The effect of scutellaria baicalensis and its active ingredients on major depressive disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature in pre-clinical research.

Background: Scutellaria baicalensis, the dry root of scutellaria baicalensis georgi, is a traditional Chinese medicine with long. In clinic, scutellaria baicalensis is commonly used in prescription for the treatment of depression. Additionally, numerous pre-clinical studies have shown that Scutellaria baicalensis and its active constituents are effective for depression. In this study, we aims to systematically review the roles of scutellaria baicalensis in depression and summarize the possible mechanism. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to analyze the existing studies on the effects of scutellaria baicalensis on depression in animal models. Briefly, we searched electronic databases including Pubmed and Embase for preclinical trial studies from inception to September 2023. The items in each study were evaluated by two independent reviewers, and meta-analyses were performed on scutellaria baicalensis-induced behavioral changes in the study. Finally, random effects model is used to collect data. Results: A total of 49 studies were identified, and 13 studies were included in the final analysis. They all reported the different antidepressant effects of scutellaria baicalensis and the underlying biological mechanisms. Among the included 13 studies, the results of eight articles SPT[SMD = -2.80, 95%CI(-4.03, -1.57), p < 0.01], the results of the nine articles OFT[SMD = -2.38, 95%CI(-3.53, -1.23), p < 0.01], and the results of two articles NSFT[SMD = -2.98, 95%CI(-3.94, -2.02), p < 0.01] were significantly different from the control group. The risk of bias was moderate in all studies, however, there was a significant heterogeneity among studies. Conclusion: These results preliminarily suggest that scutellaria baicalensis can alleviate depressive behaviors and modulate underlying mechanisms, which is expected to be a promising antidepressant.

[Effects of Application of Different Organic Materials on Phosphorus Accumulation and Transformation in Vegetable Fields].

Presently, the improvement of soil organic matter is the basis to ensure food security, but the accumulation and transformation characteristics of soil phosphorus (P) as affected by organic matter remain unclear. The accumulation, transformation, and migration characteristics of soil P in different soil layers of vegetable fields were researched under the application of organic materials. Six treatments were set up in the experiment:control (no fertilization), traditional fertilizer application by farmers, biochar, chicken manure, food waste, and straw application. Available phosphorus (Olsen-P), water-soluble phosphorus (CaCl2-P) content, soil phosphorus forms, soil organic matter (SOM), and pH were determined during the pepper harvest period. In the 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm soil layers, the available phosphorus content of traditional fertilization of farmers was higher, and the available phosphorus content of the four organic materials was in the order of straw > biochar > chicken manure > food waste. Compared to that with food waste, the straw and biochar treatments increased soil available phosphorus by 59.6%-67.3% and 29.1%-36.9%, respectively. The straw treatment could easily enhance the soil labile P pool, and soil labile P in the 0-5 cm soil layer increased by 47.3% and 35.1% compared with that under the chicken manure and food waste treatments, respectively. With the increase in soil depth, the proportion of available phosphorus in the chicken manure treatment decreased the least, and available phosphorus of the 20-30 cm soil layer accounted for 55.9% of the topsoil layer but only accounted for 16.0%-34.0% under treatment with the other three materials. Compared with that under the traditional fertilization of farmers, the pH significantly increased by 0.18-0.36 units after the application of organic fertilizer, and the pH of the chicken manure and food waste treatments was significantly higher than that of biochar and straw (P < 0.05). SOM content under the biochar treatment significantly increased by 7.7%-17.6% compared to that under the other three organic materials. Among the four organic materials, the straw treatment boosted the labile P pool the most, which was conducive to the rapid increase in plant-available P. Phosphorus was most likely to migrate downward under the chicken manure treatment. In the field management based on soil fertility enhancement, the application of biochar could not only improve soil pH and SOM but also avoid excessive accumulation of phosphorus in the surface layer, which decreases environmental risks.

[Mechanism of Fushen Granules treat peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis by regulating TLR4/NF-κB pathway:based on network pharmacology and animal experiments].

Network pharmacology was employed to probe into the mechanism of Fushen Granules in treating peritoneal dialysis-rela-ted peritonitis(PDRP) in rats. The main active components of Fushen Granules were searched against the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, and their targets were predicted. PDRP-related targets were retrieved from DisGeNET and other databases. The common targets shared by the drug and the disease were identified by the online tool, and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of the common targets. The obtained 276 common targets were imported into DAVID for GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment. The main signaling pathway of Fushen Granules in the treatment of PDRP was predicted as Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor(NF)-κB. The rat model of uremia was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. From two weeks after operation, the rat model of peritoneal dialysis(PD) was established by intraperitoneal injection of 20 mL dialysate with 1.25% glucose every day. The sham operation group and model group received 2 mL normal saline by gavage every day. The rats in Fushen Gra-nules groups were administrated with 2 mL solutions of low-(0.54 g·kg~(-1)), medium-(1.08 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(2.16 g·kg~(-1)) Fushen Granules every day. The bifico group received 2 mL(113.4 mg·kg~(-1)) of bifico solution every day. At the end of the 8th week, the levels of serum creatinine(Scr) and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) in each group were measured. The serum levels of hypersensitive C reactive protein(hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and interleukin(IL)-6 were measured, and the pathological changes in the colon tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The serum levels of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein(LBP) of rats were measured, and the expression levels of LBP, TLR4, NF-κB p65, inhibitor of κB kinase α(IκBα), TNF-α, and IL-1ß in the colon tissue were determined. Compared with sham operation group, the model group had abnormal structure of all layers of colon tissue, sparse and shorter intestinal villi, visible edema in mucosal layer, wider gap, obvious local inflammatory cell infiltration, significantly decreased body weight(P<0.01), and significantly increased kidney function index(Scr, BUN) content(P<0.01). Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines(hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6), LPS and LBP were significantly increased(P<0.01), protein expressions of LBP, TLR4, NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-1ß were significantly increased(P<0.01), and protein expressions of IκBα were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with model group, intestinal villi damage in colonic tissue of rats in low-, medium-and high-dose Fushen Granules groups and bifico group were alleviated to different degrees, edema in submucosa was alleviated, space was narrowed, and inflammatory cell infiltration in lamina propria was reduced. The contents of renal function index(Scr, BUN) and serum inflammatory factors(hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6) were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01) in medium-and high-dose Fushen Granules groups and bifico group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Serum LPS and LBP contents in Fushen Granules group and bifico group were significantly decreased(P<0.01), protein expressions of LBP, TLR4, NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-1ß in Fushen Granules group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and protein expressions of IκBα were significantly increased(P<0.01). The expression of LBP protein in bifico group was significantly decreased(P<0.01). The results suggest that Fushen Granules can protect the residual renal function of PD rats, reduce the inflammatory response, and protect the colon tissue. Based on network pharmacology, TLR4/NF-κB pathway may be the main signaling pathway of Fushen granule in the treatment of PDRP. The results showed that Fushen Granules could improve intestinal inflammation and protect intestinal barrier to prevent PDRP by regulating the expression of key factors in TLR4/NF-κB pathway in colon of PD rats.

[Interaction between central nervous system and immune system after ischemic stroke and its therapeutic significance of traditional Chinese medicine].

Ischemic stroke is divided into acute phase, subacute phase, and recovery phase, with different pathological and physiological characteristics manifested at each stage. Among them, immune and inflammatory reactions persist for several days and weeks after ischemia. Ischemic stroke not only triggers local inflammation in damaged brain regions but also induces a disorder in the immune system, thereby promoting neuroinflammation and exacerbating brain damage. Therefore, conducting an in-depth analysis of the interaction between the central nervous system and the immune system after ischemic stroke, intervening in the main factors of the interaction between them, blocking pathological cascades, and thereby reducing brain inflammation have become the treatment strategies for ischemic stroke. This study summarizes and sorts out the interaction pathways between the central nervous system and the immune system. The impact of the central nervous system on the immune system can be analyzed from the perspective of the autonomic nervous system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPA), and local inflammatory stimulation. The impact of the immune system on the central nervous system can be analyzed from the dynamic changes of immune cells. At the same time, the relevant progress in the prevention and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is summarized, so as to provide new insights for the analysis of complex mechanisms of TCM in preventing and treating ischemic stroke.

Gastrodin alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating SIRT3-mediated TFAM acetylation in vascular dementia.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial dysfunction is key to the pathogenesis of vascular dementia (VaD). Sirtuin-3 (SIRT3), an essential member of the sirtuins family, has been proven to be a critical sirtuin in regulating mitochondrial function. The phenolic glucoside gastrodin (GAS), a bioactive ingredient from Gastrodiae Rhizome (known in Chinese as Tian ma) demonstrates significant neuroprotective properties against central nervous system disorders; however, the precise mechanisms through which GAS modulates VaD remain elusive. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate whether GAS confers a protective role against VaD, and to figure out the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: A bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO)-mediated chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) VaD rat model and a hypoxia model using HT22 cells were employed to investigate pharmacological properties of GAS in mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction. A SIRT3 agonist resveratrol (RES), a SIRT3 inhibitor 3-TYP and SIRT3-knockdown in vitro were used to explore the mechanism of GAS in association with SIRT3. The ability of SIRT3 to bind and deacetylate mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) was detected by immunoprecipitation assay, and TFAM acetylation sites were further validated using mass spectrometry. RESULTS: GAS increased SIRT3 expression and ameliorated mitochondrial structure, mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial dynamics along with upregulated TFAM, mitigating oxidative stress and senescence. Comparable results were noted with the SIRT3 agonist RES, indicating an impactful neuroprotection played by SIRT3. Specifically, the attenuation of SIRT3 expression through knockdown techniques or exposure to the SIRT3 inhibitor 3-TYP in HT22 cells markedly abrogated GAS-mediated mitochondrial rescuing function. Furthermore, our findings elucidate a novel facet: SIRT3 interacted with and deacetylated TFAM at the K5, K7, and K8 sites. Decreased SIRT3 is accompanied by hyper-acetylated TFAM. CONCLUSION: The present results were the first to demonstrate that the SIRT3/TFAM pathway is a protective target for reversing mitochondrial dysfunction in VaD. The findings suggest that GAS-mediated modulation of the SIRT3/TFAM pathway, a novel mechanism, could ameliorate CCH-induced VaD, offering a potentially beneficial therapeutic strategy for VaD.

[Mechanism of Xinshubao Tablets in exerting anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, and cardioprotective effects based on network pharmacology].

This study aims to explore the anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, and cardioprotective effects of the intestinal absorption liquids containing Xinshubao Tablets or single herbs, and to elucidate the potential mechanism based on network pharmacology. Western blot was then conducted to validate the expression changes of core proteins. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were used to observe the anti-inflammatory effect. The vasodilation activity was examined by the microvessel relaxation assay in vitro. Oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)-induced H9c2 cells were used to investigate the cardioprotective effect. The chemical components were retrieved from Herb databases and composition of Xinshubao Tablets drug-containing intestinal absorption solution. Drug targets were retrieved from SwissTargetPrediction databases. GeneCards was searched for the targets associated with the anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, and cardioprotective effects. The common targets shared by the drug and the effects were used to establish the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network, from which the core targets were obtained. Finally, the core targets were imported into Cytoscape 3.9.1 for Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) analyses. The anti-inflammatory experiment showed that both Xinshubao Tablets and the single herbs constituting this formula had anti-inflammatory effects. Curcumae Radix had the strongest inhibitory effect on the production of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had the strongest inhibitory effect on the generation of interleukin-6(IL-6). Xinshubao Tablets, Curcumae Radix, and Crataegi Fructus had vasodilation effect, and Crataegi Fructus had the strongest effect. Xinshubao Tablets, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis, and Paeoniae Radix Alba had cardioprotective effects, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had the strongest cardioprotective effect. Network pharmacology results demonstrated that except the whole formula, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma had the most components with anti-inflammatory effect, and Curcumae Radix had the most components with vasodilation and cardioprotective effects, followed by Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The nitric oxide synthase 3(NOS3) was predicted as the core target for the anti-inflammatory, vasodilation, and cardioprotective effects. Western blot results showed that Xinshubao Tablets significantly up-regulated the expression of NOS3 in OGD-induced H9c2 cells. GO enrichment analysis showed that the effects were mainly related to lipid exported from cell, regulation of blood pressure, and inflammatory response. KEGG pathway enrichment predicted AGE-RAGE and HIF-1 signaling pathways as the key pathways.

Acupuncture Combined with Bushen-Jianpi Decoction Ameliorates the Ovarian Function of Diminished Ovarian Reserve Rats by Regulating Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase/AKT Signaling.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic efficiency as well as mechanism of acupuncture combined with Bushen-Jianpi decoction (BJD) to treat rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). METHODS: A DOR rat model was constructed using zona pellucida 3 peptide, and acupuncture, BJD, and their combination were administered as therapeutic interventions. We measured changes in the ovarian indexes, the number of follicles at all levels, the serum levels of sex hormones and immune factors, the expression levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, p-AKT, and caspase-3, and the changes in the proportions of splenic T cell subtypes, including T-helper 17 (Th17), Tc17, regulatory T (Treg), CD4+, and CD8+ cells. RESULTS: Acupuncture combined with BJD induced a decrease in the levels of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, and the effect was greater than that elicited by BJD or acupuncture alone (P < 0.05). Additionally, this combination treatment effectively abrogated the increase in the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-17, anti-zona pellucida antibody, and cleaved caspase-3 (P < 0.05), while promoting the regulation of IL-6 and p-AKT (P < 0.01). Furthermore, treatment with acupuncture combined with BJD restored the proportions of CD4+ cells and the CD4+ / CD8+ T cell ratio (P < 0.01), decreased the proportion of CD8+ T and Th17 cells (P < 0.01), and increased the proportions of Tc17 and Treg cells (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Combining acupuncture with BJD can enhance ovarian function in DOR rats. The regulation of sex hormone levels and immune function in rats may be attributed to the adjustment of the mRNA and proteins levels of PI3K, AKT, and caspase-3 in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which leads to an improvement in the immune function of DOR rats.

A tumor-targeted and enzyme-responsive gold nanorod-based nanoplatform with facilitated endo-lysosomal escape for synergetic photothermal therapy and protein therapy.

To tackle the obstacles related to tumor targeting and overcome the limitations of single treatment models, we have developed a nanoplatform that is both tumor-targeted and enzyme-responsive. This nanoplatform integrates photothermal gold nanorods (AuNRs) and protein drugs into a single system. This nanosystem, known as AuNRs@HA-mPEG-Deta-LA, was fabricated by modifying gold nanorods (AuNRs) with a polymeric ligand called hyaluronic acid-grafted-(mPEG/diethylenetriamine-conjugated-lipoic acid). The purpose of this fabrication was to load cytochrome c (CC) and utilize it for the synergetic protein-photothermal therapy of cancer. The resulting nanoplatform exhibited a high efficiency in loading proteins and demonstrated excellent stability in different biological environments. Additionally, CC-loaded AuNRs@HA-mPEG-Deta-LA not only enabled localized hyperthermia for photothermal therapy (PTT) with laser irradiation but also facilitated the release of CC under the action of hyaluronidase, an enzyme known to be overexpressed in tumor cells. The confocal imaging results demonstrated that the presence of a specific polymeric ligand on this nanoparticle enhances the internalization of CD44-positive cancer cells, accelerates endo/lysosomal escape, and facilitates the controlled release of CC within the cells. Furthermore, the results of the MTT assay also showed that AuNRs@HA-mPEG-Deta-LA as a protein nanocarrier demonstrated excellent biocompatibility. Importantly, this synergistic therapeutic strategy effectively induced apoptosis in A549 cancer cells by increasing the intracellular concentration of CC and utilizing the photothermal conversion of AuNRs, which was observed to be more effective compared to using only protein therapy or PTT. Therefore, this study showcased a nanoplatform based on AuNRs that has great potential for tumor-targeted protein delivery in combination with PTT in cancer treatment.

Essential oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet ameliorates vascular endothelial cell senescence in diabetes by regulating PPAR-γ signalling: A 4D label-free quantitative proteomics and network pharmacology study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Vascular endothelial cell senescence is associated with cardiovascular complications in diabetes. Essential oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt & R.M.Sm. (EOFAZ) has potentially beneficial and promising diabetes-related vascular endothelial cell senescence-mitigating effects; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the molecular effects of EOFAZ on vascular endothelial cell senescence in diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A diabetes mouse model was developed using a high-fat and high-glucose diet (HFD) combined with intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) and oral treatment with EOFAZ. 4D label-free quantitative proteomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking techniques were employed to explore the molecular mechanisms via which EOFAZ alleviates diabetes-related vascular endothelial cell senescence. A human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) senescence model was developed using high palmitic acid and high glucose (PA/HG) concentrations in vitro. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, SA-ß-galactosidase staining, cell cycle, reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell migration, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were performed to determine the protective role of EOFAZ against vascular endothelial cell senescence in diabetes. Moreover, the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone, inhibitor GW9662, and siRNA were used to verify the underlying mechanism by which EOFAZ combats vascular endothelial cell senescence in diabetes. RESULTS: EOFAZ treatment ameliorated abnormal lipid metabolism, vascular histopathological damage, and vascular endothelial aging in diabetic mice. Proteomics and network pharmacology analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and drug-disease targets were associated with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) signalling pathway, a key player in vascular endothelial cell senescence. Molecular docking indicated that the small-molecule compounds in EOFAZ had a high affinity for the PPAR-γ protein. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses confirmed the significance of DEPs and the involvement of the PPAR-γ signalling pathway. In vitro, EOFAZ and rosiglitazone treatment reversed the effects of PA/HG on the number of senescent endothelial cells, expression of senescence-related proteins, the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase, ROS levels, cell migration rate, and expression of pro-inflammatory factors. The protective effects of EOFAZ against vascular endothelial cell senescence in diabetes were aborted following treatment with GW9662 or PPAR-γ siRNA. CONCLUSIONS: EOFAZ ameliorates vascular endothelial cell senescence in diabetes by activating PPAR-γ signalling. The results of the present study highlight the potential beneficial and promising therapeutic effects of EOFAZ and provide a basis for its clinical application in diabetes-related vascular endothelial cell senescence.

The protective effects of icariin against testicular dysfunction in type 1 diabetic mice Via AMPK-mediated Nrf2 activation and NF-κB p65 inhibition.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the early suffering age and the rising incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D), the resulting male reproductive dysfunction and fertility decline have become a disturbing reality worldwide, with no effective strategy being available. Icariin (ICA), a flavonoid extracted from Herba Epimedium, has been proved its promising application in improving diabetes-related complications including diabetic nephropathy, endothelial dysfunction and erectile dysfunction. Ensuring the future reproductive health of children and adolescents with T1D is crucial to improve global fertility. However, its roles in the treatment of T1D-induced testicular dysfunction and the potential mechanisms remain elusive. PURPOSE: The purpose of this present study was to investigate whether ICA ameliorates T1D-induced testicular dysfunction as well as its potential mechanisms. METHODS: T1D murine model was established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ with or without treated with ICA for eleven weeks. Morphological, pathological and serological experiments were used to determine the efficacy of ICA on male reproductive function of T1D mice. Western blotting, Immunohistochemistry analysis, qRT-PCR and kit determination were performed to investigated the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: We found that replenishment of ICA alleviated testicular damage, promoted testosterone production and spermatogenesis, ameliorated apoptosis and blood testis barrier impairment in streptozotocin-induced T1D mice. Functionally, ICA treatment triggered adenosine monophosphate protein kinase (AMPK) activation, which in turn inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) to reduce inflammatory responses in the testis and activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), thereby enhancing testicular antioxidant capacity. Further studies revealed that supplementation with the AMPK antagonist Compound C or depletion of Nrf2 weakened the beneficial effects of ICA on testicular dysfunction of T1D mice. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results demonstrate the feasibility of ICA in the treatment of T1D-induced testicular dysfunction, and reveal the important role of AMPK-mediated Nrf2 activation and NF-κB p65 inhibition in ICA-associated testicular protection during T1D.

Angong Niuhuang Wan inhibit ferroptosis on ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke by activating PPARγ/AKT/GPX4 pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Angong Niuhuang Wan (AGNHW) is a prescription from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used for centuries to treat ischemic stroke (IS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS). According to a recent study, targeting ferroptosis might be effective in the management of IS and HS. However, the ferroptosis-related effects and mechanisms of AGNHW have not yet been reported. AIM OF THE STUDY: This research examines the anti-ferroptosis mechanisms of AGNHW in the treatment of IS and HS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A system pharmacological approach including in vivo experiment, UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis, and in vitro experiment was utilized to study the anti-ferroptosis mechanisms of AGNHW against IS and HS. RESULTS: In vivo experiments indicated that AGNHW enhanced nerve function, decreased cerebral infarct volume, ameliorated histological brain injuries, improved the structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier, ameliorated the mitochondrial dysfunction and morphology disruption, and inhibits ROS, LPO and Fe2+ accumulations in IS and HS rats. Using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, the key ingredients of AGNHW-containing serum were identified as bilirubin, berberine, baicalin, and wogonoside. According to the network pharmacology analyses, AGNHW could inhibit ferroptosis by modulating the PPAR and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. The core targets are PPARγ, AKT, and GPX4. Molecular docking and microscale thermophoresis experiments further revealed that the key ingredients have strong interactions with ferroptosis-regulating core proteins. Moreover, in vitro experiment results showed that AGNHW alleviated ferroptosis injury induced by erastin in PC12 cells, increased cell viability, reduced the LPO and Fe2+ levels, and up-regulated mRNA expressions of PPARγ, AKT, and GPX4. AGNHW also up-regulated protein expressions of PPARγ, p-AKT/AKT, and GPX4 in IS and HS rats. CONCLUSIONS: AGNHW attenuated ferroptosis in treating IS and HS by targeting the PPARγ/AKT/GPX4 pathway. This work reveals AGNHW's anti-ferroptosis mechanism against IS and HS, but it also develops an integrated approach to demonstrate the common characteristics of drugs in treating different diseases.

International clinical practice guideline on the use of traditional Chinese medicine for ulcerative colitis by Board of Specialty Committee of Digestive System Disease of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (2023).

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic and nonspecific inflammatory disease of the intestine, has become a prevalent global health concern. This guideline aims to equip clinicians and caregivers with effective strategies for the treatment and management of adult UC patients using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The guideline systematically evaluated contemporary evidence through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Additionally, it incorporated insights from ancient Chinese medical sources, employing the evidence grading method found in traditional TCM literature. The development process involved collaboration with multidisciplinary experts and included input from patients with UC. The guideline, based on a comprehensive review of available evidence, present 40 recommendations. They offer a condensed overview of TCM's role in understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of UC, along with an assessment of the efficacy of various TCM-based treatments. TCM exhibits promising outcomes in the treatment of UC. However, to establish its efficacy conclusively, further high-quality clinical studies on TCM for UC are essential.

[Composition and morphology of Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma decoction co-precipitate and effect on in vivo behavior of decocting liquid].

Scutellariae Radix-Coptidis Rhizoma(SR-CR) herbal pair is commonly used in many compound prescriptions for their synergistic heat-clearing and dampness-drying properties. During the decoction process, a substantial amount of precipitate is generated. However, there have been no explicit reports on the composition, morphology, and potential effects of this precipitate on the in vivo behavior of SR-CR decoction. This study employed high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), high-resolution mass spectrometry, and other techniques to analyze the composition of the co-precipitate in the decoction of SR-CR. Scanning electron microscopy and mass spectrometry imaging were used to analyze its appearance and morphology. Additionally, rats were used to investigate the effects of the co-precipitate on the in vivo behavior of the main components in the SR-CR decoction. The research findings indicated that eight components, including coptisine, berberine, epiberberine, palmatine, baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-ß-D-glucuronide, wogonoside and baicalein, constituted the primary composition of the co-precipitate. Among these, baicalin and berberine hydrochloride were the most abundant, accounting for about 60% of the total weight. Moreover, the co-precipitate contained 18% tannins. Morphological analysis revealed that the particles in the SR-CR decoction precipitate were spherical microparticles with an average diameter of around 600 nm. Pharmacokinetic research demonstrated that there were significant differences in the AUC, C_(max), t_(1/2), and T_(max) of baicalin, a major component, in rats administered with lyophilized powders of the combined decoction and single decoctions of SR-CR orally, suggesting that the precipitate generated during the decoction process can affect the in vivo behavior of the main components of the SR-CR decoction. It can reduce the absorption of baicalin in the body, decrease the extent of rapid drug release, and to a certain extent, prevent adverse reactions or side effects.

Study on the treatment of corn alcohol wastewater by the internal circulation anaerobic reactor.

To comprehensively assess the efficacy of employing the internal circulation (IC) anaerobic reactor for corn alcohol wastewater treatment and investigate its feasibility, this study focused on anaerobic digestion parameters, energy balance, and the composition of the prokaryotic microbial community. During the operation of the reactor, the hydraulic retention time was progressively reduced from 4.8 to 1.6 days while achieving an average organic loading rate of 12.46 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/(m3·d). Moreover, the removal rate of COD exceeded 98%, and the energy balance (ΔE) reached 10.29 kJ/g fed COD. The initial manifestation of organic acidosis in the reactor was a decline in gas production, which is primarily caused by propionic acid accumulation. The subsequent analysis revealed a high diversity of prokaryotes in granular sludge, with the predominant archaea primarily involved in methane production through the acetic acid pathway. The IC anaerobic reactor shows exceptional performance in treating corn alcohol wastewater by optimizing its operating conditions. Energy balance analysis confirmed the feasibility of the process. The findings of this study may offer valuable insights for optimizing control strategies and engineering applications.

Silencing of Glutamine: Fructose-6-Phosphate Aminotransferase Impairs Growth and Development in Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

Glutamine: fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase (GFAT), the fourth enzyme in the chitin synthesis pathway, exerts wide-ranging effects on the growth and development of organisms. However, the role of GFAT in Sogatella furcifera remains unknown. In this study, the functional significance of the GFAT gene of S. furcifera was analyzed using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and RNA interference (RNAi) analyses. The complementary DNA sequence of SfGFAT was 3162 bp in length and contained a 2067 bp open reading frame encoding 688 amino acid residues. Structural domain analysis indicated that the SfGFAT protein consisted of one glutamine aminotransferase class 2 domain and two sugar isomerase domains. Expression profile analysis revealed that SfGFAT was expressed throughout the egg, nymph, and adult phases and was strongly expressed on the first day of each nymph stage and in the integuments of five tissues. RNAi results revealed that SfGFAT gene silencing significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of the target gene and resulted in severe mortality among S. furcifera. In summary, these findings demonstrate that SfGFAT plays a critical role in the development of S. furcifera. Moreover, these results may aid in the development of methods to control the spread of S. furcifera.

ent-Atisane Diterpenoids from Euphorbia helioscopia and Their Anti-inflammatory Activities.

Phytochemical investigation on the anti-inflammatory fraction extracted from the whole plant of Euphorbia helioscopia L. led to the isolation of three new ent-atisane diterpenoids (1-3) and five known analogues (4-8). The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of the NMR, MS, IR, ECD, and X-ray crystallography. It is worth mentioning that compound 3 belongs to a rare class of ent-atisane diterpenoid featuring a hydroxyl group at C-9. Bioactivity investigation showed that compounds 4, 7, and 8 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner, which indicates their anti-inflammatory potential.

A nutrient-wide association study for the risk of cardiovascular disease in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Evidence on the association between dietary nutrient-wide intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is inconclusive. Therefore, we systematically assessed the association between dietary intake of 29 nutrients and CVD risk using a nutrient-wide association study. Data were obtained from 7878 Chinese adults participating in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) wave 2004-2015. We estimated the association of 29 nutrients with CVD risk. Significant findings were replicated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Four nutrients (selenium, vitamin A, carotenoids, and total protein) were significantly associated with CVD risk in the CHNS. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for nutrient intake in the third tertile compared to the first tertile were 0.68 (0.51-0.90), 0.70 (0.54-0.91), 0.64 (0.50-0.83), and 0.54 (0.38-0.77), respectively. In the NHANES replication, selenium maintained a similar direction and strength of association, while the other nutrients were not replicated successfully. Our results provide support for a negative association between selenium intake and CVD risk, while the association of vitamin A, carotenoids and protein with CVD warrants further studies to confirm.

Effect of a moderate-intensity comprehensive exercise program on body composition, muscle strength, and physical performance in elderly females with sarcopenia.

Objective: This study aimed at examining an eight-week moderate-intensity comprehensive exercise training program on the parameters of sarcopenia in elderly females. Methods: A total of 49 community-dwelling elderly females with sarcopenia (65.5 ± 2.5) were assigned randomly to an experiment group (EG, n = 25) and a control group (CG, n = 24). In the EG, an eight-week comprehensive exercise training program was implemented, in 1 h, 3 times per week, a total of 24 sessions. The CG only received health public education per two weeks, a total of 4 times. Subsequently, the differences between the two groups were tested through two-way repeated ANOVA. Results: ASM, SMM, and SMI in the EG were significantly improved by 0.26 kg, 0.18 kg, and 0.10 kg/m2, respectively. Group-by-time interactions were significantly different on the ASM [F (1,47) = 6.25, η2 = 0.12] and SMI [F (1,47) = 6.77, η2 = 0.13]. Muscle strength was improved 0.8 kg in the EG. Significant group-by-time interaction differences were reported in the handgrip strength [F (1,47) = 6.8, η2 = 0.13] after the eight-week intervention. Compared with the baseline, gait speed was improved a 0.05 m/s and 5-time chair stand was decreased a 0.27 s in the EG. Group-by-time interactions were significantly different in 5-time chair stand [F (1, 47) = 6.35, η2 = 0.12]. Conclusions: The moderate-intensity comprehensive exercise was confirmed as a safe and convenient exercise program. Although a load of training intensity is not sufficient to improve the gait speed, this exercise protocol is promising in delaying overall results in community-dwelling sarcopenia elderly females and contributes to the improvement of muscle mass, handgrip strength, and 5TCS.

Biomimetic Nano-Immunoactivator via Ionic Metabolic Modulation for Strengthened NIR-II Photothermal Immunotherapy.

Reprogramming the immunologically "cold" environment of solid tumors is currently becoming the mainstream strategy to elicit powerful and systemic anticancer immunity. Here, a facile and biomimetic nano-immunnoactivator (CuS/Z@M4T1 ) is detailed by engineering a Zn2+ -bonded zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) with CuS nanodots (NDs) and cancer cell membrane for amplified near-infrared-II (NIR-II) photothermal immunotherapy via Zn2+ metabolic modulation. Taking advantage of the NIR-II photothermal effect of CuS NDs and the acidic responsiveness of ZIF-8, CuS/Z@M4T1 rapidly causes intracellular Zn2+ pool overload and disturbs the metabolic flux of 4T1 cells, which effectively hamper the production of heat shock proteins and relieve the resistance of photothermal therapy (PTT). Thus, amplified immunogenic cell death is evoked and initiates the immune cascade both in vivo and in vitro as demonstrated by dendritic cells maturation and T-cell infiltration. Further combination with antiprogrammed death 1 (aPD-1) achieves escalated antitumor efficacy which eliminates the primary, distant tumor and avidly inhibits lung metastasis due to cooperation of enhanced photothermal stimulation and empowerment of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by aPD-1. Collectively, this work provides the first report of using the intrinsic modulation property of meta-organometallic ZIF-8 for enhanced cancer photoimmunotherapy together with aPD-1, thereby inspiring a novel combined paradigm of ion-rich nanomaterials for cancer treatment.