Network-based analysis identifies potential therapeutic ingredients of Chinese medicines and their mechanisms toward lung cancer.

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors around the world, which has the highest mortality rate among all cancers. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has attracted increased attention in the field of lung cancer treatment. However, the abundance of ingredients in Chinese medicines presents a challenge in identifying promising ingredient candidates and exploring their mechanisms for lung cancer treatment. In this work, two network-based algorithms were combined to calculate the network relationships between ingredient targets and lung cancer targets in the human interactome. Based on the enrichment analysis of the constructed disease module, key targets of lung cancer were identified. In addition, molecular docking and enrichment analysis of the overlapping targets between lung cancer and ingredients were performed to investigate the potential mechanisms of ingredient candidates against lung cancer. Ten potential ingredients against lung cancer were identified and they may have similar effect on the development of lung cancer. The results obtained from this study offered valuable insights and provided potential avenues for the development of novel drugs aimed at treating lung cancer.

[Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of complete chloroplast genome of cultivated Qinan agarwood].

"Tangjie" leaves of cultivated Qinan agarwood were used to obtain the complete chloroplast genome using high-throughput sequencing technology. Combined with 12 chloroplast genomes of Aquilaria species downloaded from NCBI, bioinformatics method was employed to determine the chloroplast genome characteristics and phylogenetic relationships. The results showed that the chloroplast genome sequence length of cultivated Qinan agarwood "Tangjie" leaves was 174 909 bp with a GC content of 36.7%. A total of 136 genes were annotated, including 90 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Sequence repeat analysis detected 80 simple sequence repeats(SSRs) and 124 long sequence repeats, with most SSRs composed of A and T bases. Codon preference analysis revealed that AUU was the most frequently used codon, and codons with A and U endings were preferred. Comparative analysis of Aquilaria chloroplast genomes showed relative conservation of the IR region boundaries and identified five highly variable regions: trnD-trnY, trnT-trnL, trnF-ndhJ, petA-cemA, and rpl32, which could serve as potential DNA barcodes specific to the Aquilaria genus. Selection pressure analysis indicated positive selection in the rbcL, rps11, and rpl32 genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that cultivated Qinan agarwood "Tangjie" and Aquilaria agallocha clustered together(100% support), supporting the Chinese origin of Qinan agarwood from Aquilaria agallocha. The chloroplast genome data obtained in this study provide a foundation for studying the genetic diversity of cultivated Qinan agarwood and molecular identification of the Aquilaria genus.

Incorporation of Selenium Derived from Nanoparticles into Plant Proteins in Vivo.

Diets comprising selenium-deficient crops have been linked to immune disorders and cardiomyopathy. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have emerged as a promising nanoplatform for selenium-biofortified agriculture. However, SeNPs fail to reach field-scale applications due to a poor understanding of the fundamental principles of its behavior. Here, we describe the transport, transformation, and bioavailability of SeNPs through a combination of in vivo and in vitro experiments. We show synthesized amorphous SeNPs, when sprayed onto the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana, are rapidly biotransformed into selenium(IV), nonspecifically incorporated as selenomethionine (SeMet), and specifically incorporated into two selenium-binding proteins (SBPs). The SBPs identified were linked to stress and reactive oxygen species (mainly H2O2 and O2-) reduction, processes that enhance plant growth and primary root elongation. Selenium is transported both upwards and downwards in the plant when SeNPs are sprayed onto the leaves. With the application of Silwet L-77 (a common agrochemical surfactant), selenium distributed throughout the whole plant including the roots, where pristine SeNPs cannot reach. Our results demonstrate that foliar application of SeNPs promotes plant growth without causing nanomaterial accumulation, offering an efficient way to obtain selenium-fortified agriculture.

[Arsenic speciation and valence].

As arsenic widely exists in nature and has been used in the pharmaceutical preparations, the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with arsenic include realgar(As_2S_2 or As_4S_4), orpiment(As_2S_3), and white arsenic(As_2O_3). Among the above representative medicine, the TCM compound formulas with realgar are utilized extensively. Just in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), there are 37 Chinese patent medicines including realgar. The traditional element analysis focuses on the detection of the total amount of elements, which neglects the study on the speciation and valence of elements. The activity, toxicity, bioavailability, and metabolic pathways of arsenic in vivo are closely related to the existence of its form, and different forms of arsenic have different effects on organisms. Therefore, the study on the speciation and valence of arsenic is of great importance for arsenic-containing TCMs and their compound formulas. This paper reviewed four aspects of the speciation and valence of arsenic, including property, absorption and metabolism, toxicity, and analytical assay.

Soft drinks, tea and coffee consumption in relation to risk of fracture: evidence from china health and nutrition survey.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the association between soft drinks, tea and coffee consumption, and risk of fracture in the China Health and Nutrition Survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study with multi-stage random cluster sampling was conducted in nine Chinese provinces in 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2011. A total of 36,740 participants were included the data analyses. Self-administered questionnaires and physical examinations provided data on beverages consumption, fracture history, and other potential risk factors. Binary logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for potentially confounding variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of fracture increased over the 7-year period of the surveys, with 1833 (5.3%) participants reporting a fracture history. Soft drink consumption increased over this time period, and tea consumption was relatively stable, whereas coffee consumption tended to increase sharply. Consumers of soft drinks ≥ 3 times/week (versus never) had a higher risk of fracture (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.43-2.32, p < 0.001, p for trend = 0.039). Consumers of tea ≥ 5 cups/day (versus never) also had a higher risk of fracture (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.09-1.45, p = 0.028, p for trend < 0.001). Similarly, consumers of coffee ≥ 2 cups/day (versus never) had a higher risk of fracture (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.01-3.34, p = 0.045, p for trend = 0.002). Subgroup analyses by gender suggested that coffee consumption increased risk of fracture in females (OR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.32-2.63, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that high consumption of soft drinks, tea and coffee is associated with an increased risk of fracture in the Chinese population. Which has important public health implications given the widespread consumption of these beverages.

Exploring the Mechanism of Yi-Jing Decoction in Treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome by Using Network Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Yi-Jing decoction (YJD), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been reported to be effective in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the underlying mechanisms of YJD in treating PCOS are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: In the present work, the effective ingredients of YJD and their treatment mechanisms on PCOS were systematically analyzed. METHODS: The effective ingredients of YJD and targets of PCOS were selected from public databases. The network pharmacology method was used to analyze the ingredients, potential targets, and pathways of YJD for the treatment of PCOS. RESULTS: One hundred and three active ingredients were identified from YJD, of which 82 were hit by 65 targets associated with PCOS. By constructing the disease-common targetcompound network, five ingredients (quercetin, arachidonate, beta-sitosterol, betacarotene, and cholesterol) were selected out as the key ingredients of YJD, which can interact with the 10 hub genes (VEGFA, AKT1, TP53, ALB, TNF, PIK3CA, IGF1, INS, IL1B, PTEN) against PCOS. These genes are mainly involved in prostate cancer, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathways. In addition, the results of molecular docking showed that the ingredients of YJD have a good binding affinity with the hub genes. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that the treatment of PCOS by YJD is through regulating the levels of androgen and insulin and improving the inflammatory microenvironment.

Arsenic speciation and valence / 中国中药杂志

As arsenic widely exists in nature and has been used in the pharmaceutical preparations, the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with arsenic include realgar(As_2S_2 or As_4S_4), orpiment(As_2S_3), and white arsenic(As_2O_3). Among the above representative medicine, the TCM compound formulas with realgar are utilized extensively. Just in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), there are 37 Chinese patent medicines including realgar. The traditional element analysis focuses on the detection of the total amount of elements, which neglects the study on the speciation and valence of elements. The activity, toxicity, bioavailability, and metabolic pathways of arsenic in vivo are closely related to the existence of its form, and different forms of arsenic have different effects on organisms. Therefore, the study on the speciation and valence of arsenic is of great importance for arsenic-containing TCMs and their compound formulas. This paper reviewed four aspects of the speciation and valence of arsenic, including property, absorption and metabolism, toxicity, and analytical assay.

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Combined with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing on Psychological Problems and Life Quality in Patients' Postfacial Trauma.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) combined with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) on the esteem, anxiety, depression, posttrauma stress disorder (PTSD), and posttraumatic growth in patients with facial trauma. Methods: A total of 92 facial trauma patients in Wenzhou People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into control group (n = 46) and intervention group (n = 46). Both of the control group and the intervention group received routine treatment, while the intervention group further received CBT combined with EMDR. Questionnaires were used to explore and record the general patient information. The Self-Esteem Scale (SES), Self-Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Depression Scale (SDS), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Civilian Version (PCL-C), Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief (WHOQOL-BREF) scores between the two groups were compared. Results: After CBT combined with EMDR intervention, the SDS and SAS scores in the intervention group were significantly decreased compared with the scores before intervention with statistically significance (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the PCL-C score in the intervention group showed significant decrease in comparison with the control group (P < 0.001), while the PTGI score in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.001). The WHOQOL-BREF scores were increased after treatment in the two groups compared with the scores before treatment, and the scores in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group after treatment (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Psychological intervention therapy can effectively alleviate the anxiety, depression, and PTSD and improve the life quality and the recovery of facial trauma patients.

[Study on characteristic chromatogram and content determination of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample].

In this study, the critical quality attributes of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample were explored by using characteristic chromatogram, index component content and dry extract rate as indexes.The dissemination relationship of quantity value between medicinal materials-decoction pieces-reference sample was investigated to preliminarily formulate the quality standard of the reference sample.The characteristic chromatogram of 15 batches of Wuzhuyu Decoction was established by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and the similarity analysis was conducted.Common peaks were demarcated and assigned to medicinal materials.Moreover, quantitative determination of limonin, evodiamine, rutaecarpine and ginsenoside Rb_1 of Wuzhuyu Decoction were performed.The dissemination of quantity value was explored combined with dry extract rate, similarity of characteristic chromatogram and transfer rate of index component content.A total of 18 common peaks were identified in the corresponding materials of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample, with the similarity of characteristic chromatogram greater than 0.9, and Fructus Evodiae, Radix Ginseng, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens and Fructus Jujubae contributed 9, 5, 8 and 2 chromatographic peaks, respectively.The index component content of corresponding materials and the transfer rates of medicinal materials-decoction pieces and decoction pieces-reference sample of different batches of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample were as follows: the content of limonin was 0.16%-0.51%, and the transfer rates were 83.66%-115.60% and 38.54%-54.58%, respectively; the content of evodiamine was 0.01%-0.11%, the transfer rated were 80.80%-116.15% and 3.23%-12.93%, respectively; the content of rutaecarpine was 0.01%-0.05%, the transfer rates were 84.33%-134.53% and 5.72%-21.24%, respectively; the content of ginsenoside Rb_1 was 0.06%-0.11%, and the transfer rates were 90.00%-96.92% and 32.45%-67.24%, respectively.The dry extract rate of the whole prescription was 22.58%-29.89%.In this experiment, the dissemination of quantity value of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample was analyzed by the combination of characteristic chromatogram, index component content and dry extract rate.A scientific and stable quality evaluation method of the reference sample was preliminarily established, which provided basis for the subsequent development of Wuzhuyu Decoction and the quality control of related preparations.

Selenium-enriched peptides isolated from Cardamine violifolia are potent in suppressing proliferation and enhancing apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Selenium (Se)-enriched peptides were isolated from Cardamine violifolia by enzymatic hydrolysis and ultrafiltration. S3 (molecular weight [MW] distribution of 3-5 kDa) exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells and was thus screened using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay; it was found to have a high organic Se content. Its amino acid sequence was determined using HPLC-MS/MS. We then examined its ability to inhibit tumor cell proliferation and found that it arrested tumor cells in the S phase; moreover, it could induce cancer cell apoptosis. Following S3 treatment, we observed a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in cell calcium content. Upon S3 treatment at 60 µg/ml, the relative activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9 increased by 1.48 times and 2.17 times, and the contents of PI3K and AKT decreased from 2.05 ng/L and 1.95 ng/L to 0.71 ng/L and 0.50 ng/L, respectively, when compared with the control group. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant changes in the PI3K-AKT pathway following S3 treatment. This study thus established a foundation for additional development of Se-enriched peptides from C. violifolia as a functional food. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Cardamine violifolia is a Se-tolerant cruciferous plant that can metabolically transform inorganic Se into organic Se that exists in the form of a selenoprotein. Se-enriched peptide obtained by extraction and enzymolysis of selenoprotein, as an organic combination of organic Se and peptide, possess valuable biological activities. In this paper, the effect of Se-enriched peptides of C. violifolia on tumor cells was studied via cell experiments, and its mechanism was preliminarily discussed, which should provide a theoretical basis for developing functional foods containing C. violifolia.

TCMPG: an integrative database for traditional Chinese medicine plant genomes.

Because of their great therapeutic and economic value, medicinal plants have attracted increasing scientific attention. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology, the genomes of many medicinal plants have been sequenced. Storing and analyzing the increasing volume of genomic data has become an urgent task. To solve this challenge, we have proposed the Traditional Chinese Medicine Plant Genome database (TCMPG, http://cbcb.cdutcm.edu.cn/TCMPG/), an integrative database for storing the scattered genomes of medicinal plants. TCMPG currently includes 160 medicinal plants, 195 corresponding genomes, and 255 herbal medicines. Detailed information on plant species, genomes, and herbal medicines is also integrated into TCMPG. Popular genomic analysis tools are embedded in TCMPG to facilitate the systematic analysis of medicinal plants. These include BLAST for identifying orthologs from different plants, SSR Finder for identifying simple sequence repeats, JBrowse for browsing genomes, Synteny Viewer for displaying syntenic blocks between two genomes, and HmmSearch for identifying protein domains. TCMPG will be continuously updated by integrating new data and tools for comparative and functional genomic analysis.

Isolation and structural elucidation of a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide from the roots of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer.

A low-molecular-weight polysaccharide named MCGP-L was extracted and purified from the roots of Mountain cultivated ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer). The polysaccharide MCGP-L was purified by molecular exclusion chromatography using the Sephadex G-25 column. The average molecular weight of MCGP-L was estimated to be 3 × 103 kDa. Monosaccharide composition analysis showed MCGP-L was composed of three kinds of monosaccharide: D-glucose, D-galactose and D-mannose. The physicochemical properties and structural characteristics of MCGP-L were investigated by the combination of chemical and instrumental analysis such as methylation analysis, High Performance Gel-Permeation Chromatography (HPGPC), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The backbone of MCGP-L was composed of (1→4)-linked-α-D-Glcp residues and with branch chain substituted at O-6 position of (1→4,6)-linked-α-D-Glcp. The branch chain consists of →6)-α-D-Galp-(1→, →2)-α-D-Manp-(1→ and ß-D-Glcp-(1→.

Computational Analysis Illustrates the Mechanism of Qingfei Paidu Decoction in Blocking the Transition of COVID-19 Patients from Mild to Severe Stage.

BACKGROUND: The epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 has made COVID-19 a serious threat to human health around the world. The severe infections of SARS-CoV-2 are usually accompanied by higher mortality. Although the Qingfei Paidu Decoction (QFPDD) has been proved to be effective in blocking the transition of COVID-19 patients from mild to severe stage, its mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the mechanism of QFPDD in blocking the transition of COVID- 19 patients from mild to severe stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the process of screening active ingredients, oral bioavailability (OB) and drug likeness (DL) are key indicators, which can help to screen out pivotal compounds. Therefore, with the criteria of OB≥30% and DL≥0.18, we searched active ingredients of QFPDD in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP, https://tcmspw.com/) by using its 21 herbs as keywords. RESULTS: We filtered out 6 pivotal ingredients from QFPDD by using the bioinformatics method, namely quercetin, luteolin, berberine, hederagenin, shionone and kaempferol, which can inhibit the highly expressed genes (i.e. CXCR4, ICAM1, CXCL8, CXCL10, IL6, IL2, CCL2, IL1B, IL4, IFNG) in severe COVID-19 patients. By performing KEGG enrichment analysis, we found seven pathways, namely TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, NFkappa B signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and Th17 cell differentiation, by which QFPDD could block the transition of COVID-19 patients from mild to severe stage. CONCLUSION: QFPDD can prevent the deterioration of COVID-19 in the following mechanisms, i.e. inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 invasion and replication, anti-inflammatory and immune regulation, and repairing body damage. These results will be helpful for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

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.

Effect of music intervention on mental health in patients with diabetes mellitus: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomizsed controlled trials.

INTRODUCTION: About 463 million adults aged 20-79 have diabetes globally. Mental disorders often exist in patients with diabetes as comorbidities, which can lead to aggravation of the diseases, increased difficulties in treatment, as well as elevated mortality rates. Music intervention has been applied in the treatment of comorbidities for 12 years now, but there are still no recommendations due to the lack of evidence. Thus, a meta-analysis is necessary to evaluate the effect of music intervention in treating mental disorders of patients with diabetes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search the following nine online electronic databases from their inception until March 2020: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP) and Chinese Biomedical and Medical Database. We also plan to search other relevant resources, including grey literature and the reference lists of relevant publications. Only randomised controlled trials of music intervention to treat depression or anxiety in patients with diabetes will be involved. The primary outcomes include the depression score and anxiety score measured on certain scales, and the secondary outcome is safety. Data extraction will be independently implemented by two researchers. The risk of bias will be evaluated through the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool. Eventually, all the data will be analysed via the Review Manager V.5.3 software. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This meta-analysis will provide information about applying music intervention to treat depression or anxiety in patients with diabetes. No ethical approval is required because this meta-analysis is based on published data. The results of this systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019146439.

Heterogeneity of nutrition care procedures in nutrition guidelines for cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to systematically assess the nutrition care procedures in nutrition guidelines for cancer patients and identify gaps limiting evidence-based practise. METHODS: A systematic search of databases and websites was conducted to identify nutrition guidelines for cancer patients. The quality of the eligible guidelines was evaluated by using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II). The Measurement Scale of Rate of Agreement (MSRA) was used to assess the scientific agreement of formulated recommendations for nutrition care procedures in the guidelines (2017-2019), and evidence supporting these recommendations was extracted and analysed. RESULTS: Seventeen nutrition guidelines for cancer patients were identified. Only European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and Australian guidelines have a total quality score of more than 60%, which is worthy of clinical recommendation. Twelve guidelines (2017-2019) were included to further analyse the heterogeneity and causes of nutrition care procedures, and we found that the content and tools of nutrition screening and assessment, the application of immune nutrients, and the selection of nutritional support pathways were heterogeneous. The main reasons for the heterogeneity of nutrition care procedures were insufficient attention to nutrition risk screening, differences in recommendations for nutrition assessment, immune nutrients and nutritional support, unreasonable citation of screening and assessment evidence, preference of developers, and lack of evidence of high-quality research on energy and nitrogen demand. In addition, the fairness and propensity of the guidelines for the selection of evidence for different cancer patients are also potential reasons for the heterogeneity of nutritional care procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the nutrition guidelines for cancer patients was highly variable. The nutrition care procedures were heterogeneous among the different guidelines in the last 3 years. Specific improvement of the factors leading to the heterogeneity of nutrition care procedures will be a reasonable and effective way for developers to upgrade the nutrition care procedures in the guidelines for cancer patients.

Hepatoprotective effects of ethanol extracts from Folium Syringae against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The leaves of Folium Syringae (FS) have been long used as a traditional Chinese folk medicine for their anti-inflammatory effect, utilized as an antibacterial and antiviral treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential hepatoprotective effects of FS on acetaminophen-induced hepatic injury in primary hepatocytes and mice. METHODS: Hepatocytes obtained by the inverse perfusion method were divided randomly into five groups. Prior to acetaminophen exposure, 3 different doses of FS ethanol extracts were given to hepatocytes and mice, respectively. Thereafter, transaminases, glutathione S-transferase A1 (GSTA1) and some hepatic indices were determined. RESULTS: FS ethanol extracts (200 µg/mL) pretreatment prevented all of the alterations, returning their levels to nearly those levels observed in the control group in vitro. Treatment with FS ethanol extracts (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the toxicity induced by acetaminophen in vivo, which manifested as a decrease in transaminases, and the hepatoprotective effects of FS were similar to Silymarin (positive group). GSTA1 represented the same change trend as transaminases and hepatic indices, and at a dose of 100 µg/mL FS ethanol extracts in vitro and 100 mg/kg in vivo, GSTA1 content changed significantly (p < 0.01), but transaminases were insignificant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our investigation suggested that FS ethanol extracts possess significant protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, GSTA1 could be used as an indicator assessing the extents of hepatic injury, which is more sensitive than transaminases.

Intranasal oxytocin administration improves depression-like behaviors in adult rats that experienced neonatal maternal deprivation.

Oxytocin (OT), a hypothalamic neuropeptide, has been implicated in the regulation of social behaviors in rodents and humans. This study assessed the effects of intranasal administration of OT on depressive-like behaviors and hippocampal neurogenesis in adult rats following neonatal maternal deprivation (NMD). Here, we show that NMD resulted in significant depression-like behaviors, as indicated by decreases in physical activity and emotional reactivity in a novel environment, in 2-month-old animals. Notably, the OT levels in the plasma, hypothalamus, and hippocampus were decreased in these animals. Intranasal administration of OT reduced the depressive-like behaviors in NMD rats and rescued hippocampal long-term plasticity impaired by NMD stress in rats by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis. These results indicate that OT alleviates the depressive-like behaviors in NMD adult rats, probably mediated by improving adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

Antibacterial constituents of Fructus Chebulae Immaturus and their mechanisms of action.

BACKGROUND: To extract, purify, and identify the effective constituents of aqueous extract of Fructus Chebulae Immaturus, and analyze the bactericidal effects of total tannins. METHODS: Preparative thin layer chromatography and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography were used to isolate and purify the total tannin fraction. (1)H- and (13)C- NMR spectroscopy were used to elucidate compound structures. The antibacterial activities of total tannins and ethyl gallate on Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) were determined through minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration assays. Their antibacterial mechanisms of action were explored by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated: ellagic acid, ethyl gallate, arjugenin, ß-sitosterol, and tri-n-butyl chebulate. Tri-n-butyl chebulate is a newly-reported compound. Total tannins and ethyl gallate both had favorable bactericidal effects against KP and SA. CONCLUSION: In vivo and in vitro pharmacodynamic experiment demonstrated that the effective components of Fructus Chebulae Immaturus possessed significant antibacterial effects, and were nontoxic and safe. TRIAL REGISTRATION: No results of a health care intervention on human participants.

Modulating fcc and hcp Ruthenium on the Surface of Palladium-Copper Alloy through Tunable Lattice Mismatch.

Herein, we report an epitaxial-growth-mediated method to grow face-centered cubic (fcc) Ru, which is thermodynamically unfavorable in the bulk form, on the surface of Pd-Cu alloy. Induced by the galvanic replacement between Ru and Pd-Cu alloy, a shape transformation from a Pd-Cu@Ru core-shell to a yolk-shell structure was observed during the epitaxial growth. The successful coating of the unconventional crystallographic structure is critically dependent on the moderate lattice mismatch between the fcc Ru overlayer and PdCu3 alloy substrate. Further, both fcc and hexagonal close packed (hcp) Ru can be selectively grown through varying the lattice spacing of the Pd-Cu substrate. The presented findings provide a new synthetic pathway to control the crystallographic structure of metal nanomaterials.