Objective:To investigate the liver-protective effect of Peipi Shugan Decoction (PSD) in rats with liver fibrosis through network pharmacology and experimental animal models.Methods:TCMSP was used to retrieve the active components of Peipi Shugan Decoction, GeneCards database was used to obtain the liver fibrosis related targets, and Venny 2.1 was used to obtain the intersection targets. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING 12.0 database, and Go function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed through David database. A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into two groups: a blank control group ( n=10) and a model establishment group ( n=50) with random number table method. Liver fibrosis models were induced in the model group by intraperitoneal injection of a 40% CCl?- olive oil solution. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly assigned to the following groups ( n=10 per group): model group, colchicine group, and Peipi Shugan Decoction low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups. The colchicine group received colchicine suspension at 0.2 ml/kg via intragastric administration. Peipi Shugan Decoction low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups were administered the decoction at dosages of 2.81, 5.63, and 11.25 g/kg, respectively. The blank control and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline. All treatments were administered once daily for 8 consecutive weeks. HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the morphological changes of liver tissue and the deposition of collagen fibers. he levels of GPT, GOT and ALP were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer. The expressions of JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathway related proteins, α - smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen Ⅰ in rat liver were detected by Western blot. The expression of α-SMA protein in liver tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. The number and ratio of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells in liver tissue were analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in serum were detected by ELISA. Results:A total of 94 active components were screened out from Peipi Shugan Decoction; the prediction analysis results revealed that this compound formula shared 122 common targets with liver fibrosis diseases; The top five core targets with degree values in the PPI network are AKT1, TNF, IL-6, TP53, and IL-1β. GO enrichment analysis further indicated that Peipi Shugan Decoction mainly achieved anti-liver fibrosis effects by regulating JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathway and other mechanisms. Compared with the model group, the colchicine group and Peipi Shugan Decoction low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups exhibited decreased serum levels of GPT, GOT, ALP, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β ( P<0.05), as well as reduced expression of α-SMA in liver tissue ( P<0.05). Peipi Shugan Decoction medium- and high-dosage groups showed increased protein expression of p-STAT1/STAT1 in liver tissue ( P<0.05), while Peipi Shugan Decoction high-dosage group demonstrated decreased α-SMA protein expression ( P<0.05). Additionally, Peipi Shugan Decoction medium- and high-dosage groups exhibited reduced expressions of CD4 + and CD8 + ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Peipi Shugan Decoction has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway in the treatment of liver fibrosis. Its mechanism is mainly related to activating the JAK2/STAT1 signaling pathway, inhibiting cellular inflammatory responses and hindering the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

Chlorobenzene contaminants (CBs) pose a threat to the eco-environment, and functional strains hold considerable potential for the remediation of CB-contaminated sites. To deeply explore the application potential of functional bacteria in the in-situ bioremediation of CBs, this study focused on the biodegradation characteristics and degradation kinetics of CB and 1, 2-dichlorobenzene (1, 2-DCB) in soil by the isolated strain Serratia marcescens TF-1. Additionally, an in-situ remediation trial was conducted with this strain at a chemical industrial site. Batch serum bottle experiments showed that the degradation rate of CB at the concentrations ranging from 20 to 200 mg/L by TF-1 was 0.22-0.66 mol/(g_cell·h), following the Haldane model, with the optimal concentration at 23.12 mg/L. The results from simulated soil degradation experiments indicated that the combined use of TF-1 and sodium succinate (SS) significantly enhanced the degradation of CBs, with the maximum degradation rate of CB reaching 0.104 d^-1 and a half-life of 6.66 d. For 1, 2-DCB, the maximum degradation rate constant was 0.068 7 d^-1, with a half-life of 10.087 d. The in-situ remediation results at the chemically contaminated site demonstrated that the introduction of bacterial inoculant and SS significantly improved the removal of CBs, achieving the removal rates of 84.2%-100% after 10 d. CB, 1, 4-dichlorobenzene (1, 4-DCB), and benzo[a]pyrene were completely removed. Microbial diversity analysis revealed that the in-situ remediation facilitated the colonization of TF-1 and the enrichment of indigenous nitrogen-fixing Azoarcus, which may have played a key role in the degradation process. This study provides a theoretical basis and practical experience for the in situ bioremediation of CBs-contaminated sites.
Chlorobenzenes/isolation & purification* ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Soil Pollutants/isolation & purification* ; Serratia marcescens/metabolism* ; Industrial Waste ; Soil Microbiology

Objective To evaluate the safety of Solanine ointment for skin application,and to investigate its mechanism of action in treating traumatic synovitis of the knee joint in a rabbit model.Methods Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits were di-vided into four groups(n=4 per group):intact skin single-dose group,intact skin multiple-dose group,damaged skin single-dose group,and damaged skin multiple-dose group.The skin irritation of Solanine ointment was assessed by comparing the skin on both sides of the spine in rabbits with intact and damaged skin.Eighteen guinea pigs were divided into three groups(n=6 per group):blank group,Solanine ointment group,and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB)group.The blank group received the vehi-cle,the Solanine ointment group received Solanine ointment,and the DNCB group received DNCB.The skin allergic reactions were observed.Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups(n=6 per group):blank group,model group,Solanine ointment low-dose group,Solanine ointment high-dose group,and Voltaren group.Except for the blank group,a traumatic synovitis model was established in the other groups.After topical application of the ointments,changes in knee joint circumference and skin temperature were measured.Pathological changes in knee joint synovial tissue were observed using he-matoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Joint effusion and abnormal blood flow signals were detected using color Doppler ultra-sound.Levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the synovial fluid were tested using ELISA.Protein expressions of NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and cleaved-Caspase-1 in the synovial tissue were determined using Western blotting.Results Skin irritation test showed that a single application of Solanine ointment on intact skin caused no irritation.Mild irritation was observed on the first day of multi-ple applications on intact skin,which subsided by the third day.Both single and multiple applications of Solanine ointment caused moderate irritation on damaged skin.Skin allergy test showed that no allergic reaction was observed in the guinea pigs of either the Solanine ointment group or the blank group.Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited significantly increased knee joint circumference and skin temperature(both P＜0.01),obvious synovial thickening with a large amount of ef-fusion,inflammatory infiltration of synovial cells dominated by plasma cells and lymphocytes,disordered tissue arrangement,sig-nificantly elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the synovial fluid(all P＜0.01),and significantly increased protein expression of NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and cleaved-Caspase-1 in the synovial tissue(all P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,each drug treatment group showed significantly decreased knee joint circumference and skin temperature(all P＜0.01),improved synovial thickness,effusion,and inflammatory infiltration,significantly reduced levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the synovial fluid(all P＜0.01).Except for the low-dose Solanine ointment group,high-dose Solanine ointment group and the Voltaren group showed sig-nificant reductions in protein expression of NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and cleaved-Caspase-1 in the synovial tissue(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Solanine ointment exhibits mild irritation on intact skin and moderate irritation on damaged skin,therefore it is unsuitable for application on broken skin.There is no skin sensitization after application.Solanine ointment can alleviate the pro-gression of traumatic synovitis of the knee joint,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the NLRP3 inflamma-some.

Objective To evaluate the safety of Solanine ointment for skin application,and to investigate its mechanism of action in treating traumatic synovitis of the knee joint in a rabbit model.Methods Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits were di-vided into four groups(n=4 per group):intact skin single-dose group,intact skin multiple-dose group,damaged skin single-dose group,and damaged skin multiple-dose group.The skin irritation of Solanine ointment was assessed by comparing the skin on both sides of the spine in rabbits with intact and damaged skin.Eighteen guinea pigs were divided into three groups(n=6 per group):blank group,Solanine ointment group,and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB)group.The blank group received the vehi-cle,the Solanine ointment group received Solanine ointment,and the DNCB group received DNCB.The skin allergic reactions were observed.Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups(n=6 per group):blank group,model group,Solanine ointment low-dose group,Solanine ointment high-dose group,and Voltaren group.Except for the blank group,a traumatic synovitis model was established in the other groups.After topical application of the ointments,changes in knee joint circumference and skin temperature were measured.Pathological changes in knee joint synovial tissue were observed using he-matoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Joint effusion and abnormal blood flow signals were detected using color Doppler ultra-sound.Levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the synovial fluid were tested using ELISA.Protein expressions of NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and cleaved-Caspase-1 in the synovial tissue were determined using Western blotting.Results Skin irritation test showed that a single application of Solanine ointment on intact skin caused no irritation.Mild irritation was observed on the first day of multi-ple applications on intact skin,which subsided by the third day.Both single and multiple applications of Solanine ointment caused moderate irritation on damaged skin.Skin allergy test showed that no allergic reaction was observed in the guinea pigs of either the Solanine ointment group or the blank group.Compared with the blank group,the model group exhibited significantly increased knee joint circumference and skin temperature(both P＜0.01),obvious synovial thickening with a large amount of ef-fusion,inflammatory infiltration of synovial cells dominated by plasma cells and lymphocytes,disordered tissue arrangement,sig-nificantly elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the synovial fluid(all P＜0.01),and significantly increased protein expression of NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and cleaved-Caspase-1 in the synovial tissue(all P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,each drug treatment group showed significantly decreased knee joint circumference and skin temperature(all P＜0.01),improved synovial thickness,effusion,and inflammatory infiltration,significantly reduced levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the synovial fluid(all P＜0.01).Except for the low-dose Solanine ointment group,high-dose Solanine ointment group and the Voltaren group showed sig-nificant reductions in protein expression of NLRP3,pro-Caspase-1,and cleaved-Caspase-1 in the synovial tissue(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Solanine ointment exhibits mild irritation on intact skin and moderate irritation on damaged skin,therefore it is unsuitable for application on broken skin.There is no skin sensitization after application.Solanine ointment can alleviate the pro-gression of traumatic synovitis of the knee joint,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the NLRP3 inflamma-some.

Mammalian reproduction is closely related to their metabolic status. The hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis ( HPG axis) is regulated by various metabolic factors. Glucagon-like peptide-1 ( GLP-1) is one of various metabolic factors that not only affect glycemic and metabolic control, but also with many other effects, including affecting HPA axis. The function of GLP-1 is related to the location of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor ( GLP-1R) distribution. It has been confirmed that GLP-1R is widely distributed in HPG axis. The effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1R agonists on the HPG axis have also attracted much attention. The positive effects of GLP-1 and GLP-1R agonists on the HPG axis indicated it could be the new target for the new treatment for gonadal diseases. The role of GLP-1 and GLP-1R agonists in the central nervous system is reviewed.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of Huaxia shallot preparation on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) in vitro. METHODS: Ox-LDL was prepared and identified, and HUVECs were cultured. After 2-hour intervention of different drugs and 24-hour following intervention of Ox-LDL, the number of HUVECs was observed by phase contrast optical microscope and the activity of the HUVECs was observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) technique. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) content were assayed by respective kit. The protein expressions and mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma(PPAR-gamma) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were measured by western blot technique and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Ox-LDL could increase the apoptosis rate of the HUVECs and decrease the NO release as compared with the blank control group (P<0.05). These effects induced by Ox-LDL were all significantly inhibited by Huaxia shallot preparation. It could up-regulate the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS significantly (P<0.05). Huaxia shallot preparation could decrease the apoptosis rate of the HUVECs. CONCLUSION: Ox-LDL may be involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis by injuring the endothelial cells directly and may cause the endothelial dysfunction. Huaxia shallot preparation can protect against Ox-LDL induced endothelial cell injury by up-regulating the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS. It suggests that Huaxia shallot preparation may play a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.