The main bioactive compounds of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. for alleviation of inflammatory cytokines: A comprehensive review

Scutellaria baicalensis stem and leaf combat chicken-derived respiratory bacterial infection

The Chinese poultry industry has witnessed rapid development, with laying hens playing a pivotal role. However, the escalating demand has led to an exponential increase in the population of laying hens raised, resulting in emerging challenges. Particularly during bacterial infections, substantial losses can be incurred. Presently, most farms heavily rely on antibiotics for disease prevention and control. Although this approach has yielded positive outcomes, prolonged usage may lead to the emergence of drug-resistant strains and residues. Consequently, research on alternative drugs has been initiated due to antibiotic prohibition and growing pathogen resistance. Chinese herbal medicine holds significant prominence across various domains, including animal husbandry and disease treatment, owing to its traditional roots in China. Scutellaria baicalensis is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the dried root of the labiatae family plant Scutellaria baicalensis that possesses bitter taste and cold properties while exhibiting effects such as heat clearance, dampness elimination, lung purification, fire expulsion and heat detoxification. The aboveground components of Scutellaria baicalensis encompass stems and leaves, which yield approximately three times more than their root counterparts as traditional Chinese medicine resources. Sculltllarla bactlalensls products have been successfully applied in animal husbandry with therapeutic effects against sore throat, respiratory diseases, and heat detoxification. Therefore, in pursuit of economic sustainability, this study aims at developing an extract from Scutellaria baicalensis stems and leaves for treating respiratory bacterial infections among laying hens. The findings indicate that this extract exhibits excellent therapeutic efficacy against respiratory diseases among laying hens by reducing inflammatory cell levels within their lungs.

Isolation, identification and the pathogenicity characterization of Pseudomonas putida 1C3 and its activation on immune responses in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

The outbreak of mass mortality of Japanese flounder occurred in an aquaculture farm in Hebei province of China. This study isolated and identified Pseudomonas putida as the dominant bacterium from diseased Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) based on morphological, physiological, biochemical characteristics, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and whole-genome sequencing. Pathogenicity assessment, histopathological analysis, and host immune response were investigated. Results demonstrated that P. putida was pathogenic, causing acute enteritis and multiple organ damage in infected fish. The median lethal dose (LD50) was determined as 2.66 × 106 CFU/g. Transcriptome analysis of the spleen at three post-infection timepoints revealed a robust immune response, with significantly upregulation of immune pathways and downregulation of metabolic functions. Key cytokines (il-1β, il-6, tnf, il-8, il-12, cxcl10, ccl2) were significantly upregulated, indicating intense immune activation. Notably, the P. putida strain exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype and harbored multiple drug resistance genes and virulence factors. This is the first report linking P. putida to disease in P. olivaceus, comprehensively elucidating its causative role and the host immune response in Japanese flounder culture.

A Novel pH-Responsive Baicalein@Chitosan Hydrogel for the Topical Treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Skin Infections: Therapeutic Potential and Mechanisms

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a prevalent human pathogen primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Traditional antiviral drugs like acyclovir (ACV) have limitations due to viral resistance and side effects, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Drug-loaded hydrogels have emerged as a promising approach for managing various skin infections. Considering the low-pH microenvironment following HSV-1 infection, a pH-responsive baicalein@chitosan (B@C) hydrogel is developed for the topical treatment of HSV-1 skin infections. This hydrogel is synthesized by incorporating baicalein, a natural flavonoid, into a chitosan matrix modified with 4-formylphenylboronic acid and protocatechualdehyde to achieve potent anti-HSV-1 activity and pH-responsiveness. In vitro results demonstrated the hydrogel's pH-dependent inhibitory effect on HSV-1 infections, including ACV-resistant strains. Subsequent investigations confirmed its efficacy in multiple murine infection models. Mechanistically, the B@C hydrogel inhibited viral replication by modulating the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta, promoted collagen synthesis, and decreased reactive oxygen species generation. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed a sustained release of baicalein from the hydrogel, ensuring long-term drug retention in HSV-1-infected skin tissues. Collectively, these findings suggest that the B@C hydrogel holds significant potential for the therapeutic management of HSV-1 skin infections.

The Nexus Between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Immunoporosis: Implications in the Treatment and Management of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is a globally prevalent bone disease characterized by reduced bone mass and heightened fracture risk, posing a significant health and economic challenge to aging societies worldwide. Osteoimmunology-an emerging field of study-investigates the intricate relationship between the skeletal and the immune systems, providing insights into the immune system's impact on bone health and disease progression. Recent research has demonstrated the essential roles played by various immune cells (T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, granulocytes, and innate lymphoid cells) in regulating bone metabolism, homeostasis, formation, and remodeling through interactions with osteoclasts (OC) and osteoblasts (OB). These findings underscore that osteoimmunology provides an essential theoretical framework for understanding the pathogenesis of various skeletal disorders, including OP. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its active ingredients have significant clinical value in OP treatment. Unfortunately, despite their striking multieffect pathways in the pharmacological field, current research has not yet summarized them in a comprehensive and detailed manner with respect to their interventional roles in immune bone diseases, especially OP. Consequently, this review addresses recent studies on the mechanisms by which immune cells and their communication molecules contribute to OP development. Additionally, it explores the potential therapeutic benefits of TCM and its active components in treating OP from the perspective of osteoimmunology. The objective is to provide a comprehensive framework that enhances the understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms of TCM in treating immune-related bone diseases and to facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Exploring the effective components and underlying mechanisms of Feiyanning formula in acute lung injury based on the pharmacokinetics, metabolomics and network pharmacology technology

This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of Feiyanning formula (FYN) on acute lung injury (ALI) using pharmacokinetics combined with network pharmacology strategy. Firstly, pharmacokinetic studies of 13 major bioactive components in normal and ALI mice were conducted using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-QQQ-MS/MS). Secondly, metabolomics was utilized to explore the metabolites affected by FYN. Finally, the network pharmacology was used to analyze the pharmacological mechanism of FYN's pharmacokinetic target components in ALI treatment, with western blotting (WB) experiment performed for verification. The pharmacokinetic results showed that compared to normal mice, the Cmax and AUC0-t of wogonin, oroxylin A, liquiritigenin, tetrandrine, and fangchinoline were significantly increased in ALI mice. The results of the lung tissue distribution showed that compared to normal mice, the AUC0-t of wogonin and oroxyloside was significantly increased in ALI mice; the Cmax of wogonoside and norwogonin was significantly increased in ALI mice. Metabolomics analysis showed that FYN may alleviate LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice by regulating related pathways including purine metabolism, and phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis in both serum and lung tissue. Network pharmacology identified 110 overlapping genes between the 13 absorbed components and ALI-related targets. In KEGG enrichment analysis, the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was identified as a significant pathway. WB experiment confirmed that FYN reduced the expression ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT1/AKT1, p-EGFR/EGFR, and TLR4 levels in lung tissue of ALI mice. This study might offer a solid foundation for evaluating the clinical efficacy of FYN.

Baicalein Ameliorates Experimental Ulcerative Colitis Recurrency by Downregulating Neonatal Fc Receptor via the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic autoimmune disease (AID) that causes mild to moderate unpredictable symptoms, including diarrhea and abdominal pain. Against neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) has been proven to be a unique AID treatment strategy by decreasing the effects of pathogenic autoantibody. Our previous study revealed that FcRn inhibition is beneficial in UC treatment through reducing colonic neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation via accelerating serum antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) clearance. In this study, we initially confirmed the specific impact of downregulating FcRn in preventing UC relapse by injecting rAAV, which is carrying Fcgrt-shRNA, in mice. Next, we investigated the inhibition effects and regulation mechanisms of baicalein (BCL) on FcRn and assessed its capacity to withstand UC recurrence using NCM460 cells and dextran sodium sulfate-induced mice models by determining the expression of FcRn and its related transcription factors. We also measured colonic NET-associated protein (NAP) expression and serum concentrations of IgG, ANCA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and c-reactive protein (CRP). UC inflammation severity was determined by using the disease activity index (DAI) and histopathological score (HS). BCL treatment remarkably decreased the mRNA and protein contents of FcRn, p50, and p65 but did not impact STAT1 expression or the phosphorylation of IκB and STAT1. Long-term BCL administration inhibited colonic FcRn expression and reduced serum ANCA levels, colonic NAP expression, serum inflammation-related indexes (including TNF-α, IL-1β, and CRP), and DAI and HS scores in UC mice during inflammation relapse better than salazosulfapyridine. Our study indicates that BCL ameliorates UC recurrency by inhibiting FcRn expression via p50/p65 heterodimer-mediated NF-κB signaling.

Mechanistic investigation of Shuanghuanglian against infectious bronchitis in chickens: a network pharmacology and molecular dynamics study

Introduction

Infectious bronchitis (IB) poses a major challenge to global poultry production, causing substantial economic burdens and underscoring the necessity for novel therapeutic interventions given the limitations of current vaccines and conventional antiviral agents. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively explore the active components in Shuanghuanglian and their interaction with the key pathological targets of IBV (Infectious bronchitis virus) infection. By using advanced computational methods, this study aims not only to identify the therapeutic potential of active ingredients, but also to reveal their mechanism of action against IBV.

Methods

Through integrative systems pharmacology approaches, we systematically investigated Shuanghuanglian and its phytochemical constituents against IB, employing multi-omics analysis, ensemble machine learning, and all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Network pharmacology revealed 65 target genes associated with Shuanghuanglian's primary bioactive components (quercetin, kaempferol, wogonin, and luteolin), exhibiting high network centrality.

Results

Using the TCMSP database, we found 65 target genes associated with key active components, such as quercetin and kaempferol, which exhibited strong connectivity in our network analysis. The GeneCards database also identified 40 common target genes shared by Shuanghuanglian and IB. Importantly, BCL2 and IL6 were recognized as key targets in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, highlighting their roles in apoptosis and inflammation. Furthermore, analyses using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways revealed significant roles in regulating the cell cycle and inflammatory responses. Machine learning techniques identified BCL2 and IL6 as critical genes for therapeutic intervention, supported by molecular docking results that showed strong binding energies. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations confirm the stability of the complexes, underscoring the importance of these interactions for treatment efficacy.

Conclusion

We used a variety of analytical methods, and finally identified the potential active ingredients of Shuanghuanglian as kaempferol, quercetin, wogonin, and luteolin. The active ingredients target BCL2 and IL6 and play a therapeutic role in avian infectious bronchitis by inhibiting apoptosis and reducing inflammatory response.

Antiviral treatment for viral pneumonia: current drugs and natural compounds

In recent years, viral pneumonia has become a significant challenge to global public health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Viral pneumonia can be caused by various viruses, including influenza virus, RSV, and adenovirus. These viruses trigger inflammatory responses by invading the respiratory epithelial cells, leading to lung damage. Existing antiviral drugs such as ribavirin, adobiravir, and oseltamivir exert their therapeutic effects by inhibiting different stages of the viral life cycle but face issues such as increasing drug resistance. Natural components like astragalus saponins, Houttuynia cordata flavonoids, and tea theaflavin-gallates have demonstrated supportive roles in antiviral treatments, capable of not only enhancing immune responses but also potentially inhibiting viral replication through multiple pathways, thereby alleviating lung damage. Although natural components cannot entirely replace traditional antiviral drugs, their role in comprehensive treatment regimens is becoming increasingly important. This review summarizes the current applications and limitations of antiviral drugs and explores the research progress and potential mechanisms of natural components in the treatment of viral pneumonia.

Functional Characterization of β-Glucuronidase Genes Involved in Baicalein Biosynthesis from Scutellaria baicalensis Based on Transcriptome Analysis

Baicalein is a unique flavonoid compound with important pharmacological activities, derived from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Baicalein, as the aglycone of baicalin, is a key form for exerting pharmacological activity in vivo. β-glucuronidases (GUSs) are the enzymes involved in the conversion of baicalin to baicalein. In this study, the content of baicalein in S. baicalensis was significantly increased by 20.44% after treatment with 5% PEG6000. Seven GUSs from the glycoside hydrolase 79 family were identified through comparative transcriptome analysis. Among them, GUS1 and GUS2 were confirmed to have catalytic activity in converting baicalin to baicalein in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. The correlation analysis further revealed a significant positive correlation of 0.962 (p < 0.01) between the expression of GUS2 and baicalein content in six different sources of S. baicalensis. Interestingly, the presence of variable sites in the GUS1 and GUS2 genes significantly affected their catalytic efficiency in the S. baicalensis samples from the six geographic origins. These findings also provide valuable GUS biological enzyme resources for the effective synthesis of baicalein and offer new insights into the accumulation pattern of baicalein in S. baicalensis.

The Potential of Hydrogel Preparations Containing Plant Materials in Supporting the Treatment of Vaginal and Vulvar Infections-Current State of Knowledge

Vaginal hydrogels are a modern alternative to solid (tablets, globules) and other semi-solid forms of medication (ointments, creams) in the control of pathogenic microorganisms in diseases of the female reproductive tract. This review aims to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the efficacy of hydrogels containing plant materials in the treatment of vaginal and vulvar infections. New therapies are essential to address the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis. Google Scholar, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Medline (PubMed) databases were searched. Twenty-five studies were included in the review, including basic, pre-clinical, and clinical studies. The results obtained confirmed the therapeutic potential of plant raw materials embedded in the polymer matrix of hydrogels. However, due to the small number of clinical trials conducted, further research in this area is needed.

Human embryonic stem cell-derived immunity-and-matrix-regulatory cells on collagen scaffold effectively treat rat corneal alkali burn

Corneal alkali burns (CAB) are a severe form of ocular injury that often leads to significant vision loss, with limited effective treatment options available beyond corneal transplantation. Immunity and matrix-regulatory cells (IMRCs) have emerged as a promising alternative due to their ability to modulate immune responses and support tissue repair. This study investigates the efficacy of IMRCs on collagen scaffolds (IMRCs-col) for treating CAB in a rat model. We developed a novel treatment combining IMRCs with a collagen scaffold to align with the ocular surface structure. In vitro analyses showed that IMRCs-col significantly upregulated the expression of immune regulatory molecules, including IL-1RA and SCF. Additionally, IMRCs-col effectively inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and Gro-a/CXCL1) while promoting pro-regenerative cytokines (bFGF, HGF, and PDGF). In an animal model of CAB, IMRCs-col transplantation demonstrated substantial efficacy in restoring corneal opacity and reducing neovascularization. Histological examination revealed reduced inflammation and improved corneal tissue regeneration compared to untreated CAB. Enhanced activation of pathways associated with anti-inflammatory responses and tissue repair was observed at days 3, 7, and 21 post-treatment.

Mechanisms of wogonoside in the treatment of atherosclerosis based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis serves as the fundamental pathology for a variety of cardiovascular disorders, with its pathogenesis being closely tied to the complex interplay among lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Wogonoside is a natural flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis with a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and cardiac function improvement properties. Despite these known effects, the specific role of wogonoside in the context of atherosclerosis remains to be elucidated.

PURPOSE

To validate the efficacy of wogonoside in the treatment of atherosclerosis and to investigate its possible therapeutic mechanisms.

METHODS

Network pharmacology was used to obtain the core targets and signaling pathways that may be efficacious in the treatment of atherosclerosis with wogonoside, which were validated using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. To further validate the core targets in the signaling pathway, we performed in vivo experiments using apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-/- mice. This included pathological morphology and lipid deposition analysis of mouse aorta, serum lipid level analysis, Elisa analysis, oxidative stress analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence assay, immunohistochemical analysis and protein blot analysis.

RESULTS

Predictions were obtained that wogonoside treatment of atherosclerosis has 31 core targets, which are mainly focused on pathways such as Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway and NF-kappa B (NF-κB ) signaling pathway. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that wogonoside has good binding properties to the core targets. In vivo experimental results showed that wogonoside significantly inhibited aortic inflammatory response and lipid deposition, significantly reduced the release levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), oxidized low density (ox-LDL) and free fatty acid (FFA), and significantly inhibited the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and oxidative stress in ApoE-/- mice. Further molecular mechanism studies showed that wogonoside significantly inhibited the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in ApoE-/- mice.

CONCLUSION

Wogonoside may be an effective drug monomer for the treatment of atherosclerosis, and its mechanism of action is closely related to the inhibition of the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Crude Drugs for Clearing Heat Contain Compounds Exhibiting Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Interleukin-1β-Treated Rat Hepatocytes

Traditional Japanese medicines, i.e., Kampo medicines, consist of crude drugs (mostly plants) that have empirical pharmacological functions ('Yakuno' in Japanese), such as clearing heat. Crude drugs with cold properties, such as Phellodendron bark, have the empirical function of clearing heat as they cool the body. Because we found that anti-inflammatory compounds were present in several crude drugs for clearing heat, it is speculated that the empirical function of clearing heat may be linked to anti-inflammatory activities. When 10 typical crude drugs were selected from 22 herbal crude drugs for clearing heat, we identified anti-inflammatory compounds in five crude drugs, including Phellodendron bark. In this study, the other crude drugs were extracted and partitioned with ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol to obtain three crude fractions. All the EtOAc-soluble fractions, except that from Forsythia fruits, inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in primary-cultured rat hepatocytes. Anti-inflammatory compounds were identified from these EtOAc-soluble fractions: baicalein from Scutellaria roots, (-)-nyasol from Anemarrhena rhizomes, and loniflavone from Lonicera leaves and stems. (+)-Phillygenin was purified from Forsythia fruits by removing cytotoxic oleanolic and betulinic acids. These compounds suppressed the production of NO and cytokines in hepatocytes. Anti-inflammatory compounds were not purified from the EtOAc-soluble fraction of Rehmannia roots because of their low abundance. Collectively, these findings indicate that anti-inflammatory compounds are present in all 10 crude drugs for clearing heat, confirming that these anti-inflammatory compounds in crude drugs provide the empirical functions for clearing heat. Other empirical functions of Kampo medicine can also be explained by modern pharmacological activities.

Baicalein attenuates ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis through the activation of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group a member 1

Baicalein, one of the major active flavonoids found in Scutellaria baicalensis, has been revealed to exhibit potent anti-inflammatory properties in allergic airway inflammation. This study aimed to explore the role of baicalein and its relevant mechanism in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). The bioinformatics tools were used to predict the targets of baicalein and AR-related genes. AR mice were induced by ovalbumin (OVA) and treated with lentivirus-encapsulated knockdown of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1) or protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) plasmids and baicalein. IL-4/IL-13-induced human nasal mucosal epithelial cells (HNEpC) were transfected with knockdown of NR4A1 or PRMT1 plasmids and baicalein treatment. Baicalein alleviated AR-like symptoms and reduced the levels of immunoglobulin E, histamine, and LTC4 in serum and IL-4, IL-25, and IL-33 concentrations in nasal lavage fluids of mice induced with OVA by increasing NR4A1 expression. NR4A1 blocked the NFκB/p65 pathway by mediating transcriptional repression of PRMT1. Knockdown of PRMT1 overturned the effects of NR4A1 knockdown on IL-4/IL-13-induced HNEpC and OVA-induced mice. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that baicalein activation of NR4A1 mediates transcriptional repression of PRMT1 and relieves AR in mice by blocking the NFκB/p65 pathway.

Astragalus mongholicus and Scutellaria baicalensis Extracts Mixture Target Pyroptosis in Ischemic Stroke via the NLRP3 Pathway

Ischemic stroke, caused by blocked cerebral blood flow, requires prompt intervention to prevent severe motor and cognitive impairments. Despite extensive drug development efforts, the failure rate of clinical trials remains high, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a natural herbal extract mixture of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (AM) and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SB), traditionally used in Eastern Asian herbal medicine (EAHM) for ischemic stroke treatment. Using transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and photothrombotic (PTB) mouse models, oral administration of the AM-SB mixture was evaluated during both acute and chronic phases. Results showed that AM-SB significantly reduced infarction volume, inflammation (IL-1β, TNF-α), and pyroptosis-related markers (NLRP3, GSDMD, ASC, Caspase-1), while decreasing gliosis and improving cerebral metabolites. Behavioral assessments revealed that early and sustained AM-SB intervention enhanced motor and cognitive functions, as measured by mNSS, Rotarod, Novel Object Recognition, and Passive Avoidance tests. These findings suggest that AM-SB extract is a promising alternative therapy for ischemic stroke management.

Handshake of deep eutectic solvent and ionic liquid: Two liquid-liquid microextraction procedures for plant analysis

Plants are subjects of interest due to the secondary metabolites in their extracts which are promising as new pharmaceuticals. Phytochemistry do not have united system of sample preparation or analysis still due to different structure of plant cells, wide broad range of chemical properties and concentrations of bioactive compounds. Such challenges can be addressed in a green chemistry manner using new approaches through smart materials in routine monitoring and researches. Liquid smart materials, such as ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are attractive due to flexible properties, lots of extraction approaches, recycle potential, and direct compatibility with powerful analytical methods. In this study DES-based microextraction procedure with pH-switching was developed. Four choline chloride DESs were suggested as selective extraction phases for polar compounds from acetonitrile extracts. Method was successfully tested on four plants (Iris sibirica L., Hypericum perforatum L., Scutellaria baicalensis G, Citrus reticulata B.). Developed procedure was optimized and validated for the choline chloride - urea (1:2 mol/mol) DES that demonstrated better results in extraction. LOD for rutin was found as 0.05 mg ml-1. For low-polar compound, imidazolium ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure was developed. 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium salts have demonstrated desired selectivity. The main factors influencing the extraction efficiency have been identified and optimized by design of experiment on two model plants (Iris sibirica L. and Scutellaria baicalensis G.). Validation procedures were done for thymol. LOD for thymol was found as 0.021 mg ml-1. The methods were compared with each other and traditional methanol extraction. The selectivity of the smart materials supports each other, usage of such extraction phases provides same or better results as obtained with methanol.

Wogonin suppresses proliferation, invasion and migration in gastric cancer cells via targeting the JAK-STAT3 pathway

Wogonin is a compound extracted from the medicinal plant Scutellaria baicalensis Geogi and has been found to exert antitumor activities in a variety of malignancies. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-gastric cancer (GC) effects of wogonin remain poorly understood. In the present study, we found that wogonin treatment inhibited the proliferation of GC cells, induced apoptosis and G0/G1 cell arrest, and suppressed the migration and invasion of SGC-7901 and BGC-823 cells in vitro. In addition, wogonin inhibited in vivo tumor growth in SGC-7901 xenograft mice. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that wogonin affected several signaling pathways closely related to tumor proliferation and metastasis, including the STAT3 signaling pathway. Further research indicated that wogonin may exert antitumor effects in GC cells by downregulating the JAK-STAT3 pathway. Altogether, our results demonstrate that wogonin exerts antitumor effects by perturbing JAK-STAT3 signaling in GC cells and that wogonin may be a potential therapeutic option for GC.

A flavoromics approach to investigate the effect of Saskatoon berry powder on the sensory attributes, acceptability, volatile components, and electronic nose responses of a low-fat frozen yogurt

Introduction

Saskatoon berries are grown in Canada and some northwestern states in the United States, and are notable for containing abundant antioxidant polyphenols, vitamins, metal elements, and fiber. To increase consumer interest in and accessibility to Saskatoon berries, some producers have begun to develop processes for refining Saskatoon berries into a powder with an extended shelf life that can be incorporated into a variety of value-added food products. To assess the desirability of this approach, this study sought to determine how the sensory attributes, consumer acceptability, and volatile and non-volatile composition of a plain, Greek-style frozen yogurt (PY) changed when fortified with 16% Saskatoon berry powder (SBP). Greek-style frozen yogurt was chosen as the food to be fortified for this study due to its low fat and relatively high calcium and protein content as well as its popularity among consumers.

Results

Descriptive analysis of the two yogurt formulations by 11 participants determined that SBY was higher in berry aroma, berry flavor, and sweetness, and lower in cream aroma, dairy aroma, and sourness compared to PY. SBY was lower in iciness and degree of smoothness and higher in viscosity and mouth coating compared to PY. Untrained participants (n = 112), found no significant differences in color, flavor, and overall acceptability between SBY and PY. However, SBY was significantly less acceptable than PY for texture and aroma. Iciness was the most influential variable related to texture acceptability. For aroma acceptability, berry flavor (negatively related) and berry aroma (positively related) were the most influential attributes. The exposure of Saskatoon berry powder (SBP), PY, and SBY to e-nose sensors showed consistencies in replicate analysis (n = 25 measurements/sample), and cross validation of the PCA showed that the model could sort samples into the correct class with 98.7% accuracy. Key volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for berry and fruity aroma in SBP were also found to be retained in the SBY. Several key phenolic compounds with therapeutic effects such as baicalein, chlorogenate, gallic acid, p-coumaric acid, and syringic acid were also identified in both SBP and SBY samples, potentially indicating that the SBY may retain some of the health benefits associated with the consumption of raw Saskatoon berries.

Impact of baicalin and components of Scutellaria baicalensis on renal fibrosis of diabetic kidney disease

Background

Fibrosis is key in the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Baicalin (BA), wogonin (WGN), and wogonoside (WGS) have renoprotective effects. The mechanism of alleviation of DKD progression, by improving renal fibrosis, is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms and effects of a Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. (Lamiaceae) mixture (MIX, WGN:BA:WGS = 4:2:1) on DKD in a spontaneous DKD model.

Methods

Male db/m mice were controls, and db/db mice were diabetes models. Both groups received daily oral gavage of normal saline. Treatment groups received daily oral gavage of BA or MIX (20 mg/kg) for 10 weeks. Biochemical indicators and kidney lesions were assessed. Fibrosis-related proteins were detected by immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

Results

MIX significantly reduced body weight (40.97 ± 1.43 vs. 42.26 ± 1.60), improved insulin sensitivity (63.70 ± 8.98 vs. 109.48 ± 0.69), lowered the renal hypertrophy index (19.81 ± 2.86 vs. 28.94 ± 0.256), and decreased blood urea nitrogen levels (7.57 ± 0.79 vs. 9.57 ± 0.38) and the urine protein/creatinine ratio (0.50 ± 0.06 vs. 0.80 ± 0.18). MIX also enhanced lipid profiles and renal function by improving renal tubular dilation, restoring renal structures, and reducing glomerulosclerosis, basal membrane thickening, and glycogen deposition. These effects were achieved by reducing the protein and gene expression of collagen II (Col-II), connective tissue growth factor, and collagen I (Col-I).

Conclusion

MIX inhibits the transforming growth factor-β/Smads signaling pathway, thus alleviating renal fibrosis, and can be used to develop a treatment for DKD.

Rhoifolin, baicalein 5,6-dimethyl ether and agathisflavone prevent amnesia induced in scopolamine zebrafish (Danio rerio) model by increasing the mRNA expression of bdnf, npy, egr-1, nfr2α, and creb1 genes

The increasing attention towards age-related diseases has generated significant interest in the concept of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Certain limitations are associated with the current therapies, and flavonoids have been reported to exhibit multiple biological activities and anti-AD effects in several AD models owing to their antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-amyloidogenic properties. In this study, we performed an initial in silico predictions of the pharmacokinetic properties of three flavonoids (rhoifolin, baicalein 5,6-dimethyl ether and agathisflavone). Subsequently, we evaluated the antiamnesic and antioxidant potential of flavonoids in concentrations of 1, 3, and 5 μg/L in scopolamine (100 μM)-induced amnesic zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Zebrafish behavior was analyzed by novel tank diving test (NTT), Y-maze, and novel object recognition test (NOR). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, brain antioxidant status and the expression of bdnf, npy, egr1, nrf2α, creb1 genes, and CREB-1 protein level was measured to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action. Our flavonoids improved memory and decreased anxiety-like behavior of scopolamine-induced amnesia in zebrafish. Also, the studied flavonoids reduced AChE activity and brain oxidative stress and upregulated the gene expression, collectively contributing to neuroprotective properties. The results of our study add new perspectives on the properties of flavonoids to regulate the evolution of neurodegenerative diseases, especially AD, by modulating the expression of genes involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, axonal growth, and guidance, sympathetic and vagal transmission, the antioxidant response and cell proliferation and growth.

An Amorphous Solid Dispersion of Baicalin and its Oral Therapeutic Effect on Ulcerative Colitis

OBJECTIVE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment currently faces multiple challenges including adverse effects, prolonged therapy durations, and high costs. Baicalin (BA) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory benefits for inflammatory bowel disease, and the objective of this scholarly work is to address the challenges associated with the poor aqueous solubility and diminished oral bioavailability of the compound in question, thereby offering an innovative therapeutic approach for the management of ulcerative colitis.

METHODS

We developed a baicalin-arginine complex (BA-Arg) by screening for suitable basic compounds and utilizing a freeze-drying method, resulting in an amorphous solid dispersion of BA.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that BA·Arg significantly enhances the intestinal absorption and transmembrane transport of BA without inducing toxicity in Caco-2 cells. Pharmacokinetic studies in healthy Wistar rats demonstrated significantly higher plasma concentrations of BA compared to free BA. In a mouse model induced by 3.5% dextran sodium sulfate, BA·Arg treatment markedly alleviated colitis symptoms as evidenced by reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased lymphocyte aggregation in the colon, and better preservation of intestinal mucosa. This improved the overall anti-colitis efficacy of BA.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our study presents a simple, eco-friendly formulation process that enhances BA solubility without the need for organic solvents, offering a practical and sustainable solution for developing BA-based therapies for UC.

Dahuang Zhechong Pill Alleviates Liver Fibrosis Progression by Regulating p38 MAPK/NF-κ B/TGF-β1 Pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect and mechanism of Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DHZCP) on liver fibrosis.

METHODS

Liver fibrosis cell model was induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6). DHZCP medicated serum (DMS) was prepared in rats. HSC-T6 cells were divided into the control (15% normal blank serum culture), TGF-β (15% normal blank serum + 5 ng/mL TGF-β), DHZCP (15% DMS + 5 ng/mL TGF-β), DHZCP+PDTC [15% DMS + 4 mmol/L ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC)+ 5 ng/mL TGF-β], and PDTC groups (4 mmol/L PDTC + 5 ng/mL TGF-β). Cell activity was detected by cell counting kit 8 and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the cell supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay. Western blot was used to measure the expressions of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor kappa B/transforming growth factor-β1 (p38 MAPK/NF-κ B/TGF-β1) pathway related proteins, and the localization and expressions of these proteins were observed by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

DHZCP improves the viability of cells damaged by TGF-β and reduces inflammatory cytokines and ALT and AST levels in the supernatant of HSC-T6 cells induced with TGF-β (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the TGF-β group, NF-κ B p65 levels in the DHZCP group were decreased (P<0.05). p38 MAPK and NF-κ B p65 levels in the DHZCP+PDTC were also reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the TGF-β group, the protein expression of Smad2 showed a downward trend in the DHZCP, DHZCP+PDTC, and PDTC groups (all P<0.01), and the decreasing trend of Samd3 was statistically significant only in DHZCP+PDTC group (P<0.01), whereas Smad7 was increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

DHZCP can inhibit the process of HSC-T6 cell fibrosis by down-regulating the expression of p38 MAPK/NF-κ B/TGF-β1 pathway.

COX-2/PTGS2-targeted herbal-derived oligonucleotide drug HQi-sRNA-2 was effective in spontaneous mouse lung cancer model

In 2020, the number of deaths caused by lung cancer worldwide reached 1,796,144, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (COX-2/PTGS2) is overexpressed in lung cancer, which promotes tumor proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and resistance to apoptosis. Here, we report that the oligonucleotide drug HQi-sRNA-2 from Traditional Chinese Medicine Huangqin targeting COX-2/PTGS2 significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced apoptosis in the human lung cancer cell line NCI-H460. Oral delivery of HQi-sRNA-2 bencaosomes prolonged survival, reduced tumor burden, and maintained weight in a spontaneous mouse lung cancer model. Compared with paclitaxel, HQi-sRNA-2 may be less toxic and have approximately equal efficacy in reducing tumor burden. Our previous studies reported that herbal small RNAs (sRNAs) are functional medical components. Our data suggest that sphingosine (d18:1)-HQi-sRNA-2 bencaosomes, targeting COX-2/PTGS2 and downregulating the PI3K and AKT signaling pathways, may provide novel therapeutics for lung cancer.

Unrevealing the mechanisms behind the cardioprotective effect of wheat polyphenolics

Cardiovascular diseases pose a major threat to both life expectancy and quality of life worldwide, and a concerning level of disease burden has been attained, particularly in middle- and low-income nations. Several drugs presently in use lead to multiple adverse events. Thus, it is urgently needed to develop safe, affordable, and effective management of cardiovascular diseases. Emerging evidence reveals a positive association between polyphenol consumption and cardioprotection. Whole wheat grain and allied products are good sources of polyphenolic compounds bearing enormous cardioprotective potential. Polyphenolic extract of the entire wheat grain contains different phenolic compounds viz. ferulic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, etc. which exert cardioprotection by reducing oxidative stress and interfering with different toxicological processes. The antioxidant capacity has been thought to exert the cardioprotective mechanism of wheat grain polyphenolics, which predominantly suppresses oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis by downregulating several pathogenic signaling events. However, the combined effect of polyphenolics appears to be more prominent than that of a single molecule, which might be attained due to the synergy resulting in multimodal cardioprotective benefits from multiple phenolics. The current article covers the bioaccessibility and possible effects of wheat-derived polyphenolics in protecting against several cardiovascular disorders. This review discusses the mechanistic pharmacology of individual wheat polyphenols on the cardiovascular system. It also highlights the comparative superiority of polyphenolic extracts over a single phenolic.

Pharmacological and toxicological characteristics of baicalin in preventing spontaneous abortion and recurrent pregnancy loss: A multi-level critical review

Relevance

Spontaneous abortion (SAB) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) occur alone or concurrently with increasing incidences recently. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) has been used to prevent pregnancy loss for thousands of years, which is recognized as a "pregnancy-stabilizing herb" in ancient China. Baicalin (BA) and its metabolite baicalein (BE) are the main bioactive flavonoids in the root of SBG.

Methods

In this study, we focused particularly on the metabolism, toxicology, and pharmacological effects of BA at the maternal-fetal interface based on the biological process prediction by network pharmacology. Focused on the systematic review of BA's regulatory mechanisms of immune homeostasis, cell proliferation and invasion, programmed cell death, inflammatory microenvironment, angiogenesis, oxidative stress and vascular remodeling at the maternal-fetal interface, it was found that BA exerts its biological effects to treat SAB and RPL through multiple perspectives and targets. We also critically elucidated the limitations of using BA from a clinical perspective.

Results

We explored the bioavailability, targeting and efficacy of BA from a new perspective (optimization of the BA delivery system, organoid studies based on BA, potential effects of BA on uterine flora and bioactive components). Finally, we propose a multimodal stereo sequencing study of biologically active components based on pathological dynamics incorporating single-cell RNA sequencing, spatially resolved transcriptomics, and single-cell multimodal omics to delve deeper into the fetal-preserving mechanism of BA and to promote the application of BA in clinical practice.

Mitigative Effect and Mechanism of Caffeic Acid Combined with Umbilical Cord-Mesenchymal Stem Cells on LPS-Induced Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland tissue that can lead to decreased milk production and altered milk composition, carrying serious implications for the safety of dairy products. Although both caffeic acid (CA) and umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) showed potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, little is known about their combined roles in treating mastitis. Here, we report the combined effects and mechanisms of CA and UC-MSCs on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mastitis. Based on the network pharmacological analysis, the potential relevant genes involved in the alleviating effects of CA on LPS-induced mastitis were inferred. In LPS-treated mammary epithelial cells, CA or/and UC-MSC conditioned medium (UC-MSC-CM) inhibited the phosphorylation of p65, p50, p38, IκB, and MKK3/6 proteins and the expression of downstream inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2. Additionally, CA or/and hydrogel-loaded UC-MSCs also suppressed the activation of the above inflammatory pathway, leading to the alleviation of pathological damages in the LPS-induced mouse mastitis model. UC-MSCs exhibited more significant effects than CA, and the combined treatment of both was more effective. Our study sheds light on the synergistic and complementary effects of CA and UC-MSCs in alleviating mastitis, offering clues for understanding the regulation of the p38-MAPK/NF-κB↔TNF-α signal transduction loop in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway as a potential mechanism. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing a novel antibiotic alternative treatment of mastitis that may contribute to reducing economic losses in animal husbandry and protecting public health safety.

Scutellarein ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis by inhibiting colonic epithelial cell proinflammation and barrier disruption

Introduction

Scutellarein (Scu) is a natural occurring flavonoid found in multiple traditional Chinese medicines such as Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz and Scutellaria baicalensis, with various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and myocardial protection. Here, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of Scu on ulcerative colitis (UC) and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Efficacy of Scu on UC was evaluated in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced colitis mouse model. Inflammation in colonic tissues was assessed by myeloperoxidase activity assay and RT-qPCR. Barrier proteins expression was examined using immunostaining and Western blot. IL-1β-treated HT-29 cells was used for mechanical investigation.

Results

Gavage of Scu significantly decreased the DAI score, improved colon shortening, ameliorated the pathological score in DSS-treated mice with better efficacy than the positive drug, 5-aminosalicylic acid. Scu also inhibited the expression levels of cytokines (Il-1β, Tnf-α, Il-1α, Il-6, and Cxcl1) as well as barrier proteins (E-cadherin, Occludin, and ZO-1) in colon tissues of DSS mice. In intestinal epithelial HT-29 cells, Scu attenuated the IL-1β-downregulated expression levels of E-cadherin, occludin, and ZO-1, while reduced IL-1β-upregulated IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA levels. Moreover, Scu inhibited the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB and suppression of NF-κB phosphorylation abolished IL-1β-disrupted epithelial barrier integrity and IL-1β-upregulated proinflammatory mediators expression in HT-29 cells.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that Scu is an efficacious therapeutic agent to treat UC. Inhibition of inflammatory responses and maintenance of epithelial barrier integrity through NF-κB signaling pathway underlines Scu therapeutic effect on UC.

Simultaneous Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of 41 Constituents in Uvaria macrophylla Leaves Screen Antioxidant Quality-Markers Using Database-Affinity Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Quadrupole Orbitrap Tandem Mass Spectrometry

To date, no study has focused on Uvaria macrophylla leaves with various traditional efficiencies. This paper therefore applied a database affinity ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS) strategy to analyze the lyophilized aqueous extract of U. macrophylla leaves. Through database comparison and MS fragment elucidation, this study has putatively identified 41 constituents belonging to flavonoid, phenolic acid, steroid, and saccharide natural product classifications. Significantly, four groups of isomers (liquiritigenin vs. isoliquiritigenin vs. pinocembrin; oroxylin A vs. wogonin vs. galangin 3-methyl ether; isoquercitrin vs. hyperoside; protocatechuic acid vs. 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) have been successfully distinguished from each other. All of 41 constituents were then subjected to a quantitative analysis based on linear regression equation established by the above UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS strategy and an ABTS+•-scavenging antioxidant assay. Finally, the chemical content was multiplied by the corresponding ABTS+•-scavenging percentage to calculate the antioxidant contribution. It was shown that the chemical contents of 41 constituents varied from 0.003 ± 0.000 to 14.418 ± 1.041 mg/g, and gallic acid showed the highest antioxidant contribution. Gallic acid is considered as a suitable antioxidant quality-marker (Q-marker) of U. macrophylla leaves. These findings have scientific implications for the resource development and quality control of U. macrophylla leaves.

Wogonin mitigates acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Wogonin is one of the primary bioactive components of SBG. Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury (AILI) represents a prevalent form of drug-induced liver damage and is primarily driven by inflammatory responses and oxidative stress.

AIM OF STUDY

To investigate the therapeutic effects of Wogonin on AILI and the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C57BL/6 J mice were pre-treated with Wogonin (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg bodyweight) for 3 days, followed by treatment with APAP (300 mg/kg bodyweight). The serum and liver tissue samples were collected at 24 h post-APAP treatment. Bone marrow-derived macrophages and RAW264.7 cells were cultured and pre-treated with Wogonin (5, 10, and 20 μM) for 30 min, followed by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/mL) for 3 h. To examine the role of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the therapeutic effect of Wogonin on AILI, mice and cells were treated with LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor) and MK2206 (an AKT inhibitor).

RESULTS

Wogonin pre-treatment dose-dependently alleviated AILI in mice. Additionally, Wogonin suppressed oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Liver transcriptome analysis indicated that Wogonin primarily regulates immune function and cytokines in AILI. Wogonin suppressed inflammatory responses of macrophages by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Consistently, Wogonin exerted therapeutic effects on AILI in mice through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Wogonin alleviated AILI and APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Inhibition of intestinal inflammation and fibrosis by Scutellaria Baicalensis georgi and Boswellia serrata in human epithelial cells and fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, manifests with chronic intestinal inflammation and frequent sequential fibrosis. Current pharmacological therapies may show harmful side effects and are not useful for prevention or resolution of fibrosis. Thus, the use of alternative therapies is emerging as a novel useful approach. Previous results suggest that Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) and Boswellia serrata (BS) display anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate in intestinal epithelial cells and fibroblasts the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic potential of SBG and BS, alone or in combination.

METHODS

Human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT29), human intestinal epithelial cells (HIEC6) and human colon fibroblasts (CCD-18Co) were used. Cells were pretreated with SBG and BS and then exposed to pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines.

RESULTS

SBG and BS extracts significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and improved epithelial restitution in HT29 and HIEC6 cells. Besides, fibrotic marker expression, including SNAIL, ACTA2, ZNF281, was strongly reduced. Colon myofibroblasts treated with SBG and BS showed a significant decrease of fibrotic markers as well.

CONCLUSIONS

SBG and BS extracts significantly reduce inflammation and impair fibrosis in intestinal epithelial cells and colon myofibroblasts. No cooperative effect is observed.

Baicalin enhances antioxidant, inflammatory defense, and microbial diversity of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

Introduction

The aim of this research was to clarify the mechanism through which baicalin exerts its inhibitory effects on Aeromonas hydrophila infection.

Methods

The antibacterial efficacy of baicalin was assessed by determining its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against A. hydrophila. Various parameters, including the growth curve, cell wall integrity, biofilm formation, AKP content, and morphological alterations of A. hydrophila, were analyzed. In vivo experiments involved the administration of A. hydrophila 4 h postintraperitoneal injection of varying doses of baicalin to induce infection, with subsequent monitoring of mortality rates. After a 3 d period, liver, spleen, and intestinal tissues were harvested to evaluate organ indices, antioxidant and immune parameters, as well as intestinal microbial composition.

Results

The findings indicated that baicalin treatment resulted in the disruption of the cell wall of A. hydrophila, leading to the loss of its normal structural integrity. Furthermore, baicalin significantly inhibited biofilm formation and facilitated the release of intracellular proteins (P < 0.05). In vivo, baicalin enhanced the survival rates of yellow catfish infected with A. hydrophila. Compared to the control group, the liver index of yellow catfish was elevated, while the spleen and intestinal indices were reduced in the baicalin-treated group (P < 0.05). Additionally, baicalin at an appropriate dosage was found to increase levels of SOD, GSH, CAT, ACP, and AKP in yellow catfish (P < 0.05), while simultaneously decreasing MDA accumulation and the mRNA expression of inflammatory markers such as Keap1, IL1, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, (P < 0.05). Moreover, baicalin significantly enhanced the operational taxonomic unit (OTU) count in A. hydrophila-infected yellow catfish (P < 0.05), restoring the abundance of Barnesiellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Plesiomonas, and UBA1819 (P < 0.05).

Discussion

In summary, baicalin demonstrates the potential to improve the survival rate of yellow catfish subjected to A. hydrophila infection, augment antioxidant and immune responses, mitigate inflammation, and enhance intestinal microbial diversity.

Shen-yan-yi-hao oral solution ameliorates IgA nephropathy via intestinal IL-17/NF-κB pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis in the world, it is one of the most common causes of kidney disease and can lead to end-stage kidney disease, however, its pathogenesis is still complicated. The Shen-yan-yi-hao oral solution (SOLI) is an effective prescription for the clinical treatment of IgAN while its specific mechanism remains to be further elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigates SOLI's effects on IgAN in rats, particularly on the intestinal mucosal barrier, and identifies potential therapeutic targets through network pharmacology and molecular docking, validated experimentally.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Target genes for SOLI in IgAN were identified and analysed through molecular docking and KEGG pathway enrichment. An IgAN rat model examined SOLI's effect on renal biomarkers and cytokines involved in specific pathways, ileum mucosal lesions, and the intestinal immune system. The IL-17 pathway's role was studied in IEC-6 cells with SOLI in vitro.

RESULT

Rats developed increased proteinuria and kidney damage marked by IgA deposition and inflammation. SOLI treatment significantly ameliorated these symptoms, reduced galactose-deficient Ig A1 (Gd-IgA1), and decreased cytokines like IL-17, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β etc. SOLI also normalized intestinal tight junction protein expression, ameliorated intestinal damage, and regulated intestinal immune response (focused on IL-17/NF-κB signal pathway). SOLI moderated the abnormally activated IL-17 pathway, which damages intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting IgAN treatment potential.

CONCLUSION

SOLI reduces proteinuria and enhances intestinal mucosal function in IgAN rats, kidney protection in the IgAN rat model may initiate from modulating the intestinal IL-17/NF-κB pathway and subsequent Gd-IgA1 accumulation.

Sangbaipi decoction exerted in vitro and in vivo anti-influenza effect through inhibiting viral proteins

HEADINGS ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sangbaipi Decoction (SBPD) is an effective treatment for lung diseases caused by phlegm-heat obstruction according to Jingyue Quanshu, and soothes panting by purging the lung meridian. It is composed of anti-pyretic herbs (e.g., Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Coptis chinensis Franch.) and antitussive herbs (e.g., Cortex Mori and Armeniacae Semen Amarum). Therefore, we hypothesized that SBPD has therapeutic effects on lung injury caused by influenza virus.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore anti-influenza activity, active components, and mechanisms of SBPD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-influenza activities of SBPD were determined in 48 h drug-treated MDCK cell model using CPE and plaque reduction assays, and 24 h drug-treated A549 cells using qRT-PCR. The in vivo efficacy of SBPD (1.0 g/kg/day and 0.5 g/kg/day) was evaluated in PR8 infected BALB/c mice. The chemical component was assessed through HPLC-Q-TOF MS/MS analysis. Network pharmacology was built via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisgeNet, OMIM, DrugBank databases, and Cytoscape software. Additionally, TOA, HI and NAI assays were employed to investigate impact on the virus replication cycle with different concentrations of SBPD (2.5 mg/mL, 1.25 mg/mL, or 0.625 mg/mL).

RESULTS

In MDCK infected with viruses A/PR/8/34, A/Hong Kong/1/68, or A/California/4/2009, the IC50 values of SBPD were 0.80 mg/mL, 1.20 mg/mL, and 1.25 mg/mL. In A549 cells, SBPD treatment reduced cytokine expression (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) (p < 0.05). In PR8 infected BALB/c mice, SBPD improved the survival rate of infected mice, reduced lung index (p < 0.05), protected lung tissue from pathological damage, and regulated cytokine overexpression (p < 0.05). 29 components of SBPD were identified in SBPD treated mouse serum including some phytochemicals targeting influenza proteins. HI and NAI assays suggested the potential antiviral mechanism of SBPD through inhibition of HA and NA.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to demonstrate the anti-influenza and the anti-inflammatory effects of SBPD in vitro and in vivo. Its major anti-influenza phytochemicals were explored and its inhibitory effects on HA and NA protein were proved. It provides more options for anti-influenza drug discovery.

Hyaluronic Acid/Gelatin-Based Multifunctional Bioadhesive Hydrogel Loaded with a Broad-Spectrum Bacteriocin for Enhancing Diabetic Wound Healing

The development of multifunctional wound adhesives is critical in clinical settings due to the scarcity of dressings with effective adhesive properties while protecting against infection by drug-resistant bacteria. Polysaccharide and gelatin-based hydrogels, known for their biocompatibility and bioactivity, assist in wound healing. This study introduces a multifunctional bioadhesive hydrogel developed through dynamic covalent bonding and light-triggered covalent bonding, comprising oxidized hyaluronic acid, methacrylated gelatin, and the bacteriocin recently discovered by our lab, named jileicin (JC). The adhesion strength of the hydrogel, measured at 180 kPa, was 4.35 times higher than that of the fibrin glue. Furthermore, the hydrogel demonstrated robust platelet adhesion, procoagulant activity, and outstanding hemostatic properties in a mouse liver injury model. Incorporating JC significantly enhanced the phagocytosis and bactericidal capabilities of the macrophages. This immunomodulatory function on host cells, coupled with its potent bacterial membrane-disrupting ability, makes JC an effective killer against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In wound repair experiments on diabetic mice with infected full-thickness skin defects, the hydrogel treatment group showed a notable reduction in bacterial load, accelerated M2-type macrophage polarization, diminished inflammation, and hastened wound healing. Owing to its outstanding biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and controlled adhesion, this hydrogel presents a promising therapeutic option for treating infected skin wounds.

Mechanistic investigation of wogonin in delaying the progression of endothelial mesenchymal transition by targeting the TGF-β1 pathway in pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, which endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) being its main progressive phase. Wogonin, a flavonoid extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, hinders the abnormal proliferation of cells and has been employed in the treatment of several cardiopulmonary diseases. This study was designed to investigate how wogonin affected EndMT during PH. Monocrotaline (MCT) was used to induce PH in rats. Binding capacity of TGF-β1 receptor to wogonin detected by molecular docking and molecular dynamics. EndMT model was established in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) by transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1). The result demonstrated that wogonin (20 mg/kg/day) attenuated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular hypertrophy and pulmonary vascular thickness in PH rats. EndMT in the pulmonary vascular was inhibited after wogonin treatment as evidenced by the restored expression of CD31 and decreased expression of α-SMA. Wogonin has strong affinity for both TGFBRI and TGFBRII, and has a better binding stability for TGFBRI. In TGF-β1-treated PMVECs, wogonin (0.3, 1, and 3 μM) exhibited significant inhibitory effects on this transformation process via down-regulating the expression of p-Smad2 and Snail, while up-regulating the expression of p-Smad1/5. Additionally, results of Western blot and fluorescence shown that the expression of α-SMA were decrease with increasing level of CD31 in PMVECs. In conclusion, our research showed that wogonin suppressed EndMT via the TGF-β1/Smad pathway which may lead to its alleviated effect on PH. Wogonin may be a promising drug against PH.

The Effect of the Extraction Conditions on the Antioxidant Activity and Bioactive Compounds Content in Ethanolic Extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Root

Ethanolic extracts of Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) root were obtained using various techniques, such as maceration, maceration with shaking, ultrasound-assisted extraction, reflux extraction, and Soxhlet extraction. The influence of the type and time of isolation technique on the extraction process was studied, and the quality of the obtained extracts was determined by spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods to find the optimal extraction conditions. Radical scavenging activity of the extracts was analyzed using DPPH assay, while total phenolic content (TPC) was analyzed by the method with the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Application of gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GC-MS) enabled the identification of some bioactive substances and a comparison of the composition of the particular extracts. The Baikal skullcap root extracts characterized by both the highest antioxidant activity and content of phenolic compounds were obtained in 2 h of reflux and Soxhlet extraction. The main biologically active compounds identified in extracts by the GC-MS method were wogonin and oroxylin A, known for their broad spectrum of biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, and others.

Combining Network Pharmacology and Transcriptomics to Investigate the Mechanisms of Yujiang Paidu Decoction in the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Background

Yujiang Paidu Decoction (YJPD) has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. However, the effects and mechanisms of the YJPD on chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remain unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanism of action of YJPD in the treatment of CRSwNP based on network pharmacology, transcriptomics and experiments.

Methods

A CRSwNP mouse model was established using ovalbumin (OVA) and staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) for 12 weeks and the human nasal epithelial cell (HNEpC) model was induced with IL-13 in vitro. Behavioral tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micro-CT and pathological change of nasal tissues were observed to investigate the therapeutic effects of YJPD. Network pharmacology and transcriptomics were launched to explore the pharmacological mechanisms of YJPD in CRSwNP treatment. Finally, an ELISA, immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, Western blotting and Tunel were performed for validation.

Results

Different doses of YJPD intervention effectively alleviated rubbing and sneezing symptoms in CRSwNP mice. Additionally, YJPD significantly reduced abnormal serological markers, structural damage of the nasal mucosa, inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell increases, and inhibited OVA-specific IgE levels and the secretion of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Moreover, transcriptomics and network pharmacology analyses indicated that YJPD may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathway. The experimental findings supported this conclusion, which was further corroborated by similar results observed in IL13-induced HNEpCs in vitro.

Conclusion

YJPD could alleviate inflammatory status and epithelial apoptosis by inhibiting aberrant activation of MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathway. This finding provides a strong basis for using YJPD as a potential treatment in CRSwNP.

Programmable Biosynthesis of Plant-Derived 4'-Deoxyflavone Glycosides by an Unconventional Yeast Consortium

Previous data established 4'-deoxyflavone glycosides (4'-DFGs) as important pharmaceutical components in the roots of rare medical plants like Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. Extracting these compounds from plants involves land occupation and is environmentally unfriendly. Therefore, a modular ("plug-and-play") yeast-consortium platform is developed to synthesize diverse 4'-DFGs de novo. By codon-optimizing glycosyltransferase genes from different organisms for Pichia pastoris, six site-specific glycosylation chassis are generated to be capable of biosynthesizing 18 different 4'-DFGs. Cellular factories showed increased 4'-DFG production (up to 18.6-fold) due to strengthened synthesis of UDP-sugar precursors and blocked hydrolysis of endogenous glycosides. Co-culturing upstream flavone-synthesis-module cells with downstream glycoside-transformation-module cells alleviated the toxicity of 4'-deoxyflavones and enabled high-level de novo synthesis of 4'-DFGs. Baicalin is produced at the highest level (1290.0 mg L-1) in a bioreactor by controlling the consortium through carbon-source shifting. These results provide a valuable reference for biosynthesizing plant-derived 4'-DFGs and other glycosides with potential therapeutic applications.

Baicalein suppresses Coxsackievirus B3 replication by inhibiting caspase-1 and viral protease 2A

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the cardiac muscle and one of the primary causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. Group B coxsackievirus (CVB) is one of the leading causative pathogens of viral myocarditis, which primarily affects children and young adults. Due to the lack of vaccines, the development of antiviral medicines is crucial to controlling CVB infection and the progression of myocarditis. In this study, we investigated the antiviral effect of baicalein, a flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria baicaleinsis. Our results demonstrated that baicalein treatment significantly reduced cytopathic effect and increased cell viability in CVB3-infected cells. In addition, significant reductions in viral protein 3D, viral RNA, and viral particles were observed in CVB3-infected cells treated with baicalein. We found that baicalein exerted its inhibitory effect in the early stages of CVB3 infection. Baicalein also suppressed viral replication in the myocardium and effectively alleviated myocarditis induced by CVB3 infection. Our study revealed that baicalein exerts its antiviral effect by inhibiting the activity of caspase-1 and viral protease 2A. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that baicalein has antiviral activity against CVB3 infection and may serve as a potential therapeutic option for the myocarditis caused by enterovirus infection.

Baicalin protects against hepatocyte injury caused by aflatoxin B1 via the TP53-related ferroptosis Pathway

OBJECTIVE

Baicalin has antioxidative, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its ability to alleviate oxidative stress (OS) and DNA damage in liver cells exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a highly hepatotoxic compound, remains uncertain. In this study, the protective effects of baicalin on AFB1-induced hepatocyte injury and the mechanisms underlying those effects were investigated.

METHODS

Stable cell lines expressing CYP3A4 were established using lentiviral vectors to assess oxidative stress levels by conducting assays to determine the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Additionally, DNA damage was evaluated by 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and comet assays. Transcriptome sequencing, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments were conducted to determine the mechanisms underlying the effects of baicalin on AFB1-induced hepatocyte injury. In vivo, a rat model of hepatocyte injury induced by AFB1 was used to evaluate the effects of baicalin.

RESULTS

In vitro, baicalin significantly attenuated AFB1-induced injury caused due to OS, as determined by a decrease in ROS, MDA, and SOD levels. Baicalin also considerably decreased AFB1-induced DNA damage in hepatocytes. This protective effect of baicalin was found to be closely associated with the TP53-mediated ferroptosis pathway. To elaborate, baicalin physically interacts with P53, leading to the suppression of the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11, which in turn inhibits ferroptosis. In vivo findings showed that baicalin decreased DNA damage and ferroptosis in AFB1-treated rat liver tissues, as determined by a decrease in the expression of γ-H2AX and an increase in GPX4 and SLC7A11 levels. Overexpression of TP53 weakened the protective effects of baicalin.

CONCLUSIONS

Baicalin can alleviate AFB1-induced OS and DNA damage in liver cells via the TP53-mediated ferroptosis pathway. In this study, a theoretical foundation was established for the use of baicalin in protecting the liver from the toxic effects of AFB1.

A Comparative Study of Two Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz. Phenotypes Based on Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Effects, and the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Leaf and Pod Extracts

Indian trumpet tree Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz exhibits a wide range of biological activities in all plant parts, including anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and wound-healing activities. In Thailand, there are tall- and short-stem phenotypes. The latter are preferred for commercial cultivation due to their fast growth and lower harvesting cost. This study aimed to compare the chemical profiles and antioxidant effects of leaves and young pods between two phenotypes using principal component analysis (PCA) and then to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the selected phenotype's plant parts. The biomarker contents were quantified by HPLC. The antioxidants were determined using the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP models. Nitric oxide (NO) production assays in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages were performed to determine the anti-inflammatory property of the extracts. The PCA revealed that there were no differences in total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, or antioxidant activities between short- and tall-stem phenotypes. Higher potency of the NO-inhibitory effect was achieved from the leaf extract than the pod extract. These results support using the short-stem phenotypes for utilizing the leaf and pod of O. indicum, and suggest choosing the leaf part for further anti-inflammatory product development.

The Scutellaria-Coptis herb couple and its active small-molecule ingredient wogonoside alleviate cytokine storm by regulating the CD39/NLRP3/GSDMD signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

A drug pair is a fundamental aspect of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and Coptis chinensis Franch, commonly used as an herb couple (SBCC), are representative heat-clearing and dampness-drying drugs. They possess functions such as clearing heat, drying dampness, purging fire, and detoxifying. These herbs are used in both traditional and modern medicine for treating inflammation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study investigated the effects of SBCC on cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) and explored its potential regulatory mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We assessed the impact of SBCC in a sepsis-induced acute lung injury mouse model by administering an intraperitoneal injection of LPS (15 mg/kg). The cytokine levels in the serum and lungs, the wet-to-dry ratio of the lungs, and lung histopathological changes were evaluated. The macrophages in the lung tissue were examined through transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was used to measure the levels of the CD39/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway-related proteins. Immunofluorescence imaging was used to assess the activation of pro-caspase-1 and ASC and their interaction. AMP-Glo™ assay was used to screen for active ingredients in SBCC targeting CD39. One of the ingredients was selected, and its effect on cell viability was assessed. We induced inflammation in macrophages using LPS + ATP and detected the levels of proinflammatory factors. The images of cell membrane large pores were captured using scanning electron microscopy, the interaction between NLRP3 and ASC was detected using immunofluorescence imaging, and the levels of CD39/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway-related proteins were assessed using Western blot.

RESULTS

SBCC administration effectively mitigated LPS-induced cytokine storm, pulmonary edema and lung injury. Furthermore, it repressed the programmed death of lung tissue macrophages by inhibiting the NLRP3/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway and regulating the CD39 purinergic pathway. Based on the results of the AMP-Glo™ assay, we selected wogonoside for further valuation. Wogonoside alleviated LPS + ATP-induced inflammatory damage by regulating the inhibiting the NLRP3/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway and regulating the CD39 purinergic pathway. However, its effect on NLRP3 is not mediated though CD39.

CONCLUSION

SBCC and its active small-molecule ingredient, wogonoside, improved CSS by regulating the NLRP3/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway and its upstream CD39 purinergic pathway. It is essential to note that the regulatory effect of wogonoside on NLRP3 is not mediated by CD39.

A multidimensional strategy for uncovering comprehensive quality markers of Scutellariae Radix based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, artificial neural network, network pharmacology analysis, and molecular simulation

Introduction

Scutellariae Radix (SR), derived from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for clearing heat and cooling blood. It has been used as a traditional herbal medicine and is popular as a functional food in Asian countries today.

Methods

In this study, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was first employed to identify the chemical components in the ethanol extract of SR. Then, the extraction process was optimized using star point design-response surface methodology. Fingerprints of different batches and processed products were established, and chemical markers were screened through a combination of various artificial neural network models. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular simulation techniques were utilized for verification to determine the quality markers.

Results

A total of 35 chemical components in SR were identified, and the optimal extraction process was determined as follows: ultrasonic extraction with 80% methanol at a ratio of 120:1 for 70 minutes, with a soaking time of 30 minutes. Through discriminant analysis using various artificial neural network models, the samples of SR could be classified into two categories based on their growth years: Kuqin (dried roots of older plants) and Ziqin (roots of younger plants). Moreover, the samples within each category could be further clustered according to their origins. The four different processed products of SR could also be distinguished separately. Finally, through the integration of network pharmacology and molecular simulation techniques, it was determined that baicalin, baicalein, wogonin, norwogonin, norwogonin-8-O-glucuronide, skullcapflavone II, hispidulin, 8, 8"-bibaicalein, and oroxylin A-7-O-beta-D-glucuronide could serve as quality markers for SR.

Discussion

The primary factors affecting the quality of SR were its growth years. The geographic origin of SR was identified as a secondary factor affecting its quality. Processing also had a significant impact on its quality. The selected quality markers have laid the foundation for the quality control of SR, and this research strategy also provides a research paradigm for improving the quality of TCM.

The most recent progress of baicalein in its anti-neoplastic effects and mechanisms

Problems, such as toxic side effects and drug resistance of chemoradiotherapy, target therapy and immunotherapy accompanying the current anti-cancer treatments, have become bottlenecks limiting the clinical benefit for patients. Therefore, it is urgent to find promising anti-cancer strategies with higher efficacy and lesser side effects. Baicalein, a flavonoid component derived from the Chinese medicine scutellaria baicalensis, has been widely studied for its remarkable anti-cancer activity in multiple types of malignancies both at the molecular and cellular levels. Baicalein exerts its anti-tumor effects by inhibiting angiogenesis, invasion and migration, inducing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as regulating cell autophagy, metabolism, the tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells with no obvious toxic side effects. The role of classic signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MAPK, AMPK, Wnt/β-catenin, JAK/STAT3, MMP-2/-9, have been highlighted as the major targets for baicalein exerting its anti-malignant potential. Besides, baicalein can regulate the relevant non-coding RNAs, such as lncRNAs, miRNAs and circ-RNAs, to inhibit tumorigenesis and progression. In addition to the mentioned commonalities, baicalein shows some specific anti-tumor characteristics in some specific cancer types. Moreover, the preclinical studies of the combination of baicalein and chemoradiotherapy pave the way ahead for developing baicalein as an adjunct treatment with chemoradiotherapy. Our aim is to summary the role of baicalein in different types of cancer with its mechanisms based on in vitro and in vivo experiments, hoping providing proof for baicalein serving as an effective and safe compound for cancer treatment in clinic in the future.

Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicerae flos improves growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal barrier of yellow-feather broiler chickens against Clostridium perfringens

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Scutellaria baicalensis and Lonicerae Flos (SL) extract on the growth performance and intestinal health of yellow-feather broilers following a Clostridium perfringens challenge. In total, 600 one-day-old yellow-feather broilers were divided into five treatments (6 replicate pens of 20 birds per treatment), including a control (Con) group fed a basal diet and the infected group (iCon) fed a basal diet and infected with Clostridium perfringens, the other 3 groups receiving different doses of SL (150, 300, and 450 mg/kg) and infected with Clostridium perfringens. The total experimental period was 80 d. When the birds were 24-days-old, a subclinical necrotizing enteritis model was induced by orally inoculating the birds with 11,000 oocysts of mixed Eimeria species on d 24, followed by C. perfringens (108 CFU/mL) from d 28 to 30. The birds were evaluated for parameters such as average weight gain (AWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), mortality, feed conversion ration (FCR), intestinal lesion score, intestinal C. perfringens counts, and villus histomorphometry. Results indicated that C. perfringens infection led to reduced AWG and the levels of tight junction proteins, increased the FCR, ileum E. coli load, and intestinal permeability, causing damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier (P < 0.05). Compared with the infected group, supplementing 300 mg/kg of SL significantly increased AWG at 43 to 80 d, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum and ileum at 35 d, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum. It also significantly reduced the FCR at 22 to 42 d, intestinal lesion score, and the amount of C. perfringens in the ileum (P < 0.05). Additionally, compared with the infected group, the addition of 300 mg/kg SL significantly increased mRNA levels of claudin-2, claudin-3, mucin-2, and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) in the ileum of infected birds at 35 d of age. In conclusion, supplementation with SL extract could effectively mitigate the negative effects of C. perfringens challenge by improving intestinal barrier function and histomorphology, positively influencing the growth performance of challenged birds.

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi alleviates Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea and its modulatory effects on the gut microbiota

The growing incidence of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) underscores the urgency for potent treatments. This research delves into the therapeutic potential of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) root (SR) in addressing CDAD and its influence on gut microbiota. Using a CDAD mouse model and fidaxomicin as a control, SR's impact was measured through diarrhea symptoms, colonic histopathology, and C. difficile toxin levels. Employing the PacBio platform, 16S rRNA full-length gene sequencing analyzed the gut microbial composition and the effect of SR. Results revealed SR considerably alleviated diarrhea during treatment and restoration phases, with a marked decrease in colonic inflammation. C. difficile toxin levels dropped significantly with SR treatment (P < 0.001). While SR didn't augment gut microbiota's overall abundance, it enhanced its diversity. It restored levels of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, reduced Akkermansia spp. and Enterococcus spp. proportions, and modulated specific bacterial species' abundance. In essence, SR effectively mitigates CDAD symptoms, curtails inflammatory reactions, and beneficially restructures gut microbiota, suggesting its potential in advanced CDAD clinical intervention.

Scutellaria baicalensis water decoction ameliorates lower respiratory tract infection by modulating respiratory microbiota

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) has been demonstrated to be strongly associated with dysbiosis of respiratory microbiota. Scutellaria baicalensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used to treat respiratory infections. However, whether the therapeutic effect of S. baicalensis on LRTIs depends upon respiratory microbiota regulation is largely unclear.

PURPOSE

To investigate the potential effect and mechanism of S. baicalensis on the respiratory microbiota of LRTI mice.

METHODS

A mouse model of LRTI was established using Klebsiella pneumoniae or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antibiotic treatment was administered, and transplantation of respiratory microbiota was performed to deplete the respiratory microbiota of mice and recover the destroyed microbial community, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine and quantify the chemical components of S. baicalensis water decoction (SBWD). Pathological changes in lung tissues and the expressions of serum inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-17A (IL-17A), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were determined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis was performed to detect the mRNA expression of GM-CSF. Metagenomic sequencing was performed to evaluate the effect of SBWD on the composition and function of the respiratory microbiota in LRTI mice.

RESULTS

Seven main components, including scutellarin, baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-β-d-glucuronide, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin, and oroxylin A, were identified and their levels in SBWD were quantified. SBWD ameliorated pulmonary pathological injury and inflammatory responses in K. pneumoniae and S. pneumoniae-induced LRTI mice, as evidenced by the dose-dependent reductions in the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α. SBWD may exert a bidirectional regulatory effect on the host innate immune responses in LRTI mice and regulate the expressions of IL-17A and GM-CSF in a microbiota-dependent manner. K. pneumoniae infection but not S. pneumoniae infection led to dysbiosis in the respiratory microbiota, evident through disturbances in the taxonomic composition characterized by bacterial enrichment, including Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Klebsiella. K. pneumoniae and S. pneumoniae infection altered the bacterial functional profile of the respiratory microbiota, as indicated by increases in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, and carbohydrate metabolism. SBWD had a certain trend on the regulation of compositional disorders in the respiratory flora and modulated partial microbial functions embracing carbohydrate metabolism in K. pneumoniae-induced LRTI mice.

CONCLUSION

SBWD may exert an anti-infection effect on LRTI by targeting IL-17A and GM-CSF through respiratory microbiota regulation. The mechanism of S. baicalensis action on respiratory microbiota in LRTI treatment merits further investigation.

Targeted Therapy of Spinal Cord Injury: Inhibition of Apoptosis Is a Promising Therapeutic Strategy

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious disabling central nervous system injury that can lead to motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction below the injury level. SCI can be divided into primary injury and secondary injury according to pathological process. Primary injury is mostly irreversible, while secondary injury is a dynamic regulatory process. Apoptosis is an important pathological event of secondary injury and has a significant effect on the recovery of nerve function after SCI. Nerve cell death can further aggravate the microenvironment of the injured site, leading to neurological dysfunction and thus affect the clinical outcome of patients. Therefore, apoptosis plays a crucial role in the pathological progression of secondary SCI, while inhibiting apoptosis may be a promising therapeutic strategy for SCI. This review will summarize and explore the factors that lead to cell death after SCI, the influence of cross talk between signaling pathways and pathways involved in apoptosis and discuss the influence of apoptosis on SCI, and the therapeutic significance of targeting apoptosis on SCI. This review helps us to understand the role of apoptosis in secondary SCI and provides a theoretical basis for the treatment of SCI based on apoptosis.