Search

The traditional apprenticeship system and modern educational models both contribute to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) education in unique ways. This study aims to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches and investigates their potential integration for optimal TCM teaching. The study employs a comprehensive literature search strategy with specific keywords through Boolean Operators, focusing on articles discussing TCM education, sourced from the databases PubMed, Scopus, and CNKI. For comparative analysis, the study analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of three distinct approaches—traditional, modern, and hybrid—in TCM education. Finally, we use a spider plot methodology to visually evaluate across 11 critical educational aspects for these approaches. A comprehensive review of 70 articles on TCM education highlights the value of both conventional and modern approaches. Conventional methods often emphasize teacher-centered clinical training that aligns well with the apprenticeship model, serving to bridge formal academic learning with hands-on experience. Modern methods incorporate elements like technology and formal accreditation but caution that the absence of traditional apprenticeship could dilute core TCM principles. One recurring theme across multiple studies is the enduring importance of apprenticeship—a pedagogical cornerstone rooted in TCM's historical and cultural context—as well as its tension with modern methodologies that incorporate online resources and scientific frameworks. An integrated approach attempts to harmonize these strengths but reveals a gap in interactivity, suggesting that incorporating apprenticeship could offer a practical, hands-on method to improve student engagement. Conventional methods in TCM education emphasize teacher-centered clinical training akin to apprenticeship, modern methods incorporate technological advances and formal accreditation; however, the absence of traditional apprenticeship could compromise core TCM principles, and an integrated model, though striving to harmonize these elements, still falls short in the area of student interactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐associative learning plays an important role in the biological and cognitive systems and is one of the important pathways for unsupervised learning in biology. The proposed non‐associative learning memristive circuit is composed of a synapse module, a memristive neuron module, and a response boosting module. The circuit can simulate the characteristics of habituation and sensitization, which attenuates the output response when receiving repeated input stimuli and augments the output response when receiving strong input stimuli, and the circuit also has a certain anti‐interference ability. Additionally, the designed circuit is suitable for adaptive replication experiments in visual systems and automatic exposure compensation systems, demonstrating the practicality of the circuit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The very thin and lightweight silkworm cocoon has outstanding mechanical properties attributed to its specific composite microstructure. However, the microstructures of the cocoons have not been studied quantitatively, and their anti-puncture performance has not been examined as well. In this study, both domesticated (Bombyx mori) and wild silkworm cocoons (Antheraea pernyi, Antheraea mylitta and Samia canningi) were investigated for their microstructures using fractal theory, and their quasi-static puncture resistance was tested and compared. In addition, the effects of cocoon layers and hot-press treatments on the puncture resistance of two cocoon types (B. mori and A. pernyi) were investigated. The three wild cocoons demonstrated significantly higher fractal dimensions, higher fiber intersectional densities and low porosities, indicating their structures are more optimized. They also displayed better puncture resistance than B. mori. Increased layer numbers could significantly increase the puncture resistance of both cocoon types and A. pernyi showed more remarkable increases. Moreover, the two cocoon types showed optimum puncture resistance after heat treatment with hot-press temperature of 135℃ and pressure of 25 MPa, and A. pernyi showed better puncture resistance after such treatment. Finally, both the maximum puncture force and puncture energy of cocoons displayed a linear increase with the increasing fractal dimensions. The new insights can guide the development of novel protective fiber composites with desirable and predictable anti-puncture performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have gained intensive interests in the recent years due to their unique optical properties and widespread applications. However, the facile synthesis of highly efficient near-infrared emitting CDs (NIR-CDs) from renewable and low-cost natural resources is still a challenge to be addressed for their further applications, particularly in the bioimaging fields. Herein, NIR-CDs with a high quantum yield of 31% in water were synthesized by heating a formamide solution of pulp-free lemon juice. The as-obtained NIR-CDs possess an average size of 5.7 nm and a nitrogen content of approximately 20%, and exhibit an excitation-independent photoluminescence (PL) emission at 704 nm. Further studies suggest that the intense near-infrared emission of NIR-CDs is originated from their surface states, and that the energy gaps of these surface states are modulated by both the particle size and the nitrogen-doping amount. In addition, characterized with good photostability and low cytotoxicity, these NIR-CDs can be used as an excellent fluorescent probe for bioimaging both in vitro and in vivo. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a conservative compact difference scheme is proposed for the two‐dimensional nonlinear Zakharov equation with periodic boundary condition and initial condition. The proposed scheme not only conserve the mass and energy in the discrete level but also are efficient in practical experiments because the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) can be used to speed up the numerical computation. By using the standard energy method and induction argument, we can establish rigorously the unconditional and optimal H2‐error estimates. Some numerical examples are provided to support our theoretical results and show the accuracy and efficiency of the new scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a compact finite difference method is developed for the periodic initial value problem of the N‐coupled nonlinear Klein–Gordon equations. The present scheme is proved to preserve the total energy in the discrete sense. Due to the difficulty in obtaining the priori estimate from the discrete energy conservation law, the cut‐off function technique is employed to prove the convergence, which shows the new scheme possesses second order accuracy in time and fourth order accuracy in space, respectively. Additionally, several numerical results are reported to confirm our theoretical analysis. Lastly, we apply the reliable method to simulate and study the collisions of solitary waves numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a compact difference scheme is investigated to solve the Zakharov-Rubenchik equations in one dimension. The new scheme is proved to conserve the total mass and energy in the discrete sense. Rigorous error estimates are established for the new method with the help of an induction argument in energy space which show that the new scheme has second-order accuracy in time and fourth-order accuracy in space. Extensive numerical results are provided to verify our theoretical analysis, and show the accuracy and efficiency of the new scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a conservative fourth-order compact difference scheme for the initial-boundary value problem of the Zakharov equations. Discrete conservation laws, convergence and stability of the new scheme are proved by energy method. Several numerical results are reported to support our theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Bufalin was reported to show strong pharmacological effects including cardiotonic, antiviral, immune-regulation, and especially antitumor effects. The objective of this study was to determine the characterization, antitumor efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of bufalin-loaded PEGylated liposomes compared with bufalin entity, which were prepared by FDA-approved pharmaceutical excipients. Bufalin-loaded PEGylated liposomes and bufalin-loaded liposomes were prepared reproducibly with homogeneous particle size by the combination of thin film evaporation method and high-pressure homogenization method. Their mean particle sizes were 127.6 and 155.0 nm, mean zeta potentials were 2.24 and − 18.5 mV, and entrapment efficiencies were 76.31 and 78.40%, respectively. In vitro release profile revealed that the release of bufalin in bufalin-loaded PEGylated liposomes was slower than that in bufalin-loaded liposomes. The cytotoxicity of blank liposomes has been found within acceptable range, whereas bufalin-loaded PEGylated liposomes showed enhanced cytotoxicity to U251 cells compared with bufalin entity. In vivo pharmacokinetics indicated that bufalin-loaded PEGylated liposomes could extend or eliminate the half-life time of bufalin in plasma in rats. The results suggested that bufalin-loaded PEGylated liposomes improved the solubility and increased the drug concentration in plasma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy exists in vascular endothelial cells, but the relationship between autophagy and blood vessel dysfunction in hypertension remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate role of autophagy in vascular endothelial dysfunction in prehypertension and hypertension and the underlying mechanisms involved. Furthermore, we sought to determine if and how tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside (TSG), a resveratrol analogue and active ingredient of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb used for its cardiovascular protective properties in traditional Chinese medicine, influences vascular endothelial function. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) aged 4 weeks (young) and 12 weeks (adult) were studied and the vascular function of isolated aorta and mesenteric artery was assessed in vitro. Compared with Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY), young and adult SHRs showed endothelial dysfunction of the aorta and mesenteric artery, along with decreased pAkt, pmTOR, and autophagic marker protein p62 and increased LC3 II/I in microvascular but not aortic tissues. TSG administration for 14 days significantly improved mesenteric vascular endothelial function, increased levels of pAkt and pmTOR, and decreased autophagy. Pretreatment of young SHRs with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin blocked the antiautophagic and vasodilative effects of TSG. Moreover, TSG significantly activated Akt-mTOR signaling in HUVECs and reduced the autophagic levels in vitro, which were almost completely blocked by rapamycin. In summary, mesenteric endothelial dysfunction in prehypertensive SHRs was at least partly attributable to excessive autophagy in vascular tissues. TSG partly restored microvascular endothelial dysfunction through activating the Akt/mTOR pathway, which consequently suppressed autophagy, indicating that TSG could be potentially applied to protect vascular function against subclinical changes in prehypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,3,5,4′-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2- O-β- d-glucoside (TSG) has been shown to protect human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC)-induced injury; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective mechanism of TSG against LPC-induced injury in HUVECs. We established a stable LPC-induced cell model by treating HUVECs with various concentrations of LPC and found 10.0 µg/mL of LPC to be optimal for inducing HUVECs injury. The effects of TSG on LPC-induced cell injury were assessed by cell counting kit-8, apoptosis assay, transmission electron microscope, and measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase, and mitochondrial membrane potential. The mRNA and protein levels of caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, PARP-1, and cytochrome C were assayed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. TSG pretreatment was able to prevent LPC-induced HUVECs injury and restore cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. LPC treated cells showed typical apoptotic morphological changes including cytoplasmic vacuolation, swollen mitochondria, and characteristic biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis including loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-3, decrease of Bcl-2, increase of PARP-1, upregulation of Bax, and release of cytochrome C, all of which were apparently inhibited by TSG pretreatment. Treatment of HUVECs with LPC led to decrease of SOD and glutathione peroxidase in addition to rapid increase of MDA and ROS levels. Pretreatment with TSG restored SOD and glutathione peroxidase levels to that of normal levels, and significantly decreased ROS and MDA levels. Our data indicate that TSG inhibits apoptosis of HUVECs mediated by LPC through blocking the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and suggest that the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of TSG are related to the activation of SOD and glutathione peroxidase, the clearance of intracellular ROS, and reduction of lipid peroxidation. © 2014 IUBMB Life, 66(10):711-722, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The JASMONATE ZIM DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins act as negative regulators in the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathways of plants, and these proteins have been reported to play key roles in plant secondary metabolism mediated by JA. In this study, we firstly isolated one JAZ from P. cablin, PatJAZ6, which was characterized and revealed based on multiple alignments and a phylogenic tree analysis. The result of subcellular localization indicated that the PatJAZ6 protein was located in the nucleus of plant protoplasts. The expression level of PatJAZ6 was significantly induced by the methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Furthermore, by means of yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified two transcription factors that interact with the PatJAZ6, the PatMYC2b1 and PatMYC2b2. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of PatJAZ6 caused a decrease in expression abundance, resulting in a significant increase in the accumulation of patchouli alcohol. Moreover, we overexpressed PatJAZ6 in P. cablin, which down-regulated the patchoulol synthase expression, and then suppressed the biosynthesis of patchouli alcohol. The results demonstrate that PatJAZ6 probably acts as a repressor in the regulation of patchouli alcohol biosynthesis, contributed to a model proposed for the potential JA signaling pathway in P. cablin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Members of trihelix family in patchouli were firstly identified and characterized. • PatGT-1 binds to the promoter of PatHMGR and represses its expression. • PatGT-1 negatively regulates patchoulol biosynthesis by repressing genes in the pathway. Trihelix (TH) transcription factors (TFs) actively function in regulating growth and development of plant. Moreover, members of this gene family regulate environment-responsive secondary metabolism. Here, members of trihelix family were explored based on the full-length transcriptome of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. (patchouli), an extensively used medicinal plant. Among them, 16 PatTHs exhibited complete opening reading frame (ORF) were successfully cloned, and were classified according to their structural properties into four subfamilies (GT-1, GT-2, SH4, and SIP1). The expression patterns of PatTHs varied in various P. cablin tissues, and most of the PatTHs were induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA). On exposure to abiotic stresses, including salt, drought, and cold condition, each PatTH responded to at least one of the stresses. In addition, the promoter of patchouli HMGR gene was bound and repressed by PatGT-1, a homologous protein of Arabidopsis transcription factor GT-1. According to subcellular localization results, PatGT-1 is a nuclear-localized protein. Once PatGT-1 was transiently overexpressed, it significantly lowered the production of patchoulol via repressing genes in patchoulol biosynthetic pathway. In this study, PatTHs and their putative functions were identified from P. cablin , and PatGT-1 was revealed as a negative regulator in patchoulol synthesis. Our findings improve the understanding of trihelix family in patchouli and contribute to the future study on this family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Hypertension in obesity has become a major threat for public health. Omentin-1, a novel adipokine, is down-regulated in obesity. Tetrahydroxystilbene glycoside (TSG) is the main ingredient extracted from Polygonum multiflorum Thunb (PMT), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb safely used for protecting cardiovascular systems over bimillennium. This study aims to examine (i) the impact of omentin-1 downregulation on obesity-related hypertension in murine models and the underlying mechanisms; (ii) whether tetrahydroxystilbene glycoside (TSG) improved endothelial dysfunction and obesity-associated hypertension via the increase of omentin-1. (TSG-treated) male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and omentin-1 knockout (OMT-/-) mice were used. In vitro , human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mature adipocytes differentiated from human visceral preadipocyte (HPA-v) were maintained in a co-culture system. TSG was the main active component of PMT reducing systolic blood pressure and improving endothelial vasodilation. Fortnight-TSG treatment (100 mg/kg/day) increased serum omentin-1 level, also activated Akt/eNOS signaling and enhanced NO bioactivity; decreased expression of NOX2 and p22phox, suppressed production of superoxide and peroxynitrite anion. OMT-/- mice showed elevated blood pressure and impaired endothelial vasorelaxation, whereas hypotensive effect of TSG was blunted. In co-culture system, TSG incubation promoted binding of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and Itln-1 promoter in adipocytes, activated Akt/eNOS/NO signaling and attenuated oxidative/nitrative stress in HUVECs. Suppression of Itln-1 with siRNA significantly blocked the protective effect of TSG in vitro. Down-regulation of omentin-1 induces endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in obesity. TSG treatment (at least partially) increases omentin-1 via promoting binding of PPAR-γ and Itln-1 promoter in adipose tissues, subsequently exerts protective effects on endothelial function via activating Akt/eNOS/NO signaling and attenuating oxidative/nitrative stress. These results suggest that TSG could be developed as a promising anti-hypertension agent that protects against endothelial dysfunction and obesity-associated cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemoresistance is a major cause of recurrence and poor prognosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. The essential oil of Rhizoma Curcumae has been recently reported to enhance the chemosensitivity of cancer cells. However, few reports have systematically illuminated the mechanism. Curcumol is the major component of the essential oil of Rhizoma Curcumae. Therefore, we wondered whether curcumol combined with chemotherapy could increase the anticancer effects. In the present study, we evaluated the anticancer effects of doxorubicin and curcumol alone or in combination by a series of growth proliferation and apoptosis assays in TNBC cells. Our results showed that curcumol enhanced the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to doxorubicin in vitro and in vivo. Through miRNA-seq, we found that miR-181b-2-3p was involved in the curcumol-mediated promotion of doxorubicin-sensitivity in both parental and doxorubicin-resistant MDA-MB-231 (MDA-MB-231/ADR) cells. Further study showed that miR-181b-2-3p suppressed ABCC3 expression by targeting its 3′UTR. More importantly, we identified that overexpression of miR-181b-2-3p sensitized MDA-MB-231/ADR cells to doxorubicin by inhibiting the drug efflux transporter ABCC3. Furthermore, we found that NFAT1 could be activated by curcumol. In addition, ChIP assay results revealed that NFAT1 could directly bind to the promoter region of miR-181b-2-3p. Finally, using PDX models, we identified that curcumol could enhance sensitivity to doxorubicin to suppress tumor growth by the miR-181b-2-3p-ABCC3 axis in vivo. Taken together, our study provides novel mechanistic evidence for curcumol-mediated sensitization to doxorubicin in TNBC, and it highlights the potential therapeutic usefulness of curcumol as an adjunct drug in TNBC patients with doxorubicin-resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both secondary metabolite types and content in Pogostemon cablin were induced by exogenous hormones. • Terpenoids biosynthesis was activated by MeJA or Ethrel, while repressed by co-induction. • Proteomics analysis was firstly reported to elucidate metabolic regulation on Pogostemon cablin. • Differentially expressed proteins involved in various physiological processes were identified. • The potential phytohormone-mediated proteomic regulation mechanism was proposed in Pogostemon cablin. Exogenous hormone application is an effective and feasible method to regulate production of economic plant and synthesis of high-value natural medical products. Jasmonate and ethylene are two crucial plant hormones regulate growth and development, secondary metabolism, and stress responses in Pogostemon cablin. However, the regulatory mechanism of these phytohormones in this important medicinal plant has not been elucidated to date. In the present study, alterations of secondary metabolites and photosynthesis of P. cablin leaves treated with exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA), ethrel (ETH), and simultaneously with both MeJA and ETH, respectively, were explored. To uncover the potential protein functional network involved in the hormone-induction mechanism, we performed a proteomic analysis of differently treated leaves using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ). In P. cablin leaves before and after three different treatments, 254, 229 and 400 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involving a wide range of physiological processes were clearly identified respectively. The quantitative data were further validated by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) and qRT-PCR. Functional enrichment analysis indicated photosynthesis-related proteins showed a significant increase expression in P. cablin leaves after MeJA treatment, while proteins involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis and thiamine metabolism were significantly down-regulated. Exogenous ETH mainly repressed the expression of proteins related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism in P. cablin leaves while markedly raised protein abundance in photosynthesis and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. Regarding P. cablin leaves treated with both MeJA and ETH, expression of proteins related to carbohydrate and energy metabolism, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, thiamine metabolism and lipid metabolism were significantly down-regulated, while that of proteins involved in photosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism were considerably up-regulated. This is the first study using iTRAQ-based proteomics approach to comprehensively elucidate exogenous hormone response of P. cablin , providing important pathways/proteins involved in secondary metabolism regulation, which will contribute to potential genetic improvement of medical constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral ischemia can cause brain infarcts, which are difficult to recover due to poor angiogenesis. 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O- β -D-glucoside is a natural polyphenol, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and can protect from ischemic neuronal injury. However, little is known about the effect of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O- β -D-glucoside on brain microcirculation after stroke. This study aimed at investigating the influence of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O- β -D-glucoside on brain lesions and angiogenesis after stroke. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to right middle cerebral artery occlusion and treated with vehicle, nimodipine, or different doses of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O- β -D-glucoside daily beginning at 6 h post-middle cerebral artery occlusion for 14 days. The volume of cerebral infarcts, degree of neurological dysfunction, and level of microvessel density were determined longitudinally. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin 1, and angiopoietin receptor-2 expression in the brain lesions were characterized by immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays at 14 days post-middle cerebral artery occlusion. We found that 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O- β -D-glucoside significantly promoted postoperative recovery in rats by minimizing the volume of cerebral infarcts and improving neurological dysfunction in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O- β -D-glucoside significantly increased the microvessel density in the brain and upregulated CD31 expression in ischemic penumbra, relative to that in the control. Finally, treatment with 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O- β -D-glucoside significantly upregulated the relative levels of vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin 1, and angiopoietin receptor-2 expression in the brain lesions of rats. Therefore, these data indicated that 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O- β -D-glucoside treatment promoted angiogenesis and recovery from ischemia/reperfusion-induced brain injury in rats., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) induces inflammation in endothelial cells (ECs) but the mechanism is not fully understood. The Notch signaling pathway is involved in chronic EC inflammation, but its functions in LPC-induced endothelial inflammatory damage and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside's (TSG) protective effect during LPC-induced inflammatory damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) is largely unknown. We report that Notch signaling activation contributed to LPC-induced injury in HUVECs, and that TSG protected HUVECs from LPC-induced injury by antagonizing Notch signaling activation by LPC. γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT), a specific inhibitor of the Notch signaling pathway, and Notch1 siRNA were used to inhibit Notch activity. HUVECs were exposed to LPC in the presence or absence of TSG, DAPT, and Notch1 siRNA. LPC treatment of HUVECs resulted in reduced cell viability, and Notch1 and Hes1 upregulation. Either silencing of Notch1 by siRNA or pharmacological inhibition of Notch signaling by DAPT prevented the loss of cell viability, and induction of apoptosis, and enhanced expression Notch1, Hes1 and MCP-1 by LPC in HUVECs. Similarly, TSG reduced LPC stimulation of Notch1, Hes1, and MCP-1 expression, prevented the release of IL-6 and CRP and rescued HUVECs from LPC-induced cell damage. Our data indicate that the Notch signaling pathway is a crucial mediator of endothelial inflammatory damage and that TSG protects against endothelial inflammatory damage by inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway. Our findings suggest that targeting Notch signaling by natural products such as TSG is a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammation associated diseases, including atherosclerosis. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 68(1):37-50, 2016., (© 2015 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.)

There are currently 34 genera and 410 species of toads in the world. The medicinal parts of toads mainly include their venom, skin, and clothing. The toad's venom and skin possess the same chemical components, mainly the toad venom lactone class, and their pharmacological effects primarily include the maintenance of strong heart, antitumor, antivirus, anti-infection, and analgesic effects. So far, the produces from the medicinal raw materials of the toad are widely used clinically around the world, especially in China, Japan, and South Korea. About 50 varieties of medicines are used in the clinical treatment of various complicated diseases in China, such as "Liushen pills" which was popular in the whole world. Toads are mainly used in treating malignant tumors (e.g., liver cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, among others), and some major diseases such as hepatitis B. Despite the therapeutic effects of toad-derived medicines on human health, there is insufficient research and development of toad-derived medicines by leading drug companies. In order to harness the beneficial effects of the resources of the toad species, it is the responsibility of global pharmaceutical researchers to develop and generate economically feasible toad-derived therapeutic products, while promoting maximum protection to the resources of the toad species.

Liposomes constitute one of the most popular nanocarriers for improving the delivery and efficacy of agents in cancer patients. The purpose of this study was to design and evaluate immunoliposome co-delivery of bufalin and anti-CD40 to induce synergetic therapeutic efficacy while eliminating systemic side effects. Bufalin liposomes (BFL) conjugated with anti-CD40 antibody (anti-CD40-BFL) showed enhanced cytotoxicity compared with bufalin alone. In a mouse B16 melanoma model, intravenous injection of anti-CD40-BFL achieved smaller tumor volume than did treatment with BFL (average: 117 mm(3) versus 270 mm(3), respectively); the enhanced therapeutic efficacy through a caspase-dependent pathway induced apoptosis, which was confirmed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-Fluorescein nick end labeling and Western blot assay. Meanwhile, anti-CD40-BFL elicited unapparent body-weight changes and a significant reduction in serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interferon-γ, and hepatic enzyme alanine transaminase, suggesting minimized systemic side effects. This may be attributed to the mechanism by which liposomes are retained within the tumor site for an extended period of time, which is supported by the following biodistribution and flow cytometric analyses. Taken together, the results demonstrated a highly promising strategy for liposomal vehicle transport of anti-CD40 plus bufalin that can be used to enhance antitumor effects via synergetic systemic immunity while blocking systemic toxicity.

Background: The current study was to evaluate the anti-thrombotic effect of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which was isolated and purified from Jiaomu in vivo., Methods: The seeds were crushed and subsequently subjected to saponification, acid hydrolysis, gradient freezing, urea inclusion and complexation of silver nitrate to obtain the unsaturated fatty acids. The chemical characteristics of isolated ALA were validated by 1HNMR, 13CNMR and mass spectrometry, and then the anti-thrombotic effect of ALA and its mixture with linoleic acid (1:1) were evaluated in the following experiments., Results: The alpha-linolenic acid was isolated and purified from Jiaomu through our newly established methods. ALA and its mixture with linoleic acid can prolong the hemorrhage and coagulation time as well as enhanced the survival rate of mice subjected to collagen-adrenaline induced thrombosis. In addition, the thrombosis on A-V bypass and platelet aggregation of rats will be reduced after treated with ALA or its mixture, and the expression level of Akt and PI3K protein decreased 26% and 31%, respectively., Conclusions: We designed and optimized a very simple and high-yield procedure to isolate ALA and linoleic acid mixture from seeds of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim and demonstrated that such mixture can obtain a good anti-thrombotic effect through the modulation of PI3K/Akt signaling.

Objective: To research and reveal Tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside (TSG) anti-thinning effect of dermas on skin of ageing mice., Methods: The dermal layer thickness was measured with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining; the levels of collagen and elastic fibers were measured with immunohistochemical staining; the levels of insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and two receptors of insulin and IGF-1 were measured with Elisa kits; the levels of Ca(2+) and P were measured with ELISA kits., Results: TSG and Polygonum multiflorum extract (PME) made thicken dermal layer thickness (P<0.01, vs. control group); promoted collagen fiber expression (P<0.01, vs. control group, 22.94% and 28.26% vs. 20.41%); reduced the levels of insulin (P<0.01, vs. control group, 2.50 ng/ml and 2.69 ng/ml vs. 3.04 ng/ml), insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1, P<0.01, vs. control group, 154.75 ng/ml and 155.60 ng/ml vs. 209.28 ng/ml), receptors of insulin (P<0.01, vs. control group, 0.423 ng/ml and 0.426 ng/ml vs. 0.648 ng/ml) and IGF-1 (P<0.01, vs. control group, 71.96 ng/ml and 81.68 ng/ml vs. 87.02 ng/ml) in aging mice skin; raised the levels of Ca(2+) and P in serum in mice (P<0.01, vs. control group, 1.24 mol/ml and 1.30 mol/ml vs. 1.08 mol/ml; P<0.01, vs. control group, 2.00 mol/ml and 2.03 mol/ml vs. 1.197 mol/ml)., Conclusion: TSG and PME showed their protections to skin aging in mice challenged with control groups. It ensured the anti-thinning effect of dermas of TSG and provided two potential factors (insulin/IGF-1 signal pathway and the level of Ca(2+)) related to skin senescence of aging mice.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent progressive neurodegenerative disease. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of PD, apoptotic cell death and oxidative stress are the most prevalent mechanisms. Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is a biological component that has been extracted from Ligusticum wallichii Franchat (ChuanXiong), which exhibits anti-apoptotic and antioxidant roles. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of TMP against dopaminergic neuron injury in a rat model of Parkinson's disease induced by MPTP and to elucidate probable molecular mechanisms. The results showed that TMP could notably prevent MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurons damage, reflected by improvement of motor deficits, enhancement of TH expression and the content of dopamine and its metabolite, DOPAC. We observed MPTP-induced activation of mitochondrial apoptotic death pathway, evidenced by up-regulation of Bax, down-regulation of Bcl-2, release of cytochrome c and cleavage of caspase 3, which was significantly inhibited by TMP. Moreover, TMP could prevent MPTP-increased TBARS level and MPTP-decreased GSH level, indicating the antioxidant role of TMP in PD model. And the antioxidant role of TMP attributes to the prevention of MPTP-induced reduction of Nrf2 and GCLc expression. In conclusion, in MPTP-induced PD model, TMP prevents the down-regulation of Nrf2 and GCLc, maintaining redox balance and inhibiting apoptosis, leading to the attenuation of dopaminergic neuron damage. The effectiveness of TMP in treating PD potentially leads to interesting therapeutic perspectives.

The purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of salvianolic acid b and paeonol on coronary disease. The ischemia myocardial animal model is induced by administering pituitrin (20 μg·kg(-1)) intravenously via the abdominal vein. A combination of salvianolic acid b and paeonol (CSAP) (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg BW) was administrated to experimental rabbits. Biochemical indices were evaluated during six weeks of intervention. We found that the compound of salvianolic acid b and paeonol (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg BW) can markedly and dose-dependently reduce fibrinogen and malonaldehyde levels, increase the HDL level, improve blood viscosity and plasma viscosity in rabbits. In addition, the medicine can still reduce the ratio of NO/ET and the contents of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in a dose-dependent manner. This study demonstrates that compound of salvianolic acid b and paeonol (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg BW) can improve the blood hemorrheology, decrease oxidative injury and repair the function of blood vessel endothelium, and subsequently prevent the development of Coronary disease.