With the rapid development of social economy and the continuous improvement of human living standard, the incidence, fatality and recurrence rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) are increasing year by year, which seriously affects people's life and health. Conventional therapeutic drugs have limited improvement on the disability rate, so the search for new therapeutic drugs and action targets has become one of the hotspots of current research. In recent years, the therapeutic role of the natural compound rosmarinic acid (RA) in CVD has attracted much attention, which is capable of preventing CVD by modulating multiple signalling pathways and exerting physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation, as well as anti-coagulation and endothelial function protection. In this paper, the role of RA in the prevention of CVD is systematically sorted out, and its mechanism of action is summarised and analysed, with a view to providing a scientific basis and important support for the in-depth exploration of the prevention value of RA in CVD and its further development as a prevention drug.

OBJECTIVE: Photodynamic therapy has become an important method in clinical tumor treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hematoporphyrin on multiple myeloma (MM) and its potential applications. METHODS: The MM cell line RPMI 8226 was treated with hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD), and CCK-8 assay was used to determine cell viability, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using a detection kit combined with flow cytometry, and Western blot assay was used to detect apoptosis-related proteins and key signaling pathway protein levels. RESULTS: The optimal incubation time for the maximum absorption of HPD in RPMI 8226 cells was 4 hours. HPD significantly inhibited the proliferation of RPMI 8226 cells in a dose- and illumination time-dependent manner ( r =0.981; r =0.961). Additionally, HPD induced apoptosis in RPMI 8226 cells, but had no significant inhibitory effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from healthy individuals. HPD combined with illumination treatment significantly increased the intracellular ROS level, upregulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and down-regulated the expression of proteins that maintain cell survival, such as NF-κB and Akt. CONCLUSION The HPD can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/pathology* ; Hematoporphyrins/pharmacology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Photochemotherapy ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Signal Transduction

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major outer membrane components of Gram-negative bacteria. Unlike most Gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii can still survive and acquire polymyxin resistance after complete loss of LPS. Previous studies of LPS-deficient Acinetobacter baumannii mostly focused on LPS-deficient strains induced by polymyxin, whose background was complex and unstable. To investigate LPS loss-mediated polymyxin resistant-Acinetobacter baumannii, this study constructed a stable and clear background LPS-deficient strain by knocking out lpxC gene in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 with CIRSPR/Cas9, and then studied the phenotypic changes of the lpxC-deficient strain including morphology, growth rate, antibiotic susceptibility, virulence, membrane permeability, and membrane potential. Animal experiments were approved by the Animal Care and Welfare Committee Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, CAMS and PUMC (approval number: IMB-20240119D₉). The results indicated that the lpxC gene of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 was successfully knocked out. After losing the lpxC, the strain underwent the morphological change from rod-shaped to spherical. Furthermore, it leads to reduced growth rate, enhanced membrane permeability, decreased membrane potential, lower virulence, and increased antibiotic susceptibility to β-lactams, quinolones, aminoglycosides, macrolides, glycopeptides. The lpxC deletion results in significant changes in membrane homeostasis and adaptability of Acinetobacter baumannii. Understanding the phenotypic changes of colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii mediated by LPS loss is useful for exploring the resistance mechanism of Acinetobacter baumannii and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Aim To investigate the effect of kudinoside D(KD-D)on palmitic acid(PA)-induced lipid depo-sition in hepatocytes.Methods Mouse hepatocytes AML-12 were cultured and randomly divided into the Control group,PA group,PA+KD-D 20 μmol·L-1 group,PA+KD-D 40 μmol·L-1 group and PA+KD-D 80 μmol·L-1 group.AML-12 cells in PA and KD-D groups were treated with PA(0.4 mmol·L-1)for 24 h.AML-12 cells in KD-D groups were incubated with KD-D for 1 h before stimulation with PA.MTT as-say was used to detect cell survival rate,oil red O stai-ning and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect lipid deposition in cells,DCFH-DA fluorescence probe was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)and MitoSOX mitochondrial superoxide red fluorescence probe was used to detect mitochondrial superoxide content in cells.Results KD-D at differ-ent concentrations improved PA-induced changes in cell morphology significantly.Compared with the Con-trol group,cells in PA group showed a significant in-crease in intracellular lipid droplets.Compared with PA group,the red lipid droplets in KD-D groups de-creased.The results of transmission electron microsco-py demonstrated that KD-D reduced PA-induced hepat-ic steatosis and improved ultrastructure.In addition,KD-D significantly decreased PA-induced cellular ROS level(P＜0.01)and reduced mitochondrial superox-ide content(P＜0.01).Conclusion KD-D inhibits PA-induced lipid deposition by regulating the cellular oxidative stress levels in AML-12 cells.

Dead heart is an important trait of pith-decayed Scutellariae Radix. The purpose of this study was to clarify the scientific connotation of the dead heart using multi-omics. Metabolomics and transcriptomics combined with multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) were used to systematically compare the differences in chemical composition and gene expression among phloem, outer xylem and near-dead xylem of pith-decayed Scutella-riae Radix. The results revealed significant differences in the contents of flavonoid glycosides and aglycones among the three parts. Compared with phloem and outer xylem, near-dead xylem had markedly lowered content of flavonoid glycosides(including baicalin, norwogonin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and wogonoside) while markedly increased content of aglycones(including 3,5,7,2',6'-pentahydroxy dihydroflavone, baicalin, wogonin, and oroxylin A). The differentially expressed genes were mainly concentrated in KEGG pathways such as phenylpropanoid metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, ABC transporter, and plant MAPK signal transduction pathway. This study systematically elucidated the material basis of the dead heart of pith-decayed Scutellariae Radix with multiple growing years. Specifically, the content of flavonoid aglycones was significantly increased in the near-dead xylem, and the gene expression of metabolic pathways such as flavonoid glycoside hydrolysis, interxylary cork development and programmed apoptosis was significantly up-regulated. This study provided a theoretical basis for guiding the high-quality production of pith-decayed Scutellariae Radix.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Scutellaria baicalensis/chemistry* ; Glucuronides ; Multiomics ; Flavonoids/chemistry*

In order to solve the problem of weak correlation between quality control components and efficacy of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, this study detected the interaction between small molecular chemical components of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and total proteins of various organs of mice by fluorescence quenching method to screen potential active components. The 27 chemical components in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were detected by HPLC and their deletion rates in 34 batches of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were calculated. Combined with the principle of component effectiveness and measurability, the potential quality markers(Q-markers) of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were screened. RAW264.7 macrophage injury model was induced by microplastics. The cell viability and nitric oxide content were detected by CCK-8 and Griess methods. The levels of inflammatory factors(TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, CRP) and oxidative stress markers(SOD, MDA, GSH) were detected by the ELISA method to verify the activity of Q-markers. It was found that the interaction strength between different chemical components and organ proteins in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was different, reflecting different organ selectivity and 18 active components were screened out. Combined with the signal-to-noise ratio of the HPLC chromatographic peaks and between-run stability of the components, seven chemical components such as liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin and ammonium glycyrrhizinate were finally screened as potential Q-markers of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. In vitro experiments showed that Q-markers of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma could dose-dependently alleviate RAW264.7 cell damage induced by microplastics, inhibit the secretion of inflammatory factors, and reduce oxidative stress. Under the same total dose, the combination of various chemical components could synergistically enhance anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects compared with the single use. This study identified Q-markers related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, which can provide a reference for improving the quality control standards of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.
Mice ; Animals ; Antioxidants/analysis* ; Microplastics/analysis* ; Plastics/analysis* ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Glycyrrhiza/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/analysis*

Understanding of a variety of membranous structures throughout the body,such as the fascia,the serous membrane,is of great importance to surgeons. This is especially valuable in abdominal surgery. With the rise of membrane theory in recent years,membrane anatomy has been widely recognized in the treatment of abdominal tumors,especially of gastrointestinal tumors. In clinical practice. The appropriate choice of intramembranous or extramembranous anatomy is appropriate to achieve precision surgery. Based on the current research results,this article described the application of membrane anatomy in the field of hepatobiliary surgery,pancreatic surgery,and splenic surgery,with the aim of blazed the path from modest beginnings.
Humans ; Mesentery/surgery* ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Fascia/anatomy & histology*

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome and glycolysis, and observe the intervention effect of Liangfang Wenjing Decoction(LFWJD) on the expression of key glycolytic enzymes in the uterus and ovaries of rats with coagulating cold and blood stasis. The rat model of coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome was established by ice-water bath. After modeling, the quantitative scoring of symptoms were performed, and according to the scoring results, the rats were randomly divided into a model group and LFWJD low-, medium-and high-dose groups(4.7, 9.4, 18.8 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with 10 in each group. Another 10 rats were selected as the blank group. After 4 weeks of continuous administration by gavage, the quantitative scoring of symptoms was repeated. Laser speckle flowgraphy was used to detect the changes of microcirculation in the ears and uterus of rats in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of uterus and ovaries of rats in each group. The mRNA and protein expressions of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1(PDK1), hexokinase 2(HK2) and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA) in the uterus and ovaries of rats were examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. The rats in the model group showed signs of coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome, such as curl-up, less movement, thickened veins under the tongue, and reduced blood perfusion in the microcirculation of the ears and uterus, and HE staining revealed a thinning of the endometrium with disorganized arrangement of epithelial cells and a decrease in the number of ovarian follicles. Compared with the model group, the treatment groups had alleviated coagulating cold and blood stasis, which was manifested as red tongue, reduced nail swelling, no blood stasis at the tail end as well as increased blood perfusion of the microcirculation in the ears and uterus(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among the groups, the LFWJD medium-and high-dose groups had the most significant improvement in coagulating cold and blood stasis, with neatly arranged columnar epithelial cells in uterus, and the number of ovarian follicles was higher than that in the model group, especially mature follicles. The mRNA and protein expressions of PDK1, HK2, LDHA in uterus and ovaries were up-regulated in the model group(P<0.05 or P<0.01), while down-regulated in LFWJD medium-and high-dose groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The LFWJD low-dose group presented a decrease in the mRNA expressions of PDK1, HK2 and LDHA in uterus and ovaries as well as in the protein expressions of HK2 and LDHA in uterus and HK2 and PDK1 in ovaries(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The therapeutic mechanism of LFWJD against coagulating cold and blood stasis syndrome is related to the down-regulation of key glycolytic enzymes PDK1, HK2 and LDHA, and the inhibition of glycolytic activities in uterus and ovaries.
Female ; Animals ; Rats ; Ovary ; Uterus ; Ovarian Follicle ; Lactate Dehydrogenase 5 ; Glycolysis

This study compared the effects of Curcuma longa before and after processing with vinegar on the rat model of dysmenorrhea with the syndrome of liver depression and Qi stagnation to reveal the mechanism of vinegar processing in improving the role of C. longa in soothing liver and relieving pain. The rat model of dysmenorrhea with the syndrome of liver depression and Qi stagnation was established according to the Preparation of the Animal Model of Dysmenorrhea(Draft) and the chronic unpredictable stress me-thod. The changes in the body weight, organ indexes, writhing latency, writhing score, and serum levels of six liver function indicators, sex hormones, pain factors, and blood rheological indicators were measured to evaluate the efficacy of C. longa processed with vinegar or not in treating dysmenorrhea in the rats with syndrome of liver depression and qi stagnation. Compared with the model group, the C. longa group(processed with vinegar or not) showed slow weight loss, increase in writhing latency, and decrease in writhing response(P<0.05). The inhibition rates on writhing in raw C. longa, vinegar-processed C. longa, and positive groups were 33.780%, 64.611%, and 62.466%, respectively. The significantly higher inhibition rate of the vinegar processing group indicated that vinegar-processed C. longa demonstrated more significant therapeutic effect. The vinegar-processed C. longa group showed lower levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), direct bilirubin(DBIL), and total bilirubin(TBIL) and higher level of albumin(ALB)(P<0.05), which indicated that vinegar processing enhanced the therapeutic effect of C. longa on liver injury. The serum levels of estradiol(E_2) and oxytocin(OT) were lower in the vinegar-processed C. longa group(P<0.05), indicating that the vinegar-processed C. longa could regulate the sex hormone levels, reduce the activity of uterine smooth muscle and contraction of uterus, and alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea in rats. Moreover, the vinegar-processed C. longa group showed lower interleukin-6(IL-6) and arginine vasopressin(AVP) levels and higher beta-endorphin(β-EP) level(P<0.05), which indicated that vinegar-processed C. longa regulated the levels of pain factors to exert the pain-relieving effect. Drug intervention decreased the whole blood viscosity low-cut, medium-cut and high-cut values, plasma viscosity, whole blood reduction viscosity low-cut and high-cut values, erythrocyte cumulative pressure, and equation K value of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(P<0.05), and the vinegar-processed C. longa group outperformed other groups. This result indicated that vinegar processing enhanced the function of C. longa in improving the local blood rheology. C. longa processed with vinegar can enter the liver to relieve the da-mage to the heart, liver, kidney, and uterus, repair the liver function, and recover the sex hormone levels and immune function by regulating the levels of sex hormones and pain factors and improving the blood rheology. It activates the pain-relieving mechanism to relieve the pain, protect the liver, and fight inflammation, which is consistent with the theory that vinegar processing facilitates C. longa entering the liver to sooth liver and relieve pain.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms underlying the proliferative inhibition of Chinese herbal medicine Kang-Ai injection (KAI) in gastric cancer cells. METHODS: Gastric cancer cell lines MGC803 and BGC823 were treated by 0, 0.3%, 1%, 3% and 10% KAI for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. The cell proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The apoptosis and cell cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry. Interleukin (IL)-6 mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The protein expression levels of cyclin A, cyclin E, cyclin B1, cyclin D1, p21, retinoblastoma (RB), protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT3 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: KAI inhibited the proliferation of MGC803 and BGC823 gastric cancer cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. After treated with KAI for 48 h, the proportion of G1 phase was increased, expression level of cyclin D1 and phosphorylation-RB were down-regulated, whereas the expression of p21 was up-regulated (all P<0.01). Furthermore, 48-h treatment with KAI decreased the phosphorylation level of STAT3, inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-6 (all P<0.01). IL-6 at dose of 10 ng/mL significantly attenuated the proliferative effect of both 3% and 10% KAI, and recovered KAI-inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and cyclin D1 expression level (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION KAI exerted an anti-proliferative function by inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway followed by the induction of G₁ phase arrest in gastric cancer cells.
Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclin D1/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics*