Advanced prostate cancer (PrC) is the second leading cause of death from cancer in US males. Advanced PrC cells are initially androgen-sensitive and thus androgen ablation therapy causes tumors to undergo regression and fall into a remission phase where residual cells remain dormant while androgen levels remain very low. Unfortunately, this phase usually lasts 3 to 5 years prior to tumor relapse, where the tumor cells re-grow in the absence of androgens. This form of the disease is aggressive and invariably fatal. In this study, we investigated the effects of a combination of herbal extracts on various stages of PrC, androgen-dependent and castrate-resistant, using CWR22 and CWR22Rv1 cells, respectively. Zyflamend, a commercially available product consisting of 10 different herbal extracts, had been shown to reduce pre-malignant forms of PrC in clinical trials. We expanded these earlier experiments by using Zyflamend in a model of advanced PrC. Our initial results indicated that Zyflamend could repress androgen-sensitive and castrate-resistant (androgen-insensitive) prostate tumor growth. Using a cell model for castrate-resistant PrC, Zyflamend inhibited the growth of CWR22Rv1 cells by increasing the expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27. These effects were mediated via hyperacetylation of histone 3 through the suppression of class I and II histone deacetylases (HDACs) and an induction of CBP/p300 histone acetyl transferase activity. The latter effect was mediated by the upregulation/activation of Erk-1/-2 and Elk-1. Zyflamend also inhibited androgen receptor expression, its downstream gene target, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and increased cell death by inducing apoptosis as indicated by caspase 3 activity and PARP cleavage. The reduction of androgen receptor was confirmed in CWR22Rv1 xenograft tissues. Our results suggest the extracts of this herbal combination inhibits castrate-resistant prostate cancer cell growth epigenetically and by coordinately affecting androgen receptor signaling pathways involved in cell growth/death. In an androgen-dependent PrC tumor xenograft model, Zyflamend reduced the growth of CWR22-derived tumors and enhanced the responsiveness of tumor cells to hormone ablation. Zyflamend potentiated the regression of PrC cells and their sensitivity to androgen deprivation. These results suggest that Zyflamend may be an effective adjuvant when used with hormone ablation therapy.

Foram realizados estudos do processo de extração de bromelina de caules de abacaxizeiro Ananás comosus (L.) Merr. cultivar Cayenne, com a finalidade de avaliar o efeito da temperatura de filtração do extrato, da adição de ativadores e de agentes precipitantes sobre a estabilidade da atividade proteolítica e no balanço material. A filtração de extratos a 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60°C, promoveu gradual elevação da atividade proteolítica para as temperaturas ate 50°C e redução a 60°C. A atividade proteolítica foi determinada em Unidades Kunitz. A adição de agentes reconhecidamente ativadores de enzimas proteolíticas como benzoato de sódio, cloridrato de cisteina e edetato dissódico aos extratos filtrados em diferentes temperaturas, promoveu elevação da atividade enzimática, demonstrando um efeito somatório com a temperatura. 0 extrato filtrado a 50°C, contendo ativadores, manteve-se estável durante 60 dias, quando armazenado a 5 e 20°C. 0 balanço material mostrou-se superavitário quando se precipitou bromelina por sulfato de amônio, de extrato filtrado a 40°C, contendo benzoato de sódio, cloridrato de cisteina e edetato dissódico. A acetona demonstrou menor eficiência que o sulfato de amônio, em relação ao balanço material. 0 estudo de estabilidade nas temperaturas de 5, 20, 30 e 40°C, durante 90 dias, das amostras de bromelina obtidas através do inter-relacionamento dos fatores temperatura, ativadores e precipitantes, revelou resultados mais favoráveis na amostra preparada a partir de extrato filtrado a 40°C, contendo benzoato de sódio, cloridrato de cisteina e edetato dissódico, e precipitado por sulfato de amônio. A performance conseguida na ativação e estabilização do extrato e no balanço material não foi ratificada em relação a estabilidade da bromelina em pó. A bromelina em pó, sequramente, necessita de estabilizadores para consolidar as vantagens comprovadas no balanço material, na ativação e estabilização do extrato. / Studies were made on the extraction process of bromelain obtained from the stem of pineapple plant Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. variety Cayenne, with the purpose to evaluate the effect of temperature of the filtration extract, addition of activators and of precipitants agents upon the stability of the proteolytic activity and upon the material balance. The filtration of the extracts at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60°C results in a gradual increase in the proteolytic activity of the extract till 50°C and a reduction at 60°C. The proteolytic activity was determined in Kunitz units.The addition of commons agents, proteolytic activators like sodium benzoate, cysteine hydrochloride and sodium edetate to the filtrated extracts of stem pineapple at different temperatures promote one elevation of the activity showing an addictive effect with the temperature. The filtrated extract at 50°C and with activators was stable for 60 days when stored at 5 and 20°C.The material balance showed a superavit when the precipitation of bromelain was made by ammonium sulphate in relation to others filtrated at 40°C, obtained with sodium benzoate, cysteine hydrochloride and sodium edetate.The acetone showed less efficiency than the ammonium sulphate in relation to the material balance. The stability study of the bromelain at the temperature of 5, 20, 30 and 40°C during a period of 90 days and obtained through the interrelationship of factors like temperature, activators and precipitants showed best results to bromelain sample prepared from the filtrated extract at 40°C with sodium benzoate, cysteine hydrochloride and sodium edetate and precipitated with ammonium sulphate. The performance related to the activation, stabilization and in the material balance was not confirmed in relation to the stability of the bromelain powder. The bromelain powder, certainly needs stabilizers to consolidate the advantages showed in the material balance in the activation and stabilization of pineapple extract.

With increasing world population, the demand for fish is growing thus there is a need to identify products with potential to increase the efficiency of fish production. Phytogenics are among the products being investigated as potential naturally derived growth promoters. The aim of this study was to identify phytogenic compounds and doses with growth-promoting effects in Nile tilapia and investigate relevant pathways underlying their growth promotion effects. The phytogenic compounds limonene, carvacrol and thymol, major constituents of essential oils from the plants citrus, oregano and thyme, respectively, were evaluated. Six Trials (Trials I, II, III, IV, V and VI) were carried out using diets supplemented with varying concentrations of the phytogenic compounds. In Trials I, II and III (Chapter 3), the effects of either limonene (Trial I), carvacrol (Trial II) or thymol (Trial III) on growth performance of Nile tilapia were investigated (objective 1) and performance parameters including final fish weight, daily growth coefficient, growth rate per metabolic body weight, percentage (%) weight gain, % survival, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were evaluated. Results from Trials I, II and III indicated that dietary supplementation of 400 and 500 ppm limonene and 750 ppm thymol had growth-promoting effects in Nile tilapia but the somatic growth was not associated with enhanced feed intake and feed utilisation efficiency. Trials IV and V (Chapter 4) investigated growth and nutritional physiology pathways in Nile tilapia regulated by individual phytogenic compounds (objective 2). This was accomplished by analysing the effects of limonene (Trial IV) and thymol (Trial V) supplemented diets on the expression of key genes participating in selected pathways of somatotropic axis-mediated growth, appetite regulation, nutrient digestion, absorption and transport, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant enzyme defence system. Limonene was supplemented in the diet at 0, 200, 400 and 600 ppm while thymol was supplemented at 0, 250 and 500 ppm. Trials IV and V found that growth-promoting effects of limonene (400 and 600 ppm) in Nile tilapia involved up-regulation of key genes within pathways including somatotropic axis-mediated growth, nutrient digestion, absorption and transport, lipid metabolism and antioxidant enzyme defence system. Dietary thymol at 250 and 500 ppm did not significantly enhance growth of Nile tilapia nor regulate the nutritional physiology pathways listed above. In Trial VI (Chapter 5), the effects of combined phytogenic compounds (limonene and thymol) on growth and nutritional physiology of Nile tilapia was tested (objective 3) to establish if the compounds had synergistic or additive effects on the growth of the fish as well as complementary effects on the selected nutritional physiology pathways. A candidate gene approach was also used for the selected pathways. Results from Trial VI showed that a diet supplemented with a combination of limonene (400 ppm) and thymol (500 ppm) has neither synergistic nor additive effects on the growth performance of Nile tilapia, with limonene mainly influencing the attained somatic growth. The analysed candidate genes involved in the pathways of nutrient digestion, absorption and transport, lipid metabolism, antioxidant enzymes and somatotropic axis growth also showed no synergistic or additive effects of a dietary combination of limonene and thymol in Nile tilapia. Overall, results from the study suggest approaches for developing functional diets for Nile tilapia using limonene and thymol growth promoters.

Foram realizados estudos do processo de extração de bromelina de caules de abacaxizeiro Ananás comosus (L.) Merr. cultivar Cayenne, com a finalidade de avaliar o efeito da temperatura de filtração do extrato, da adição de ativadores e de agentes precipitantes sobre a estabilidade da atividade proteolítica e no balanço material. A filtração de extratos a 20, 30, 40, 50 e 60°C, promoveu gradual elevação da atividade proteolítica para as temperaturas ate 50°C e redução a 60°C. A atividade proteolítica foi determinada em Unidades Kunitz. A adição de agentes reconhecidamente ativadores de enzimas proteolíticas como benzoato de sódio, cloridrato de cisteina e edetato dissódico aos extratos filtrados em diferentes temperaturas, promoveu elevação da atividade enzimática, demonstrando um efeito somatório com a temperatura. 0 extrato filtrado a 50°C, contendo ativadores, manteve-se estável durante 60 dias, quando armazenado a 5 e 20°C. 0 balanço material mostrou-se superavitário quando se precipitou bromelina por sulfato de amônio, de extrato filtrado a 40°C, contendo benzoato de sódio, cloridrato de cisteina e edetato dissódico. A acetona demonstrou menor eficiência que o sulfato de amônio, em relação ao balanço material. 0 estudo de estabilidade nas temperaturas de 5, 20, 30 e 40°C, durante 90 dias, das amostras de bromelina obtidas através do inter-relacionamento dos fatores temperatura, ativadores e precipitantes, revelou resultados mais favoráveis na amostra preparada a partir de extrato filtrado a 40°C, contendo benzoato de sódio, cloridrato de cisteina e edetato dissódico, e precipitado por sulfato de amônio. A performance conseguida na ativação e estabilização do extrato e no balanço material não foi ratificada em relação a estabilidade da bromelina em pó. A bromelina em pó, sequramente, necessita de estabilizadores para consolidar as vantagens comprovadas no balanço material, na ativação e estabilização do extrato. / Studies were made on the extraction process of bromelain obtained from the stem of pineapple plant Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. variety Cayenne, with the purpose to evaluate the effect of temperature of the filtration extract, addition of activators and of precipitants agents upon the stability of the proteolytic activity and upon the material balance. The filtration of the extracts at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60°C results in a gradual increase in the proteolytic activity of the extract till 50°C and a reduction at 60°C. The proteolytic activity was determined in Kunitz units.The addition of commons agents, proteolytic activators like sodium benzoate, cysteine hydrochloride and sodium edetate to the filtrated extracts of stem pineapple at different temperatures promote one elevation of the activity showing an addictive effect with the temperature. The filtrated extract at 50°C and with activators was stable for 60 days when stored at 5 and 20°C.The material balance showed a superavit when the precipitation of bromelain was made by ammonium sulphate in relation to others filtrated at 40°C, obtained with sodium benzoate, cysteine hydrochloride and sodium edetate.The acetone showed less efficiency than the ammonium sulphate in relation to the material balance. The stability study of the bromelain at the temperature of 5, 20, 30 and 40°C during a period of 90 days and obtained through the interrelationship of factors like temperature, activators and precipitants showed best results to bromelain sample prepared from the filtrated extract at 40°C with sodium benzoate, cysteine hydrochloride and sodium edetate and precipitated with ammonium sulphate. The performance related to the activation, stabilization and in the material balance was not confirmed in relation to the stability of the bromelain powder. The bromelain powder, certainly needs stabilizers to consolidate the advantages showed in the material balance in the activation and stabilization of pineapple extract.

Hair plays an important role in human social and sexual communication. The androgen-stimulated, patterned loss of hair in cases of androgenetic alopecia (or common baldness) in genetically pre-disposed individuals, is associated with ageing and can cause marked phychological distress. However, it is poorly controlled. To investigate the effectiveness of daily topical application of a Chinese medicine-derived herbal mixture, Xiantene, on balding progression, two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (3 and 12 months) were carried out on balding men using the trichogram approach. Xiantene significantly increased both the total number of hairs and those in anagen, improving the ratio of anagen:telogen hairs. This suggests that topical Xiantene increased the length of the anagen phase and may promote a cessation, or partial reversal, of the progression of androgenetic alopecia in men. Canities, loss of scalp hair colour, is another mark of ageing. To investigate whether early greying may protect follicles from androgenetic alopecia, the extent of alopecia, assessed using the Hamilton scale, was compared between men who first became grey before, or after, 30. Both alopecia and greying increased with age in 843 men (217 European, 626 Thai) whenever they first started greying. However, men who showed greying before 30 were significantly less bald, though more grey, in both groups. Hair follicle melanocytes synthesise the pigment melanin, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress; losing melanocyte pigmentary activity, and therefore these toxic factors, appears to enable hair follicles to maintain their full size for longer, despite the androgen drive to miniaturisation.

Os antimicrobianos promotores de crescimento na alimentação animal tem proporcionado melhora considerável no desempenho. Porém, seu uso vem sendo proibido em diversos países e, face a esta restrição, tem-se buscado alternativas aos antimicrobianos promotores de crescimento. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar aditivos fitogênicos, butirato de sódio, assim como a colistina sobre o desempenho, histologia intestinal, pH, morfometria de órgãos, digestibilidade dos nutrientes e freqüência de diarréia de leitões recém-desmamados. Um experimento em blocos casualizados, com 34 dias de duração foi realizado para testar cinco tratamentos: controle (T1) - ração basal; antimicrobiano (T2) basal com 40 ppm de sulfato de colistina; fitogênico (T3) dieta basal com 500 ppm de aditivos fitogênicos; butirato de sódio (T4) dieta basal com 1500 ppm de butirato de sódio; fitogênico+butirato de sódio (T5) dieta basal com 500 ppm de aditivos fitogênicos + 1500 ppm de butirato de sódio. Para o desempenho e frequência de diarréia foram utilizados 120 leitões, com idade de 24 dias e peso inicial de 6,10 ± 1,21 kg, oito repetições por tratamento e três leitões por unidade experimental. No ensaio de digestibilidade (quatro primeiras repetições), utilizou-se o método da coleta parcial de fezes e o óxido de cromo como marcador. Ao final do experimento, um animal de cada baia, das quatro primeiras repetições, foi abatido para análise de histologia, pH e morfometria dos órgãos. Foram testados contrastes específicos de interesse. O desempenho, a frequência de diarréia e o pH da digesta não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). Os leitões dos tratamentos fitogênico e butirato apresentaram a média de digestibilidade da energia superior (P=0,07) a dos leitões do tratamento fitogênico+butirato de sódio. Para a morfometria dos órgãos, a média dos tratamentos T2, T3, T4 e T5 para a relação peso:comprimento do intestino delgado foi menor (P=0,02) que a do tratamento controle. Para o peso relativo do ceco, a média dos tratamentos fitogênico e butirato de sódio foi menor (P=0,09) do que a do tratamento fitogênico+butirato de sódio. Em relação à histologia intestinal, no duodeno, a média da densidade de vilosidades (DV) dos leitões dos tratamentos fitogênico e butirato de sódio foi maior (P=0,06) do que a dos leitões do tratamento fitogênico+butirato de sódio. Foi observado, também, maior DV (P=0,02) para os animais do tratamento fitogênico em relação aos animais do tratamento butirato de sódio. No jejuno, a média da DV dos leitões dos tratamentos T2, T3, T4 e T5 foi maior (P=0,03) do que a dos leitões do tratamento controle. Os animais do tratamento butirato apresentaram maior DV do que os animais do tratamento fitogênico (P=0,08). Assim, em condições de creche experimental, não ficou evidenciado efeito dos aditivos fitogênicos e do butirato de sódio como promotores de crescimento de leitões recém-desmamados, alimentados com dietas complexas e altamente digestíveis. Há, também, indicações de que os aditivos fitogênicos e o butirato de sódio, individualmente adicionados às dietas dos leitões, podem melhorar a digestibilidade e algumas características histológicas e morfométricas. / The antimicrobials growth promoters in the animal feed have been related to an increase on animal performance. However, due to the restriction of many countries to the use of antimicrobial as growth promoters, alternatives are being studied. So, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of phytobiotic additives, sodium butyrate and even colistina on performance, intestinal histology, digesta pH, organs morphometry, nutrients digestibility and diarrhea incidence of weanling pigs. A 34-d randomized complete block design experiment was carried out to compare five treatments: control (T1) basal diet; antimicrobial (T2) basal diet with 40 ppm of colistin sulfate; phytobiotic (T3) basal diet with 500 ppm of natural phytobiotics; sodium butyrate (T4) basal diet with 1500 ppm of sodium butyrate; and phytobiotic+sodium butyrate (T5) basal diet with 500 ppm of natural ptytobiotics + 1500 ppm of sodium butyrate. One hundred and twenty piglets (average age around 24 d and initial live weight of 6.10 ± 1.21 kg), eight replications per treatment, and three animals per experimental unit were used for performance data and diarrhea incidence. For digestibility assay, 60 piglets of first four replications were considered, using chromium oxide as fed marker. At the end of experimental period, an animal of each pen of first four replications was slaughtered for histology analysis, digesta pH and organs morphometry. Specific contrasts of practical importance were tested. No differences were found in performance data (P>.05). The treatments did not show any effect (P>.05) on diarrhea incidence and on digesta pH. Energy digestibility coefficient average of phytobiotic additives and sodium butyrate was higher (P=.07) than that of phytobiotic+sodium butyrate. Organs morphometry showed that the average of treatments T2, T3, T4 e T5 for weight:length ratio of small intestine was lower (P=.02) than that of control treatment. The average of phytobiotic and sodium butyrate treatments for caecum relative weight was lower (P=.09) than that of the phytobiotic+sodium butyrate treatment. For intestinal histology of duodenum, the average of villous density (DV) of phytobiotic and sodium butyrate treatments was higher (P=.06) than that of phytobiotic+sodium butyrate treatment. Piglets of phytobiotic treatment showed higher DV (P=.02) than those of sodium butyrate treatment. Jejunum DV average of treatments T2, T3, T4 e T5 was higher (P=.03) than that of control treatment. Piglets of sodium butyrate treatment showed higher DV than those of phytobiotic treatment (P=.08). Therefore, there was no evidence of natural phytobiotic and sodium butyrate as growth promoters of weanling pigs fed complex diet with high digestibility raised in experimental nursery. However, there are some indications that both phytobiotic and sodium butyrate added individually to weanling pig diets, may improve energy digestibility and some histology and morphometry traits.

Os antimicrobianos promotores de crescimento na alimentação animal tem proporcionado melhora considerável no desempenho. Porém, seu uso vem sendo proibido em diversos países e, face a esta restrição, tem-se buscado alternativas aos antimicrobianos promotores de crescimento. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar aditivos fitogênicos, butirato de sódio, assim como a colistina sobre o desempenho, histologia intestinal, pH, morfometria de órgãos, digestibilidade dos nutrientes e freqüência de diarréia de leitões recém-desmamados. Um experimento em blocos casualizados, com 34 dias de duração foi realizado para testar cinco tratamentos: controle (T1) - ração basal; antimicrobiano (T2) basal com 40 ppm de sulfato de colistina; fitogênico (T3) dieta basal com 500 ppm de aditivos fitogênicos; butirato de sódio (T4) dieta basal com 1500 ppm de butirato de sódio; fitogênico+butirato de sódio (T5) dieta basal com 500 ppm de aditivos fitogênicos + 1500 ppm de butirato de sódio. Para o desempenho e frequência de diarréia foram utilizados 120 leitões, com idade de 24 dias e peso inicial de 6,10 ± 1,21 kg, oito repetições por tratamento e três leitões por unidade experimental. No ensaio de digestibilidade (quatro primeiras repetições), utilizou-se o método da coleta parcial de fezes e o óxido de cromo como marcador. Ao final do experimento, um animal de cada baia, das quatro primeiras repetições, foi abatido para análise de histologia, pH e morfometria dos órgãos. Foram testados contrastes específicos de interesse. O desempenho, a frequência de diarréia e o pH da digesta não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). Os leitões dos tratamentos fitogênico e butirato apresentaram a média de digestibilidade da energia superior (P=0,07) a dos leitões do tratamento fitogênico+butirato de sódio. Para a morfometria dos órgãos, a média dos tratamentos T2, T3, T4 e T5 para a relação peso:comprimento do intestino delgado foi menor (P=0,02) que a do tratamento controle. Para o peso relativo do ceco, a média dos tratamentos fitogênico e butirato de sódio foi menor (P=0,09) do que a do tratamento fitogênico+butirato de sódio. Em relação à histologia intestinal, no duodeno, a média da densidade de vilosidades (DV) dos leitões dos tratamentos fitogênico e butirato de sódio foi maior (P=0,06) do que a dos leitões do tratamento fitogênico+butirato de sódio. Foi observado, também, maior DV (P=0,02) para os animais do tratamento fitogênico em relação aos animais do tratamento butirato de sódio. No jejuno, a média da DV dos leitões dos tratamentos T2, T3, T4 e T5 foi maior (P=0,03) do que a dos leitões do tratamento controle. Os animais do tratamento butirato apresentaram maior DV do que os animais do tratamento fitogênico (P=0,08). Assim, em condições de creche experimental, não ficou evidenciado efeito dos aditivos fitogênicos e do butirato de sódio como promotores de crescimento de leitões recém-desmamados, alimentados com dietas complexas e altamente digestíveis. Há, também, indicações de que os aditivos fitogênicos e o butirato de sódio, individualmente adicionados às dietas dos leitões, podem melhorar a digestibilidade e algumas características histológicas e morfométricas. / The antimicrobials growth promoters in the animal feed have been related to an increase on animal performance. However, due to the restriction of many countries to the use of antimicrobial as growth promoters, alternatives are being studied. So, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of phytobiotic additives, sodium butyrate and even colistina on performance, intestinal histology, digesta pH, organs morphometry, nutrients digestibility and diarrhea incidence of weanling pigs. A 34-d randomized complete block design experiment was carried out to compare five treatments: control (T1) basal diet; antimicrobial (T2) basal diet with 40 ppm of colistin sulfate; phytobiotic (T3) basal diet with 500 ppm of natural phytobiotics; sodium butyrate (T4) basal diet with 1500 ppm of sodium butyrate; and phytobiotic+sodium butyrate (T5) basal diet with 500 ppm of natural ptytobiotics + 1500 ppm of sodium butyrate. One hundred and twenty piglets (average age around 24 d and initial live weight of 6.10 ± 1.21 kg), eight replications per treatment, and three animals per experimental unit were used for performance data and diarrhea incidence. For digestibility assay, 60 piglets of first four replications were considered, using chromium oxide as fed marker. At the end of experimental period, an animal of each pen of first four replications was slaughtered for histology analysis, digesta pH and organs morphometry. Specific contrasts of practical importance were tested. No differences were found in performance data (P>.05). The treatments did not show any effect (P>.05) on diarrhea incidence and on digesta pH. Energy digestibility coefficient average of phytobiotic additives and sodium butyrate was higher (P=.07) than that of phytobiotic+sodium butyrate. Organs morphometry showed that the average of treatments T2, T3, T4 e T5 for weight:length ratio of small intestine was lower (P=.02) than that of control treatment. The average of phytobiotic and sodium butyrate treatments for caecum relative weight was lower (P=.09) than that of the phytobiotic+sodium butyrate treatment. For intestinal histology of duodenum, the average of villous density (DV) of phytobiotic and sodium butyrate treatments was higher (P=.06) than that of phytobiotic+sodium butyrate treatment. Piglets of phytobiotic treatment showed higher DV (P=.02) than those of sodium butyrate treatment. Jejunum DV average of treatments T2, T3, T4 e T5 was higher (P=.03) than that of control treatment. Piglets of sodium butyrate treatment showed higher DV than those of phytobiotic treatment (P=.08). Therefore, there was no evidence of natural phytobiotic and sodium butyrate as growth promoters of weanling pigs fed complex diet with high digestibility raised in experimental nursery. However, there are some indications that both phytobiotic and sodium butyrate added individually to weanling pig diets, may improve energy digestibility and some histology and morphometry traits.

This diploma thesis deals with the production of herbal drops from Echinacea and the determination of the content of selected active substances. In the theoretical part, the taxonomic classification of echinacea, its botanical characteristics and growing conditions are mentioned. The history of cultivation and uses of this plant are also mentioned. An important chapter of the theoretical part is the chemical composition of the plant and differences in composition between individual cultivars of Echinacea. Methods for obtaining active substances and their determination are also mentioned. The last chapter is devoted to the technology of production of echinacea drops. In the experimental part, the extraction was optimized for dried flowers and roots of E. purpurea. The following extraction system was determined for the flowers: 40% ethanol, time 6 hours, weight to solvent ratio 1:10 and room temperature. For the roots, 20% ethanol and a time of 24 hours, a ratio of 1:10 and room temperature were evaluated as the best conditions. Furthermore, the best extracts were prepared, in which the content of total phenolic substances was set at 0.799-0.839 mg/ml, then the antioxidant activity was determined in the range from 116 to 242 µg T/ml, and finally the analysis of aromatic substances was performed by HS-SPME-GC-MS. Two commercial samples were also tested to compare the prepared extracts.

Purpose of this thesis was research the content of biologically active substances in herbal rosehip extracts and also determination of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of these extracts. Teoretical part describes informations about Rosa canina L., detailed specification of biologically active substances, specification of antioxidation and overview of methods determine antioxidant compound and antimicrobial activity. In the practical part was by combination of different solvents, procedures and herbal materials, made 21 extracts of Rosa canina L.. From measuring of these extracts, was made extraction curves and also was determined antimicrobial efficiency against bacterial strains Serratia marcescesns, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and Micrococcus luteus. Results shows, that also all extracts has some antimicrobial activity, but only against microorganisms Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus cereus. Also was found that bud extracts contains more bioactive compounds soluble in ethanol, meanwhile rose hip extracts contains more bioactive compounds soluble in water.

Hair plays an important role in human social and sexual communication. The androgen-stimulated, patterned loss of hair in cases of androgenetic alopecia (or common baldness) in genetically pre-disposed individuals, is associated with ageing and can cause marked phychological distress. However, it is poorly controlled. To investigate the effectiveness of daily topical application of a Chinese medicine-derived herbal mixture, Xiantene, on balding progression, two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies (3 and 12 months) were carried out on balding men using the trichogram approach. Xiantene significantly increased both the total number of hairs and those in anagen, improving the ratio of anagen:telogen hairs. This suggests that topical Xiantene increased the length of the anagen phase and may promote a cessation, or partial reversal, of the progression of androgenetic alopecia in men. Canities, loss of scalp hair colour, is another mark of ageing. To investigate whether early greying may protect follicles from androgenetic alopecia, the extent of alopecia, assessed using the Hamilton scale, was compared between men who first became grey before, or after, 30. Both alopecia and greying increased with age in 843 men (217 European, 626 Thai) whenever they first started greying. However, men who showed greying before 30 were significantly less bald, though more grey, in both groups. Hair follicle melanocytes synthesise the pigment melanin, producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress; losing melanocyte pigmentary activity, and therefore these toxic factors, appears to enable hair follicles to maintain their full size for longer, despite the androgen drive to miniaturisation. / Tri-Mill Charitable Trust, Global Beauty International Management Ltd.