Agomelatine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers alleviate neuropathic pain in rats by Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway.

Neuropathic pain arises from impairments or malfunctions within the nervous system, resulting in atypical transmission and interpretation of pain signals. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of agomelatine (AGM) and agomelatine-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (AGM-NLCs) in neuropathic animal models induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into seven experimental groups to compare the effects of AGM and AGM-NLCs, which were administered at 20 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days after CCI.

Isolation and purification of polysaccharides from and their anti-liver fibrosis activities.

[Apiaceae] (BM)is widely grown in southwestern China, and the whole plant is used as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Polysaccharides are main natural products in lots of TCM and have been studied for their effects of reducing oxidative stress, anti-inflammation and immune regulation. Herein, we investigated the extraction techniques of polysaccharides (BMP), the identification of their key components, and their ability to inhibit liver fibrosis in both cellular and animal models.

Triterpenoid saponins from and their anti-liver fibrotic activities.

A new triterpenoid saponin (), along with five known compounds (), was isolated from Wall. ex DC, of which compounds were obtained for the first time from this plant. The structures were confirmed by the analysis of 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESIMS data, and comparison with previous spectral data.

In silico identification of novel stilbenes analogs for potential multi-targeted drugs against Alzheimer's disease.

Context: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative syndrome, which adversely disturbs cognitive abilities as well as intellectual processes and frequently occurs in the elderly. Inhibition of cholinesterase is a valuable approach to upsurge acetylcholine concentrations in the brain and persuades the development of multi-targeted ligands against cholinesterases.

Methods: The current study aims to determine the binding potential accompanied by antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of stilbenes-designed analogs against both cholinesterases (Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) and neurotrophin targets for effective AD therapeutics.

Oscillatory-Flow PCR Microfluidic Chip Driven by Low Speed Biaxial Centrifugation.

PCR is indispensable in basic science and biotechnology for in-orbit life science research. However, manpower and resources are limited in space. To address the constraints of in-orbit PCR, we proposed an oscillatory-flow PCR technique based on biaxial centrifugation.

Mechanical stimulation controls osteoclast function through the regulation of Ca-activated Cl channel Anoctamin 1.

Mechanical force loading is essential for maintaining bone homeostasis, and unloading exposure can lead to bone loss. Osteoclasts are the only bone resorbing cells and play a crucial role in bone remodeling. The molecular mechanisms underlying mechanical stimulation-induced changes in osteoclast function remain to be fully elucidated.

Rapid automatic nucleic acid purification system based on gas-liquid immiscible phase.

The continuous expansion of nucleic acid detection applications has resulted in constant developments in rapid, low-consumption, and highly automated nucleic acid extraction methods. Nucleic acid extraction using magnetic beads across an immiscible phase interface offers significant simplification and parallelization potential. The gas-liquid immiscible phase valve eliminates the requirement for complicated cassettes and is suitable for automation applications.

Nanomaterials-Functionalized Hydrogels for the Treatment of Cutaneous Wounds.

Hydrogels have been utilized extensively in the field of cutaneous wound treatment. The introduction of nanomaterials (NMs), which are a big category of materials with diverse functionalities, can endow the hydrogels with additional and multiple functions to meet the demand for a comprehensive performance in wound dressings. Therefore, NMs-functionalized hydrogels (NMFHs) as wound dressings have drawn intensive attention recently.

Information-Storage Expansion Enabled by a Resilient Aggregation-Induced-Emission-Active Nanocomposite Hydrogel.

Advanced materials with high performance and distinctive function are one of the main driving forces for the development of human society. The selection of appropriate materials and adequately utilizing their features to apply them in a specific area rationally are of great significance but remain challenging. Herein, an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active nanocomposite (NC) hydrogel is developed by introducing a pH-responsive AIE luminogen (AIEgen) into a Laponite XLS/polyacrylamide-based NC hydrogel (Laponite is a trademark of the company BYK Additives Ltd.

Purification, characterization, and determination of biological activities of water-soluble polysaccharides from Mahonia bealei.

Mahonia bealei is one of the important members of the genus Mahonia and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Several compounds isolated from this plant have exhibited useful biological activities. Polysaccharides, an important biomacromolecule have been underexplored in case of M.

Two new triterpenoid saponins from Wall. ex DC.

Two new triterpenoid saponins ( and ), together with two known saponins ( and ) were isolated from Wall. ex DC. Their structures were elucidated by the comprehensive spectroscopic analysis.

Rational design, synthesis and activities of phenanthrene derivatives against hepatic fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic and highly integrated pathological process resulting from repeated liver injury healing accompanied by inflammation and extracellular matrix deposition. Treatment is necessary at the early stage of reversible liver fibrosis to prevent further deterioration to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, the inhibition of liver fibrosis are mainly focused on prevention the activation of hepatic stellate cells and inhibition of inflammatory pathways involved in liver fibrosis.

Rational design, synthesis and activities of hydroxylated chalcones as highly potent dual functional agents against Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the extracellular amyloid plaques in the brain. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis, a recently identified cell death pathway associated with the accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides, is closely related to the occurrence and exacerbation of AD. The application of ferroptosis inhibitors can alleviate the development of AD in both cellular and animal models.

Neurotoxicity and Underlying Mechanisms of Endogenous Neurotoxins.

Endogenous and exogenous neurotoxins are important factors leading to neurodegenerative diseases. In the 1980s, the discovery that 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) contributes to Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms led to new research investigations on neurotoxins. An abnormal metabolism of endogenous substances, such as condensation of bioamines with endogenous aldehydes, dopamine (DA) oxidation, and kynurenine pathway, can produce endogenous neurotoxins.

Synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles loaded on to PNIPAM hybrid microgel and their catalytic activity.

This study was designed to preparecarboxyl-functionalized poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) PNIPAM microgels having excellent catalytic properties.Recently, researchers are trying to fabricate cost effective and efficient hybrid catalytic materials for the synthesis of nitrogenous compounds along with enhanced optical properties. For the same motive, synthesis of carboxyl-functionalized PNIPAM microgels was performed by using polymerization of soap-free emulsion of N-isopropyl acrylamide, which is NIPAM along with acrylic acid (AA).

The biological effects of radiation-induced liver damage and its natural protective medicine.

The biological damage caused by the environmental factors such as radiation and its control methods are one of the frontiers of life science research that has received widespread attention. Ionizing radiation can directly interact with target molecules (such as DNA, proteins and lipids) or decomposed by radiation from water, leading to changes in oxidative events and biological activities in cells. Liver is a radiation-sensitive organ, and its radiosensitivity is second only to bone marrow, lymph, gastrointestinal tissue, gonads, embryos and kidneys.

Recent Progress in the Drug Development for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease Especially on Inhibition of Amyloid-peptide Aggregation.

As the world 's population is aging, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a big concern since AD has started affecting younger people and the population of AD patients is increasing worldwide. It has been revealed that the neuropathological hallmarks of AD are typically characterized by the presence of neurotoxic extracellular amyloid plaques in the brain, which are surrounded by tangles of neuronal fibers. However, the causes of AD have not been completely understood yet.

A review on polysaccharides from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch seeds, their extraction, modification, structure, and applications.

Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch (ASK) is an important member of Compositae (Asteraceae) family. Its seeds have been widely used as traditional medicine and to improve the quality of food. Water soluble and water insoluble polysaccharides are found in the seeds of this plant.

Effect of Heavy Ion C Radiation on Lipid Constitution in the Rat Brain.

Heavy ions refer to charged particles with a mass greater than four (i.e., alpha particles).

A review on structure, extraction, and biological activities of polysaccharides isolated from Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinskaja.

Cyclocarya paliurus is essential and only living specie of the genus Cyclocarya Iljinskaja. The leaves of this plant have been extensively used as food in the form of tea and green vegetable. Many compounds have been isolated from this plant, and their useful aspects explored, including the polysaccharides.

Ferroptosis and Its Potential Role in Human Diseases.

Ferroptosis is a novel regulated cell death pattern discovered when studying the mechanism of erastin-killing RAS mutant tumor cells in 2012. It is an iron-dependent programmed cell death pathway mainly caused by an increased redox imbalance but with distinct biological and morphology characteristics when compared to other known cell death patterns. Ferroptosis is associated with various diseases including acute kidney injury, cancer, and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and hepatic diseases.

Rapid identification and structural characterization of polyoxypregnane glycosides in by HPLC-MS and HRMS.

By HPLC-MS and HRMS analyses, the structures of 52 polyoxypregnane glycosides were rapidly inferred from Hemsl on the basis of their sodium-cationized molecules [M + Na] and predominant diagnostic ions resulting from the saccharic chain on C3 and the neutral loss of substituent on C11 and C12. Compounds and significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated splenocyte proliferation .[Formula: see text].

Combination of Three Functionalized Temperature-Sensitive Chromatographic Materials for Serum Protein Analysis.

We have developed a methodology to capture acidic proteins, alkaline proteins, and glycoproteins separately in mouse serum using a combination of three functionalized temperature-responsive chromatographic stationary phases. The temperature-responsive polymer poly(-isopropylacrylamide) was attached to the stationary phase, silica. The three temperature-responsive chromatographic stationary phase materials were prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization.