Erigeron annuus Extract Improves DNCB-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in a Mouse Model via the Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a persistent inflammatory skin condition resulting from an intricate interplay among genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. Erigeron annuus (EA), an annual winter plant belonging to the family Asteraceae, possesses anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and antioxidant activities. In this study, we hypothesized that Erigeron annuus extract (EAE) could be an effective agent for ameliorating AD-like symptoms. To confirm this hypothesis in vitro, we used H2O2-stimulated human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) to demonstrate that pre-treatment with EAE protected against oxidative stress. HaCaT cells pretreated with EAE and stimulated with H2O2 showed decreased intracellular malondialdehyde content, increased superoxide dismutase activity, and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation. To verify the in vivo hypothesis based on the intracellular results, an AD disease mouse model was induced with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), and EAE was orally administered at a non-toxic concentration according to the toxicity evaluation results. The results showed that AD disease models in BALB/c mice exhibited reduced ear epidermal thickness, scratching behavior, and mast cell infiltration. In conclusion, our results indicate that EAE has the potential to improve AD by upregulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway.

RETRACTED: Choi et al. Validation of the CHA2DS2-VA Score (Excluding Female Sex) in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Study. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 1823.

The journal retracts the article "Validation of the CHA2DS2-VA Score (Excluding Female Sex) in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Study" [...].

Protocatechuic Acid and Syringin from Saussurea neoserrata Nakai Attenuate Prostaglandin Production in Human Keratinocytes Exposed to Airborne Particulate Matter.

Saussurea neoserrata Nakai offers a reliable and efficient source of antioxidants that can help alleviate adverse skin reactions triggered by air pollutants. Air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM), have the ability to infiltrate the skin and contribute to the higher occurrence of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory ailments. Individuals with compromised skin barriers are particularly susceptible to the impact of PM since it can be absorbed more readily through the skin. This study investigated the impact of protocatechuic acid and syringin, obtained from the n-BuOH extract of S. neoserrata Nakai, on the release of PGE2 and PGD2 induced by PM10. Additionally, it examined the gene expression of the synthesis of PGE2 and PGD2 in human keratinocytes. The findings of this research highlight the potential of utilizing safe and efficient plant-derived antioxidants in dermatological and cosmetic applications to mitigate the negative skin reactions caused by exposure to air pollution.

Identification of miR-143-3p as a diagnostic biomarker in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most common types of gastrointestinal cancers and has a high incidence and mortality around the world. To suppress the progression of GC, it is essential to develop diagnostic markers. MicroRNAs regulate GC development, but a clearer insight into their role is needed before they can be applied as a molecular markers and targets. METHODS: In this study, we assessed the diagnostic value of differentially expressed microRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers for GC using data for 389 tissue samples from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and 21 plasma samples from GC patients. RESULTS: The expression of hsa-miR-143-3p (also known as hsa-miR-143) was significantly downregulated in GC according to the TCGA data and plasma samples. The 228 potential target genes of hsa-miR-143-3p were analyzed using a bioinformatics tool for miRNA target prediction. The target genes correlated with extracellular matrix organization, the cytoplasm, and identical protein binding. Furthermore, the pathway enrichment analysis of target genes showed that they were involved in pathways in cancer, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, and proteoglycans in cancer. The hub genes in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, were matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), CD44 molecule (CD44), and SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that hsa-miR-143-3p may be used as a diagnostic marker for GC, contributing via the pathways involved in the development of GC.

Validation of the CHA2DS2-VA Score (Excluding Female Sex) in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Patients: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Sex (i.e., female sex) confers one point for the CHA2DS2-VASc score. For this reason, females with atrial fibrillation (AF) always have a CHA2DS2-VASc score of at least 1. To compare the CHA2DS2-VA (excluding female sex) and CHA2DS2-VASc scores in Korean AF patients using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, we analyzed the risk of ischemic stroke in nonvalvular AF patients between 2013 and 2017. The predictive values of the CHA2DS2-VA and CHA2DS2-VASc scores for ischemic stroke were evaluated using the C-statistic and net reclassification improvement (NRI). The primary outcome was the occurrence of ischemic stroke. A total of 185,637 patients with AF (49.7% women) were included in this study. The mean ages were 66.5 years for females and 64.9 years for males. The incidence of ischemic stroke in male patients was similar to females (3.63%/year vs. 3.72%/year, p = 0.273, respectively). In addition, no sex difference was apparent for stroke risk in AF patients stratified by risk factor component and age group. In the C-statistic analysis, the predictive ability of the CHA2DS2-VA score for ischemic stroke was similar to the CHA2DS2-VASc score. Additionally, CHA2DS2-VA performed better for predicting ischemic stroke in AF patients with risk scores of ≥2 (AUC 0.701 vs. 0.689, z = 4.596, p < 0.001) or those aged ≥75 years (AUC 0.715 vs. 0.701, z = 4.957, p < 0.001). In Korean AF patients, female sex is not a specific risk factor that contributes to the development of ischemic stroke. The CHA2DS2-VA score, which excludes female sex, may be a more suitable risk score for guiding anticoagulation decisions in Korean AF patients.

Neuroprotective properties of ethanolic extract of Citrus unshiu Markovich peel through NADPH oxidase 2 inhibition in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain animal model.

The present study aimed to determine the antioxidant effect of Citrus unshiu Markovich (CUM) extract in neuronal cell lines under oxidative stress and to investigate the effect of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) on the nociceptive response in a preclinical mice model. We tested the inhibition of H2 O2 in Neuro2A cells treated with CUM. Experimental animals were treated with oxaliplatin to induce CINP, and then administered oral CUM for 4 weeks in order to observe the effect of CUM. Animals were evaluated weekly for thermal hyperalgesia and digital motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV). Lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) isolated from each animal were evaluated through immunochemical and western blot analysis for nerve damage, inflammatory response, and expression of redox signaling factors. The main mechanisms were determined to be decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production due to the inhibition of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2). To determine the functional role of NOX2 in CINP, we administrated CUM into NOX2-deficient mice with neuropathic pain. Therefore, we suggest that CUM controls the expression levels of inflammatory factors in CINP via NOX2 inactivation. This study demonstrated that a complementary medicine such as CUM might be a potential novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of CINP.

Neuroprotective Effect of Nypa fruticans Wurmb by Suppressing TRPV1 Following Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury in a Rat.

Peripheral nerve injury can result in severe functional impairment and decreased quality of life due to loss of sensory and motor function. Nypa fruticans wurmb (NF) has been used in diverse folk remedies in East Asia. We have previously shown that Nypa fruticans wurmb extract has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing TRPV1 in the sciatic nerve injury. The present study investigated the effects of NF on the control of TRPV1 in relation to neuroprotective effects of a sciatic nerve crush injury. To evaluate the neuroprotective effects, an animal behavior test and a physiological function test were performed. Functional recovery and nerve recovery were improved in the NF and NF + SB (SB366791; TRPV1 antagonist) treated group. In the histomorphology evaluation, the neuronal regenerative effect of NF on the injured sciatic nerve was confirmed via hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. In this study, the NF and NF + SB treated group showed neuroprotective and functional recovery effects from the sciatic nerve crush injury. Furthermore, the expression of NF-κB and iNOS showed a significantly suppressive effect on NF (p < 0.01), SB (p < 0.01), and NF + SB (p < 0.01) treated group at the 7th and 14th day compared to the vehicle group. This study confirmed the neuroprotective effects of NF on suppressing TRPV1 in a sciatic nerve crush injury. The findings of this study establish the effect of NF as a neurotherapeutic agent to protect the peripheral nerve after a sciatic nerve crush injury.

Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Nypa fruticans Wurmb by Suppressing TRPV1 in the Sciatic Neuropathies.

Neuropathic pain is generally characterized by sensory abnormalities such as sensory disorders, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. Recent studies have reported that TRPV1 activation is essential for establishing of inflammation in the neuropathy pain models, showing that the expression of this receptor is increased, and contributing to enhanced thermal sensitivity. Nypa fruticans Wurmb (NF), which was used as a folk remedy, is a plant that is gaining attention due to its various effects. In this study, we investigated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of NFE (Nypa fruticans Wurmb extracts) by controlling the neurological function of TRPV1. In sciatic crush injury rat models, a significant level of antinociceptive effect was observed in the thermal hyperalgesia test in which NF extracts (NFE 500 mg/kg) were orally administered, daily. Protein quantification of the sciatic nerve and the of the L4-L6 spinal cord showed a decrease of the TRPV1 expression, the inflammatory expression factor, COX2, and proinflammatory factors in the NFE treated groups. Our results indicate that NFE affects antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory by controlling TRPV1 in sciatic neuropathic pain models.

Inhibitory effect of Acer tegmentosum maxim extracts on P. gingivalis LPS-induced periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis disease is a chronic inflammation, and the prevention or treatment of periodontal disease is important for improving oral health and averting systemic diseases.Acer tegmentosum Maxim (ATM) is a type of deciduous tree in Korea. ATM extracts have been traditionally used to treat various dieases. This study investigated the effects of ATM extract on mitigation of periodontitis in vitro and in vivo. DESIGN: The current study investigated whether extracts ofAcer tegmentosum Maxim (ATM) attenuated periodontitis induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro and in vivo. We used a rat model of experimental periodontitis that received oral administration of 1 mg/kg P. gingivalis-derived LPS for 10 days. Periodontitis models was treated with two different dosages of ATM (30 or 100 mg/kg) during the same period of periodontal induction for histological analysis. RESULTS: The results indicated that aqueous ATM extracts effectively ameliorated ligature-induced periodontitis through of the antibacterial, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory activities. CONCLUSION: These pre-clinical results suggest the need for further studies on the anti-periodontitis effect of ATM in humans. Thus, ATM could be used as a natural anti-periodontitis agent for the treatment of periodontitis.

Relationship Between Platelet Reactivity and Periprocedural Myonecrosis in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The impact of platelet reactivity on periprocedural myonecrosis (PMN) in East Asian patients with stable ischemic heart disease or non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unclear. METHODS: We enrolled 256 patients with normal high-sensitivity troponin I levels who underwent PCI for stable ischemic heart disease or non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. Residual platelet reactivity was assessed by VerifyNow point-of-care P2Y12 assay before PCI and at 18-24 hours following PCI. High platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined using three cut-off scores for platelet reactivity units (PRUs). PMN was defined as a high-sensitivity troponin I elevation of >5x the 99th percentile upper reference limit (URL) in patients with normal baseline values (<99th percentile URL). RESULTS: The rate of PMN was 55.9% (n = 143) and was significantly higher for pre-PCI and post-PCI PRU values in the fourth quartile compared with those in the first quartile (15% vs 37% [P<.001] and 20% vs 36% [P<.001], respectively). The rate of PMN was higher in patients with HPR, regardless of the criteria used (PRU >208, PRU >235, and PRU >272) and time point. Multivariable analysis revealed that pre-PCI HPR (PRU >208) was an independent predictor of increased risk of PMN (odds ratio, 3.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.87-6.17; P<.001). CONCLUSION: Pre-PCI HPR (PRU >208) was associated with an increased risk of PMN in East Asian patients with stable ischemic heart disease or non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI. Achievement of optimal platelet reactivity may decrease the risk of PMN.