Saponins from ameliorate age-related renal fibrosis by inhibition of inflammation mediated by NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad signaling and suppression of oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2-ARE signaling.

Background: The decreased renal function is known to be associated with biological aging, of which the main pathological features are chronic inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis. In previous studies, we reported that total saponins from (SPJs) can availably protect acute myocardial ischemia. We proposed that SPJs might have similar protective effects for aging-associated renal interstitial fibrosis.

Uncovering Active Ingredients and Mechanisms of Spica Prunellae in the Treatment of Colon Adenocarcinoma: A Study Based on Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics.

Background: As a well-known herb used in the treatment of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), Spica Prunellae (SP) shows favorable clinical effect and safety in China for many years, but its active ingredients and therapeutic mechanisms against COAD remain poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to uncover active ingredients and mechanisms of SP in the treatment of COAD using a combined approach of network pharmacology and bioinformatics.

Methods: A comprehensive approach mainly comprised of target prediction, network construction, pathway and functional enrichment analysis, and hub genes verification was adopted in the current study.

Balanophora polyandra Griff. prevents dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine experimental colitis via the regulation of NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome.

Balanophora polyandra Griff. (B. polyandra) is a folk medicine used as an antipyretic, antidote, haemostatic, dressing and haematic tonic, for the treatment of gonorrhea, syphilis, wounds, and the bleeding of the alimentary tract by the local people in China.

Polysaccharides derived from Balanophora polyandra significantly suppressed the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells through P53-mediated pathway.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is ranked the first among the cancers threatening women's health. It attracts tremendous attention of cancer researchers because of its extremely high mortality rate. Recent studies have indicated that traditional herbal medicines (THMs) can play a pivotal role in cancer prevention and treatment.

Long Non-coding RNAs in Metabolic and Inflammatory Pathways in Obesity.

Background: In recent decades, the incidence of obesity has been rising globally. Obesity can often cause various inflammatory reactions, resulting in several diseases that threaten public health. The purpose of this review is to explore the role of long non-coding RNAs in metabolic obesity and find new targets for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.

Pathophysiological Functions of the lncRNA TUG1.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with little or no coding capacity are associated with a plethora of cellular functions, participating in various biological processes. Cumulative study of lncRNA provides explanations to the physiological and pathological processes and new perspectives to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of some clinical diseases. Long non-coding RNA taurine-upregulated gene 1(TUG1) is one of the first identified lncRNAs associated with human disease, which actively involved in various physiological processes, including regulating genes at epigenetics, transcription, post-transcription, translation, and posttranslation.