Cortex Suppress PD-L1 Expression in Cancer Cells and Potentiates Anti-Tumor Immunity in a Humanized PD-1/PD-L1 Knock-In MC-38 Colon Cancer Mouse Model.

Background/objectives: Immune checkpoints are essential for regulating excessive autoimmune responses and maintaining immune homeostasis. However, in the tumor microenvironment, these checkpoints can lead to cytotoxic T cell exhaustion, allowing cancer cells to evade immune surveillance and promote tumor progression. The expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in cancer cells is associated with poor prognoses, reduced survival rates, and lower responses to therapies.

The Beneficial Roles of Seaweed in Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by severe pruritus and recurrent flare-ups, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Current treatments, such as corticosteroids and immunomodulators, often provide symptomatic relief but can lead to adverse effects with prolonged use. Seaweed, a sustainable and nutrient-dense resource, has emerged as a promising alternative due to its rich bioactive compounds-polysaccharides, phlorotannins, polyphenols, and chlorophyll-that offer anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties.

Indole-3-carbinol alleviates allergic skin inflammation via periostin/thymic stromal lymphopoietin suppression in atopic dermatitis.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory skin disorder with a complex etiology. Despite its increasing prevalence, treatment of AD is still limited. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is found in cruciferous vegetables and is formed when these vegetables are cut, chewed, or cooked; it exerts diverse pharmacological activities.

Antiviral-effect of nitrogen-containing compounds isolated from Sarcodon imbricatus on influenza A virus through regulation of ZBP-1 mediated necroptosis.

This study focuses on the elucidation of the structure and antiviral properties of six nitrogen-containing compounds including amino acid derivates (1 and 2) and heterocyclic compounds (3-6) isolated from the fruiting bodies of Sarcodon imbricatus, particularly Compound 2, an (S)-2-(hydroxyimino)-3-methylpentanoic acid ethyl ester. Their antiviral effects were tested against influenza A virus (IAV) in A549 cells. Particularly, Compound 2 exhibited significant antiviral activity in post-treatment assays, reducing viral protein expression and inhibiting viral replication with an IC of 14.

Antiviral Effect of Amentoflavone Against Influenza Viruses.

Amentoflavone (AF) is a biflavonoid compound found in many plants. In this study, we first demonstrate that AF has a potent antiviral effect against the influenza virus via the inhibition of viral attachment and virucidal effects. The anti-influenza-viral effect of AF was evaluated using green fluorescent protein-tagged Influenza A virus (IAV) with fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry analysis.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Chestnut Honey Attenuates Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Mice and Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity in HT22 Cells.

Chestnut honey has various benefits, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. However, the effects of chestnut honey or the ethyl acetate fraction of chestnut honey (EACH) on neurodegenerative diseases and their related cognitive impairment and neurotoxicity have not yet been established. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the mitigating effect of the EACH on scopolamine (SCO)-injected cognitive decline in mice and glutamate-exposed neurotoxicity in HT22 cells.

A clenbuterol detection method based on magnetic separation up-conversion fluorescent probe.

In this study, a fluorescence detection method combining aptamer-modified up-conversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was developed for detection of Clenbuterol (CLB). The aptamer-modified magnetic NPs captured CLB, which reacted with the aptamer-modified UCNPs and generated a sandwich complex. The aptamer-modified UCNPs acted as a fluorescence source.

Aquo-ethanolic extract of Lilii Bulbus attenuates dexamethasone-induced muscle loss and enhances muscle strength in experimental mice.

Traditionally, Lilium lancifolium bulb is known for its ability to nourish yin, nourish the lungs, clear the heart, soothe coughs, reduce irritability, and calm the mind. In Oriental Medicine, it is categorized as a tonic remedy for alleviating symptoms of fatigue and enhancing the strength of bones and muscles. In this study, we aimed to validate the effectiveness of the aquo-ethanolic extract of Lilli Bulbus (LBE) in a dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy model, both in vitro and in vivo, and elucidate its mechanism of action through muscle transcriptome analysis.

Immunostimulatory Effects of Gamisoyosan on Macrophages via TLR4-Mediated Signaling Pathways.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the immunostimulatory activity of gamisoyosan (GSS) on the activation of macrophages in RAW 264.7 cells and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: The effects of GSS on the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), immunomodulatory mediators, cytokines and mRNAs, and related proteins were assessed using the Griess assay, Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and HDCFDA, respectively.

Secobutanolides Isolated from Stem and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

In this study, a new secobutanolide, named secosubamolide B (), along with three previously known secobutanolides (, , and ), were successfully isolated from a methanol extract of the stem of . The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated through the analysis of spectroscopic data, and then compared with the existing literature to confirm their identities. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of these isolated compounds on bone marrow-derived dendritic cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated.

Systems pharmacology-based drug discovery from Amaryllidaceae alkaloids and investigation of mechanisms of action in treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Objectives: Given the success of galanthamine in treating Alzheimer's disease, this study aims to establish an effective method to find drugs from Amaryllidaceae alkaloids and to clarify its mechanism in treating Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: The pharmacodynamic basis and mechanism of action between Amaryllidaceae alkaloids and Alzheimer's disease were explored by constructing a compound-target-disease network, targets protein-protein interaction, gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment, and molecular docking verification.

Key Findings: In total, a chemical library of 357 potential alkaloids was constructed.

Immune-Enhancing Effects of Gwakhyangjeonggi-san in RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells through the MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathways.

Gwakhyangjeonggi-san (GJS) is a traditional herbal medicine used in East Asia for the treatment of symptoms involving lower intestinal abnormalities; however, the effects of GJS on innate immunity and its cellular mechanisms of action have not been elucidated. In this study, we assessed the immune-enhancing activity and underlying mechanisms of GJS using RAW 264.7 murine macrophages.

KORE-Map 1.0: Korean medicine Omics Resource Extension Map on transcriptome data of tonifying herbal medicine.

Traditional herbal medicine, rooted in a long history of use in East Asia, combines several herbs to create treatments showing high efficacy with minimal side effects, for specific diseases. Such combination therapies represent a potential reservoir of new drugs for treating multifactorial and incurable chronic diseases. However, the complexity of their mechanisms of action due to the combination of multiple compounds, has limited their research integration into modern pharmacological science.

Exploring a Novel Role of Glycerol Kinase 1 in Prostate Cancer PC-3 Cells.

Clinically, prostate cancer is infamous for its histological and molecular heterogeneity, which causes great challenges to pinpoint therapy and pharmaceutical development. To overcome these difficulties, researchers are focusing on modulating tumor microenvironment and immune responses in addition to genetic alteration and epigenetic regulation. Here, we aimed to identify potential biomarkers or modulators of prostate cancer by investigating genes specifically altered in prostate cancer cells treated with established anti-cancer agents.

Ethanol Extract Attenuates Influenza A Virus Infection by Inhibiting Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase.

is a perennial plant that is used for diverse diseases. This study investigated whether has an antiviral effect against influenza A virus (IAV) infection. We used green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged influenza A virus (IAV) to examine the effect of ethanol extract (STE) on influenza viral infection.

Novel insights into regulators and functional modulators of adipogenesis.

Adipogenesis is a process that differentiates new adipocytes from precursor cells and is tightly regulated by several factors, including many transcription factors and various post-translational modifications. Recently, new roles of adipogenesis have been suggested in various diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms and functional modulation of these adipogenic genes remain poorly understood.

Biomarkers of Cellular Senescence and Aging: Current State-of-the-Art, Challenges and Future Perspectives.

Population aging has increased the global prevalence of aging-related diseases, including cancer, sarcopenia, neurological disease, arthritis, and heart disease. Understanding aging, a fundamental biological process, has led to breakthroughs in several fields. Cellular senescence, evinced by flattened cell bodies, vacuole formation, and cytoplasmic granules, ubiquitously plays crucial roles in tissue remodeling, embryogenesis, and wound repair as well as in cancer therapy and aging.

Lysophosphatidylcholines Promote Influenza Virus Reproduction through the MAPK/JNK Pathway in PMA-Differentiated THP-1 Macrophages.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome alter serum lipid profiles. They also increase vulnerability to viral infections and worsen the survival rate and symptoms after infection. How serum lipids affect influenza virus proliferation is unclear.

Miller Ethanol Extract Restores Disrupted Intestinal Barrier Function via Tight Junction Recovery and Reduces Inflammation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by the disruption of the intestinal barrier. The intestinal barrier is maintained by tight junctions (TJs), which sustain intestinal homeostasis and prevent pathogens from entering the microbiome and mucosal tissues. Miller () is a natural substance that has been used in traditional medicine as a therapy for a variety of diseases.

Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Aiton and Protective Effects against Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury and Oxidative Stress in Mice.

In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of an ethanol extract of Aiton (ESF) on an alcohol-induced liver disease mouse model. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) was caused by the administration of ethanol to male C57/BL6 mice who were given a Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet, including ethanol. The alcoholic fatty liver disease mice were orally administered ESF (100 and 200 mg/kg bw/day) or silymarin (50 mg/kg bw/day), which served as a positive control every day for 16 days.

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.

Antioxidant Efficacy of Hwangryunhaedok-tang through Nrf2 and AMPK Signaling Pathway against Neurological Disorders In Vivo and In Vitro.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a representative cause of dementia and is caused by neuronal loss, leading to the accumulation of aberrant neuritic plaques and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Oxidative stress is involved in the impaired clearance of amyloid beta (Aβ), and Aβ-induced oxidative stress causes AD by inducing the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HHT, Kracie K-09), a traditional herbal medicine prescription, has shown therapeutic effects on various diseases.