<p style="text-align: justify;">Twenty four male golden pheasants were divided into 4 groups of 6 each. First group basal diet contained no supplementary lutein or DL-methionine (M0C0). The diet of &nbsp;the birds in group M0C1 were supplemented with lutein (40 mg/kg DM) without &nbsp;supplementary DL methionine, whereas those in group M1C0 were supplemented &nbsp;only with DL-methionine (1.5g/ kg DM). Birds in group M1C1 were fed both the supplements. A feeding trial of 60 days duration was conducted. Heterophill counts was significantly lower (P&lt;0.001) in groups M0C1 and M1C1 as compared to group M0C0 and M1C0 and lymphocyte count was higher (P&lt;0.05) in lutein supplemented group as compared to non-lutein supplemented groups. The ratio of H: L was significantly higher (P&lt;0.001) in lutein supplemented groups. Other haematological and serum biochemical parameters were not significantly different among the groups. Serum concentrations of corticosterone were lower (P&lt;0.001) in groups M0C1 and M1C1 as compared to groups M0C0 and M1C0. It was concluded that supplementation of lutein (40mg/kg DM) but not DL- methionine (0.15% DM) improved the capability of the Golden pheasant to combat stress.</p>


<p>Effect of supplementation of lutein and DL-methionine on certain haemato-biochemical parameters and serum concentration of corticosterone&nbsp;in captive Golden pheasants (<em>Chrysolophus pictus</em>)</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Poekilocerus pictus (Fabricius 1771), a painted grasshopper, sequesters cardenolides from its food plant, the Apple of Sodom or Aak, <em>Calotropis procera</em> (Aiton) W.T. Aiton&nbsp; (Family-<em>Asclepiadaceae</em>). In our present investigation, we were able to isolate <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> KRK6 from the intestine of <em>Poekilocerus</em> <em>pictus</em> responsible for the biotransformation of cardenolides.&nbsp;</div>

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<div><strong>Methods:</strong><em> Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> KRK6 was grown in methanolic extracts of Calotropis procera&nbsp; and the modified cardenolides were detected by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) and also used to induce apoptosis in cancer cells (MCF-7 cells and T-47 D).&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The modified cardenolides CPMEP6 was found to induce apoptosis in human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF cells-IC50 =6.31&plusmn;0.4 &micro;g/mL, T-47D cells-IC50 = 10.1&plusmn;1.02 &micro;g/mL). Phosphatidylserine exposure and DNA fragmentation suggested apoptosis in treated cancer cells. CPMEP6 induced apoptosis in cancer cells via the mitochondrial pathway by down-regulating BCL-2 protein expression and up-regulating BAX protein expression.</div>


Effect of supplementation of lutein and DL-methionine on certain haemato-biochemical parameters and serum concentration of corticosterone in captive Golden pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus)

Biotransformation of Cardenolides from Calotropis procera and Their Cytotoxic Potential against Human Mammary Gland Carcinoma Cells