Achyranthes Japonica Nakai root extract supplementation improves apparent nutrient digestibility, caecum microbiota, and excreta gas emission in broiler chicks

This study investigated the effects of supplementing Achyranthes Japonica Nakai (AJN) root extract to the diet of broiler chicks on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, caecum microbiota, excreta gas emission, and relative weight of organs. A total of 270 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks (42.11 ± 0.18 g) were randomly allotted into 3 dietary treatments according to the initial body weight. Each treatment had 5 replicate cages with 18 birds per cage. The experimental period was 35 days (starter, days 1-7; grower, days 8-21; finisher, days 22-35). Dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal-based basal diet supplemented with 0.000, 0.015, or 0.030 % AJN root extract. The apparent total tract digestibility of nitrogen (P = 0.025) increased linearly with the increase of the dosage of AJN root extract, while the counts of E. coli in caecum (P = 0.038) and excreta ammonia emission (P = 0.003) decreased linearly. However, the growth performance (P > 0.05) and the relative weight of organs (P > 0.05) did not differ among the dietary groups. In conclusion, AJN root extract could increase the nutrient digestibility and reduce the noxious gas emission by reducing the caecum harmful microbiota in a dose-dependent manner.

Herbal Extracts from Lycii Radicis Corex and Achyranthes japonica Prevent Multiple Myeloma

Introduction Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy that, despite advances in treatment, remains incurable. In over 90% of MM patients, aberrant bone remodeling occurs and results in osteolytic lesions. It severely reduces the patient's quality of life and increases mortality. Korean traditional medicine has a long-standing interest in healthy foods to enhance the immune system, energy-boost, and Yin-and-Yang balance. A healthy diet in Tradition medicine is based on accumulated observations from countless cases over multi-centuries. Traditional medicine has used herbal extracts (HE) from natural plants with fewer side effects and long-term treatment tolerance. In earlier studies, lycii radices cortex (LRC) and achyranthes japonica (AJ) containing herbal extracts (HE) have demonstrated the ability to enhance cell growth and mineralization of osteoblast cells while also inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, a sesquiterpene glucoside, (1'R,3'S,5'R,8'S,2 Z,4 E)-dihydrophaseic acid 3'-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (DPA3G) were isolated from the LRC ethanol extract and shown to be a bioactive compound for enhancement of cell growth and bone anabolic activity (Park et al). The current study investigated the effects of LRC+AJ containing HE on murine 5TGM1 MM-bearing mice. Methods We transplanted 1x10 6 cells of the enforced luciferase-expressing 5TGM1 (5TGM1-Luc) into 8~12-week-old Nod-Scid-IL2Rg null (NSG) mice via tail vein (representing an equal number of each sex). For LRC+AJ containing HE treatment, mice were divided into three groups; i) PBS group; ii) treatment group at 300 mg/kg, gavage, TIW started two weeks before MM transplant (TbT); and iii) treatment group at 300 mg/kg, gavage, TIW two weeks after MM transplant (TaT). We assessed tumor burden by weekly bioluminescence imaging (IVIS 200 Imager, Perkin Elmer). The spine was extracted from carcass and scanned at postmortem by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry using PIXImus Densitometer (G.E. Lunar, Madison, USA) and micro-computed tomography (microCT; Scanco Medical AG, Switzerland). HE effects in cell growth were tested in the myeloma cells (5TGM1 and U266) and preosteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1). The cells were grown in various concentrations (8, 80, 800 ug/ml) of HE up to 96 hours. In addition, Chromatogram and Mass Spectrometry were conducted to identify the DPA3G. Results As shown in Figure 1A, this HE significantly increased the mouse survivals of both TbT and TaT groups with median survivals of undetermined and 52.5 days, respectively, while MM control had a median survival of 42 days. The Mantel-Cox test found that TbT and TaT mice were significantly different from the control group (P=0.0014 and 0.0182, respectively). Furthermore, DEXA scans at postmortem showed a significant increase in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in TbT and TaT groups than control MM mice. For a histomorphometry analysis, the spines were scanned by micro-CT and revealed that TbT and TaT groups had significantly increased bone volume over total volume (BV/TV) than control. To see if HE affects cell growth of myeloma cells and osteoblast cells, we further investigated the HE on preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1, mouse MM cell line 5TGM1-Luc, and human MM cell line U-266. Cells were treated with HE in various concentrations, and viability was assessed at 48 and 96 hours post-treatment. Remarkably, LRC+AJ containing HE increased MC3T3-E1 cell growth while it decreased 5TGM1 and U-266 cell viability. We identified the DAP3G and many other compounds in HE used in this study. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that LRC+AJ HE prevents MM and promotes bone formation in 5TGM1 engrafted NSG mice. We also found that LRC+AJ HE suppresses myeloma cell growth and enhances osteoblast cell survival. Although it is yet to be defined, a correlation of osteoblast activity and myeloma cell inhibition suggests a potential mechanism of the HE action to prevent MM progression. 1. Park E, Kim J, Yeo S, Lim E, Choi CW, Choi S, Li WY, Lee JW, Park JH, Huh D, Jeong SY. Anti-Osteoporotic Effects of Combined Extract of Lycii Radicis Cortexand Achyranthes japonica in Osteoblast and Osteoclast Cells and Ovariectomized Mice. Nutrients. 2019 Nov 9;11(11):2716. doi: 10.3390/nu11112716. PMID: 31717518; PMCID: PMC6893723.' Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Huh: Dongwoodang Pharmacy Company: Current Employment. OffLabel Disclosure: Herbal Extracts from Lycii Radicis Corex and Achyranthes Japonica

Anti-Osteoporosis Effects of the Eleutherococcus senticosus, Achyranthes japonica, and Atractylodes japonica Mixed Extract Fermented with Nuruk

Vigeo is a mixture of fermented extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim (ESM), Achyranthes japonica (Miq.) Nakai (AJN), and Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi (AJK) manufactured using the traditional Korean nuruk fermentation method. Although the bioactive effects of ESM, AJN, and AJK have already been reported, the pharmacological effects of Vigeo have not been proven. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether Vigeo had inhivitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory bone loss in vivo and receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and the related mechanism in vitro. Vigeo administration conferred effective protection against bone loss induced by excessive inflammatory response and activity of osteoclasts in LPS-induced inflammatory osteoporosis mouse model. In addition, Vigeo significantly suppressed the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts induced by RANKL and inhibited F-actin formation and bone resorbing activity without any cytotoxicity. Moreover, Vigeo significantly inhibited RANKL-induced phosphorylation of p38, ERK, JNK, IκB, and AKT and degradation of IkB. Additionally, Vigeo strongly inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of c-FOS and NFATc1 and subsequently attenuated the expression of osteoclast specific marker genes induced by RANKL. We demonstrated for the first time the anti-osteoporosis effect of Vigeo, suggesting that it could be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of osteoclast-mediated inflammatory bone diseases.

PSIV-B-19 Effects of root extract from Achyranthes japonica Nakai on the growth performance, blood profile, fecal microbial community, fecal gas emission, and meat quality of finishing pigs

This study investigated the effects of a root extract from Achyranthes Japonica Nikai (AJN) on the growth performance, blood profile, fecal microbial community, fecal gas emission, and meat quality of finishing pigs. A total of 72 crossbreed pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc], with an initial body weight of 50.28 ± 3.77 kg were used in a 70-day experiment in two phases: phase 1 (days 0–35) and phase 2 (days 36–70). Dietary treatments consisted of feeding pigs; 1) CON, corn-soybean-wheat basal diet; 2) TRT1, CON + 0.1% AJN root extract; and 3) TRT2, CON + 0.2% AJN root extract. There were six replicate pens per treatment and four pigs (two barrows and two gilts) per pen. The replicate pen was used as the experimental unit. Orthogonal contrasts were used to examine the linear and quadratic effects in response to increasing the dietary supplementation of AJN root extract. Average daily gain (ADG) during phase 2 (P = 0.01) increased linearly with the dose of AJN root extract, while drip loss on day 3 (P = 0.04) and ammonia emission during phase 2 (P = 0.01) decreased linearly. However, the blood profile and fecal microbial community did not differ among the diet groups. In conclusion, AJN root extract increased ADG during days 36–70 and reduced drip loss from meat samples. It also reduced fecal ammonia emission, which improve the overall barn environment.

Inhibitory Effects of IL-6-Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 and -13 by Achyranthes japonica Nakai Root in Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Mice Models

Achyranthes japonica Nakai root (AJNR) is used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of AJNR on arthritis. AJNR was extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2), and its main compounds, pimaric and kaurenoic acid, were identified. ANJR’s inhibitory effects against arthritis were evaluated using primary cultures of articular chondrocytes and two in vivo arthritis models: destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) as an OA model, and collagenase-induced arthritis (CIA) as an RA model. AJNR did not affect pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6)-mediated cytotoxicity, but attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated increases in catabolic factors, and recovered pro-inflammatory cytokine-mediated decreases in related anabolic factors related to in vitro. The effect of AJNR is particularly specific to IL-6-mediated catabolic or anabolic alteration. In a DMM model, AJNR decreased cartilage erosion, subchondral plate thickness, osteophyte size, and osteophyte maturity. In a CIA model, AJNR effectively inhibited cartilage degeneration and synovium inflammation in either the ankle or knee and reduced pannus formation in both the knee and ankle. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that AJNR mainly acted via the inhibitory effects of IL-6-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-3 and -13 in both arthritis models. Therefore, AJNR is a potential therapeutic agent for relieving arthritis symptoms.

Effects of broiler chicks fed the low crude protein diet supplemented with Achyranthes Japonica Nakai root extract on growth performance and carcass traits

A total of 360 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 5 replicate cages and 18 birds per cage for a 35-day trial to investigate the effects of supplementing Achyranthes Japonica Nakai (AJN) root extract in low crude protein (CP) diet on growth performance and carcass traits. Experimental diets were divided as standard CP content diet, low CP content (LCP) diet, and LCP diet supplemented with 0.025 or 0.050% AJN root extract. Dietary CP reduction impaired growth performance and carcass traits, while supplementing AJN root extract improved growth performance and carcass traits.

Acute interstitial nephritis associated with ingestion of Achyranthes japonica extract: a case report

Background The Japanese chaff flower, Achyranthes japonica, is used as complementary medicine to control degenerative arthritis. Although commonly used in South Korea, there has been no report of side effects. We report the first case of acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) that occurred in a woman who ingested A. japonica extract for 4 months. Case presentation A 56-year-old Korean woman was admitted for deterioration of renal function. She had general weakness and nausea for 1 month. Her initial blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were 26.3 mg/dL and 3.2 mg/dL, respectively. She acknowledged ingesting A. japonica extract for the past 4 months. Renal histology demonstrated AIN represented by immune cell infiltration into the interstitium, tubulitis, and tubular atrophy, but the glomeruli were intact. A. japonica was discontinued immediately and conservative management was started. Renal function was nearly restored to the baseline level without medication after 13 months. Conclusion This is a rare case report of AIN associated with a pure A. japonica extract. In the case of unknown etiology of AIN, physicians should ask about the use of herbal medicines, nutraceuticals, and traditional folk medicines including A. japonica.