20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 induces apoptosis and autophagy in melanoma cells via suppressing Src/STAT3 signaling.

Background: 20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) has been extensively studied for multifaceted health benefits. However, the anti-melanoma effect of GRh2 remains poorly understood. Herein, the anti-melanoma effects and underlying mechanisms of GRh2 were investigated.

Isoalantolactone exerts anti-melanoma effects via inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and STAT3 signaling in cell and mouse models.

Although the anti-cancer activity of isoalantolactone (IATL) has been extensively studied, the anti-melanoma effects of IATL are still unknown. Here, we have investigated the anti-melanoma effects and mechanism of action of IATL. MTT and crystal violet staining assays were performed to detect the inhibitory effect of IATL on melanoma cell viability.

Polystyrene microplastics induce size-dependent multi-organ damage in mice: Insights into gut microbiota and fecal metabolites.

Particle size is one of the most important factors in determining the biological toxicity of microplastics (MPs). In this study, we attempted to examine the systemic toxicity of polystyrene MPs of different sizes (0.5 µm MP1 and 5 µm MP2) in C57BL/6 J mice.

Dietary magnesium is able to influence the relationship between vitamin C and estimated glomerular filtration rate: A cross-sectional study.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a comprehensive index that is widely used to assess renal function. Although studies have confirmed a correlation between eGFR and dietary vitamin C, the impact of varying levels of vitamin C on eGFR remains unclear. Additionally, the interaction between dietary magnesium intake and vitamin C concentration on eGFR is not well understood.

A traditional prescription comprising Astragali Radix and Schisandra chinensis Fructus induces apoptosis and protective autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a growing challenge to global health efforts. The 5-year survival rate of HCC patients is still dismal. A traditional prescription Qi-Wei-Wan (QWW) comprising Astragali Radix and Schisandra chinensis Fructus has traditionally been used for HCC treatment according to traditional Chinese medicine theory, but the pharmacological basis is not clear.

Exploring the Effective Components and Mechanism of Action of Japanese in the Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification.

Japanese is widely used as a hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory agent in China. However, the active ingredients in Japanese and their potential mechanisms of action in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are unknown. The pharmacodynamic substance and mechanism of action of Japanese in the treatment of AIH were investigated using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology in this study.

Gracillin exerts anti-melanoma effects in vitro and in vivo: role of DNA damage, apoptosis and autophagy.

Background: Melanoma is an aggressive cancer. Gracillin has been reported to treat various types of cancer, such as colorectal and lung cancer. However, there is a paucity of research on the anti-melanoma effects of gracillin.

Polyphyllin II Induces Protective Autophagy and Apoptosis via Inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and STAT3 Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Polyphyllin II (PPII) is a natural steroidal saponin occurring in . It has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-cancer activity against a variety of cancer cells. However, the anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) effects and mechanism of action of PPII are rarely reported.

Non-destructive assessment of equivalent umami concentrations in salmon using hyperspectral imaging technology combined with multivariate algorithms.

This study utilized equivalent umami concentrations (EUC) to characterize umami intensity in salmon with different freeze-thaw times. A rapid and non-destructive method was established to determine EUC values in salmon which is based on hyperspectral imaging (HSI) system combined with multiple characteristic variable screening methods. The established CARS-PLS model showed greater advantages in correlating the reference values of spectral data with EUC in salmon with Rc of 0.

Isoalantolactone Induces Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and Autophagy in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an aggressive cancer. Isoalantolactone (IATL) has been reported to exert cytotoxicity against various cancer cells, but not CRC. In this study, we explored the anti-CRC effects and mechanism of action of IATL and .

Luteolin binds Src, promotes STAT3 protein ubiquitination and exerts anti-melanoma effects in cell and mouse models.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been proposed as a target for melanoma prevention. Luteolin, a bioactive flavonoid abundant inmedicinal herbs, has been reported to have anti-melanoma activity in vitro. However, its in vivo anti-melanoma effects and underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.

Chrysoeriol suppresses hyperproliferation of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes and inhibits JAK2/STAT3 signaling.

Background: Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) have cancer cell-like characteristics, such as abnormal proliferation and resistance to apoptosis, and play a pathogenic role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hyperproliferation of RA-FLS that can be triggered by the activation of interleukin-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling destructs cartilage and bone in RA patients. Chrysoeriol is a flavone found in medicinal herbs such as Chrysanthemi Indici Flos (the dried capitulum of Chrysanthemum indicum L.

Inhibition of Src/STAT3 signaling-mediated angiogenesis is involved in the anti-melanoma effects of dioscin.

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of solid tumors including melanoma. Inhibiting tumor-associated angiogenesis is a tactic in treating melanoma. Dioscin restrains angiogenesis in colon tumor and has anti-melanoma effects in cell and animal models.

A proprietary herbal drug Young Yum Pill ameliorates chronic fatigue syndrome in mice.

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disease with few effective and safe therapies. Young Yum Pill (YYP), a proprietary herbal drug, has been used to relieve CFS-like symptoms. The pharmacological basis of this application of YYP is unknown.

The anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanolic extract of the rhizome of Atractylodes lancea, involves Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway inhibition.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The dried rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (Thumb.) DC. (Compositae) has been prescribed in folk medicine for the management of various inflammatory conditions such as rheumatic diseases, gastritis and hepatitis.

A two-herb formula inhibits hyperproliferation of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play a pathogenic role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). STAT3 signaling is activated in FLS of RA patients (RA-FLS), which in turn causes RA-FLS hyperproliferation. RL is a traditional remedy for treating inflammatory diseases in China.

A two-herb formula inhibits STAT3 signaling and exerts anti-melanoma effects in cell and animal models.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Malignant melanoma is a fatal cancer. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been proposed as a therapeutic target of melanoma. An herbal formula Huai-Hua-San (HHS) comprising Sophorae Flos (SF) and Gardeniae Fructus (GF) is traditionally used for treating cancers including melanoma, but the pharmacological basis is unknown.

Gomisin N Exerts Anti-liver Cancer Effects and Regulates PI3K-Akt and mTOR-ULK1 Pathways in Vitro.

Primary liver cancer is a lethal cancer. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. Gomisin N (GN), a lignan isolated from the dried fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turca.

Activation of STAT3 is a key event in TLR4 signaling-mediated melanoma progression.

Malignant melanoma is aggressive and has a high mortality rate. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) has been linked to melanoma growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. However, signal transduction mediated by TLR4 for driving melanoma progression is not fully understood.

Inhibiting the Src/STAT3 signaling pathway contributes to the anti-melanoma mechanisms of dioscin.

Late stage melanoma is associated with a high mortality rate. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is currently a target for melanoma treatment as it is constitutively activated with high frequency in melanoma. Dioscin is a natural steroid saponin that is present in several medical herbs.

Young Yum pill inhibits inflammatory mediators and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Young Yum pill (YYP) on inflammatory mediators in cultured RAW 264.7 cells and elucidate the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-related mechanism behind the action.

Methods: YYP was extracted with 95% ethanol Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.

Rapid detection of Atlantic salmon multi-quality based on impedance properties.

To establish a rapid, convenient, and low-cost method to assess the quality of Atlantic salmon, we analyzed the impedance between 10 and 10 Hz for Atlantic salmon/rainbow trout, chilled/frozen-thawed salmon, and fresh/stale salmon. We combined chemometrics with impedance properties to create a multi-quality index for Atlantic salmon. The accuracy of all three models established can reach 100% in distinguishing Atlantic salmon from rainbow trout and distinguishing chilled salmon from frozen-thawed salmon.

Chrysoeriol ameliorates TPA-induced acute skin inflammation in mice and inhibits NF-κB and STAT3 pathways.

Background: Chrysoeriol is a flavone found in diverse dietary and medicinal herbs such as Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (the dried flower bud or newly bloomed flower of Lonicera japonica Thunb.). These herbs are commonly used for treating inflammatory diseases.