Xuedan Sustained Release Pellets Ameliorate Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats by Targeting Gut Microbiota and MAPK Signaling Pathways.

Cucurbitacins have a variety of bioactivities, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant-like, and antiviral effects, but their pharmacological effect in ulcerative colitis (UC) has not been reported until now. Thus, this study aims to investigate the preventive effects of Xuedan sustained release pellets (XSPs) on UC rats and the underlying mechanisms. XSPs were prepared by extracting cucurbitacins from Hemsleya. Experimental UC rats were induced by the intake of 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for a week and treated with different doses of XSP (0.95, 1.90, and 3.8 mg/kg). The body weight, colon length, disease activity index (DAI), and histological changes of colonic tissue were measured. In addition, the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathways involved in the intestinal inflammation were targeted by RNA-sequencing. Moreover, the changes of gut microbial diversity and composition were analyzed by the 16SrNA analysis and the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were detected by GC-MS. The results revealed that XSP intervention greatly restored the weight loss and colonic shortening (p < 0.05) and reduced the raised DAI scores, myeloperoxidase, and nitric oxide activities in UC in rats (p < 0.05). XSP administration also downregulated the protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α. Notably, it was found that XSP considerably suppressed the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, XSP treatment improved the balance of gut microbiota that was disturbed by DSS. The beneficial bacteria Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 group and Lactobacillus at the genus level significantly increased in the XSP group, which had decreased with the use of DSS (p < 0.05). Pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia-Shigella and Bacteroides in UC in rats were reduced by XSP intervention. Furthermore, XSP significantly elevated the production of SCFAs in UC in rats (p < 0.05). These alterations in inflammatory status were accompanied with changes in gut microbiota diversity and SCFA production. In conclusion, XSP exhibited protective effects against DSS-induced UC in rats. XSP treatment decreased inflammation via modulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFA production.

Hot Melt Super Glue: Multi-Recyclable Polyphenol-Based Supramolecular Adhesives.

The rapid and facile synthesis of hot melt super glue (HMSG) via the formation of adhesive supramolecular networks between catechol or pyrogallol hydroxyl groups (-OH) of polyphenols and repeat units (-CH2 CH2 O-) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based on hydrogen bonds is reported. The adhesion strength of HMSG, processed by heating-cooling of polyphenols and PEG without additional solvents, can be tuned up to 8.8 MPa via changing the molecular weight of PEG and the ratio of hydrogen bonding donors and receptors. The advantages of the reported HMSG lie in the ease and scalability of the assembly process, rapid adhesion on various substrates with excellent processability, resistance of low temperature and organic solvents, and recyclable adhesion strength. The solvent-free HMSG represents a promising adhesive supramolecular network to expand the versatility and application of polyphenol-based materials.

A new cyclic peptide from the fibrous root of Pseudostellaria heterophylla.

A new cyclic peptide, Pseudostellarin K (1), together with thirteen known compounds, including two cyclic peptides (2 and 3), one ß-carboline alkaloid (4), two amides (5 and 6), three phenylpropanoids (7-9) and other compounds (10-14), were isolated from the fibrous root of Pseudostellaria heterophylla. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1, 4-6, 10 were isolated from the genus pseudostellaria for the first time. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, A549, HCT-116 and SGC-7901 cell lines by MTT assay. Unfortunately, all these compounds displayed weak cytotoxic activities.

Interfacial Assembly of Metal-Phenolic Networks for Hair Dyeing.

Fast and facile coating strategies play a key role in surface engineering and functionalization of materials for various applications. Herein, we report a rapid and eco-friendly hair dyeing process for natural gray hair via the formation of metal-phenolic networks (MPNs). MPNs composed of gallic acid display high performance, and the coloration is tunable by varying the metal ion types. MPN-based hair dyeing is tolerant to repeated washing (at least 50 times) with detergent solution without color fading and can be discolored in acidic solution (pH < 2). The mechanism of self-assembled MPNs for hair dyeing is investigated by Raman and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Cell studies in vitro and skin toxicity tests in vivo demonstrate the advantages (i.e., biocompatibility and hair regrowth) of MPNs for hair dyeing compared to p-phenylenediamine. The reported strategy for hair dyeing avoids the use of toxic substances present in common hair dyes and has negligible damage to the hair structures and tensile strength.