Identification of Uncaria rhynchophylla in the Potential Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease by Integrating Virtual Screening and In Vitro Validation.

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Gouteng in Chinese, GT) is the main medicine in many traditional recipes in China. It is commonly used to alleviate central nervous system (CNS) disorders, although its mechanism in Alzheimer's disease is still unknown. This study was designed to predict and validate the underlying mechanism in AD treatment, thus illustrating the biological mechanisms of GT in treating AD. In this study, a PPI network was constructed, KEGG analysis and GO analysis were performed, and an "active ingredient-target-pathway" network for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease was constructed. The active ingredients of GT were screened out, and the key targets were performed by molecular docking. UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was used to screen the main active ingredients and was compared with the network pharmacology results, which verified that GT did contain the above ingredients. A total of targets were found to be significantly bound up with tau, Aß, or Aß and tau through the network pharmacology study. Three SH-SY5Y cell models induced by okadaic acid (OA), Na2S2O4, and H2O2 were established for in vitro validation. We first found that GT can reverse the increase in the hyperphosphorylation of tau induced by OA to some extent, protecting against ROS damage. Moreover, the results also indicated that GT has significant neuroprotective effects. This study provides a basis for studying the potential mechanisms of GT in the treatment of AD.

Translocator protein 18 kDa: a potential therapeutic biomarker for post traumatic stress disorder.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is widely regarded as a stress-related and trauma disorder. The symptoms of PTSD are characterized as a spectrum of vulnerabilities after the exposure to an extremely traumatic stressor. Considering as one of complex mental disorders, little progress has been made toward its diagnostic biomarkers, despite the involvement of PTSD has been studied. Many studies into the underlying neurobiology of PTSD implicated the dysfunction of neurosteroids biosynthesis and neuorinflammatory processes. Translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) has been considered as one of the promising therapeutic biomarkers for neurological stress disorders (like PTSD, depression, anxiety, et al) without the benzodiazepine-like side effects. This protein participates in the formation of neurosteroids and modulation of neuroinflammation. The review outlines current knowledge involving the role of TSPO in the neuropathology of PTSD and the anti-PTSD-like effects of TSPO ligands.

[Effects of fungi fraction on growth and anti-oxidative activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus].

The present study was conducted to explore the effect of endophytic fungi fraction on growth and anti-oxidative activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus. The growth,yield,contents of MDA,and antioxidant activities were assessed in E. senticosus under five fungi fractions,namely BZ,MH,DT,JS,and XFZ. The results showed that fungi fractions and component significantly affected the growth,low concentration of DT fungi fraction significantly increased the biomass of E. senticosus,reduced the MDA content in cells,and the antioxidant activities of the aqueous extracts were superior to the others. The results indicated that low concentration of DT fungi fraction was the optimum fraction to achieve high yield and quality of E. senticosus.

Ultrasound-assisted polysaccharide extraction from Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim. and its structural characterization, antioxidant and immunological activity.

Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim. (F.M.) has been widely used in both food and medication for more than 2000 years. In order to achieve its comprehensive utilization and investigate the structural characterization and biology activity, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions of F.M. polysaccharides. The optimal extraction conditions were ultrasonic power of 174.2 W, ratio of liquid to material of 40.7 mL/g and ultrasonic time of 82.0 min. In addition, a neutral polysaccharide F-1 was obtained, and its structure characterization, antioxidant and immunological activity were evaluated. The structural properties of the polysaccharide were characterized by UV, IR, GC-MS, NMR and AFM. Monosaccharide composition of F-1 (MW 18.11 kDa) was rhamnose, arabinose, glucosamine hydrochloride, galactose, and glucose which under the ratio of 0.9: 3.8: 0.2: 2.9: 92.2. The fractions of F-1 were mainly linked by â†’ 6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ with branch chain α-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ 4)-α-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ and 4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ residues. Moreover, F-1 has a significant scavenging activity, which can clear hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion, DPPH and ABTS. In addition, the immunological activity showed that F-1 had an effect on macrophage phagocytic activity. And it can increase the release of inflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6. F-1 is a novel polysaccharide with significant activity in antioxidant and immunological activity, which has great potential for antioxidant and immunizer in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The study can provide a methodological basis for polysaccharide research and theoretical basis for the industrialized production and practical application.

Topical application of temperature-sensitive caerin 1.1 and 1.9 gel inhibits TC-1 tumor growth in mice.

Genital warts, which are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), result from persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), especially subtypes 6 or 11. Topical application of 5% imiquimod cream is currently recommended as a first-line treatment choice for genital warts, but the clearance and patient compliance rates remain less than sufficient. In the current study, we developed a temperature-sensitive gel that contains the host-defense peptides caerin 1.1 and 1.9, which were originally isolated from Australian tree frogs of the genus Litoria. Growth of HPV16 E6/E7-transformed TC-1 cells was inhibited in vitro and in vivo following injection of the tumor with the caerin gel in a TC-1 tumor mouse model. Furthermore, when the caerin gel was topically applied, the inhibitory effect remained, and T, NK cells were attracted to the tumor site. In addition, the gel maintained a similar level of bioactivity after incubation at room temperature for 30 days. Our results suggest that this caerin gel, following further optimization, may provide an alternative method for the management of genital warts.

The improvement of bioactive secondary metabolites accumulation in Rumex gmelini Turcz through co-culture with endophytic fungi.

Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and Ramularia sp. were endophytic fungi isolated from Rumex gmelini Turcz (RGT), all of these three strains could produce some similar bioactive secondary metabolites of their host. However the ability to produce active components degraded significantly after cultured these fungi alone for a long time, and were difficult to recover. In order to obtain more bioactive secondary metabolites, the co-culture of tissue culture seedlings of RGT and its endophytic fungi were established respectively, and RGT seedling was selected as producer. Among these fungi, Aspergillus sp. showed the most significant enhancement on bioactive components accumulation in RGT seedlings. When inoculated Aspergillus sp. spores into media of RGT seedlings that had taken root for 20d, and made spore concentration in co-culture medium was 1×104mL-1, after co-cultured for 12d, the yield of chrysophaein, resveratrol, chrysophanol, emodin and physcion were 3.52-, 3.70-, 3.60-, 4.25-, 3.85-fold of the control group. The extreme value of musizin yield was 0.289mg, which was not detected in the control groups. The results indicated that co-culture with endophytic fungi could significantly enhance bioactive secondary metabolites production of RGT seedlings.

The improvement of bioactive secondary metabolites accumulation in Rumex gmelini Turcz through co-culture with endophytic fungi

Abstract Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., and Ramularia sp. were endophytic fungi isolated from Rumex gmelini Turcz (RGT), all of these three strains could produce some similar bioactive secondary metabolites of their host. However the ability to produce active components degraded significantly after cultured these fungi alone for a long time, and were difficult to recover. In order to obtain more bioactive secondary metabolites, the co-culture of tissue culture seedlings of RGT and its endophytic fungi were established respectively, and RGT seedling was selected as producer. Among these fungi, Aspergillus sp. showed the most significant enhancement on bioactive components accumulation in RGT seedlings. When inoculated Aspergillus sp. spores into media of RGT seedlings that had taken root for 20 d, and made spore concentration in co-culture medium was 1 × 104 mL-1, after co-cultured for 12 d, the yield of chrysophaein, resveratrol, chrysophanol, emodin and physcion were 3.52-, 3.70-, 3.60-, 4.25-, 3.85-fold of the control group. The extreme value of musizin yield was 0.289 mg, which was not detected in the control groups. The results indicated that co-culture with endophytic fungi could significantly enhance bioactive secondary metabolites production of RGT seedlings.