic toxicity, and sub-chronic toxicity, ames test, mice bone marrow erythrocyte micronucleus, and mice sperm abnormality were performed. The results showed that, in the acute oral toxicity tests, median lethal dose （more than 10 000 mg kg-~） in male and female ICR mice showed no toxicological signs. For subacute 30-d oral toxicology of irradiated chicken-breast meat with dose of 10, 15 and 25 kGy in both male and female SD rats, no noticeable toxicological effects were observed. It is concluded that chicken-breast meat with high-dose irradiation has no acute toxicity and no genotoxicity, nor harmful effects on the animal body at the tested dosage range. Therefore, high-dose irradiated chicken-breast meat is safe for pet consumption.

Evaluation of Toxicity of Phenolic Compounds Using Aedes aegypti(Diptera:Culicidae)and Artemia salina

Nowadays, dengue fever, a mosquito-borne tropical disease, has become widely distributed in Brazil. In order to prevent such disease, the population of Aedes aegypti mosquito has to be controlled. Then, the aim of this study is to assess the toxicological effects of phenolic compounds against dengue mosquitos. Hence, the larvicidal activity and toxicity of phenolic compounds against Ae. aegypti larvae and A. salina, are evaluated, respectively. The phenolic compounds 2,6-diiodophenol and 4-chloro-2,6-diiodophenol have different toxicity and larvicidal activity. The compound 4-chloro-2,6-diiodophenol shows the highest toxicity for larvae of Ae. aegypti, exhibiting higher toxicity than 2,6-diiodophenol. Although less toxic than Temephos?(organophosphate), the phenolic compounds evaluated by this research, are proved to be effective against Ae. aegypti larvae. This study demonstrates the importance of controlling the dengue mosquito, considering toxicological aspects of phenolic compounds to prevent environmental impacts.

Toxicological Assessment of Trans-resveratrol

Objective To evaluate toxicity and safety of trans-resveratrol(t-RSV).Methods For assays of acute toxicity,genetic toxicity,and sub-chronic toxicity,Ames test,mice bone marrow erythrocyte micronucleus,and mice sperm abnormality were performed.Results In the acute oral toxicity tests,maximum tolerable dose(15g/kg) in male and female Kunming mice showed no toxicological signs.For 90-d feeding of t-RSV at dosage range of 167–500 mg/(kg·d) in both male and female Sprague-Dawley rats,no noticeable toxicological effects were observed.Conclusion T-RSV has no acute toxicity and no genotoxicity,no harmful effects on the human body at the tested dosage range and thus resveratrol is safe for human consumption.