DMC (2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone) enhances exercise tolerance via the AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α pathway in mice fed a high-fat diet.

Obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. This study aimed to determine the effects and mechanisms of 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC) on exercise tolerance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two categories (7 groups [n = 8]): sedentary (control [CON], HFD, 200 mg/kg DMC, and 500 mg/kg DMC) and swimming (HFD, 200 mg/kg DMC, and 500 mg/kg DMC).

Icariin attenuates ischaemic stroke through suppressing inflammation mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling pathway in rats.

Ischaemic stroke possesses the characteristics of high incidence, high disability and high mortality. Icariin (ICA) is a flavonoid extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium. The protective effect of ICA on ischaemic stroke is worthy of further study.

Mulberry Leaf Extract Alleviates Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Conjunctivitis in Rabbits via Downregulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome and Upregulation of the Nrf2 System and Suppression of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines.

Introduction: Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, and anticancer properties. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) on Staphylococcus aureus (S.

Icariin inhibits the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α induced by OGD/R through the IRE1/XBP1s pathway in microglia.

Context: Icariin (ICA), a flavonol glycoside extracted from Maxim (Berberidaceae), has been proven to inhibit inflammatory response in ischaemic rats in our laboratory's previous work. However, its underlying mechanism is still unclear.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of ICA on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress mediated inflammation induced by cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury .

Icariin protects neurons from endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis after OGD/R injury via suppressing IRE1α-XBP1 signaling pathway.

Icariin (ICA), a flavonol glycoside isolated from Epimedium, has been considered as a potential alternative therapy for ischemic stroke. However, the protective mechanisms of ICA on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) are not fully illuminated yet. The effects of ICA on ER stress and inflammatory response which were involved in the pathological process of cerebral I/R were investigated in vitro.

Synergistic effect of phytochemicals on cholesterol metabolism and lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells.

Background: Crocin (CRO), chlorogenic acid (CGA), geniposide (GEN), and quercetin (QUE) are all natural compounds with anti-obesity properties, in particular, hypolipidemic effects, which have been widely used for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic diseases. However, it is not yet known whether these compounds interact synergistically. Here, we investigated the effects and molecular mechanisms of CRO, CGA, GEN, QUE, and a combination of all four compounds (CCGQ), on lipid accumulation in human hepatoma (HepG2 cells).

In vitro evaluation of ruthenium complexes for photodynamic therapy.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising anti-tumor treatment strategy. Photosensitizer is one of the most important components of PDT. In this work, the anticancer activities of PDT mediated by six new ruthenium porphyrin complexes were screened.

The effects of icariin on the expression of HIF-1α, HSP-60 and HSP-70 in PC12 cells suffered from oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced injury.

Context: The effects of icariin, a chief constituent of flavonoids from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim (Berberidaceae), on the levels of HIF-1α, HSP-60 and HSP-70 remain unknown.

Objective: To explore the effects of icariin on the levels of HSP-60, HIF-1α and HSP-70 neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and cell viability.

Materials And Methods: PC12 cells were treated with icariin (10, 10 or 10mol/L) for 3 h (1 h before oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) plus 2 h OGD).

Chlorogenic acid-enriched extract from Eucommia ulmoides leaves inhibits hepatic lipid accumulation through regulation of cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 cells.

Context: Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (Eucommiaceae) leaf exhibits beneficial lipid-lowering and anti-obesity effects. However, the mechanisms remain unknown.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the lipid-lowering effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA)-enriched extract from this plant (CAEF) in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, focusing on cholesterol metabolism.

Establish a flow cytometric method for quantitative detection of Beclin-1 expression.

Flow cytometry is an advanced technology for efficient, rapid, specific and multi-parameter analysis of single cells in various basic research fields including cytobiology, immunology, genetic, hematology and other basic research. Beclin-1 protein is an important indicator in monitoring autophagic activity. However, quantitative flow cytometry had been rarely reported till now to be applied in the detection of Beclin-1 expression.

Change of Beclin-1 dependent on ATP, [Ca(2+)](i) and MMP in PC12 cells following oxygen-glucose deprivation-reoxygenation injury.

Autophagy is usually up-regulated to provide more ATP in response to starvation or OGD (oxygen-glucose deprivation), but the relationship between autophagy and ATP, [Ca2+]i (intracellular free Ca2+ concentration) or MMP (mitochondrial membrane potential) during reoxygenation is not yet fully clear. The role of autophagy is unknown in PC12 cells subjected to 2 h OGD with different time points of reoxygenation. In the present study, we showed that Beclin-1 was up-regulated beginning at 0 h reoxygenation peaking at 24 h and lasting for 48 h.

β-Asarone protects PC12 cells against OGD/R-induced injury via attenuating Beclin-1-dependent autophagy.

Aim: To explore the effects of β-asarone from Acorus Tatarinowii Schott on autophagy in an ischemic stroke model of PC12 cells.

Methods: The ischemic stroke model of PC12 cells was made by OGD/R (2 h oxygen-glucose deprivation followed by 24 h reperfusion). Drug administration was started 1 h before OGD and last for 3 h.