Integrated UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, network pharmacology, and transcriptomics to reveal the material basis and mechanism of Schisandra chinensis Fruit Mixture against diabetic nephropathy.

Backgrounds: It has been regarded as an essential treatment option for diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-DN efficacy of Schisandra chinensis Fruit Mixture (SM); however, a comprehensive chemical fingerprint is still uncertain, and its mechanism of action, especially the potential therapeutic targets of anti-DN, needs to be further elucidated.

Objective: Potential mechanisms of SM action on DN were explored through network pharmacology and experimental validation.

Preparation and Characteristics of Ball-Milled Blueberry Peel Particles and Their Application in Ice Cream.

Ice cream is popular but contains high amounts of saturated fats and few health-promoting ingredients. In the presence of xanthan gum (0.25%), blueberry peel particles prepared through ball-milling treatment (BMPs) were used to prepare ice cream containing camellia oil as a fat replacer.

Tea Polysaccharide Ameliorates High-Fat Diet-Induced Renal Tubular Ectopic Lipid Deposition via Regulating the Dynamic Balance of Lipogenesis and Lipolysis.

Renal tubular ectopic lipid deposition (ELD) plays a significant role in the development of chronic kidney disease, posing a great threat to human health. The present work aimed to explore the intervention effect and potential molecular mechanism of a purified tea polysaccharide (TPS3A) on renal tubular ELD. The results demonstrated that TPS3A effectively improved kidney function and slowed the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in high-fat-diet (HFD)-exposed ApoE mice.

Comparisons in phytochemical components and in vitro digestion properties of corresponding peels, flesh and seeds separated from two blueberry cultivars.

Unlabelled: Highbush blueberries (HB) and rabbiteye blueberries (RB) were separated into peels, flesh, and seeds to assess the compositions of nutriment, anthocyanins, soluble sugars and fatty acids, and the in vitro digesting abilities. Total phenolics contents (TPC) of 51-56 mg GAE/g DW were found in blueberry peels. Compared with HB peels, RB peels showed much higher TPC, but only contained 35 phenolics and lacked peonidin-3-O-rutinoside.

Preparation and characterization of lotus root starch based bioactive edible film containing quercetin-encapsulated nanoparticle and its effect on grape preservation.

The present work aimed to develop a novel bioactive edible film prepared by adding quercetin-encapsulated carboxymethyl lotus root starch nanoparticles (QNPs)，gellan gum and lotus root starch. The physicochemical characteristics, preservation effect and mechanism on grapes of the prepared film were investigated. SEM results showed that QNPs (5 %) were dispersed uniformly within lotus root starch matrix, indicating the formation of a stable composite nanoparticle film.

Inhibition of Ca-calpain signaling is a new mechanism using polysaccharide to prevent macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis.

The Ca-calpain signaling plays a pivotal role in regulating the upstream signaling pathway of cellular autophagy. The aim of the current work was to investigate the role of Ca-calpain signaling in the regulation of macrophage autophagy by a polysaccharide (LJP61A) in Ox-LDL induced macrophages and high fat diet fed atherosclerotic mice. Results revealed that the LJP61A markedly decreased the levels of intracellular Ca, calpain1, calpain2 and their downstream effectors (Gsα, cAMP and IP3), and simultaneously enhanced autophagy activity and lipid metabolism, thereby reducing lipid accumulation in the Ox-LDL stimulated macrophages and lipid-laden plaques in atherosclerotic mice.

LncRNA MALAT1 Promotes PPARα/CD36-Mediated Hepatic Lipogenesis in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Modulating miR-206/ARNT Axis.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to play crucial roles in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This research sought to explore mechanisms by which lncRNA MALAT1 regulates the progression of NAFLD. Thus, in order to detect the function of MALAT1 in NAFLD, and model of NAFLD were established.

Recombinant Rice Quiescin Sulfhydryl Oxidase Strengthens the Gluten Structure through Thiol/Disulfide Exchange and Hydrogen Peroxide Oxidation.

Recombinant rice quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase (rQSOX) has the potential to improve the flour processing quality, but the mechanisms remain unclear. The effects of rQSOX on bread quality, dough rheology, and gluten structure and composition, with glucose oxidase as a positive control, were investigated. rQSOX addition could improve the dough processing quality, as proved by enhanced viscoelastic properties of dough as well as a softer crumb, higher specific volume, and lower moisture loss of bread.

Identification of key genes in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics profiling study.

Background: Long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), which is one of the most common malignant cancers worldwide. Actinic keratosis (AK) is generally considered a precancerous lesion of cSCC. However, the pathogenesis and oncogenic processes of AK and cSCC remain elusive, especially in the context of photodamage.

Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua polysaccharide exhibits anti-fatigue activity via regulating osteocalcin signaling.

In the present study, we explored the anti-fatigue activity and its potential mechanism of a purified Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide (PCP) on mice using weight-loaded swimming test. Results showed that PCP remarkably prolonged the exhaustive swimming time of mice when compared with normal control group. Meanwhile, PCP decreased serum levels of lactic acid (LA), blood uric nitrogen (BUN), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased the contents of liver glycogen, muscle glycogen and muscle ATP.

Comparison of the Effects of Different Food-Grade Emulsifiers on the Properties and Stability of a Casein-Maltodextrin-Soybean Oil Compound Emulsion.

The improvement of food-grade emulsifiers in the properties and stability of complex emulsion has attracted much interest. In this study, the effects of six food-grade emulsifiers with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) range of 3.4-8.

Ruthenium(II) salicylate complexes inducing ROS-mediated apoptosis by targeting thioredoxin reductase.

Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), a major component of the thioredoxin system, makes a critical role in regulating cellular redox signaling and is found to be overexpressed in many human cancer cells. TrxR has become an attractive target for anticancer agents. In this work, three Ru(II) complexes with salicylate as ligand, [Ru(phen)(SA)] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, SA = salicylate, 1), [Ru(dmb)(SA)] (dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 2) and [Ru(bpy)(SA)] (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, 3), were synthesized and characterized.

[Characteristics of Ambient VOCs at the Shuangliu Site in Chengdu, China, During Summer and Autumn].

To better understand the characteristics and sources of ambient volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a polluted area in Chengdu, which requires air pollution control, samples were collected hourly at the Shuangliu site from August 2016 to December 2016. Online gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and a flame ionization detector (GC/MS-FID) were used to analyze the mixing ratios and compositions of the VOCs. During the sampling period, the average mixing ratios of the VOCs were (45.

The core structure of a Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide required for the inhibition of human lens epithelial cell apoptosis.

The aim of this work was to investigate the core structure of a Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide DHPD1 required for the inhibition of lens epithelial cell apoptosis. In order to obtain the fragments containing the core domain, pectinase was employed to hydrolyze DHPD1. After 24h reaction, it is interesting that the hydrolyzation seemed to be stopped, leading to a final enzymatic fragment DHPD1-24 with molecular weight about 1552Da.

Neuroprotective effects of sodium hydrosulfide against β-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known to be caused by the accumulation of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). The accumulation of Aβ has been shown to cause learning and memory impairment in rats, and it has been shown that hydrogen sulfide donors, such as sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) can attenuate these effects. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully eludicated.

Meroterpenoids with New Skeletons from Myrtus communis and Structure Revision of Myrtucommulone K.

Five sesquiterpene-based meroterpenoids with three kinds of new skeletons [1, 2, 3, (+)-4, and (-)-4] were isolated from the leaves of Myrtus communis. Compound 1 featured a new carbon skeleton with an unprecedented octahydrospiro[bicyclo[7.2.

Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide modulates the severity of acute pancreatitis in mice.

The present study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of mouse cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) on experimental acute pancreatitis (AP). AP is a common clinical condition characterized by acute abdominal inflammation. Innate immune cells and mediators are intrinsically linked to the pathogenesis of AP.

Icariin, a major constituent of flavonoids from Epimedium brevicornum, protects against cognitive deficits induced by chronic brain hypoperfusion via its anti-amyloidogenic effect in rats.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion is considered to be a pivotal contributing factor of cognitive impairments that occur in vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and ideal drug treatment for these diseases is unavailable. Hence, this study was designed to investigate the protective effects of icariin, a major constituent of flavonoids from the Chinese medicinal herb Epimedium brevicornum, on cognitive impairments and neuronal morphological damage induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (BCCAO) in rats, and further explore the potential mechanisms. This study found that BCCAO could induce cognitive deficits and neuronal morphological damage, along with deposition of beta-amyloid (Aβ) in rat hippocampus.

Lanostane triterpenoids from Ganoderma hainanense J. D. Zhao.

Chemical investigation of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma hainanense resulted in isolation of fourteen lanostane triterpenoids, including nine ganoderma acids and five ganoderma alcohols, together with five known compounds. Structural elucidation was determined using extensive spectroscopic technologies, Mosher's method and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Three of the compounds showed inhibitory activities against HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549 and MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 15.

Immunomodulatory activity and partial characterisation of polysaccharides from Momordica charantia.

Momordica charantia Linn. is used as an edible and medicinal vegetable in sub-tropical areas. Until now, studies on its composition and related activities have been confined to compounds of low molecular mass, and no data have been reported concerning the plant's polysaccharides.

Diterpenoids and Limonoids from the Leaves and Twigs of Swietenia mahagoni.

Three new compounds, including two diterpenoids, nemoralisins H and I (1 and 2), and a limonoid, 2-methoxy khayseneganin E (3), along with four known constituents (4-7), were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Swietenia mahagoni. Their chemical structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis. The cytotoxities of these isolated constituents were assayed.