OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic potential of octaarginine (R8)-modified essential oil from Fructus Alpiniae zerumbet (EOFAZ) lipid microspheres (EOFAZ@^R8LM) for cardiovascular therapy. METHODS: EOFAZ@^R8LM was developed by leveraging the volatilization of EOFAZ and integrating it with the oil phase of LM, followed by surface modification with cell-penetrating peptide R8 to target the site of vascular endothelial injury. The therapeutic effects of this formulation in alleviating lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular endothelial inflammation were evaluated by assessing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels. RESULTS: EOFAZ@^R8LM effectively delivered EOFAZ to the site of injury and specifically targeted the mitochondria in vascular endothelial cells, thereby ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction through regulation of MMP and reduction of intracellular ROS levels. Moreover, it attenuated the expression levels of IL-6 and IL-1β, exerting protective effects on the vascular endothelium. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the significant therapeutic potential of EOFAZ@^R8LM in cardiovascular therapy, providing valuable insights for developing novel dosage forms utilizing EOFAZ for effective treatment against cardiovascular diseases.

Cholesterol (CH) plays a crucial role in enhancing the membrane stability of drug delivery systems (DDS). However, its association with conditions such as hyperlipidemia often leads to criticism, overshadowing its influence on the biological effects of formulations. In this study, we reevaluated the delivery effect of CH using widely applied lipid microspheres (LM) as a model DDS. We conducted comprehensive investigations into the impact of CH on the distribution, cell uptake, and protein corona (PC) of LM at sites of cardiovascular inflammatory injury. The results demonstrated that moderate CH promoted the accumulation of LM at inflamed cardiac and vascular sites without exacerbating damage while partially mitigating pathological damage. Then, the slow cellular uptake rate observed for CH@LM contributed to a prolonged duration of drug efficacy. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed that CH depended on LM and exerted its biological effects by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) expression in vascular endothelial cells and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) protein levels in myocardial cells, thereby enhancing LM uptake at cardiovascular inflammation sites. Proteomics analysis unveiled a serum adsorption pattern for CH@LM under inflammatory conditions showing significant adsorption with CH metabolism-related apolipoprotein family members such as apolipoprotein A-V (Apoa5); this may be a major contributing factor to their prolonged circulation in vivo and explains why CH enhances the distribution of LM at cardiovascular inflammatory injury sites. It should be noted that changes in cell types and physiological environments can also influence the biological behavior of formulations. The findings enhance the conceptualization of CH and LM delivery, providing novel strategies for investigating prescription factors' bioactivity.

ObjectiveTo prepare oral nanoemulsions encapsulating essential oil from Alpinia zerumbet fructus（EOFAZ） and to investigate its pro-absorption effect in vitro and distribution in vivo. MethodThe proteoglycan conjugate polysaccharides of vinegar-processed Bupleuri Radix-bovine serum albumin（VBCP-BSA） was prepared by Maillard reaction of VBCP and BSA. Taking VBCP-BSA as emulsifier， vitamin B₁₂（VB₁₂） as absorption enhancer， and medium chain triglycerides mixed with EOFAZ as oil phase， the nanoemulsions loaded with EOFAZ was prepared by high energy emulsification method. The particle size， particle size distribution， surface Zeta potential， EOFAZ content and appearance and morphology of the nanoemulsions were characterized， and fluorescein tracer method was used to investigate the absorption effect of fluorescein-labeled EOFAZ nanoemulsions in vitro and their distribution in vivo. ResultVBCP-BSA was formed by Maillard reaction for 48 h with high grafting rate. Using VBCP-BSA as emulsifier， the homogeneous pink nanoemulsions was prepared and denoted as EOFAZ@VBCP-BSA/VB₁₂. The particle size of the nanoemulsions was less than 100 nm and the particle size distribution was uniform. The surface of the nanoemulsions was a weak negative charge， and the shape was spherical. The encapsulation rate of the nanoemulsions for EOFAZ was greater than 80%， which had a good absorption effect in vitro and could enhance liver accumulation after oral administration. ConclusionThe designed proteoglycan nanoemulsions can effectively load EOFAZ， promote oral absorption and enhance liver distribution， which can provide experimental basis for the development of oral EOFAZ liver protection preparations.

OBJECTIVE To study the interventional effect and mechanism of 1，8-cineole on pancreatic β cell ferroptosis induced by type 2 diabetes. METHODS In vitro ferroptosis model was established in pancreatic β cells of mice by using high glucose. The effects of low-dose and high-dose 1，8-cineole （0.25， 0.5 μmol/L） on the level of Fe2+ in pancreatic β cells were investigated. The effects of 1，8-cineole （0.5 μmol/L） combined with ferroptosis inducer Erastin （20 μmol/L） and ferroptosis inhibitor Ferrostatin-1 （20 μmol/L） on the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase-4 （GPX4） and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX2） were also detected. The type 2 diabetes model mice were established by feeding high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The effects of low-dose and high-dose 1，8-cineole （50， 200 mg/kg） on the pathological morphology of pancreatic tissue， the content of iron as well as the protein expressions of GPX4 and COX2 were investigated. RESULTS The results of the cell experiment showed that compared with the model group， pretreatment with 1，8-cineole significantly reduced intracellular Fe2+ levels and upregulated GPX4 protein expression， while downregulated COX2 protein expression in pancreatic β cells （P＜0.05）. After combining with Ferrostatin-1， the expression trends of the above two proteins were the same， while there was no statistically significant difference after combining with Erastin. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with the model group， after intervention with 1，8-cineole， the structure of the pancreatic islets in mice recovered intact and their morphology improved； the iron content of pancreatic tissue and protein expression of COX2 were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）， while protein expression of GPX4 was increased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS 1，8-cineole could ameliorate pancreatic β cell injury induced by diabetes， the mechanism of which may be related to reducing intracellular iron deposition and regulating ferroptosis-related proteins.

Objective To investigate the effects of zalcitabine(ddC),a mitochondrial DNA polymerase γ(POLG)inhibitor,on the migration,invasion,and to preliminarily explore mitochondrial biogenesis of human tri-ple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.Methods The effect of ddC on cell viability was detected using the MTT assay.The migration and invasion abilities of the cells were evaluated using the cell scratch and Transwell in-vasion assays.Cell apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry and a V-FITC/PI cell apoptosis detection kit.The protein expression of POLG,NADH dehydrogenase subunit Ⅰ(NADH1),NADH dehydrogenase subunit Ⅱ(NADH2),ATP synthase subunit 6(ATPase6),cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ(COX-1)and cytochrome c ox-idase subunit Ⅲ(COX-3)were determined using Western blot.The POLG mRNA level and mtDNA copy number were determined using qPCR.The mitochondrial content and ATP levels were determined using MitoTracker Green fluorescent probe staining and an ATP determination kit.MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-EG-FP-POLG plasmids to overexpress POLG.The inhibitory effects of ddC on cell migration and invasion were detected in POLG-overexpressed MDA-MB-231 cells.Results POLG expression was higher in MDA-MB-231 cells than in normal mammary epithelial cells(MCF-10A)(P＜0.01).ddC inhibited cell viability in a dose-dependent man-ner.ddC inhibited the migration(P＜0.01)and invasion(P＜0.01)of MDA-MB-231 cells;however,it dis-played no significant inhibitory effects on cell viability in normal mammary epithelial cells(MCF-10A)at the same concentration.ddC downregulated the protein(P＜0.01)and mRNA(P＜0.01)levels of POLG,reduced mtD-NA copy number(P＜0.01)and downregulated mtDNA-coded NADH1,NADH2,ATPase6,COX-1 and COX-3 protein expression(P＜0.01)in MDA-MB-231 cells.Furthermore ddC inhibited mitochondrial content(P＜0.01)and ATP(P＜0.01)levels in MDA-MB-231 cells.POLG overexpression increased the migration(P＜0.05)and invasion(P＜0.05)abilities of MDA-MB-231 cells,while ddC did not significantly inhibit the migra-tion and invasion abilities of MDA-MB-231 cells overexpressing POLG.Conclusion ddC downregulates POLG ex-pression in MDA-MB-231 cells and inhibits mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP levels,thereby inhibiting the migra-tion and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells.

Objective We aimed to compared matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in synovial fluid,the phosphorylation level of Smad3 in articular cartilage (P-Smad3),and their correlation with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of liver-kidney deficiency pattern and pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis.Methods Using a cross-sectional field investigation method,KOA patients hospitalized in the Orthopedics Department of Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from September 2019 to February 2023 were collected. A total of 112 KOA patients were included,among which 63 cases were diagnosed with liver-kidney deficiency pattern,and 49 cases were diagnosed with pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis. The intensity of knee pain,function,and X-ray imaging result were quantified using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS),Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale,and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) Grading Scale,respectively. The TCM pattern was identified and quantified using a TCM Pattern Scoring Scale. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the phosphorylation characteristics of Smad3 in articular cartilage,and ELISA was used to measure the contents of MMP-13 and TGF-β1 in synovial fluid. The level characteristics and their correlation with the degree of syndrome were analyzed.Results (i) There was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores,Lysholm scores,and K-L grades between KOA patients with different TCM patterns. (ii) Compared with KOA patients with pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis,patients with pattern of liver-kidney deficiency had higher levels of MMP-13 in synovial fluid and lower levels of TGF-β1 in synovial fluid (P<0.05). (iii) In KOA patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern,there was a positive correlation between the level of MMP-13 in synovial fluid and the score of TCM pattern (r=0.292,P=0.020),while there was a negative correlation between the level of TGF-β1 in synovial fluid and the score of TCM pattern (r=-0.781,P<0.001). In KOA patients with pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis,there was also a positive correlation between the level of MMP-13 in synovial fluid and the score of TCM pattern (r=0.936,P<0.001). (iv) The mean optical density value of P-Smad3 in articular cartilage was lower in KOA patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern than in pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis (P<0.05).Conclusion KOA patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern or pattern of intermingled phlegm and blood stasis have different levels of TGF-β1 and MMP-13 in synovial fluid,as well as varying degrees of Smad3 phosphorylation in articular cartilage,which is consistent with the analysis of etiology and pathogenesis under different patterns. The levels of TGF-β1 and MMP-13 in synovial fluid of patients with liver-kidney deficiency pattern can reflect the severity of the pattern to a certain extent,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the activation level of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. This study enriches the research content of the material basis of TCM patterns.

In order to improve the poor solubility and low bioavailability of paeonol (Pae), paeonol-nanoemulsion (Pae-NE) was prepared, and its effect on uptake of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was investigated.Pae-NE was prepared by phase inversion composition (PIC), the formulation of Pae-NE was optimized by single factor method and central composite design-response surface method (CCD), and the pharmaceutical properties were further characterized.Moreover, MTT was applied to evaluate the toxicity of Pae-NE on HUVECs, and the cellular uptake efficiency of Pae-NE was detected by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry.The results showed that the optimal formulation of Pae-NE was 20 mg of Pae, 55.1 mg of LCT, 144.9 mg of MCT, 600 mg of HS15, and 200 mg of 1,2 propylene glycol.The Pae-NE appearance was a light blue emulsion, and the average particle size is (25.69 ± 0.03) nm, with PDI of 0.182 ± 0.09, Zeta potential of -(4.01 ± 0.30) mV and good stability.The drug loading of Pae-NE was (1.967 ± 0.28) mg/mL and encapsulation rate of (99.36 ± 0.1)%.Pae-NE performed no significant effect on HUVECs growth in the Pae concentration range of 10-1-10-3 μg/mL.Moreover, NE as a drug delivery carrier significantly enhanced the uptake efficiency of Pae on HUVECs.In conclusion, Pae-NE preparation method was simple and stable, and promotes HUVECs uptake efficiency of Pae, suggesting that NE was a better dosage form reference for the lipid-soluble drug of Pae.

Objective: To explore the effect of hypoxia inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α)on tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer MCF-7,and to established a human breast cancer cell line(MCF-7/TR)with 4-hydroxy tamoxifen(4-OHT)resistance. Methods: 4-OHT was an active form of tamoxifenin vivo, resistant breast cancer cells MCF-7/TR were establishedin vitrousing 4-OHT. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of 4-OHT on the MCF-7 and MCF-7/TR cells, and the drug resistance multiple was detected. Western blot was used to detect the expression level of HIF-1α protein in MCF-7 and MCF-7/TR cells. The effects of HIF-1α inhibitor(LW6) or siRNA HIF-1α on MCF-7/TR cells and 4-OHT on MCF-7 cells treated with HIF-1α stabilizer(FG-4592) were detected by MTT and flow cytometry AV/PI staining. Results: The results showed that the MCF-7/TR was successfully constructed, and the drug resistance ratio was(5.56±0.80). Compared with MCF-7 cells, MCF-7/TR cells had higher expression of HIF-1α protein and it was up-regulated after tamoxifen treatment. After giving LW6 or silencing the expression of HIF-1α,the down-regulation of HIF-1α expression enhanced the inhibitory effect of 4-OHT on MCF-7/TR cells. After treatment of FG-4592, the expression level of HIF-1α in breast cancer cells MCF-7 was up-regulated, and hindered the inhibition effect of tamoxifen on MCF-7 cells. Conclusion The above results indicate that HIF-1α plays an important role in 4-OHT resistant breast cancer, and targeting HIF-1α may be an effective way to increase the sensitivity of MCF7/TR cells to tamoxifen.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of salvianolic acid B(Sal B)on angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced cardiac fibro-blast proliferation,secretion of type Ⅲ collagen,protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9),Smad2/3,Smad7, and explore its mechanism of anti-myocardial fibrosis. METHODS:Cells were divided into blank control group(culture medium) Ang Ⅱ model group,Sal B low-dose,medium-dose,high-dose groups (12.5,25,50 μmol/L). After cultured 1 h by blank or drug-containing culture,except for blank control group,cells in other groups were added 1 μmol/L Ang Ⅱ to induce proliferation. for 24 h. MTT method and hematoxylin-eosin staining method were adopted investigate the effect of Sal B on proliferation. Western blot method was adopted to detect the effects of Sal B on protein expressions of type Ⅲ collagen,MMP-9,Smad2/3,Smad7. RE-SULTS:Compared with blank control group,cells in Ang Ⅱ model group were significantly proliferated,protein expressions of type Ⅲ collagen,MMP-9,Smad2/3 were obviously enhanced,protein expression of Smad7 was obviously weakened,with statisti-cal significances(P<0.05). Compared with Ang Ⅱ model group,the cell proliferation in Sal B groups were inhibited,protein ex-pressions of typeⅢcollagen,MMP-9,Smad2/3 were weakened,while protein expression of Smad7 was enhanced. Except the pro-tein expression of type Ⅲ collagen in Sal B low-dose and medium-dose groups,the protein expression of Smad2/3 in Sal B high-dose group did not change significantly,other indexes had statistical significances(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The anti-myo-cardial fibrosis effect of Sal B may be associated with inhibiting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts,down-regulating protein ex-pressions of typeⅢcollagen,MMP-9,Smad2/3 and up-regulating protein expression of Smad7.

BACKGROUND:To overcome the disadvantages of traditional mechanical analysis of specimens, and establish the finite element model of realistic foot, are the important basements for the finite element mechanical analysis on foot.
OBJECTIVE:To establish three-dimensional finite element model of foot and lay the foundation for the finite element analysis of normal foot and foot injury.
METHODS:A healthy female volunteer was involved in this study and was detected with spiral CT scanning on the feet. The resulting image was used to reconstruct the three-dimensional model by using Mimics software. Then entity model was generated in Geomagic software. Final y three-dimensional finite element model was established based on the digital main structure in Ansys. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The established finite element digital model of human foot included al bone, cartilage and ligament, skin and soft tissue. The three-dimensional finite element model of human foot was established based on CT data and using Mimics, Geomagic, Ansys softwares. The established model had similar size and shape with skeletal mode, and can rotate freely in any angle for a variety of measurement, the foot bones can be arbitrarily split or merge, which is suitable for biomechanical analysis.