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Background: Polysaccharides have various biological activities; the complexation of polysaccharides with trace element ions can produce synergistic effects, improving the original biological activities of sugars and trace elements. Methods: The preparation process of chitosan oligosaccharide selenium (COSSe) was optimized by the response surface method, followed by a detailed analysis of the resultant compound's characteristics. The anti-cancer activity of COSSe was studied using the human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 as a cell model. Results: The prepared COSSe response surface was well predicted, indicating successful chitosan oligosaccharide binding with selenium. Response surface method analyses identified the optimal synthesis conditions for COSSe: the reaction time of 5.08 h, the reaction temperature of 71.8 °C, and mass ratio (Na2SeO3: chitosan oligosaccharide) of 1.02. Under the optimal conditions, the final product, the selenium content, reached 1.302%. The results of cell experiments showed that COSSe significantly inhibited SKOV3 proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. RNA-seq results showed that chitosan oligosaccharide and COSSe significantly modulated the expression of genes' DNA metabolic processes and cell cycle in SKOV3 cells. Gene enrichment analysis showed the inhibition of the cell cycle, and the results of flow cytometry showed that SKOV3 cells increased in the S phase and decreased in the G2/M phase, with a noted suppression in the protein expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and cyclin A1 (CCNA1). Conclusion: COSSe has a stronger effect than chitosan oligosaccharide, leading to the arrest of the cell cycle in the S phase. Thus, COSSe may be an effective candidate for the treatment of ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The male reproductive system consists of the testes, epididymis, accessorygonads, and genital ducts. The physiological integrity of the testicles is essential forsuccessful sperm production, but the testes are susceptible to a variety of exogenous andendogenous toxins, which can lead to structural damage to tissues and spermabnormalities. Spermatogenesis is always in a homeostatic process and is sensitive to changes intheexternal environment. Huperzia serrata flavonoids (HSF) have a variety of pharmacological effects, including the treatment of bruises, strains, etc. HSF can improve the reproductivefunction of male mice, so the purpose of this experiment is to explore whether huperzineflavonoids are involved in and regulate the male reproductive process. Methods: Ourexperimental animals were ICR mice, and samples were collected after 28 days of HSFtreatment, and verified by a series of experimental methods such as immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, HE staining, protein hybridization, and screening of relatedgenes. Results: RNA sequencing results showed that HSF up-regulated genes related to spermdevelopment and differentiation in testes and promoted spermatogenesis. HSF is effectiveinpromoting steroid hormone synthesis by modulating STAR, CYP11A1, and CYP17A1. Conclusion: Thus, HSF can regulate testicular gene expression, stabilize the gut microbiome, alter serum metabolites, and regulate steroid homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lotus root polysaccharide is a natural antioxidant. As a new anticancer drug, it has anti-proliferation and pro-apoptotic effects in a variety of tumour cells, but its effect on ovarian cancer is not clear. In study, we attempted to elucidate the role and mechanism of lotus root polysaccharide in SKOV3 cells. Methods: In this study, the effect of lotus root polysaccharide on mRNA of SKVO3 cells was analyzed by RNA-seq, and verified by Western blot, flow cytometry, fluorescence detection and other techniques. Results: The results showed that lotus root polysaccharide could inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Then, a change in gene expression was found by RNA-seq. In the mRNA (differentially expressed mRNA) with these differences, significant changes in the cell cycle were found by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis. Subsequently, the proportion of cells in S phase decreases and G2/M phase increases, as seen with propidium iodide staining. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis showed inhibition of the cell cycle, and the gene and protein expression of CDK1, CCNA1 and CCNB1 were inhibited. Conclusion: Our results show that lotus root polysaccharide can inhibit the growth of SKOV3 cells in vitro by blocking the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, which reveals the potential of lotus root polysaccharide in the treatment of ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]