Glycyrrhizic acid assists anti-psoriatic efficacy of a self-deformable curcumin loaded transdermal gel.

The aim of this study was to explore the function of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) in an anti-psoriatic dermal delivery, whereby GA is originally designed as the matrix agent, with curcumin (Cur) as the active agent and silica as the drug carrier. Formulations with different GA proportions were prepared and named W-GA (without GA), L-GA (13% w/w GA) and H-GA (26% w/w GA). The results showed that GA had no significant effect on the physical characteristics, such as particle size and amorphous state, as exhibited by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffractograms, respectively.

Oridonin interrupts cellular bioenergetics to suppress glioma cell growth by down-regulating PCK2.

We aim to evaluate the tumor metabolic suppressive activity of Oridonin (extract of Rabdosia rubescens) in glioma and elucidate its potential mechanism. Effects of Oridonin on U251/U87 cells were determined by CCK8, RTCA, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, and Transwell assay. Xenograft tumor model to evaluate the effect of Oridonin on glioma cells in vivo.

KRT17 Functions as a Tumor Promoter and Regulates Proliferation, Migration and Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer via mTOR/S6k1 Pathway.

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most well-known malignancies with high mortality, but the underlying mechanism of PC remains unknown. Keratin17 (KRT17) expression has been reported in many malignancies, but its functions in PC are not clear. The aim of our study was to evaluate KRT17 expression and its potential role in PC.

Enhanced penetration and anti-psoriatic efficacy of curcumin by improved smartPearls technology with the addition of glycyrrhizic acid.

smartPearls technology is one appropriate method to produce anti-psoriatic curcumin (Cur) topical delivery system. To prevent the sedimentation of loaded silica and release changing over the storage, which are disadvantages of smartPearls production, extra glycyrrhizic acid (GA) was added in classical smartPearls ingredients (active and porous material) to get an improved smartPearls production (Cur-GA-silica). The capacity of Cur-GA-silica to remain the gelation state after mixing with water was superior compared to that of the solid cluster without GA and that of the physical mixture of Cur, GA and silica.

Exploring the Mechanism of Skeletal Muscle in a Tacrolimus-Induced Posttransplantation Diabetes Mellitus Model on Gene Expression Profiles.

Objective: Posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a known complication of transplantation that affects the prognosis. Tacrolimus (Tac or FK506) is a widely used immunosuppressant that has been reported to be a risk factor for PTDM and to further induce complications in heart and skeletal muscles, but the mechanism is still largely unknown. In our preliminary experiments, we found that after Tac treatment, blood glucose increased, and the weight of skeletal muscle declined.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels in serum from patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage: Potential contribution to prognosis.

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) pathophysiology involves inflammation. Macrophage migration inhibition factor (MIF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is related to prognosis of ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum MIF levels are associated with severity and outcomes in patients with acute ICH.

The prognostic value of plasma soluble CD40 ligand levels following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Increased circulating soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) levels have been reported to be associated with severity and mortality of severe traumatic brain injury. The current study tested the hypothesis that elevated plasma sCD40L levels are predictive of clinical outcomes of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

Methods: Plasma sCD40L concentrations of 120 aSAH patients and 120 healthy volunteers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Identification of plasma adrenomedullin as a possible prognostic biomarker for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Increased plasma adrenomedullin levels have been reported in critically ill patients. This study tested the hypothesis that plasma adrenomedullin levels are significantly increased in patients with acute spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, and are predictive of clinical outcomes. Plasma adrenomedullin levels from 120 adult patients with spontaneous aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and 120 healthy volunteers during the study period were evaluated.

Predictive value of phosphorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H for clinical outcome in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: Phosphorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H (pNF-H) is a biomarker of axonal injury. We investigated whether plasma pNF-H concentrations were associated with 6-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration (END) of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods: Plasma pNF-H concentrations of 112 patients and 112 healthy individuals were quantified by ELISA.