Screening and identification of antimicrobial peptides from the gut microbiome of cockroach Blattella germanica.

Background: The overuse of antibiotics has led to lethal multi-antibiotic-resistant microorganisms around the globe, with restricted availability of novel antibiotics. Compared to conventional antibiotics, evolutionarily originated antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising alternatives to address these issues. The gut microbiome of Blattella germanica represents a previously untapped resource of naturally evolving AMPs for developing antimicrobial agents.

Insect Cuticle Protein Nanoassemblies without Nonspecific Immune Response for Acute Methicillin-Resistant Pneumonia Remission.

The emergence and proliferation of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) pneumonia poses a significant global public health threat. Herein, the significant remission effect against acute MRSA pneumonia was realized through the insect cuticle protein () nanoassemblies without nonspecific immune response. The lung repair results could be attributed to the transforming of M1-type to M2-type macrophage polarization and the repression of Th17 cell differentiation in mice spleens through the intervention of nanoassemblies.

Controllably Self-Assembled Antibacterial Nanofibrils Based on Insect Cuticle Protein for Infectious Wound Healing.

Developing self-assembled biomedical materials based on insect proteins is highly desirable due to their advantages of green, rich, and sustainable characters as well as excellent biocompatibility, which has been rarely explored. Herein, salt-induced controllable self-assembly, antibacterial performance, and infectious wound healing performance of an insect cuticle protein () originating from the larva head capsule are investigated. Interestingly, the addition of salts could trigger the formation of beaded nanofibrils with uniform diameter, whose length highly depends on the salt concentration.

Molecular Mechanism of Qingzaojiufei Decoction in the Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking.

Background: In recent years, pulmonary fibrosis (PF) has increased in incidence and prevalence. Qingzaojiufei decoction (QD) is a herbal formula that is used for the treatment of PF.

Objective: In this research, network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were used to explore the major chemical components and potential mechanisms of QD in the treatment of PF.