Melittin-incorporated nanomedicines for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy is a rapidly developing and effective strategy for cancer therapy. Among various immunotherapy approaches, peptides have garnered significant attention due to their potent immunomodulatory effects. In particular, melittin emerged as a promising candidate to enhance cancer immunotherapy by inducing immunogenic cell death, promoting the maturation of antigen-presenting cells, activating T cells, enhancing the infiltration and cytotoxicity of effector lymphocytes, and modulating macrophage phenotypes for relieving immunosuppression.

Edaravone-loaded poly(amino acid) nanogel inhibits ferroptosis for neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia injury.

Neurological injury caused by ischemic stroke is a major cause of permanent disability and death. The currently available neuroprotective drugs fail to achieve desired therapeutic efficacy mainly due to short circulation half-life and poor blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. For that, an edaravone-loaded pH/glutathione (pH/GSH) dual-responsive poly(amino acid) nanogel (NG/EDA) was developed to improve the neuroprotection of EDA.

Estrogen receptor-mediated health benefits of phytochemicals: a review.

Estrogen receptors (ERs) are transcription factors with two subtypes: estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), which are essential for the maintenance of human health and play a regulatory role in common diseases such as breast cancer, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative disorders, liver injuries and lung cancers. A number of phytochemicals extracted from various fruits and vegetables have been demonstrated to exhibit estrogenic effects and are termed phytoestrogens. As modulators of ERs, phytoestrogens can be involved in the prevention and treatment of multiple diseases as complementary or alternative therapeutic agents and have a variety of health benefits for humans.

Nuclear Receptors-Mediated Endocrine Disrupting Effects of Non-Phthalate Plasticizers: A Review.

In 2021, the global market for non-phthalate plasticizers reached $3.1 billion, and it is projected to grow by 25.8% by 2025.

In vitro, in vivo, and in silico evaluation of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist activity of 3,6-dibromocarbazole.

3,6-Dibromocarbazole is a novel environmental contaminant which is currently detected in several environmental media worldwide. This work aims to investigate the anti-glucocorticoid potency and endocrine disrupting effects of 3,6-dibromocarbazole. In vitro experiments indicated that 3,6-dibromocarbazole possessed glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonistic activity and inhibited dexamethasone-induced GR nuclear translocation.

Withaferin A: A potential selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator with anti-inflammatory effect.

Glucocorticoids have been widely applied to various clinical treatment, however some serious side effects may occur during the treatment. It is widely known that glucocorticoids produce a marked effect through binding to glucocorticoid receptor (GR). As withaferin A can provide multiple health benefits, this work aims to confirm withaferin A as a potential selective GR modulator with anti-inflammatory effect.

Polymer Nanoantidotes.

Intoxication is one of the most common causes of accidental death globally. Although some antidotes capable of neutralizing the toxicity of certain xenobiotics have become well established, the current reality is that clinicians primarily rely on nonspecific extracorporeal techniques to remove toxins. Nano-intervention strategies in which nanoantidotes neutralize toxicity in situ via physical interaction, chemical bonding, or biomimetic clearance have begun to show clinical potential.

Dietary regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in metabolic syndrome.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a class of ligand-activated nuclear transcription factors, members of the type nuclear receptor superfamily, with three subtypes, namely PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPARγ, which play a key role in the metabolic syndrome. In the past decades, a large number of studies have shown that natural products can act by regulating metabolic pathways mediated by PPARs.

Purpose: This work summarizes the physiological importance and clinical significance of PPARs and reviews the experimental evidence that natural products mediate metabolic syndrome via PPARs.

In vitro and in silico assessment of endocrine disrupting effects of food contaminants through pregnane X receptor.

As a promiscuous xenobiotic receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR) has been confirmed to participate in numerous physiological process. In addition to the conventional estrogen/androgen receptor, PXR also serves as an alternative target for environmental chemical contaminants. In this work, the PXR-mediated endocrine disrupting effects of typical food contaminants were explored.

Characterization of tangeretin as an activator of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element pathway in HEK293T cells.

Numerous studies have reported that tangeretin is a polymethoxylated flavone with a variety of biological activates, but little research has been done on the antioxidant mechanism of tangeretin. Hence, we investigated the effect of tangeretin on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway and its potential molecular mechanisms by and research. The results of molecular docking suggested that tangeretin bound at the top of the central pore of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) Kelch domain, and the hydrophobic and hydrogen bond interactions contributed to their stable binding.

Quercetin ameliorates hepatic fat accumulation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice PPARs.

As a natural pigment in food, quercetin possesses multiple biological activities and plays a crucial role in regulating metabolic syndrome. Herein, we aim to explore the potential mechanism of quercetin to ameliorate hepatic fat accumulation. experiments showed that quercetin significantly relieved inflammation response by decreasing the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels and also improved high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis without other organ injuries.

Spatiotemporally Targeted Polypeptide Nanoantidotes Improve Chemotherapy Tolerance of Cisplatin.

The toxicity of drugs causes various adverse effects in patients. While antidotes that neutralize drug toxicity help reduce systemic damage during clinical therapy, these antidotes are generally accompanied by the loss of drug efficacy. Herein, the spatiotemporally targeted polycystine-based nanoantidotes were designed as a neutralizer of cisplatin (CDDP) to decrease its toxicity without affecting its anticancer efficacy.

Recent advances in nuclear receptors-mediated health benefits of blueberry.

Background: Blueberry is rich in bioactive substances and has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, and other activities. Blueberry has been shown to treat diseases by mediating the transcription of nuclear receptors. However, evidence for nuclear receptor-mediated health benefits of blueberry has not been systematically reviewed.

Identification of 20()-Ginsenoside Rh2 as a Potential EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.

As the main active ingredients of , ginsenosides possess numerous bioactivities. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was widely used as a valid target in anticancer therapy. Herein, the EGFR targeting activities of 20()-ginsenoside Rh2 (20()-Rh2) and the relationship of their structure-activity were investigated.

Glucocorticoid receptor-mediated alleviation of inflammation by berberine: , and investigations.

As a natural dietary ingredient, berberine possesses multiple biological activities including anti-inflammatory effects. In this work, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated alleviation of inflammation by berberine was investigated by a combination of , , and approaches. The fluorescence polarization assay showed that berberine bound to GR with an IC value of 9.

and evaluation of EGFR targeting activities of curcumin and its derivatives.

As polyphenols from , curcumin and its derivatives possess numerous bioactivities. Herein, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting activities of curcumin and its derivatives, as well as their structure-activity relationship were investigated. All of the tested compounds exhibited significant inhibition activities against EGFR kinase in homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence assay.

A review on pharmacological activities and synergistic effect of quercetin with small molecule agents.

Background: Quercetin is a natural flavonoid, which widely exists in nature, such as tea, coffee, apples, and onions. Numerous studies have showed that quercetin has multiple biological activities such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging. Hence, quercetin has a significant therapeutic effect on cancers, obesity, diabetes, and other diseases.

Inhibitory activities of 20(R, S)-protopanaxatriol against epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase.

As major metabolites of protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides, 20(R, S)-protopanaxatriol [20(R, S)-PPT] display multiple bioactivities. This work aimed to investigate the inhibitory activities of 20(R, S)-PPT against epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase and the potential mechanism. 20(R, S)-PPT inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner and blocked cell cycle progression at G1/G0 phase.

GR-mediated anti-inflammation of α-boswellic acid: Insights from in vitro and in silico studies.

Although multiple bioactivities of α-boswellic acid have been reported, the molecular mechanism of its anti-inflammatory action is not yet clear. Hence, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated anti-inflammation of α-boswellic acid was investigated in this work. Fluorescence polarization assay suggested that α-boswellic acid bound to GR with IC value of 658.

Spectroscopic and in silico investigation of the interaction between GH1 β-glucosidase and ginsenoside Rb.

The function and application of β-glucosidase attract attention nowadays. β-glucosidase was confirmed of transforming ginsenoside Rb to rare ginsenoside, but the interaction mechanism remains not clear. In this work, β-glucosidase from GH1 family of Paenibacillus was selected, and its gene sequence was synthesized by codon.

BiVO/FeO@polydopamine superparticles for tumor multimodal imaging and synergistic therapy.

Background: Despite tremendous progress has been achieved in tumor theranostic over the past decade, accurate identification and complete eradication of tumor cells remain a great challenge owing to the limitation of single imaging modality and therapeutic strategy.

Results: Herein, we successfully design and construct BiVO/FeO@polydopamine (PDA) superparticles (SPs) for computed tomography (CT)/photoacoustic (PA)/magnetic resonance (MR) multimodal imaging and radiotherapy (RT)/photothermal therapy (PTT) synergistic therapy toward oral epithelial carcinoma. On the one hand, BiVO NPs endow BiVO/FeO@PDA SPs with impressive X-ray absorption capability due to the high X-ray attenuation coefficient of Bi, which is beneficial for their utilization as radiosensitizers for CT imaging and RT.

Poly(l-glutamic acid)-cisplatin nanoformulations with detachable PEGylation for prolonged circulation half-life and enhanced cell internalization.

PEGylation has been widely applied to prolong the circulation times of nanomedicines the steric shielding effect, which consequently improves the intratumoral accumulation. However, cell uptake of PEGylated nanoformulations is always blocked by the steric repulsion of PEG, which limits their therapeutic effect. To this end, we designed and prepared two kinds of poly(l-glutamic acid)-cisplatin (PLG-CDDP) nanoformulations with detachable PEG, which is responsive to specific tumor tissue microenvironments for prolonged circulation time and enhanced cell internalization.

Condensation Frosting on Micropillar Surfaces - Effect of Microscale Roughness on Ice Propagation.

Microscale surface structures have been widely explored as a promising tool for antifreezing or frost avoidance on heat transfer surfaces. Despite studies of many surface feature designs, the mechanisms associated with condensation freezing and ice propagation on microstructured surfaces have yet to be thoroughly elucidated, espectially when it comes to quantitative understanding. In this work, condensation freezing on circular micropillar surfaces is investigated, with varying pillar spacing and height (layout/microscale roughness) but a constant pillar diameter.

BiVO@BiS Heterojunction Nanorods with Enhanced Charge Separation Efficiency for Multimodal Imaging and Synergy Therapy of Tumor.

Despite malignant tumors being one of the most serious diseases threatening human health and living quality, exploring theranostic agents for highly effective tumor diagnosis and treatment is still full of challenges. Herein, we demonstrate the design and preparation of Tween-20-modified BiVO@BiS heterojunction nanorods (HNRs) for multimodal computed tomography (CT)/photoacoustic (PA) imaging and radiotherapy (RT)/radiodynamic therapy (RDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT) synergistic therapy. Benefiting from the high X-ray attenuation coefficient of Bi, BiVO@BiS HNRs exhibit a sensitive CT imaging capacity and radiation enhancement effect during RT.