Thứ Tư, 11 tháng 7, 2018

Effects of Birds Saliva Nest on cultured rabbit corneal keratocytes

Abstract

Background:

There has been no effective treatment or agent that is available for corneal injury in promoting corneal wound healing. Previous studies on Birds Saliva Nest extract (Birds Saliva Nest) had reported the presence of hormone- like substance; avian epidermal growth factor that could stimulate cell division and enhance regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Birds Saliva Nest on corneal keratocytes proliferative capacity and phenotypical changes.

Methods:

Corneal keratocytes from six New Zealand White Rabbits were isolated and cultured until Passage 1. The proliferative effects of Birds Saliva Nest on corneal keratocytes were determined by MTT assay in serum-containing medium (FDS) and serum-free medium (FD). Keratocytes phenotypical changes were morphologically assessed and gene expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), collagen type 1 and lumican were determined through RT-PCR.

Results:

The highest cell proliferation was observed when both media were supplemented with 0.05% and 0.1% Birds Saliva Nest. Cell proliferation was also consistently higher in FDS compared to FD. Both phase contrast micrographs and gene expression analysis confirmed the corneal keratocytes retained their phenotypes with the addition of Birds Saliva Nest.

Conclusions:

These results suggested that low concentration of Birds Saliva Nest could synergistically induce cell proliferation, especially in serum-containing medium. This could be a novel breakthrough as both cell proliferation and functional maintenance are important during corneal wound healing. The in vitro test is considered as a crucial first step for nutri-pharmaceutical formation of Birds Saliva Nest-based eye drops before in vivo application.
Fadhilah Zainal Abidin1, Chua Kien Hui2, Ng Sook Luan2, Elvy Suhana Mohd Ramli1, Lee Ting Hun4 and Norzana Abd Ghafar1,3*
Source: BMC – Complimentary & Alternative Medicine

How Much Birds Saliva Nest We should Consume

As we know, Birds Saliva Nest is used to boost the health, to improve immunity, for anti-aging, etc. It can be used to prevent and cure many diseases. But next question is, how much should we consume? As we know, if we consume something too less or too much, the result would not be effective.
Recommended Daily or Weekly Consumption
As we have written in our article Proper Way to Consume Birds Saliva Nest, to allow body absorb the whole nutrients from Birds Saliva Nest, it is best to consume it on empty stomach, such as at night before bed, or as breakfast in the morning. Small and frequent dose is more recommended, as enzymes in the body will eliminate excess of protein within hours. Some source recommends 2 gram of dried Birds Saliva Nest a day, or about 60-80 ml of Birds Saliva Nest. It means, best consumption is about 14-16 grams weekly.
Different Requirements
However, different dosage might be needed for several other cases, such as for pregnant women, children, or menopause women. Besides, it is also should be determined by one’s need and financial position.
For pregnant woman, Birds Saliva Nest can be consumed 2-5 times weekly, at around maximum 5 grams each time. While for children, some dosages might be different, possibly more for children with weak physique or those who have just embarked on learning. However, for menopause women, Birds Saliva Nest can be consumed with combination with 9 grams of tremella for each 6 grams of Birds Saliva Nest.
For Cure or Prevention?
Besides taking care of the health and preventing any sickness, Birds Saliva Nest is also suitable for the cure. Zhejiang, a nutritionist, said that Birds Saliva Nest becomes the most suitable nutritional supplement for patients who have just recovered from or surgery. Birds Saliva Nest will bring a lot of natural essence to speed up the recovery process.

Birds Saliva Nest ameliorates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells

Current findings suggest that Birds Saliva Nest extracts might confer neuroprotective effect against 6-OHDA-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, particularly through inhibition of apoptosis. Thus Birds Saliva Nest may be a viable nutraceutical option to protect against oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative disorders such as PD.

Abstract

Background:

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the senile population with manifestation of motor disability and cognitive impairment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is implicated in the progression of oxidative stress-related apoptosis and cell death of the midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Its interplay with mitochondrial functionality constitutes an important aspect of neuronal survival in the perspective of PD. Birds Saliva Nest is an animal-derived natural food product made of saliva secreted by swiftlets from the Aerodamus genus. It contains bioactive compounds which might confer neuroprotective effects to the neurons. Hence this study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Birds Saliva Nest extracts in the neurotoxin-induced in vitro PD model.

Methods:

Birds Saliva Nest was first prepared into pancreatin-digested crude extract and water extract. In vitro PD model was generated by exposing SH-SY5Y cells to neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Cytotoxicity of the extracts on SH-SY5Y cells was tested using MTT assay. Then, microscopic morphological and nuclear examination, cell viability test and ROS assay were performed to assess the protective effect of Birds Saliva Nest extracts against 6-OHDA-induced cellular injury. Apoptotic event was later analysed with Annexin V-propidium iodide flow cytometry. To understand whether the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of Birds Saliva Nest was mediated via mitochondrial or caspase-dependent pathway, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measurement and caspase-3 quantification were carried out.

Results:

Cytotoxicity results showed that crude Birds Saliva Nest extract did not cause SH-SY5Y cell death at concentrations up to 75 μg/ml while the maximum non-toxic dose (MNTD) of water extract was double of that of crude extract. Morphological observation and nuclear staining suggested that Birds Saliva Nest treatment reduced the level of 6-OHDA-induced apoptotic changes in SH-SY5Y cells. MTT study further confirmed that cell viability was better improved with crude Birds Saliva Nest extract. However, water extract exhibited higher efficacy in ameliorating ROS build up, early apoptotic membrane phosphatidylserine externalization as well as inhibition of caspase-3 cleavage. None of the Birds Saliva Nest treatment had any effect on MMP.

Conclusions:

Antioxidant & Bioaccessibility properties of Birds Saliva Nest

In vitro bioaccessibility and antioxidant properties of Birds Saliva Nest following simulated human gastro-intestinal digestion.

Abstract

Background:

Birds Saliva Nest is reported to be antioxidant-rich. However, the fate of its antioxidants after oral consumption is not yet reported. To explore this, we hypothesized that Birds Saliva Nest antioxidants are released from their matrix when subjected to in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion.

Methods:

Birds Saliva Nest samples were extracted using hot water (100°C) with or without subsequent sequential enzymatic digestion using pepsin (10,000 units), pancreatin (36 mg) and bile extracts (112.5 mg). Additionally, pH changes (8.9 to 2 and back to 8.9) similar to the gut were applied, and a 10 KDa dialysis tubing was used to simulate gut absorption. The antioxidant capacities of the water extracts of Birds Saliva Nest before and after digestion were then determined using ABTS and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays, while the protective effects of the Birds Saliva Nest samples against hydrogen peroxide-induced toxicity in HEPG2 cells were determined using MTT assay and acridine orange (AO)/propidium iodide (PI) staining.

Results:

Antioxidant assays (ABTS and ORAC) showed that the undigested Birds Saliva Nest water extract had little antioxidant activity (1 and 1%, respectively at 1000 μg/mL) while at similar concentrations the digested samples had significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced antioxidant activities, for samples inside (38 and 50%, respectively at 1000 μg/mL) and outside (36 and 50%, respectively at 1000 μg/mL) the dialysis tubing, representing absorbed and unabsorbed samples, respectively. Cell viability and toxicity assays also suggested that the Birds Saliva Nest extracts were non-toxic to HEPG2 cells (cell viabilities of over 80% at 1000 μg/mL), while AOPI showed that the extracts protected HEPG2 cells from hydrogen peroxide induced-toxicity.

Conclusions:

Based on the findings, it is likely that Birds Saliva Nest bioactives are released from their matrix when digested in the gut and then absorbed through the gut by passive-mediated transport to exert their functional effects. However, there is need to confirm these findings using in vivo systems to determine their clinical significance.

Birds Saliva Nest attenuates high fat diet-induced oxidative stress and inflammation via regulation of hepatic antioxidant and inflammatory genes

Abstract

Background:

Birds Saliva Nest is an antioxidant-rich supplement that is popular in many parts of Asia. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have been reported using in vitro system. This paper aimed to determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Birds Saliva Nest in in high fat diet induced rats model.

Methods:

We evaluate if those properties can be translated in rats. High fat diet (HFD) was fed to rats for 12 weeks to determine its effects on oxidative stress and inflammation, and compared with HFD + Simvastatin and HFD + Birds Saliva Nest (2.5 or 20 %). Weights were measured weekly, while serum and hepatic markers of oxidative stress (total antioxidant status and TBARS) and inflammation (interleukin 6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) were determined at the end of the intervention. In addition, transcriptional changes in hepatic antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase) and inflammation (C-reactive protein, chemokine [C-C] motif 2, nuclear factor kappa beta 1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) genes were evaluated.

Results:

The results showed increases in oxidative stress (raised TBARS and lowered total antioxidant status) and inflammatory markers (raised CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α) in HFD induced rats with corresponding attenuation of antioxidant gene expression and potentiation of inflammatory gene expression. Birds Saliva Nest on the other hand attenuated the HFD- induced inflammation and oxidative stress and produced overall better outcomes in comparison with simvastatin.

Conclusions:

In aggregate, the results support the evidence-based utilization of Birds Saliva Nest as a supplement for preventing obesity-related inflammation and oxidative stress in rats. These promising results can open up opportunities for translating the benefits of Birds Saliva Nest to humans.
Keywords: Antioxidants, Birds Saliva Nest, High fat diet, Inflammation, Oxidative stress

Birds Saliva Nest attenuates procoagulation effects of high-fat diet in rats

Birds Saliva Nest is popular in Asia and has long been used traditionally as a supplement. Birds Saliva Nest has been reported to improve dyslipidemia, which is closely linked to hypercoagulation states.
In the present study, the effects of Birds Saliva Nest on high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced coagulation in rats were evaluated. Rats were fed for 12 weeks with HFD alone or in combination with simvastatin or Birds Saliva Nest. Food intake was estimated, and weight measurements were made during the experi- mental period. After sacrifice, serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), adiponectin, leptin, von willibrand factor, prostacyclin, thromboxane and lipid profile, and whole blood coagulation indices (bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, red blood count count, and platelet count) were estimated. Furthermore, hepatic expression of coagulation-related genes was evaluated using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The results indicated that Birds Saliva Nest could attenuate HFD-induced hypercholesterolemia and coagulation similar to simvastatin, partly through transcriptional regulation of coagulation-related genes. The results suggested that Birds Saliva Nest has the potential for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease-related hypercoagulation due to hypercholesterolemia.
Keywords: Birds Saliva Nest, coagulation, high-fat diet, hypercholesterolemia, nutrigeno- mics

The Birds Saliva Nest business: from Sumatra to Shenzen, via Melbourne

James Liew's warehouse is a stack of plastic tubs, tucked away in the corner of an office at his Port Melbourne showroom.

Inside those crates is one of the most expensive delicacies in the world: Birds Saliva Nest.
Pale, fragile and very light – each nest weighing around 8 grams – they were created thousands of kilometres away in purpose-built facilities around Palembang on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Their destination is Shenzen but the stop-over at an industrial estate just outside the Melbourne CBD is no accident.

How Birds Saliva Nest go from Indonesia to China via Australia

What is added in the nests' transit into and out of Australia is something infinitely lighter and almost as valuable as the nests themselves. It is the imprimatur of Australia's food standards regime.
"The reason why we bring it across into Australia is the stringent rules on food that Australian imposes," explains Mr Liew, whose company Company imports and then exports the product.
"Generally speaking, in China we face a lot of imitation product.
"We want to move the raw ingredients into Australia and then process it here with a very minor procedure. We want to get the recognition of Australian quarantine inspection."
The nests themselves are produced by the Birds Saliva Nest, fabricated out of the birds' own hardened saliva to harbour their eggs.
Found only in south-east Asia, the nests have long been prized in Chinese culture for their health-enhancing qualities, where they are typically boiled and served as soup.
"It's from an ancient way," Mr Liew said. "We trust this product to help with bronchitis problems and for skin care."
From Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to mainland China, it's a trade route as old as the Qing dynasty. Now it's taking a tack through Australia.
The new leg of the journey is partly about creating a new market here in Australia, where Company is selling its product into medicine shops, gifts shop and Crown casino.

What is added in the nests' transit into and out of Australia is something infinitely lighter and almost as valuable as the nests themselves.

Emblazoned on the red and gold labelling of the packaged Birds Saliva Nests are the words "Australian Quarantine".
Mr Liew's family-owned company have gone to considerable effort to get that stamp of approval.
After the nests are transported into a Jakarta factory, they are cleaned and a hygienically sealed into a plastic envelope, known as retort pouch.
That process and a subsequent four-day quarantine stop here are carefully supervised by Australia's biosecurity bureaucrats.
It's a serious business. An outbreak of the H5N1 avian flu last month prompted China to issue a temporary ban on Birds Saliva Nests from Malaysia.
Australia's food safety standards give Mr Liew an edge in the highly competitive retail market of Birds Saliva Nest.
WeChat, the Chinese language social media platform, is a favoured market place for the commodities. It's one reason pricing in Australia, at around $7.50 per gram, is relatively close to the price in China for Company products.
Mr Liew's company also wholesales unbranded Birds Saliva Nests direct from Indonesia into China at far lower rates.
The big mark-up takes place after the nests pass through Australian customs.
"In Australia it's all about protocol and systems. It's all about authenticity," Mr Liew says. "We can add in value based on this Australian presence."
The Birds Saliva Nest business is part of a bigger and growing story of trade with China, now Australia's largest agriculture, forestry and fisheries export market. It was worth around $10 billion in 2015-16.
Company has also teamed with recently listed food exporter Winha to distribute its product in China. Winha itself is backing the establishment of a new agricultural college in Deniliquin to bolster food exports to China.
That appetite now ranges from milk powder, to value-added Birds Saliva Nests, to beef – the first shipment of live cattle to China leaving Portland in Victoria in February – and even fields of South Australian lavender.

Birds Saliva Nest is an excellent restorative food good for any age or gender

Birds Saliva Nest can promote the regeneration of internal organs and brain cells, and nourishes the human body. Benefits include: moistening body heat, creating energy, boosting stamina, nourishing lung, controlling cough and asthma, etc.

Benefits of Birds Saliva Nest

Ladies
Improves metabolism and frequent consumption results in young, radiant and fairer skin.
Pregnant Women
Consumption will improve immune functions of the fetus and reduce physical discomfort.
New Mothers
Eating Birds Saliva Nest will help speed up recovery after giving birth.
Infants/Children
Enhances immune system, promotes brain and organ development, improves digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Elders
Clears phlegm, strengthens lungs, kidneys, spleen and enhances appetite. Contains antioxidant benefits - essential to achieving anti-aging effects.
Smokers
Nourishes lungs, clears phlegm, and stops coughing.

Chinese Medication

Birds Saliva Nest was used in ancient China as a type of restorative and remedial food. Previous clinical research have concluded that Birds Saliva Nest has a sweet and calm character. Birds Saliva Nest contributes medical benefits to lung, stomach, and kidney neural systems.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong conducted a scientific study on Birds Saliva Nest. It was concluded that the water-soluble protein of Birds Saliva Nest contains a Mitogenic Stimulation Factor and Epidermic Growth Factor which can:
• Enhance the rebirth of cells
• Reinforce the immune system
• Restore energy and stamina
• Boost heart functions
• Supply, distribute heat energy throughout body
Birds Saliva Nest is Rich in Protein and Other Nutrients
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine
• Alanine
• Arginine
• Aspartic acid
• Cysteine
• Glutamic Acid
• Glycine
• Histidine
• Proline
• Serine
• Tyrosine
• Asparagine
• Glutamine
Birds Saliva Nest is 50% protein - vital for tissue growth, maintenance and repair, muscle contraction and oxidation functions. Proteins are composed of 20 amino acids, 11 of which can be synthesized by human body (non-essential), and 9 have to be obtained through food (essential). Birds Saliva Nest contains 18 amino acids, including ALL 9 essential amino acids.
Additionally, Birds Saliva Nest is composed of almost a third of carbohydrates. The rest is a source of fibre, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

How to Choose Birds Saliva Nest

Size and volume
Due to its natural formation, Birds Saliva Nest varies in size and weight. Everything else constant, larger Birds Saliva Nests are more expensive. Size does not affect the nutritional values but wider nest are rare and there are more layers of saliva leading to higher expandability.
Color and purity
White nests have a slight ivory color; golden nests have a slight beige or golden color; red nests have a red color. When soaked in water, Birds Saliva Nests will expand and turn into a lighter color and the thread become transparent. The water used for soaking shall remain transparent. If the Birds Saliva Nest is extremely white and shiny, it may have been bleached and this will greatly reduce the nutrition content.
Taste and humidity
There should be a slight aroma of egg white when cooked. Storage for dry Birds Saliva Nest is easier as it can be stored in room temperature. If the moisture content of the Birds Saliva Nest is high then the chances of mould is higher, therefore it should be stored in a refrigerator or a cool place.
Price and trustworthiness
Price is dependent on the above factors. The best choice is to purchase from trustworthy shops with quality assurance. Unreasonably and extremely low prices may indicate that the Birds Saliva Nest may be chemically treated, which may have reduced the health benefits or even be harmful to your health, or not even be real.
Density and volume after soaking
Nests with thinner threads, fewer gaps and thicker layers will expand more after soaking. Birds Saliva Nest from different areas and types has different expansion ratios.
Real vs. Fake
Fake Birds Saliva Nest have the following characteristics.
• low translucency and is reflective
• bleach, fishy, or acidic smell
• tight body, glossy surface, no cracks
• hard, tough, plastic substance
• becomes sticky once soaked

Instant Swallow Birds Saliva Nest

IBN Instant Birds Saliva Nest is one of Asian Pacific leading Swallow Birds Saliva Nest brand. Awarded for being a leader in the industry and a pioneer for the Instant Birds Saliva Nest industry since 1998 in Hong Kong.

What Is Birds Saliva Nest?

Birds Saliva Nest is the saliva produced by a special species of swallow called the swiftlet while building the nest. The saliva glues with other impurities (such as feathers) to form the nest. Among the different species of switlets, golden switlet’s saliva has the purest protein content and the highest nutrient value.

About Birds Saliva Nest:

Birds Saliva Nests are mainly produced in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma and Hainan Province in Southern China. The texture and taste of Birds Saliva Nest vary with the swiftlet’s habitat. Compared with Cave Nest, House Nest is cleaner, softer and smoother in texture. So, the soaking/stewing time can be shortened. Cave Nest is mainly found in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, whereas House Nest is mostly produced in Indonesia.
There are three harvesting periods of Birds Saliva Nest in a year -- the 'first phase’ (first harvesting period) Birds Saliva Nest is the most nutritious Birds Saliva Nest and contains much more proteins and minerals.
'First phase’ Birds Saliva Nest is harvested from November to January every year – springtime of Indonesia. In this season of abundance and thriving, the swiftlet grows up strong and healthy and is able to secrete plentiful saliva. Under such favourable environment, Birds Saliva Nest harvested during this period is purer and gets bigger expansion after soaking. The body of Birds Saliva Nest is obviously larger in size and thicker in texture.

The second and third phase Birds Saliva Nest is not as good comparing with the 'first phase’ Birds Saliva Nest in terms of quality and quantity. During these seasons, the swiftlet is weak due to unfavourable weather and lean food supply. Saliva secretion is slow and lots of feathers fall off, thus increase impurities. The Birds Saliva Nest is usually smaller in size and has lesser expandability.
IBNI has its own Birds Saliva Nest farmhouses and processing plants in Indonesia. Some time before every Chinese Lunar New Year, IBNI ships fresh ‘first phase’ Birds Saliva Nests to Hong Kong through air cargo. This guarantees sufficient supply of ‘first phase’ Birds Saliva Nests in the market all the year round.
Chinese have the culture of consuming Birds Saliva Nests traced back to Tang Dynasty, 1,400 years ago. It was told that Empress Wu Zetian used to rely on taking Birds Saliva Nest to resist ageing. Since then, Birds Saliva Nest had been frequently found on the upper class diet. During Ming Dynasty, it was officially included in the imperial menu. In those days, premium grade Birds Saliva Nest was among the articles of tribute presented by adjacent Southeast Asian countries to the emperor of China. It was commonly known as “Imperial Birds Saliva Nest”.