Melochia corchorifolia extract inhibits melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells via activation of the ERK signaling.

Background: Numerous researches have focused on discovering available inhibitors of melanogenesis from natural medicinal plants with stable efficacy and safety to resolve cutaneous hyperpigmentary problems. Melochia corchorifolia Linn. (MC) has been used as folk medicine to treat various diseases.

Lipid nano-bubble combined with ultrasound for anti-keloids therapy.

Keloids were characterized by excessive growth of fibrous tissues, and shared several pathological characteristics with cancer. They did put physical and emotional stress on patients in that keloids could badly change appearance of patients. N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4HPR) showed cytotoxic activity on a wide variety of invasive-growth cells.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulates melanogenesis in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells via CREB/MITF/tyrosinase signaling.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), one of the major skin neuropeptides, has been suggested to have active roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, which can commonly cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. However, the effect of VIP on melanogenesis remains unknown. In this study, we showed that the melanin contents, tyrosinase activity, and gene expression of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) were significantly increased by treatment with VIP in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and the stimulatory melanogenic effect was further examined in human epidermal melanocytes (HEMns).

Modulation of L-type Ca²⁺ channel activity by neuronal nitric oxide synthase and myofilament Ca²⁺ sensitivity in cardiac myocytes from hypertensive rat.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is important in cardiac protection in diseased heart. Recently, we have reported that nNOS is associated with myofilament Ca(2+) desensitization in cardiac myocytes from hypertensive rats. So far, the effect of myofilament Ca(2+) desensitization or nNOS on L-type Ca(2+) channel activity (I(Ca)) in cardiac myocyte is unclear.

UV irradiation-induced production of monoglycosylated biglycan through downregulation of xylosyltransferase 1 in cultured human dermal fibroblasts.

Background: Biglycan (BGN) is a proteoglycan composed of a 42-kDa core protein and two glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, and known to be involved in structural, space-filling functions and many physiological regulations in the skin.

Objective: To investigate ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-induced changes of BGN protein and its GAG chain synthesis in cultured human dermal fibroblasts.

Methods: UV irradiation-induced or xylosyltransferase (XYLT) 1 siRNA-mediated smaller-sized protein bands detected by Western blot using BGN antibodies were identified as monoglycosylated forms of BGN, using BGN siRNA-mediated knockdown and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC).

ROS and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-dependent trafficking of angiotensin II type 2 receptor begets neuronal NOS in cardiac myocytes.

Angiotensin II (Ang II), a potent precursor of hypertrophy and heart failure, upregulates neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS or NOS1) in the myocardium. Here, we investigate the involvement of type 1 and 2 angiotensin receptors (AT1R and AT2R) and molecular mechanisms mediating Ang II-upregulation of nNOS. Our results showed that pre-treatment of left ventricular (LV) myocytes with antagonists of AT1R or AT2R (losartan, PD123319) and ROS scavengers (apocynin, tiron or PEG-catalase) blocked Ang II-upregulation of nNOS.

Analysis of Tim-3 as a therapeutic target in prostate cancer.

T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing molecule 3 (Tim-3) is a newly discovered immunomodulatory, which plays an important role in immunity regulation. Recent evidence suggests that Tim-3 is differentially regulated in a variety of tumors and has a potential as a therapeutic target. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Tim-3 on the development of prostate cancer (PCa).

Evaluation of doxorubicin-loaded pH-sensitive polymeric micelle release from tumor blood vessels and anticancer efficacy using a dorsal skin-fold window chamber model.

Aim: To evaluation the doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded pH-sensitive polymeric micelle release from tumor blood vessels into tumor interstitium using an animal vessel visibility model, the so-called dorsal skin-fold window chamber model.

Methods: DOX-loaded pH-sensitive polyHis-b-PEG micelles and DOX-loaded pH-insensitive PLLA-b-PEG micelles were prepared. The uptake of the micelles by MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo was examined using flow cytometry.

Improved anti-tumor efficiency against prostate cancer by docetaxel-loaded PEG-PCL micelles.

This study primarily focused on the systematic assessment of both in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of docetaxel-loaded polyethylene glycol (PEG)2000-polycaprolactone (PCL)2600 micelles on hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). By using solvent evaporation method, PEG-PCL was chosen to prepare doxetaxel (DTX)-loaded mPEG-PCL micelles (DTX-PMs), with the purpose of eliminating side effects of the commercial formulation (Tween 80) and prolonging the blood circulation time. The prepared DTX-PMs had an average particle size of 25.

Prognostic value of T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 in prostate cancer.

Background: Optimal treatment for prostate cancer remains a challenge worldwide. Recently, T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (TIM-3) has been implicated in tumor biology but its contribution prostate cancer remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of TIM-3 as a prognostic marker in patients with prostate cancer.

Myofilament Ca2+ desensitization mediates positive lusitropic effect of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in left ventricular myocytes from murine hypertensive heart.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1 or nNOS) exerts negative inotropic and positive lusitropic effects through Ca(2+) handling processes in cardiac myocytes from healthy hearts. However, underlying mechanisms of NOS1 in diseased hearts remain unclear. The present study aims to investigate this question in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertensive rat hearts (HP).

Preparation and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles for siRNA delivery to down-regulate the expressions of exogenous and endogenous target genes.

Gene silencing induced by RNA interference using small interfering RNA (siRNA) provides a promising therapeutic approach for cancers. However, the lack of siRNA delivery vector has limited the development of siRNA therapy. The purpose of this study was to use the novel copolymer (mPEG5k-PCL1.

Multifunctional nanoparticles for targeting cancer therapy.

Chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin and MRI imaging agent Iron Oxide were encapsulated in dual functional nanoparticles which is compose of PEG-Foliate acid polymers. The particle size was about 45 nm with a mono-dispersion measured by zeta-sizer instrument. The contrast of images in liver was enhanced after injection Nanoparticles via rabbit ear vein.

Thermal reversible microemulsion system for poorly water-soluble YH439 for oral delivery.

To improve bioavailability of poorly water-soluble YH439, a thermal reversible microemulsion system was prepared using modified fatty acids such as capric acid and palmitic acid with PEG 400. A combination of Capric-PEG 400 and Palmitic-PEG 400 with a ratio of 1 : 3 used as a lipid matrix and Cremophor RH40 and Neobee M-5 were selected as an oil and a surfactant, respectively. The microemulsion with melting point of 36.