Activity-guided isolation and identification of antiherpesvirus and antineuroinflammatory active terpenoids from Artemisia vulgaris L. based on the LC-MS/MS molecular network.

Seven undescribed terpenoids, comprising two guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones (1-2), one eucalyptol-type sesquiterpene (3), one monolactone (4), and three triterpenoids (5-7), along with 35 known analogues, were isolated from the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L. Their structures and configurations were analysed by extensive spectroscopy. Compounds 1, 2, 8-10, 13, 17, 19, and 28 showed antineuroinflammatory activity, and compounds 1 and 2 revealed remarkable antineuroinflammatory effects, with an IC50 value of 2.2 ± 0.1 and 1.6 ± 0.1 µM, more potent than the positive control drug dexamethasone. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 could inhibit the expression of BV-2 inflammatory genes (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß) induced by LPS, downregulate the critical inflammatory protein production of iNOS and COX-2. The anti-HSV-1 activity screening revealed that compounds 28, 29 and 38 exhibited inhibitory activity against HSV-1 proliferation. Particularly, compound 28 exhibited a significant anti-HSV-1 effect, inhibiting the proliferation of HSV-1 and acyclovir-resistant strains of HSV-1/153 and HSV-1/Blue. Our research identified compounds 1, 2, and 28 from A. vulgaris., which could potentially serve as lead compounds for antineuroinflammatory and anti-HSV-1 activities.

Perceived stress and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in nurses: A moderated mediation model of maladaptive cognitive emotional regulation and psychological capital.

Nurses often face a variety of work-related and life-related stresses that make them more prone to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), yet the underlying mechanism of this association is poorly understood. To address this research gap, we investigated the mediating role of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between perceived stress and PTSD symptoms, and explored whether psychological capital could moderate the direct or indirect effects between perceived stress and PTSD symptoms. Nurses (N = 723) completed a questionnaire about perceived stress, PTSD symptoms, maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and psychological capital. After controlling for gender, age and work department, perceived stress was positively correlated with PTSD symptoms. Maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies partially mediated this relationship. Psychological capital moderates the effects of perceived stress and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies on PTSD symptoms. Specifically, the positive correlation between perceived stress and PTSD symptoms was stronger among nurses with low levels of psychological capital than among nurses with high levels of psychological capital. At the same time, the positive correlation between maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies and PTSD symptoms was stronger in nurses with a low level of psychological capital. Therefore, cognitive strategies and interventions oriented toward psychological capital may alleviate the PTSD symptoms of nurses in stressful situations.

Sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory effects from Artemisia vulgaris L.

In this study, eight undescribed sesquiterpenoids (artemvulactone A-G and artemvulemdiol A), and two undescribed triterpenoids, (3S)-dammar-20,25-diene-3-hydroxy-24-one and (3S,23E)-dammar-20,23-diene-25- methoxy-3-ol were isolated from the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L., together with ten known sesquiterpenoids and three known triterpenoids. The structures of these undescribed terpenoids were determined by extensive spectroscopy methods, including 1D and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, IR, UV, X-ray diffraction, and ECD. The absolute configurations of artemvulactone A, artemvulactone D, and artemvulactone E were determined by X-ray diffraction (Cu Kα). All isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory efficacy by detecting the expression of inflammatory mediator NO in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, and the results indicated that artemvulactone E exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effect with an IC50 value of 0.9 ± 0.2 µM. Furthermore, artemvulactone E could reduce LPS-induced COX-2 protein expression dose-dependently by western blotting experiments.

Analysis of Symptom Characteristics, Influencing Factors, and Their Predictive Value for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study.

ABSTRACT: Nurses often face a variety of nursing-related stresses, making them more prone to symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We aimed to explore symptom characteristics, influencing factors, and their predictive value for PTSD in nurses, so as to prevent the occurrence of PTSD in nurses. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in two tertiary hospitals in Yangzhou. A total of 1290 valid questionnaires were received in our study, and 190 nurses (14.7%) were positive for PTSD symptoms. The results show that individuals with higher scores on the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7 (GAD-7), and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies questionnaire (maladaptive CERS) were more likely to experience PTSD symptoms, whereas those with lower scores on the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS) were more likely to experience PTSD symptoms. Compared with the PSS-10, PHQ-15, and PSSS, GAD-7 and maladaptive CERS had higher predictive value. This study provided the optimal threshold of relevant factors that may have a positive effect on the prevention of PTSD symptoms. This has guiding implications for active prevention and intervention in some institutions.

Anthocyanins from purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulia Sims) rind-An innovative source for nonbleachable pigment production.

Passion fruit rind is a waste product from the beverage industry that is rich in anthocyanins that can be potentially applied as a natural colorant. However, the inherent instability of anthocyanins causes rapid discoloration. In this study, the cyanidin-3-glucoside (C-3-G) in passion fruit rind was extracted using 50% ethanol and converted into nonbleachable pigments by reaction with Oolong tea extracts and acetaldehyde. Reactions over 70 days formed high concentrations of stable nonbleachable pigments (3.07-6.68 absorbance unit [A.U.], in total) such as pyranoanthocyanins, as well as oligomeric and polymeric pigments with ethyl-linked bridges. In C-3-G and acetaldehyde reaction, positive relations were found among acetaldehyde concentration, color density, and nonbleachable pigment concentrations. As for reactions with C-3-G and Oolong tea extract combined with acetaldehyde, greater color density and greater concentrations of nonbleachable pigments (10.80-12.34, 4.25-4.40 A.U., respectively) were formed compared with acetaldehyde alone. In addition, the antioxidant capabilities of the extracts were enhanced after reaction with Oolong tea extracts. The results of this study show a useful method to enhance the stability of anthocyanins from passion fruit rind and also provide greater economic value to this waste product. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Ripened passion fruits contain a high concentration of anthocyanins in their rind. These anthocyanins can be optimally extracted by ultrasonic assisted solvent extraction to provide stable pigments by inducing acetaldehyde (a volatile compound often found in foods and beverages) into the anthocyanins. These stable pigments have a greater reddish hue in solution than the anthocyanin extracted from the rind and are more stable over a greater pH range. In addition, these stable pigments can be potentially used as colorant throughout the food and cosmetic industry to provide high economical values.

HSP75 inhibits TGF-ß1-induced apoptosis by targeting mitochondria in human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells.

Heat shock protein 75 (HSP75, also known as TRAP1) as a member of the Hsp90 molecular chaperone family, has been implicated in the progression of renal fibrosis. Apoptosis of renal tubular cells is known to be the critical mechanisms of the progression of renal fibrosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction participates in this process. In this study, we investigated the effects of HSP75 on mitochondrial dysfunction and its relevance to apoptosis in human renal proximal tubular cells (HK2). HSP75 was up- and down-regulated in HK2 cells treated with TGF-ß1 using letiviral vectors. HSP75 improved mitochondrial morphological injury and stabilized mitochondrial functions in HK2 cells stimulated by TGF-ß1. Overexpression of HSP75 inhibited cell apoptosis, and it was reversed by using HSP75 shRNAs. HSP75 may be important for maintenance of mitochondrial function in HK2 cells under pathological conditions. Activation of HSP75 may be therapeutically useful in renal fibrosis to promote and maintain normal mitochondrial functions.