Species Identification and Genetic Diversity Analysis of Medicinal Plants Aconitum pendulum Busch and Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz.

The classification system for the genus Aconitum is highly complex. It is also the subject of ongoing debate. Aconitum pendulum Busch and Aconitum flavum Hand.-Mazz. are perennial herbs of the genus Aconitum. Dried roots of these two plants are used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, morphological observations and ISSR molecular markers were employed to discriminate between A. flavum and A. pendulum, with the objective of gaining insights into the interspecies classification of Aconitum. The pubescence on the inflorescence of A. flavum was found to be appressed, while that on the inflorescence of A. pendulum was spread. UPGMA (unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average) cluster analysis, PCoA (principal coordinates analysis), and Bayesian structural analysis divided the 199 individuals (99 individuals from DWM population and 100 individuals from QHL population) into two main branches, which is consistent with the observations of the morphology of pubescence on the inflorescence. These analyses indicated that A. flavum and A. pendulum are distinct species. No diagnostic bands were found between the two species. Two primer combinations (UBC808 and UBC853) were ultimately selected for species identification of A. flavum and A. pendulum. This study revealed high levels of genetic diversity in both A. flavum (He = 0.254, I = 0.395, PPB = 95.85%) and A. pendulum (He = 0.291, I = 0.445, PPB = 94.58%). We may say, therefore, that ISSR molecular markers are useful for distinguishing A. flavum and A. pendulum, and they are also suitable for revealing genetic diversity and population structure.

Bacterial vitamin B6 is required for post-embryonic development in C. elegans.

Nutritional intake influences animal growth, reproductive capacity, and survival of animals. Under nutrition deficiency, animal developmental arrest occurs as an adaptive strategy to survive. However, the nutritional basis and the underlying nutrient sensing mechanism essential for animal regrowth after developmental arrest remain to be explored. In Caenorhabditis elegans, larvae undergo early developmental arrest are stress resistant, and they require certain nutrients to recover postembryonic development. Here, we investigated the developmental arrest in C. elegans feeding on Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and the rescue of the diapause state with trace supplementation of Escherichia coli. We performed a genome-wide screen using 3983 individual gene deletion E. coli mutants and identified E. coli genes that are indispensable for C. elegans larval growth on originally not nutritionally sufficient bacteria L. plantarum. Among these crucial genes, we confirmed E. coli pdxH, and the downstream metabolite pyridoxal 5-P (PLP, Vitamin B6) as important nutritional factors for C. elegans postembryonic development. Transcriptome results suggest that bacterial pdxH affects host development by coordinating host metabolic processes and PLP binding. Additionally, the developmental arrest induced by the L. plantarum diet in worm does not depend on the activation of FoxO/DAF-16. Altogether, these results highlight the role of microbial metabolite PLP as a crucial cofactor to restore postembryonic development in C. elegans.

Elucidating the anti-inflammatory activity of platycodins in lung inflammation through pulmonary distribution dynamics and grey relational analysis of cytokines.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Platycodonis Radix (PR) is a traditional herbal remedy used to prevent and treat lung inflammation, and platycodins are speculated to be the major active constituents. However, concrete experimental verification for this assertion remains absent thus far. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to compare the pulmonary distribution dynamics of five platycodins and analyze their effects on cytokines. Through the grey relational analysis (GRA) between pulmonary active components and cytokines, the study ascertains platycodins as the potential effective component against lung inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat lung inflammation model was created using lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Pulmonary distribution dynamics were analyzed via LC-MS/MS. Cytokine changes and distribution patterns in lung tissues were studied by multi-factor reagent kit. GRA was applied to determine correlations between pulmonary components and cytokines. Finally, the anti-inflammatory properties of platycodins were further studied using LPS-induced BEAS-2B cells in vitro. RESULTS: The results showed that five platycodins (Platycodin D, Platycodin D3, Deapio Platycodin D, 3-O-ß-D-Glucopyranosyl Platycodigenin, and Platycodigenin) featured fast absorption rate, short time to peak, and slow metabolism rate. The pulmonary distribution dynamics were significantly affected within 2 h after LPS modeling. At the same time, PR altered the relationships among different cytokines induced by LPS stimulation, particularly inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-γ. The GRA results indicated good correlation between the pulmonary distribution dynamics of the five platycodins components and the changing patterns of cytokine levels, with Platycodin D3 contributing the most. Additionally, Platycodin D3 exhibited a protective role against LPS-induced inflammation by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-1ß, IL-8, and ROS, as well as increasing the expression of the anti-inflammatory mediator IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: Platycodins are the main anti-inflammatory agents in PR and there is a good correlation with cytokines. This contributes to the anti-pneumonia effect of PR.

Maternal exposure to 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide during pregnancy leads to disorder of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism in offspring.

Our previous study reveals that maternal exposure to 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) during pregnancy causes insufficient ovarian follicle reserve and decreased fertility in offspring. The present study aims to further explore the reasons for the significant decline of fecundity in mice caused by VCD, and to clarify the changes of gut microbiota and microbial metabolites in F1 mice. The ovarian metabolomics, gut microbiota and microbial metabolites were analyzed. The results of ovarian metabolomics analysis showed that maternal VCD exposure during pregnancy significantly reduced the concentration of carnitine in the ovaries of F1 mice, while supplementation with carnitine (isovalerylcarnitine and valerylcarnitine) significantly increased the number of ovulation. The results of 16 S rDNA-seq and microbial metabolites analysis showed that maternal VCD exposure during pregnancy caused disordered gut microbiota, increased abundance of Parabacteroides and Flexispira bacteria that are involved in secondary bile acid synthesis. The concentrations of NorDCA, LCA-3S, DCA and other secondary bile acids increased significantly. Our results indicate that maternal exposure to VCD during pregnancy leads to disorder in gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism in F1 mice, accompanying with decreased ovarian function, providing further evidence that maternal exposure to VCD during pregnancy has intergenerational deleterious effects on offspring.

Tu-Xian Decoction ameliorates diabetic cognitive impairment by inhibiting DAPK-1.

Tu-Xian decoction (TXD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been frequently administered to manage diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI). Despite its widespread use, the mechanisms underlying TXD's protective effects on DCI have yet to be fully elucidated. As a significant regulator in neurodegenerative conditions, death-associated protein kinase-1 (DAPK-1) serves as a focus for understanding the action of TXD. This study was designed to whether TXD mediates its beneficial outcomes by inhibiting DAPK-1. To this end, a diabetic model was established using Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats through a high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diet regimen, followed by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. The experimental cohort was stratified into six groups: Control, Diabetic, TC-DAPK6, high-dose TXD, medium-dose TXD, and low-dose TXD groups. Following a 12-week treatment period, various assessments-including blood glucose levels, body weight measurements, Morris water maze (MWM) testing for cognitive function, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histological analyses using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), and Nissl staining-were conducted. Protein expression in the hippocampus was quantified through Western blotting analysis. The results revealed that TXD significantly improved spatial learning and memory abilities, and preserved hippocampal structure in diabetic rats. Importantly, TXD administration led to a down-regulation of proteins indicative of neurological damage and suppressed DAPK-1 activity within the hippocampal region. These results underscore TXD's potential in mitigating DCIvia DAPK-1 inhibition, positioning it as a viable therapeutic candidate for addressing this condition. Further investigation into TXD's molecular mechanisms may elucidate new pathways for the treatment of DCI.

Biosynthesized gold nanoparticles that activate Toll-like receptors and elicit localized light-converting hyperthermia for pleiotropic tumor immunoregulation.

Manipulating the tumor immune contexture towards a more active state can result in better therapeutic outcomes. Here we describe an easily accessible bacterial biomineralization-generated immunomodulator, which we name Ausome (Au + [exo]some). Ausome comprises a gold nanoparticle core covered by bacterial components; the former affords an inducible hyperthermia effect, while the latter mobilizes diverse immune responses. Multiple pattern recognition receptors actively participate in Ausome-initiated immune responses, which lead to the release of a broad spectrum of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the activation of effector immune cells. Upon laser irradiation, tumor-accumulated Ausome elicits a hyperthermic response, which improves tissue blood perfusion and contributes to enhanced infiltration of immunostimulatory modules, including cytokines and effector lymphocytes. This immune-modulating strategy mediated by Ausome ultimately brings about a comprehensive immune reaction and selectively amplifies the effects of local antitumor immunity, enhancing the efficacy of well-established chemo- or immuno-therapies in preclinical cancer models in female mice.

Maize Genotypes Sensitive and Tolerant to Low Phosphorus Levels Exhibit Different Transcriptome Profiles under Talaromyces purpurogenus Symbiosis and Low-Phosphorous Stress.

Talaromyces purpurogenus, an endophytic fungus, exhibits beneficial effects on plants during plant-fungus interactions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying plants' responses to T. purpurogenus under low-phosphorous (P) stress are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the transcriptomic changes in maize with low-P-sensitive (31778) and -tolerant (CCM454) genotypes under low-P stress and its symbiotic interaction with T. purpurogenus. Its colonization enhanced plant growth and facilitated P uptake, particularly in 31778. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that 135 DEGs from CCM454 and 389 from 31778 were identified, and that only 6 DEGs were common. This suggested that CCM454 and 31778 exhibited distinct molecular responses to T. purpurogenus inoculation. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that DEGs in 31778 were associated with nicotianamine biosynthesis, organic acid metabolic process, inorganic anion transport, biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites and nitrogen metabolism. In CCM454, DEGs were associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis, diterpenoid biosynthesis and metabolic process. After T. purpurogenus inoculation, the genes associated with phosphate transporter, phosphatase, peroxidase and high-affinity nitrate transporter were upregulated in 31778, whereas AP2-EREBP-transcription factors were detected at significantly higher levels in CCM454. This study provided insights on the molecular mechanisms underlying plant-endophytic fungus symbiosis and low-P stress in maize with low-P-sensitive and -tolerant genotypes.

[Effect of traditional Chinese medicine in attenuating chronic kidney disease and its complications by regulating gut microbiota-derived metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide: a review].

Trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO), a metabolite of gut microbiota, is closely associated with chronic kidney disease(CKD). It can aggravate the kidney injury and promote the occurrence of complications of CKD mainly by inducing renal fibroblast activation, vascular endothelial inflammation, macrophage foaming, platelet hyperreactivity, and inhibition of reverse cholesterol transport. Thus it is of great significance for clinical treatment of CKD to regulate circulating TMAO and alleviate its induced body damage. Currently, therapeutic strategies for TMAO regulation include dietary structure adjustment, lifestyle intervention, intestinal microflora regulation, and inhibition of intestinal trimethylamine synthesis and liver trimethylamine oxidation. Chinese medicinal herbs have the clinical advantage of multi-component and multi-target effects, and application of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) to synergistically regulating TMAO and improving CKD via multiple pathways has broad prospects. This study systematically reviewed the clinical relevance and mechanism of TMAO in aggravating CKD renal function deterioration and complication progression. In addition, the effect and mechanism of TCM in improving TMAO-induced kidney injury, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis and osteoporosis were summarized. The results provided a theoretical basis for TCM in attenuating gut microbiota-derived metabolite TMAO and improving CKD, as well as a basis and direction for in-depth clinical development and mechanism research in the future.

Protocatechuic Acid Delays Postovulatory Oocyte Ageing in Mouse.

SCOPE: Tea is a popular beverage worldwide and has many health functions. Protocatechuic acid (PCA) is an important bioactive component of tea and has benefit to health. In some cases, oocytes after ovulation may miss the optimal fertilization time and enter a postovulatory ageing process. Therefore, to investigate the role of PCA in delaying oocyte ageing is aimed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Metaphase II (MII) oocytes aged in vitro are randomly divided into three groups: control, aged, and aged + PCA. PCA treatment (30 µM) reduces the fragmentation rate and the incidence of abnormal spindle morphology and chromosome misalignment of oocytes aged 24 h in vitro. The mitochondrial dysfunction of aged oocytes, such as decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen (ROS), is also alleviated by PCA. PCA also delays apoptosis of aged oocytes, and improves the sperm binding capacity. Otherwise, aged oocytes treated with PCA have a higher fertilization rate and blastocyst rate compared with untreated aged oocytes in vitro. CONCLUSION: PCA is an important bioactive ingredient of tea that improves aged oocyte quality, suggesting that PCA is available to improve the quality of aged oocytes in vitro.

Extraction of functional extracts from berries and their high quality processing: a comprehensive review.

Berry fruits have attracted increasing more attention of the food processing industry as well as consumers due to their widely acclaimed advantages as highly effective anti-oxidant properties which may provide protection against some cancers as well as aging. However, the conventional extraction methods are inefficient and wasteful of solvent utilization. This paper presents a critical overview of some novel extraction methods applicable to berries, including pressurized-liquid extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction as well as some combined extraction methods. When combined with conventional methods, the new technologies can be more efficient and environmentally friendly. Additionally, high quality processing of the functional extracts from berry fruits, such as refined processing technology, is introduced in this review. Finally, progress of applications of berry functional extracts in the food industry is described in detail; this should encourage further scientific research and industrial utilization.

Surface modification of phosphogypsum and application in polyolefin composites.

Phosphogypsum (PG) is one of solid wastes with large amount of yield and serious pollution, which has attracted wide attention. The aim of this study is to investigate filling performance of PG on polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix. In this work, PG was calcined initially to improve whiteness and fix impurities. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that after calcined at 500 °C, the PG phase changed from CaSO4·2H2O to CaSO4. The modification effects of the three modifiers were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), oil absorption value, water floatability, and contact angle analysis. The effects of weight fraction of PG in PP and HDPE matrix on mechanics and morphology were observed by tensile test, impact test, and scanning electron microscope. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that modified PG can be dispersed uniformly in the matrix at low filling content. With the increase of PG filling content, the analysis of mechanical properties showed that the tensile strength of HDPE matrix increased, while the tensile strength of PP matrix decreased gradually. The impact strength of HDPE matrix would decrease, but the impact strength of PP matrix increased first and then decreased. Compared with calcium carbonate (CC), the mechanical properties of HDPE filled with PG performed better. The apparent density showed that polymer composites filled with PG have the characteristics of light weight.

Green Preparation of a Carboxymethyl Cellulose-Coated Membrane for Highly Efficient Separation of Crude Oil-In-Water Emulsions.

Developing high-performance membranes is an extremely significant strategy to combat increasing severe oil pollution. However, most of the previously reported superwettable membranes have been inevitably involved with the use of toxic solvents and complicated preparation processes. In addition, most of them lacked the capacity of separating crude oil-in-water emulsions. Herein, a facile and green strategy is employed to fabricate a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane with a mixed suspension of PDA@ZIF-8 and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) using water as a solvent via the vacuum filtration method. Combining hydrophilic property with micro-nano-roughness, the CMC-PDA@ZIF-8-coated PTFE membrane (CPZP membrane) exhibits excellent underwater superoleophobicity. More importantly, the separation efficiency of various surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions including crude oil/water emulsion is higher than 99.2% with a flux up to 1306.5 L m-2 h-1, and the separation performance remains nearly the same after 10 cycles. Moreover, outstanding underwater superoleophobic and self-cleaning properties are maintained after long-distance sandpaper abrasion and multiple bending tests. Meanwhile, its exceptional separation performance is still maintained in harsh environments (3.5 wt % NaCl, 1 M HCl, 60 °C hot water) even after immersing it for 24 h. Therefore, this green-prepared and high-performance membrane has tremendous application prospects in treating oily wastewater.

Tea polyphenols alleviate the adverse effects of diabetes on oocyte quality.

Maternal diabetes mellitus reduces oocyte quality, such as abnormalities of spindle assembly and chromosome segregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, decrease of fertilization rate, increase of ROS, and so on. So, it is important to research how to restore the decreased oocyte quality induced by maternal diabetes mellitus. Polyphenols are the most abundant bioactive components of green tea. It is reported that tea polyphenols have many health functions, for instance anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetes. Thus, we hypothesize that tea polyphenols may play a crucial role in alleviating adverse effects of diabetes on oocyte quality. In the present study, we researched the effects of tea polyphenols on diabetic oocyte maturation in vitro. Compared with the control, oocytes from diabetic mice displayed a lower maturation rate and a higher frequency of spindle defects and chromosome misalignment. However, tea polyphenols significantly increased the oocyte maturation rate, and reduced the incidence of abnormal spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. Tea polyphenols also obviously decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in diabetic oocytes, and increased the expression of antioxidant genes (Sod1 and Sod2). Abnormal mitochondrial membrane potential was also alleviated in diabetic oocytes, and the expression of genes regulating mitochondrial fusion (Opa1, Mfn1 and Mfn2) and fission (Drp1) was significantly increased while tea polyphenols were added. Meanwhile, tea polyphenols reduced DNA damage in diabetic oocytes which may be mediated by the increased expression of Rad51, related to DNA damage repair. Our results suggest that tea polyphenols would, at least partially, restore the adverse effects of diabetes mellitus on oocyte quality.

Upcycling Waste Pine nut Shell Membrane for Highly Efficient Separation of Crude Oil-in-Water Emulsion.

Discharge of oily sewage and frequent oil spills have caused serious harm to human production, life, and ecological environment. Due to the presence of a large number of surfactants in water, these oil-water mixtures are easy to form oil-in-water emulsion, which is difficult to separate by traditional methods. At the same time, the water-soluble pollutants such as dyes and heavy metal ions in oily wastewater also cause great harm to the human body and the environment. A pine nut shell is a kind of common domestic waste material. Herein, an underwater superoleophobic pine nut shell membrane (PNSM) was prepared by the simple pumping filtration method, which realized the separation of oil-in-water emulsion and adsorption of dyes and heavy metal ions. In addition, the filter membrane can be used for separating corrosive emulsions of strong acid, strong alkali, and 3.5% NaCl solutions (simulated seawater). Besides, the PNSM showed excellent toughness and flexibility. Due to the abovementioned performance, this cost-efficient and environmentally friendly membrane can be a promising candidate for multifunctional oily water remediation.

Involvement of spinal cannabinoid receptor type 2 in the analgesia effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP) is intractable, and spinal cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) are potential therapeutic targets for CINP. Previous studies demonstrated that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) may contribute in alleviating specific peripheral neuropathic pain. However, neither CINP nor CBR have been clarified. We hypothesized that HBO2 is capable of alleviating CINP, and the effect could be explained by the activation of spinal CBRs. METHODS: A series of paclitaxel-induced CINP models were established on male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then HBO2 treatment was administered for seven consecutive days at 2.5 atmospheres absolute. Two groups were treated with AM251 (an antagonist of CBR type-1, CBR1) or AM630 (an antagonist of CBR type-2, CBR2) respectively 30 minutes before each HBO2 treatment. The mechanical withdrawal threshold was assessed before, during and at two weeks after HBO2 treatment. Lumbar spinal cords were collected for Western blot analysis of CBR1, CBR2, GFAP and CD11b, and ELISA analysis of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α. RESULTS: A mechanical allodynia was successfully exhibited and the spinal GFAP, CD11b, IL-1ß and TNF-α significantly increased after the modeling, and these effects could be further reversed by HBO2 treatment, which could be blocked by AM630, other than AM251. CONCLUSION: HBO2 treatment can alleviate paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain, and be mediated by CBR2. Spinal glial cells and proinflammatory cytokines are involved in this process.

Electrical Dry Needling Plus Corticosteroid Injection for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of electrical dry needling (DN) plus corticosteroid injection (CSI) on pain, physical function, and global change in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (KOA). DESIGN: A prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Pain treatment clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty patients with KOA were randomly assigned to the electrical dry needling plus corticosteroid injection (electrical-DN+CSI) group or CSI group. INTERVENTIONS: The CSI group received glucocorticoid injection only once during the trial, and the electrical-DN+CSI group received glucocorticoid injection combined with 4 sessions of electrical-DN. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The primary outcome was the numerical rating scale at 3 months. The secondary outcomes were the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the time to complete the Timed Up and Go test, and the score of the global rating of change scale at 3 months. A generalized linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the repeated measurement data. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics and measurements were similar in the 2 groups. The group by time interaction effect was significant for all variables (P<.05). The electrical-DN+CSI group obtained a more significant reduction in pain intensity and more significant improvement in dysfunction than the CSI group at 3 months (P<.05). The median global rating of change score for the CSI group was +3 (somewhat better), and that for the electrical-DN+CSI group was +4 (moderately better). CONCLUSION: Electrical-DN therapy at myofascial trigger points combined with CSI is more effective at alleviating pain, improving dysfunction, and creating global change than CSI alone for patients with KOA. Electrical-DN may be an essential part of treatment for KOA rehabilitation.

Role of hyperbaric oxygen in glioma: a narrative review.

Gliomas are common brain mass with a high mortality rate. Patients with gliomas have a severely bad outcome, with an average survive duration less 15 months because of high recurrent rate and being resistant to radio-therapy and chemistry drugs therapy. Hyperbaric oxygen is extensively taken as an adjuvant treatment for various disease conditions. To know the characteristics of hyperbaric oxygen as a remedy for gliomas, we find that, in general, hyperbaric oxygen shows an obviously positive effect on the treatment of gliomas, and it can also relieve the complications caused by postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy of gliomas. Whereas, several researches have shown that hyperbaric oxygen promotes glioma progression.

Jinmaitong Alleviates Diabetic Neuropathic Pain Through Modulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Gasdermin D in Dorsal Root Ganglia of Diabetic Rats.

Jinmaitong (JMT) is a compound prescription of traditional Chinese medicine that has been used to treat diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) for many years. Here, we investigated the effects of JMT on the activation of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and pyroptosis in Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of diabetic rats. Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were gavaged with JMT (0.88 g/kg/d) or alpha-lipoic acid (ALA, positive control, 0.48 mmol/kg/d) for 12 weeks. Distilled water was administered as a vehicle control to both diabetic and non-affected control rats. Blood glucose levels and body weights were measured. Behavioral changes were tested with mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and tail-flick latency (TFL) tests. Morphological injury associated with DRG was observed with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Nissl's staining. mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1), downstream IL-1ß and gasdermin D (GSDMD) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real time-PCR and western blot. The results showed that JMT had no effect on blood glucose levels and body weights, but significantly improved MWT and TFL behavior in diabetic rats, and attenuated morphological damage in the DRG tissues. Importantly, JMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of components of NLRP3 inflammasome, including NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1. JMT also down-regulated the expression of IL-1ß and GSDMD in the DRG of DNP rats. In addition, ALA treatment did not perform better than JMT. In conclusion, JMT effectively relieved DNP by decreasing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, providing new evidence supporting JMT as an alternative treatment for DNP.

Potential role of tea extract in oocyte development.

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world and beneficial to health. It has been demonstrated that tea polyphenols can reduce the risk of diseases, such as cancers, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, etc. But the knowledge of tea extract on the female germline is limited. Folliculogenesis is a complicated process and prone to be affected by ROS. Tea polyphenols can reduce the accumulation of ROS in folliculogenesis and affect oocyte maturation. Tea extract also influences granulosa cell proliferation and expansion during oocyte growth and maturation. However, the studies about the benefits of tea extract on female germline are few, and the underlying mechanisms are obscure. In the present study, we will mainly discuss the effects of tea extract on ovarian function, oocyte maturation, and the underlying possible mechanisms, and according to the discussion, we suggest that tea extract may have benefits for oocytes at an appropriate dose.

Clinical Study of MEBO Combined with Jinhuang Powder for Diabetic Foot with Infection.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the efficacy and safety of MEBO combined with Jinhuang powder for the treatment of diabetic foot with infection. METHODS: From August 2015 to August 2019, patients with diabetic foot in our hospital were divided into the treatment group and control group. The treatment group was treated with moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) combined with Jinhuang powder, while the control group was treated with MEBO only. RESULTS: After one week of treatment, the effective rate in the treatment group was 100%, and the effective rate in the control group was only 76%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The wound pain score was 2.40 ± 1.38 in the treatment group and 3.76 ± 1.85 in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). After one month of treatment, the effective rate of wound healing was 92.0% in the treatment group and 68% in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: MEBO combined with Jinhuang powder is effective in treating diabetic foot with infection wound.