Background: General antiviral agents such as oseltamivir are associated with certain adverse effects and the emergence of resistance. This study investigated the phytochemical properties, antiviral activities, and safety of three herbs used in traditional Korean medicine. Methods: Extracts of three medicinal herbs (Brassica juncea, Forsythia suspensa, and Inula britannica) were prepared using ethanol or water. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and saponin content, condensed tannin content, and reducing sugar content of the herb extracts were determined via phytochemical screening. Tandem mass analysis was performed using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-Q/Orbitrap instrument. Virus titrations were determined via tissue culture infective dose (TCID₅₀) and cytotoxicity assays. Hemolysis and hepatotoxicity were measured to determine safety. Results: Among the three medicinal herbs, F. suspensa showed the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and saponins. The number of phytochemical compounds detected via tandem mass analysis of B. juncea, F. suspensa, and I. britannica was 5 (including sinigrin, m/z [M-H] = 358.02), 14 (including forsythoside A, m/z [M-H] = 623.19), and 18 (including chlorogenic acid, m/z [M-H] = 353.20), respectively. The antiviral effects of the B. juncea extracts (ethanol and water) and I. britannica extract (ethanol) were further investigated. The ethanol extract of B. juncea showed a 3 Log TCID₅₀/25 μL virus titration reduction and the water extract showed a selectivity index of 13.668 against infected influenza H1N1 virus A/NWS/33. The B. juncea extracts did not show hemolysis activities and hepatotoxicity (< 20%). The ethanol extract of I. britannica showed the most effective virus titration decrease, whereas its hemolytic and hepatotoxicity values were the most significantly different compared to the control. Despite the high concentration of phytochemicals detected in F. suspensa, the extract showed approximately 1 Log TCID₅₀/25 μL at the highest concentration. Conclusion: B. juncea may show antiviral effects against H1N1 in a host. In addition, B. juncea may also show decreased disadvantages compared to other antiviral agents.

Food Science of Animal Resources (Food Sci. Anim. Resour.) is an international, peer-reviewed bimonthly journal publishing original research and reviews on basic and applied aspects of the use of animal resources including the meat, egg, dairy, and edible insect/worm products. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. is published and distributed by the Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources.

Probiotics are defined as live organisms in the host that contribute to health benefits. Lactobacillus gasseri LM1065, isolated from human breast milk, was investigated for its probiotic properties based on its genome. Draft genome map and de novo assembly were performed using the PacBio RS II system and hierarchical genome assembly process (HGAP). Probiotic properties were determined by the resistance to gastric conditions, adherence ability, enzyme production, safety assessment and mobile genetic elements. The fungistatic effect and inhibition of hyphae transition were studied using the cell-free supernatant (CFS). L. gasseri LM1065 showed high gastric pepsin tolerance and mild tolerance to bile salts. Auto-aggregation and hydrophobicity were measured to be 61.21% and 61.55%, respectively. The adherence to the human intestinal epithelial cells was measured to be 2.02%. Antibiotic-resistance genes and putative virulence genes were not predicted in the genomic analysis, and antibiotic susceptibility was satisfied by the criteria of the European Food Safety Authority. CFS showed a fungistatic effect and suppressed the tricarboxylic acid cycle in Candida albicans (29.02%). CFS also inhibited the transition to true hyphae and damaged the blastoconidia. This study demonstrates the essential properties of this novel probiotic, L. gasseri LM1065, and potential to inhibit vaginal C. albicans infection.

Bae WY, et al. Yonsei Med J. 2024 Aug;65:e58. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2023.0490

Aims This study aimed synergistic effects of three herbs inSalmonellavia increased membrane permeability and apoptosis. Methods and Results Using high-performance liquid chromatography, four types of phenylethyl glycosides and a lignan were detected in the herb mixture (Brassica juncea,Forsythia suspensa, andInula britannica). During treatment with the herb mixture (1x, 2x, or 4x the MIC), viable cells decreased to 1 center dot 87 log CFU per ml (SalmonellaGallinarum) and 2 center dot 33 log CFU per ml (SalmonellaEnteritidis) after 12 h of incubation according to inhibition of tricarboxylic acid cycle (P < 0 center dot 01). In addition, N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine uptake increased from 229 center dot 00 to 249 center dot 67 AU inS. Gallinarum and from 232 center dot 00 to 250 center dot 67 AU inS. Enteritidis (P < 0 center dot 05), whereas membrane potential decreased from 8855 center dot 00 to 3763 center dot 25 AU and from 8703 center dot 67 to 4300 center dot 38 AU, respectively. ApoptoticSalmonellacells were observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy observations with negative staining showed protein leakage from damagedSalmonella. Conclusions These results showed the synergistic effect of the three herbs against avian pathogenicSalmonellainduced by membrane damage and apoptosis. Significance and Impact of the Study Salmonellacauses enormous economic losses in the poultry industry. These results indicated that potency of natural antimicrobial agents due to apoptosis inSalmonella.