Elucidating the active components of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is essential for understanding the mechanisms of TCM and promote its rational use as well as TCM-derived drug development.Recent studies have shown that surface plasmon resonance(SPR)technology is promising in this field.In the present study,we propose an SPR-based integrated strategy to screen and analyze the major active components of TCM.We used Radix Paeoniae Alba(RPA)as an example to identify the compounds that can account for its anti-inflammatory mechanism via tumor necrosis factor receptor type 1(TNF-R1).First,RPA extraction was analyzed using an SPR-based screening system,and the potential active in-gredients were collected,enriched,and identified as paeoniflorin and paeonol.Next,the affinity con-stants of paeoniflorin and paeonol were determined as 4.9 and 11.8 μM,respectively.Then,SPR-based competition assays and molecular docking were performed to show that the two compounds could compete with tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)while binding to the subdomain 1 site of TNF-R1.Finally,in biological assays,the two compounds suppressed cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by TNF-α in the L929 cell line.These findings prove that SPR technology is a useful tool for determining the active in-gredients of TCM at the molecular level and can be used in various aspects of drug development.The SPR-based integrated strategy is reliable and feasible in TCM studies and will shed light on the eluci-dation of the pharmacological mechanism of TCM and facilitate its modernization.

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies have found that poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum prepared by electrospinning has good cytocompatibility,but its biocompatibility is unknown. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the biocompatibility of poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum doped with Zn2+and Mg2+. METHODS:Poly(vinylidene fluoride),poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum doped with 1％Zn2+,doped with 1％Mg2+,and doped with 1％(Zn2++Mg2+)were prepared by electrospinning to make bionic periosteum extract.SD rats were selected as the experimental subjects for hemolysis test,short-term systemic toxicity test,and heat source test.Guinea pigs were selected as the experimental subjects for skin sensitization test.The biocompatibility of bionic periosteum of four groups was tested. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The hemolysis test results showed that the hemolysis rates of 1％Zn2+poly(vinylidene fluoride),1％Mg2+poly(vinylidene fluoride),1％Zn2++1％Mg2+poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum and poly(vinylidene fluoride)extract were(0.130±0.013)％,(0.149±0.020)％,(0.466±0.018)％,and(0.037±0.018)％,respectively,which met the hemocompatibility standard of biomaterials.(2)The results of short-term systemic toxicity test showed that the four groups of bionic periosteal extract had no toxic signs such as body mass reduction,food intake changes,and dyspnea in SD rats,and had no toxic effects on major organs of rats.(3)Heat source test results showed that after intervention with poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum doped with 1％Zn2+,doped with 1％Mg2+,and doped with 1％(Zn2++Mg2+),and poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum extract,the elevated body temperature values of SD rats were(0.133±0.058),(0.100±0.010),(0.300±0.010),and(0.300±0.017)℃respectively.All were less than 0.6 ℃and the total temperature increase was less than 1.4 ℃.(4)The results of skin sensitization test showed that no erythema or edema was observed under the skin of guinea pigs after the intervention of bionic periosteum extract of four groups.(5)The results showed that poly(vinylidene fluoride)and poly(vinylidene fluoride)bionic periosteum doped with Zn2+and Mg2+had good biocompatibility.

Objective:To explore the potential molecular mechanism of Erigeron breviscapus in the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke through network pharmaco-molecular docking.Methods:The Chinese Herbal Medicine Systematic Pharmacology Platform(TCMSP)database provided active ingredients and potential targets of Erigeron breviscapus.Ischemic stroke-related targets were searched through the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)database,the bioinformatics and chemoinformatics(DrugBank)database and human gene comprehensive database(GeneCards).The targets criteria were de-weighted by the Protein Data Bank(Uniprot)and imported into the Venny online platform to obtain the intersecting targets of both.The intersecting targets were visualized by STRING database and Cytoscape 3.7.1 software for protein-protein interaction(PPI),followed by the enrichment analysis of intersection targets for gene ontology(GO)function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway.AutoDock Vina1.5.6 software was used to verify the molecular docking of key active ingredients and core targets and realize the vi-sualization of docking results.Results:Eleven active ingredients and 176 targets were obtained.There were 690 targets ischemic stroke-related targets and 69 intersection targets.Through PPI network,10 core genes were screened according to the degree value,including tumor necrosis factor(TNF),interleukin-6(IL-6),serine/threonine protein kinase 1(AKT1),interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA).KEGG enrichment included the advanced glycation end products-receptor(AGE-RAGE)signaling pathway,interleukin-17(IL-17)signaling pathway,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)signaling pathway,etc.The top 3 active ingredients and the top 5 target proteins were selected according to the degree value,and the molecular docking results demonstrated a considerable binding ability.Conclusion:Erigeron breviscapus in the treatment of ischemic stroke may work through multiple active ingredients,such as quercetin,kakaferol,and luteolin,which act on TNF,IL-6,AKT1,IL-1β,and VEGFA,and through a varie-ty of signaling pathways such as IL-17,TNF,etc.showing the characteristics of multi-components,multi-targets,and multi-pathways.

Objective:To investigate the effect of panax notoginseng saponins(PNS)on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced activated BV2 microglia through p38 mitogen-activa-ted protein kinase(p38 MAPK)pathway.Methods:BV2 microglia were divided into control group,LPS activated group and LPS+panax notoginseng saponins intervention group(LPS+PNS).The CCK-8 method was used to detect the viability of BV2 microglia and determine the optimal drug intervention concentration.Western Blot and immunofluo-rescence were used to detect the expression of p38 MAPK and TNF-α and the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK(p-p38 MAPK)in BV2 microglia.Results:Compared with the blank control group,there was no significant difference in the cell viability of BV2 microglia,and finally 100 mg/L was selected as the drug intervention concentration.Western Blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that after LPS activation,the expression of TNF-α and the phosphoryla-tion level of p38 MAPK in BV2 microglia were significantly increased(P＜0.05).After PNS intervention,compared with LPS-activated group,the expression of TNF-α and the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).After treatment with p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor(SB203580),there was no significant differ-ence in the expression levels of p-p38 MAPK and TNF-α in PNS combined with SB203580 group(LPS+PNS+I)com-pared with LPS+PNS group(P＞0.05).In addition,the changes of p38 MAPK in each group were not statistically sig-nificant(P＞0.05).Conclusion:PNS may inhibit the expression of inflammatory factor TNF-α secreted by activated BV2 microglia through p38 MAPK pathway.

Objective:To explore the impact of scutellarin on the levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(P13K)and phosphorylated P13K(p-PI3K)in activated microglia.Methods:A rat cerebral ischemia model was made by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)method.SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group(Sham),cerebral ischemia group(MCAO),and cerebral ischemia with scutellarin group(MCAO+S).A model of ischemia-hypoxia injury of BV2 microglia was established by glucose-oxygen deprivation(OGD)and randomly assigned as control group(Control),OGD group and OGD+scutellarin group(OGD+S).Changes in PI3K and p-PI3K expres-sion in microglia were assessed using double immunofluorescence staining and Western Blot.Results:Immunofluores-cence staining and Western Blot analyses revealed a significant increase in p-PI3K levels in activated microglia both in vivo and in vitro(P＜0.05).Furthermore,treatment with scutellarin led to a further elevation in p-PI3K(P＜0.05).However,there were no significant alterations observed in PI3 K expression among the groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Scutellarin may play a positive role in the treatment of cerebral ischemia by up-regulating the phosphorylation level of P13K in activated microglia.

BACKGROUND:Due to the unstable drug release rate of uniaxial bone scaffolds,multi-structure composite printing methods have been sought in and outside China in recent years.Currently,coaxial drug-loaded bone scaffolds,which combine drug-loaded sustained release system with bone transplantation and repair technology,not only replace the defective bone after implantation,but also release drugs slowly,providing a microenvironment conducive to bone formation at the implant site. OBJECTIVE:To explore and assess the in vitro antibacterial properties of uniaxial and coaxial minocycline hydrochloride bone scaffolds. METHODS:Rapid prototyping technology was used to prepare uniaxial hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold,uniaxial hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold,coaxial hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold,and coaxial hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffold,respectively,which were named S1,S2,T1 and T2.The morphology,porosity,degradation performance,in vitro sustained-release performance and cytotoxicity of scaffolds were characterized.Four kinds of bone scaffolds were immersed in PBS to prepare the extracts at different time points(1,3,5,7,14,21,and 28 days).The qualitative filter paper was placed into the extract for 24 hours.The filter paper was co-cultured with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum for 72 hours.The bacteriostatic effect of four groups of scaffolds was detected by the agar diffusion method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scaffold characterization:Four groups of scaffolds were well formed.The surface of micro-wires in the S1 and S2 groups was dense and smooth,and the surface of micro-wires in the T1 and T2 groups was rough.Porosity was between 40%-47%and met the requirements of bone scaffolds.Compared with the S2 group,sustained release time was longer in the T2 group.The sustained release concentration of the drug was between 1-10 μg/mL for a long time,which was more conducive to bacteriostasis and osteogenesis.After 10 weeks of immersion in PBS in vitro,the degradation rate of the coaxial printed bone scaffold was faster than that of the corresponding uniaxial printed bone scaffold,and the degradation rate of the coaxial loaded bone scaffold was lower than that of the coaxial non-loaded bone scaffold.The four groups of scaffold extracts were co-cultured with osteoblasts respectively.CCK-8 assay displayed that the cell proliferation rate was greater than 75%,which met the requirements of biocompatibility.(2)In vitro antibacterial effect:S1 and T1 did not have antibacterial activity.S2 and T2 had an obvious antibacterial effect.Under the extraction solution on day 28,the diameter of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum inhibition zone in the S2 group was smaller than that in the T2 group(P<0.05).(3)These findings exhibit that hydroxyapatite/silk fibroin-polyvinyl alcohol scaffolds with coaxial minocycline have good physical properties and bacteriostatic properties.

BACKGROUND:Polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF)with piezoelectric properties,good biocompatibility and nontoxicity make it a suitable candidate for periosteal repair. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the cytotoxicity of PVDF bionic periosteum by electrospinning with zinc and magnesium ions in vitro. METHODS:Pure PVDF,zinc-doped PVDF,magnesium-doped PVDF and Zinc-magnesium ion PVDF piezoelectric bionic periosteum were prepared by electrospinning technology,respectively.They were named PVDF,PVDF-Zn,PVDF-Mg and PVDF-Zn-Mg,in which the mass fraction of zinc and magnesium ions were all 1%.Osteoblasts and vascular endothelial cells were co-cultured with four groups of bionic periosteum.Cell compatibility of bionic periosteum was determined by alkaline phosphatase staining,CD31 immunofluorescence staining,and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Osteoblasts:Alkaline phosphatase staining after 7 days of culture showed that the PVDF-Zn group secreted more alkaline phosphatase than the other three groups.Under a scanning electron microscopy,after 1 day of culture,the cells had a certain spread on the surface of PVDF-Mg and PVDF-Zn-Mg bionic periosteum,and the pseudopod extended to all sides.On day 3,the cell edge of each group extended pseudopods to the material.By days 5 and 7,the cells were fully spread,well grown and firmly covered the surface of the fibers,and the cellular pseudopods extended around and into the interstitial space of the fibers.CCK-8 assay showed that the cell proliferation on the bionic periosteum of each group showed an increasing trend over time and the relative proliferation rate of cells at 1,3,5,and 7 days was≥75%,and the cytotoxicity was≤grade 1.(2)Vascular endothelial cells:CD31 immunofluorescence staining for 3 days showed that the cells adhered and spread well on the bionic periosteum of each group and connected with each other,and the number of cells in the PVDF-Zn-Mg group was more than that in the other three groups.Under scanning electron microscope,the cells began to adhere to the surface of each group of fibers after 1 and 3 days of culture.On day 5,the cells were well spread on the surface of the fibers and extended obvious pseudopods.On day 7,the cells on the PVDF-Mg and PVDF-Zn-Mg bionic periosteum grew in multiple layers and extended the pseudopod into the fibrous void.CCK-8 assay showed that the cell proliferation on the bionic periosteum of each group showed a downward trend over time,and the relative proliferation rate of cells at 1,3,5 and 7 days was≥125%,and the cytotoxicity was grade 0.(3)The results showed that Zn-Mg electrospun PVDF piezoelectric bionic periosteum had good cytocompatibility.