Weiwei Decoction alleviates gastric intestinal metaplasia through the olfactomedin 4/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1/caudal-type homeobox gene 2 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a precancerous lesion that is associated with an elevated risk of gastric carcinogenesis. Weiwei Decoction (WWD) is a promising traditional Chinese herbal formula widely employed in clinical for treating IM. Previous studies suggested the potential involvement of the olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1)/caudal-type homeobox gene 2 (CDX2) signaling pathway in IM regulation. AIM: To verify the regulation of the OLFM4/NOD1/CDX2 pathway in IM, specifically investigating WWD's effectiveness on IM through this pathway. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry for OLFM4, NOD1, and CDX2 was conducted on tissue microarray. GES-1 cells treated with chenodeoxycholic acid were utilized as IM cell models. OLFM4 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), NOD1 shRNA, and OLFM4 pcDNA were transfected to clarify the pathway regulatory relationships. Protein interactions were validated by co-immunoprecipitation. To explore WWD's pharmacological actions, IM rat models were induced using N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine followed by WWD gavage. Gastric cells were treated with WWD-medicated serum. Cytokines and chemokines content were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The OLFM4/NOD1/CDX2 axis was a characteristic of IM. OLFM4 exhibited direct binding and subsequent down-regulation of NOD1, thereby sustaining the activation of CDX2 and promoting the progression of IM. WWD improved gastric mucosal histological lesions while suppressing intestinal markers KLF transcription factor 4, villin 1, and MUCIN 2 expression in IM rats. Regarding pharmacological actions, WWD suppressed OLFM4 and restored NOD1 expression, consequently reducing CDX2 at the mRNA and protein levels in IM rats. Parallel regulatory mechanisms were observed at the protein level in IM cells treated with WWD-medicated serum. Furthermore, WWD-medicated serum treatment strengthened OLFM4 and NOD1 interaction. In case of anti-inflammatory, WWD restrained interleukin (IL)-6, interferon-gamma, IL-17, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha content in IM rat serum. WWD-medicated serum inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-6, IL-8 transcriptions in IM cells. CONCLUSION: The OLFM4/NOD1/CDX2 pathway is involved in the regulation of IM. WWD exerts its therapeutic efficacy on IM through the pathway, additionally attenuating the inflammatory response.

Filamentous morphology engineering of bacteria by iron metabolism modulation through MagR expression.

The morphology is the consequence of evolution and adaptation. Escherichia coli is rod-shaped bacillus with regular dimension of about 1.5 µm long and 0.5 µm wide. Many shape-related genes have been identified and used in morphology engineering of this bacteria. However, little is known about if specific metabolism and metal irons could modulate bacteria morphology. Here in this study, we discovered filamentous shape change of E. coli cells overexpressing pigeon MagR, a putative magnetoreceptor and extremely conserved iron-sulfur protein. Comparative transcriptomic analysis strongly suggested that the iron metabolism change and iron accumulation due to the overproduction of MagR was the key to the morphological change. This model was further validated, and filamentous morphological change was also achieved by supplement E. coli cells with iron in culture medium or by increase the iron uptake genes such as entB and fepA. Our study extended our understanding of morphology regulation of bacteria, and may also serves as a prototype of morphology engineering by modulating the iron metabolism.

Protective effect of Amauroderma rugosum ethanol extract and its primary bioactive compound, ergosterol, against acute gastric ulcers based on LXR-mediated gastric mucus secretions.

BACKGROUND: Amauroderma rugosum (Blume & T. Nees) Torrend (Ganodermataceae) is an edible mushroom with a wide range of medicinal values. Our previous publication demonstrated the therapeutic effects of the water extract of A. rugosum (WEA) against gastric ulcers. However, the protective effects of the ethanol extract of A. rugosum (EEA) on gastric mucosa and its major active constituents have not yet been elucidated. PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the gastroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of EEA and its fat-soluble constituent, ergosterol, in acute gastric ulcers. STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: SD rats were pre-treated with EEA (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) or ergosterol (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg), and acute gastric ulcer models were constructed using ethanol, gastric mucus secretion inhibitor (indomethacin) or pyloric-ligation. The gastric ulcer area, histological structure alterations (H&E staining), and mucus secretion (AB-PAS staining) were recorded. Additionally, Q-PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, MM-GBSA analysis, and surface plasmon resonance assay (SPR) were used to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the gastroprotective effect. RESULT: Compared with WEA, which primarily exerts its anti-ulcer effects by inhibiting inflammation, EEA containing fat-soluble molecules showed more potent gastroprotective effect through the promotion of gastric mucus secretion, as the anti-ulcer activity was partly blocked by indomethacin. Meanwhile, EEA exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing the production of IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and NO, thereby inhibiting the MAPK pathway. Significantly, ergosterol (20 mg/kg), the bioactive water-insoluble compound in EEA, exhibited a gastroprotective effect comparable to that of lansoprazole (30 mg/kg). The promotion of gastric mucus secretion contributed to the effects of ergosterol, as indomethacin can completely block it. The upregulations of COX1-PGE2 and C-fos, an activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor, were observed after the ergosterol treatment. Ergosterol acted as an LXRß agonist via van der Waals binding and stabilizing the LXRß protein without compromising its flexibility, thereby inducing the upregulation of AP-1 and COX-1. CONCLUSION: EEA and its primary bioactive compound, ergosterol, exert anti-ulcer effects by promoting gastric mucus secretion through the LXRß/C-fos/COX-1/PGE2 pathway.

Helicobacter pylori plays a key role in gastric adenocarcinoma induced by spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia.

Heliobacter pylori (H. pylori), a group 1 human gastric carcinogen, is significantly associated with chronic gastritis, gastric mucosal atrophy, and gastric cancer. Approximately 20% of patients infected with H. pylori develop precancerous lesions, among which metaplasia is the most critical. Except for intestinal metaplasia (IM), which is characterized by goblet cells appearing in the stomach glands, one type of mucous cell metaplasia, spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM), has attracted much attention. Epidemiological and clinicopathological studies suggest that SPEM may be more strongly linked to gastric adenocarcinoma than IM. SPEM, characterized by abnormal expression of trefoil factor 2, mucin 6, and Griffonia simplicifolia lectin II in the deep glands of the stomach, is caused by acute injury or inflammation. Although it is generally believed that the loss of parietal cells alone is a sufficient and direct cause of SPEM, further in-depth studies have revealed the critical role of immunosignals. There is controversy regarding whether SPEM cells originate from the transdifferentiation of mature chief cells or professional progenitors. SPEM plays a functional role in the repair of gastric epithelial injury. However, chronic inflammation and immune responses caused by H. pylori infection can induce further progression of SPEM to IM, dysplasia, and adenocarcinoma. SPEM cells upregulate the expression of whey acidic protein 4-disulfide core domain protein 2 and CD44 variant 9, which recruit M2 macrophages to the wound. Studies have revealed that interleukin-33, the most significantly upregulated cytokine in macrophages, promotes SPEM toward more advanced metaplasia. Overall, more effort is needed to reveal the specific mechanism of SPEM malignant progression driven by H. pylori infection.

Autoinhibitory structure of preligand association state implicates a new strategy to attain effective DR5 receptor activation.

Members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF) are important therapeutic targets that can be activated to induce death of cancer cells or stimulate proliferation of immune cells. Although it has long been implicated that these receptors assemble preligand associated states that are required for dominant interference in human disease, such states have so far eluded structural characterization. Here, we find that the ectodomain of death receptor 5 (DR5-ECD), a representative member of TNFRSF, can specifically self-associate when anchored to lipid bilayer, and we report this self-association structure determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Unexpectedly, two non-overlapping interaction interfaces are identified that could propagate to higher-order clusters. Structure-guided mutagenesis indicates that the observed preligand association structure is represented on DR5-expressing cells. The DR5 preligand association serves an autoinhibitory role as single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) that partially dissociate the preligand cluster can sensitize the receptor to its ligand TRAIL and even induce substantial receptor signaling in the absence of TRAIL. Unlike most agonistic antibodies that require multivalent binding to aggregate receptors for activation, these agonistic sdAbs are monovalent and act specifically on an oligomeric, autoinhibitory configuration of the receptor. Our data indicate that receptors such as DR5 can form structurally defined preclusters incompatible with signaling and that true agonists should disrupt the preligand cluster while converting it to signaling-productive cluster. This mechanism enhances our understanding of a long-standing question in TNFRSF signaling and suggests a new opportunity for developing agonistic molecules by targeting receptor preligand clustering.

Pirfenidone inhibits stromal collagen deposition and improves intra-tumoral delivery and antitumor efficacy of Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.

The effectiveness of cancer nanotherapeutics is greatly restricted by the dense collagen network in solid tumors. Pirfenidone (PFD) is a clinically approved oral antifibrotic agent widely used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. To investigate whether PFD can enhance the penetration and tumor delivery efficiency of Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), colorectal cancer xenograft mice were administered PFD, PLD, or combined regimens. As expected, high-dose PFD (H-PFD, 270 mg/kg/day) combined with PLD (H-PFD + PLD) exhibited a significantly higher tumor inhibition rate than PLD monotherapy (75.09% vs. 60.87%). Similarly, the intra-tumoral doxorubicin level was markedly elevated using H-PFD pretreatment, which induced over 34% elevation compared to PLD treatment alone (3.37 ± 0.41 vs. 2.51 ± 0.19 µg/mL). Additionally, Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry results of the H-PFD + PLD group revealed an attenuation of collagen deposition in vivo, and the in vitro TGF-ß1, α-SMA, and collagen protein expression were inhibited using PFD treatment. In contrast, although low-dose PFD (60 mg/kg/day) did not present superior benefits in promoting PLD penetration into tumors, it did downregulate collagen expression in vivo. This study provides a new strategy for PFD combined with chemotherapeutic drugs to improve the antitumor efficacy of nanomedicines.

Towards magnetism in pigeon MagR: Iron- and iron-sulfur binding work indispensably and synergistically.

The ability to navigate long distances is essential for many animals to locate shelter, food, and breeding grounds. Magnetic sense has evolved in various migratory and homing species to orient them based on the geomagnetic field. A highly conserved iron-sulfur cluster assembly protein IscA is proposed as an animal magnetoreceptor (MagR). Iron-sulfur cluster binding is also suggested to play an essential role in MagR magnetism and is thus critical in animal magnetoreception. In the current study, we provide evidence for distinct iron binding and iron-sulfur cluster binding in MagR in pigeons, an avian species that relies on the geomagnetic field for navigation and homing. Pigeon MagR showed significantly higher total iron content from both iron- and iron-sulfur binding. Y65 in pigeon MagR was shown to directly mediate mononuclear iron binding, and its mutation abolished iron-binding capacity of the protein. Surprisingly, both iron binding and iron-sulfur binding demonstrated synergistic effects, and thus appear to be integral and indispensable to pigeon MagR magnetism. These results not only extend our current understanding of the origin and complexity of MagR magnetism, but also imply a possible molecular explanation for the huge diversity in animal magnetoreception.

The rational design of iron-sulfur cluster binding site for prolonged stability in magnetoreceptor MagR.

Iron-sulfur proteins play essential roles in a wide variety of cellular processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation and magnetoreception. The stability of iron-sulfur clusters varies significantly between anaerobic and aerobic conditions due to their intrinsic sensitivity to oxygen. Iron-sulfur proteins are well suited to various practical applications as molecular redox sensors or molecular "wires" for electron transfer. Various technologies have been developed recently using one particular iron-sulfur protein, MagR, as a magnetic tag. However, the limited protein stability and low magnetic sensitivity of MagR hindered its wide application. Here in this study, the iron-sulfur binding site of pigeon clMagR was rationally re-designed. One such mutation, T57C in pigeon MagR, showed improved iron-sulfur binding efficiency and higher iron content, as well as prolonged thermostability. Thus, clMagRT57C can serve as a prototype for further design of more stable and sensitive magnetic toolbox for magnetogenetics in the future.

High iodine promotes autoimmune thyroid disease by activating hexokinase 3 and inducing polarization of macrophages towards M1.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), the most common autoimmune disease, includes Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Currently, the pathogenesis of AITD is not fully understood. Our study aimed to examine the presence of macrophage polarization imbalance in AITD patients, to investigate whether high iodine can cause macrophage polarization imbalance, and to investigate the role of key genes of metabolic reprogramming in macrophage polarization imbalance caused by high iodine. We synergistically used various research strategies such as systems biology, clinical studies, cell culture and mouse disease models. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that M1 macrophage hyperpolarization was involved in the pathogenesis of AITD. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that high iodine can affect the polarization of M1 or M2 macrophages and their related cytokines. Robust rank aggregation (RRA) method revealed that hexokinase 3 (HK3) was the most aberrantly expressed metabolic gene in autoimmune diseases. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed HK3 could mediate macrophage polarization induced by high iodine. In summary, hyperpolarization of M1-type macrophages is closely related to the pathogenesis of AITD. High iodine can increase HK3 expression in macrophages and promote macrophage polarization towards M1. Targeting HK3 can inhibit M1 polarization induced by high iodine.

PLEK2 promotes the proliferation and migration of non-small cell lung cancer cells in a BRD4-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that Pleckstrin 2 (PLEK2) acts as an oncogene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4), an important transcriptional regulator of tumorigenesis, has been shown to play a key role in NSCLC. However, whether BRD4 regulates the transcription of PLEK2 and further promotes the proliferation and migration of NSCLC remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we performed western blotting, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, cell scratch wound assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation. According to these results, we found that PLEK2 plays a tumor­promoting role in NSCLC via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, BRD4 expression is significantly upregulated in NSCLC cell lines and suppression of BRD4 expression by siBRD4 and JQ-1 inhibits NSCLC cell lines proliferation and migration. Prominently, we first confirmed that BRD4 binds to the promoter region of the PLEK2 gene, which explains the mechanism by which BRD4 regulates the transcription of PLEK2 gene from the perspective of epigenetics. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that PLEK2 promotes the proliferation and migration of NSCLC in a BRD4-dependent manner and provided key insights into the potential avenues for preventing and treating NSCLC.

Protectin D1 protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury through inhibition of neutrophil infiltration and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps in lung tissue.

Protectin D1 (PD1), a DHA-derived lipid mediator, has recently been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties. To date, little is known about the effect of PD1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of PD1 on LPS-induced ALI and its potential mechanisms of action. ALI was induced via an intraperitoneal injection of LPS, where PD1 (2 ng/mouse) was administered intravenously 30 min after LPS challenge. Mice were sacrificed 24 h after modeling. Lung histopathological changes were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was tested using immunohistochemistry. Tumor necrosis-α and interleukin-6 levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum were measured using ELISA. To detect neutrophil extracellular traps produced by infiltrated neutrophils in the lung tissue, immunofluorescence staining was performed using anti-MPO and anti-histone H3 antibodies. The results indicated that PD1 significantly attenuated histological damage and neutrophil infiltration in lung tissue, reduced the lung wet/dry weight ratio, protein concentration and proinflammatory cytokine levels in BALF and decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels in serum. Moreover, neutrophil citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) expression was also reduced after PD1 administration. In conclusion, PD1 attenuated LPS-induced ALI in mice via inhibition of neutrophil extracellular trap formation in lung tissue. Therefore, PD1 administration may serve to be a new strategy for treating ALI.

The traditional herbal formulation, Jianpiyifei II, reduces pulmonary inflammation induced by influenza A virus and cigarette smoke in mice.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide chronic inflammatory lung disease, and influenza A virus (IAV) infection is a common cause of acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Therefore, targeting viral infections represents a promising strategy to prevent the occurrence and development of inflammatory flare ups in AECOPD. Jianpiyifei II (JPYFII) is a traditional herbal medicine used in China to treat patients with COPD, and its clinical indications are not well understood. However, investigation of the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanism using an animal model of smoking have been reported in a previous study by our group. In addition, some included herbs, such as Radix astragali and Radix aupleuri, were reported to exhibit antiviral effects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether JPYFII formulation relieved acute inflammation by clearing the IAV in a mouse model that was exposed to cigarette smoke experimentally. JPYFII formulation treatment during smoke exposure and IAV infection significantly reduced the number of cells observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), expression of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, superoxide production, and viral load in IAV-infected and smoke-exposed mice. However, JPYFII formulation treatment during smoke exposure alone did not reduce the number of cells in BALF or the expression of Il-6, Tnf-a, and Il-1ß. The results demonstrated that JPYFII formulation exerted an antiviral effect and reduced the exacerbation of lung inflammation in cigarette smoke (CS)-exposed mice infected with IAV. Our results suggested that JPYFII formulation could potentially be used to treat patients with AECOPD associated with IAV infection.

Transcriptomic analysis and ednrb expression in cochlear intermediate cells reveal developmental differences between inner ear and skin melanocytes.

In the inner ear, the neural crest gives rise to the glia of the VIII ganglion and two types of melanocytic cells: The pigmented cells of the vestibular system and intermediate cells of the stria vascularis. We analyzed the transcriptome of neonatal intermediate cells in an effort to better understand the development of the stria vascularis. We found that the expression of endothelin receptor B, which is essential for melanocyte development, persists in intermediate cells long after birth. In contrast, skin melanocytes rapidly downregulate the expression of EdnrB. Our findings suggest that endothelins might have co-opted new functions in the inner ear during evolution of the auditory organ.

A Systematic Review of the Mechanisms Underlying Treatment of Gastric Precancerous Lesions by Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Gastric precancerous lesions (GPLs) are an essential precursor in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, known to be one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a positive prospect for the prevention and therapy of GPL owing to several advantages including a definite curative effect, fewer side effects compared to other treatments, multiple components, and holistic regulation. Despite these characteristic advantages, the mechanisms of TCM in treating GPL have not been fully elucidated. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge with respect to herbal formulations and the therapeutic mechanisms of TCM active ingredients for GPL. This paper elaborates on the mechanisms of TCM underlying the prevention and treatment of GPL, specifically those that are linked to anti-H. pylori, anti-inflammation, antiproliferation, proapoptotic, antioxidation, antiglycolytic, and antiangiogenesis effects.

Jianpiyifei II Granules Suppress Apoptosis of Bronchial Epithelial Cells in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease via Inhibition of the Reactive Oxygen Species-Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Ca2+ Signaling Pathway.

Jianpiyifei II granules (JPYF II), a herbal formula, are used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine. The protective effects of JPYF II against bronchial epithelial cell apoptosis in mice exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) and apoptosis of human bronchial epithelial cell lines (BEAS-2B and 16-HBE) stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) were investigated. Mice were exposed to CS generated from four cigarettes/day for 30 days and administered a dose of JPYF II (0.75, 1.5, and 3 g/kg/d) from the 3rd week of CS exposure. In mice exposed to CS, JPYF II significantly inhibited CS-induced apoptosis and overexpression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related markers in bronchial epithelial cells of the lung tissues. In CSE-stimulated BEAS-2B and 16-HBE cells, JPYF II attenuated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Mechanistically, CSE initially induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which then triggered ER stress, leading to the release of Ca2+ from ER inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R)-mediated stores and finally cell death. Treatment with JPYF II resulted in a significant reduction in CSE-induced apoptosis through interruption of the ROS-ER stress-Ca2+ signaling pathway. Therefore, the results of this study have revealed the underlying mechanism of action of JPYF II in the treatment of COPD.

Protective effects of Weipixiao decoction against MNNG-induced gastric precancerous lesions in rats.

Gastric cancer is recognized as one of the most common cancer. In-depth research of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) plays an important role in preventing the occurrence of gastric cancer. Meanwhile, traditional treatment provides a novel sight in the prevention of occurrence and development of gastric cancer. The current study was designed to assess the effects of therapy with Weipixiao (WPX) decoction on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced GPL rats and the underlying molecular mechanisms. After 10-weeks treatment, all rats were sacrificed. Histopathological changes of gastric tissue were assessed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and High-iron diamine-Alcian blue-Periodic acid-Schiff (HID-AB-PAS) staining. To be fully evidenced, RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expressions of LDHA, CD147, HIF-1α, MCT4, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and miRNA-34a, which were crucial factors for evaluating GPL in the aspect of glycolysis pathogenesis. According to the results of HE and HID-AB-PAS staining, it could be confirmed that MNNG-induced GPL rats were obviously reversed by WPX decoction. Additionally, the increased gene levels of LDHA, CD147, MCT4, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and HIF-1α in model group were down-regulated by WPX decoction, while miRNA-34a expression was decreased and up-regulated by WPX decoction. The significantly increased protein levels of LDHA, CD147, MCT4, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and HIF-1α induced by MNNG were attenuated in rats treated with WPX decoction. In brief, the findings of this study imply that abnormal glycolysis in MNNG-induced GPL rats was relieved by WPX decoction via regulation of the expressions of LDHA, CD147, HIF-1α, MCT4, PI3K, AKT, mTOR and miRNA-34a.

Weipixiao attenuate early angiogenesis in rats with gastric precancerous lesions.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is a pathobiological hallmark of gastric cancer. However, rare studies focus on angiogenesis in gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). Weipixiao (WPX), a Chinese herbal preparation, is proved clinically effective in treating GPL. Here, we evaluated WPX's anti-angiogenic potential for GPL, and also investigated the possibility of its anti-angiogenic mechanisms. METHODS: HPLC analysis was applied to screen the major chemical components of WPX. After modeling N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced GPL in male Sprague-Dawley rats, different doses of WPX were administrated orally for 10 weeks. Next, we performed histopathological examination using routine H&E staining and HID-AB-PAS staining. In parallel, we assessed angiogenesis revealed by microvessel density (MVD) using CD34 immunostaining, and subsequently observe microvessel ultrastructure in gastric mucosa under Transmission Electron Microscope. Finally, we detect expression of angiogenesis-associated markers VEGF and HIF-1α using immunohistochemistry. Moreover, mRNA expressions of ERK1, ERK2, Cylin D1 as well as HIF-1α in gastric mucosa were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We observed the appearance of active angiogenesis in GPL rats, and demonstrated that WPX could reduce microvascular abnormalities and attenuate early angiogenesis in most of GPL specimens with a concomitant regression of most intestinal metaplasia (IM) and a portion of gastric epithelial dysplasia (GED). In parallel, WPX could suppress HIF-1α mRNA expression (P < 0.01) as well as protein expression (although without statistical significance), and could markedly inhibit VEGF protein expression in GPL rats. Mechanistically, WPX intervention, especially at low dose, caused a significant decrease in the ERK1 and Cylin D1 mRNA levels. However, WPX might probably have no regulatory effect on ERK2 amplification. CONCLUSIONS: WPX could attenuate early angiogenesis and temper microvascular abnormalities in GPL rats. This might be partly achieved by inhibiting on the angiogenesis-associated markers HIF-1α and VEGF, and on the ERK1/Cylin D1 aberrant activation.

Molecular mechanisms of the action of Arctigenin in cancer.

Since antediluvian times, the scientific community has realized that natural compounds exhibit enormous potential for the treatment of terrible diseases, such as cancer. Despite a variety of effective bioactive molecules, effective therapies still need to be developed to treat cancer. Hence, it is necessary to study the interactions of natural molecules with their cellular targets. Arctigenin (ATG), a natural lignan compound extracted from Arctium lappa, inhibits the growth of various cancer cells, such as those of the stomach, lungs, liver, and colon, as well as leukocytes, and regulates numerous intracellular activities, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. The intention of this paper is to summarize and generally analyse the molecular pathways that are involved in the anticancer effects of ATG. In addition, the interactions of ATG with other drugs are also highlighted in this paper.

Purification and identification of two novel antioxidant peptides from perilla (Perilla frutescens L. Britton) seed protein hydrolysates.

Proteins were extracted from perilla (Perilla frutescens L. Britton) seed by-products and hydrolyzed with an alkaline protease. Antioxidant peptides were purified from the hydrolysate by size-exclusion chromatography and RP-HPLC. Two peptides with strong antioxidant activity were identified as Tyr-Leu (YL) and Phe-Tyr (FY) with the molecular mass of 294.33 Da and 328.33 Da, respectively. Synthesized YL and FY efficiently quenched free radicals (DPPH, ABTS and hydroxyl radicals) and showed high oxygen radical absorbance capacity. The two peptides also inhibited lipid peroxidation in the rat liver. Furthermore, YL and FY could protect HepG-2 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage without cytotoxicity. Based on the structure-activity analysis, the Tyr residue was crucial for the antioxidant activity of YL and FY. The results indicate that the protein hydrolysate from perilla seed by-products possessed potent biological activity and can be utilized to develop health-related nutraceutical ingredients.

The gastric mucosal protective effects of astragaloside IV in mnng-induced GPL rats.

Gastric Cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. And the occurrence of gastric carcinoma is an evolutionary histopathological stage. As a result, further research of GPL, which is a borderline of gastric cancer, is indispensable for preventing the formation and development of gastric carcinoma. Several studies have demonstrated a correlation between the expression of autophagy, apoptosis and Gastric cancer (GC). However, the effects of autophagy and apoptosis on human gastric cancer progression, particularly on gastric precancerous lesions (GPL), have not totally been investigated. At present, Astragaloside IV(AS-IV) is a saponin purified from Astragalus membranaceous Bge, a traditional Chinese herb that has been widely used for more than 2000 y in the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and immune disorders. This study was designed to investigate the mechanism of AS-IV protecting gastric mucosa in N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced GPL rats. The lesions of GIM and GED were significantly ameliorated compared with the model rats, especially crowded tubular glandular and back-to-back tubular structure, which were the dangerous borderline between GPL and GC. Western Blot analysis showed that the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax and the protein expression of Bcl-XL, p53, Beclin1, p62, ATG5 and ATG12 were decreased and the level of Caspase3 was increased in the group of AS-IV compared with the model group; RT-PCR analysis showed that the gene expression Ambra1, Beclin1, ATG5, LC3 and p62 were decreased in the group of AS-IV compared with the model group. This research manifested that the occurrence of gastric cancer was preceded by a prolonged precancerous stage, which could be ameliorated by the AS-IV. Meanwhile, the mild and moderate stage of precancerous lesions is similar with gastric adenocarcinoma in critical biological processes, including inflammation, cell proliferation, differentiation. But this lesion is very different from cancer, because it does not appear obvious invasion and malignant lesions in this pathologic stag. Further, AS-IV could regulate p53 expression to activate the Ambra1/Beclin1 complex in GPL, and it will protect the gastric mucosal injury, prevent and cure gastric mucosal atrophy, intestinal metaplasia and atypical hyperplastic lesions. It provided a potential therapeutic strategy in reversing intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia of gastric precancerous lesions and protecting the gastric mucosa in GPL rats.