Ethyl-acetate extract of Spatholobi Caulis blocked the pro-metastatic support from the hemato-microenvironment of colon cancer by specific disruption of tumor-platelet adhesion

BACKGROUND

Within the pro-metastatic hemato-microenvironment, interaction between platelets and tumor cells provides essential support for tumor cells by inducing Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), which greatly increases the stemness of colon cancer cells. Pharmacologically, although platelet deactivation has proved to be benefit against metastasis, its wide application is severely restricted due to the bleeding risk. Spatholobi Caulis, a traditional Chinese herb with circulatory promotion and blood stasis removal activity, has been proved to be clinically effective in malignant medication, leaving its mechanistic relevance to tumor-platelet interaction largely unknown.

METHODS

Firstly, MC38-Luc cells were injected into tail-vein in C57BL/6 mice to establish hematogenous metastasis model and the anti-metastasis effects of SEA were evaluated by using a small-animal imaging system. Then, we evaluated the anti-tumor-platelet interaction efficacy of SEA using a tumor-specific induced platelet aggregation model. Platelet aggregation was specifically induced by tumor cells in vitro. Furthermore, to clarify the anti-metastatic effects of SEA is mainly attributed to its blockage on tumor-platelet interaction, after co-culture with tumor cells and platelets (with or without SEA), MC38-Luc cells were injected into the tail-vein and finally count the total of photons quantitatively. Besides, to clarify the blocking pattern of SEA within the tumor-platelet complex, the dependence of SEA on different fractions from activated platelets was tested. Lastly, molecular docking screening were performed to screen potential effective compounds and we used β-catenin blockers to verify the pathways involved in SEA blocking tumor-platelet interaction.

RESULTS

Our study showed that SEA was effective in blocking tumor-platelet specific interaction: (1) Through CCK-8 and LDH assays, SEA showed no cytotoxic effects on tumor cells and platelets. On this basis, by the tail vein injection model, the photon counts in the SEA group was significantly lower than model group, indicating that SEA effectively reduced metastasis. (2) In the "tumor-platelet" co-culture model, SEA effectively inhibited the progression of EMT and cancer stemness signatures of MC38 cells in the model group. (3) In mechanism study, by using the specific inhibitors for galectin-3 (GB1107) andWNT (IWR) respectively, we proved that SEA inhibits the activation of the galectin-3-mediated β-catenin activation.

CONCLUSION

By highlighting the pro-metastatic effects of galectin-3-mediated tumor-platelet adhesion, our study provided indicative evidence for Spatholobi Caulis as the representative candidate for anti-metastatic therapy.

[Effect of Spatholobi Caulis extract from ethyl acetate on immune killing function of NK cells]

This study aims to investigate the regulatory effect of the Spatholobi Caulis extract from ethyl acetate(SEA) on natural killer(NK) cells under physiological conditions and elucidate the underlying mechanism. The C57BL/6 mice were randomized into NC and SEA groups, and NK-92 cells were respectively treated with 0, 25, 50, and 100 μg·mL~(-1) SEA. The body weight and immune organ index of the mice were compared between groups. The lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) assay was employed to examine the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells treated with SEA and the killing activity of mouse NK cells against YAC-1 cells. The cell-counting kit-8(CCK-8) was used to examine the impact of SEA on the proliferation of NK-92 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to measure the number of NK cells in the peripheral blood as well as the expression levels of natural killer group 2 member A(NKG2A) and natural killer group 2 member D(NKG2D). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to determine the interferon(IFN)-γ secretion in the serum. Semi-quantitative PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of NKG2A, NKG2D, and IFN-γ in spleen cells. Western blot was employed to investigate the involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/extracellular regulated protein kinase 1(ERK1) signaling pathway. The results showed that SEA exhibited no adverse effects on the body, while significantly enhance the number of NK cells and augment the cytotoxicity of NK-92 cells against YAC-1 cells. Moreover, it suppressed the expression of NKG2A, enhanced the expression of NKG2D, promoted IFN-γ secretion, and upregulated the protein levels of PI3K and ERK. The findings suggest that SEA has the potential to enhance the immune recognition and effector function of NK cells by increasing the cell number, modulating the expression of functional receptors, and promoting IFN-γ secretion via the PI3K/ERK signaling pathway.

Shenlian extract protected ox-LDL-loaded macrophages against ER stress by promoting LAL-LXRα mediated cholesterol flux

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shenlian (SL) extract is consisted of extracts from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, two herbs commonly used in Chinese clinical formula to treat atherosclerosis by removing blood stasis and clearing away heat. Pharmacologically, the anti-atherosclerotic effects of these two herbs are related to unresolved inflammation and the macrophage anergy or apoptosis in lesions led by the lipid flux blockage and ER stress. However, the deeper understanding of SL extract in protecting macrophage in plaques remains unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of SL extract in protecting ER-stressed macrophages from apoptosis in atherosclerosis.

METHODS

The ApoE-/- atherosclerotic mice model and ox-LDL loaded macrophages model were established to assess the effect of SL extract on ER stress in vivo and in vitro. Key markers related to ER stress in plaque were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Proteins involved in apoptosis and ER stress in macrophages loaded by ox-LDL were assessed by Western blot. ER morphology was observed by electron microscope. Lipid flux was temporally and quantitatively depicted by Oil red staining. The LAL and LXRα were blocked by lalistat and Gsk 2033 respectively to investigate whether SL extract protected the function of macrophages by the activation of LAL-LXRα axis.

RESULTS

Our study reported that, in ApoE-/- atherosclerotic mice, SL extract effectively relieved ER stress of carotid artery plaque. In lipid-overloaded macrophage models, SL extract significantly alleviated ER stress by promoting cholesterol degradation and efflux, which finally prevented apoptosis of foam cells induced by ox-LDL. Blockage of ER stress by 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), an inhibitor of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress, largely attenuated the protective effects of SL extract on macrophage. By utilizing the selective antagonists against both LAL and LXRα, this study further revealed that the beneficial effects of SL extract in macrophages was dependent on the proper functionalization of LAL-LXRα axis.

CONCLUSIONS

By highlighting the therapeutic significance of macrophage protection in resolving atherosclerosis inflammation, our study pharmacologically provided convincing mechanistic evidence of SL extract in the activation LAL-LXRα axis and revealed its promising potential in the promotion of cholesterol turnover and prevention of ER stress induced apoptosis in lipid-loaded macrophages.

Synergistic Approaches in the Design and Applications of UCST Polymers

This review summarizes recent progress in the synergistic design strategy for thermoresponsive polymers possessing an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in aqueous systems. To achieve precise control of the responsive behavior of the UCST polymers, their molecular design can benefit from a synergistic effect of hydrogen bonding with other interactions or modification of the chemical structures. The combination of UCST behavior with other stimuli-responsive properties of the polymers may yield new functional materials with potential applications such as sensors, actuators, and controlled release devices. The advances in this area provide insight or inspiration into the understanding and design of functional UCST polymers for a wide range of applications.

[Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gout in China]

Gout is a metabolic disease resulting from the accumulation of monosodium urate (MSU) in joints, leading to crystal-induced arthritis. In China, gout is common, but there is insufficient knowledge regarding standardized criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Based on evidence and guidelines from China and other countries, the Chinese Rheumatology Association developed standardized criteria for the diagnosis and treatment of gout in China. The purpose was to standardize gout diagnosis methods as well as treatment opportunities and strategies in order to reduce misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, and irreversible damage.

Adenophorone, An Unprecedented Sesquiterpene from Eupatorium adenophorum: Structural Elucidation, Bioinspired Total Synthesis and Neuroprotective Activity Evaluation

(-)-Adenophorone (1), a caged polycyclic sesquiterpene featuring an unprecedented tricyclo[4.3.1.05,9 ]decane skeleton, was isolated from Eupatorium adenopharum Spreng. The structure of 1 was unambiguously established by a combination of spectroscopic analysis, X-ray crystallography, and bioinspired total synthesis. Key synthetic features include a sequential Reformatsky/oxidation/regio- and stereoselective hydrogenation, and subsequent merged MBH-Tsuji-Trost cyclization. The concise synthetic sequence efficiently constructs the bicyclic skeleton of cadinene sesquiterpene (+)-euptox A (2) in 8 steps from commercially available monoterpene (-)-carvone (6), with outstanding performance on diastereocontrol. The bioinspired synthesis of 1 was achieved from 2, a plausible biogenetic precursor, via transannular Michael addition. This work provides experimental evidence of our proposed biosynthetic hypothesis of 1. Additionally, compound 1 showed potent neuroprotective activity in H2 O2 -treated SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells.

Lipase-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of natural compound-based cyclic monomers

The need for sustainable and environment-friendly materials has led to growing interest in the development of biodegradable polymers based on natural compounds. However, metal-based catalysts used in the polymerization process may cause concerns about the toxicity of the resultant polymers. Therefore, polymers derived from natural compounds and synthesized through the use of green catalysts are highly desirable. Lipase-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of biocompound-based cyclic monomers has emerged as a promising and green strategy for the design and synthesis of such polymers. In this review, we summarize reports on the use of ROP catalyzed by lipase for cyclic monomers derived from natural compounds, including bile acid- and porphyrin-based macrocycles, carbonate-based macrocycles, lactones, and cyclic anhydrides, with an emphasis on ring-closure reactions for the synthesis of cyclic monomers, the types of lipases for the ROP and the choice of reaction conditions (temperature, solvent, reaction time, etc.). Moreover, the current challenges and perspectives for the choice and reusability of lipases, ring-closure versus ring-opening reactions, monomer design, and potential applications are discussed.

[Stellera chamaejasme extract against multidrug resistance of breast cancer cell line MCF-7]

This study explored the effect and underlying mechanism of Stellera chamaejasme extract(SCE) on multidrug resistance of breast cancer. The chemotherapy-sensitive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and adriamycin(ADR)-resistant cell line MCF-7/ADR were used as experimental subjects. MTT assay was used to detect cell proliferation activity. Pi staining was used to detect the cell cycle. 4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole, dihydrochloride(DAPI) staining and flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis. Dansylcadaverine(MDC) staining and GFP-LC3B-Mcherry adenovirus transfection were used to detect autophagy. The protein expression of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3, LC3B, p62, and Beclin-1 was detected by Western blot. The results showed that SCE could significantly inhibit the proliferation of both sensitive and resistant breast cancer cell lines. The drug resistance factor was 0.53, which was significantly lower than 59 of ADR. Meanwhile, the proportion of sensitive/resistant cells in the G_0/G_1 phase increased significantly after SCE treatment. In addition, DAPI staining showed that a series of apoptosis phenomena such as nuclear pyknosis, staining deepening, and nuclear fragmentation appeared in sensitive/resistant cell lines after SCE administration. Moreover, the results of flow cytometry double staining showed that the proportion of apoptotic cells in sensitive/resistant cell lines increased significantly after SCE administration. Besides, Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bcl-2 significantly decreased and the expression level of Bax protein significantly increased in both breast cancer cell lines after SCE administration. Furthermore, SCE could also increase the positive fluorescent spots after MDC staining and yellow fluorescent spots after GFP-LC3B-mcherry transfection, and up-regulate the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3B-Ⅱ, p62, and Beclin-1 in breast cancer cells. In summary, SCE may play the role of anti-multidrug resistance by blocking the cell cycle of breast cancer multidrug-resistant cells, blocking autophagy flow, and ultimately interfering with the apoptosis resistance of drug-resistant cells.

Shenlian extract decreases mitochondrial autophagy to regulate mitochondrial function in microvascular to alleviate coronary artery no-reflow

Shenlian (SL) extract has been proven to be effective in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia. However, the function and molecular mechanisms of SL on coronary artery no-reflow have not been fully elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the contribution of SL extract in repressing excessive mitochondrial autophagy to protect the mitochondrial function and prevent coronary artery no-reflow. The improvement of SL on coronary artery no-reflow was observed in vivo experiments and the molecular mechanisms were further explored through vitro experiments. First, a coronary artery no-reflow rat model was built by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 2 hr of ischemia, followed by 24 hr of reperfusion. Thioflavin S (6%, 1 ml/kg) was injected into the inferior vena cava to mark the no-reflow area. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe the cellular structure, mitochondrial structure, and mitochondrial autophagy of the endothelial cells. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the microvascular barrier function and microvascular inflammation. Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) were isolated from rats. The CMECs were deprived of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 2 hr and reoxygenated for 4 hr to mimic the Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury-induced coronary artery no-reflow in vitro. Mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed using JC-1 dye. Intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were determined using an ATP assay kit. The cell total reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and cell apoptosis rate were analyzed by flow cytometry. Colocalization of mitochondria and lysosomes indirectly indicated mitophagy. The representative ultrastructural morphologies of the autophagosomes and autolysosomes were also observed under transmission electron microscopy. The mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins (LC3II/I, P62, PINK, and Parkin) were analyzed using Western blot analysis. In vivo, results showed that, compared with the model group, SL could reduce the no-reflow area from 37.04 ± 9.67% to 18.31 ± 4.01% (1.08 g·kg^-1 SL), 13.79 ± 4.77% (2.16 g·kg^-1 SL), and 12.67 ± 2.47% (4.32 g·kg^-1 SL). The extract also significantly increased the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (FS) (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The fluorescence intensities of VE-cadherin, which is a junctional protein that preserves the microvascular barrier function, decreased to ~74.05% of the baseline levels in the no-reflow rats and increased to 89.87%(1.08 g·kg^-1 SL), 82.23% (2.16 g·kg^-1 SL), and 89.69% (4.32 g·kg^-1 SL) of the baseline levels by SL treatment. SL administration repressed the neutrophil migration into the myocardium. The oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was induced in vitro to mimic microvascular ischemia-reperfusion injury. The impaired mitochondrial function after OGD/R injury led to decreased ATP production, calcium overload, the excessive opening of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced ROS scavenging ability (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The normal autophagosomes (double-membrane vacuoles with autophagic content) in the sham group were rarely found. The large morphology and autophagosomes were frequently observed in the model group. By contrast, SL inhibited the excessive activation of mitochondrial autophagy. The mitochondrial autophagy regulated by the PINK/Parkin pathway was excessively activated. However, administration of SL prevented the activation of the PINK/Parkin pathway and inhibited excessive mitochondrial autophagy to regulate mitochondrial dysfunction. Results also demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction stimulated endothelial cell barrier dysfunction, but Evans blue transmission was significantly decreased and transmembrane resistance was increased significantly by SL treatment (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Carbonylcyanide-3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) could activate the PINK/Parkin pathway. CCCP reversed the regulation of SL on mitochondrial autophagy and mitochondrial function. SL could alleviate coronary artery no-reflow by protecting the microvasculature by regulating mitochondrial function. The underlying mechanism was related to decreased mitochondrial autophagy by the PINK/Parkin pathway.

[Research status and prospect of remyelination in multiple sclerosis based on "inflammation-tissue" homeostatic coupling]

Multiple sclerosis(MS) shows the pathological characteristics of &quot;inflammatory injury of white matter&quot; and &quot;myelin repair disability&quot; in the central nervous system(CNS). It is very essential for MS treatment and reduction of disease burden to strengthen repair, improve function, and reduce disability. Accordingly, different from the simple immunosuppression, we believe that key to strengthening remyelination and maintaining the &quot;damage-repair&quot; homeostasis of tissue is to change the current one-way immunosuppression strategy and achieve the &quot;moderate pro-inflammation-effective inflammation removal&quot; homeostasis. Traditional Chinese medicine shows huge potential in this strategy. Through literature research, this study summarized the research on remyelination, discussed the &quot;mode-rate pro-inflammation-effective inflammation removal&quot; homeostasis and the &quot;damage-repair&quot; homeostasis based on microglia, and summed up the key links in remyelination in MS. This review is expected to lay a theoretical basis for improving the function of MS patients and guide the application of traditional Chinese medicine.

[Pharmacodynamic substances and therapeutic potential of Wuji Pills:based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and network pharmacology]

As a classic prescription, Wuji Pills is composed of Coptidis Rhizoma, Euodiae Fructus Preparata, and stir-fried Paeo-niae Radix Alba at the ratio of 6∶1∶6. The practical application of it is limited compared with other famous Chinese medicine prescriptions. Only one company produces Wuji Pills in China. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) was used to analyze and identify 26 identical compounds from Wuji Pills and drug-containing plasma of rats. Based on these components, 46 potential targets were screened out with network pharmacology methods, followed by the component-target network construction, Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment, and disease prediction. It was concluded that Wuji Pills acted on core targets such as PTGS2, PTSG1, NCOA2, HSP9 OAD1, and RXRA through magnoflorine, hydroxyevodiamine, daucosterol, and berberine and exerted pharmacodynamic effects through various pathways such as calcium ion signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-protein kinase B(PI3 K-Akt) signaling pathway, and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) signaling pathway. Thus, Wuji Pills has therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease, diabetes mellitus, myocardial ischemia, and other diseases in addition to the conventional disease(irritable bowel syndrome, IBS). The above research results can provide a reference for the comprehensive interpretation of the pharmacodynamic basis of Wuji Pills and the expansion of clinical application. At the same time, a lot of components in serum and the in vivo transformed and metabolized components of Wuji Pills have similar structure and relative molecular weight. In theory, these components may show additive effects and the competitive/antagonistic effects on the same target. According to the hypothesis of &quot;additive effect of multiple components for a single target&quot; in traditional Chinese medicine, multiple similar components may exert the additive effects on local targets. This study can partly prove the scientificity of this hypothesis and provide laboratory evidence.

[Artificial intelligence technology enables ultrasonography in precision diagnosisand treatment of liver diseases]

Liver disease is one of the major problems affecting human health. Ultrasound plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment of diffuse and focal liver diseases. However, conventional ultrasound evaluation is subjective and provides limited information. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology may supplement the disadvantages of conventional ultrasound and has been widely used in the field of ultrasound in liver diseases. To date, remarkable progress has been achieved for the use of AI technology in the diagnosis, assessment of therapeutic efficacy and prognosis prediction of liver diseases. This paper reviews the research progress of ultrasound image-based AI technology in the diagnosis and treatment of diffuse and focal liver diseases.

[Recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of systemic sclerosis in China]

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that is characterized by skin fibrosis with multi-organ involvement. In China, the standardized diagnosis and treatment for SSc is still lacking. Based on the diagnosis criteria and guidelines from China and abroad, Chinese Rheumatology Association developed the current standardization of diagnosis and treatment for SSc. The purposes of this guideline are to standardize clinical management for SSc in China, to interpret the key evaluation tools for SSc, and to recommend therapeutic principle and strategies.

Using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Probe Hydrogels Formed by Sodium Deoxycholate

Hydrogels of bile acids and their salts are promising materials for drug delivery, cellular immobilization, and other applications. However, these hydrogels are poorly understood at the molecular level, and further study is needed to allow improved materials to be created by design. We have used NMR spectroscopy to probe hydrogels formed from mixtures of formic acid and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), a common bile acid salt. By assaying the ratio of deoxycholate molecules that are immobilized as part of the fibrillar network of the hydrogels and those that can diffuse, we have found that 65% remain free under typical conditions. The network appears to be composed of both the acid and salt forms of deoxycholate, possibly because a degree of charge inhibits excessive aggregation and precipitation of the fibrils. Spin-spin relaxation times provided a molecular-level estimate of the temperature of gel-sol transition (42 °C), which is virtually the same as the value determined by analyzing macroscopic parameters. Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy established that formic acid, which is present mainly as formate, is not immobilized as part of the gelating network. In contrast, HDO interacts with the network, which presumably has a surface with exposed hydrophilic groups that form hydrogen bonds with water. Moreover, the STD NMR experiments revealed that the network is a dynamic entity, with molecules of deoxycholate associating and dissociating reversibly. This exchange appears to occur preferentially by contact of the hydrophobic edges or faces of free molecules of deoxycholate with those of molecules immobilized as components of the network. In addition, DOSY experiments revealed that gelation has little effect on the diffusion of free NaDC and HDO.

Network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation to explore the mechanism of Shenlian extract on myocardial ischemia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shenlian extract (SL), extracted from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees, has been proved to be effective in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Recently, we have partially elucidated the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effects of SL on myocardial ischemia (MI). However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to explore the potential molecular mechanism of SL on MI on the basis of network pharmacology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, the main active ingredients of SL were screened in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database, and the MI-associated targets were collected from the DisGeNET database. Then, we used compound-target and target-pathway networks to uncover the therapeutic mechanisms of SL. On the basis of network pharmacology analysis results, we assessed the effects of SL in MI rat model and oxygen glucose deprivation model of H9c2 cells and validated the possible molecular mechanisms of SL on myocardial injury in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

The network pharmacology results showed that 37 potential targets were recognized, including TNF-α, Bcl-2, STAT3, PI3K and MMP2. These results revealed that the possible targets of SL were involved in the regulation of inflammation and apoptosis signaling pathway. Then, in vivo experiments indicated that SL significantly reduced the myocardial infarction size of MI rats. Serum CK-MB, cTnT, CK, LDH, and AST levels were significantly decreased by SL (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). In vitro, SL significantly increased H9c2 cell viability. The levels of inflammation factors including TNF-α and MMP2 were significantly decreased by SL (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). TUNEL and Annexin V/propidium iodide assays indicated that SL could significantly decrease the cell apoptotic rate in vivo and in vitro (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The remarkable upregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and downregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax protein level further confirmed this result. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the PI3K-AKT and JAK2-STAT3 pathways were significantly enriched in SL. Compared with the model group, SL treatment significantly activated the PI3K-AKT and JAK2-STAT3 pathways in vivo and in vitro according to Western blot analyses.

CONCLUSION

SL could protect the myocardium from MI injury. The underlying mechanism may be related to the reduction of inflammation and apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT and JAK2/STAT3 pathways.

[Recommendations of diagnosis and treatment of adult-onset Still's disease in China]

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic autoinflammatory disorder. In China, standardized diagnosis and treatment for AOSD is insufficient. Based on the evidence from China and other countries, Chinese Rheumatology Association developed standardization of diagnosis and treatment of AOSD in China. The purpose is to standardize the methods for diagnosis of AOSD, treatment strategies, and reduce misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and irreversible damage.

[Shenlian extract attenuates TNF-α-induced ECV304 injury by regulating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway]

This study aimed to investigate the effect and the possible mechanism of Shenlian( SL) extract on tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α)-induced ECV304 injury. After the establishment of TNF-α-induced ECV304 cells injure model,MTT assay was used to detect cell viability and the level of reactive oxygen species( ROS) was measured by flow cytometry. The contents of superoxide dismutase( SOD),malondialdehyde( MDA),nitric oxide( NO),endothelin-1( ET-1) and interleukin-1β( IL-1β) in the supernatant were detected by biochemical method and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA). The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins B-lymphoma-2 gene( Bcl-2),Bcl-2 associated X protein( Bax),caspase-3,caspase-9 and nuclear factor E2 associated factor2( Nrf2)/Kelch like epichlorohydrin associated protein-1( Keap1) signaling pathway related proteins Nrf2,Keap1,quinone oxidoreductase( NQO1) and heme oxygenase 1( HO-1) were detected by Western blot. The results showed that 50 μg·L-1 TNF-α significantly damaged ECV304 cells,induced the impairment of cell viability( P&lt;0. 01),the increase of ROS production,the decrease of SOD activity,and the increase of MDA,NO,ET-1 and IL-1β( P&lt;0. 01),meanwhile,it caused the up-regulation of Keap1,caspase-9 and Bax protein expression,and down-regulation of NQO1 and Bcl-2 protein expression( P&lt;0. 05) compared with the control group.Compared with the model group,SL extract reduced the damage of ECV304 cells induced by TNF-α,improved cell viability,reduced ROS production,increased SOD activity and decreased MDA,NO,ET-1,IL-1β content( P&lt;0. 01 or P&lt;0. 05). In addition,SL extract also down-regulated the protein expression levels of Keap1,caspase-3,caspase-9 and Bax,and increased the protein expressions of Nrf2,NQO1,HO-1 and Bcl-2( P&lt;0. 01 or P&lt;0. 05). The above results indicate that SL extract can provide protective effect on ECV304 cells injury induced by TNF-α,alleviate oxidative stress injury,inflammation and apoptosis,and its mechanism may be related to regulating Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway.

Smart microneedle patches for rapid, and painless transdermal insulin delivery

Insulin administration at mealtimes for the control of postprandial glucose is a major part of basal-bolus insulin therapy; however, painful subcutaneous (SC) injections lead to poor patient compliance. The microneedle (MN) patch, which allows painless transdermal drug delivery, is a promising substitute; however, it remains a big challenge to deliver insulin as rapidly as by SC injection. Here a novel MN patch is designed in which the MNs are coated with insulin/poly-l-glutamic acid (PGA) layer-by-layer (LBL) films at pH 3.0. This coating is pH-sensitive because the net charge of insulin turns from positive to negative when the pH increases from 3.0 to 7.4. As a result, when transferred to pH 7.4 media, e.g., when inserted into skin, the coating dissociates instantly and releases insulin rapidly. A brief epidermal application (<1 min) of the coated MNs is enough for complete film dissociation. More importantly, the coated MN patch exhibits a pharmacokinetic and a pharmacodynamic profile comparable to that of insulin administrated by SC injection, suggesting the coated MN patch can deliver insulin as rapidly as the SC injection. In addition, the patch exhibits excellent biocompatibility and storage stability. The new MN patch is expected to become a painless, convenient method for the control of postprandial glucose.

Functional fillers for dental resin composites

Dental resin composites (DRCs) are popular materials to repair caries. Although various types of DRCs with different characteristics have been developed, restoration failures still exist. Bulk fracture and secondary caries have been considered as main causes for the failure of composites restoration. To address these problems, various fillers with specific functions have been introduced and studied. Some fillers with specific morphologies such as whisker, fiber, and nanotube, have been used to increase the mechanical properties of DRCs, and other fillers releasing ions such as Ag⁺, Ca²⁺, and F^-, have been used to inhibit the secondary caries. These functional fillers are helpful to improve the performances and lifespan of DRCs. In this article, we firstly introduce the composition and development of DRCs, then review and discuss the functional fillers classified according to their roles in the DRCs, finally give a summary on the current research and predict the trend of future development.

[Potential therapies for COVID-19 cardiovascular complications using artemisinin and its derivatives intervene based on its cardiovascular protection]

Corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19) has brought untold human sufferings and economic tragedy worldwide. It causes acute myocardial injury and chronic damage of cardiovascular system, which has attracted much attention from researchers. For the immediate strategy for COVID-19, &quot;drug repurposing&quot; is a new opportunity for developing drugs to fight COVID-19. Artemisinin and its derivatives have a wide range of pharmacological activities. Recent studies have shown that artemisinin has clear cardiovascular protective effects. This paper summarizes the research progress on the pathogenesis the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in cardiovascular damage by 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV) virus from myocardial cell injury directly by 2019-nCoV virus,viral ligands competitively bind to ACE2 and then reduce the protective effect of ACE2 on cardiovascular disease, &quot;cytokine storm&quot; related myocardial damage, arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death induced by the infection and stress, myocardial injury by hypoxemia, heart damage side effects from COVID-19 drugs and summarizing the cardiovascular protective effects of artemisinin and its derivatives have activities of anti-arrhythmia, anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-atherosclerosis and plaque stabilization. Then analyzed the possible multi-pathway intervention effects of artemisinin-based drugs on multiple complications of COVID-19 based on its specific immunomodulatory effects, protective effects of tissue and organ damage and broad-spectrum antiviral effect, to provide clues for the treatment of cardiovascular complications of COVID-19, and give a new basis for the therapy of COVID-19 through &quot;drug repurposing&quot;.

[Recommendations of diagnosis and treatment of gout in China]

Gout is a crystal associated arthritis caused by monosodium urate (MSU) accumulating in joint, and it belongs to metabolic rheumatic disease. In China, gout is common but it is insufficient for education of standardized diagnosis and treatment for gout. Based on the evidence and guidelines from China and other countries, Chinese gout Collaborative Research Group developed standardization of diagnosis and treatment of gout in China. The purpose is to standardize the methods for diagnosis of gout, treatment opportunity and strategies in order to reduce misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis and irreversible damage.

[Screening combination ratio and exploring mechanism of Momordicae Semen and Epimedii Folium]

The aim of this paper was to obtain low toxicity and high efficiency anti-tumor Chinese medicine through screening the combination ratios of Momordicae Semen and Epimedii Folium, and to explore the anti-tumor mechanism of the combination of two drugs by observing their effect on apoptosis-related proteins in cancer cells. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay was used to observe the effect of drug combination on the proliferation of tumor cells from different tissue sources. The effects of the combination of the two drugs on tumor cells were analyzed by Compusyn software. Plate cloning assay was used to observe the effect of combination of these two drugs on the proliferation of A549 cells in vitro. The expression of reactive oxygen species(ROS) and apoptotic proteins p53, Bcl-2 and Bax were compared by using ROS kit and Western blot. Lewis lung cancer model was used to observe the anti-tumor effect of drugs in vivo. The results showed that the anti-tumor effect of their ethanol extract was more significant than that of water extract, and the anti-proliferation effect was strongest when the ratio was 1∶1(P&lt;0.05). Compusyn analysis showed that the combination of the two drugs had synergistic effect. Further studies showed that after combined use, the number of clonogen formation in A549 cells was significantly reduced(P&lt;0.01); ROS production was increased; the expression of apoptosis-related protein p53 was up-regulated, and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was decreased. In vivo animal study showed that the tumor inhibition rate was 53.06%(P&lt;0.05) in the high dose group. As compared with the single use of the two drugs, the combination of the two drugs had more significant anti-proliferative effect on tumors, and the optimum ratio was 1∶1. The combination of the two drugs at a ratio of 1∶1 inhibited the proliferation of various tumor cells, and had no significant effect on normal liver cells LO2 when compared with other ratios. Therefore, it can be preliminarily inferred that the combination of the two drugs may have the effect of synergism and detoxification. Further studies showed that the combination of the two drugs can significantly inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of endogenous apoptotic pathway. In vivo experiments also showed that the tumor inhibition rate increased with the increase of drug concentration.

Shenlian Extract Against Myocardial Injury Induced by Ischemia Through the Regulation of NF-κB/IκB Signaling Axis

Ischemic heart disease (IHD), caused predominantly by atherosclerosis, is a leading cause of global mortality. Our previous studies showed that Shenlian extract (SL) could prevent the formation of atherosclerosis and enhance the stability of atherosclerotic plaques. To further investigate the protective effects of SL on myocardial ischemic injury and its possible mechanisms, anesthetized dogs, ex vivo rat hearts, and H9c2 cardiomyocytes were used as models. The results showed that SL had a significant protective effect on the anesthetized dog ligating coronary artery model, reduced the degree of myocardial ischemia (Σ-ST), and reduced the scope of myocardial ischemia (N-ST). Meanwhile, SL alleviated ischemic reperfusion damage in ex vivo rat hearts with improved LVEDP and ± dp/dt_max values of the left ventricle. SL reduced the pathological changes of LDH, IL-1β, MDA, and NO contents, all of which are related to the expression of NF-κB. Further analysis by Bio-Plex array and signal pathway blocker revealed that the phosphorylation of IκB was a key factor for SL to inhibit myocardial ischemic injury, and the regulation of SL on IκB was primarily related to degradation of the IκB protein. These results provided dependable evidence that SL could protect against myocardial ischemic injury through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

[Study on fibrosis changes in the lungs of mice caused by repeated inhalation of polyhexamethyleneguaidine disinfectant]

Objective: To explore the lung damage caused by repeated inhalation of polyhexamethyleneguanidine (PHMG) disinfectant aerosol and the corresponding toxicological characteristics. Methods: Thirty four-week-old mice of C57BL/6N strain were randomly divided into three groups, the control group, low-dose group, and high-dose group. Each group had 5 male mice and 5 female mice. Lab II-level purified water was used in the control group. The PHMG disinfectant aerosol was generated by using the ultrasonic atomization of the aqueous solution containing PHMG. The PHMG concentrations in the low-and high-dose groups were 0.1 mg/ml (0.01%) and 1 mg/ml (0.1%), respectively. The concentration of PHMG in the post-chemical exposure room was 1.03 mg/m(3) and 9.09 mg/m(3) according to the air sampler analysis. The experimental mice were exposed to the PHMG in dynamic respiratory exposure mode for 4 hours every day in 21 days. After 21-day exposure, bronchia alveolus lung fluids (BALFs) were used to evaluate the inflammatory cells in the lungs, and pathological evaluation, special staining and immunohistochemical methods were further performed to evaluate the key indicators of pulmonary fibrosis. Results: Compared to the control group, the body weight of mice in the high-dose group was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while that of mice in the low-dose group did not significantly differ (P>0.05). The number of inflammatory cells in BALFs of low-dose exposed mice was slightly reduced, and the lung tissue pathology began to show lung damage with early fibrosis symptoms (P<0.05). The pathological examination of mice in the high-dose group showed changes in pulmonary fibrosis. Immunohistochemical staining showed that pulmonary fibrosis marker, α-SMA, was significantly increased in low-dose group and high-dose group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The repeated inhalation of PHMG disinfectant could cause lung damage such as pulmonary fibrosis in mice. It could suggest that special warnings should be given to this common disinfectant and respiratory protection measures should be adopted during industrial production and daily use.

[Research progress of effect of artemisinin family drugs on T lymphocytes immunomodulation]

Artemisinin was isolated from traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua for treating malaria. A series of derivatives,like dihydroartemisinin,artesunate,artemether,artether,had the same core chemical structure,and sesquiterpene lactone containing peroxide bridge constitute the basic chemical structure. Besides anti-malaria,artemisinin family drugs were found to ameliorate many different diseases,which have attracted wide attention in recent years. Among different diseases,artemisinin family drugs were found to have T lymphocytes immunomodulation effects,including activation,proliferation,differentiation,apoptosis and subsets function. Because T cell immunologic response is the key point of many diseases,and impact the pathogenic process,therapeutic effect and prognosis,the drug studies with it as the target have become hotspots in recent years. Studies of artemisinin family drug on T cell immunomodulation were still at the initial stage and involved in different disease; furthermore,T cell immune process involves complicated molecular mechanism,it is imperative to summarize the advance of current studies for further systematic explanation and exploration of their characteristics and mechanisms. This article will summarize the research progress of artemisinin family drugs for malaria,autoimmune disease,hypersensitivity reaction,tumor,schistosomiasis and AIDS relating to T cell immune modulation,so as to provide basic and professional reference for related research and application.

[Efficacy and mechanism of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules(LHQW) on chemotaxis of macrophages in acute lung injury (ALI) animal model]

This paper was mainly to discuss the potential role and mechanism of Lianhua Qingwen Capsules(LHQW) in inhibiting pathological inflammation in the model of acute lung injury caused by bacterial infection. For in vitro study, the mRNA expression of MCP-1 in RAW264.7 cells and THP-1 cells, the content of MCP-1 in cell supernatant, as well as the effect of LHQW on chemotaxis of macrophages were detected. For in vivo study, mice were randomly divided into 7 groups, including normal group, model group(LPS 5 mg·kg~(-1)), LHQW 300, 600 and 1 200 mg·kg~(-1)(low, middle and high dose) groups, dexamethasone 5 mg·kg~(-1) group and penicillin-streptomycin group. Then, the anal temperature was detected two hours later. Dry weight and wet weight of lung tissues in mice were determined; TNF-α and MCP-1 levels in alveolar lavage fluid and MCP-1 in serum were detected. In addition, the infiltration of alveolar macrophages was also observed and the infiltration count of alveolar macrophages was measured by CCK-8 method. HE staining was also used to observe the inflammatory infiltration of lung tissues in mice. Both of the in vitro and in vivo data consistently have confirmed that: by down-regulating the expression of MCP-1, LHWQ could efficiently decrease the chemotaxis of monocytes toward the pulmonary infection foci, thus blocking the disease development in ALI animal model.

[Research advancement in natural anti-cancer product]

Human health has been severely threatened by malignant tumors continuously.Rational and effective drug use provides an effective means for the treatment of malignant tumors,and is expected to become an important way to solve the problem of tumor treatment in the future.In recent years,with the escalation of new cancer theories and the emergence of clinical drug resistance,innovative research and development of anti-cancer drugs has always been a hot spot and focus in cancer research.Among them,the discovery of novel anti-cancer drugs from natural compound is of top priority due to its strong anti-cancer efficacy and the abundant drug resources.Therefore,it is imperative to systematically summarize the cutting-edge advancements of the natural products and their potential pharmacological mechanisms according to the characteristics of tumor progression,and put forward the new directions and trends for further development of anti-cancer natural products in the future.Specifically,the research advancements on anti-cancer effect of natural products were reviewed,focusing on both the traditional and innovative application.We hope this review could bring the light on the research path of the natural anti-cancer products clearly and comprehensively,and also provide inspirations for innovative,safer and more effective anti-cancer drug development and exploration.

[Protective effects of artesunate combination on experimental cerebral malaria and nerve injury]

Cerebral malaria (CM) is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years in Africa, severe neurological sequelae may occur in surviving children. Although artesunate has made breakthrough progress in the clinical treatment of CM, the clinical problems of high mortality and high morbidity have not yet been completely resolved. In this study, an experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) model was established by infecting C57BL/6 mice with Pb ANKA (Plasmodium berghei ANKA) to compare parasitemia level, survival rates, and rapid murine coma behavior scale scores, cerebral microvascular obstruction, haemozoin deposition in the liver, body temperature and weight to investigate the anti-cerebral malaria effect of the artesunate compound combination. The results showed that the artesunate compound combination could improve the survival rate of Pb ANKA-infected mice, reduce the level of parasitemia, effectively improve the symptoms of ECM neurological injury, reduce cerebrovascular obstruction and haemozoin deposition in the liver, and also significantly improve body temperature, weight and other basic indicators. The results showed that the artesunate compound combination improved the pathological changes and neurological damage caused by CM. It is expected to provide a theoretical basis for human cerebral malaria patients in clinical adjuvant therapy.

[Basic research of fibrosis on atherosclerotic plaque stability and related drug application]

In the background of the high incidence and high mortality of cardiovascular diseases,atherosclerosis is the main pathological feature of cardiovascular diseases and the core pathological basis for disease progression. In the evolution of atherosclerotic plaques,the rupture of unstable plaques,plaque shedding and formation of thrombosis are the most dangerous parts. In this process,the formation of plaque fibrosis is the core mechanism regulating plaque stability. Additionally,fibrosis reflects dynamic changes in the inflammatory processes and pathological changes. In view of the inflammation regulation and fibrosis regulation,this paper clarified the process of atherosclerotic plaque,explained the roles of relevant inflammatory cells and cytokines in plaque stability,and summed up drug researches related with stable plaque in recent years. In the future,improving the fibrosis will be a new idea for stabilizing plaque in atherosclerosis drug development.

[Research initiative of new thought on "main effect" of TCM formulae--new thinking on mechanism of compound action and compatibility mechanism of Chinese herbal compound formulae]

This article proposes a new thought on the study of "main effect" of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae. The blood concentrations of the pharmacodynamic substances of Chinese material medica（CMM）are usually very low, with lower toxic and side effects than western medicine. Therefore, according to a recent hypothesis of additive effect of multiple components for a single target, local targets in multi-component multi-target synergistic effect network of TCM may have the additive effect of similar components. Studies on the disposition of CMM showed that a constituent could bebio-transformed to many metabolites; these compounds with a similar structure are likely to have the same pharmacological effects on the same target, which could provide experimental evidences for the hypothesis of "additive effect". The authors of this article further believe that additive effect of TCM multi-components only comes up under a limited conditions/concentration. Because of the complexity of TCM-organism system, the complex effect of multicomponent addition and competition/antagonism is more likely to appear in single targets of drug effect. This complex effect may be the key to impact the synergistic effect of TCM multi-targets. In theory, choose and create a single target additive effect could realize the scientific compatibility of TCM and improve the curative effect and attenuate toxicity. According to the clinical demand and under the guidance of the above thought, we proposed the "main effect" of TCM formulae. Because traditional Chinese medicine (compounds) have diverse and complex effects, how to better study TCM formulae compatibility mechanism and improve the curative effect? Efforts shall be made to select one or several effects relating to clinical specific syndromes from the complex and diverse effects of TCM as the "main effect". The "main effect" of TCM formulae is the macroscopic manifestation of the synergistic effect of multi-component/multi-target. The study of the Formulae "main effect" can contain at least two aspects: one is the study of pharmacokinetic application of TCM formulae, and another is the study for pharmacodynamics effect. In the study of main effect, there are two main elements. First, which drug targets are directly related to the main effect? This requires identifying the target network. Second, which drug components positively or negatively control the single target of the target network? And what change in single target effect as well as the multi-target synergistic effect will be caused by the regulatory component concentration or the change in number? These two elements is the key to elucidate the mechanism of compound action and compatibility mechanism of Chinese herbal compound formulae. Through the study of the main effect, the clinical curative effect and the mechanism of the TCM formulae shall be improved.

[Effect of dihydroartemisinin on permeability of human erythrocyte membrane infected plasmodium]

In view of the fact that the antimalarial effects of artemisinins are significant but the mechanism has not yet been clarified and there are many different opinions, it is possible that artemisinins can produce high anti-malarial efficacy through various mechanisms and multiple pathways. In addition, the researches on the pathogenesis of malaria "erythrocyte membrane plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC)" in the past few years have provided more positive findings, which may confirm and discover the new antimalarial mechanism of artemisinins. This paper was as to study the effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) in vitro on erythrocyte membrane permeability of HB3 plasmodium infection, with using the mechanism of 5% sorbitol can be used to kill the Plasmodium falciparum in red blood cell membrane selectively, the effectual difference of sorbitol on the killing of P. falciparum with adding DHA or not was detected, so as to investigate whether DHA can affect the permeability of the erythrocyte membrane. Result showed that, Pre-stimulation with 10 nmol·L⁻¹ DHA (the final concentration of plasmodium in vitro culture system) for 30 min could significantly decrease the killing effect of sorbitol on the HB3 plasmodium in the P. falciparum erythrocytic cycle, and DHA may inhibit the permeability of the erythrocyte membrane for preventing sorbitol through the red blood cell membrane, thereby reducing the killing effect of sorbitol on the P. falciparum.

[Clinical applications of intelligent pressure control flexible ureteroscope for the treatment of renal calculi ≤2 cm]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intelligent pressure control flexible ureteroscope for management of renal stones ≤2 cm. Methods: The clinical data of 267 cases of renal calculi treated with flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy at Department of Urology, Ganzhou People's Hospital from June 2015 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 129 male and 138 female patients, with a mean age of 51.2 years (ranging from 19 to 76 years). Among them, 145 patients underwent intelligent pressure control flexible ureteroscope (intelligent control group) and 122 patients underwent flexible ureteroscope ordinary (ordinary group). The t test, χ² test or Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis. The success rate of stone seeking, the stone free rates, the incidence of complications, the average operation time, the average hospital stay after operation were compared between the two groups. Results: The average mean operative time of the patients with intelligent control group was (26.17 ± 8.64) minutes, significantly shorter than (47.23±18.35) minutes of the ordinary group (t=1.968, P=0.000). The stone free rate of the patients with intelligent control group was 97.2%, it was higher than 86.0% of ordinary group (χ²=0.069, P=0.004). The complication rate of the patients with intelligent control group was 2.7%, which was significantly shorter than 18.0% of the ordinary group (χ²=17.586, P=0.000). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the success rate of stone seeking and postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). Conclusion: Intelligent controlled pressure ureteral flexible ureteroscope has the advantages of short operation time, high stone free rate and less complications in the treatment of renal calculi ≤2 cm compared with flexible ureteroscope ordinary.

Bile Acid-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Enhanced Doxorubicin Encapsulation: Comparing Hydrophobic and Ionic Interactions in Drug Loading and Release

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a drug of choice in the design of drug delivery systems directed toward breast cancers, but is often limited by loading and control over its release from polymer micelles. Bile acid-based block copolymers present certain advantages over traditional polymer-based systems for drug delivery purposes, since they can enable a higher drug loading via the formation of a reservoir through their aggregation process. In this study, hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are compared for their influence on Dox loading inside cholic acid based block copolymers. Poly(allyl glycidyl ether) (PAGE) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were grafted from the cholic acid (CA) core yielding a star-shaped block copolymer with 4 arms (CA-(PAGE- b-PEG)₄) and then loaded with Dox via a nanoprecipitation technique. A high Dox loading of 14 wt % was achieved via electrostatic as opposed to hydrophobic interactions with or without oleic acid as a cosurfactant. The electrostatic interactions confer a pH responsiveness to the system. 50% of the loaded Dox was released at pH 5 in comparison to 12% at pH 7.4. The nanoparticles with Dox loaded via hydrophobic interactions did not show such a pH responsiveness. The systems with Dox loaded via electrostatic interactions showed the lowest IC₅₀ and highest cellular internalization, indicating the pre-eminence of this interaction in Dox loading. The blank formulations are biocompatible and did not show cytotoxicity up to 0.17 mg/mL. The new functionalized star block copolymers based on cholic acid show great potential as drug delivery carriers.

[Study and opinion on toxicity of aristolochic acid]

On October 18th, 2017, a research article named "Aristolochic acids and their derivatives are widely implicated in liver cancers in Taiwan and throughout Asia" was published on Science Translational Medicine. This article pointed out that herbs containing aristolochic acids could cause liver cancer by inducing the specific "aristolochic acids mutational signature". The public was also suggested to avoid the intake of herbs containing aristolochic acids. Since 2000, CFDA has gradually abolished the medicinal standards for herbs containing aristolochic acids such as caulis aristolochiae manshuriensis, aristolochia heterophylla and radix aristolochiae. Related drugs have been strengthened supervision since then. Chinese Pharmacopoeia has also removed the records of a series of related herbs. State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine held a conference on the "toxicity" of aristolochic acids as soon as the article was published. After a discussion of the studies on the toxicity of aristolochic acids, experts attending the meeting discovered several problems, including the unclearness of exposure history, tumor-producing dose and latent period, the absence of some key factors such as hepatitis B, the small sample size, miscellaneous factors, incomplete evidence chains, the missing of analyses between data with huge differences, the insufficiency of fundamental research arguments, etc. In order to understand the toxicity of aristolochic acids and the carcinogenic risks, as well as guide clinical safe medication, the experts suggested that：①Complete the systematical evaluation of aristolochic acids carcinogenicity as soon as possible. Scientifically elucidate the relationship between aristolochic acids and the genesis of liver cancer. ②Establish medication risk warnings of aristolochic acids and strengthen the supervision. ③Make an in-depth study of the toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine. Find out the adverse effects of all traditional Chinese medicine step by step.

[Protective effect of Shuyu Yiban decoction on atherosclerosis in rats induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress]

Shuyu Yiban decoction(SYYB) has significant effect in treating the patients with coronary heart disease combined with chronic psychological stress. In this study, in order to observe the effects of SYYB on early formation of atherosclerosis(As) and inflammation response induced by chronic psychological stress, high-fat diet+intraperitoneal injections of Vitamin D3 were given to establish As early lesion models, and based on these models, chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) was used to observe whether the chronic psychological stress could increase coronary atherosclerotic lesions investigate the intervention effect of SYYB(6.6, 13.2, 26.4 mg•kg⁻¹). The tail suspension test and novelty-feeding test were adopted to detectadrenocortico-tropic hormone(ACTH), cortisol(Cor) andnoradrenaline(NE) in serum and weigh thymus and adrenal gland, in order to assess the effects of SYYB on CUMS model rats. The pathological changes of vascular tissues in aortic arch were observed by using hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining, and then the levels of triglycerides(TG), total cholesterol(TC) and high density lipoprotein(HDL-C) in serum were determined to assess effects of SYYB on As lesions. The effects of SYYB on the inflammatory response in As rats were assessed by detecting high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in serum. The results showed that as compared with the blank control group, TC and TG levels in As group were increased while HDL-C was markedly decreased; furthermore, the aortic wall was thickened in HE staining. Meanwhile, foam cells were formed, and the behavioral assessment and serum stress hormone test showed that there was a chronic stress response, indicating successful establishment of As+CUMS models in this study. The experiment demonstrated that SYYB could lower the levels of serum TC and TG, reduce foam cells, calcification and inflammatory cells infiltration. Moreover, SYYB could obviously lower levels of ACTH, Cor and NE and the As related inflammatory indicatorhs-CRP, IL-1β and IL-6 in serum.These results indicated that SYYB had protective effect on chronic psychological stress induced in As rats, and the mechanism was associated with balancing the neuroendocrine-immune network system and regulating inflammation response.

[DNT cell inhibits the growth of pancreatic carcinoma via NKG2D and MICA pathway in vivo]

Objective: To investigate the effects of natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) and its ligands major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰ chain-related molecules A(MICA) on DNT cell killing pancreatic carcinoma. Methods: Antibodies adsorption was used to separate DNT cell from human peripheral blood. Human pancreatic tumor models were established via implanting BXPC-3 cells into nude mice, and then mice were randomly divided mice into 3 groups, blank group, gemcitabine group and DNT group. Mice weights and mice tumor volumes were measured every 5 days. After 40 days mice were euthanized at cervical dislocation method. Tumor weights were measured. Relative tumor volume and tumor inhibition rate were calculated. Western blot and qPCR were used to detect the expressions of NKG2D and MICA in the transplanted tumors of the three groups. Results: The blank group tumor volume and weight of blank group were significantly larger than those of gemcitabine group and DNT group (858.7±35.7 mg, 251.1±19.7 mg, 278.5±17.3 mg, P<0.001), but there were no significantly difference between DNT group and gemcitabine group. The tumor inhibition rate of gemcitabine and DNT cell were 40.4% and 35.5%. Western blot and qPCR showed that MICA mRNA and protein levels in blank group were significantly higher than those in DNT group (P=0.001, P=0.003). NKG2D mRNA and protein levels in blank group were significantly lower than those in DNT cells group (P<0.001, P=0.001). Conclusion: DNT cell can significantly inhibit the growth of pancreatic carcinoma in vivo, and the mechanism may be involved in abnormal expressions of MICA and NKG2D.

"Bitter-Sweet" Polymeric Micelles Formed by Block Copolymers from Glucosamine and Cholic Acid

Natural compounds glucosamine and cholic acid have been used to make acrylic monomers which are subsequently used to prepare amphiphilic block copolymers by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Despite the striking difference in polarity and solubility, three diblock copolymers consisting of glucosamine and cholic acid pendants with different hydrophilic and hydrophobic chain lengths have been synthesized without the use of protecting groups. They are shown to self-assemble into polymeric micelles with a "bitter" bile acid core and "sweet" sugar shell in aqueous solutions, as evidenced by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The critical micelle concentration varies with the hydrophobic/hydrophilic ratio, ranging from 0.62 to 1.31 mg/L. Longer chains of polymers induced the formation of larger micelles in range of 50-70 nm. These micelles can solubilize hydrophobic compounds such as Nile Red in aqueous solutions. Their loading capacity mainly depends upon the hydrophobic/hydrophilic ratio of the polymers, and may be also related to the length of the hydrophilic block. These polymeric micelles allowed for a 10-fold increase in the aqueous solubility of paclitaxel and showed no cytotoxicity below the concentration of 500 mg/L. Such properties make these polymeric micelles interesting reservoirs for hydrophobic molecules and drugs for biomedical applications.

Self-Assembly of a Bile Acid Dimer in Aqueous Solutions: From Nanofibers to Nematic Hydrogels

A mixture of a cholic acid dimer with a secondary amine group and formic acid at a molar ratio of 1/1 is regarded as an organic salt, and it self-assembles in aqueous solutions to form monodisperse nanofibers. The nanofibers are separated at low concentrations of the mixture but entangle with each other at high concentrations to form well-dispersed and randomly arranged 3D fibrous networks. Above the minimum gelation concentration of the dimer, the fibrous network is strong enough to gelate the aqueous solutions to form a hydrogel. Hydrogels obtained from the dimer salt at a lower concentration are isotropic and show extinction between crossed polarizers in the polarizing microscope, whereas they become anisotropic (i.e., nematic hydrogels) upon increasing the dimer salt concentration or under physical stirring. The parallel arrangement of nanofibers from randomly directed fibrous networks may be responsible for the formation of such nematic hydrogels.

Oxygen Inhibition in Dental Resins

Oxygen inhibits free radical polymerization and yields polymers with uncured surfaces. This is a concern when thin layers of resin are being polymerized, or in circumstances where conventional means of eliminating inhibition are inappropriate. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that viscosity, filler content, and polymerization temperature modify oxygen diffusion in the resin or the reactivity of radical species, and affect the degree of conversion near the surface. Confocal Raman micro-spectroscopy was used to measure monomer conversion from the surface to the bulk of cured resins. Increased viscosity was shown to limit oxygen diffusion and increase conversion near the surface, without necessarily modifying the depth of inhibition. The filler material was shown to increase, simultaneously, oxygen diffusivity and the viscosity of the resin, which have opposite effects on conversion. Polymerization at a temperature above ~ 110°C was shown to eliminate oxygen inhibition.

Facile Assembly of Large-Area 2D Microgel Colloidal Crystals Using Charge-Reversible Substrates

2D colloidal crystals (CCs) have important applications; however, the fabrication of large-area, high-quality 2D CCs is still far from being trivial, and the fabrication of 2D microgel CCs is even harder. Here, we have demonstrated that they can be facilely fabricated using charge-reversible substrates. The charge-reversible substrates were prepared by modification with amino groups. The amino groups were then protected by amidation with 2,2-dimethylsuccinic anhydride. At acidic pH, the surface charge of the modified substrate will change from negative to positive as a result of the hydrolysis of the amide bonds and the regeneration of the amino groups. 2D microgel CCs can be simply fabricated by applying a concentrated microgel dispersion on the modified substrate. The negatively charged surface of the substrate allows the negatively charged microgel spheres, especially those close to the substrate, to self-assemble into 3D CCs. With the gradual hydrolysis of the amide bonds and the charge reversal of the substrate, the first 111 plane of the 3D assembly is fixed in situ on the substrate. The resulting 2D CC has a high degree of ordering because of the high quality of the parent 3D microgel CC. Because large-area 3D microgel CCs can be facilely fabricated, this method allows for the fabrication of 2D CCs of any size. Nonplanar substrates can also be used. In addition, the interparticle distance of the 2D array can be tuned by the concentration of the microgel dispersion. Besides rigid substrates (such as glass slides, quartz slides, and silicon wafers), flexible polymer films, including polyethylene terephthalate and poly(vinyl chloride) films, were also successfully used as substrates for the fabrication of 2D microgel CCs.

Effects of Shenlian extract on experimental atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice based on ultrasound biomicroscopy

Background

This study directly and dynamically investigated the effects of SL extract (i.e., a combination of Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and Andrographis paniculata extract) on plaque progression in vivo by high resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).

Methods

An atherosclerosis model was established by placing a perivascular collar on the right common carotid artery in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice. Thickness, plaque area and local blood flow were observed by UBM, pathological changes were observed by histochemical staining, and lipid levels were measured by respective commercially available kits.

Results

Compared with the model group, the SL extract groups showed reduced wall thickness of the aortic arch (GC: P = 0.001, P = 0.002, and P < 0.001; LC: P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001; BC: P = 0.027, P = 0.017, and P = 0.003; respectively), which presented with retarded plaque progression of the cartoid artery with concordantly increased blood flow (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001) as visualized in vivo by UBM. Histological analysis confirmed the reduction of carotid atherosclerosis.

Conclusions

The SL extract inhibited the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in an ApoE^-/- mice model by UBM analysis, and did so by effects that ameliorated local blood flow and improved blood lipid levels.

Extract of Caulis Spatholobi, a novel blocker targeting tumor cell‑induced platelet aggregation, inhibits breast cancer metastasis

Metastasis of breast cancer is the vital step for malignant progression. During such a process, hematogenous metastasis is an indispensable approach for the dissemination of cancer cells. A platelet, contributes to hypercoagulable state, and is also identified the crucial factor in the coagulation system for supporting metastasis. Therefore, the relationship of a platelet and a tumor cell plays a critical role in tumor cell metastasis. Consequently, inhibiting tumor cell‑induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) is recongnized as a crucial target on suppression of tumor metastasis such as aspirin (ASA). Under such circumstance, here we report that, through dissociating the tumor‑platelet (T‑P) complex, 80% ethanol extracts of Caulis Spatholobi (SET) successfully alleviated the hypercoagulation state, thereby reducing tumor metastasis and improving the prospects of survival in breast cancer cell model. Through MTT and anti‑aggregation assay stimulated by ADP, we detected the optimum treatment time and the optimum dose of SET. By using confocal microscopy, we observed that SET can strongly block the formation of T‑P complex in vitro. The result was further quantified and confirmed by the FACS analysis. The fluorescent value of T‑P complex was obviously decreased in the drug‑treated groups. In vivo, 4T1 cells were injected through the mouse tail vein for dynamic visualization by small animal imaging system. The metastatic intensity was quantified and the survival curve was analyzed. Additionally, general observation and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of lung tissue was performed. SET exerted an obvious effect on the inhibition of metastasis and increasing the survival rate of mice. For the molecular mechanism study of anti‑TCIPA, zymography and RT‑PCR assay preliminarily revealed the molecular mechanism of SET in the regulation of P‑T interaction. Collectively, through drug efficacy identification and pharmacological revealing, we have obtained a promising candidate for the interference of breast metastasis by suppressing TCIPA, which will be beneficial for clinical cancer treatment.

Self-Healing Supramolecular Hydrogels Based on Reversible Physical Interactions

Dynamic and reversible polymer networks capable of self-healing, i.e., restoring their mechanical properties after deformation and failure, are gaining increasing research interest, as there is a continuous need towards extending the lifetime and improving the safety and performance of materials particularly in biomedical applications. Hydrogels are versatile materials that may allow self-healing through a variety of covalent and non-covalent bonding strategies. The structural recovery of physical gels has long been a topic of interest in soft materials physics and various supramolecular interactions can induce this kind of recovery. This review highlights the non-covalent strategies of building self-repairing hydrogels and the characterization of their mechanical properties. Potential applications and future prospects of these materials are also discussed.

ESC reverses epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by transforming growth factor-β via inhibition of Smad signal pathway in HepG2 liver cancer cells

Background

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) mediated by TGF-β pays an important role in malignant tumor acquired abilities of migration and invasion. Our previous study showed that the extract of Stellera chamaejasme L. (ESC) was against proliferation of a variety of tumor cells, but there were no studies in the effects of ESC on EMT in tumor cells. In this study, TGF-β was adopted to induce EMT in HepG2 cells and the influence of ESC on EMT was observed.

Methods

MTT assay was used to observe the cell viability. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to observe the migration and invasion activities. Western blot and immunofluorescence methods were used to observe the expression of proteins.

Results

We found that HepG2 cells induced by TGF-β showed mesenchymal morphology, down-regulation of epithelial marker E-cadherin and up-regulation of mesenchymal marker Vimentin, indicating that TGF-β could mediate epithelial mesenchymal induction in HepG2 cells. ESC could reverse the mesenchymal morphology and regulate expressions of marker proteins in HepG2 induced by TGF-β and significantly inhibit TGF-β induced HepG2 cell migration and invasion. We further found that ESC could also significantly depress Smad2 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, and ESC had coordination with SB432542, a specific inhibitor of TβRI kinases.

Conclusions

These results suggested that the ESC could reverse epithelial mesenchymal transition induced by TGF-β via inhibition Smad2 signaling pathway.