Recent advances in Scutellariae radix: A comprehensive review on ethnobotanical uses, processing, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, quality control and influence factors of biosynthesis.

Background: Scutellariae radix (SR) is the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. It has a long history of ethnic medicinal use, traditionally recognized for its efficacy in clearing heat， drying dampness, eliminating fire， removing toxins , stopping bleeding and tranquilizing fetus to prevent miscarriage. Clinically, it is used to treat cold, fever, migraine, hand-foot-and-mouth diseases, liver cancer and inflammatory diseases. Purpose: The review aims to provide a comprehensive reference on the ethnobotanical uses, processing, phytochemistry, pharmacological effect, quality control and influence factors of biosynthesis for a deeper understanding of SR. Results and conclusion: A total of 210 isolated components have been reported in the literature, including flavonoids and their glycosides, phenylpropanoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, phenolic acids, volatile components, polysaccharides and others. The extract of SR and its main flavonoids such as baicalin, baicalein, wogonin, wogonoside, and scutellarin showed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antiviral, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. However, further studies are required to elucidate its mechanisms of action and clinical applications. The pharmacodynamic evaluation based on traditional efficacy should be conducted. Although various analytical methods have been established for the quality control of SR, there are gaps in the research regarding efficacy-related quality markers and the development of quality control standards for its processed products. The regulatory mechanisms of flavonoids biosynthesis remain to be explored while the influence of environmental and transcription factors on the biosynthesis have been studied. In conclusion, SR is a promising herbal medicine with significant potential for future development.

Configuration-mediated excited-state energy dissipation in metal-bridged dimeric D-A fluorophores for enhanced photothermal therapy.

Photothermal agents (PTAs) based on donor (D)-acceptor (A) NIR fluorophores show great promise in photothermal therapy due to their accessible molecular engineering to mediate excitation energy for high photothermal conversion. Except for molecular structural modification of D-A fluorophores, intermolecular arrangement in space greatly influences their excitation energy dissipation as well. But how to mediate their intermolecular arrangement is still challenging. Here we control the intermolecular orientation of chromophores via metal coordination to form Pt-bridged dimeric D-A fluorophores with different geometries. The formed configuration isomers show different intermolecular exciton coupling behaviors involving charge transfer (CT) evolution and internally limited molecular rotation, which greatly affect excited-energy dissipation. Compared with folded configuration with intense NIR emission (quantum yields (QYs) = 15.62 %), linear configuration favors non-radiative decays with low QYs (6.99 %) but enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE = 41.57 %). The self-assembled nanoparticles combining Pt-bridged dimeric D-A fluorophores with DSPE-PEG2000-RGD reveal superior photothermal therapeutic features with desirable biosafety. This research provides a new designing concept to mediate excited-state energy dissipation pathways at a sub-nano level for enhanced photothermal conversion. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: D-A fluorophores as photothermal agents attract great attention in photothermal therapy due to their accessible molecular engineering. Besides molecular engineering of D-A fluorophores, the intermolecular packing manner is proven to greatly affect their excitation energy dissipation. But how to control intermolecular arrangement is still challenging. Here we control the intermolecular orientation of chromophores via metal coordination to form Pt-bridged dimeric D-A fluorophores with different geometries. Compared to the folded configuration, linear configuration facilitates charge transfer (CT) evolution and molecular rotation, which promotes non-radiative decays of excited energy for enhanced photothermal therapy.

Early life dietary emulsifier exposure predisposes the offspring to obesity through gut microbiota-FXR axis.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly around the world, and there is growing evidence that obesity is closely related to diet and gut microbiota. Early life adverse exposures have profound effects on gut microbiota. However, the effects of maternal emulsifier polysorbate 80 (P80) exposure in early life on obesity of offspring remains unclear. Female C57BL/6 mice were free access to water containing 1 % P80 during pregnancy and lactation to investigate the effects of maternal P80 exposure on gut microbiota and obesity susceptibility of offspring, while bile acid composition and the FGF15-FXR axis were also analyzed. Maternal P80 exposure significantly impaired intestinal development and barrier function and increased intestinal low-grade inflammation in offspring mice. Maternal P80 exposure led to gut dysbiosis in offspring at 3 weeks of age, which was characterized by increased potentially harmful bacteria, Prevotella, Helicobacter and Ruminococcus and Mucin degrading bacteria, Akkermansia. Interestingly, mice transplanted with the fecal microbiota of offspring exposed to maternal P80 showed more serious intestinal barrier impairment and increased low-grade inflammation than that received microbiota of offspring fed with normal diet. After a high-fat diet, Maternal P80 exposed offspring showed more severe in gut dysbiosis and obesity, accompanied by alternation in bile acid profile and up regulation of the FXR-FGF15 axis. Conclusively, early life emulsifier exposure predisposes the offspring to obesity through gut microbiota-FXR axis. The findings will provide new insights into effects of P80 on health.