1.Exploring Intervention Effect of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice on Slow-transit Constipation and Its "Microbiota-Metabolism" Synergistic Regulation Mechanism Based on Theory of "Spleen Governing Transportation and Transformation"
Dan LI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Xiaofen WANG ; Zuxin HE ; Junnan WEI ; Yanqing LIU ; Yuxuan GAO ; Ping LUO ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):201-209
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "spleen governing transportation and transformation", this study investigates the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AMR-AFI) in improving slow-transit constipation(STC), as well as the synergistic regulatory mechanism involving the microbiota-metabolism axis, thereby elucidating the scientific basis of its processing theory. MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into the control group, model group, positive drug(mosapride) group(3 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of AMR-AFI(3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the remaining five groups were induced with STC using loperamide hydrochloride. Following modeling, interventions were administered. All groups received continuous administration for 15 d, during which fecal samples, colon tissue, and serum were collected. Constipation improvement was assessed by measuring fecal moisture content and small intestinal propulsion rate, histological morphology of colonic tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the levels of interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and IL-2 in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, the microbial community structure in mouse feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, while transcriptomic sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed genes in colonic tissue, followed by gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the association between differential microbiota and differential genes. ResultsCompared with the control group, the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01), while serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2 were significantly elevated(P<0.01). HE staining showed damage and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells, along with a reduction in goblet cells in the model group. In comparison with the model group, all treatment groups improved the pathological state of the colonic mucosa to varying degrees and reduced serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2(P<0.01). Among these, the high-dose group of AMR-AFI significantly increased the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content of rats(P<0.05, P<0.01). Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that a total of 104 differentially expressed genes were identified from comparisons between the model group and the control group, as well as between the model group and the high-dose group of AMR-AFI. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways closely related to STC pathogenesis, such as arachidonic acid metabolism and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that AMR-AFI reversed the structural imbalance of the gut microbiota in model mice, increased species richness, downregulated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Parasutterella, and enriched beneficial and butyrate-producing bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. Spearman correlation analysis further showed that the beneficial bacteria enriched in the AMR-AFI group were negatively correlated with genes involved in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and positively correlated with genes in the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathway. In contrast, pro-inflammatory bacteria in the model group exhibited the opposite correlation trends. ConclusionAMR-AFI can effectively exert synergistic therapeutic effects on STC by regulating intestinal microbiota, arachidonic acid-mediated inflammatory metabolism, and aldosterone-regulated water-salt balance pathways.
2.Exploring Intervention Effect of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma Processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus Juice on Slow-transit Constipation and Its "Microbiota-Metabolism" Synergistic Regulation Mechanism Based on Theory of "Spleen Governing Transportation and Transformation"
Dan LI ; Xiaoxia LIU ; Xiaofen WANG ; Zuxin HE ; Junnan WEI ; Yanqing LIU ; Yuxuan GAO ; Ping LUO ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):201-209
ObjectiveBased on the theory of "spleen governing transportation and transformation", this study investigates the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice(AMR-AFI) in improving slow-transit constipation(STC), as well as the synergistic regulatory mechanism involving the microbiota-metabolism axis, thereby elucidating the scientific basis of its processing theory. MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into the control group, model group, positive drug(mosapride) group(3 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose groups of AMR-AFI(3.9, 7.8, 15.6 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the remaining five groups were induced with STC using loperamide hydrochloride. Following modeling, interventions were administered. All groups received continuous administration for 15 d, during which fecal samples, colon tissue, and serum were collected. Constipation improvement was assessed by measuring fecal moisture content and small intestinal propulsion rate, histological morphology of colonic tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the levels of interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and IL-2 in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Furthermore, the microbial community structure in mouse feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, while transcriptomic sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed genes in colonic tissue, followed by gene ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the association between differential microbiota and differential genes. ResultsCompared with the control group, the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01), while serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2 were significantly elevated(P<0.01). HE staining showed damage and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells, along with a reduction in goblet cells in the model group. In comparison with the model group, all treatment groups improved the pathological state of the colonic mucosa to varying degrees and reduced serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-2(P<0.01). Among these, the high-dose group of AMR-AFI significantly increased the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content of rats(P<0.05, P<0.01). Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that a total of 104 differentially expressed genes were identified from comparisons between the model group and the control group, as well as between the model group and the high-dose group of AMR-AFI. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways closely related to STC pathogenesis, such as arachidonic acid metabolism and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that AMR-AFI reversed the structural imbalance of the gut microbiota in model mice, increased species richness, downregulated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Parasutterella, and enriched beneficial and butyrate-producing bacteria, including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Ruminococcaceae, and Lachnospiraceae. Spearman correlation analysis further showed that the beneficial bacteria enriched in the AMR-AFI group were negatively correlated with genes involved in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and positively correlated with genes in the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathway. In contrast, pro-inflammatory bacteria in the model group exhibited the opposite correlation trends. ConclusionAMR-AFI can effectively exert synergistic therapeutic effects on STC by regulating intestinal microbiota, arachidonic acid-mediated inflammatory metabolism, and aldosterone-regulated water-salt balance pathways.
3.Mechanism of Shenling baizhu san in ameliorating ulcerative colitis via regulating flora metabolism-related proteins and TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory axis
Jiajia XU ; Yu YOU ; Jiaoman WANG ; Yuhui LIU ; Shiyao CHANG ; Zhixian HE ; Ping LI ; Ziyan WANG ; Wei XIONG ; Fei HAN
China Pharmacy 2026;37(15):1992-1997
OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Shenling baizhu san (SLBZS) in ameliorating ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS Mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, and low-, medium-, high-dose SLBZS groups (3, 6, 12 g/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal group, mice in other groups were given free access to 3% dextran sulfate sodium solution for 7 days to establish UC models. Simultaneously, mice in each group were intragastrically administered corresponding medicinal liquid or double-distilled water once a day for consecutive 7 days. After the last administration, the histopathological morphology of colon tissues was observed; the serum levels of inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 were detected; the total bile acid contents in liver, gallbladder and colon tissues were determined; the expression level of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) in colon tissues was tested. The expression levels of flora metabolism-related proteins [G protein-coupled receptor 41(GPR41),GPR43,farnesoid X receptor (FXR), G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (TGR5), flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3), cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily A member 1 (CYP27A1), CYP7A1] in liver or colon tissues, as well as the proteins related to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/NLRP3 inflammatory axis [TLR4, NF-κB, phosphorylated NF-κB (p-NF-κB), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1] in colon tissues were measured. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the colon tissue injury and inflammatory cell infiltration were alleviated in medium- and high-dose SLBZS groups. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18, total bile acid contents in liver and colon tissues, as well as the protein expression levels of FMO3 and CYP7A1 in liver tissues, TLR4, p-NF-κB, NF-κB, MyD88, NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 in colon tissues were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the total bile acid content in gallbladder, the protein expression levels of GPR41 and GPR43 in colon tissues, along with CYP27A1, FXR and TGR5 in liver tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS SLBZS may relieve colonic inflammatory injury and ameliorate UC by regulating the expression of flora metabolism-related proteins and inhibiting the abnormal activation of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory axis.
4.Long-term prognosis of liver cirrhosis patients with spontaneous portosystemic shunt undergoing secondary endoscopic preventive therapy for type 1 isolated gastric variceal bleeding
Yuling ZHOU ; Lingling HE ; Jiali MA ; Ping LI ; Hongshan WEI ; Zhenglin AI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(7):1614-1622
ObjectiveTo observe the long-term survival outcomes and complications of liver cirrhosis patients with spontaneous portosystemic shunt and type 1 isolated gastric varices (IGV-1) bleeding after secondary endoscopic preventive therapy, and to investigate the independent influencing factors for long-term prognosis. MethodsA total of 70 liver cirrhosis patients with spontaneous portosystemic shunt and IGV-1 bleeding who were admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 5, 2015 to November 29, 2019 were enrolled as subjects, and related baseline data were collected, including age, sex, etiology, routine blood test results, liver function parameters, renal function parameters, coagulation parameters, Child-Pugh score, and the presence or absence of comorbidities such as cholestasis, hepatocellular carcinoma, thrombosis, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. All patients underwent secondary endoscopic preventive therapy for rebleeding and were followed up for 5 years. The primary endpoints were ectopic embolism rate and all-cause mortality rate, and the secondary endpoints were liver-related mortality and liver-related complications. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Cox regression analysis was used to investigate the prognostic factors for 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival time, and the Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for liver disease-related complications. ResultsThe incidence rate of ectopic embolism was 0% within 5 years of follow-up. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year all-cause mortality rates were 5.7%, 24.3%, and 32.9%, respectively. There were 2 cases of liver-related death in year 1, 8 cases in year 3, and 12 cases in year 5, resulting in a liver disease-related mortality rate of 17.14% (12/70). Compared with the survival group, the death group had significantly higher incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (0.00% vs 17.39%, χ2=8.669, P=0.003) and ascites (38.30% vs 52.17%, χ2=7.272, P=0.026), and compared with the death group, the survival group had significantly lower 5-year incidence rates of rebleeding (10.64% vs 100.00%, χ2=51.383, P<0.001), ascites (8.51% vs 52.17%, χ2=21.574, P<0.001), and hepatic encephalopathy (0.00% vs 21.74%, χ2=12.029, P=0.002). The multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that during the 1-year follow-up, comorbidity with hepatocellular carcinoma before surgery (hazard ratio [HR]=14.601, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.049 — 104.098, P=0.007) and PT (HR=1.662, 95%CI: 1.090 — 2.535, P=0.018) were independent risk factors for survival, and HGB level (HR=0.863, 95%CI: 0.747 — 0.998, P=0.046) was a protective factor for prolonged survival; during the long-term follow-up for 3 or 5 years, preoperative comorbidities with hepatocellular carcinoma (3 years: HR=40.174, 95%CI: 8.939 — 180.559, P<0.001; 5 years: HR=26.739, 95%CI: 6.993 — 102.243, P<0.001) and ascites (3 years: HR=3.638, 95%CI: 1.751 — 7.575, P=0.001; 5 years: HR=2.555, 95%CI: 1.419 — 4.598, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for mortality. The Logistic regression analysis showed that during the follow-up for 3 years, comorbidity with ascites before surgery (odds ratio [OR]=0.255, 95%CI: 0.102 — 0.636, P=0.003) was associated with a lower risk of rebleeding, while comorbidity with hepatocellular carcinoma before surgery (OR=16.231, 95%CI: 1.298 — 202.878, P=0.031) was an independent risk factor for rebleeding; prothrombin time was a protective factor against hepatic encephalopathy (OR=0.790, 95%CI: 0.648 — 0.964, P=0.020); during the follow-up for 5 years, aggravation of ascites after surgery (OR=5.578, 95%CI: 1.474 — 21.103, P=0.011) was an independent risk factor for rebleeding, and aggravation of ascites after surgery (OR=175.046, 95%CI: 14.306 — 2 141.909, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for the development of ascites in the future. ConclusionComorbidity with hepatocellular carcinoma before surgery and prothrombin time are independent risk factors for 1-year survival, whereas a high HGB level is a protective factor for increasing 1-year survival. Preoperative comorbidities with hepatocellular carcinoma and ascites are independent risk factors for the long-term prognosis of patients with spontaneous portosystemic shunt and IGV-1 bleeding and can significantly shorten survival time. Preoperative comorbidity with ascites can reduce the occurrence of rebleeding, while postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma and aggravation of ascites after surgery are independent risk factors for rebleeding; aggravation of ascites after surgery is an independent risk factor for the development of ascites in the future.
5.Clinical value of plasma protein ARP2 in evaluating heatstroke prognosis based on proteomics
Qing-Bo ZENG ; Jing-Chun SONG ; Nian-Qing ZHANG ; Qing SONG ; Long-Ping HE ; Qing-Wei LIN ; Lin-Cui ZHONG ; Xing-Ping DENG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(9):1138-1145
Objective To investigate plasma protein expression changes in heatstroke patients using proteomics technology and to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 heatstroke patients hospitalized at the 908th Hospital of the Chinese PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from July 2022 to February 2024.Patients were divided into survival(n=16)and death groups(n=4)based on 28-day outcomes.Fasting venous blood samples were collected from both groups for proteomic analysis.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)was used to identify and screen differentially expressed proteins.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analyses were performed.LASSO regression was applied to screen key prognostic biomarkers,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate their predictive value.Results A total of 27 upregulated and 90 downregulated proteins were identified between the two groups.These proteins were primarily involved in biological processes such as immune responses,complement activation,and metabolic processes.LASSO regression analysis indicated that actin-related protein 2(ARP2),cysteine-rich scavenger receptor type 1 M130(CD163),and catalase(CAT)could serve as effective biomarkers for evaluating heatstroke prognosis.ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ARP2 had higher diagnostic efficacy(AUC=0.98,sensitivity=0.80,specificity=1.00)compared to CD163(AUC=0.94,sensitivity=0.76,specificity=1.00),CAT(AUC=0.96,sensitivity=0.67,specificity=1.00),and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score(AUC=0.79,sensitivity=0.44,specificity=1.00).Conclusion Elevated plasma ARP2 level has good clinical value for predicting poor prognosis in heatstroke patients.
6.Integrated teaching practice of medical imaging and human anatomy courses in Peking University
Ping HE ; Qing-Yuan HE ; Li-Ju LUAN ; Li-Hua QIN ; Wei-Guang ZHANG ; Xuan FANG ; Jun-Hao YAN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(6):738-742
Objective To explore how to organically integrate the human anatomy curriculum with medical imaging,thereby enhancing medical students' spatial understanding and 3D reconstruction skills,and strengthening their anatomical foundation and clinical competence.This approach aims to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical practice while cultivating clinical thinking abilities.Methods In this study,the medical imaging knowledge was introduced into the anatomy curriculum in Peking University,enabling students to better understand the human body structure and its relationship to the clinical practice with aid of the ultrasound and MRI method.After the course concluded,we evaluated the examination result and learning satisfaction data from the anatomy course.Results The result showed that students provided positive feedback,showing increased interest in learning,enhanced initiative,significant improvement in their anatomy grades(P<0.01),and a notable enhancement in their ability to apply basic knowledge to solve clinical problems(P<0.05).Conclusion The integrated teaching approach of medical imaging and human anatomy courses provides innovative ideas and practical method for medical students to learn the basic medical course and enhance their clinical skills in the future.
7.Chemical constituents from Citri reticulatae Pericarpium Viride and their anti-triple negative breast cancer activities in vitro
Xu-li DENG ; Yi-yan CHEN ; Hong-chuan ZHANG ; Yi-mou WANG ; Rui YIN ; Wei-mao DONG ; Zhang-xian CHEN ; Kui-lin ZHU ; Hong-ping HE ; Fa-wu DONG
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(1):118-125
AIM To study the chemical constituents from Citri reticulatae Pericarpium Viride and their anti-triple negative breast cancer activities in vitro.METHODS The ethanolic extract of Citri reticulatae Pericarpium Viride was isolated and purified by silica gel,polyamide,MCI,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The anti-triple negative breast cancer activities were screened by SRB assay,and their effects on the proliferation of triple negative breast cancer cell lines HCC1806,HCC1937 and MDA-MB-231 in vitro were evaluated.RESULTS Twenty compounds were isolated and identified as nobiletin(1),tangeritin(2),5,4'-dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxy flavonoid(3),naringenin(4),artemetin(5),5-demethynobiletin(6),3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-pentamethoxy flavonoid(7),5,4'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,8,3'-pentamethoxyflavone(8),xanthomicrol(9),p-hydroxycinnamic acid(10),5,4'-dihydroxy-6,7,8,3'-tetramethoxyflavone(11),pectolinarigenin(12),4'-dihydroxy-5,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone(13),hispidulin(14),4',5,6,7-tetramethoxy-flavone(15),1-methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohexane-1,2-diol(16),umbelliferone(17),5-hydroxymethyl furfural(18),hydroquinone(19),1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde(20).Compound 8 showed a significant inhibitory effect with the IC50 value of(5.36±0.24)μmol/L on HCC1806 cells.CONCLUSION Compound 20 is isolated from genus Citrus for the first time,8,12-13,16-17 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compound 8 show inhibitory effects on the proliferation of HCC1806,HCC1937 and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and have the strongest activities.Compounds 3-4,11-12,15,17 and 19 show strong inhibitory effect on HCC1806 cells.Compounds 15,19 also inhibit the proliferation of HCC1937 cells in vitro.
8.Chinese expert consensus on emergent treatment of hypothermia(2025 edition)
Wei CHEN ; Lei HE ; Ming YIN ; Tao WAN ; You-Qing TANG ; Ai-Ping WANG ; Yang LI ; Wan-Xian YU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):641-655
Hypothermia is a clinical syndrome characterized by core body temperature<35℃,caused by significant heat loss from body surface in cold environment.As a systemic cold injury,it can be lethal if treatment is delayed.Emergent diagnosis and treatment of hypothermia are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.In 2005,the U.S.Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine(USARIEM)issued guidelines for the prevention and management of cold injuries,but there has been no corresponding standard in China.Therefore,Emergency Branch of Chinese Medical Rescue Association,Emergency Medical Equipment Society of China Association of Medical Equipment,Integrated Rehabilitation Medical Branch of Chinese Medical Rescue Association,and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Working Committee of Chinese Aging Well Association jointly developed the Chinese Expert Consensus on Emergent Treatment of Hypothermia(2025 edition).The consensus covers the pathophysiology,etiology and epidemiology,diagnosis and severity grading,prehospital treatment,and in-hospital treatment of hypothermia,including 15 recommendations in total,aiming to provide guidance for the relevant clinical rescue work.
9.Chinese expert consensus on emergent treatment of hypothermia(2025 edition)
Wei CHEN ; Lei HE ; Ming YIN ; Tao WAN ; You-Qing TANG ; Ai-Ping WANG ; Yang LI ; Wan-Xian YU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(6):641-655
Hypothermia is a clinical syndrome characterized by core body temperature<35℃,caused by significant heat loss from body surface in cold environment.As a systemic cold injury,it can be lethal if treatment is delayed.Emergent diagnosis and treatment of hypothermia are expected to improve the prognosis of patients.In 2005,the U.S.Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine(USARIEM)issued guidelines for the prevention and management of cold injuries,but there has been no corresponding standard in China.Therefore,Emergency Branch of Chinese Medical Rescue Association,Emergency Medical Equipment Society of China Association of Medical Equipment,Integrated Rehabilitation Medical Branch of Chinese Medical Rescue Association,and Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Working Committee of Chinese Aging Well Association jointly developed the Chinese Expert Consensus on Emergent Treatment of Hypothermia(2025 edition).The consensus covers the pathophysiology,etiology and epidemiology,diagnosis and severity grading,prehospital treatment,and in-hospital treatment of hypothermia,including 15 recommendations in total,aiming to provide guidance for the relevant clinical rescue work.
10.Nigella sativa L. seed extract alleviates oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence and dysfunction in melanocytes.
Ben NIU ; Xiaohong AN ; Yongmei CHEN ; Ting HE ; Xiao ZHAN ; Xiuqi ZHU ; Fengfeng PING ; Wei ZHANG ; Jia ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(2):203-213
Nigella sativa L. seeds have been traditionally utilized in Chinese folk medicine for centuries to treat vitiligo. This study revealed that the ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa L. (HZC) enhances melanogenesis and mitigates oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence and dysfunction in melanocytes. In accordance with established protocols, the ethanol fraction from Nigella sativa L. seeds was extracted, concentrated, and lyophilized to evaluate its herbal effects via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, tyrosinase activity evaluation, measurement of cellular melanin contents, scratch assays, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot analysis for expression profiling of experimentally relevant proteins. The results indicated that HZC significantly enhanced tyrosinase activity and melanin content while notably increasing the protein expression levels of Tyr, Mitf, and gp100 in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, HZC effectively mitigated oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence, improved melanocyte condition, and rectified various functional impairments associated with melanocyte dysfunction. These findings suggest that HZC increases melanin synthesis in melanocytes through the activation of the MAPK, PKA, and Wnt signaling pathways. In addition, HZC attenuates oxidative damage induced by H2O2 therapy by activating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway and enhancing the activity of downstream antioxidant enzymes, thus preventing premature senescence and dysfunction in melanocytes.
Oxidative Stress/drug effects*
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Melanocytes/cytology*
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Cellular Senescence/drug effects*
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Nigella sativa/chemistry*
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Plant Extracts/pharmacology*
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Seeds/chemistry*
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Mice
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Animals
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Melanins/metabolism*
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Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism*
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Humans

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