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The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapy effects of a novel biological scaffold containing heparin, collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in treating traumatic brain injury (TBI). In our research, a functional composite scaffold constituted by collagen, heparin and vascular endothelial growth factor was used to stimulate angiogenesis and improve nerve-tissue regeneration in a rat model of TBI. The composite scaffold possessed excellent mechanical properties and good porosity, and could effectively control the release rate of VEGF. Motor and cognitive functions such as motor evoked potential, Morris water maze test and modified neurological severity score were evidently improved after the scaffold was grafted onto the injury site in the rat TBI model. There was clearly improved restoration of damaged nerve tissue at the injured site. Furthermore, brain edema and inflammatory reactions were significantly alleviated. Newly formed neurons with associated synaptic structures, nerve fibers, myelin sheaths and functional angiogenesis with intact endothelium at the injury site were observed. In conclusion, our data revealed that the collagen/heparin scaffold combined with VEGF could create excellent microenvironment stimuli for damaged nerve-tissue regeneration, providing a potential strategy for treating TBI.

Rationale: The combination of medical and tissue engineering in neural regeneration studies is a promising field. Collagen, silk fibroin and seed cells are suitable options and have been widely used in the repair of spinal cord injury. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the implantation of a complex fabricated with collagen/silk fibroin (SF) and the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) can promote cerebral cortex repair and motor functional recovery in a canine model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: A porous scaffold was fabricated with cross-linked collagen and SF. Its physical properties and degeneration rate were measured. The scaffolds were co-cultured with hUCMSCs after which an implantable complex was formed. After complex implantation to a canine model of TBI, the motor evoked potential (MEP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to evaluate the integrity of the cerebral cortex. The neurologic score, motion capture, surface electromyography (sEMG), and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) were measured in the analysis of motor functions. In vitro analysis of inflammation levels was performed by Elisa while immunohistochemistry was used in track the fate of hUCMSCs. In situ hybridization, transmission electron microscope, and immunofluorescence were used to assess neural and vascular regeneration. Results: Favorable physical properties, suitable degradation rate, and biocompatibility were observed in the collagen/SF scaffolds. The group with complex implantation exhibited the best cerebral cortex integrity and motor functions. The implantation also led to the regeneration of more blood vessels and nerve fibers, less glial fibers, and inflammatory factors. Conclusion: Implantation of this complex enhanced therapy in traumatic brain injury (TBI) through structural repair and functional recovery. These effects exhibit the translational prospects for the clinical application of this complex.

A new cascade approach has been developed for the one-pot four-step divergent synthesis of polysubstituted benzofurans and 2H-chromenes, featuring a novel cascade aromatic Claisen rearrangement/Mei...

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains the most common cause of paralysis, and there are no effective therapies for SCI patients. Neural stem cell (NSC)-derived exosomes can attenuate apoptosis and neuroinflammation after traumatic spinal cord injury, but the mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Here, we examined the efficacy of miRNAs isolated from exosomes as treatments for SCI and characterized their mechanisms of action. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of exosomes formed in the presence of insulin growth factor-1 (IFG-1, IGF-Exo), which promotes neural proliferation and regeneration, as well as normal exosomes (Nor-Exo) and compared control and H2O2-treated groups both in vitro and in vivo. Using microRNA sequencing and qRT-PCR, we identified miR-219a-2-3p, levels of which were higher in the IGF-Exo than Nor-Exo group and played crucial anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis roles. Additional experiments revealed that IGF-Exo inhibits YY1 expression through up-regulation of miR-219a-2-3p. This in turn inhibits the NF-κB pathway, partly inhibiting neuroinflammation and promoting the neuroprotective effects after SCI.

A new cascade approach has been developed for the one-pot four-step divergent synthesis of polysubstituted benzofurans and 2

A new flavonoid, 5, 4′-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-6-[(2- O-β-D-glucopyranoside)ethyl]-flavanone (1), along with 7 known compounds (2-8), was separated from the leaves of Ormosia xylocarpa and identified by a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1-8 were subjected to the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging experiment. Among them, compounds 1-4 showed potential antioxidant activities with IC50 values of 1.23, 0.83, 0.36, and 0. 021 mmol/L, respectively.

BACKGROUND Transplantation of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs-Exo) can improve the recovery of neurological function in rats after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We tested a new hypothesis that BDNF-mediated MSCs-Exo could effectively promote functional recovery and neurogenesis of rats after TBI. MATERIAL AND METHOD BMSCs of rats were extracted by whole bone marrow culture, BDNF was added to BMSCs for intervention, supernatant was collected, and exosomes were separated and purified by hypercentrifugation. Exosomes were identified by WB, TEM and particle size analysis and subsequently used in cell and animal experiments. We investigated the recovery of sensorimotor function and spatial learning ability, inflammation inhibition and neuron regeneration in rats after TBI. RESULTS Compared with group MSCs-Exo, group BDNF-mediated MSCs-Exo showed better effects in promoting the recovery of sensorimotor function and spatial learning ability. BDNF-mediated MSCs-Exo successfully inhibited inflammation and promoted neuronal regeneration in vivo and in vitro. We further analyzed miRNA in BDNF-mediated MSCs-Exo and MSCs-Exo, and found that the expression of miR-216a-5p in BDNF-mediated MSCs-Exo was significantly higher than that in MSCs-Exo by qRT-PCR. Rescue experiment indicated that miR-216a-5p has a similar function to BDNF-mediated MSCs-Exo. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we found that BDNF-mediated MSCs-Exo can better promote neurogenesis and inhibit apoptosis than MSCs-Exo in rats after TBI, and the mechanism may be related to the high expression of miR-216a-5p.

Two new alkaloids, named hositisines A (

Pleione (Orchidaceae) is not only famous for the ornamental value in Europe because of its special color, but also endemic in Southern Asia for its use in traditional medicine. A great deal of research about its secondary metabolites and biological activities has been done on only three of 30 species of Pleione. Up to now, 183 chemical compounds, such as phenanthrenes, bibenzyls, glucosyloxybenzyl succinate derivatives, flavonoids, lignans, terpenoids, etc., have been obtained from Pleione. These compounds have been demonstrated to play a significant role in anti-tumor, anti-neurodegenerative and anti-inflammatory biological activities and improve immunity. In order to further develop the drugs and utilize the plants, the chemical structural analysis and biological activities of Pleione are summarized in this review.

Supplemental material, Supplemental data, for Chemical Constituents and Their Activities From the Seeds of Ormosia hosiei by Huiyou Xu, Yatie Qiu, Jingxin Chen, Yan Shi, Xiaoqin Zhang, Qiang Song, Mingqing Huang, Zujian Wu, and Lin Ni in Natural Product Communications

Two new alkaloids, named hositisines A (1) and B (2), with two known alkaloids (3 and 4) were isolated from the stems of Ormosia hosiei Hemsl. et Wils. Their structures were confirmed by UV, HRESIMS, NMR spectra. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by quantum ECD calculation and ECD, respectively. Compounds 1–3 could significantly reduce the LDH release at the concentration 50 μM, which showed they could strongly protect the PC12 cells exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury.

Phytochemical studies led to the isolation of a new phenylpropanoid glucoside, named purpuroside (

Phytochemical studies led to the isolation of a new phenylpropanoid glucoside, named purpuroside (1), along with eight known compounds (2–9) from the bark of Bauhinia purpurea. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of its spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration of compound 2 was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 inhibited NO production in mouse peritoneal macrophages with IC50 values from 35.5 to 63.0 μM.