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ObjectiveThis research aims to explore how Puerariae Lobatae Radix regulates sebaceous gland secretion using network pharmacology, and validate its effects on important targets through animal studies.MethodsThis study utilized UPLC-EQ-MS to analyze Puerariae Lobatae Radix extract and identify potential bioactive compounds. Predicted targets of these compounds were obtained from the Swiss Target Prediction database, while targets associated with sebaceous gland secretion were obtained from the GeneCards database. Common targets between the databases were identified and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established using the STRING platform. The PPI network was further analyzed using Cytoscape software. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using Reactome, and molecular docking experiments targeted pivotal pathway proteins. Animal experiments were then conducted to validate the regulatory effects of the primary active compounds of Puerariae Lobatae Radix on key pathway proteins.ResultsThis research identified 17 active compounds in Puerariae Lobatae Radix and 163 potential targets associated with the regulation of sebum secretion. Pathway enrichment analysis indicates that these targets may modulate lipid metabolism pathways through involvement in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, SREB, steroid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways. Molecular docking analysis demonstrates that puerarin and daidzein show favorable binding interactions with key targets in these pathways. Animal experiments demonstrated that the administration of Puerariae Lobatae Radix resulted in a significant reduction in the area of sebaceous gland patches compared to the control group. Histological analysis revealed notable alterations in the structure of sebaceous glands, including reductions in size, thickness, and density. Furthermore, the expression levels of TG, DHT, and IL-6 were significantly decreased in the Puerariae Lobatae Radix group (p < 0.05), and immunoblotting indicated a significant decrease in the expression of PPARG and ACC1 (p < 0.05).ConclusionThis study demonstrates that Puerariae Lobatae Radix can regulate skin lipid metabolism by targeting multiple pathways. The primary mechanism involves inhibiting sebaceous gland growth and reducing TG secretion by modulating the expression of PPARG and ACC1. Puerarin and Daidzein are identified as key bioactive compounds responsible for this regulatory effect. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Puerariae Lobatae Radix in addressing sebaceous gland-related conditions.

In this article, the disturbance observer‐based proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control protocol is investigated for synchronization of complex networks with probabilistic interval time‐varying delays and multiple disturbances. For the sake of reducing conservatism, a method of probabilistic interval time‐varying delay is proposed by introducing two certain intervals with known probability distributions. Moreover, two different disturbances are taken into account. One of the disturbances is produced by an exogenous system which acts through the input channel, while the other is usual norm‐bounded disturbance. Simultaneously, a disturbance observer is designed to estimate and compensate the disturbance generated by the exogenous system. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii function, a sufficient criterion is obtained to ensure both the exponential synchronization and prescribed H∞$$ {H}_{\infty } $$ performance index. Finally, the simulation examples are employed to demonstrate the validity of the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, an environmentally friendly and simple one‐pot synthesis method to prepare polyaniline‐silver composite materials is presented by using glucose as the reducing agent. The structure and morphology of the composites are confirmed and characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on the SEM micrographs, the polyaniline‐silver composites with typical morphology of intercalated nanoflowers are synthesized for the first time. In addition, the electrical conductivity, oxidation resistance, and antibacterial property of the composites are enhanced compared with those of polyaniline. This study is expected to provide insights and opportunities for improving the preparation methods and conditions of polyaniline‐silver composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, a new event‐based pinning synchronization control strategy for complex dynamical networks with internal delay and transmission delay is investigated. By introducing prescribed performance control schemes, the transient and steady performance of synchronization errors are guaranteed simultaneously. The main results in the article show that, not only exponential synchronization is achieved, but also the transient bounded of synchronization errors is guaranteed based on Lyapunov approach. Furthermore, an efficient event‐based mechanism is derived to avoid the infinitely fast switching of the pinning node set. We also develop a new selection‐algorithm to find certain suitable nodes to be controlled and these selected nodes will be updated online at each triggering instant. At last, the simulation examples are made to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cantharidin is a natural compound with cardiotoxicity. Cellular senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) are implicated in chemotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity. We here investigated how cantharidin induced cardiomyocyte senescence. H9c2 cells were treated with cantharidin. Senescence, mitochondrial functions, SASP, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation were examined. Cantharidin inhibited viability and increased expression of senescence-associated β--galactosidase (SA-β-Gal), p16 and p21 in H9c2 cells, suggesting occurrence of senescence. Cantharidin impaired mitochondrial functions evidenced by reduction in basal respiration, ATP levels and spare respiratory capacity. Cantharidin also decreased mitochondrial DNA copy number and down-regulated mRNA levels of cytochrome c oxidase-I, -II and -III. Moreover, cantharidin suppressed activity of mitochondria complex-I and -II. Examinations of SASP showed that cantharidin promoted expression and secretion of SASP cytokines interleukin-1β-, -6 and -8 and tumor necrosis factor-α, associated with activation of NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway. Finally, cantharidin suppressed AMPK phosphorylation. AMPK activator GSK621 abrogated the up-regulation of SA-β--Gal, p16 and p21 and counteracted the activation of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in cantharidin-challenged H9c2 cells. In conclusion, cantharidin stimulated senescence and SASP in cardiomyocytes through activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and inhibition of AMPK, providing novel molecular insights into cantharidin-induced cardiotoxicity.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the pharmacological mechanism of matrine in treatment of COVID-19 combined with liver injury. Potential targets related to matrine, COVID-19 and liver injury were identified from several databases. We constructed PPI network and screened the core targets according to the degree value. Then, GO and KEGG enrichment were carried out. Molecular docking technology was used to verify the affinity between matrine and the crystal structure of core target protein. Finally, real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the effects of matrine on hub gene expression in liver tissue of liver injury mice and lung tissue of lung injury mice to further confirm the results of network pharmacological analysis. The results show that six core targets including AKT1, TP53, TNF, IL6, BCL2L1 and ATM were identified. The potential therapeutic mechanism of matrine on COVID-19 combined with liver injury is closely related to regulate antiviral process, improve immune system and regulate the level of inflammatory factors. Molecular docking showed that matrine could spontaneously bind to the receptor protein and had strong binding force. Real-time RT-PCR demonstrated that matrine could significantly reduce the expression of AKT1, TP53, TNF, IL6 and ATM in mice with liver injury or lung injury (P < 0.05), and increase the expression of BCL2L1 to a certain extent (P > 0.05). Our results indicate that matrine can achieve simultaneous intervention of COVID-19 combined with liver injury by multi-dimensional pharmacological mechanism.