Gonadal efficacy of Thymus quinquecostatus Celakovski: Regulation of testosterone levels in aging mouse models.

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is an age-related disease in men characterized by decreased testosterone levels with symptoms such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and depression. Thymus quinquecostatus Celakovski (TQC) is a plant used as a volatile oil in traditional medicine, and its bioactive compounds have anti-inflammatory potential. Based on this knowledge, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of TQC extract (TE) on LOH in TM3 Leydig cells and in an in vivo aging mouse model.

ApoE4-dependent lysosomal cholesterol accumulation impairs mitochondrial homeostasis and oxidative phosphorylation in human astrocytes.

Recent developments in genome sequencing have expanded the knowledge of genetic factors associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among them, genetic variant ε4 of the APOE gene (APOE4) confers the greatest disease risk. Dysregulated glucose metabolism is an early pathological feature of AD.

Production of Four Flavonoid -Glucosides in .

Flavonoid -glucosides, which are found in several plant families, are characterized by several biological properties, including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antibacterial, antihyperalgesic, antiviral, and antinociceptive activities. The biosynthetic pathway of flavonoid -glucosides in plants has been elucidated. In the present study, a pathway was introduced to to synthesize four flavonoid -glucosides, namely, isovitexin, vitexin, kaempferol 6--glucoside, and kaempferol 8--glucoside.

OsWRKY114 Negatively Regulates Drought Tolerance by Restricting Stomatal Closure in Rice.

The WRKY family of transcription factors plays a pivotal role in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress. The WRKY Group III transcription factor OsWRKY114 is a positive regulator of innate immunity against pv. ; however, its role in abiotic stress responses is largely unknown.

Menthae Herba Attenuates Neuroinflammation by Regulating CREB/Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in BV2 Microglial Cells.

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress cause microglia to be abnormally activated in the brain, resulting in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Menthae Herba (MH) has been widely used as a medicinal plant with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effects of MH on the inflammatory response and possible molecular mechanisms in microglia stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Samhwangsasim-tang attenuates neuronal apoptosis and cognitive decline through BDNF-mediated activation of tyrosin kinase B and p75-neurotrophin receptors.

Background: Samhwangsasim-tang (SST) is a traditional medicine used to treat hypertension and arteriosclerosis. Additionally, due to the effects of its constituent herbs, SST is considered effective for memory-related disorders.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of SST on neuronal survival and memory in glutamate-induced hippocampal cells and in a mouse model of scopolamine-induced memory impairment.

Ameliorates High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity by Elevating Peripheral Thermogenic Signaling.

has been consumed as a food and as a traditional medicine for treating autoimmune diseases and aging in diverse countries. A previous study showed that a mixture of and prohibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation in preadipocytes and suppressed diet-induced obesity. Nevertheless, the mechanism of to regulate energy homeostasis solely through thermogenic signaling remains unclear.

Banhasasim-Tang Ameliorates Spatial Memory by Suppressing Oxidative Stress through Regulation of ERK/p38 Signaling in Hippocampus of Mice.

Since ancient times, Banhasasim-tang (BHS) has been used to treat functional dyspepsia in East Asia. Here, we aimed to determine the protective action of BHS on hippocampal neurons against oxidative stress. We investigated the functional effect of BHS on a scopolamine-induced mouse model, and molecular analysis was performed in glutamate-induced HT22 cells.

Hypothalamic administration of sargahydroquinoic acid elevates peripheral thermogenic signaling and ameliorates high fat diet-induced obesity through the sympathetic nervous system.

Sargassum serratifolium (C. Agardh) C.Agardh, a marine brown alga, has been consumed as a food and traditional medicine in Asia.

Sanguisorbae Radix Suppresses Colorectal Tumor Growth Through PD-1/PD-L1 Blockade and Synergistic Effect With Pembrolizumab in a Humanized PD-L1-Expressing Colorectal Cancer Mouse Model.

Immune checkpoints such as programmed death-1 (PD-1) have been proven as antitumor targets by enhancing cytotoxic T cell activity. All immune checkpoint blockades are antibody therapeutics that have large size and high affinity, as well as known immune-related side effects and low responses. To overcome the limitation of antibody therapeutics, we have explored PD-1/PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1) blockades in traditional oriental medicine, which has a long history but has not yet studied PD-1/PD-L1 blockades.

Unusual Bicyclo[3.2.1]Octanoid Neolignans from Leaves of and Their Effect on Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Activity.

Three undescribed bicyclo[3.2.1]octanoid neolignan glucosides, along with a known neolignan, were isolated from the leaves of Ruiz & Pav.

PAR2 Deficiency Induces Mitochondrial ROS Generation and Dysfunctions, Leading to the Inhibition of Adipocyte Differentiation.

Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a member of G-protein-coupled receptors and affects ligand-modulated calcium signaling. Although PAR2 signaling promotes obesity and adipose tissue inflammation in high fat- (HF-) fed conditions, its role in adipocyte differentiation under nonobesogenic conditions needs to be elucidated. Here, we used several tissues and primary-cultured adipocytes of mice lacking PAR2 to study its role in the development of adipose tissues.

PAR2 promotes high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis by inhibiting AMPK-mediated autophagy.

Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is a member of G protein-coupled receptors. There are two types of PAR2 signaling pathways: Canonical G-protein signaling and β-arrestin signaling. Although PAR2 signaling has been reported to aggravate hepatic steatosis, the exact mechanism is still unclear, and the role of PAR2 in autophagy remains unknown.

In vitro and in vivo evidence of tyrosinase inhibitory activity of a synthesized (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one (5-HMT).

Tyrosinase is a key enzyme that catalyses the initial rate-limiting steps of melanin synthesis. Due to its critical role in melanogenesis, various attempts were made to find potent tyrosinase inhibitors although many were not safe and effective in vivo. We evaluated tyrosinase inhibitory activity of six compounds.

Effect of BNR17 on irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial.

BNR17 is a strain isolated from human breast milk. The objective of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and preliminary dose-finding trial was to find the effective dose and evaluate the effect of BNR17 on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. A total of 55 volunteers aged over 20 years with body mass index over 23 kg/m were randomized to intake a placebo, low-dose (BNR-L, 2 × 10 CFU/day), intermediate-dose (BNR-M, 2 × 10 CFU/day), or high-dose BNR (BNR-H, 2 × 5 × 10 CFU/day) for four weeks.

(2,5)-2,5-Bis(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene) cyclopentanone Exerts Anti-Melanogenesis and Anti-Wrinkle Activities in B16F10 Melanoma and Hs27 Fibroblast Cells.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is the primary cause of extrinsic skin aging, which results in skin hyperpigmentation and wrinkling. In this study, we investigated the whitening effect of (2,5)-2,5-bis(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)cyclopentanone (BHCP) on B16F10 melanoma and its anti-wrinkle activity on Hs27 fibroblasts cells. BHCP was found to potently inhibit tyrosinase, with 50% inhibition concentration (IC) values of 1.

A novel synthetic compound, (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one (MHY773) inhibits mushroom tyrosinase.

As part of continued efforts for the development of new tyrosinase inhibitors, (Z)-5-(substituted benzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one derivatives (1a - 1l) were rationally synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory potential in vitro. These compounds were designed and synthesized based on the structural attributes of a β-phenyl-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl scaffold template. Among these compounds, (Z)-5-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one (1e, MHY773) exhibited the greatest tyrosinase inhibition (IC = 2.

A PPAR Pan Agonist, MHY2013 Alleviates Age-Related Hepatic Lipid Accumulation by Promoting Fatty Acid Oxidation and Suppressing Inflammation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequently observed in obese and aged individuals. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play a role in regulating hepatic lipid accumulation, a hallmark of NAFLD development. A PPAR pan agonist, 2-(4-(5,6-methylenedioxybenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-2-methylphenoxy)-2-methylpropanoic acid (MHY2013) has been shown to prevent fatty liver formation and insulin resistance in obese mice (db/db) model.

Care Status of the ALS Patients With Long-Term Use of Tracheostomy Tube.

Objective: To evaluate the care status of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with long-term use of tracheostomy tube by caregivers of ALS patients.

Methods: A survey was conducted in the form of questionnaires to ALS patients and their caregivers. All measurements were performed by two visiting nurses.

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Mediates Regeneration of Retinal Pigment Epithelium After Laser Photocoagulation in Mouse Eye.

Purpose: Laser photocoagulation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is used to stimulate the regenerative processes of the RPE. However, the molecular mechanisms that control RPE proliferation and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during regeneration remain poorly understood. We investigated the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the regeneration of mouse RPE after laser photocoagulation.

Time-Dependent Changes of Cell Proliferation After Laser Photocoagulation in Mouse Chorioretinal Tissue.

Purpose: This study investigated the time course of cell proliferation after laser photocoagulation and analyzed the cell types of proliferating cells.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice received unilateral laser photocoagulation. Intraperitoneal bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) injection was performed, and mice were divided into two groups according to the injection paradigm: group 1 with continuous injection and group 2 with periodic injection.

Phasic changes in bladder compliance during filling cystometry of the neurogenic bladder.

Objective: To investigate phasic changes during filling cystometry that most accurately represent detrusor properties, regardless of other factors affecting detrusor contractility.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients (59 males, 19 females; mean age, 48.2 years) with spinal cord injuries were enrolled.

Pomegranate vinegar attenuates adiposity in obese rats through coordinated control of AMPK signaling in the liver and adipose tissue.

Background: The effect of pomegranate vinegar (PV) on adiposity was investigated in high-fat diet (HF)-induced obese rats.

Methods: The rats were divided into 5 groups and treated with HF with PV or acetic acid (0, 6.5 or 13% w/w) for 16 weeks.

A new chromone, 11-hydroxy-sec-O-glucosylhamaudol from Ostericum koreanum.

From the ethyl acetate fraction of the roots of Ostericum koreanum, a new chromone, 11-hydroxy-sec-O-glucosylhamaudol (1) along with the known compounds: four chromones, three coumarins, six phenolic compounds, and three quinic acids were isolated. These compounds were assessed for antioxidant activities in the DPPH radical and superoxide anion radical scavenging assay systems. Among isolates, 4-(2-hydroxy-vinyl)-benzene-1,2-diol (12) showed the most potent DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC(50)=4.