Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) blockage reduces acute inflammation and delayed wound healing in oral ulcer of rats

Konjac glucomannan and κ-carrageenan synergistically contribute to the cecal intestinal barrier function of offspring via improving the benefits of maternal milk

As major dietary fibers, konjac glucomannan and κ-carrageenan in the maternal diet potentially improve the breast milk quality and intestinal barrier of the offspring. The study selected thirty-four pregnant sows (Large White × Landrace) with similar parity and backfat. From the 107th day of pregnancy to the 25th day of lactation, they were fed either the basic diet (CON) or the basic diet supplemented with konjac glucomannan and κ-carrageenan (DF). There were 17 replicates in each group, and each replicate consisting of one sow. The results of the milk quality analysis were as follows: in the DF group, the proportions of oleic acid (C18:1n9c), neural acid (C24:1) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in the colostrum, as well as those of palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1) and ginkgolic acid (C17:1) in the milk, had significantly increased (P < 0.05) and the DF group significantly increased (P < 0.05) the level of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in milk; In the cecal analysis of the offspring, the DF group significantly increased (P < 0.05) the mRNA levels of occludin, nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and catalase (CAT), while significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the mRNA level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Moreover, the abundance of p_Actinobacteria, g_Sharpea, g_Megasphaera, and g_Acidaminococcus was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the cecum of offspring in the DF group. In conclusion, konjac glucomannan and κ-carrageenan supplementation in the maternal diet can improve milk quality and positively affect the cecal barrier function of offspring.

EGR1-Driven Re-Epithelialization Enabled by Rutin-Based Self-Assembled Hydrogel Platform for Oral Ulcer Therapy

Oral ulcer (OU) is a highly prevalent mucosal disease characterized by persistent epithelial disruption. The primary challenge in its prolonged healing process is the disorder of re-epithelialization. This study develops a self-assembled hydrogel platform based on the natural small molecule rutin, which overcomes the re-epithelialization barrier through the synergistic effects of early growth response factor 1 (EGR1) gene programming and microenvironment remodeling. In this hydrogel, rutin formed supramolecular structures via hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions without structural modification. In vitro experiments confirm that rutin-based self-assembled hydrogel (RUTG) possesses excellent sustained-release properties and biocompatibility. Moreover, RUTG specifically regulates the transcriptional activation and translation of EGR1, thereby mediating the expression of re-epithelialization-related protein SOX9, and ultimately accelerating cell proliferation and migration as well as promoting re-epithelialization. Additionally, RUTG demonstrates beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, effectively remodeling the local microenvironment. In vivo studies using an oral ulcer model further confirm that RUTG could significantly accelerate the re-epithelialization process, shorten the ulcer healing cycle, and achieve functional tissue reconstruction. Collectively, this carrier-free hydrogel system, which integrates gene programming with microenvironment modulation to achieve efficient re-epithelialization, holds promise for introducing novel approaches to the treatment of oral ulcers.

Exploring the bioactive components and mechanism of Biling Weitong Granules in chronic gastric ulcer repair through network analysis and experimental verification

Biling Weitong Granules (BLWTG) is a clinical formula employed for treating epigastric pain, yet its pharmacodynamic components and mechanisms against chronic gastric ulcers (GU) remain inadequately understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the targets and mechanisms of BLWTG and its bioactive components in chronic GU. Chronic GU model was induced in SD rats through acetic acid injection, and administered BLWTG post-induction. The macroscopic ulcer appearance, microscopic histology, mucosal growth, vascular promoting factors, myeloperoxidase, and inflammatory factors in gastric tissue were assessed. Network analysis was used to predict the potential core targets and pathways. Further, bioactive components were screened based on cell model, identified by HPLC-QTOF-MS and validated in vivo. The results showed that BLWTG effectively mitigated pathological damage, achieving a 63.32% ulcer healing rate. Network analysis and experimental verification showed that the effectiveness of BLWTG stemmed from its capacity lower oxidative stress and inflammation, boost antioxidant levels, and promote the synthesis of gastric mucosal protective factors and repair. Further, the primary active fraction of BLWTG was ethyl acetate fraction, which increased the ulcer healing rate to 75.04%. Among the 55 compounds identified in the ethyl acetate fraction of BLWTG, evodiamine, dehydroevodiamine, berberine and tetrahydropalmatine may represent the active components responsible for facilitating the regeneration and repair of GU. In conclusion, BLWTG and its bioactive components significantly promote healing in rat models of chronic GU, providing a scientific basis for further applications of BLWTG in treating chronic GU.

NLRP3: a key regulator of skin wound healing and macrophage-fibroblast interactions in mice

Wound healing is a highly coordinated process driven by intricate molecular signaling and dynamic interactions between diverse cell types. Nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) has been implicated in the regulation of inflammation and tissue repair; however, its specific role in skin wound healing remains unclear. This study highlights the pivotal role of NLRP3 in effective skin wound healing, as demonstrated by delayed wound closure and altered cellular and molecular responses in NLRP3-deficient (NLRP3-/-) mice. Histological analysis revealed impaired healing processes, accompanied by reduced expression of key inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Deficiencies in apoptosis were evident through altered expression of cysteine-aspartic acid protease 3 (Caspase-3), P53, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Furthermore, critical growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were significantly decreased at the excisional skin wound sites. Furthermore, using co-culture systems, we found that NLRP3 mediated the interaction between macrophages and myofibroblasts. Wild-type fibroblast-conditioned media (MFbCM) enhanced nitric oxide (NO), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production in M1 macrophages and arginase activity, chitinase 3-like protein 1 (Ym1), and IL-10 expression in M2 macrophages, effects significantly diminished with NLRP3-/- MFbCM. Similarly, conditioned media from wild-type M1 or M2 macrophages promoted the expression of FGF-2, VEGF, and MMP-2 expression in myofibroblasts, which was attenuated when using NLRP3-/- macrophage-conditioned media. PGE2 levels were reduced in both NLRP3-/- macrophages and myofibroblasts. Supplementing NLRP3-/- conditioned media with PGE2 partially restored the impaired functions, suggesting that PGE2 acts as a downstream mediator of NLRP3-regulated macrophage-myofibroblast interactions. These findings indicate that NLRP3 is a key regulator of skin wound healing, facilitating macrophage-myofibroblast communication.

Genetically Supported Drug Targets and Dental Traits: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Current interventions for oral/dental diseases heavily rely on operative/surgical procedures, while the discovery of novel drug targets may enable access to noninvasive pharmacotherapy. Therefore, this study aims to leverage large-scale data and Mendelian randomization (MR) techniques, utilizing genetic variants as instruments, to identify potential therapeutic targets for oral and dental diseases supported by genetic evidence. By intersecting 4,302 druggable genes with expression quantitative trait loci from 31,684 blood samples, we identified 2,580 druggable targets as exposures. Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with dental disease/symptom traits were collected from FinnGen R9, the Gene-Lifestyle Interactions in Dental Endpoints consortium, and the UK Biobank to serve as outcomes for both discovery and replication purposes. Through MR analysis, we identified 43 druggable targets for various dental disease/symptom traits. To evaluate the viability of these targets, we replicated the analysis using circulating protein quantitative trait loci as exposures. Additionally, we conducted sensitivity, colocalization, Gene Ontology/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes annotation, protein-protein interaction analyses, and validated dental trait-associated druggable gene expression in animal models. Among these targets, IL12RB1 (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.01) and TNF (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99) exhibited therapeutic promise for oral ulcers, whereas CXCL10 (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.76-0.91) was for periodontitis. Through a rigorous quality control and validation pipeline, our study yields compelling evidence for these druggable targets, which may enhance the clinical prognosis by developing novel drugs or repurposing existing ones.

Neural and Inflammatory Interactions in Wound Healing

ABSTRACT

The skin is an intricate network of both neurons and immunocytes, where emerging evidence has indicated that the regulation of neural-inflammatory processes may play a crucial role in mediating wound healing. Disease associated abnormal immunological dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy are implicated in the pathogenesis of wound healing impairment. However, the mechanisms through which neural-inflammatory interactions modulate wound healing remain ambiguous. Understanding the underlying mechanisms may provide novel insights to develop therapeutic devices, which could manipulate neural-inflammatory crosstalk to aid wound healing. This review aims to comprehensively illustrate the neural-inflammatory interactions during different stages of the repair process. Numerous mediators including neuropeptides secreted by the sensory and autonomic nerve fibers and cytokines produced by immunocytes play an essential part during the distinct phases of wound healing.

A bioinspired injectable antioxidant hydrogel for prevention of postoperative adhesion

Postoperative adhesions, a prevalent complication following abdominal surgery, affect 90% of patients undergoing abdominal surgical procedures. Currently, the primary approach to prevent postoperative adhesions involves physical isolation of the surgical site and surrounding tissues using a hydrogel; however, this method represents a rudimentary strategy. Herein, considering the impact of oxidative stress and free radicals on postoperative adhesion during wound healing, an injectable antioxidant hydrogel, named PU-OHA-D, was successfully synthesized, which is formed by the crosslinking of dopamine-modified oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA-D) and dihydrazide-terminated polyurethane (PU-ADH) through hydrazone bonding. PU-OHA-D hydrogel possesses versatile characteristics such as rapid gel formation, injectability, self-repair capability and biodegradability. Additionally, they exhibit an excellent ability to clear free radicals and superior tissue adhesion. PU-OHA-D can be injected in situ to form a hydrogel to prevent abdominal wall-cecum adhesion. Importantly, it can effectively eliminate free radicals and inhibit oxidative stress at the wound site. Thereby, it leads to collagen physiological degradation and prevents the occurrence of postoperative adhesions. The bioinspired hydrogel demonstrates its great potential in preventing postoperative adhesion and promoting wound healing.

Tailoring therapeutics via a systematic beneficial elements comparison between photosynthetic bacteria-derived OMVs and extruded nanovesicles

Photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) has shown significant potential as a drug or drug delivery system owing to their photothermal capabilities and antioxidant properties. Nevertheless, the actualization of their potential is impeded by inherent constraints, including their considerable size, heightened immunogenicity and compromised biosafety. Conquering these obstacles and pursuing more effective solutions remains a top priority. Similar to extracellular vesicles, bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have demonstrated a great potential in biomedical applications. OMVs from PSB encapsulate a rich array of bioactive constituents, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids inherited from their parent cells. Consequently, they emerge as a promising and practical alternative. Unfortunately, OMVs have suffered from low yield and inconsistent particle sizes. In response, bacteria-derived nanovesicles (BNVs), created through controlled extrusion, adeptly overcome the challenges associated with OMVs. However, the differences, both in composition and subsequent biological effects, between OMVs and BNVs remain enigmatic. In a groundbreaking endeavor, our study meticulously cultivates PSB-derived OMVs and BNVs, dissecting their nuances. Despite minimal differences in morphology and size between PSB-derived OMVs and BNVs, the latter contains a higher concentration of active ingredients and metabolites. Particularly noteworthy is the elevated levels of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) found in BNVs, known for its ability to enhance cell proliferation and initiate downstream signaling pathways that promote angiogenesis and epithelialization. Importantly, our results indicate that BNVs can accelerate wound closure more effectively by orchestrating a harmonious balance of cell proliferation and migration within NIH-3T3 cells, while also activating the EGFR/AKT/PI3K pathway. In contrast, OMVs have a pronounced aptitude in anti-cancer efforts, driving macrophages toward the M1 phenotype and promoting the release of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, our findings not only provide a promising methodological framework but also establish a definitive criterion for discerning the optimal application of OMVs and BNVs in addressing a wide range of medical conditions.

TNF-α promoter hypomethylation is frequent in oncopediatric patients who recovered from mucositis

The aim of this study was to investigate the DNA methylation profile in genes encoding catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD3) enzymes, which are involved in oxidative stress mechanisms, and in genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the oral mucosa of oncopediatric patients treated with methotrexate (MTX®). This was a cross-sectional observational study and the population comprised healthy dental patients (n = 21) and those with hematological malignancies (n = 64) aged between 5 and 19 years. Oral conditions were evaluated using the Oral Assessment Guide and participants were divided into 4 groups: 1- healthy individuals; 2- oncopediatric patients without mucositis; 3- oncopediatric patients with mucositis; 4- oncopediatric patients who had recovered from mucositis. Methylation of DNA from oral mucosal cells was evaluated using the Methylation-Specific PCR technique (MSP). For CAT, the partially methylated profile was the most frequent and for SOD3 and IL6, the hypermethylated profile was the most frequent, with no differences between groups. For TNF-α, the hypomethylated profile was more frequent in the group of patients who had recovered from mucositis. It was concluded that the methylation profiles of CAT, SOD3, and IL6 are common profiles for oral cells of children and adolescents and have no association with oral mucositis or exposure to chemotherapy with MTX®. Hypomethylation of TNF-α is associated with oral mucosal recovery in oncopediatric patients who developed oral mucositis during chemotherapy.

Lycium barbarum Ameliorates Oral Mucositis via HIF and TNF Pathways: A Network Pharmacology Approach

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis is the most common and troublesome complication for cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Recent research has shown that Lycium barbarum, an important economic crop widely grown in China, has epithelial protective effects in several other organs. However, it is unknown whether or not Lycium barbarum can exert a beneficial effect on oral mucositis. Network pharmacology has been suggested to be applied in "multi-component-multi-target" functional food studies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Lycium barbarum on oral mucositis through network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental validation.

AIMS

To explore the biological effects and molecular mechanisms of Lycium barbarum in the treatment of oral mucositis through network pharmacology and molecular docking combined with experimental validation.

METHODS

Based on network pharmacology methods, we collected the active components and related targets of Lycium barbarum from public databases, as well as the targets related to oral mucositis. We mapped protein- protein interaction (PPI) networks, performed gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional enrichment, and constructed a 'components-disease-targets' network and 'components-pathways-targets' network using Cytoscape to further analyse the intrinsic molecular mechanisms of Lycium barbarum against oral mucositis. The affinity and stability predictions were performed using molecular docking strategies, and experiments were conducted to demonstrate the biological effects and possible mechanisms of Lycium barbarum against oral mucositis.

RESULTS

A network was established between 49 components and 61 OM targets. The main active compounds were quercetin, beta-carotene, palmatine, and cyanin. The predicted core targets were IL-6, RELA, TP53, TNF, IL10, CTNNB1, AKT1, CDKN1A, HIF1A and MYC. The enrichment analysis predicted that the therapeutic effect was mainly through the regulation of inflammation, apoptosis, and hypoxia response with the involvement of TNF and HIF pathways. Molecular docking results showed that key components bind well to the core targets. In both chemically and radiation-induced OM models, Lycium barbarum significantly promoted healing and reduced inflammation. The experimental verification showed Lycium barbarum targeted the key genes (IL-6, RELA, TP53, TNF, IL10, CTNNB1, AKT1, CDKN1A, HIF1A, and MYC) through regulating the HIF and TNF signaling pathways, which were validated using the RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining and western blotting assays.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the present study systematically demonstrated the possible therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Lycium barbarum on oral mucositis through network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation. The results showed that Lycium barbarum could promote healing and reduce the inflammatory response through TNF and HIF signaling pathways.

CD20 + cells blockage by rituximab delays wound healing in oral traumatic ulcers in rats

OBJECTIVE

Wound healing of oral traumatic ulcers (OTU) is strongly associated with cytokines and inflammatory cells, and the reduction of anti-inflammatory cells, such as lymphocyte B, may interfere with OTU repair. We aimed to evaluate the role of CD20 + cells in the healing process of OTU in rats.

DESIGN

Wistar male rats were divided into four groups: a control group (treated with 0.1 mL/kg of saline) and three groups treated with anti-CD20 rituximab (RTX) at 2.5, 10, or 40 mg/kg 24 h before OTU production. The animals were weighed (day 0) and euthanized on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after ulceration. With Blood cells (hematological analysis) and the traumatically induced ulcers were clinically measured. The mucosal samples were histologically (scores 0-4), histochemically (collagen assay (picrosirius)), histomorphometrically (cell counting), and immunohistochemically (CD20+, Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha(TNF-α), Interleukin(IL)- 1β, IL-6 and α-smooth-muscle-actin (α-SMA)) analyzed. ANOVA-1-2-way/Bonferroni, Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn, and correlation analyses were performed (GraphPad Prism 5.0, p < 0.05).

RESULTS

RTX leads to leukopenia, lymphocytopenia, and neutropenia (p < 0.001), and high doses reduced the OTU area (p = 0.001), impaired histologic scores (p < 0.05), and delayed polymorphonuclear (p < 0.001) and mononuclear (p < 0.001) cells, and total (p = 0.011), type-I (p = 0.008), and type-III (p = 0.021) collagen.

CONCLUSION

RTX treatment reduced CD20+ cells in OTU (p = 0.001), TNF-α (p = 0.006), and α-SMA (p = 0.022) immunostaining and delayed IL-6 reduction (p = 0.006), with no influence in IL-1β immunostaining. CD20 + cell blockage by RTX reduced cell migration, acute inflammation, and wound healing in OTU.

Thymus satureioides Coss. combats oral ulcer via inhibition of inflammation, proteolysis, and apoptosis

Oral ulcer is a frequent condition that commonly affects the tongue and in which 75% of the patients experience pain, and 25% report taste changes. The available therapies are not sufficiently effective for rapid and complete healing of tongue ulcers. We previously annotated the metabolites of Thymus satureioides (TS) aerial parts and reported their antioxidant, dermacosmeceutical and hepatoprotective properties. In this study, we performed in silico analysis, by applying network pharmacology and molecular docking, followed by experimental validation of the effect of local application of T. satureioides (TS) gel at two different concentrations on the healing of acetic-acid-induced tongue ulcer in rats. Salvianolic acid A, phloretic acid caffeate, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, and luteolin were the top bioactive ingredients of TS extract. Network pharmacology showed that the most relevant targets of these active constituents were TLR4, COX-2, MMP-9, TNF-α, and Caspase-3. Molecular docking showed that rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid had a relatively strong binding affinity, compared to the other compounds, toward all the target proteins. Experimental validation in tongue ulcer model in rats and immunohistochemistry experiments showed that application of a gel containing TS extract (5 and 10%) was effective in healing the tongue ulcer via downregulation of COX-2, TNF-α, MMP-9, and Caspase-3. This study suggests that T. satureioides extract could act as a topical treatment for tongue ulcers by combating inflammation, apoptosis, and proteolysis. The possible treatment potential of some constituents including rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid in oral ulcerations awaits further investigations to confirm their potency.

Carboxymethyl Chitosan/Sodium Alginate/Chitosan Quaternary Ammonium Salt Composite Hydrogel Supported 3J for the Treatment of Oral Ulcer

Oral ulcer is a common inflammatory disease of oral mucosa, causing severe burning pain and great inconvenience to daily life. In this study, compound 3J with anti-inflammatory activity was synthesized beforehand. Following that, an intelligent composite hydrogel supported 3J was designed with sodium alginate, carboxymethyl chitosan, and chitosan quaternary ammonium salt as the skeleton, and its therapeutic effect on the rat oral ulcer model was investigated. The results show that the composite hydrogel has a dense honeycomb structure, which is conducive to drug loading and wound ventilation, and has biodegradability. It has certain antibacterial effects and good anti-inflammatory activity. When loaded with 3J, it reduced levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in inflammatory cells by up to 50.0%. It has excellent swelling and water retention properties, with a swelling rate of up to 765.0% in a pH 8.5 environment. The existence of a large number of quaternary ammonium groups, carboxyl groups, and hydroxyl groups makes it show obvious differences in swelling in different pH environments, which proves that it has double pH sensitivity. It is beneficial to adapt to the highly dynamic changes of the oral environment. Compared with single hydrogel or drug treatment, the drug-loaded hydrogel has a better effect on the treatment of oral ulcers.

Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles with Curcumin or Açai in the Tissue Repair of Palatal Wounds

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of treatment with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) reduced with Curcumin (Curcuma longa L.) or Açai (Euterpe oleracea) to a standard commercial treatment of the pharmacological type (Omcilon®) and an electrophysical agent (photobiomodulation) in the palatal wounds of rats. As for the in vitro assay, a cell viability test was performed to assess the toxicity of the synthesized nanoparticles. In vivo assay: 60 Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 12): I. Palatal Wound (PW); II. PW + Photobiomodulation (PBM); III. PW + Omcilon®; IV. PW + GNPs-Cur (0.025 mg/mL); V. PW + GNPs-Açai (0.025 mg/mL). Animals were first anesthetized, and circular lesions in the palatine mucosa were induced using a 4 mm-diameter punch. The first treatment session started 24 h after the injury and occurred daily for 5 days. The animals were euthanized, and the palatal mucosa tissue was removed for histological, biochemical, and molecular analysis. GNPs-Açai were able to significantly reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase anti-inflammatory ones, reduce oxidant markers, and reduce inflammatory infiltrate while increasing the collagen area and contraction rate of the wound, along with an improved visual qualification. The present study demonstrated that the proposed therapies of GNPs synthesized greenly, thus associating their effects with those of plants, favor the tissue repair process in palatal wounds.

Selenide-linked polydopamine-reinforced hybrid hydrogels with on-demand degradation and light-triggered nanozyme release for diabetic wound healing

BACKGROUND

Multifunctional hydrogels with controllable degradation and drug release have attracted extensive attention in diabetic wound healing. This study focused on the acceleration of diabetic wound healing with selenide-linked polydopamine-reinforced hybrid hydrogels with on-demand degradation and light-triggered nanozyme release.

METHODS

Herein, selenium-containing hybrid hydrogels, defined as DSeP@PB, were fabricated via the reinforcement of selenol-end capping polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels by polydopamine nanoparticles (PDANPs) and Prussian blue nanozymes in a one-pot approach in the absence of any other chemical additive or organic solvent based on diselenide and selenide bonding-guided crosslinking, making them accessible for large-scale mass production.

RESULTS

Reinforcement by PDANPs greatly increases the mechanical properties of the hydrogels, realizing excellent injectability and flexible mechanical properties for DSeP@PB. Dynamic diselenide introduction endowed the hydrogels with on-demand degradation under reducing or oxidizing conditions and light-triggered nanozyme release. The bioactivity of Prussian blue nanozymes afforded the hydrogels with efficient antibacterial, ROS-scavenging and immunomodulatory effects, which protected cells from oxidative damage and reduced inflammation. Further animal studies indicated that DSeP@PB under red light irradiation showed the most efficient wound healing activity by stimulating angiogenesis and collagen deposition and inhibiting inflammation.

CONCLUSION

The combined merits of DSeP@PB (on-demand degradation, light-triggered release, flexible mechanical robustness, antibacterial, ROS-scavenging and immunomodulatory capacities) enable its high potential as a new hydrogel dressing that can be harnessed for safe and efficient therapeutics for diabetic wound healing.

Canthin-6-Ones: Potential Drugs for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases by Targeting Multiple Inflammatory Mediators

Chronic inflammatory disease (CID) is a category of medical conditions that causes recurrent inflammatory attacks in multiple tissues. The occurrence of CID is related to inappropriate immune responses to normal tissue substances and invading microbes due to many factors, such as defects in the immune system and imbalanced regulation of commensal microbes. Thus, effectively keeping the immune-associated cells and their products in check and inhibiting aberrant activation of the immune system is a key strategy for the management of CID. Canthin-6-ones are a subclass of β-carboline alkaloids isolated from a wide range of species. Several emerging studies based on in vitro and in vivo experiments reveal that canthin-6-ones may have potential therapeutic effects on many inflammatory diseases. However, no study has yet summarized the anti-inflammatory functions and the underlying mechanisms of this class of compounds. This review provides an overview of these studies, focusing on the disease entities and the inflammatory mediators that have been shown to be affected by canthin-6-ones. In particular, the major signaling pathways affected by canthin-6-ones, such as the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the NF-κB signaling pathway, and their roles in several CIDs are discussed. Moreover, we discuss the limitations in studies of canthin-6-ones and provide possible solutions. In addition, a perspective that may suggest possible future research directions is provided. This work may be helpful for further mechanistic studies and possible therapeutic applications of canthin-6-ones in the treatment of CID.