Active Ingredients of Schisandra chinensis Fruit Oil and their Effect on Propionibacterium acnes-Induced Inflammation in HaCaT Cells.

BACKGROUND: Propionibacterium acnes causes upregulation of inflammatory factors, such as cycloxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inward flow of calcium ions. This causes increased levels of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and inflammation of the skin, leading to redness, swelling, itching and other symptoms. Schisandra chinensis fruit oil (SCO) is rich in lignan active ingredients with various antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. METHODS: In this study, SCO is obtained by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction. SCO's anti-inflammatory actions were investigated using P. acnes-induced inflammation HaCaT cells model. A method based on reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography with a diode array detector was developed and validated for the simultaneous detection of five lignan components. Levels of inflammatory factors and LL-37 were measured by ELISA kit and western blot respectively. Ca2+ and ROS levels detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The experimental results show that the contents of schisanol A, schisanol B, schisanin A, schisanin B, and schisanin C were 33.89 ± 0.24, 14.89 ± 0.45, 8.92 ± 0.02, 29.14 ± 0.67, and 4.74 ± 0.09 mg/g, respectively. Studies have demonstrated that SCO can alleviate skin inflammation by inhibiting the COX-2/PGE2 and NF-κB signalling pathway. In addition, SCO can inhibit ROS production, significantly block inward Ca2+ flow, alleviate cell damage, and modulate the content of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our study elucidated the anti-inflammatory activity of SCO in a cell model and provided a scientific basis for its application as a raw material in skin care.

Improvement of Skin Barrier Dysfunction by Phenolic-containing Extracts of Lycium barbarum via Nrf2/HO-1 Regulation.

Lycium barbarum have received an increasing popularity due to its powerful biological activity and medicinal use. However, the effect of Lycium barbarum on skin remains largely uncharacterized. The general purpose of this paper was to characterize the phenolic compounds in Lycium barbarum extract (LBE) using LC-HRMS/QTOF method and to investigate whether topical administration of LBE can repair skin barrier dysfunction in mice. Our data demonstrated that LBE could not only decrease ROS level and matrix metalloproteinase expression, but also strengthen intrinsic antioxidant defense system including SOD, GSH-Px and CAT, thereby resulting in increased skin collagen content and an improvement of UV-induced skin erythema, thickness and wrinkles. Improved skin barrier functions were highly correlated with increased expression of filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin as well as antioxidant proteins such as Nrf2 and HO-1 in UV-irradiated mice, suggesting that LBE may be promising natural products at a lower cost for the topical application in the treatment of skin diseases with defective barrier function.

Impact of polyphenols extracted from Tricholoma matsutake on UVB-induced photoaging in mouse skin.

BACKGROUND: Despite Tricholoma matsutake has been used as natural health products with multiple medicinal properties, detailed information about its polyphenolic composition as sources of anti-photoaging agents remains to be determined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of polyphenols extracted from Tricholoma matsutake (TME) on Ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin photoaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Various factors of oxidative stress and inflammation as well as histological and immunohistochemical analysis in the mouse dorsal skin were determined after UVB radiation. RESULTS: Topical administration with TME suppressed the UVB-induced skin thickness, wrinkles and erythema, and increased skin collagen content. Furthermore, TME decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, upregulated glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activities and inhibited the expression of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in mice irradiated with UVB. TME could reduce UVB-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) phosphorylation and effectively inhibited the activity of the transcriptional factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), thereby reducing the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, which is an important mediator of inflammatory cascade leading to the inflammatory response. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrated that TME had various beneficial effects on UVB-induced skin photoaging due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and it might be exploited as a promising natural product in skin care, anti-photoaging and the therapeutic intervention of skin disorders related to both oxidative stress and inflammation.

Elaeagnus L gum polysaccharides alleviate the impairment of barrier function in the dry skin model mice.

BACKGROUND: Dry skin is a common skin condition caused by reduction of water-holding capacity, which is regulated by skin barrier function. Dry skin can also be a symptom that indicates a more serious diagnosis. There are a number of moisturizers on the market, which play an important role in dermatologic and cosmetic therapies. However, the demand for these products with good and therapeutic efficiency is still growing. AIMS: It remains necessary to investigate the effects of Elaeagnus L gum polysaccharides (EAP), which are prepared from gum of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. on the epidermal permeability barrier function and their possible underlying mechanisms. PATIENTS/METHODS: EAP were purified, analyzed, and tested on human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT) and then on the skin in vivo to evaluate their antiinflammatory activities and their impacts on impaired skin barrier function. RESULTS: Histological analyses revealed that topical administration with EAP effectively attenuated dryness-like skin condition, including less percutaneous water loss rate, less infiltrate inflammation cells, and less epidermal thickening. Moreover, EAP inhibited the production of various inflammatory mediators and increased AQP-3, FLG, and LOR expression. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that EAP enhances epidermal permeability barrier function, and they can be used as a promising adjuvant agent in skin care cosmetics and in treating some skin disorders characterized by cutaneous inflammation and abnormal barrier function.

Cefazolin sodium pentahydrate combined with vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of open fracture complicated with soft tissue injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of cefazolin sodium pentahydrate combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of open fracture complicated with soft tissue injury. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with open fracture complicated with soft tissue injury were divided into observation (n = 33) and control (n = 30) groups. After surgical reduction, fixation, and repair of the fractures, the control group was treated with VSD for 10 days, and the observation group was treated with cefazolin sodium pentahydrate based on VSD for 10 days. The infection control time was recorded. After treatment, the pain of patients was evaluated. Before and after treatment, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucose were detected. After 6 months of treatment, the total effective rate of the treatment was evaluated. RESULTS: The infection control time and Visual Analogue Scale score after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the serum levels of CRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucose in each group were significantly lower than before the treatment (P < 0.05), and each index in observation was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of open fractures complicated with soft tissue injury, cefazolin sodium pentahydrate combined with VSD can effectively reduce inflammation and stress, thus improving the treatment efficacy.

Cefazolin sodium pentahydrate combined with vacuum sealing drainage in the treatment of open fracture complicated with soft tissue injury

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy of cefazolin sodium pentahydrate combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of open fracture complicated with soft tissue injury. METHODS Sixty-three patients with open fracture complicated with soft tissue injury were divided into observation (n = 33) and control (n = 30) groups. After surgical reduction, fixation, and repair of the fractures, the control group was treated with VSD for 10 days, and the observation group was treated with cefazolin sodium pentahydrate based on VSD for 10 days. The infection control time was recorded. After treatment, the pain of patients was evaluated. Before and after treatment, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucose were detected. After 6 months of treatment, the total effective rate of the treatment was evaluated. RESULTS The infection control time and Visual Analogue Scale score after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the serum levels of CRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucose in each group were significantly lower than before the treatment (P < 0.05), and each index in observation was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In the treatment of open fractures complicated with soft tissue injury, cefazolin sodium pentahydrate combined with VSD can effectively reduce inflammation and stress, thus improving the treatment efficacy.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Investigar a eficácia clínica do cefazolin penta-hidrato de sódio combinado com drenagem por vedação a vácuo (VSD) no tratamento da fratura exposta complicada com lesão nos tecidos moles. MÉTODOS Sessenta e três doentes com fratura exposta complicada com lesões nos tecidos moles foram divididos em grupos de observação (n=33) e controle (n=30). Após redução cirúrgica, fixação e reparação da fratura, o grupo de controle foi tratado com VSD durante dez dias e o grupo de observação foi tratado com cefazolina penta-hidrato de sódio com base no VSD durante dez dias. O tempo de controle de infecção foi gravado. Após o tratamento, a dor dos doentes foi avaliada. Antes e após o tratamento, foram detectados os níveis séricos de proteína C-reativa (CRP), interleucina (IL)-6, IL -8, fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α), cortisol, epinefrina, norepinefrina e glicose. Após seis meses de tratamento, a taxa efetiva total de tratamento foi avaliada. RESULTADOS O tempo de controle da infecção e a pontuação da Escala Visual Analógica após o tratamento no grupo de observação foram significativamente inferiores ao do grupo de controle, respectivamente (P<0,05). Após o tratamento, os níveis séricos de CRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, cortisol, epinefrina, norepinefrina e glicose em cada grupo foram significativamente menores do que antes do tratamento, respectivamente (P<0,05), e cada índice de observação foi significativamente inferior ao do grupo de controle (P<0,05). CONCLUSÃO No tratamento da fratura exposta complicada com lesões nos tecidos moles, o cefazolin penta-hidrato de sódio combinado com VSD pode efetivamente reduzir a inflamação e o estresse, melhorando assim a eficácia do tratamento.

Fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida Ameliorates Epidermal Barrier Disruption via Keratinocyte Differentiation and CaSR Level Regulation.

The epidermal barrier acts as a line of defense against external agents as well as helps to maintain body homeostasis. The calcium concentration gradient across the epidermal barrier is closely related to the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes (KCs), and the regulation of these two processes is the key to the repair of epidermal barrier disruption. In the present study, we found that fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida (UPF) could promote the repair of epidermal barrier disruption in mice. The mechanistic study demonstrated that UPF could promote HaCaT cell differentiation under low calcium condition by up-regulating the expression of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), which could then lead to the activation of the Catenin/PLCγ1 pathway. Further, UPF could increase the expression of CaSR through activate the ERK and p38 pathway. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism of UPF in the repair of the epidermal barrier and provide a basis for the development of UPF into an agent for the repair of epidermal barrier repair.

Anti-inflammatory effects of paeoniflorin from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. on human corneal epithelial cells and a mouse model of dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is characterized by increased osmolality of tears due to a lack of production or increased evaporation of tears. Hyperosmolarity is involved in DED pathogenesis, which damages ocular surface cells and leads to inflammation of the ocular surface. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of paeoniflorin (PF) from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. on human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and its molecular mechanisms, and its therapeutic effects on a mouse model of experimental dry eye (EDE). HCE cells were treated with PF-1 (PF prepared in vitro; 0.01%, 0.1% and 1.0%). Protein production/activity was determined by Western blotting, RT-PCR and immunofluorescent staining. Meanwhile, eye drops containing 0.01%, 0.1% and 1.0% of PF-2 (PF prepared in vivo) were applied to the EDE, and the tear volume, corneal fluorescein-staining score, detachment of the corneal epithelium, and immunohistochemical staining were measured after 28 days of treatment. PF reduced expression of proinflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in HCE cells, and significantly improved dry-eye signs, including tear volume, desquamation of the corneal epithelium and ocular surface inflammation in mice treated with 1.0% PF-2. Further study showed that PF improved EDE by inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphorylated (p)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and pp-38, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. These data suggest that PF can improve dry-eye symptoms and reduce expression of proinflammatory mediators. Hence, eye drops containing PF could be used as an adjunctive treatment for DED.

Analyses of the efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty and alendronate sodium on thoracolumbar vertebral fracture and the risk factors of fracture.

The present study investigated the efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty and alendronate sodium on thoracolumbar vertebral fracture, and the risk factors leading to the recurrence of fracture. In the present study, a total of 80 patients with thoracolumbar vertebral fracture who were admitted to the Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Southeast University Medical College between January 2014 and March 2016 for combination treatment of percutaneous kyphoplasty and alendronate sodium were enrolled. According to the recurrence of fracture, the patients were divided into two groups, the observation group (patients with fracture recurrence, n=40) and control group (patients with no fracture recurrence, n=40). All patients participated in a 1-year follow-up. The recurrence of fracture and the site of fracture were identified through the clinical symptoms and examination of the spine using magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, comparisons of the time of alleviation in numbness of lower limb and that in pains in waist and legs were carried out. Furthermore, statistics on the adverse reactions during intervention in the two groups were also collected; changes in visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) of pains at different time points in two groups were also observed. One-way analysis and multivariate analysis were performed to identify the relevant risk factors. Alleviation time in numbness of lower legs in patients of the control group was significantly earlier than that in the observation group (P<0.05) and the alleviation time in pains of the waist and legs of patients in the control group was also significantly earlier than that in the observation group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the incidence rates of abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation and hypocalcemiain in the control group were also significantly lower compared with those in the observation group (P<0.05). One week, one month and one year after operation, the scores of VAS of pains and ODI in the control group were significantly lower compared with those in the observation group in the same period (P<0.05). Lower preoperative bone density and exosmosis of bone cement in treatment were the independent risk factors leading to the recurrence of fracture. For patients with thoracolumbar vertebral fracture who received the combination treatment of percutaneous kyphoplasty and alendronate sodium, there underlies an important correlation between the recurrence rate of fracture and the preoperative bone density as well as the exosmosis of bone cement in operation.

Glabridin, an isoflavan from licorice root, ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like inflammation of BALB/c mice.

In this paper, we investigate the effect of glabridin (Glab) on psoriasis. We observed that Glab significantly suppressed the levels of nitric oxide (NO), NF-κB subunit p65, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated HaCaT cells. In addition, Glab treatment reduced the expression of IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-23 in TNF-α-stimulated-HaCaT cells. These findings prompted us to test whether Glab could be used to treat psoriasis in vivo. The effects of Glab on PASI scores, histopathological changes, oxidative/anti-oxidative indexes and pro-inflammatory cytokines in IMQ-induced mice were investigated. The results indicated that Glab could reduce the PASI scores and ameliorate the deteriorating histopathology. Interestingly, RT-PCR revealed that Glab significantly decreased the mRNA expression of p65, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-23. These results were confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry staining. In conclusion, our present study revealed that Glab had beneficial effects on psoriasis, and the underlying mechanism may be associated with the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the improvement of antioxidant status. Hence, Glab is a promising candidate molecule for development of effective psoriasis therapies.

Designer self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds containing link protein N-terminal peptide induce chondrogenesis of rabbit bone marrow stem cells.

Designer self-assembling peptide nanofiber hydrogel scaffolds have been considered as promising biomaterials for tissue engineering because of their excellent biocompatibility and biofunctionality. Our previous studies have shown that a novel designer functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofiber hydrogel scaffold (RLN/RADA16, LN-NS) containing N-terminal peptide sequence of link protein (link N) can promote nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) adhesion and three-dimensional (3D) migration and stimulate biosynthesis of type II collagen and aggrecan by NPCs in vitro. The present study has extended these investigations to determine the effects of this functionalized LN-NS on bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), a potential cell source for NP regeneration. Although the functionalized LN-NS cannot promote BMSCs proliferation, it significantly promotes BMSCs adhesion compared with that of the pure RADA16 hydrogel scaffold. Moreover, the functionalized LN-NS remarkably stimulates biosynthesis and deposition of type II collagen and aggrecan. These data demonstrate that the functionalized peptide nanofiber hydrogel scaffold containing link N peptide as a potential matrix substrate will be very useful in the NP tissue regeneration.

Functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofiber hydrogel as a scaffold for rabbit nucleus pulposus cells.

In this study, a new functionalized peptide RLN was designed containing the bioactive motif link N, the amino terminal peptide of link protein. A link N nanofiber scaffold (LN-NS) was self-assembled by mixing peptide solution of RLN and RADA16. The characterization of LN-NS was tested using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The biocompatibility and bioactivity of this nanofiber scaffold for rabbit nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) were also evaluated. This designer functionalized nanofiber scaffold exhibited little cytotoxicity and promoted NPCs adhesion obviously. In three-dimensional cell culture experiments, confocal reconstructed images testified that the functionalized LN-NS-guided NPCs migration from the surface into the hydrogel considerably, in which the RADA16 scaffold did not. Moreover, the functionalized LN-NS significantly stimulated the biosynthesis of extracelluar matrices (ECM) by NPCs. Our findings demonstrate that the functionalized nanofiber scaffold containing link N had excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity with rabbit NPCs and could be useful in the nucleus pulposus regeneration.

Expression of Beclin1 in osteosarcoma and the effects of down-regulation of autophagy on the chemotherapeutic sensitivity.

To explore the expression of Beclin1 in osteosarcoma and investigate the effects of down-regulation of autophagy on the chemotherapeutic sensitivity to cisplatin (DDP), the expression of Beclin1 in 28 specimens of osteosarcoma (group A) and 19 specimens of normal bone tissues (group B) were immunohistochemically detected. The expression of Beclin1 mRNA in MG63 cells treated with different concentrations of DDP was examined with RT-PCR. After down-regulation of autophagy in MG63 cells by an autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), the cell proliferation inhibition rate of MG63 cells treated with DDP was evaluated by using the MTT assay. The positive rates of Beclin1 were 67.85% in group A and 94.73% in group B. Its expression was lower in osteosarcoma than in normal bone tissues, with a significant difference found between them (P<0.05). RT-PCR showed that the expression of Beclin1 mRNA in the cells treated with high-dose DDP were higher than that in the non-treated cells, and no significant difference in the expression of Beclin1 mRNA was found between the cells treated with low-dose DDP and the non-treated cells. There was a positive correlation between the level of Beclin1 mRNA expression and the concentration of DDP. MTT assay showed that the proliferation inhibition rates of the cell treated with 3-MA and DDP combined were substantially increased when compared with those treated with DDP alone (P<0.01). This study demonstrated that autophagy may be implicated in the carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma, and DDP may induce autophagy in the MG63 cells. It also suggests that the down-regulated autophagy could increase chemotherapeutic sensitivity of DDP to osteosarcoma.

Expression of Beclinl in Osteosarcoma and the Effects of Down-regulation of Autophagy on the Chemotherapeutic Sensitivity / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

To explore the expression of Beclin1 in osteosarcoma and investigate the effects of down-regulation of autophagy on the chemotherapeutic sensitivity to cisplatin (DDP),the expression of Beclin1 in 28 specimens of osteosarcoma (group A) and 19 specimens of normal bone tissues (group B) were immunohistochemically detected. The expression of Beclin1 mRNA in MG63 cells treated with different concentrations of DDP was examined with RT-PCR. After down-regulation of autophagy in MG63 cells by an autophagy inhibitor,3-methyladenine (3-MA),the cell proliferation inhibition rate of MG63 cells treated with DDP was evaluated by using the MTT assay. The positive rates of Beclinl were 67.85% in group A and 94.73% in group B. Its expression was lower in osteosarcoma than in normal bone tissues,with a significant difference found between them (P＜0.05).RT-PCR showed that the expression of Bcclin1 mRNA in the cells treated with high-dose DDP were higher than that in the non-treated cells,and no significant difference in the expression of Beclin1 mRNA was found between the cells treated with low-dose DDP and the non-treated cells. There was a positive correlation between the level of Beclin1 mRNA expression and the concentration of DDP.MTT assay showed that the proliferation inhibition rates of the cell treated with 3-MA and DDP combined were substantially increased when compared with those treated with DDP alone (P＜0.01).This study demonstrated that autophagy may be implicated in the carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma,and DDP may induce autophagy in the MG63 cells. It also suggests that the down-regulated autophagy could increase chemotherapeutic sensitivity of DDP to osteosarcoma.