Moschus Moschiferus Research Articles

Insights into the Gut Microbial Diversity of Wild Siberian Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus) in Republic of Korea.

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of wildlife. However, its composition and diversity remain unexplored, particularly in threatened species such as the Siberian musk deer (SMD). This study aimed to elucidate the gut microbiota composition within different wild SMD communities for assessing their health status. We conducted the first comprehensive fecal microbiome analysis of wild SMD inhabiting three distinct locations in Gangwon Province, Republic of Korea (Korea). Fecal samples were collected non-invasively and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for gut microbiota characterization. Consistent with previous research, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were the dominant phyla in the gut microbiota of wild SMD. Planctomycetota was a prevalent phylum in wild SMD gut microbiota, warranting further investigation of its ecological significance. While significant differences were observed in the gut microbiota richness among the three groups, no significant disparities were detected in the beta diversity. Additionally, certain genera exhibited distinct relative abundances among the groups, suggesting potential associations with geographic factors, gut disorders, and dietary habits. Our findings provide valuable insights into the gut microbiome of wild SMD and offer a foundation for future microbiome-based conservation efforts for this vulnerable species.

Identification of potential suitable areas and conservation priority areas for representative wild animals in the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains.

Species geographic distribution and conservation priority areas are important bases for insitu biodiversity conservation and conservation decision-making. In view of the urgency of endangered species protection, eight representative endangered species in the typical forest ecosystem of the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains were studied. Based on 1127 occurrence points and environmental data collected from 2016 to 2021, used BIOMOD2 and Zonation to reconstruct the potential distribution area and identify conservation priority areas of eight species (Tetrao parvirostris, T. tetrix, Gulo gulo, Alces alces, Martes zibellina, Moschus moschiferus, Lynx lynx, Lutra lutra). The results showed potential distribution areas for almost all species concentrated in the northern part of the Greater Khingan Mountains (GKM) and the central part of the Lesser Khingan Mountains (LKM). The potential distribution areas of each species were as follows: black-billed capercaillie, 102,623 km2; black grouse, 162,678 km2; wolverine, 63,410 km2; moose, 140,287 km2; sable, 112,254 km2; Siberian musk deer, 104,787 km2; lynx, 139,912 km2; and Eurasian otter, 49,386 km2. Conservation priority areas (CPAs) clustered in the north GKM and central LKM and totaled 220,801 km2, and only 16.94% of the CPAs were currently protected by nature reserves. We suggest that the Chinese government accelerate the integration of existing protected areas in the northern GKM and establish a larger GKM National Park based on cost-effective multi-species protection.

Possible Reasons for the Decrease in the Abundance of the Musk Deer Moschus moschiferus L. (Cetartiodactyla, Moschidae) in the Ussuriysky Nature Reserve

Possible Reasons for the Decrease in the Abundance of the Musk Deer Moschus moschiferus L. (Cetartiodactyla, Moschidae) in the Ussuriysky Nature Reserve

Food Preferences of Captive Siberian Musk Deer — a Producer of Pharmaceutical Raw Materials

Under the conditions of captivity, adequate and balanced feeding becomes a determining factor in the safety of musk deer, contributing to maintaining the health of animals and their reproductive functions and increasing the productivity of deer musk. In this work, the nutrition patterns of Siberian musk deer in the winter period are established. The animals are kept in the nursery of the Altai Branch of the Scientific Center of Biomedical Technologies of FMBA of Russia. The most preferred feed types in the winter diet were found to include (on average, g/head per day): wood lichens Usnea spp. — 290; Betula spp. — 70; Urtica spp. — 80; oatmeal — 70). The nutritional indicators of the identified feed objects were determined. The content of metabolizable energy and nutrients in the daily diet consumed by musk deer was calculated. Thus, one individual consumes 520 g of natural moisture feed or 453 g of dry matter, which contains 3.57 MJ of metabolizable energy per day. The obtained data form a scientific basis for developing feeding diets for captive musk deer.

Modification and Improvement of the Liposome Composition of Preputial Gland Extract of Siberian Musk Deer

In this work, we set out to characterize the liposomal form of a new original product based on the preputial gland extract of Siberian musk deer whose composition was modified by an inclusion complex with β-cy- clodextrin. Musk deer liposomes were obtained by an efficient and scalable high-pressure homogenization method. The resulting liposomal product was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, preparative and analytical chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A specification for the liposomal form of Siberian musk deer extract was developed, which includes all critical indicators of product quality. Homogeneous dispersions of musk deer liposomes with a uniform size distribution were obtained, with the distribution maxima observed at 50 and 240 nm. The high physicochemical stability of the liposomal dispersion was established with the zeta potential value of the obtained nanoparticles ranging from –5 to –35 mV. According to size-exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry, the incorporation of deer musk target components into liposomes reached 58–75% for musk liposomes in terms of steroid components and total protein. The revealed quality indicators of the studied liposomal product indicate the possibility of obtaining highly effective products based on the liposomal form of musk deer extract, modified with cyclodextrin, as an adaptogen of natural origin with an enhanced and pronounced activity in laboratory performance tests.

The comparative anatomy of the petrosal bone and bony labyrinth of four small-sized deer.

Here we provide complete 3D reconstructions of the petrosal bone and bony labyrinth of four kinds of small-sized deer (Elaphodus cephalophus, Muntiacus reevesi, Muntiacus muntjak, Hydropotes inermis) based on high-resolution CT scanning, and select one musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) as a comparative object. The petrosal bone and bony labyrinth of E. cephalophus are illustrated for the first time, as well as the petrosal bones of M. reevesi and H. inermis. Some morphological characters of petrosal bone and bony labyrinth can be used to distinguish the above-mentioned species. For example, M. moschiferus shows a prominent transpromontorial sulcus and a ventral basicapsular groove on the petrosal bone; there is a bifurcate cochlear aqueduct on the bony labyrinth of E. cephalophus; there is a distinct fusion between the lateral and posterior semicircular canals on the bony labyrinth of H. inermis. Meanwhile, there are some intraspecific variations on the subarcuate fossa, the tegmen tympani, the cochlear aqueduct, as well as the endolymphatic sac. Our results further confirm that the petrosal bone and bony labyrinth have enormous potential for taxonomy. This work will provide new anatomical data for the phylogenetic study of ruminants in the future, and it will be very practical to identify the isolated ruminants' petrosal bones that are frequently unearthed from paleontological or archeological sites.

Content of Biologically Active Substances in the Musk of Siberian Musk Deer Depending on Food Spectrum of Animal Nutrition

The content of biologically active substances in the gland secretion of Siberian musk deer obtained in vivo was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using derivatization by silylation. The musk chemical composition of animals held under natural conditions and in captivity was compared. The food spectrum of Siberian musk deer was found to affect the content of biologically active components in the musk, primarily of androsteroid substances. The results of evaluating the content of musk components exhibiting the most pronounced biological effects are presented. An increase in the diversity of food spectrum was established to improve the qualitative composition of biologically active substances in the musk obtained from the adult males of Siberian musk deer held in captivity.

Active Substances Isolated from the Secretion of Siberian Musk Deer in a Liposomal Dosage Form

Liposomal forms of preparations containing biologically active substances extracted from renewable sources of raw materials of plant and animal origin are attracting considerable research and practical interest. Liposomal drugs are efficiently absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, retaining their structure while passing through the liver and entering the target cell. This allows either smaller amounts of the active substance to be used without losing bioavailability or its effective concentration to be increased.Deer musk liposomes administered at doses equivalent to 300, 1500 and 3000 mg/person/day were found to exhibit an actoprotective effect, whose intensity at the minimum dose (300 mg) is comparable to that achieved at the maximum dose (3000 mg).A course daily transpalatal administration of musk deer liposomes for 14 days was established to statistically significantly improve the indices of physical endurance and working capacity of rats in forced swimming tests under load, kineso-hydrodynamic models of swimming and rotarod performance tests. The observed increase in indicators persisted for another seven days after the cessation of administration, which indicates pharmacological cumulation. The tested drug reduces locomotor and orienting-exploratory activity, at the same time as exhibiting no adverse effect on the psycho-emotional and intoxication status of animals. In addition, no local irritant action on the route of administration was noted. The drug is assigned to toxicity class VI (relatively harmless).

Comparative study of the function and structure of the gut microbiota in Siberian musk deer and Forest musk deer.

Musk deer are famous for their secretion of musk; however, the scale of artificial breeding of musk deer is limited. Considering the lack of a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiota, there is a need to study the gut microbiota of Siberian musk deer (SMD). Quantitative PCR analysis and high-throughput sequencing were used to show the differences in gut microbial communities and functions between SMD and forest musk deer (FMD). The relative abundance of Firmicutes was significantly higher in SMD than in FMD, with a corresponding decrease in Bacteroidetes, and showed significant seasonal variation. The gut microbiome of FMD has enriched activity for carbohydrate metabolism, while in SMD, amino acids and energy metabolism was higher. The key enzymatic reactions were related to pyruvate metabolism in SMD; however, in FMD, enzymes that digest cellulose (EC:3.2.1.21, EC:3.2.1.4.) were more abundant, and these were related to the living environment and feeding habits. This indicates that FMD and SMD have significant differences in their microbial communities and functions. Furthermore, antibiotic resistances were identified and significantly different in gut microbes of SMD and FMD. For SMD, seasonal variations alter microbial communities and function. The key enzymes of the short-chain fatty acids (EC:1.3.1.44, EC:6.4.1.2) were significantly different, with higher relative abundance in winter-a mechanism of natural selection and environmental adaptation. This study is the first to analyze the composition of the gut microbiota of SMD and can be used to develop or modify conservation and husbandry strategies for musk deer, to improve their productivity. KEY POINTS: • Significant differences in microbial communities and their function between FMD and SMD. • The energy metabolism and the relative abundance of Firmicutes were significantly higher in SMD. • Seasonal variations alter microbial function in SMD, carbohydrate metabolism was higher in summer.

Identification of Conservation Priority Areas and a Protection Network for the Siberian Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus L.) in Northeast China.

Simple SummarySiberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus L.) populations and their habitat decreased significantly over the past decades due to unsustainable, long-term hunting and deforestation. To support the species’ conservation, we assessed its potential distribution, conservation priority areas, core patch fragmentation, and potential connectivity corridors in Northeast China. We concluded that large areas of a high-quality M. moschiferus habitat with low fragmentation and low human influence remain in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains. In contrast, a habitat in the Lesser Khingan Mountains and the Changbai Mountains was highly fragmented and highly influenced by human activity. The Greater Khingan Mountains offer a suitable habitat for the recovery of M. moschiferus populations in Northeast China. These findings offer recommendations to support the Chinese government’s goal of establishing protected area systems with national parks in Northeast China.Species conservation actions are guided by available information on the biogeography of the protected species. In this study, we integrated the occurrence data of Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus L.) collected from 2019 to 2021 with species distribution models to estimate the species’ potential distribution in Northeast China. We then identified conservation priority areas using a core-area zonation algorithm. In addition, we analyzed core patch fragmentation using FRAGSTATS. Lastly, we identified potential connectivity corridors and constructed a potential protection network based on the least-cost path and the circuit theory. The results showed concentrations of M. moschiferus in the northern Greater Khingan Mountains, the southeastern Lesser Khingan Mountains, and the eastern Changbai Mountains, with a potential distribution area of 127,442.14 km2. Conservation priority areas included 41 core patches with an area of 106,306.43 km2. Patch fragmentation mainly occurred in the Changbai Mountains and the Lesser Khingan Mountains. We constructed an ecological network composed of 41 core patches and 69 linkages for M. moschiferus in Northeast China. The results suggest that the Greater Khingan Mountains represent the most suitable area to maintain the stability of M. moschiferus populations in Northeast China. Considering the high habitat quality requirements of M. moschiferus and its endangered status, we propose that the Chinese government accelerates the construction of the Greater Khingan Mountains National Park and the Lesser Khingan Mountains National Park and enlarges the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park to address the fragmentation of protected areas and the habitat of M. moschiferus.

Elemental characterization of antlers of various deer species using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF): A tool for forensic examination

Antlers are unique characteristic of males of family Cervidae. It fully regenerates each year in relation to their sexual cycles. It is primarily used as weapons in intra-specific fighting or possibly as organs displaying strength. These are formed by the calcification, beneath the velvet of the fast growing pre-osseous tissue known as velvet antlers. Continuous dividing velvet antlers replace dead antlers every year through shedding. Antlers are composed primarily of minerals, protein, carbohydrates and fatty acids. Calcium and phosphorus, primarily present as hydroxyapatite [Ca5(PO4)3OH] (Chapman 1975). In India there are nine species of deer viz. Kashmir stag (Cervus elaphus), mouse deer (Tragulus meminna), musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii), thamin (Rucervus eldii), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), chital (Axis axis), hog deer (Axis porcinus) and sambar (Rusa unicolor). Mouse deer and musk deer possess only canines and antler is absent in both the deer species. Previously, the export of shed antlers and peacock feathers was allowed in India. Although, antlers are not very extensive in illegal wildlife trade but artifacts of antlers and they are used for traditional medicines for treatment of various diseases in different countries. The problem of illegal trade of antlers is mainly due to the mis-declaration of its quantity. Mostly antlers of chital, sambar and swamp deer are widely traded.Visualizing the current status of some of the deer species, trade of antler in India has been recently banned. Therefore, to provide legal protection to deer and other related species accordingly brow-antlered deer (Rucervus elidii), hog deer (Axis procinus), and swamp deer (R. duvaucelii) are included in Schedule I, whereas barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), chital (Axis axis), and sambar (R. unicolor) were in schedule III of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. To strengthen the legal measures and to protect deer species, identification of antlers in complete, pieces or pulverized form is very important. Very few scientific studies deal with identification of antlers belonging to different species. Thus, present study is aimed to identify species from antlers using species specific signature using elemental analysis. Morphological features of antlers in artiodactyls often used as a diagnostic tool to identify species. Although, morphometry is very good technique to identify antlers but as malformation in antlers is common also antlers are seized either in complete form or in small pieces or powder form, therefore, identification through morphometry becomes difficult for deformed antlers or pieces. In such cases, elemental analysis is helpful. Elemental composition of antlers of different species helps in inter-species distinction. This study will help managers, scientists and enforcement agencies to identify species from parts and products of antler.

Interventions of Unani medicine for maintenance of health with special reference to air quality: an evidence-based review.

This article aims to discuss the impact of air quality on human health, measures to achieve the goal of good indoor air quality and proposed benefits of interventions of Unani Medicine with an evidence-based approach. The significance of air quality on the health of the community cannot be denied. Recent evidences from WHO illustrated data on severe air pollutants and their impacts on human health ranges from minor upper respiratory irritation to chronic respiratory ailments including lung carcinoma and heart disease associated with premature mortality and reduced life expectancy. In Unani Medicine, air has been included in the list of factors, which are six in number and play the central role in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health. Air is considered as the medium of most of the extrinsic factors such as chemical and biological pollutants affecting health and their exposure results in short and long-term health issues. The literature of Unani Medicine proposes many simple and effective measures, which help to improve indoor and outdoor air quality. The goal of outdoor clean air is achieved through implementation of measures to tackle the source of pollution, while indoor clean air is attained through various means e.g., fumigation with herbal drugs. Hence, an extensive literature survey on Unani reserve was conducted to collect information about the concept of air discussed under the heading of six essential factors and its implication in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health. Further, research databases such as Pub Med, Google Scholar, and Science-Direct were broadly searched for evidence on the efficacy of herbals mentioned in Unani literature for the indoor air purification and subsequent air quality improvement. Recent studies showed good air quality leads to decrease in mortality, particularly of respiratory and cardiovascular deaths whereas poor air quality results in a variety of diseases. Unani scholars prescribed several regimens such as Bukhoor (Fumigation), Sa'oot (Nasal instillation) and use of Abeer (Perfumes) and Nadd (Incense) for the improvement of air quality. Likewise various herbal fumigants and sprays containing drugs like mī'a sā'ila (Liquidambar orientalis Mill.), mastagi (Pistacia lentiscus L.), mushk (Moschus moschiferus L.), loban (Styrax benzoides W. G. Craib), ābnoos (Diospyros ebenum J. Koenig ex Retz), zā'fran (Crocus sativus L.) and sirka (vinegar) etc. has been well explained and used exclusively for air purification and improvement of AQI. Therefore, in the present scenario of altered air quality, we forward certain measures described in Unani system of medicine for health promotion and protection. Scientific evidence on several drugs reveal the presence of a number of pharmacologically active substances, which may provide a new approach into the purification of air.

Home Range Use by a Male Siberian Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus L.) in Central Sikhote-Alin

Home Range Use by a Male Siberian Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus L.) in Central Sikhote-Alin

Standardization of Critical Quality Indicators of Liposomes of Siberian Musk Deer Prepucial Gland Extract

The liposomal form of a new original remedy based on the preputial gland of Siberian musk has been standardized and characterized. For the preparative isolation of musk musk liposomes, an effective and scalable method of high-pressure homogenization was used. The resulting liposomal product was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, preparative and analytical chromatography, and chromatography-mass spectrometry. A specification for the liposomal form of the extract of the prepucial gland of Siberian musk deer, including all critical indicators of the product quality, has been developed. Homogeneous dispersions of musk musk liposomes with uniform size distribution — with distribution maxima at 50 and 240 nm — were obtained. The high physical and chemical stability of the liposomal dispersion was established: the zeta potential of the obtained nanoparticles was -5...-35 mV. The degree of inclusion in the liposomes of the target components of musk musk according to gel-size chromatography and mass spectrometry for musk liposomes for steroid components and total protein was 58–75%. The developed quality indicators of the liposomal product allow for serial standardization of the manufacturing quality control and form the prerequisites for guaranteed high efficiency of the product based on the liposomal form of musk musk extract as an adaptogen of natural origin with an enhanced and pronounced effect.

Musk (Moschus moschiferus) Attenuates Changes in Main Olfactory Bulb of Depressed Mice: Behavioral, Biochemical, and Histopathological Evidence.

BackgroundMusk (Moschus moschiferus) has been described to have a significant impact on the central nervous system, as well as anticonvulsion and antidepressant effects. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of musk in alleviating alterations induced in olfactory bulb of depressed mice exposed to chronic stress and identify the mechanism behind it.MethodsFifty male albino mice were divided into five groups (n = 10 each): control, musk, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), fluoxetine-treated, and musk-treated groups were included in this study. Behavioral changes and serum levels of corticosterone and proinflammatory cytokines included tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and oxidant/antioxidant profile were assessed at the end of the experiment. Main olfactory bulb (MOB) has been processed for histopathological examination. Gene expression of caspase-3, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and Ki67 were assessed in the MOB using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsThe study showed that musk inhalation significantly reduced (p < 0.001) corticosterone level, immobility time, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress markers in CUMS-exposed mice compared to the untreated CUMS group. Musk lessened CUMS-associated neuronal alterations in the MOB and significantly reduced apoptosis and enhanced neural cell proliferation (p < 0.001) comparable to fluoxetine. Musk significantly enhanced the level of antioxidants in the serum and significantly reduced inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of musk and its constituents seemed to be behind its neuroprotective effect observed in this study.ConclusionMusk effectively ameliorated the chronic stress–induced behavioral, biochemical, and neuronal structural changes in MOB mostly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.

Закономерности вертикального распространения млекопитающих горного массива Мунку-Сардык

The Munku-Sardyk mountain range is an important link in the Eastern Sayan mountain system, performing a barrier and refugial role for various mammalian species, in the transition zone between the Central Asian steppe and the Siberian taiga. Thus, the southern steppe slopes are the northern limit in the distribution of the Tuvan and Mongolian voles, Tarbagan marmot, tolai hare, mountain weasel and manul. For the Altai mole, brown bear, sable, Siberian musk deer, reindeer and elk, the southern border of their distribution lies in the forest zone of the Khubsugul region. The paper presents the basic information about the features of the vertical distribution of mammals on the southern and northern slopes of the massif. The complex structure of the vertical zonation of the mountain range and the harsh habitat conditions are of paramount importance in the distribution and number of mammals inhabiting it. The species composition of communities in five high-altitude belts is presented: forest-steppe, mountain- taiga, subalpine, alpine and nival. A comparative analysis of the degree of similarity of mammalian communities, depending on the altitudinal zonality and exposure of the slope, using the Jaccard coefficient, based on the analysis of qualitative data, has been carried out. A high degree of similarity of the lower belt with the higher one was revealed on both slopes of the mountain range. The highest degree of similarity between the mountain-taiga and subalpine belts was noted, and the lowest degree was observed in the forest-steppe and nival belts that were separated from each other. The low species diversity in the nival belt is associated with the harsh habitat conditions associated with the absence of protective feeding stations and mechanisms of adaptation to hypoxia in most mammals living in the lower part. When comparing the community of mammalian faunas between the belts of the southern and northern slopes, a high similarity of mountain-taiga belts and a decrease in the proportion of common species with height were noted. The obtained information eliminates the existing gaps in the territory poorly studied in the zoogeographic plan and makes it possible to form a unified environmental policy in the transboundary region.

МОРФОЛОГИЯ ЛЕГКИХ У ПЛОДОВ МАРАЛО

Maral breeding is a promising branch of animal hus-bandry in the Altai Region and the Republic of Altai. Being semi-wild animals, marals travel long distances, mainly in mountainous areas in larch and pine forests and on high-altitude plateaus of the Republic of Altai. The following deer species range in the Altai Region and the Republic of Altai: Siberian musk deer(Moschus moschiferus), elk(Alces alces), sika deer(Cervus nippon), reindeer(Rangifer tarandus), and maral (Cervus elaphus sibiricus, Severtzov 1872). According to V.G. Lunitsyn, the regions of the Re-public of Altai account for 98% of all velvet antler products produced in Russia which are exported to the countries of the Asian-Pacific Region. The specimens were taken from maral fetuses of the age from 1 to 3 months obtained at forced slaughter. The fetuses were weighed, the lungs were extracted and weighed, and the specimens were for-malin-fixed (10-12% solution), washed in tap water;and slices were prepared by a freezing microtome. The slices were hematoxylin-eosin stained according to Van Gieson. The tissue specimens show that all orders of bronchioles in the lungs of maral fetuses, especially in the caudal lobes, are clearly expressed. In the bronchi of the lungs of fetuses at the age of 3 months, the muscle layer of smooth muscle cells is expressed. At this age, the spaces similar to alveo-lar passages are visible.The diameter of the alveoli in the form of tubes at this age is about 2-5 μm. In the micro-slides under study, vessels in the lungs of fetuses at the age of 1-3 months are characterized by rapid growth. Con-nective tissue elements surrounding the bronchial tubes with capillaries are formed.

Variation in Features of the Cranium of the Musk Deer Moschus moschiferus L. in Different Phases of the Population Cycle

The variation in four characters (three craniometrical and one nonmetric with supplemental bones) was investigated in 105 craniums of musk deer in different phases (depression and growth) of the population cycle from the East Sayan mountains. The duration of the cycle was 50 years, which corresponds to ten generations of animals. The results obtained show the multidirectional relation of skull sizes (craniometric variation) with phases in the population number in animals of different sexes. The variability of nonmetric characteristics of the skull is characterized by the greatest frequency of manifestation and the maximum quantity of additional bones during the phase of population depression in animals of both sexes, a gradual decrease in their quantity during the growth phase, and then complete loss of supplemental bones when there is an increase in population numbers. The revealed phene of the skull is a key cranial variation and may be used as a way for monitoring natural populations of rare and disappearing subspecies of musk deer.

Whole-genome sequencing of wild Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) provides insights into its genetic features

BackgroundSiberian musk deer, one of the seven species, is distributed in coniferous forests of Asia. Worldwide, the population size of Siberian musk deer is threatened by severe illegal poaching for commercially valuable musk and meat, habitat losses, and forest fire. At present, this species is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. However, the genetic information of Siberian musk deer is largely unexplored.ResultsHere, we produced 3.10 Gb draft assembly of wild Siberian musk deer with a contig N50 of 29,145 bp and a scaffold N50 of 7,955,248 bp. We annotated 19,363 protein-coding genes and estimated 44.44% of the genome to be repetitive. Our phylogenetic analysis reveals that wild Siberian musk deer is closer to Bovidae than to Cervidae. Comparative analyses showed that the genetic features of Siberian musk deer adapted in cold and high-altitude environments. We sequenced two additional genomes of Siberian musk deer constructed demographic history indicated that changes in effective population size corresponded with recent glacial epochs. Finally, we identified several candidate genes that may play a role in the musk secretion based on transcriptome analysis.ConclusionsHere, we present a high-quality draft genome of wild Siberian musk deer, which will provide a valuable genetic resource for further investigations of this economically important musk deer.

Xihuang pills, a traditional chinese preparation used as a complementary medicine to treat cancer: An updated review

The traditional Chinese medicine, Xihuang pills (XHP), has long been used for the management of cancers, both to limit tumor cells proliferation and dissemination, and to protect nontumor cells from damages induced by conventional therapeutic agents. XHP is made from two plant extracts (from Boswellia carteri and Commiphora myrrha) and two animal-derived products (from Moschus moschiferus and Calculus bovis). Recent advances into the mechanism of action of XHP and its clinical efficacy are reviewed here to highlight its potential to treat breast and colon cancers in particular. The immunoregulatory effects of XHP are underlined. Similar traditional medicinal preparations containing Boswellia and Commiphora are discussed, as well as the activities of the major natural products found in XHP including abietic acid, acetyl-keto-boswellic acid, and muscone. Pharmacological and clinical studies of XHP and similar medicinal preparations, such as the Korean medicine HangAmDan-B, are encouraged.