The mechanism of Semen Persicae-Flos Carthami in treating hypertrophic scar: A study based on network pharmacological analysis and in vitro experiments.

Traditional medicine believes that hypertrophic scar (HS) falls into the category of "blood stasis". Chinese herbs for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, activating meridians, and relieving pain are usually selected to treat HS by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Both Semen Persicae (SP) and Flos Carthami (FC) are confirmed to be effective for HS. Clinically, SP and FC are often used in combination with each other. However, the pharmacodynamic mechanism and molecular target of SP-FC in the treatment of HS are still unclear. Therefore, this study is intended to explore the mechanism and target of SP-FC in the treatment of HS through network pharmacology combined with in vitro cell and molecular biology experiments. Target genes of SP-FC were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP), and targets of HS-related diseases were searched from databases such as Disgenet and GeneCards. Based on the targets searched and obtained, a Venn diagram was plotted to acquire common targets of SP-FC-HS. Next, STRING 11.0 was employed for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of common targets; and cytoscape 3.9.0 for connection relationship analysis of PPI and plotting of a "drug-component-target" network diagram. Besides, a modified explant culture method was applied to separate primary hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs); MTT assay to detect cell viability of HSFs after treatment by SP-FC for 24 h; Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining combined with flow cytometry to test apoptosis; western blot to check the protein expression level of p53; and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR to determine mRNA level of p53. In the analysis of network pharmacology, 269 pharmacological targets of SP, 449 pharmacological targets of FC, and 2569 targets of HS-related diseases were screened from the databases. After plotting the Venn diagram, 116 common targets of SP-FC-HS were acquired. In vitro experiments showed that the expression of p53 in HSFs was decreased. SP-FC significantly reduces the viability of HSFs, increases p53 levels in HSFs, and promotes apoptosis. SP-FC can reduce scar formation by promoting p53 expression.

The efficacy and mechanism of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels root aqueous extract based on RNA sequencing and 16S rDNA sequencing in alleviating polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) leads to persistent anovulation, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and polycystic ovary, and is mainly characterized by menstrual disorders, and reproductive dysfunction. Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels root has been used in many classical formulas of traditional Chinese medicine, and is commonly used to treat various gynecological diseases. PURPOSE: To investigate the protective effect of water extract of A. sinensis root (WEA) on PCOS rats, and the mechanism by RNA sequencing, and 16S rDNA sequencing. METHODS: The PCOS rat model was established by letrozole combined with high-fat diet (gavage; 2 months), and treated with WEA (gavage; 2 g/kg, 4 g/kg or 8 g/kg; 1 month). To evaluate the therapeutic effect of WEA on PCOS rats, vaginal smear, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and biochemical indicators detection were performed. The rat ovarian tissue was analyzed by RNA sequencing, and the results were verified by qRT-PCR, and Western blot. 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiota of rats. RESULTS: The results of the vaginal smear, and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that WEA improved estrous cycle disorder, and ovarian tissue lesions. WEA (4 g/kg or 8 g/kg; 1 months) alleviated hormone disorders, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. RNA sequencing showed that WEA intervention significantly changed the expressions of 2756 genes, which were enriched in phosphatidylinositol3-kinase/phosphorylated protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and insulin signaling pathways. 16S rDNA sequencing found that WEA increased the species diversity of gut microbiota, and regulated the abundance of some microbiota (genus level: Dubosiella, Bifidobacterium, Coriobacteriaceae (UCG-002), and Treponema; species level: Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus murinus, and Lactobacillus johnsonii). CONCLUSION: WEA regulated hormone, and glycolipid metabolism disorders, thereby relieving the PCOS induced by letrozole combined with high-fat diet. The mechanism was related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT, PPAR, MAPK, AMPK, and insulin signaling pathways in ovarian tissues, and the maintenance of gut microbiota homeostasis. Clarifying the efficacy and mechanism of WEA in alleviating PCOS based on RNA sequencing and 16S rDNA sequencing will guide the more reasonable clinical use of WEA.

Effects of Chengqi Decoction on Complications and Prognosis of Patients with Pneumonia-Derived Sepsis: Retrospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: A specific and efficacious method for treatment of pneumonia-derived sepsis is lacking. Chengqi decoction has been used for treatment of pneumonia-derived sepsis, but a clinical trial on patients with pneumonia-derived sepsis is lacking, a gap in the literature that we sought to fill. Patients and Methods. 282 patients with pneumonia-derived sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital were selected. They were divided into the treatment group (141 cases) and control group (141 cases). Both groups underwent conventional treatment, but Chengqi decoction (in the form of enema) was given to the treatment group. Mortality, morbidity (abdominal distension and gastrointestinal bleeding), duration of antibiotic use, and use of vasoactive agents were documented 28 days after the drug was used. RESULTS: The treatment group reduced mortality and morbidity (abdominal distension) (P < 0.05). After adjustment for significant covariates, 28-day survival was similar for the whole group (hazard ratio (HR): 0.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23-0.97; P=0.037), for the subgroup (n = 120) with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score ≥25 (HR: 0.180; 95% CI: 0.032-0.332; P=0.039) and for the subgroup (n = 66) with N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide <1800 (0.059, 0.004-0.979, and 0.019). There was no difference between the two groups for the duration of antibiotic use, major bleeding, or use of vasoactive drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Chengqi decoction improved 28-day survival and reduced the prevalence of abdominal distension in patients with pneumonia-derived sepsis.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel tanshinone IIA derivatives for treating pain.

Due to ineffectiveness and side effects of existing analgesics, chronic pain has become one of the most complex and difficult problems in the clinic. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is an essential hydrolase in the endocannabinoid system and has been identified as a potential target for the treatment of pain. In the present study, we designed and synthesized twelve tanshinone IIA analogs and screened their activity against MAGL. Selected compounds were tested for analgesic activity in vivo, with the acetic acid writhing test model. Among the test compounds, compound III-3 (IC50 120 nmol·L-1) showed significant activity against MAGL and ameliorated the clinical progression in the mouse pain model. Additionally, compound III-3, substitution with N-methyl-2-morpholinoacetamide, demonstrated improved solubility relative to tanshinone IIA.

Sub-20 nm Si/Ge superlattice nanowires by metal-assisted etching.

An effective and low-cost method to fabricate hexagonally patterned, vertically aligned Si/Ge superlattice nanowires with diameters below 20 nm is presented. By combining the growth of Si/Ge superlattices by molecular beam epitaxy, prepatterning the substrate by anodic aluminum oxide masks, and finally metal-assisted chemical wet etching, this method generates highly ordered hexagonally patterned nanowires. This technique allows the fabrication of nanowires with a high area density of 10(10) wires/cm(2), including the control of their diameter and length.

Expression and characterization of aiiA gene from Bacillus subtilis BS-1.

AHL-lactonase (AiiA), a metallo-beta-lactamase produced by Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis, specifically hydrolyzes N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) secreted by Gram-negative bacteria and thereby attenuates the symptoms caused by plant pathogens. In this study, an aiiA gene was cloned from Bacillus subtilis BS-1 by PCR with a pair of degenerate primers. The deduced 250 amino acid sequence contained two small conserved regions, 103SHLHFDH109 and 166TPGHTPGH173, which are characteristic of the metallo-beta-lactamase family. Homology comparison revealed that the deduced amino acid sequence had a high degree of similarity with those of the known AiiA proteins in the B. cereus group. Additionally, the aiiA gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS and the expressed AiiA protein could attenuate the soft rot symptoms caused by Erwinia carotovora var. carotovora.