Regulation of gastrointestinal hormones during laxative activity of gallotannin-enriched extract isolated from Galla Rhois in loperamide-induced constipation of SD rats / 한국실험동물학회지

Regulation of gastrointestinal hormones have been reported in animal models for constipation undergoing laxative therapy when administered herbal products. We undertook to investigate whether the laxative activity of gallotannin-enriched extracts isolated from Galla Rhois (GEGR) affects the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones, by examining the concentration of four hormones and the activation of their receptors in the loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation model. Stool parameters, including number, weight and water content, were significantly recovered in the Lop+GEGR treated group, relative to the Lop+vehicle treated group; however, food intake and water consumption were maintained at a constant level. Also, a similar recovery was detected for thickness of mucosa, muscle and flat luminal surface in the Lop+GEGR treated group. Furthermore, concentration of the four gastrointestinal hormones evaluated, namely, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastrin (GAS), somatostatin (SS) and motilin (MTL), were lower in the Lop+vehicle treated group than the No treated group, but were remarkably enhanced in the Lop+GEGR treated group. Moreover, the downstream signaling pathway of MTL and SS receptors were recovered after GEGR administration. Results of the present study therefore indicate that the laxative effects of GEGR treatment may be tightly related with the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones in the Lop-induced constipation model.

Effect of Hexane Extract of Galla Rhois on Inflammatory Alveolar Bone Loss

One of functions of Galla Rhois (GR) is reportedly an anti-inflammatory effect on the several inflammatory diseases. However, an effect of GR related to periodontitis has not been investigated. In the present study, we examined the effect of the hexane extract of Galla Rhois (GR-H) on periodontitis. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTS analysis using human gingival fibroblast (hGF) cells. Experimental periodontitis was induced by injecting E.coli LPS into the palatal gingiva maxillary molar thrice weekly for 3 weeks (LPS group). GR-H diluted in 1xPBS was orally administrated using a syringe at 30 mg/kg body weight and 100 mg/kg body weight once a day (GR-H group). GR-H effect on the alveolar bone loss (ABL) was digitized with a micro-CT. GR-H treatment at concentrations exceeding 0.5 mg/ml showed cytotoxic effect in hGF cells. The micro-CT among groups were presented for the different distances from cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) to alveolar bone crest (ABC). The results indicated an inhibitory effect on alveolar bone loss for orally administered GR-H in a model of LPS-induced periodontitis.

Effect of a mixture of Galla rhois and Cinnamomum cassia extracts on susceptibility to the colonization of Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens

The present study evaluated the effects of a mixture of Galla rhois and Cinnamomum cassia extracts (GCE) (1 : 1, w/w) on susceptibility to the colonization of Campylobacter (C.) jejuni in broilers. Eighty two-week-old broilers (n = 20 per group) were used to estimate the efficacy of GCE against C. jejuni infection via drinking water. Antibacterial activity testing revealed that the minimum bactericidal concentration of GCE against C. jejuni was 2.5 mg/mL. Broilers challenged with C. jejuni were administered 0.0 (Non-GCE), 2.5 (GCE-2.5), 5.0 (GCE-5.0) and 10.0 g/L (GCE-10) GCE for 7 days, and the cecal contents were collected from five broilers per group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th day post-treatment. On day 3 post-administration, the number of C. jejuni in GCE-5.0 (p < 0.05) and GCE-10 (p < 0.01) was significantly decreased relative to Non-GCE, while on day 7 those in all GCE-treated groups were significantly decreased compared to the Non-GCE group (p < 0.001). Hematological and blood biochemical analysis revealed no significant differences in parameters between the Non-GCE and GCE-treated groups. Based on the results of the present study, GCE was identified as a safe and alternative candidate to suppress C. jejuni colonization in broilers.

Identification and partial purification of antibacterial compounds against Streptococcus mutans from Galla Rhois / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify and partially purify antibacterial compounds against Streptococcus mutans from Galla Rhois extract. METHODS: Galla Rhois was extracted with n-hexane or ethanol and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The antibacterial effect of the Galla Rhois extract against S. mutans was determined by the paper discdiffusion method with n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetone, and distilled water as the solvents. The active compounds were purified by partition chromatography, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: The antibacterial effect of the n-hexane extract was more effective against S. mutans than the ethanol extract (P<0.05). The antibacterial component of Galla Rhois was partially purified using partition chromatography and HPLC, and the antibacterial activity was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The partially purified component of Galla Rhois showed strong antibacterial effect against S. mutans. These results confirm that the antibacterial compounds of Galla Rhois can be used for the prevention of dental caries.

Hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of gallotannin-enriched extract isolated from Galla Rhois in ICR mice / 한국실험동물학회지

To evaluate the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of Galla Rhois (GR) toward the liver and kidney of ICR mice, alterations in related markers including body weight, organ weight, urine composition, liver pathology and kidney pathology were analyzed after oral administration of 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight/day of gallotannin-enriched extract of GR (GEGR) for 14 days. GEGR contained 68.7+/-2.5% of gallotannin, 25.3+/-0.9% of gallic acid and 4.4+/-0.1% of methyl gallate. Also, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, was decreased with 19% in the serum of high dose GEGR (HGEGR)-treated mice. The body and organ weight, clinical phenotypes, urine parameters and mice mortality did not differ among GEGR-treated groups and the vehicle-treated group. Furthermore, no significant increase was observed in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the serum creatinine (Cr) in the GEGR-treated group relative to the vehicle-treated group. Moreover, the specific pathological features induced by most toxic compounds such as CCl4 were not observed upon liver and kidney histological analysis. Overall, the results of the present study suggest that GEGR does not induce any specific toxicity in liver and kidney organs of ICR at doses of 1,000 mg/kg body weight/day, indicating that this is no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL).

Antibacterial and therapeutic effects of a combination of Coptidis rhizoma and Galla rhois extracts in piglets challenged with Campylobacter coli / 대한수의학회지

The antibacterial effects of a combination of Coptidis rhizoma and Galla rhois extracts (CGE) were evaluated in piglets. The minimum bactericidal concentration of CGE was 2.0 mg/mL. Thirty 5-week-old piglets were challenged with Campylobacter (C.) coli after allocation to three different groups, a control and two treatment groups fed with CGE at 2.0 or 4.0 g/kg feed for 7 days. On day 7, C. coli in the feces of the CGE-treated groups were significantly lower than in the control (p < 0.01). These results suggest that CGE can be used to control C. coli in piglets.

Therapeutic effects of combination of Galla rhois extract and Sodium chlorate on Mice infected with Brucella abortus / 동물의과학연구지

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of Galla rhois (GR) ethanol extract (GRE), sodium chlorate (SC), and a combination of GRE and SC on mice infected with Brucella abortus (B. abortus). Mice were infected intraperitoneally with B. abortus and then treated with GRE, SC, and a combination GRE and SC in drinking water for 14 days. Then, serum antibodies were used in a tube agglutination test (TAT), after which the weight and CFUs from each spleen were measured. In addition, histopathological changes in each liver were examined at 14 days post-infection. At 14 days post-infection, negative reactions of serum antibodies in PC (positive control), SCT (SC 1.6 g/L drinking water), GRT (GRE 200 mg/L drinking water), and GST (GRE 200 mg + SC 1.6 g/L drinking water) were 0, 40, 60, and 80%, respectively. The average spleen weight was not significantly different between the groups. At 14 days post-infection, bacterial numbers in all treated groups were significantly lower compared to to that of the PC (GRT and SCT, P<0.05; GST, P<0.001). In terms of histopathological changes in the livers, there were numerous multifocal microgranulomas in the PC, whereas this number successively decreased in the SCT, GRT, and GST groups. Conclusively, a combination of GRE and SC exhibits therapeutic effects on mice infected with B. abortus. These results suggest the potential efficacy of a mixture of GRE and SC in the treatment of brucellosis.

Anticoccidial effects of Galla rhois extract on Eimeria tenella-infected chicken / 한국실험동물학회지

Anticoccidial effects of Galla rhois (GR) extract were evaluated in chickens after oral infection with Eimeria tenella. This study was performed using 3-day-old chickens (n=30). The animals were divided into 3 groups as follows: GR 0.5%/infected (n=10), untreated/infected (n=10), and non-infected control (n=10). The chickens were fed a standard diet supplemented with or without GR for 1 week before infection with E. tenella (10,000 sporulated oocysts per chicken). The effects of GR on E. tenella infection were assessed by 2 parameters, number of fecal oocysts and body weight gain, and the results of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GR-fed chickens produced significantly lower number of fecal oocysts (P<0.05) than the E. tenella-infected chickens who were fed the standard diet. In addition, GR-based diet improved the loss of body weight caused by E. tenella infection. Positive findings of PCR were identified by distinct bands in the samples of E. tenella-inoculated chickens. However, PCR analysis revealed no E. tenella oocysts in the feces of GR-fed chickens. Our data showed that GR extracts had remarkable anticoccidial activities against E. tenella. This finding might have implications for the development of novel anticoccidial drugs.

Antifungal Activity of the Extracts from Galla rhois against Candida albicans / 대한의진균학회지

Hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water extracts from Galla rhois were examined for antifungal activity against Candida albicans isolated from the patients with recurrent vaginal candidiasis. Only methanol extract showed anticandidal activity and the methanol extract was fractionated through silica gel column. Each fraction had not antifugal activity but mixture of three fractions showed antifungal activity. The results showed that the methanol extract from Galla rhois had antifungal activity against Candida albicans and could be a candidate for new antifungal agent. BACKGROUND: Candida albicans is a member of the normal flora of the skin, mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract. Vaginal candidiasis remains a significant problem in women of childbearing age, majority of the cases are caused by C. albicans and recurrence is common in spite of topical treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop the antifungal agent from the medicinal herbs traditionally used in Korea. METHOD: In this study, the extracts from Galla rhois were examined for antifungal activities against C. albicans. Galla fhois was extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water respectively and serially. Silica gel column chromatography and thin layer chromatography were used to separate the fractions with antifungal activity. RESULTS: Only methanol extract showed the antifungal activity aginst C. albicans. CONCLUSION: Methanol extract from Galla rhois could be a candidate for a new antifungal agent against C. albicans.