Biomimetic metal-phenolic nanocarrier for co-delivery of multiple phytomedical bioactive components for anti-atherosclerotic therapy.

Atherosclerosis, a major cause of cardiovascular diseases, involves complex pathophysiological processes. The co-delivery of multiple bioactive components derived from phytomedicine to atherosclerotic plaque is challenging, especially for those with varied solubilities. This study introduces a novel metal-phenolic network-based core-shell recombinant high-density lipoprotein nanocarrier (SSPH-MPN@rHDL) for co-delivering multiple bioactive components from Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius, including salvianic acid A (SAA), salvianolic acid B (SAB), protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA), hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), and tanshinone IIA (TS-IIA).

Kaempferol Improved Rheumatoid Arthritis by Regulating the Immune Imbalance of Treg/Th17.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the therapeutic effects of kaempferol (Kae) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: The collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was established using collagen II to induce RA. Mice were treated with Kae at a dose of 25 or 50 mg/kg/day via gavage.

Eriodictyol regulates white adipose tissue browning and hepatic lipid metabolism in high fat diet-induced obesity mice via activating AMPK/SIRT1 pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Blossom of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Leaves.

has been widely utilized in traditional Chinese medicine to treat dispelling wind and dampness and used for alleviating cough and diminishing inflammation. However, the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects of leaves and the key active constituents remained elusive. So, we conducted some experiments to support the application of in traditional Chinese medicine by investigating the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory abilities, and to identify the potential key constituents responsible for the activities.

Exploration of formation and in vitro release mechanism of supramolecular self-assembled Licochalcone A eutectogel for food application.

Licochalcone A (LCA) is extracted from licorice plants and used as a food additive. Citric acid (CA) and alanine (Ala) are food additives with good regulatory functions. This study aims to investigate the formation and in vitro release mechanism of the LCA eutectogel using supramolecular self-assembly technology.

Exploring the mechanism of solubilization and release of isoliquiritigenin in deep eutectic solvents.

Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a natural medicinal product with extensive pharmacological activities. However, its low solubility limits its application. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the solubilization and release mechanism of the ISL using deep eutectic solvents (DESs).

Gancao Fuzi decoction regulates the Th17/Treg cell imbalance in rheumatoid arthritis by targeting Foxp3 via miR-34a.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing first recorded the Gancao Fuzi decoction (GCFZD) formula in the "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber", which is reportedly an effective and safe treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the mechanism underlying the observed improvement in the T helper 17 (Th17)/regulatory T (Treg) cell imbalance in RA obtained with GCFZD has not been reported.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to demonstrate whether GCFZD ameliorated RA by modulating the Th17/Treg imbalance in RA mice.

Glycyrrhizin micellar nanocarriers for topical delivery of baicalin to the hair follicles: A targeted approach tailored for alopecia treatment.

Alopecia affected approximately 16.6% of all people in China, however, treatment options remain limited due to the side effects. Plant bioactive compound baicalin (BC) possesses hair growth-promotion activity, but poor water solubility and unsuitable log P value restrict its topical application, and natural Glycyrrhizin (GL) can exactly overcome these drawbacks.

Network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vivo and in vitro experiments to explore the molecular mechanism of licorice green tea beverage to scavenge oxygen free radicals.

Excessive oxygen free radicals can lead to aging, cancer, and other diseases. Therefore, searching for effective antioxidants to scavenge oxygen free radicals has become the focus of modern medicine. In this study, the molecular mechanism of Licorice Green Tea Beverage (LGTB) in scavenging oxygen free radicals was investigated by means of network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification.

A green and highly efficient method to deliver hydrophilic polyphenols of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius for enhanced anti-atherosclerotic effect via metal-phenolic network.

Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius are traditional Chinese medicines that have been widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Salvianic acid A (SAA), salvianic acid B (SAB), protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA) and hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) are the major hydrophilic polyphenols of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Carthamus tinctorius, all of which have been documented as active compounds for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). However, high aqueous solubility, low permeability and poor stability properties of the four hydrophilic polyphenols might influence their bioavailability and thus hinder their clinical potential.

Investigative on the Molecular Mechanism of Licorice Flavonoids Anti-Melanoma by Network Pharmacology, 3D/2D-QSAR, Molecular Docking, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Licorice flavonoids (LCFs) are natural flavonoids isolated from which are known to have anti-melanoma activities . However, the molecular mechanism of LCF anti-melanoma has not been fully understood. In this study, network pharmacology, 3D/2D-QSAR, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were used to explore the molecular mechanism of LCF anti-melanoma.

Natural bioactive constituents from herbs and nutraceuticals promote browning of white adipose tissue.

Obesity is a significant public health problem worldwide that is characterized by abnormal or excessive fat accumulation. Unfortunately, the application of available weight-loss drugs has been restricted because of their serious adverse effects. Browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), which refers to the transformation of white adipocytes to beige adipocytes under certain stimulations, is regarded as a new strategy to solve the obesity problem.

Explore the Anti-Acne Mechanism of Licorice Flavonoids Based on Metabonomics and Microbiome.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common inflammatory dermatoses in dermatological practice and can affect any gender or ethnic group. Although in previous studies, we had found that licorice flavonoids (LCF) play an anti-acne role by inhibiting PI3K-Akt signaling pathways and mitochondrial activity, the mechanism of LCF regulating skin metabolism, serum metabolism and skin microbes is still unclear. Here, we performed a full spectrum analysis of metabolites in the skin and serum using UHPLC-Triple TOF-MS.

ATP-Responsive Multifunctional Supramolecular Polymer as a Nonviral Vector for Boosting Cholesterol Removal from Lipid-Laden Macrophages.

Specific delivery of NCEH1 plasmid is a promising approach to boost the cholesterol removal from lipid-laden macrophages for antiatherosclerosis. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is one of the most efficient gene carriers among nonviral vectors. However, the high transfection activity of PEI is always accompanied by profound cytotoxicity.

Inhibitory effect of chloroform extracts from Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl. on fat accumulation.

Background: Excess lipid accumulation can accelerate the development of various metabolic diseases. Blossoms of Citrus aurantium L. var.

Protective effects of Oviductus Ranae-containing serum on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in rat ovarian granulosa cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Oviductus Ranae (OR) is a traditional Chinese medicine derived from Rana temporaria chensinensis David, and is known to have a wide variety of pharmacological effects.

Aim Of The Study: To investigate the function and mechanism of OR-containing serum in protecting rat ovarian granulosa cells from hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced oxidative damage.

Materials And Methods: HO-treated granulosa cells were pretreated with OR-containing serum, and viability and proliferation assays were carried out using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8).

[Evaluation of cyclodextrin inclusion of the volatile components in compound traditional Chinese medicine].

Objective: To study the factors affecting cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion of the volatile components in compound traditional Chinese medicines and evaluate the stability of the inclusion compound.

Methods: This study took Gengnian compound as an example to examine the factors affecting the inclusion process according to the inclusion compound utilization ratio. Orthogonal design method was employed optimize the parameters in the inclusion process.

[Studies on chemical constituents of the roots of Salacia hainanensis].

The chemical constituents of Salacia hainanensis were studied for the first time. Five compounds were isolated from the roots of the plant by silica-gel column chromatography and reverse phase preparative chromatography. Four of them have been identified as friedelin, beta-sitosterol, ursolic acid and mangiferin.