Polysialic acid-functionalized liposomes for efficient honokiol delivery to inhibit breast cancer growth and metastasis.

To improve the anti-metastasis effects of honokiol (HNK) on breast cancer, we designed cationic liposomes (Lip) in which HNK was encapsulated into Lip, and its surface was modified with negatively charged polysialic acid (PSA-Lip-HNK) for efficient treatment of breast cancer. PSA-Lip-HNK possessed a homogeneous spherical shape and high encapsulation efficiency. 4T1 cell experiments indicated that PSA-Lip-HNK increased cellular uptake and cytotoxicity via the endocytosis pathway mediated by PSA and selectin receptors.

Tumor-targeted delivery of honokiol via polysialic acid modified zein nanoparticles prevents breast cancer progression and metastasis.

In this work, we developed polysialic acid (PSA) modified zein nanoparticles for targeted delivery of honokiol (HNK) to enhance drug delivery efficiency and specific biodistribution at tumor sites. The antisolvent precipitation and electrostatic interaction methods were employed to fabricate the PSA-Zein-HNK nanoparticles, which exhibited mean size of 107.2 ± 10.

Curcumin plays a protective role against septic acute kidney injury by regulating the TLR9 signaling pathway.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the inhibitory effect of curcumin (Cur) on the progression of septic acute kidney injury (SAKI), in order to improve the survival rate in this patient population.

Methods: Acute kidney injury (AKI) was induced by cecal ligation perforation (CLP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Using this AKI animal model, the survival rate of the rats was evaluated at different time points after Cur treatment to explore whether Cur can improve survival in an animal model of AKI.

Efficacy of tenuigenin and β-asarone as augmentations for memantine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that has no cure at present. This study was carried out to evaluate whether the combination of β-asarone and tenuigenin could improve the efficacy of memantine as a monotherapy in the treatment of AD. Patients with AD were recruited and assigned to two groups.

Gastrodin prevents motor deficits and oxidative stress in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease: involvement of ERK1/2-Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Aims: Current no effective therapy is available to halt the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of PD. The present study evaluates the hypothesis that prevention of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced motor deficits by gastrodin might mainly result from its antioxidant property via interrupting extracellular signal regulated protein kinases (ERK) 1/2-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway.

Schisandrin B attenuates acetaminophen-induced hepatic injury through heat-shock protein 27 and 70 in mice.

Background And Aim: Schisandrin B is an active component isolated from Schisandra chinensis (TurcZ.) Baill. that is widely used as an antihepatotoxic agent.

A novel small peptide as an epidermal growth factor receptor targeting ligand for nanodelivery in vitro.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) serves an important function in the proliferation of tumors in humans and is an effective target for the treatment of cancer. In this paper, we studied the targeting characteristics of small peptides (AEYLR, EYINQ, and PDYQQD) that were derived from three major autophosphorylation sites of the EGFR C-terminus domain in vitro. These small peptides were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and used the peptide LARLLT as a positive control, which bound to putative EGFR selected from a virtual peptide library by computer-aided design, and the independent peptide RALEL as a negative control.

Astragaloside IV suppresses collagen production of activated hepatic stellate cells via oxidative stress-mediated p38 MAPK pathway.

Oxidative stress is involved in hepatic fibrogenesis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the key effectors in hepatic fibrogenesis, is characterized by overproduction of extracellular matrix. Astragaloside IV, the active component of Radix Astragali, has antioxidant properties and antifibrotic potential in renal fibrosis.

Neuroprotective effects of puerarin against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells via a PI3K-dependent signaling pathway.

Epidemiological data have indicated that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) can decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Phytoestrogens have been proposed as potential alternatives to ERT. The aim of the present study was to assess the neuroprotective effects of puerarin, a phytoestrogen isolated from Pueraria lobata, against the toxicity of beta-amyloid (Aβ) in relation to the mitochondria-mediated cell death process, and to elucidate the role the activation of Akt and modulation of the pro- and antiapoptotic proteins in puerarin-induced neuroprotection.

Beta-asarone attenuates neuronal apoptosis induced by Beta amyloid in rat hippocampus.

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), is associated with the loss of neuronal cells, and it has been suggested that apoptosis is a crucial pathway in neuronal loss in AD patients. Recent evidence suggests that amyloid beta peptide (Abeta) induces neuronal apoptosis in the brain and in primary neuronal cultures. In this study, we investigated the impact of beta-asarone against the apoptosis induced by Abeta in rat hippocampus.

Beta-asarone improves cognitive function by suppressing neuronal apoptosis in the beta-amyloid hippocampus injection rats.

Elevated levels of beta-amyloid (Abeta) in the brains being a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been believed to play a critical role in the cognitive dysfunction that occurs in AD. Recent evidence suggests that Abeta induces neuronal apoptosis in the brain and in primary neuronal cultures. In this study, we investigated the effects of beta-asarone, the major ingredient of Acorus Tatarinowii Schott, on cognitive function and neuronal apoptosis in Abeta hippocampus injection rats and its mechanism of action.

Beta-asarone protection against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells via JNK signaling and modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins.

Neurodegenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease have been well investigated. However, significant methods for the treatment of the promotion and progression of Alzheimer's disease are unavailable to date. Apoptosis is a crucial pathway in neuronal loss in Alzheimer's disease patients.