Triptolide suppresses paraquat induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting TGFB1-dependent epithelial mesenchymal transition.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and tumor are highly similar to abnormal cell proliferation that damages the body. This malignant cell evolution in a stressful environment closely resembles that of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). As a popular EMT-inducing factor, TGFß plays an important role in the progression of multiple diseases. However, the drugs that target TGFB1 are limited. In this study, we found that triptolide (TPL), a Chinese medicine extract, exerts an anti-lung fibrosis effect by inhibiting the EMT of lung epithelial cells. In addition, triptolide directly binds to TGFß and subsequently increase E-cadherin expression and decrease vimentin expression. In in vivo studies, TPL improves the survival state and inhibits lung fibrosis in mice. In summary, this study revealed the potential therapeutic effect of paraquat induced TPL in lung fibrosis by regulating TGFß-dependent EMT progression.

[Research progress about molecular identification of DNA barcoding in medicinal animal].

The use of animal medicine has a long history in China, it has the characteristics of high curative effect,strong activity, wide application and great potential. However,the circulation of animal medicine in current market mixed counterfeit variety and complex. Molecular identification technology of DNA barcoding is an emerging molecular biotechnology in recent years, it is a powerful supplement to traditional identification methods. This method can well identify animal species at the molecular level and has high accuracy, it can identify animal medicines quickly and monitor the medicine market effectively. This article summarizes the research process of molecular identification of DNA barcoding, the application of DNA barcoding in medicinal animals identification in recent years, and the limitations of DNA barcoding technology.

Polymeric micelles based on poly(ethylene glycol) block poly(racemic amino acids) hybrid polypeptides: conformation-facilitated drug-loading behavior and potential application as effective anticancer drug carriers.

In this work, racemic hybrid polypeptides poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-b-poly(racemic-leucine) (PRL) copolymers with different leucine residues have been synthesized and characterized. Using docetaxel as a model molecule, the high drug-loaded spherical micelles based on PEG-PRL were prepared successfully using dialysis, with a tunable particle size from 170 nm to 250 nm obtained by changing the length of the hydrophobic blocks. Facilitated drug-loading behavior (higher drug-loading ability and easier drug-loading process) of PEG-PRL compared with their corresponding levo forms (PEG-b-poly[levo leucine]) was observed and clarified for the first time. With this facilitation, the highest drug-loading content and efficiency of PEG-PRL micelles can achieve 11.2% ± 0.4% and 67.2% ± 2.4%, respectively. All drug-loaded PEG-PRL micelles exhibit a similar release behavior with a sustained release up to 72 hours. The PEG-PRL was shown to be nontoxic against MCF-7 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells up to a concentration of 100 µg/mL, displaying a good biocompatibility. Also, the docetaxel-loaded PEG-PRL micelles were more toxic than the free drug against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells - both dose and time dependent. Therefore, these high docetaxel-loaded micelles based on racemic hybrid polypeptides appear to be a novel promising nanomedicine for anticancer therapy.