Terahertz technology and its applications in head and neck diseases.

The terahertz (THz) radiation refers to electromagnetic waves between infrared and millimeter waves. THz technology has shown a significant potential for medical diagnosis and biomedical applications over the past three decades. Therefore, exploring the biological effects of THz waves has become an important new field in life sciences. Specifically, THz radiation has been proved to be able to diagnose and treat several head and neck diseases. In this review, we primarily discuss the biological characteristics of THz waves and clinical applications of THz technology, focusing on the research progress of THz technology in head and neck diseases (brain cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, oral diseases, thyroid nodules, Alzheimer's disease, eyes diseases, and otitis). The future application perspectives of THz technologies in head and neck diseases are also highlighted and proposed.

Molecular mechanisms of Huanglian Jiedu decoction in treating Alzheimer's disease by regulating microbiome via network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis.

Background: Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDD) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription, which is widely used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the interaction between bioactive substances in HLJDD and AD-related targets has not been well elucidated. Aim: A network pharmacology-based approach combined with molecular docking was performed to determine the bioactives, key targets, and potential pharmacological mechanism of HLJDD against AD, through the regulation of microbial flora. Materials and methods: Bioactives and potential targets of HLJDD, as well as AD-related targets, were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Analysis Database (TCMSP). Key bioactive components, potential targets, and signaling pathways were obtained through bioinformatics analysis, including protein-protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Subsequently, molecular docking was performed to predict the binding of active compounds with core targets. Results: 102 bioactive ingredients of HLJDD and 76 HLJDD-AD-related targets were screened. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that kaempferol, wogonin, beta-sitosterol, baicalein, acacetin, isocorypalmine, (S)-canadine, (R)-canadine may be potential candidate agents. AKT1, TNF, TP53, VEGFA, FOS, PTGS2, MMP9 and CASP3 could become potential therapeutic targets. 15 important signaling pathways including the cancer pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and NF-κB signaling pathway might play an important role in HLJDD against AD. Moreover, molecular docking analysis suggested that kaempferol, wogonin, beta-sitosterol, baicalein, acacetin, isocorypalmine, (S)-canadine, and (R)-canadine combined well with AKT1, TNF, TP53, VEGFA, FOS, PTGS2, MMP9, CASP3, respectively. Conclusion: Our results comprehensively illustrated the bioactives, potential targets, and possible molecular mechanisms of HLJDD against AD. HLJDD may regulate the microbiota flora homeostasis to treat AD through multiple targets and multiple pathways. It also provided a promising strategy for the use of traditional Chinese medicine in treating human diseases.

Rapid Detection and Characterization of Steroidal Saponins in the Root of Asparagus cochinchinensis by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Electrospray Ionization and Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

The dried root of Asparagus cochinchinensis (RAC) has been used as an important traditional Chinese medicine for a long time in China. Steroidal saponins (SSs) are considered to be the main active ingredients of this herb. However, the isolation and structural determination of SSs from RAC are time-consuming and laborious. For this reason, the development of new methods for the separation and characterization of SSs is highly desirable. In this study, a new high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS) method with precursor ions and the corresponding fragment ions was developed for the identification of SSs in RAC. Finally, 30 SSs have been detected and identified, including 17 potential new compounds. This is the first systematic study of SSs in RAC by HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS method.

Study of a pingyangmycin delivery system: Zein/Zein-SAIB in situ gels.

Venous malformations (VM) are common vascular abnormality, and their management remains difficult. Pingyangmycin hydrochloride (PYM) is a useful sclerosant to treat venous malformations. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of a new drug delivery system, PYM-loaded Zein/Zein-sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB) in situ gels, in gelling and extending the local release of PYM. It was demonstrated that in vitro and in vivo release of PYM from the in situ gels could be extended up to 7 and 4 days, respectively. SAIB could significantly cut down the initial burst of PYM from the in situ gels (P<0.05). The possible gel forming and drug release mechanisms were described according to the morphology analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM), optical microscopy and SEM. The gel forming efficacy and the viscosity of in situ gel solutions were satisfying.