Natural products have shown great potential in the research and development of antitumor drugs. However， their clinical application is severely limited by inherent drawbacks such as poor water solubility， low stability， and low bioavailability. Cell membrane biomimetic nanoparticles， as a novel drug delivery system， have provided new strategies to overcome this bottleneck. This review systematically summarizes the preparation methods （e.g.， membrane extrusion， ultrasonic fusion， and microfluidic electroporation） and characterization techniques （e.g.， particle size， Zeta potential， and membrane surface protein detection） of cell membrane biomimetic nanoparticles， with a focus on the application of these derived from various sources in delivering antitumor natural products. Cell membrane biomimetic nanoparticles are endowed with unique biological functions， including low immunogenicity conferred by stem cell membranes， prolonged systemic circulation enabled by red blood cell membranes， and homologous targeting facilitated by tumor cell membranes. Despite these advancements， the technology still faces challenges such as difficulties in large-scale production， high costs， and limited characterization methods. Future research needs to further optimize the relevant processes to promote the clinical translation of cell membrane-biomimetic nanoparticles， thereby offering an efficient and safe novel delivery approach for antitumor therapy using natural products.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danhe granules in treating mixed hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology， as well as animal and cell experiments. MethodsThe active compounds and targets of Danhe granules were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）. Related targets for mixed hyperlipidemia were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. A high-fat model was established in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells （HepG2） induced by palmitic acid （PA）， followed by intervention with Danhe granules to assess intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels. A mixed hyperlipidemia rat model was also established and divided into low-， medium-， and high-dose Danhe granules groups （1.134， 2.268， and 4.536 g·kg^-1， respectively）， as well as a positive control group treated with pravastatin sodium （4.020 mg·kg^-1）. After eight weeks of intervention， serum lipid levels， inflammatory factors， oxidative stress indices， and the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 93 intersecting targets between Danhe granules and mixed hyperlipidemia， with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha （PPARA）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1B among the key nodes. The PPAR signaling pathway， AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， lipid metabolism， atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） were among the most significantly enriched pathways. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Danhe granules significantly reduced reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels while increasing catalase （CAT） activity （P<0.05）， thereby alleviating intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride （TG） content in HepG2. In animal experiments， Danhe granules markedly decreased serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels （P<0.05）， reduced hepatic MDA levels， and elevated superoxide dismutase （SOD） and CAT levels. Histological analysis showed alleviation of hepatic steatosis， upregulation of hepatic PPARA and lipoprotein lipase （LPL） expressions， and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1） expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhe granules improve lipid metabolism disorders in mixed hyperlipidemia by reducing MDA levels， enhancing SOD and CAT activities， scavenging excessive ROS， inhibiting oxidative stress， and mitigating liver injury. The underlying mechanism may involve the upregulation of PPARA and LPL and the suppression of SREBP1 expression.

Kui was first recorded in The Rites of Zhou and is the earliest domesticated wild vegetable in China. In the Qi Min Yao Shu, Kui was called “the master of all vegetables” and has a long history of application in China. As a medicine, Kuizi was first recorded in Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, which has a history of more than 2 000 years of medicinal use and a long history of clinical application. By researching the ancient and modern herbal literature, the first herbs texts of Kui were examined, various recorded texts, confused products and the history of the original medicinal use were clarified. It was concluded that the ancient herbal texts recorded the base plant of Kui as Malva verticillata L. belonging to family Malvaceae, which provided scientific basis for the development and utilization of Kui.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danhe granules in treating mixed hyperlipidemia based on network pharmacology， as well as animal and cell experiments. MethodsThe active compounds and targets of Danhe granules were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine （ETCM）. Related targets for mixed hyperlipidemia were obtained from the GeneCards database. The intersecting targets were subjected to Gene Ontology （GO） functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analyses. A high-fat model was established in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells （HepG2） induced by palmitic acid （PA）， followed by intervention with Danhe granules to assess intracellular lipid accumulation and oxidative stress levels. A mixed hyperlipidemia rat model was also established and divided into low-， medium-， and high-dose Danhe granules groups （1.134， 2.268， and 4.536 g·kg^-1， respectively）， as well as a positive control group treated with pravastatin sodium （4.020 mg·kg^-1）. After eight weeks of intervention， serum lipid levels， inflammatory factors， oxidative stress indices， and the expression of key hepatic lipid metabolism-related proteins were determined. ResultsNetwork pharmacology identified 93 intersecting targets between Danhe granules and mixed hyperlipidemia， with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma （PPARG）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha （PPARA）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and IL-1B among the key nodes. The PPAR signaling pathway， AGE/RAGE signaling pathway， lipid metabolism， atherosclerosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） were among the most significantly enriched pathways. Cellular experiments demonstrated that Danhe granules significantly reduced reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） levels while increasing catalase （CAT） activity （P<0.05）， thereby alleviating intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride （TG） content in HepG2. In animal experiments， Danhe granules markedly decreased serum total cholesterol （TC）， TG， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels （P<0.05）， reduced hepatic MDA levels， and elevated superoxide dismutase （SOD） and CAT levels. Histological analysis showed alleviation of hepatic steatosis， upregulation of hepatic PPARA and lipoprotein lipase （LPL） expressions， and downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1） expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDanhe granules improve lipid metabolism disorders in mixed hyperlipidemia by reducing MDA levels， enhancing SOD and CAT activities， scavenging excessive ROS， inhibiting oxidative stress， and mitigating liver injury. The underlying mechanism may involve the upregulation of PPARA and LPL and the suppression of SREBP1 expression.

Objective To analyze the differences of free and esterified oxo-eicosatetraenoic acids (oxo-ETEs) in blood cells and plasma from arterial and venous blood in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods Arterial and venous blood samples from 12 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) before and after HD treatment at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, from June to December 2020 were collected. The esterified and free oxo-ETEs derived from arachidonic acid in blood cells and plasma were measured by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Results Neither esterified nor free oxo-ETEs in blood cells displayed significant arteriovenous differences before and after HD. HD predominantly affected the metabolic levels of esterified and free oxo-ETEs in plasma. HD reduced the arteriovenous differences of esterified 12-oxo-ETE, free 15-oxo-ETE, and free 5-oxo-ETE in plasma, while raised the arteriovenous differences of esterified 15-oxo-ETE. Conclusions The oxo-ETEs in blood cells are relatively well-stabilized responding to HD treatment, whereas arteriovenous differences of free and esterified oxo-ETEs in plasma are present and active in response to HD treatment, potentially contributing to the cardiovascular disease.

ObjectiveMagnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity. Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID), MEG based on optically pump magnetometer (OPM) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution and lower cost. However, most of the current studies are clinical studies, and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology. Pain, a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon, induces intricate alterations in brain activity, exhibiting notable sex differences. Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG, specific properties remain elusive, and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain (induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)) on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique, to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception, and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling. MethodsThis study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA (100 μl, 50% in saline) in the left hind paw, with control groups receiving saline. Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection. For MEG recording, anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield, undergoing two 15-minute sessions: a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase. Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms, generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range. ResultsMEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared, before and after saline/CFA injections. Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre- and post-saline/CFA injections. Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states. Remarkably, female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states. Furthermore, despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment, female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection. ConclusionThese results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts. Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection, highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state. Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals. In addition, the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.

Objective To investigate the species of ticks in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, so as to provide insights into management of ticks and tick-borne diseases. Methods During the period between May 2023 and June 2024, livestock breeding farms and vegetation neighboring the place of residence of confirmed and suspected patients with tick-borne disease were selected as sampling points in rural areas from Yindian Township, Gaocheng Township, Wanhe Township, Wushan Township, Xiaolin Township, Xihe Township, Hedian Township and Beijiao Street in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, where confirmed and suspected cases with tick-borne diseases had been reported. The parasitic ticks on the body surface of free-range livestock were captured with tweezers in livestock breeding farms, and free ticks on the vegetation surface were captured with the flagging method. Morphological identification of tick samples was performed under a microscope, and the gender and developmental stage of ticks were determined. One engorged adult tick, 2 to 3 blood-feeding but non-engorged adult ticks, 10 to 15 unfed female ticks, 15 to 20 unfed male ticks, and 30 to 40 tick nymphs or larvae were assigned into a group, respectively. Genomic DNA was extracted from tick samples in each group, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was amplified. Sequence analysis was performed with the DNASTAR software, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the software MEGA 7.0. In addition, the phylogenetic tree was generated using the maximum likelihood method based on the Kimura 2 parameter model. Results A total of 2 438 ticks were captured from Suizhou City, Hubei Province during the period between May 2023 and June 2024, including 595 free ticks and 1 483 parasitic ticks. Three developmental stages of ticks were captured, including larvae, nymphs, and adults, and 75.18% (1 899/2 438) of captured ticks were adult, in which 79.04% (1 501/1 899) were female. Morphological and molecular biological assays identified one family, three genera and four species of captured ticks, including 2 425 Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks (99.47%) and one H. flava tick (0.04%) of the genus Haemaphysalis, 11 Rhipicephalus microplus ticks (0.45%) of the genus Rhipicephalus, and one Ixodes sinensis tick (0.04%) of the genus Ixodes in the family Ixodidae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the H. longicornis sequence (SZ49) in this study was clustered with sequences from Yunnan Province (GenBank accession number: MH024510.1), Hebei Province (GenBank accession number: MK450606.1) and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MZ230645.1) into a clade, and the H. flava sequence (SZ19) in this study was clustered with sequences from Japan (GenBank accession number: MW064044.1), South Korea (GenBank accession number: ON629585.1), and Jiangsu Province (GenBank accession number: PP494741.1) and Hebei Province of China (GenBank accession number: MH520685.1) into a clade, while the R. microplus sequence (SZ8) in this study was clustered with the sequences from India (GenBank accession number: MK621328.1), and Henan Province (GenBank accession number: MT555307.1) and Guizhou Province of China (GenBank accession number: PP446801.1) into a clade. The sequence of I. sinensis (SZ23) in this study had 99.51% homology with that (GenBank accession number: OM368265.1) of ticks sampled from Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Conclusion There are four tick species of H. longicornis, H. flava, R. microplus and I. sinensis in Suizhou City, Hubei Province, and H. longicornis is the dominant species. H. flava is firstly recorded in Suizhou City.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Formula (ZGJTJYF) on histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation (H3K18la) in the hippocampus of rats with diabetes mellitus complicated with depression (DD) and predict the regulatory genes of H3K18la. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, model, and positive drug (metformin [0.18 g/kg] and fluoxetine [1.8 mg/kg]) groups, and the three groups were treated with high, medium, and low ZGJTJYF doses (20.52, 10.26, and 5.13 g/kg, respectively), with 10 rats per group. After treatment, the forced swimming and water maze tests were performed to assess depressive-like behaviors and cognitive function. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure blood insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, lactate levels, and lactate content in the hippocampus. Western blotting was used to detect H3K18la expression in the hippocampus. Cleavage Under Targets and lagmentation(CUT&Tag) experiments targeted hippocampal H3K18la epigenetic modification regions to analyze the transcription factors bound by H3K18la. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Protein-Protein Interaction networks were constructed to identify key pathways and target genes regulated by H3K18la. Results: Compared with the normal group, the model group rats showed prolonged immobility time in the forced swim test, increased escape latency in the water maze experiment, decreased target quadrant distance ratio (P<0.01), increased serum lactate content, and decreased lactate content in hippocampal homogenate (P<0.01), as well as decreased H3K18la protein expression in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ZGJTJYF reduced the immobility time in the forced swim test and the escape latency in the water maze test (P<0.01), while the distance ratio in the target quadrant increased (P<0.01) in model rats. Lowered fasting blood glucose, insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels (P<0.05, P<0.01) were also observed. ZGJTJYF also increased the lactate content and H3K18la protein expression in hippocampal homogenate (P<0.05, P<0.01). The DNA sequences bound by H3K18la were predominantly enriched at the transcription start sites. ZGJTJYF modulated H3K18la-associated pathways, including cell adhesion junctions, tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling, stem cell pluripotency regulation, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway, and insulin resistance, leading to the identification of 12 target genes. Conclusion ZGJTJYF enhances hippocampal lactate levels and H3K18la modification in DD rats, which may regulate neural cell interactions, neurogenic stem cell function, TGF-β signaling, MAPK signaling, and insulin resistance pathways.

Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats