Myricanol represses renal fibrosis by activating TFAM and ZNRF1 to inhibit tubular epithelial cells ferroptosis.

Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction induces ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs). Studies have shown that myricanol maintains muscle cell function by enhancing mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Hypothesis: Myricanol delays renal fibrosis by maintaining mitochondrial integrity and inhibiting ferroptosis in TECs.

PGAM5 interacts with and maintains BNIP3 to license cancer-associated muscle wasting.

Regressing the accelerated degradation of skeletal muscle protein is a significant goal for cancer cachexia management. Here, we show that genetic deletion of ameliorates skeletal muscle atrophy in various tumor-bearing mice. ablation represses excessive myoblast mitophagy and effectively suppresses mitochondria meltdown and muscle wastage.

Zhen Wu decoction represses renal fibrosis by invigorating tubular NRF2 and TFAM to fuel mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Background: Zhen Wu Decoction (ZWD) is a prescription from the classical text "Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Disease" and has been extensively used to control kidney diseases since the time of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that ZWD limits tubular fibrogenesis by reinvigorating tubular bio-energetic capacity.

Study Design / Methods: A mouse model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was established using unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).

Imperatae rhizoma-Hedyotis diffusa Willd. herbal pair alleviates nephrotic syndrome by integrating anti-inflammatory and hypolipidaemic effects.

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common nephropathy with a complex and diverse aetiology. Both Imperatae rhizoma and Hedyotis diffusa Willd. are herbs that are widely used as medicine and functional food.

Biejiajian Pill Inhibits Carcinogenesis and Metastasis via the Akt/GSK-3β/Snail Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most usual cancers globally. In China, Biejiajian pill (BJJP), Traditional Chinese Medicine clinical prescription, is broadly utilized for the prevention and therapy of HCC. However, the mechanisms by which BJJP exerts its effects on the prevention of tumor invasion and metastasis are still largely unknown.

Aldose Reductase Inhibitor Engeletin Suppresses Pelvic Inflammatory Disease by Blocking the Phospholipase C/Protein Kinase C-Dependent/NF-κB and MAPK Cascades.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common inflammation in the upper reproductive tract in women and may cause serious and costly consequences without effective treatment. Engeletin is a flavanonol glycoside and a naturally derived aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor that is widely distributed in vegetables, fruits, and plant-based foods. The present study investigated the anti-PID activity of engeletin in a mucilage-induced rat model of PID and LPS-stimulated RAW 264.

The flavonoid-enriched extract from the root of Smilax china L. inhibits inflammatory responses via the TLR-4-mediated signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Smilax china L. has been used clinically to treat various inflammatory disorders with a long history.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory action of the extract from the herb.

Zhen-wu-tang ameliorates adenine-induced chronic renal failure in rats: regulation of the canonical Wnt4/beta-catenin signaling in the kidneys.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Zhen-wu-tang (ZWT), composed of Radix Aconiti lateralis, Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae, Poria, Radix Paeoniae alba and ginger, is a classic Chinese herbal formula for the treatment of chronic kidney diseases that may cause chronic renal failure (CRF).

Aim Of The Study: To better understand its clinical use, this study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of ZWT on CRF.

Materials And Methods: CRF was induced by adenine.

Paeoniflorin and liquiritin, two major constituents in Chinese herbal formulas used to treat hyperprolactinemia-associated disorders, inhibits prolactin secretion in prolactinoma cells by different mechanisms.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Paeoniflorin and liquiritin are major constituents in some Chinese herbal formulas, such as Yiru Tiaojing (YRTJ) Granule (a hospitalized preparation) and Peony-Glycyrrhiza Decoction, used for hyperprolactinemia-associated disorders.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the effect of paeoniflorin and liquiritin on prolactin secretion.

Materials And Methods: The effect of YRTJ Granule on metoclopramide-induced hyperprolactinemia was tested in rats.

[Inhibitory effect of Biejiajian pills on HepG2 cell xenograft growth and expression of β-catenin and Tbx3 in nude mice].

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanism by which Biejiajian pills inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma in a nude mouse model bearing HepG2 cell xenograft.

Methods: The inhibitory effect of Biejiajian pills on the growth of HepG2 cell xenograft in nude mice was observed. Immunohistochemical method was used to examine proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in HepG2 cell xenograft, and TUNEL method was employed to detect the cell apoptosis; the expression levels of β-catenin and Tbx3 were measured by Western blotting.

[Hydrocamptothecin promotes the mRNA expression of Wnt signaling inhibitor DKK-1].

Objective: To investigate the effects of hydrocamptothecin on the expression of Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor DKK-1 in tumor cells.

Methods: Human HepG2, Hep3B, LoVo and U251 cells were treated with the antitumor drug Hydrocamptothecin. DKK-1 mRNA expression in the cells was detected with RT-PCR, and beta-catenin expression was measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).

Surface acceleration of fast electrons with relativistic self-focusing in preformed plasma.

We report an observation of surface acceleration of fast electrons in intense laser-plasma interactions. When a preformed plasma is presented in front of a solid target with a higher laser intensity, the emission direction of fast electrons is changed to the target surface direction from the laser and specular directions. This feature could be caused by the formation of a strong static magnetic field along the target surface which traps and holds fast electrons on the surface.

[Anti-oncogene p53-induced expression of secreted frizzled-related protein, a Wnt signaling inhibitor].

Objective: To investigate the effects of anti-oncogene p53 on the expression of secreted frizzled-related protein (sFRP), a Wnt pathway inhibitor.

Methods: Human hepatocarcinoma Hep3B cells were transfected with a replication-defective adenovirus encoding p53 (Adp53), and Adp53 transgene expression was measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and sFRP mRNA expression detected by reverse transcriptional (RT)-PCR.

Results: sFRP mRNA expression in Hep3B cells was potentiated 20 h after the transfection with Adp53, reaching the peak level at 32 h.