OBJECTIVES:Bronchitis is a common respiratory tract infection of humans mainly caused by influenza virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus. The aim of this review was to gather fragmented literature on ethnomedicinal plants used against bronchitis in the Himalayan region and their in-vitro validation against bronchitis causing viral pathogens.

KEY FINDINGS:Present review contains ethnomedicines of total 55 plants from different countries of the Himalayas. Most of the literature reported was from India followed by Pakistan, China and Nepal. Familiarly used plant families for bronchitis treatment in the Himalayan region were Leguminosae (six plants) and Lamiaceae (five plants). Leaves and roots were the most common parts used in ethnomedicines against bronchitis. Of these 55 plants, only six plants have been studied in vitro against viral pathogens causing bronchitis. Different compounds like monoterpenoids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, iridoid glycosides, sesquiterpenes, benzoic and phenolic compounds were reportedly isolated from these plant extracts having strong antiviral potential.

SUMMARY:The Himalayan regions possess variety of ethnomedicinal plants used against respiratory diseases, but still there are only few studies related with their in-vitro validation. We invite the attention of researchers for detailed ethnopharmacological and phytochemical studies on unexplored plants used to treat bronchitis for the development of novel antiviral drugs.

OBJECTIVES:Bronchitis is a common respiratory tract infection of humans mainly caused by influenza virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus and respiratory syncytial virus. The aim of this review was to gather fragmented literature on ethnomedicinal plants used against bronchitis in the Himalayan region and their in-vitro validation against bronchitis causing viral pathogens.

KEY FINDINGS:Present review contains ethnomedicines of total 55 plants from different countries of the Himalayas. Most of the literature reported was from India followed by Pakistan, China and Nepal. Familiarly used plant families for bronchitis treatment in the Himalayan region were Leguminosae (six plants) and Lamiaceae (five plants). Leaves and roots were the most common parts used in ethnomedicines against bronchitis. Of these 55 plants, only six plants have been studied in vitro against viral pathogens causing bronchitis. Different compounds like monoterpenoids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, iridoid glycosides, sesquiterpenes, benzoic and phenolic compounds were reportedly isolated from these plant extracts having strong antiviral potential.

SUMMARY:The Himalayan regions possess variety of ethnomedicinal plants used against respiratory diseases, but still there are only few studies related with their in-vitro validation. We invite the attention of researchers for detailed ethnopharmacological and phytochemical studies on unexplored plants used to treat bronchitis for the development of novel antiviral drugs.

BACKGROUND:Medicinal mushrooms contain biologically active substances that can be used as an immune-modulating agent in poultry. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Flammulina velutipes mushroom waste (FVW) on performance, immune response and serum immunity in growing layer hens.

RESULTS:No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed with respect to average daily feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the experimental groups during the entire study period (1-70 days). Antibody titers against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis were higher (P<0.05) in the FVW fed groups than in the control and antibiotic groups. On day 28, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG were higher (P<0.05) in the 6% FVW group than in the control and antibiotic fed groups. On day 70, serum IgA was higher (P<0.05) in FVW fed groups than in the control group; IgG was higher (P<0.05) in the FVW groups than in the control and antibiotic groups. However, IgM was higher (P<0.05) in both the 4% and 6% FVW groups than in the control and antibiotic groups for both experimental periods. Serum cytokine interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in both the 4% and 6% FVW grousp than in the control and antibiotic groups; IL-4 was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the FVW groups than in the control group; and IL-6 was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the 6% FVW group than in the control and antibiotic groups.

CONCLUSION:FVW at the 6% level can be used as a potential phytogenic feed stuff in growing layer hen rations with respect to improving the immune response without affecting normal weight gain.© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

BACKGROUND:Medicinal mushrooms contain biologically active substances that can be used as an immune-modulating agent in poultry. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Flammulina velutipes mushroom waste (FVW) on performance, immune response and serum immunity in growing layer hens.

RESULTS:No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed with respect to average daily feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the experimental groups during the entire study period (1-70 days). Antibody titers against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis were higher (P<0.05) in the FVW fed groups than in the control and antibiotic groups. On day 28, serum immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG were higher (P<0.05) in the 6% FVW group than in the control and antibiotic fed groups. On day 70, serum IgA was higher (P<0.05) in FVW fed groups than in the control group; IgG was higher (P<0.05) in the FVW groups than in the control and antibiotic groups. However, IgM was higher (P<0.05) in both the 4% and 6% FVW groups than in the control and antibiotic groups for both experimental periods. Serum cytokine interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in both the 4% and 6% FVW grousp than in the control and antibiotic groups; IL-4 was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the FVW groups than in the control group; and IL-6 was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the 6% FVW group than in the control and antibiotic groups.

CONCLUSION:FVW at the 6% level can be used as a potential phytogenic feed stuff in growing layer hen rations with respect to improving the immune response without affecting normal weight gain.© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs(®) 7630 is an approved drug for the treatment of acute bronchitis in Germany. The postulated mechanisms underlying beneficial effects of EPs(®) 7630 in bronchitis patients include immunomodulatory and cytoprotective effects, inhibition of interaction between bacteria and host cells, and increase of cilliary beat frequency on respiratory cells. Here, we investigated the influence of EPs(®) 7630 on replication of a panel of respiratory viruses. Determination of virus-induced cytopathogenic effects and virus titres revealed that EPs(®) 7630 at concentrations up to 100μg/ml interfered with replication of seasonal influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H3N2), respiratory syncytial virus, human coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and coxsackie virus but did not affect replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1), adenovirus, or rhinovirus. Therefore, antiviral effects may contribute to the beneficial effects exerted by EPs(®) 7630 in acute bronchitis patients.

The Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs(®) 7630 is an approved drug for the treatment of acute bronchitis in Germany. The postulated mechanisms underlying beneficial effects of EPs(®) 7630 in bronchitis patients include immunomodulatory and cytoprotective effects, inhibition of interaction between bacteria and host cells, and increase of cilliary beat frequency on respiratory cells. Here, we investigated the influence of EPs(®) 7630 on replication of a panel of respiratory viruses. Determination of virus-induced cytopathogenic effects and virus titres revealed that EPs(®) 7630 at concentrations up to 100μg/ml interfered with replication of seasonal influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H3N2), respiratory syncytial virus, human coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and coxsackie virus but did not affect replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1), adenovirus, or rhinovirus. Therefore, antiviral effects may contribute to the beneficial effects exerted by EPs(®) 7630 in acute bronchitis patients.

The Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs(®) 7630 is an approved drug for the treatment of acute bronchitis in Germany. The postulated mechanisms underlying beneficial effects of EPs(®) 7630 in bronchitis patients include immunomodulatory and cytoprotective effects, inhibition of interaction between bacteria and host cells, and increase of cilliary beat frequency on respiratory cells. Here, we investigated the influence of EPs(®) 7630 on replication of a panel of respiratory viruses. Determination of virus-induced cytopathogenic effects and virus titres revealed that EPs(®) 7630 at concentrations up to 100μg/ml interfered with replication of seasonal influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H3N2), respiratory syncytial virus, human coronavirus, parainfluenza virus, and coxsackie virus but did not affect replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1), adenovirus, or rhinovirus. Therefore, antiviral effects may contribute to the beneficial effects exerted by EPs(®) 7630 in acute bronchitis patients.