α-Ketoglutarate promotes autophagic activity under a peri-implant condition to enhance osseointegration of dental implant in rats with osteoporosis.

Aim: We aimed to investigate whether α-ketoglutarate (AKG) can promote autophagic activity under a peri-implant condition to enhance the osseointegration of dental implant in rats with osteoporosis (OP).

Methods: Con, Model and AKG groups were established for the random allocation of thirty rats ( = 10). Their bone metabolism indicators were measured.

Silencing LY6D Expression Inhibits Colon Cancer in Xenograft Mice and Regulates Colon Cancer Stem Cells' Proliferation, Stemness, Invasion, and Apoptosis via the MAPK Pathway.

This study explored the role of lymphocyte antigen 6 family member D (LY6D) in colon cancer stem cells' (CCSCs) proliferation and invasion. LY6D was knocked down using siRNA, and the down-regulation of LY6D was verified using Western blotting. After LY6D knockdown, CCSCs' proliferation, stemness, and invasion were suppressed, whereas apoptosis was increased.

CCL113, a novel sulfonamide, induces selective mitotic arrest and apoptosis in HeLa and HepG2 cells.

Targeting cell‑cycle regulation to hinder cancer cell proliferation is a promising anticancer strategy. The present study investigated the effects of a novel sulfonamide, CCL113, on cell cycle progression in cancer cell lines (HeLa and HepG2), a noncancerous cell line (Vero) and a normal human fibroblast cell line (TIG‑1‑20). The present results showed that treatment with CCL113 significantly decreased the viability of the cancer cells.

Association between the TOX3 rs3803662 C>T polymorphism and recurrent miscarriage in a southern Chinese population.

Background: Studies have shown that some genetic polymorphisms associated with breast cancer susceptibility may also be associated with abortion. The TOX3 gene plays a key role during the onset of breast cancer, and reproductive factors such as abortion are risk factors for breast cancer. However, there is currently no study describing the relationship between the TOX3 rs3803662 C>T polymorphism and the risk of recurrent miscarriage.

Acetylshikonin stimulates glucose uptake in L6 myotubes via a PLC-β3/PKCδ-dependent pathway.

Acetylshikonin, a naphthoquinone derivative derived from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has been shown to have various pharmacological activities; however, its effect on diabetes has rarely been reported. We investigated the hypoglycemic effect of acetylshikonin and found that it decreased blood glucose to a greater extent than insulin and improved glucose tolerance in mice. It also increased glucose uptake in L6 myotubes by inducing the expression and translocation of glucose transporter 4 via decomposition of phosphatidylinositol, increased generation of diacylglycerol, and activation of protein kinase C delta cascades; this is an insulin-, reactive oxygen species-, and AMP-activated protein kinase-independent pathway for glucose uptake.

Acetylshikonin from Zicao attenuates cognitive impairment and hippocampus senescence in d-galactose-induced aging mouse model via upregulating the expression of SIRT1.

Zicao acts as a pleiotropic medicine in various diseases due to its particular pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, and wound healing effects. However, few studies have focused on the function in neurodegenerative diseases of Zicao. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of Acetylshikonin (AS) from Zicao on the hippocampus of the d-galactose (d-gal)-induced sub-acute aging mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Efficacy of Acetylshikonin in Preventing Obesity and Hepatic Steatosis in db/db Mice.

Zicao (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) has been used in clinics as a traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Acetylshikonin (AS) is the main ingredient of Zicao, Xinjiang, China. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) efficacy of AS in a model of spontaneous obese db/db mice.

Acetylshikonin from Zicao exerts antifertility effects at high dose in rats by suppressing the secretion of GTH.

Zicao is being highlighted as a promising Chinese medicine due to all the beneficial effects that have been associated with its use. Unfortunately, studies on the toxicity of Zicao in different species are still missing and should be carried out. In this study, we investigated whether Acetylshikonin (AS) from Zicao has an anti-fertility effect through mating experiments and explored its underling mechanism.