A Combination of Rosa Multiflora and Zizyphus Jujuba Enhance Sleep Quality in Anesthesia-Induced Mice

Plant-derived nanovesicles and therapeutic application

Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) are becoming more popular as promising therapeutic tools owing to their diversity, cost-effectiveness, and biocompatibility with very low toxicity. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the methods for isolating and characterizing PDNVs and emphasize their versatile roles in direct therapeutic applications and drug delivery systems. Their ability to effectively encapsulate and deliver large nucleic acids, proteins, and small-molecule drugs was highlighted. Moreover, advanced engineering strategies, such as surface modification and fusion with other vesicles, have been developed to enhance the therapeutic effects of PDNVs. Additionally, we describe key challenges related to this field, encouraging further research to optimize PDNVs for various clinical applications for prevention and therapeutic purposes. The distinctive properties and diverse applications of PDNVs could play a crucial role in the future of personalized medicine, fostering the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Combined Effects of Ziziphus jujuba, Dimocarpus longan, and Lactuca sativa on Sleep-Related Behaviors through GABAergic Signaling

We aimed to analyze the increase in the sleep-promoting effects based on the mixed ratio of botanical extracts, Ziziphus jujuba seeds, Dimocarpus longan fruits, and Lactuca sativa leaves, using animal models. Behavioral analyses, including an analysis of the total sleep time of Drosophila melanogaster, were conducted to select the optimal mixed ratio of the three botanical extracts. The effects were verified in a caffeine-induced sleepless model, specific neurotransmitter receptor antagonists, and ICR mice. In D. melanogaster exposed to 2.0% of each extract, group behavior was significantly reduced, and the mixed extracts of Z. jujuba, D. longan, and L. sativa (4:1:1 and 1:4:1) significantly increased the total sleep time with individual fruit flies. In the caffeine-induced insomnia model, mixed extracts (4:1:1 and 1:4:1) led to the highest increase in total sleep time. An analysis of locomotor ability revealed a significant reduction in the mobility percentage in the mixed extract groups (0:0:1, 1:0:1, 1:1:1, 4:1:1, and 1:4:1). The administration of Z. jujuba extract and mixed extracts (4:1:1) significantly increased the expression of GABAA-R, whereas the administration of the mixed extracts (4:1:1) and (1:4:1) significantly increased the expression of GABAB-R1 and GABAB-R2, respectively. D. longan extract and the mixed ratio (1:4:1) reduced the subjective nighttime movement and increased the total sleep time in the presence of flumazenil. An analysis of ICR mice indicated that the administration of mixed extracts (4:1:1) significantly increased sleep duration in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicated that the mixed ratio of Z. jujuba, D. longan, and L. sativa extracts, particularly the mixed ratio of 4:1:1, may have sleep-enhancing effects in fruit flies and mice. The study also identified changes in gene expression related to GABA receptors, indicating the potential mechanism for the observed sleep-promoting effects.

Rosae multiflorae fructus regulates the lipogenesis in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mice model

PURPOSE

Exercise helps modify the lipid profile in the body, partly through its impact on sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Individual differences in response to exercise and genetic variations may influence the response to PA. Therefore, this study explored Rosae multiflorae fructus (RMF) as a supplement candidate that improves exercise capacity and controls non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by suppressing lipogenesis and controlling lipid peroxidation.

METHODS

RMF is a natural herbal medicine used in Dongui Bogam. RMF has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. However, the effects of RMF on NAFLD have not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of RMF in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced NAFLD. Mouse livers were isolated and analyzed using H&E staining and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

RMF downregulated lipid peroxidation markers, such as CYP2E1, in the livers of mice with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD. Additionally, the RMF significantly reduced the lipid accumulation-related protein expression of CD36, SREBP-1, and PPAR-γ.

CONCLUSION

RMF exerts anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-lipogenic effects in a high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mouse model.