Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

Monotropein is a compound classified into iridoid which is found in herbaceous plants Morindae officinalis. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-osteoarthritic activities. Previous study indicates that monotropein may have the potential to combat cardiovascular disease, although the related mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we constructed the model of atherosclerosis by oxidized low density lipoprotein-induced vascular smooth muscle cells and LDLR –/–mice given high-fat diet to investigate the effects of monotropein on atherosclerosis.Our results showed that monotropein treatment significantly reduced the area of atherosclerotic plaques and necrotic cores in mice, inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells, and reduced inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which in turn alleviated atherosclerosis. In addition, we found that monotropein reduced the expression levels of P-NF-κB and P-AP-1. In conclusion, our data suggest that monotropein inhibited the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells by mediating the activity of NF-κB, AP-1, reducing the level of inflammation and oxidative stress, and thus resisting the development of atherosclerosis. These findings demonstrate the efficacious therapeutic impact of monotropein on atherosclerosis and elucidate its specific target.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the bioactive components in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills (JWXYP) and their mechanisms for alleviating depression-like behaviors. METHODS: The active compounds, key targets, and pathways of JWXYP were identified using TCMSP and TCMIP databases. Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into 6 groups including a control group and 5 chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression groups. After modeling, the 5 model groups were treated with daily gavage of normal saline, 1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride (positive control drug), or JWXYP at 1.44, 2.88, and 4.32 g/kg. The depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests, and pathological changes in the liver and hippocampus were examined with HE staining. The biochemical indicators in the serum and brain tissues were detected using ELISA. Serum metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the differential metabolites using OPLS-DA, and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: Network pharmacology revealed that menthone and paeonol in JWXYP were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier to regulate inflammatory pathways and protect the nervous system. In the rat models subjected to CUMS, treatment with JWXYP significantly improved body weight loss, sucrose preference and open field activities, reduced liver inflammation, alleviated structural changes in the hippocampal neurons, decreased serum levels of TNF‑α, IL-1β, IL-6 and LBP, and increased 5-HT and VIP concentrations in the serum and brain tissue, and these effects were the most pronounced in the high-dose group. Metabolomics analysis showed changes in such metabolites as indole-3-acetamide and acetyl-L-carnitine in JWXYP-treated rats, involving the pathways for bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. 16S rDNA analysis demonstrated increased gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in JWXYP-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS JWXYP alleviates depression-like symptoms in rats by regulating the neurotransmitters, inhibiting inflammation and oxidation, and modulating gut microbiota.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Rats ; Inflammation ; Male ; Hippocampus ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is a characteristic oil crop rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly α-linolenic acid, which has important development and utilization value. The Dof transcription factor is one of the plant-specific transcription factor families, which is widely involved in important biological processes such as plant growth, development, and metabolic regulation. In order to explore the key Dof transcription factors involved in the oil biosynthesis and systematically analyze their regulatory mechanisms of P. frutescens seeds, a total of 56 PfDof gene family members were identified from the genome and transcriptome data of P. frutescens and classified into four subfamilies according to sequence characteristics. All PfDofs contained highly conserved C₂-C₂ zinc finger domains, with gene duplication being the primary mechanism driving their evolution and expansion. Genes within the same subgroup exhibited similar gene structures and conserved motifs. The 56 PfDofs were predicted as unstable hydrophilic proteins, with α-helixes and random coils as their predominant structural components. The RNA-seq results revealed that 11 PfDofs exhibited differential expression during different developmental stages of P. frutescens seeds. RT-qPCR was performed to further validate the expression patterns of these 11 members across various tissue samples (root, stem, leaf, and flower) of P. frutescens and at different developmental stages of its seeds. The results showed that PfDof29 exhibited the highest expression level in seeds, which was consistent with the transcriptome data. Subcellular localization studies demonstrated that PfDof29 was localized to the nucleus and had a transcriptional activation activity. Overexpression of PfDof29 in Nicotiana tabacum resulted in a significant increase in total oil content of tobacco leaves, accompanied by reductions in starch and soluble sugar content, while the protein content remained unchanged. Additionally, the metabolic balance between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the transgenic tobacco leaves was altered, with a significant increase in α-linolenic acid content. The expression levels of the fatty acid desaturase genes NtFAD2, NtFAD3, and NtFAD8 were significantly upregulated. A yeast one-hybrid assay revealed that PfDof29 could directly bind to the promoter region of PfFAD8, thereby regulating its expression. This study provides an initial understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of PfDof transcription factors in the synthesis and accumulation of oil in P. frutescens. These findings offer new insights into the enhancement of oil content and quality of P. frutescens seeds.
Transcription Factors/physiology* ; Perilla frutescens/metabolism* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; alpha-Linolenic Acid/biosynthesis* ; Lipids/biosynthesis* ; Seeds/genetics*

Objective To explore the clinical effect and safety of remimazolam combined with alfentanil in painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients.Methods 188 elderly patients who were scheduled to undergo painless gastroenteroscopy from October 2021 to February 2023 were selected and divided into group A,group B,group C,and group D by random number table method,with 47 cases in each group.The group A,group B and group C were used remimazolam 0.2,0.3 and 0.4 mg/kg,and alfentanil 3 μg/kg respectively,and the remimazolam 2.5 mg/time was added during the operation.The group D was used propofol 1.5 mg/kg and alfentanil 3 μg/kg,and a single dose of propofol 0.5 mg/kg was added during the operation.The hemodynamics at different time points[3 min before anesthesia administration(T0),immediately after endoscopy(T1),3 min after endoscopy(T2),at the end of examination(T3),at the time of awakening(T4)],anesthesia onset time,sedation success rate,gastrointestinal endoscopy time,awakening time,time to leave the observation room and intraoperative/postoperative complications were compared,and the test results of neurobehavioral cognitive state examination(NCSE)were compared at different times.Results The percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2)at T1 and T2 time point were higher than group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the heart rate(HR)and mean arterial pressure(MAP)among group A,group B,group C and group D at each time point(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in SpO2 between group A and group B at each time point(P>0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of sedation,gastrointestinal endoscopy examination time and time of leaving the observation room among the four groups(P>0.05),but the onset time of anesthesia in group A was longer than that in group B,group C and group D,and the awakening time in group A and group B was shorter than that in group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in awakening time between group A and group B(P>0.05).The incidence rate of bradycardia in group A and group B was lower than in group D,and the incidence rates of hypoxemia,respiratory depression,hypotension,and dizziness in group A were lower than those in group D,and the incidence rate of injection pain in group A,group B and group C was lower than that in group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).After 10 minutes of complete wakefulness,there was no statistically significant difference in the passing rates of calculation ability and the memory tests between group A and group B(P>0.05),but the passing rates of calculation ability and memory test in group A were higher than those in group C and group D,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion During painless gastroenteroscopy in elderly patients,the sedative effect of using 0.3 mg/kg remimazolam combined with alfentanil is good,and it has stable hemodynamics,and the occurrence rate of complications such as bradycardia and espiratory depression is low,and the early postoperative cognitive function is recovered well.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and safety analysis of a novel laser localization technology assisted percutaneous puncture of trigeminal nerve microsphere capsule compression surgery for the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia.Methods:A retrospective selection was conducted on 63 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia who underwent percutaneous puncture of the trigeminal nerve microsphere capsule compression surgery at the First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to December 2021. According to different surgical methods, they were divided into a new laser localization assisted puncture group (observation group) of 32 cases and a traditional barehanded localization puncture group (control group) of 31 cases. An analysis was conducted on the surgical time, puncture time, puncture frequency, intraoperative exposure to radiation, number of cases of poor balloon formation, and clinical efficacy within 6 months after surgery for two groups of patients. The prognosis of the patients was followed up at 6 months after surgery.Results:The surgical time, puncture time, puncture frequency, and intraoperative exposure of the observation group were all less than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in the number of cases of poor balloon angioplasty between the observation group and the control group, as well as the pain score grading of the Barlow Neurological Institute (BNI) on the first day after surgery. Within 6 months after surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of facial numbness, diplopia, masseter weakness, perilabial herpes, and recurrent pain between the two groups of patients (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Laser positioning technology can assist in precise puncture of the foramen ovale and accurate placement of balloons based on surgical experience, which helps to improve surgical safety, reduce postoperative complications and intraoperative radiation dose, and achieve satisfactory short-term follow-up results.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and mechanism of saffron floral bio-residues（SFB） in the treatment of hyperuricemia（HUA） combined with gouty arthritis（GA） in a compound compatibility setting. MethodScreening candidate control Chinese medicines for compound and SFB based on network target distance calculation and data analysis. After adaptive feeding of 80 SD rats for 7 days， 10 rats were randomly selected as the blank group， while the remaining 70 rats were intraperitoneally injected with 3% potassium oxonate and orally administered with 1% adenine for 14 consecutive days. On the 13^th day， rats were injected with 2.5% sodium urate solution into the right ankle joint cavity to induce swelling of the joint capsule on the opposite side， inducing a HUA combined with GA model. At the same time， the modeling rats were randomly divided into 7 groups， including the model group， benzbromarone group（positive drug， 0.02 g·kg^-1）， Tongfengshu tablets group（9 g·kg^-1）， Tongfengshu granules group（9 g·kg^-1）， SFB granules group（3.6 g·kg^-1）， Plantaginis Semen granules group（3.6 g·kg^-1）， and new formula group（SFB replacing Plantaginis Semen in Tongfengshu granules， 9 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Each treatment group was orally administered with the corresponding drugs according to body weight， while the control and model groups were given equal volume of distilled water by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. After 14 days of synchronous administration and modeling， changes in gait， ankle joint swelling and mechanical pain threshold in rats were observed， and serum uric acid， creatinine， urea nitrogen and xanthine oxidase（XOD） were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELSIA） was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α， interleukin（IL）-1β and IL-6 in rat serum， hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the liver， kidney and ankle joints of rats， Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of uric acid transporter 1（URAT1）， glucose transporter 9 （GLUT9）， organic anion transporter 1（OAT1）， adenosine triphosphate（ATP） binding cassette transporter G2（ABCG2）， and liver XOD proteins. ResultThrough network pharmacology analysis， Plantaginis Semen was selected as a candidate control herb， and Tongfengshu tablets was used as a compound compatibility environment to explore the efficacy of SFB in reducing blood uric acid levels and treating GA. Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the gait score and joint swelling degree of the model group were significantly increased， and the mechanical pain threshold was significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the gait score， joint swelling degree and mechanical pain threshold of rats in each medication group were improved to varying degrees. Biochemical indicators showed that compared with the blank group， the serum uric acid， creatinine， urea nitrogen and XOD levels of the model group were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the serum uric acid and XOD levels of rats in each treatment group were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. ELISA results showed that compared with the blank group， the levels of serum TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6 in the model group were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the levels of TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6 in the benzbromarone group， Tongfengshu tablets group， Tongfengshu granules group and new formula group were significantly reduced（P<0.05，P<0.01）. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group， the expression levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins in renal tissue and OXD protein in liver tissue of the model group were significantly increased， while the expression levels of renal OAT1 and ABCG2 were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression levels of renal URAT1 and GLUT9 in the SFB granules group， Tongfengshu granules group and new formula group were significantly decreased， while the expression levels of renal OAT1 and ABCG2 were significantly increased， and the expression of XOD protein in liver tissue was significantly decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological analysis showed that focal infiltration of neutrophils， cell necrosis and nuclear fragmentation were observed in the liver tissue of the model group， sodium urate deposition crystals and tubular dilation appeared in renal tissue， synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration appeared in ankle joint. Compared with the model group， the abnormal degrees of liver， kidney and ankle joint tissue of rats in each treatment group were alleviated. ConclusionThe new formula of SFB replacing Plantaginis Semen has the same effect in the treatment of HUA combined with GA. This study proposes a new strategy to investigate the efficacy of new resources of Chinese medicine in a compound compatibility environment， which can provide a new demonstration for the research and development of new resources of Chinese medicine.