Botanical Blend Research Articles

53892 Resurfacing benefits of dermocosmetic containing phyto botanical blend and hyaluronic acid after CO2 fractional laser

53892 Resurfacing benefits of dermocosmetic containing phyto botanical blend and hyaluronic acid after CO2 fractional laser

Dietary supplementation of microencapsulated botanicals and organic acids enhances the expression and function of intestine epithelial digestive enzymes and nutrient transporters in broiler chickens

Organic acids and botanicals have shown protective effects on gut barrier and against inflammation in broilers. However, their effects on intestinal digestive enzymes and nutrients transporters expression and functions have not been fully studied. The objective of this study was to understand how a microencapsulated blend of botanicals and organic acids affected intestinal enzyme activities and nutrient transporters expression and functions in broilers. A total of 288 birds were assigned to a commercial control diet or diet supplemented with 500 g/MT (metric ton) of the microencapsulated additive. Growth performance was recorded weekly. At d 21 and d 42, jejunum and ileum were isolated for enzyme (maltase, sucrase, and aminopeptidase) and transporter (SGLT1, GLUT2, GLUT1, EAAT3, B0AT1, and PepT1) analyses. Jejunum specific nutrients (glucose, alanine, and glutamate) transport activities were evaluated by Ussing chamber. Protein expression of nutrient transporters in small intestine were measured in mucosa and brush-border membrane (BBM) samples by western blot. Intestinal gene expression of the transporters was determined by RT-PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test comparing the supplemented diet to the control. The feed efficiency was significantly improved through the study period in the supplemented group (P ≤ 0.05). Significant changes of intestinal histology were shown in both jejunum (P ≤ 0.10) and ileum (P ≤ 0.05) after 21 d of treatment. At d21, jejunal maltase activity was upregulated (P ≤ 0.10). The Ussing chamber transport of glucose and alanine was increased, which was in line with increased gene expression (GLUT2, GLUT1, EAAT3, and B0AT1) (P ≤ 0.10 and P ≤ 0.05, respectively) and BBMV protein levels (B0AT1, P < 0.10). At d21, ileal sucrase and maltase activities were upregulated (P ≤ 0.05). Increased expressions of GLUT1, EAAT3, and B0AT1 were observed in both mRNA and protein levels (P ≤ 0.05). Similar pattern of changes was also shown at d42 of age. Our results suggest that feeding microencapsulated additives improves intestinal nutrient digestion and transporter expression and function in broilers, thereby enhancing feed efficiency.

Skin and Scalp Health Benefits of a Specific Botanical Extract Blend: Results from a Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study in Urban Outdoor Workers

Environmental pollution is increasingly recognized as a significant contributor to skin and scalp damage. Oral supplementation with a specific blend of four standardized botanical extracts (Rosmarinus officinalis, Lippia citriodora, Olea europaea leaf, and Sophora japonica) has been previously demonstrated to enhance skin health in individuals exposed to high environmental stress. Thus, it might represent a convenient strategy to also improve their scalp health aspect, particularly in subjects with sensitive scalps. To support these effects, a 12-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed in 66 women working outdoors in urban areas with high particulate matter (PM) levels and taking 250 mg of the botanical blend daily. Product efficacy was measured as follows: skin antioxidant status (FRAP); skin and scalp moisturization (corneometer), transepidermal water loss (tewameter), and oiliness (sebumeter); skin radiance and colour (spectrophotometer), elasticity and firmness (cutometer) and wrinkle depth (image analysis); and scalp clinical evaluation. Despite constant exposure to increased levels of PM, the tested product positively influenced all monitored parameters compared to both baseline and the placebo-treated group, in as early as 4 weeks. At the end of the study, key improvements included increased skin FRAP (21.9%), moisturization (9.5%), radiance (24.9%) and reduced wrinkle depth (−16.5%), dark spot pigmentation (−26.2%), and skin oiliness (−19.3%). For the scalp, moisturization increased (14.1%), TEWL decreased (−13.8%), and sebum content reduced by 16.2%. Additionally, 71% of subjects with sensitive scalps experienced reduced redness. These findings highlight the extensive benefits of the ingredient, expanding its application beyond conventional skin treatments to also alleviate scalp issues.

Influence of long-term supplementation of a formulated botanical blend on growth performance and carcass traits in feedlot steers

Influence of long-term supplementation of a formulated botanical blend on growth performance and carcass traits in feedlot steers

Secreted Metabolites from Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, and Borrelia Biofilm: Modulation of Immunogenicity by a Nutraceutical Enzyme and Botanical Blend.

Bacterial biofilms are hardy, adaptable colonies, evading immune recognition while triggering and sustaining inflammation. The goals for this study were to present a method for testing the immunogenicity of secreted metabolites from pathogenic biofilm and to document whether biofilm treated with a nutraceutical enzyme and botanical blend (NEBB) showed evidence of reprogrammed bacterial metabolism, potentially becoming more recognizable to the immune system. We screened immune-modulating properties of metabolites from established biofilm from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), Stapholycoccus simulans (Ss), and Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Secreted metabolites significantly increased the cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, including Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha (MIP-1α), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Pa metabolites triggered the most robust increase in IL-1β, whereas Bb metabolites triggered the most robust increase in IL-10. NEBB-disrupted biofilm produced metabolites triggering altered immune modulation compared to metabolites from untreated biofilm. Metabolites from NEBB-disrupted biofilm triggered increased MIP-1α levels and reduced IL-10 levels, suggesting a reduced ability to suppress the recruitment of phagocytes compared to untreated biofilm. The results suggest that nutraceutical biofilm disruption offers strategies for inflammation management in chronic infectious illnesses. Further clinical studies are warranted to evaluate clinical correlations in infected human hosts.

Effects of the active botanical blend "WKUP GT" on attention and cognitive functions after lunch in healthy volunteers.

"WKUP GT", a low caffeine beverage consisting of carob, Guarana, Green Tea and Elderberry extracts was studied on attention and cognitive functions post-lunch in a pilot randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Thirty healthy volunteers were included in a crossover design trial, presenting five beverages randomly assigned to the following groups: placebo, "WKUP GT" (single, double or triple doses), or "caffeine" as an active control. Hemodynamic measurements were assessed as safety outcomes. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), was used to evaluate the patients when beverages were consumed 30 and 120min after lunch (respectively Delta30 and Delta120 considering baseline). Drinking "caffeine" or "WKUP GT" after lunch, showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in rapid visual information processing compared to placebo (Delta120 of "caffeine", "WKUP" single and double). In addition, improvement in Multitasking Test (Delta30 for "WKUP" double, and Delta120 for "caffeine" and "WKUP" triple compared to placebo) was observed. "WKUP" triple also showed significant improvement for "memory" when compared to placebo (Delta120). Compared to "caffeine", WKUP GT did not increase systolic blood pressure. "WKUP GT" showed improvements for attention, memory, psychomotor and executive function tasks after lunch without increase in pulse rate.

Protective Potential of a Botanical-Based Supplement Ingredient against the Impact of Environmental Pollution on Cutaneous and Cardiopulmonary Systems: Preclinical Study.

Air pollution is a growing threat to human health. Airborne pollution effects on respiratory, cardiovascular and skin health are well-established. The main mechanisms of air-pollution-induced health effects involve oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study evaluates the potential of a polyphenol-enriched food supplement ingredient comprising Lippia citriodora, Olea europaea, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Sophora japonica extracts in mitigating the adverse effects of environmental pollution on skin and cardiopulmonary systems. Both in vitro and ex vivo studies were used to assess the blend's effects against pollution-induced damage. In these studies, the botanical blend was found to reduce lipid peroxidation, inflammation (by reducing IL-1α), and metabolic alterations (by regulating MT-1H, AhR, and Nrf2 expression) in human skin explants exposed to a mixture of pollutants. Similar results were also observed in keratinocytes exposed to urban dust. Moreover, the ingredient significantly reduced pollutant-induced ROS production in human endothelial cells and lung fibroblasts, while downregulating the expression of apoptotic genes (bcl-2 and bax) in lung fibroblasts. Additionally, the blend counteracted the effect of urban dust on the heart rate in zebrafish embryos. These results support the potential use of this supplement as an adjuvant method to reduce the impact of environmental pollution on the skin, lungs, and cardiovascular tissues.

Dietary effect of botanical blend (Phyto AquaNity™) on growth, immunity and survival of Pacific White shrimps challenged against WSSV

The present study was performed to assess the effect of a commercial product Phyto AquaNity™ (Artepillin C and curcuminoids) supplementation on growth performance, immune parameters, and disease resistance of whiteleg shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) against White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) infection. Shrimps of initial weight of 0.9–1 g were fed Phyto AquaNity™ at three dosages (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 g kg−1) over 42 days. After the feeding period, growth performance parameters were significantly improved in the group of 1.0 g kg−1. The highest specific growth rate and feed efficiency were observed in the group 1.0 g kg−1 (P < 0.05). At the end of the feeding period, all groups were challenged against WSSV by recording daily mortalities over 14 days and measuring immune parameters. Shrimps fed with Phyto AquaNity™ (1.0 g kg−1) showed a significant reduction of mortalities with the lowest rate compared to other groups (0.5 and 0.0 g kg−1). Moreover, this dosage enhanced all immunological parameters in challenging conditions such as total hemocyte counts, granular cell, hyaline cell, phenoloxidase activity and phagocytic activity (p > 0.05). Analysis of lysozyme gene expression was improved in groups fed with Phyto AquaNity™ and the lowest value was observed for the positive group (challenged & without Phyto AquaNity™ supplement). Overall, 1.0 g kg−1 of Phyto AquaNity™ showed better results in improving growth performance, immune responses, and survival in shrimps challenged with WSSV.

A microencapsulated blend of botanicals supports weaning piglets during a lipopolysaccharide challenge by modulating liver inflammation and intestinal integrity.

This study examined the action of a blend of botanicals (BOT) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on cultured hepatocytes and weaning piglets. In vitro studies examined HepG2 cells treated with BOT and challenged with Escherichiacoli LPS for 8 d. BOT treatment reduced IL-6 concentration in cell culture media across time (P < 0.05) and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression on days 1 and 8 of experiment (TNFα, IL-1β; P < 0.05). BOT also increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes (GPX-2, SOD, CAT) on day 8 (P < 0.05), which was supported by lowered reactive oxygen species concentration after LPS challenge (P < 0.1). The in vivo study was conducted with 72 weaning pigs, allotted into 24 pens and divided into 3 groups: a negative control (CTR-, basal diet), a challenged control (CTR+) that received an intraperitoneal injection of E. coli O55:B5 LPS on days 14 and 16, and a challenged treated group which received a diet containing 1.5g/kg of microencapsulated BOT (BOT+) for the whole duration of the study. Growth performance was determined weekly and, on days 21 (1 animal per pen) and 28 (remaining animals), pigs were sacrificed to collect liver and jejunal tissues. After the challenge, BOT+ pigs had increased BW on days 21 (P < 0.05) and 28 (P < 0.1) compared to CTR+. Similar improvements in average daily gain and FCR on days 14 to 21 (P < 0.05) and 21 to 28 (P < 0.1) were also seen in BOT+ group. In the liver, compared to CTR+ pigs, BOT+ pigs haddownregulated expression of TLR-4, IL-6, IFN-γ on day 21 (P < 0.05), and TLR-4, TNF-α, IL-8 on day 28 (P < 0.05). BOT+ also increased GPX-2 expression on days 21 and 28 (P < 0.05), while also upregulating SOD-1 and SOD-2 on day 21 (P < 0.05) and CAT on day 28 (P < 0.05) compared to CTR+. In the jejunum, BOT+ reduced inflammation by affecting cytokine expression (P < 0.05) and increasing the expression of tight-junction proteins, ZO-1 on day 21 and CLD-1 on day 28 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, BOT+ pigs had lower crypt depth on days 21 (P < 0.1) and 28 (P < 0.05), and increased villi-to-crypt ratio on days 21 and 28 (P < 0.05). By day 28, BOT+ intestinal measurements were restored to values similar to the CTR-. Finally, BOT+ also reduced mast cell activation on day 21 (P < 0.05) compared to CTR+. Considering all the findings, BOT controlled inflammatory activation and oxidative stress in liver cells, enhanced intestinal integrity, and as a result improved the growth performance of weaning piglets challenged with LPS.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Modified Colostrum, Whey, and Their Combination With Other Natural Products: Effects on Natural Killer Cells

ObjectivesNatural killer (NK) cells are important immune system effector cells providing innate defenses against intracellular infections, including viral infections, immune surveillance, and cancer immunoediting. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether modified ultra-filtrated colostrum (UC) and hydrolyzed whey (W) products or their combinations with other natural products with reported immunomodulatory properties will stimulate NK cell cytotoxic activity by activation of granzyme B and IFN-γ production. MethodsThe ability of study products to stimulate the cytotoxic activity of human-purified CD56+ NK cells and the production of granzyme B and IFN-γ by activated NK cells was evaluated in the cytotoxic assay. ResultsAll study products significantly increased NK-cell cytotoxic activity at an E: T ratio of 20:1. Treatment of cells with UC had a maximal cytotoxic effect at the minimal dose of 10 µg/ml, which exceeded the cytotoxic activity of IL-2. In contrast, the addition of egg yolk (CE) or CE + botanical blend (CEB) to UC resulted in a dose-dependent cytotoxic response with a maximal response at 1000 µg/ml. The maximal activity of blend products was comparable to UC activity. W exerted minimal stimulatory activity on NK cells. The magnitude of granzyme B and IFN-γ production was closely associated with the cytotoxic activity of NK cells stimulated with the study products. ConclusionsAll study products demonstrated stimulatory activity on NK cells, with UC having a maximal effect on NK cell cytotoxicity. The study products can be used as dietary supplements to support NK cell activity in healthy individuals.

Proliv Essence-3 (PE3): a nutricosmetic botanical blend as a dietary beverage for skin wellness and general health

Proliv Essence-3 (PE3): a nutricosmetic botanical blend as a dietary beverage for skin wellness and general health

PSIX-1 Impact of a Botanical Blend on Training Kennel Induced Stress in Dogs

Abstract Fear and anxiety in dogs can be elevated during transportation or visits to the veterinarian, groomer, and boarding or training kennels. The stress-related behaviors exhibited during these times can be a welfare concern to both pet, handler, and owner. In the case of training or grooming, the productivity of the session may be reduced due to unwanted stress related behaviors. Pet owners want to reduce stress during these events and are seeking natural botanical alternatives to medications. The botanical extracts in Cani-Calm (Probiotech International, Inc.) successfully decreased stress-related behaviors when fed to beagles for 11 days before a novel 1-hr car ride stress test. There has not been any investigation into the impact of these botanicals during a prolonged stress event similar to a boarding or training kennel. The objective was to evaluate Cani-Calm when offered during a 3-week training program at a boarding kennel. Fifty-one dogs of various ages, breed, and history were randomly assigned to either Control (no Cani-Calm; n = 26) or Cani-Calm (CC: 0.6 mL· kg BWT-1· day-1; n = 25). Cani-Calm was top-dressed on the morning meal daily. Trainers, blinded to treatment, assessed dog behavior and provided training timelines for each dog. Statistical analysis was performed using a Genmod analysis and Poisson distribution in SAS v9.3. Statistical significance was set at P &amp;lt; 0.05 and statistical trends were considered at 0.05 &amp;lt; P &amp;lt; 0.10. Length of the acclimation period before the onset of training due to stress-related behaviors was reduced (P = 0.001) in treated dogs compared with the control (Control: 1.57± 0.16 d; CC: 0.08 ± 0.71 d). There was no impact of treatment (P = 0.15) on percentage of dogs per group that required additional days of training beyond the planned program. However, there was an impact of treatment (P = 0.04; Control: 75%; CC: 96.3%) on the percentage of dogs that completed training earlier than the scheduled 3-week program. The results indicate a benefit of Cani-Calm during stressful events to decrease the display of behaviors that reduce training productivity and are a welfare concern for both animal and handler. Unlike the previous trial, during the current trial, there was no exposure to the botanicals before the stressful event; however, alterations in stress-related behaviors were demonstrated in both trials. Further research is warranted to evaluate time of exposure to the botanicals before the stress-event, and in larger populations.

PSIV-12 Dietary Supplementation of a Botanical Blend Improved Growth Performance and Reduced Diarrhea Incidence in Commercially Housed Weaned Pigs

Abstract The study evaluated the effects of dietary botanical supplementation on the growth performance and diarrhea incidence of commercially housed weaned piglets. The study design was a randomized complete block with two dietary treatments [control (CON) and botanical blend (BB)] and 36 replicate pens per treatment (16 pigs/pen, 576 pigs/treatment). All piglets were fed a three-phase feeding program: P1, days 1-10; P2, days 11-21; P3, days 21-42. Diets were corn-soy and contained 150 ppm total zinc; P1 and P2 diets also contained 250 ppm of chlortetracycline. The botanical supplement was included in the P1 and P2 BB diets at a rate of 250 ppm. Body weight (BW) and feed disappearance were recorded weekly to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Body condition scoring and diarrhea frequency and severity were measured weekly for the first 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using PROC GLMMIX of SAS with appropriate models for the different data distributions. Pen was the experimental unit. The overall herd mortality and culling rate were 0.17% and 3.04%, respectively. Further, more than 95% of the pigs were in good body condition and did not differ between treatments. Pigs fed BB had a greater survival rate at the end of the study (97.9 vs 95.7%; P = 0.01) and diarrhea incidence was reduced by 5% for pigs fed BB compared with CON. In early nursery (days 1-21), pigs fed BB had a lower FCR (1.21 vs. 1.23 kg/kg; P = 0.049) and greater ADG (0.276 vs. 0.267 kg/d; P = 0.016), resultant in heavier BW at day 21 (12.1 vs. 11.9 kg; P = 0.046) than those fed CON. Considering the entire nursery (days 1-42), pigs fed BB tended to have greater ADG (0.430 vs 0.421 kg/d; P = 0.06) and ADFI (0.580 vs. 0.568 kg/d; P = 0.054) overall compared with CON. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of the botanical blend reduced diarrhea incidence and significantly improved early (1-21 days post-weaning) growth performance and feed efficiency in commercially housed weaned piglets. These early growth benefits persisted to the end of the nursery period, as a tendency for increased growth rate and feed intake.

A blend of selected botanicals maintains intestinal epithelial integrity and reduces susceptibility to Escherichia coli F4 infection by modulating acute and chronic inflammation in vitro.

In the pig production cycle, the most delicate phase is weaning, a sudden and early change that requires a quick adaptation, at the cost of developing inflammation and oxidation, especially at the intestinal level. In this period, pathogens like enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) contribute to the establishment of diarrhea, with long-lasting detrimental effects. Botanicals and their single bioactive components represent sustainable well-recognized tools in animal nutrition thanks to their wide-ranging beneficial functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro mechanism of action of a blend of botanicals (BOT), composed of thymol, grapeseed extract, and capsicum oleoresin, in supporting intestinal cell health during inflammatory challenges and ETEC infections. To reach this, we performed inflammatory and ETEC challenges on Caco-2 cells treated with BOT, measuring epithelial integrity, cellular oxidative stress, bacterial translocation and adhesion, gene expression levels, and examining tight junction distribution. BOT protected enterocytes against acute inflammation: while the challenge reduced epithelial tightness by 40%, BOT significantly limited its drop to 30%, also allowing faster recovery rates. In the case of chronic inflammation, BOT systematically improved by an average of 25% the integrity of challenged cells (p < 0.05). Moreover, when cells were infected with ETEC, BOT maintained epithelial integrity at the same level as an effective antibiotic and significantly reduced bacterial translocation by 1 log average. The mode of action of BOT was strictly related to the modulation of the inflammatory response, protecting tight junctions' expression and structure. In addition, BOT influenced ETEC adhesion to intestinal cells (-4%, p < 0.05), also thanks to the reduction of enterocytes' susceptibility to pathogens. Finally, BOT effectively scavenged reactive oxygen species generated by inflammatory and H2O2 challenges, thus alleviating oxidative stress by 40% compared to challenge (p < 0.05). These results support the employment of BOT in piglets at weaning to help manage bacterial infections and relieve transient or prolonged stressful states thanks to the modulation of host-pathogen interaction and the fine-tuning activity on the inflammatory tone.

P03-068-23 Safety Evaluation of a Novel Botanical Blend for the Treatment of Hot Flash-like Symptoms in Ovariectomized Rats

P03-068-23 Safety Evaluation of a Novel Botanical Blend for the Treatment of Hot Flash-like Symptoms in Ovariectomized Rats

Disruption of Established Bacterial and Fungal Biofilms by a Blend of Enzymes and Botanical Extracts.

Microbial biofilms are resilient, immune-evasive, often antibiotic-resistant health challenges, and increasingly the target for research into novel therapeutic strategies. We evaluated the effects of a nutraceutical enzyme and botanical blend (NEBB) on established biofilm. Five microbial strains with known implications in chronic human illnesses were tested: Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus simulans (coagulase-negative, penicillin-resistant), Borrelia burgdorferi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The strains were allowed to form biofilm in vitro. Biofilm cultures were treated with NEBB containing enzymes targeted at lipids, proteins, and sugars, also containing the mucolytic compound N-acetyl cysteine, along with antimicrobial extracts from cranberry, berberine, rosemary, and peppermint. The post-treatment biofilm mass was evaluated by crystal-violet staining, and metabolic activity was measured using the MTT assay. Average biofilm mass and metabolic activity for NEBB-treated biofilms were compared to the average of untreated control cultures. Treatment of established biofilm with NEBB resulted in biofilm-disruption, involving significant reductions in biofilm mass and metabolic activity for Candida and both Staphylococcus species. For B. burgdorferi, we observed reduced biofilm mass, but the remaining residual biofilm showed a mild increase in metabolic activity, suggesting a shift from metabolically quiescent, treatment-resistant persister forms of B. burgdorferi to a more active form, potentially more recognizable by the host immune system. For P. aeruginosa, low doses of NEBB significantly reduced biofilm mass and metabolic activity while higher doses of NEBB increased biofilm mass and metabolic activity. The results suggest that targeted nutraceutical support may help disrupt biofilm communities, offering new facets for integrative combinational treatment strategies.

Efficacy of a commercial mixed botanical formula in treatment and control of coccidiosis in poultry

Coccidiosis, a protozoal disease caused by a species of the Eimeria genus, causes tremendous economic damage to the poultry industry. Numerous natural remedies have been developed to combat emerging drug-resistant Eimeria species and mitigate public concerns about anticoccidial drug residues in poultry products. In the current study, the anticoccidial efficacy was evaluated of a commercial mixed botanical product, administered in two concentrations, in the treatment and control of a mixed coccidian infection. In this respect, 120 newly hatched broiler chickens were randomly allocated into five equal groups: Cox500, Cox1000, Positive control (PC), Negative control (NC), and Control (C). The first three groups were exposed to oocysts of several Eimeria species, Cox500 and Cox1000, and then received the two concentrations of a botanical blend (500 and 1,000 ml of formula per 1,000 L of drinking water, respectively) for five consecutive days. The positive control also received toltrazuril (7 mg/kg of live weight) through drinking water for two consecutive days. The negative control and control were the challenged-unmedicated and unchallenged-unmedicated groups, respectively. The chicks were monitored for clinical signs, intestinal lesions, performance indices, and oocyst shedding. The results indicated that the tested botanical formula in both concentrations improved the growth performance of the birds. However, the higher concentration prompted lower oocyst shedding and, likewise, toltrazuril in the positive control, healed cecal lesions more rapidly. In summary, the blended botanical formula, particularly in the higher concentration (1,000 ml per 1,000 L of drinking water), could successfully be incorporated into therapeutic strategies against coccidiosis in broiler flocks.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Modified Bovine Colostrum, Whey, and Their Combination with Other Natural Products: Effects on Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Many natural products have immunomodulatory properties. However, the mechanism of immunomodulatory activities are poorly understood. This study evaluated the influence of bovine colostrum products, a whey product, or their combinations with other natural products on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells' (PBMC) ability to produce cytokines upon activation. PBMCs were pretreated with ultrafiltered colostrum, nano-filtered bovine colostrum, egg yolk extract, a botanical blend, colostrum + egg yolk extract, colostrum + egg yolk + botanical blend, and fermented whey and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or phytohemagglutinin. Cytokine production was measured by the Luminex assay. All study products demonstrated immunomodulatory properties by regulating cytokines production by activated PBMCs. Ultrafiltered colostrum alone displayed the highest immune stimulatory activity. It stimulated proinflammatory cytokine production by lipopolysaccharide-activated PBMCs and suppressed cytokine production by phytohemagglutinin-activated cells. Other study products mainly suppressed cytokine release by both cell types. The immunomodulatory properties depended upon the dose of the products used in the study. All tested products modulated innate and adaptive immune cell activities. Most of the products demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, except ultrafiltered colostrum, which stimulated the lipopolysaccharide-activated PBMC production of inflammatory cytokines. These products can be potentially used to support overall immune health.

In Vitro Determination of the Skin Anti-Aging Potential of Four-Component Plant-Based Ingredient.

The beauty industry is actively searching for solutions to prevent skin aging. Some of the crucial elements protecting cells from the aging process are telomere shortening, telomerase expression, cell senescence, and homeostasis of the redox system. Modification of these factors using natural antioxidants is an appealing way to support healthy skin aging. Therefore, in this study, we sought to investigate the antiaging efficacy of a specific combination of four botanical extracts (pomegranate, sweet orange, Cistanche and Centella asiatica) with proven antioxidant properties. To this end, normal human dermal fibroblasts were used as a cell model and the following studies were performed: cell proliferation was established by means of the MTT assay and the intracellular ROS levels in stress-induced premature senescence fibroblasts; telomere length measurement was performed under standard cell culture conditions using qPCR and under oxidative stress conditions using a variation of the Q-FISH technique; telomerase activity was examined by means of Q-TRAP; and AGE quantification was completed by means of ELISA assay in UV-irradiated fibroblasts. As a result, the botanical blend significantly reversed the H2O2-induced decrease in cell viability and reduced H2O2-induced ROS. Additionally, the presence of the botanical ingredient reduced the telomere shortening rate in both stressed and non-stressed replicating fibroblasts, and under oxidative stress conditions, the fibroblasts presented a higher median and 20th percentile telomere length, as well as a lower percentage of short telomeres (&lt;3 Kbp) compared with untreated fibroblasts. Furthermore, the ingredient transiently increased relative telomerase activity after 24 h and prevented the accumulation of UVR-induced glycated species. The results support the potential use of this four-component plant-based ingredient as an antiaging agent.

PSIV-8 Dietary Botanical Blends Modified the Intestinal Microbiota of Weaned Pigs Experimentally Challenged with an Enterotoxigenic E. Coli

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the intestinal microbiota of weaned pigs when supplemented with different botanical blends while being experimentally infected with a pathogenic E. coli. A total of 60 weaned pigs (7.17 ± 0.97 kg) were individually housed and randomly assigned to 1 of the 5 treatments (12 pigs/treatment): sham control (CON-), challenged control (CON+), challenged botanical blend 1 with 100 ppm (BB1_100), challenged BB2 with 50 ppm (BB2_50), and challenged BB2 with 100 ppm (BB2_100). Both botanical blends were composed of capsicum oleoresin but different garlic extract varieties. The experiment lasted for 28 d including a 7-day habituation period followed by an E. coli oral inoculation of 1010 CFU/dose for 3 consecutive days. Ileal, cecal, and fecal samples were collected on d 5 and 21 post inoculation (PI) to perform 16S rRNA sequencing at the V4 hypervariable region followed by a downstream analysis using QIIME2 (v. 2020.8) and R. No difference was observed in alpha diversity among treatments and sites on d 21 PI; however, CON- had the least Shannon and Chao1 indices in ileal digesta on d 5 PI. Bray-Curtis PCoA displayed distinct clusters by treatments in the ileum and cecum on d 5 and 21 PI. On d 5 PI, Bacteroidota was more abundant (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in feces of BB1_100 but was the most abundant (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in ileum of CON-. Pigs in BB2 supplementation were more abundant (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in Proteobacteria in feces than in pigs in CON- at d 5 PI. On d 21 PI, Streptococcaceae was more abundant (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the ileum of CON+ than of BB2_50 and Lachnospiraceae was more (P &amp;lt; 0.05) abundant in feces of pigs in BB2_100 than in BB1_100. In conclusion, supplementing botanical blend can modify the intestinal microbiota in weaned pigs challenged with a pathogenic E. coli.