Inflammatory microenvironment in gastric premalignant lesions: implication and application.

Gastric precancerous lesions (GPL) are a major health concern worldwide due to their potential to progress to gastric cancer (GC). Understanding the mechanism underlying the transformation from GPL to GC can provide a fresh insight for the early detection of GC. Although chronic inflammation is prevalent in the GPL, how the inflammatory microenvironment monitored the progression of GPL-to-GC are still elusive. Inflammation has been recognized as a key player in the progression of GPL. This review aims to provide an overview of the inflammatory microenvironment in GPL and its implications for disease progression and potential therapeutic applications. We discuss the involvement of inflammation in the progression of GPL, highlighting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as a mediator for inflammatory microenvironment and a key driver to GC progression. We explore the role of immune cells in mediating the progression of GPL, and focus on the regulation of inflammatory molecules in this disease. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of targeting inflammatory pathways for GPL. There are currently no specific drugs for GPL treatment, but traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and natural antioxidants, known as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, exhibit promising effects in suppressing or reversing the progression of GPL. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives in the field are proposed. Overall, this review highlights the central role of the inflammatory microenvironment in the progression of GPL, paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches in the future.

Exploring a multi-objective optimization operation model of water projects for boosting synergies and water quality improvement in big river systems.

Due to excessive nutrient enrichment and rapidly increasing water demand, the occurrence of riverine environment deterioration events such as algal blooms in rivers of China has become more frequent and severe since the 1990s, which has imposed harmful consequences on riverine ecosystems. However, tackling river algal blooms as an important issue of restoring riverine environment is very challenging because the complex interaction mechanisms between the causes are impacted by multiple factors. The contributions of our study consist of: (1) optimizing joint operation of water projects for boosting synergies of water quality and quantity, and hydroelectricity; and (2) preventing algal bloom from perspectives of hydrological and water-quality conditions by regulating water releases of water projects. This study proposed a multi-objective optimization methodology grounded on the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm to simultaneously minimize the excess values of algal bloom indicators (water quality, O1), minimize the used reservoir capacity for water supply (water quantity, O2), and maximize the hydropower generation (hydroelectricity, O3). The proposed methodology was applied to several catastrophic algal bloom events that took place between 2017 and 2021 and thirteen water projects in the Hanjiang River of China. The results indicated that the proposed methodology largely stimulated the synergistic benefits of the three objectives by reaching a 36.7% reduction in total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, a 33.1% improvement in the remaining reservoir capacity, and a 41.0% improvement in hydropower output, as compared with those of the standard operation policy (SOP). In addition, the optimal water release schemes of water projects would increase the minimum streamflow velocity of downstream algal bloom control stations by 8.6%-9.4%. This study provides a new perspective on water project operation in the environmental improvement in big river systems while boosting multi-objectives synergies to support environmentalists and decision-makers with scientific guidance on sustainable water resources management.

Hedyotis diffusa alleviate aflatoxin B1-induced liver injury in ducks by mediating Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), the most harmful aflatoxins, is a frequent contamination in feed and food items, raising global concerns in animal production and human public health. Also, AFB1 induces oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, mutations, and DNA lesions through its metabolic transformation into aflatoxin B1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO) by cytochrome P450 (CYP450). Hedyotis diffusa (HD) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine known for its multiple pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory. Yet, the influence of HD on AFB1-induced liver injury in ducks is still unknown. Here, we investigated whether HD positively affects AFB1-induced liver injury in ducks. Results revealed that I) AFB1 caused significant changes in serum biochemical indices and decreased growth performance of ducks (such as ALT, AST, ALP, TP, ALB, final body weight, and body weight gain), whereas HD supplementation at 200 mg/kg mitigated these alterations. II) HD alleviated hepatic histopathological changes and liver index induced by AFB1 in ducks. III) HD significantly attenuated AFB1-induced oxidative stress, as measured by increased antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD, GPx, and T-AOC and decreased MDA levels. Furthermore, HD reduced the level of AFB1-DNA adduct in duck liver. IV) HD significantly promoted the transcriptional expression of NF-E2-related nuclear factor 2 (Nrf2) and associated genes, including heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic (GCLC). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that HD could activate the Nrf2 pathway in ducks to reduce the hepatotoxicity driven by AFB1. This finding also provides theoretical and data support for a deeper understanding of the toxic mechanisms of AFB1 and its prevention.

Ruan Jian Qing Mai Recipe Inhibits the Inflammatory Response in Acute Lower Limb Ischemic Mice through the JAK2/STAT3 Pathway.

Ruan jian qing mai recipe (RJQM) is an empirical prescription for treating arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO). However, the mechanism of RJQM recipe-mediated ASO attenuation has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the mechanism by which the RJQM recipe relieves ASO in a mouse model of lower limb ischemia, which was established by ligating and breaking the femoral artery of the left lower limb. The surgical groups were divided into the ischemic group, beraprost sodium group, low-dose RJQM group, medium-dose RJQM group, and high-dose RJQM group. Normal mice were set as the control group. The blood flow of the lower limb was examined on days 7 and 14. At the end of animal procedures, blood samples were collected, and the rectus femoris of the left lower limb were harvested. Results revealed that mice in the ischemic group demonstrated low blood flow. Additionally, hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson staining results showed that inflammation of the rectus femoris was obvious in the ischemia group, and the level of fibrosis was increased. Blood flow was recovered in all treatment groups compared to the ischemic group, and the inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of the rectus femoris were relieved after RJQM treatment. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-21 were decreased, and the expression of JAK2/STAT3 proteins was inhibited in all RJQM treatment groups compared to the ischemia group. Furthermore, the improvement of IL-17A, IL-21, and rectus femoris fibrosis was more obvious with increasing treatment time. In conclusion, RJQM can effectively alleviate ASO and promote the recovery of lower limb blood flow by regulating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to reduce the inflammatory response.

Moxa Wool in Different Purities and Different Growing Years Measured by Terahertz Spectroscopy.

Moxa wool is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, which can warm channels to dispel coldness. At present, there is no unified index to evaluate the purity and growing years of moxa wool in the market. Terpineol is one of the effective substances in the volatile oil of moxa wool. Here, we characterize the purity and growing years of moxa wool by studying terpineol. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are the methods for monitoring terpineol at present, all of which have defects of complicated procedures. We established linear fitting to distinguish the different purities of moxa wool through the intensities (areas) of terpineol, the characteristic peaks, and the consequence presented; the coefficient of determination (R 2) was higher than 0.90. Furthermore, based on the characteristic peak position of standard terpineol, the correlation model with the purity and growing year of moxa wool was set up, thereby differentiating the quality of moxa wool. We have built the partial least squares (PLS) model of the growing years of moxa wool with high accuracy, and the determination coefficient is greater than 0.98. In addition, we compare the quantitative accuracy of Raman spectroscopy with terahertz technology. Finally, a new method of terahertz spectroscopy to evaluate quality of moxa wool was found. It provides a new idea for the identification of inferior moxa wool in the market and a new method for identifying the quality of moxa wool in traditional Chinese medicine.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Relationship Between 25-OH-Vitamin D and Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

Background: The fat-soluble molecule vitamin D has attracted much attention since its pleiotropism was discovered. Its effectiveness can be attributed to the presence of vitamin D receptors in most of the body's tissues. Based on the classical role of vitamin D in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism and maintaining bone health, the role of vitamin D in immunity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), tumor and cardiovascular diseases has been further discovered. Some experiments have shown that vitamin D can restore the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) in primary diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) cells, which can improve in vitro wound healing, indicating its potential therapeutic use in DFU therapy. In addition, vitamin D can also inhibit the secretion of T-helper type 1 (Th1) cytokines IFN-Y and IL-2 while stimulating the production of Th2 cytokines, thereby promoting wound healing. Objective: To investigate the relationship between 25-OH-vitamin D level and DFU in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, and to provide a theoretical basis for the early prevention and treatment of DFU. Methods: The clinical data of 429 hospitalized patients with DM were retrospectively analyzed in this case-control study. The patients were divided into the DFU group (n = 242) and non-DFU group (n = 187). Fasting venous blood was drawn from all subjects to detect serum 25-OH-vitamin D levels and blood biochemical parameters, the difference of parameters between DFU group and non-DFU group were analyzed, and the risk factors of DFU were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: The difference between the two groups in age, DM duration, gender, diastolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, 25-OH-vitamin D was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 25-OH-vitamin D is an independent protective factor for DFU [OR 95%, CI 0.984 (0.969, 0.998), p < 0.05]. 25-OH-vitamin D nutrition status distribution was different between non-DFU group and DFU group (P < 0.05). Vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/L) accounted for 86.78% of all DFU patients, which was only 74.33% in non-DFU patients. The 25-OH-vitamin D levels of DFU patients from Wagner Grades 1 to 5 showed a downward trend (p < 0.01). Conclusion: In conclusion, our study confirms that 25-OH-vitamin D is closely correlated with DFU and that 25-OH-vitamin D is an independent protective factor for DFU. Therefore, vitamin D screening or supplementation might be beneficial to prevent DFU and improve the prognosis of DM patients.

Effects of Environmental and Spatial Variables on Bacteria in Zhanjiang Mangrove Sediments.

The bottom mud of mangroves contains numerous microbial groups that play an important role in the main ecological functions of the mangrove ecosystem. The diversity and functional and environmental factors related to microbial communities, in terms of the assembly process and in environmental adaptation of the abundance and rare bacterial communities in the mangrove ecosystem, have not been fully explored. We used 16S high-throughput sequencing and operational taxonomic unit analysis to compare the diversity and composition of bacterial communities in different tidal zones in the sediments of the Zhanjiang Gaoqiao Mangrove Nature Reserve, compare the ecological adaptation thresholds and phylogenetic signals of bacterial communities under different environmental gradients, and examine the factors affecting the composition of the bacterial community. The diversity of microbial species and structure and function of the mangrove sediments were affected by the environment, showing the trend: mid tide zone > climax zone > low tide zone. Organic matter content, oxygen content, pH, and total phosphorus were identified as important environmental factors determining the functional diversity of bacterial communities and survival, while pH influences species evolution. The abundant taxa showed a wider response threshold and stronger phylogenetic signals of ecological preference across environmental gradients compared to rare taxa. The abundant bacterial groups have broader environmental adaptability than rare bacterial groups, and different environmental factors affect different communities and functions in the mangrove ecological environment. These results elucidate the mechanism underlying the generation and maintenance of bacterial diversity in response to global environmental changes.

Osteoking downregulates Mgp in an osteoporotic fracture rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of osteoking, a Traditional Chinese Medicine originating from Yi nationality, against osteoporosis (OP) and osteoporotic fracture (OPF), and to elucidate its mechanism of action. METHODS: An osteoporotic fracture rat model was established; animals were divided into three treatment groups: parathyroid hormone, osteoking and 0.9%NaCl. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, serum and bone tissues were collected. Enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay, x-ray, histopathological evaluation and proteomics were used. Proteomics and GO annotation were performed based on identified peptides. The relative network was obtained from the STRING database and verified by polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. RESULTS: After osteoking treatment, the bone mineral density (BMD) increased with time in the osteoking group. At week 12, the BMD and bone mineral salt content of the osteoking group were 4.5% and 20.6% higher than those of the negative control group, respectively. Furthermore, the body weight followed the order of positive control group > osteoking group > negative control group, with significant differences among the groups (P < 0.05). Micro-CT analysis of femur sections revealed that the bone surface/volume ratio was significantly higher in the osteoking group than that in the negative control group. X-ray images demonstrated that the osteoking group showed clear callus. Moreover, high-voltage micro-CT demonstrated a massive cortical bone accumulation in the osteoking group. The gray values of callus in the osteoking group were higher than those in the negative group. From week 4 to 12, the serum bone alkaline phosphatase level increased by 49.6% in the osteoking group and the serum propeptide of type Ⅰprocollagen level decreased by 80.6%. Alizarin red staining demonstrated that the calcium deposition in the osteoking group was higher than that in the negative control group. Notably, the expression of Mgp, a key osteogenesis inhibitor, was lower in the osteoking group compared with the negative control group. Moreover, Sparc, bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Bglap expression was higher in the osteoking group through activation of the transforming growth factor-receptor activator of nuclear factor κB Ligand pathway. CONCLUSION: Osteoking treatment increased bone quality and promoted calcium deposition. The results suggest that osteoking inhibits Mgp through the TGF-ß/RANKL pathway to improve OP/OPF.

Osteoking improves OP rat by enhancing HSP90­ß expression.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic bone disease that affects individuals worldwide. Osteoporosis is primarily asymptomatic, and patients with OP suffer from pain, inconvenience, economic pressure and osteoporotic fracture (OPF). Osteoking, a Traditional Chinese Medicine compound that originates from the Yi ethnic group, has been used for a number of years to treat fractures. In our previous study, osteoking exhibited therapeutic effects on rats with OPF by promoting calcium deposition. Based on bioinformatics and network pharmacology analyses of a component­target­disease database, heat shock protein HSP 90­ß (HSP90­ß), also known as HSP90­ß, was identified to be a key target of osteoking in OP. High HSP90­ß expression levels were observed in osteoporotic rats and rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) following osteoking treatment. After 12 weeks of administration in vivo, there was increased bone mineral density (BMD) (P<0.05), increased bone alkaline phosphatase (P<0.05), and improved bone microstructure in the osteoking group compared with those of the negative control group. In vitro, increased calcium deposition in rBMSCs was observed after 4 weeks of osteoking treatment. These results suggest that the mechanisms of osteoking are closely associated with HSP90­ß and activate the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway, primarily through BMP­2. Osteoking treatment improves OP in rats by enhancing HSP90­ß expression.

The combined effect of oleonuezhenide and wedelolactone on proliferation and osteoblastogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Regulation of the survival and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is an essential consideration in the development of targeted drugs for treatment of osteoporosis. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide, two compounds from Chinese formula Er-Zhi-Wan, on osteoblastogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: MTT assay was taken to evaluate cell proliferation. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay was used to determine the activity of ALP. Alizarin red S (ARS) staining was taken to indicate the intensity of the calcium deposits. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to the levels of Runx2, Osteocalcin, and Osterix expression in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Ovariectomized mouse model and bone histomorphometric analysis were also used to research the effects of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide on bone loss caused by ovariectomy. RESULTS: Wedelolactone combined with oleonuezhenide enhanced osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization. Osteoblastogenesis-related marker genes including osteocalcin, Runx2, and osteorix were upregulated in the presence of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide. At the molecular level, oleonuezhenide did not affect GSK-3ß phosphorylation induced by wedelolactone, but elevated casein kinase 2-alpha (CK2α) expression, resulting in ß-catenin and Runx2 nuclear translocation. In addition, 30 µM wedelolactone-induced cytotoxicity in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was relieved by 9 µM oleonuezhenide. These cells were protected by oleonuezhenide and maintained osteoblastic activity. Oleonuezhenide increased Wnt5a and CK2α expression. Wedelolactone-reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation was reversed by oleonuezhenide. In ovariectomized mice, administration of wedelolactone and oleonuezhenide prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss by enhancing osteoblastic activity. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that oleonuezhenide enhanced the effects of wedelolactone on osteoblastogenesis. These two compounds could be developed as a combined therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Effect of Konjac Mannan Oligosaccharides on Glucose Homeostasis via the Improvement of Insulin and Leptin Resistance In Vitro and In Vivo.

Functional oligosaccharides, particularly konjac mannan oligosaccharides (KMOS), can regulate glucose metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the hypoglycemic effect of KMOS remain largely unknown. Here, the effect of KMOS supplementation on glucose homeostasis was evaluated in both high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice and high-glucosamine-induced HepG2 cells. KMOS supplementation remarkably ameliorated the fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and insulin tolerance of HFD-fed mice. Abnormalities of triglyceride and glycogen metabolism in the liver induced by the HFD were reversed by KMOS supplementation. The insulin signaling pathway was activated by KMOS, with stimulation of GLUT2 membrane translocation and glucose uptake in HepG2 cells via the AMPK pathway. Moreover, KMOS suppressed p-mTOR expression and stimulated the GSK-3ß/CREB pathway via the AMPK pathway. KMOS significantly upregulated leptin receptor expression and downregulated PTP1B and SOCS3 levels in the liver and brain, with a decreased serum leptin concentration. Phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 in the liver was activated by KMOS supplementation, while the expressions of Sirt1, Tfam, and Pgc1-α in the brain were elevated. Conclusively, KMOS attenuated HFD-induced glucose metabolism dysfunction through the regulation of insulin resistance and leptin resistance. This finding indicates that KMOS have potential value as an anti-hyperglycemic dietary supplement.

Development and validation of a UFLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of sixty-six saponins and their six aglycones: Application to comparative analysis of red ginseng and white ginseng.

A new and sensitive ultra fast liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method was developed to evaluate the quality of Red ginseng (RG) and to find out its chemical markers by comparing with multi-batches of RG and white ginseng (WG). This innovative method could quantify sixty-six saponins and their six aglycones including 10 pairs of 20(S) and 20(R) epimers within 35 min simultaneously. All compounds could be determined in individual multiple-reaction monitoring channel without interference, and the optimized method was rapid, accurate, precise, reproducible and efficient. Using the orthogonal partial least squared discriminant analysis, ginsenosides Rg5, Rh4, Rk1, Rs4, F4, and 20(S)-Rg3 were found to be the characteristic components of RG, the six compounds should be suggested as quality control markers to distinguish RG from WG. These findings will be significant for standardizing the processing procedures of RG and ensuring the consistent quality, as well as consequently the efficacy of RG in clinical applications. Results will be helpful in providing crucial chemical profiles of RG.

Wedelolactone Enhances Osteoblastogenesis through ERK- and JNK-mediated BMP2 Expression and Smad/1/5/8 Phosphorylation.

Our previous study showed that wedelolactone, a compound isolated from Ecliptae herba, has the potential to enhance osteoblastogenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which wedelolactone promoted osteoblastogenesis from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) remain largely unknown. In this study, treatment with wedelolactone (2 µg/mL) for 3, 6, and 9 days resulted in an increase in phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK), and p38. Phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), ERK and JNK started to increase on day 3 of treatment, and p38 phosphorylation was increased by day 6 of treatment. Expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP2) mRNA and phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 was enhanced after treatment of cells with wedelolactone for 6 and 9 days. The addition of the JNK inhibitor SP600125, ERK inhibitor PD98059, and p38 inhibitor SB203580 suppressed wedelolactone-induced alkaline-phosphatase activity, bone mineralization, and osteoblastogenesis-related marker genes including Runx2, Bglap, and Sp7. Increased expression of BMP2 mRNA and Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation was blocked by SP600125 and PD98059, but not by SB203580. These results suggested that wedelolactone enhanced osteoblastogenesis through induction of JNK- and ERK-mediated BMP2 expression and Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation.

The inhibitory effect of Aconiti Sinomontani Radix extracts on the proliferation and migration of human synovial fibroblast cell line SW982.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Aconiti Sinomontani Radix is frequently used in the treatment of Bi syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine. Several reports indicate that Aconiti Sinomontani Radix has therapeutic effects for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the cellular mode of action is still unclear. To investigate the effect of alkaloid extracts of Aconiti Sinomontani Radix on proliferation and migration of human synovial sarcoma SW982 cells as well as the molecular mechanism underlying. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SW982 cells were examined for proliferation by a 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Wound scratch assays were performed to assess the migrated rate of SW982 cells. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a, Runx2, MMP3, and Bmp2. Western blotting was used to measure the phosphorylated levels of JNK and NF-κB as well as the expression of MMP3. RESULTS: The alkaloid extract from Aconiti Sinomontani Radix (MQA) and MQB, which removed lappaconitine from MQA significantly inhibited the proliferation of SW982 in a dose-dependent manner. The proliferation inhibitory effect of MQB was more potent. Incubation with 10µg/ml MQB for 12, 24, and 36h inhibited the migration of SW982 cells by 83%, 58%, and 42%, respectively. Treatment with different concentrations of MQB for 24h inhibited mRNA expression of Wnt5a, Runx2, and MMP3, but Bmp2 mRNA expression was elevated by MQB. Further, MQB inhibited phosphorylation of JNK and NF-κB p65 as well as MMP3 expression by Western blotting analysis. CONCLUSION: The results showed that MQB inhibited proliferation and migration of SW982 cells possibly through suppressing Wnt5a-mediated JNK and NF-κB pathways. These results indicated that MQB might be an active extract of Aconiti Sinomontani Radix for targeting fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and be potential for RA therapy.

RGD-QD-MoS2 nanosheets for targeted fluorescent imaging and photothermal therapy of cancer.

The fast-developing field of nanotechnology provides unprecedented opportunities for the increasing demands of biomedicine, especially for cancer diagnostics and treatment. Here, novel multifunctional zero-dimensional-two-dimensional (0D-2D) RGD-QD-MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) with excellent fluorescence, photothermal conversion, and cancer-targeting properties were successfully prepared by functionalizing single-layer MoS2 NSs with fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) and arginine-glycine-aspartic (RGD) containing peptides. By using RGD-QD-MoS2 NSs as a multifunctional theranostic agent, targeted fluorescent imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells were achieved. Moreover, HeLa tumors in mouse models can be fluorescently imaged and completely eradicated by photothermal irradiation using a low power NIR laser, due to the effective accumulation of RGD-QD-MoS2 NSs at the tumor sites through the RGD-integrin targeting and the enhanced penetration and retention (EPR) effect. Without exhibiting any appreciable toxicity to treated cells or animals, RGD-QD-MoS2 NSs have been demonstrated as promising multifunctional theranostic agents for cancer imaging and therapy.

Simultaneous quantification of twenty-one ginsenosides and their three aglycones in rat plasma by a developed UFLC-MS/MS assay: Application to a pharmacokinetic study of red ginseng.

To track the pharmacokinetic features of red ginseng (RG), a rapid and sensitive ultra fast liquid chromatographic coupled with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous quantification of twenty-one ginsenosides and their three aglycones, including 18 prototype compounds (ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1, Rg5, Rh4, Rk1, Rk3, 20(S)-Rf, 20(S)-Rg2, 20(R)-Rg2, 20(S)-Rg3, 20(R)-Rg3, 20(S)-Rh1, 20(R)-Rh1, 20(S)-NG-R2), and 6 metabolites (ginsenosides 20(S)-Rh2 and Rh3, 20(S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD), 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT), 20(R)-PPT, ginseng saponin compound K) of RG in rat plasma after oral administration of RG water extract at a single dose of 4g/kg body weight to rats. All analytes with internal standard (digoxin) were detected by multiple reaction monitoring in negative ionization mode and separated on an ACQUITY UPLC® BEH RP-C18 column (1.7µm, 100×2.1mm). This established method was well validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, intra- and inter-day precisions, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, stability, and had a lower limit of quantification at the concentration range of 0.12-8.12ng/mL for all of analytes. This UFLC-MS/MS approach was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study for RG water extract in rats. We firstly proposed that Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Rg1, Rg5, 20(S)-Rg3, 20(S)-Rh2, and 20(S)-PPD measured in rat plasma were suitable pharmacokinetic markers of RG extract in rats due to their high systemic exposure levels. Thus, this specific and reliable method will be useful for future applications to pharmacokinetic studies for various sources of ginsenoside samples and Panax herbs in vivo.

Cichoric Acid Reverses Insulin Resistance and Suppresses Inflammatory Responses in the Glucosamine-Induced HepG2 Cells.

Cichoric acid, a caffeic acid derivative found in Echinacea purpurea, basil, and chicory, has been reported to have bioactive effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and preventing insulin resistance. In this study, to explore the effects of CA on regulating insulin resistance and chronic inflammatory responses, the insulin resistance model was constructed by glucosamine in HepG2 cells. CA stimulated glucosamine-mediated glucose uptake by stimulating translocation of the glucose transporter 2. Moreover, the production of reactive oxygen, the expression of COX-2 and iNOS, and the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were attenuated. Furthermore, CA was verified to promote glucosamine-mediated glucose uptake and inhibited inflammation through PI3K/Akt, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling pathways in HepG2 cells. These results implied that CA could increase glucose uptake, improve insulin resistance, and attenuate glucosamine-induced inflammation, suggesting that CA is a potential natural nutraceutical with antidiabetic properties and anti-inflammatory effects.

[Researching on fingerprint of Inulacappa by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: This study is to establish the fingerprint and find out the common chromatographic peaks of Inula cappa by HPLC. METHOD: The HPLC analysis was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column (2.1 mm x 150 mm, 1.8 µm) with 0.1% fomic acid aqueous solution-0.1% fomic acid acetonitrile solution as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 · mL(-1) · min(-1); The detective wavelength is 325 nm; The column temperature is 45 °C. RESULT: The results indicated that 5 of 17 common peaks were identified . The similarity about 10 groups of Inulacappais is over 0.95. CONCLUSION: This method is able to be a scientific basis of quality assessment according to its convenient and reliable.

New 9, 19-cycloartane triterpenoid from the root of Cimicifuga foetida.

AIM: To study the 9, 19-cycloartane triterpenes from the roots of Cimicifuga foetida. METHOD: Chromatographic separations by silica gel, C18 reversed phase silica gel, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used. All of the structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. RESULTS: Five 9, 19-cycloartane triterpenes, (3ß, 12ß, 15α, 24R)-12, 2'-diacetoxy-24, 25-epoxy-15-hydroxy-16, 23-dione-3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (1), actein (2), 23-epi-26-deoxyactein (3), asiaticoside B (4), and 12ß-hydroxycimigenol (5) were isolated from the roots of Cimicifuga foetida. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 is a new triterpene with two acetoxy groups at C-2' and C-12.

Inhibition of advanced glycation end product formation by Pu-erh tea ameliorates progression of experimental diabetic nephropathy.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) has been implicated in the development of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the effects of Pu-erh tea on AGE accumulation associated with diabetic nephropathy. Although it did not affect blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivy, Pu-erh tea treatment for 8 weeks attenuated the increases in urinary albumin, serum creatinine, and mesangial matrix in db/db mice. We found that Pu-erh tea prevented diabetes-induced accumulation of AGEs and led to a decreased level of receptor for AGE expression in glomeruli. Both production and clearance of carbonyl compounds, the main precursor of AGE formation, were probably attenuated by Pu-erh tea in vivo independent of glyoxalase I expression. In vitro, HPLC assay demonstrated Pu-erh tea could trap methylglyoxal in a dose-dependent manner. Our study raises the possibility that inhibition of AGE formation by carbonyl trapping is a promising approach to prevent or arrest the progression of diabetic complications.