Influence of the linkage between long alkyl tails and cationic groups on membrane activity of nano-sized hyperbranched polyquaterniums.

The recurrent emergence of serious pathogens necessitates novel insights and highly efficient antibacterial agents. However, the innate inability of metal ions and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to differentiate between bacteria and mammalian cells presents a challenge, limiting the selectivity crucial for an ideal antimicrobial solution. Herein, we present a systematic exploration involving two variants of nano-sized hyperbranched polyquaterniums (NHBPQs) - one featuring a lengthy alkyl tail linked to the ammonium unit at the N-atom center (NHBPQ-A), and the other in a segregated configuration (NHBPQ-B).

Influence of cationic groups on the antibacterial behavior of cationic nano-sized hyperbranched polymers to enhance bacteria-infected wound healing.

With the continuous emergence of drug-resistant pathogens, new strategies with high antibacterial efficacy are urgently needed. Herein, five cationic nano-sized hyperbranched polymers (CNHBPs) with cationic functional groups have been constructed, and their antibacterial mechanism has been studied in detail. CNHBPs bearing secondary ammonium salt groups and long alkyl chains (S-CNHBP) exhibited weak antibacterial and antibiofilm ability, while CNHBPs bearing quaternary ammonium salt groups and long alkyl chains (Q-CNHBP) showed the highest antimicrobial and strongest antibiofilm activities.

Tumor necrosis factor-α promotes airway mucus hypersecretion by repressing miR-146a-5p and miR-134-5p levels in human airway epithelial cells.

Background: Airway mucus acts as an indispensable protective component of innate immune response against invading pathogens. However, airway mucus hypersecretion, largely consisting of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), is the leading cause of airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness that contributes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in the pathogenesis of COPD, but the definite role of miRNAs in airway mucus hypersecretion is not well understood.

Mechanisms of indigo naturalis on treating ulcerative colitis explored by GEO gene chips combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Oral administration of indigo naturalis (IN) can induce remission in ulcerative colitis (UC); however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. The main active components and targets of IN were obtained by searching three traditional Chinese medicine network databases such as TCMSP and five Targets fishing databases such as PharmMapper. UC disease targets were obtained from three disease databases such as DrugBank,combined with four GEO gene chips.