Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the etiology and progression of various diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine, the whole plants of Thesium chinense Turcz. and its preparations (e.g. Bairui Granules) have been employed to manage inflammatory conditions. While flavonoids were previously considered the primary anti-inflammatory components, other potentially active constituents have been largely overlooked and not thoroughly investigated. This study presents a novel finding that the total alkaloids of T. chinense (BC-Alk) are potent active substances underlying the traditional and clinical applications of T. chinense and Bairui Granules as anti-inflammatory agents. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified the composition of BC-Alk as quinolizidine alkaloids. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of BC-Alk was evaluated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation model in mice. Results demonstrated that BC-Alk significantly mitigated LPS-induced lung inflammation, attenuated the overproduction of IL-1β and the overproduction of inflammatory factors (TNF-α), and ameliorated lung tissue hyperplasia in mice in vivo. Mechanistic studies in vitro revealed that BC-Alk upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream proteins NQO1 and glutamate-cystine ligase and modifier subunit (GCLM), inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation, and suppressed NLRP3 activation. Collectively, these findings indicate that BC-Alk exerts potent inhibitory effects against lung inflammation by modulating Nrf2, NF-κB, and NLRP3 pathways. This study provides new insights into the anti-inflammatory constituents of T. chinense and Bairui Granules.
Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Pneumonia/genetics*

Objective To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of heat acclimation(HA)on electromagnetic field(EMF)induced hippocampus neuron injury in mice.Methods Forty healthy BALB/c male mice(18～22 g,7 weeks old)were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10):Control group(Con),HA group(34℃,30 d),EMF group(2 450 MHz,20 min/d,4 weeks)and HA+EMF group(HA preconditioning+EMF).Sucrose preference test was performed to evaluate sucrose preference levels of mice in each group.Tail suspension test and forced swimming test were utilized to observe the immobility time.Morris water maze test was conducted to determine the learning and memory capabilities.Pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed with HE staining.Immunohistochemical assay for Iba1(marker of microglia),CD68(marker of pro-inflammatory phenotype)and CD206(marker of anti-inflammatory phenotype)were used to detect the number and activation phenotype of microglia in the hippocampus.ELISA was applied to measure the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,TGF-β and IL-10 in the hippocampus of each group.Western blotting was performed to determine the protein levels of HSP70 in the hippocampus.Results As compared with the Con group,the EMF group showed a decreased preference for sucrose(P<0.05),prolonged immobile time in the tail suspension test(P<0.01)as well as in the forced swimming test(P<0.01),extented escape latency on the 7th day(P<0.01),and a decreased time of crossing the platform(P<0.05).EMF exposure resulted in that the hippocampal neurons were in disordered arrangement,loose structure and irregular morphology,with swollen cytoplasm and condensed nuclei,swollen and more microglial cells in the hippocampus(P<0.01),and enhanced relative fluorescence intensity of CD68(P<0.01),but not in CD206 fluorescence intensity(P=0.885).All these findings suggested that activated microglia predominantly exhibited a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype during this phase.In the hippocampus,the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased,while the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β were significantly decreased(P<0.01).HA treatment reversed the conditions induced by EMF exposure,including better preference for sucrose(P<0.01),shorten immobile time in tail suspension test(P<0.05)and forced swimming test(P<0.01),less escape latency on the 7th day(P<0.01),and improved hippocampal cell injuries.Compared with the Con group,there were more microglial cells in the hippocampus in the HA+EMF group,with increased relative fluorescence intensity of M2 phenotype marker CD206(P<0.01)and decreased CD68 fluorescence intensity(P<0.01).HA treatment also significantly decreased the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β levels(P<0.01),increased the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β(P<0.01),and elevated the protein level of HSP70(P<0.01)when compared with the EMF group.Conclusion HA may ameliorate EMF-induced hippocampus neurons injury in mice by altering the phenotype of activated microglia and inhibiting inflammatory responses.

Objective To investigate the alterations in skeletal muscle function and mass in an experimental mouse model of high-intensity exercise in a hot and humid environment.Methods Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice(7～8 weeks old,weighing 21.30±0.67 g)were randomly assigned to a control group(CON group),a normal temperature and humidity exercise group(NE group),and a high temperature and humidity exercise group(HE group),with 8 mice in each group.The HE group was subjected to a high-temperature simulation chamber,maintaining a temperature of 37～39℃and humidity of 70%～80%,for a 60-minute exercise intervention at a 10° incline and 80%of maximum velocity(12 min of exercise followed by 8 min of rest,for 3 cycles).The CON group did not exercise,while the NE group exercised in the same manner in a normal temperature and humidity environment.The overall condition of the mice was evaluated by monitoring their body weight and analyzing their body composition.Their serum creatinine and urea levels were detected using an automated biochemical analyzer.After exercise,skeletal muscle function in the mice of each group was assessed by measuring their grip strength and exhaustion time.The skeletal muscle contractility and resistance to fatigue were evaluated using an in situ/in vivo/ex vivo muscle testing system.HE staining was employed to observe the morphological and structural changes in the skeletal muscles,and the average cross-sectional area and diameter of the muscle fibers were analyzed.Genes related to protein synthesis(Eif4ebp1,p70S6k)and breakdown(Foxo3,Fbxo32,Trim63)and heat stress-related genes(Hsf-1,Hspa1a,Hsp90aa)were quantified using RT-qPCR.Results ① Compared with the CON and NE groups,the HE group exhibited significant decreases in body weight(P<0.01)and lean body mass(P<0.05),an upward trend of creatinine level(P<0.05),and increases in the urea content(P<0.01).② The mice in the HE group had notably reduced grip strength(P<0.001),diminished skeletal muscle contraction,and weakened resistance to fatigue(P<0.05)than the CON and NE groups.③ The HE group demonstrated a reduction in the average cross-sectional area of muscle fibers(P<0.05)and a decrease in average fiber diameter(P<0.05),with particular up-regulation of Fbxo32,Trim63 and Eif4ebp1(P<0.01)and down-regulation of p70S6k(P<0.05)in comparison to the NE and CON groups.④ The expression levels of heat stress-related genes were higher in the HE group than the CON and NE groups(P<0.05).Conclusion High-intensity exercise in a hot and humid environment can lead to a decline in skeletal muscle function and mass in mice,potentially due to the disturbance of skeletal muscle protein synthesis and degradation triggered by excessive heat stress.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tongxinluo capsules on the use of anti-ischemic drugs in patients with chronic coronary syndrome （CCS） of Qi deficiency and blood stasis. MethodA multicenter，prospective cohort study was conducted，with Tongxinluo capsules intervention as the exposure factor. Patients were divided into an exposed group （combination of traditional Chinese and western medicine） and a non-exposed group （western medicine alone），and followed up for one year. The use of anti-ischemic drugs was observed on the day of enrollment and at 3，6，12 months. ResultA total of 186 patients were enrolled，with 128 in the exposed group and 58 in the non-exposed group. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. At the 3-month follow-up，the types of first-line anti-ischemic drugs used in the exposed group were significantly fewer than those in the non-exposed group （P<0.01），and this difference remained statistically significant at 6 months （P<0.05） but was no longer significant at 12 months. At the 3- and 6-month follow-ups，there were no significant differences between the two groups in the types of second-line anti-ischemic drugs used. However，at the 12-month follow-up，the types of second-line anti-ischemic drugs used in the exposed group were significantly fewer than those in the non-exposed group （P<0.01）. At the 3-month follow-up，both groups showed a reduction in the types of first-line anti-ischemic drugs used compared to baseline （P<0.05），with a more pronounced reduction in the exposed group （P<0.05）. At the 6-month follow-up，the exposed group showed a significant reduction in the types of second-line anti-ischemic drugs used compared to baseline （P<0.05），while no significant changes were observed in the non-exposed group. At the 12-month follow-up，the difference in the types of second-line anti-ischemic drugs between the exposed and non-exposed groups was statistically significant （P<0.05），while there was no significant difference in the types of first-line anti-ischemic drugs. ConclusionTongxinluo capsules can effectively reduce the use of anti-ischemic drugs in patients with CCS of Qi deficiency and blood stasis.

Objective To investigate the effect of microglial derived extracellular vesicles on neuronal damage in the context of heat stress.Methods After BV2 microglial cells were exposed to heat stress,the supernatant was collected and subjected to ultracentrifugation at different speeds to obtain large and small vesicles,respectively.Nano Particle Tracking and Zeta Potential Distribution Analyzer was used to measure and analyze the size distribution of the large vesicles and small vesicles.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of specific vesicle surface markers,TSG101,CD63 and flotillin-1.Microglial extracellular vesicles were labeled with PKH67 dye and then co-cultured with N2a cells to examine the uptake by capacity the neurons.After large and small vesicles derived from microglia after heat stress stimulation were co-cultured with N2a cells,respectively,CCK-8 assay,lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)assay,Trypan blue staining and TUNEL assay were employed to evaluate heat stress induced neuronal damage.Results The small vesicles were in a particle size of 30～120 nm,and highly expressed TSG101 and CD63,whereas the large vesicles,in a size of 90～1000 nm,highly expressed flotillin-1.The BV2-derived extracellular vesicles could be taken up by N2a cells and were proved to be involved in the modulation of N2a cell injury caused by heat stress.CCK-8 assay showed that both large and small vesicles of microglial cells inhibited the viability of N2a cells after heat exposure (P<0.05).The results of LDH assay,Trypan blue staining and TUNEL assay showed that both large (P<0.05)and small vesicles (P<0.01)significantly enhanced the LDH release,blue stain intensity and apoptosis of N2a cells after heat exposure,and the release,intensity and apoptosis were stronger in the cells treated with small vesicles than those group of large vesicles.Conclusion Microglia aggravate heat stress-induced neuronal damage through releasing extracellular vesicles.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of driving pressure (ΔP)-guided PEEP titration on lung injury in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).Methods:Forty-six American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients, aged 65-80 yr, with body mass index of 19-28 kg/m 2, with Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score assessed as medium to high risk, scheduled for elective RARP, were divided into control group (group C, n=23) and ΔP titration group (group D, n=23) using a random number table method.Volume-controlled mechanical ventilation was used after anesthesia induction and tracheal intubation.In group C, 5 cmH 2O was used to fix PEEP.In group D, the optimal PEEP was titrated after computer-controlled breathing and after establishing Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum, the first titration started from 4 cmH 2O and increased by 1 cmH 2O every 4 min until ΔP reached the minimum value or PEEP increased to 12 cmH 2O, and the second titration was increased in increments as the method described above based on the optimal PEEP of the first titration.At 4 min after completion of the first PEEP titration (T 1, 4 min after mechanical ventilation with fixed PEEP in group C), 2 h after establishment of Trendelenburg position (T 2), 1 min after extubation (T 3) and 2 h after operation (T 4), serum concentrations of Clara cell protein (CC16), surfactant protein D (SP-D), soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1). Pulmonary complications were assessed within 7 days after operation. Results:The serum concentrations of CC16, SP-D, sRAGE and sICAM-1 were significantly higher at T 2-4 than at T 1 in two groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, the serum concentrations of CC16, SP-D, sRAGE and sICAM-1 were significantly decreased at T 2-4 ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the incidence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after operation in group D ( P>0.05). Conclusions:ΔP-guided PEEP titration can reduce lung injury in elderly patients undergoing RARP.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how the National Health Commission of China (NHCC)-recommended Chinese medicines (CMs) modulate the major maladjustments of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly the clinically observed complications and comorbidities. METHODS: By focusing on the potent targets in common with the conventional medicines, we investigated the mechanisms of 11 NHCC-recommended CMs in the modulation of the major COVID-19 pathophysiology (hyperinflammations, viral replication), complications (pain, headache) and comorbidities (hypertension, obesity, diabetes). The constituent herbs of these CMs and their chemical ingredients were from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database. The experimentally-determined targets and the activity values of the chemical ingredients of these CMs were from the Natural Product Activity and Species Source Database. The approved and clinical trial drugs against these targets were searched from the Therapeutic Target Database and DrugBank Database. Pathways of the targets was obtained from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and additional literature search. RESULTS: Overall, 9 CMs modulated 6 targets discovered by the COVID-19 target discovery studies, 8 and 11 CMs modulated 8 and 6 targets of the approved or clinical trial drugs for the treatment of the major COVID-19 complications and comorbidities, respectively. CONCLUSION The coordinated actions of each NHCC-recommended CM against a few targets of the major COVID-19 pathophysiology, complications and comorbidities, partly have common mechanisms with the conventional medicines.
COVID-19/physiopathology* ; Comorbidity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective:To evaluate the effect of driving pressure-guided individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration on atelectasis in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.Methods:Fifty elderly patients, aged 65-80 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ, with body mass index of 19-28 kg/m 2, undergoing elective robot-assisted radical prostatectomy under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=25 each) according to the random number table method: traditional lung-protective ventilation group (group C) and driving pressure-guided individualized PEEP group (group D). The method for setting PEEP was as follows: PEEP 5 cmH 2O was used throughout operation in group C. In group D, the optimal PEEP was titrated after intubation and mechanical ventilation and Trendelenburg position-pneumoperitoneum construction, the initial value was the lowest PEEP allowed by the anesthesia machine, the PEEP was increased by 1 cmH 2O (PEEP≤12 cmH 2O) every 4 min, the plateau pressure and PEEP were simultaneously recorded to calculate the driving pressure, and the corresponding PEEP was considered as the optimal PEEP for the individual when the driving pressure reached the minimum.Ultrasound examination was performed after catheterization of radial artery (T 0), after anesthesia induction (T 1), 4 min after developing optimal PEEP ventilation (T 2, 4 min after developing ventilation in group C), after restoration of body position (T 3), before extubation (T 4), and at 2 h after admission to postanesthesia care unit (T 5). Atelectatic aeration loss scores were recorded at T 0, T 1, T 4 and T 5.Bilateral optic nerve sheath diameter was measured at T 0-4.Arterial blood gas analysis was performed at T 0, T 2, T 3 and T 5, PaO 2 and PaCO 2 were recorded, and oxygenation index was calculated.The postoperative pulmonary complications within 3 days after operation were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, atelectasis aeration loss scores at T 4, 5 and PaCO 2 at T 2, 3 were significantly decreased, and PaO 2 and oxygenation index were increased at T 2, 3, 5 in group D ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the bilateral optic nerve sheath diameter and incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Driving pressure-guided individualized PEEP can increase intraoperative oxygenation and decrease the development of atelectasis in elderly patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become one major threat to human population health. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) presents an ideal target of antivirals, whereas nucleoside analogs inhibitor is hindered by the proofreading activity of coronavirus. Herein, we report that corilagin (RAI-S-37) as a non-nucleoside inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, binds directly to RdRp, effectively inhibits the polymerase activity in both cell-free and cell-based assays, fully resists the proofreading activity and potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection with a low 50% effective concentration (EC

Objective To evaluate the effect of dynamic lung compliance ( Cydn)-guided positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration on lung injury in the patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Methods Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients, aged 65-80 yr, with body mass index of 19-28 kg∕m2 , scheduled for elective robot-assisted radical prosta-tectomy under general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C) and PEEP group (group P). Mechanical ventilation was performed ac-cording to preset parameters after tracheal intubation in group C, and PEEP was set by a double titration method after tracheal intubation and after pneumoperitoneum in group P. At 4 min after intubation (T1), 4 min, 1 h and 2 h after establishing pneumoperitoneum-Trendelenburg position ( T2-4 ) , and 1 and 30 min after extubation ( T5,6 ) in group C or at 4 min after completing the first PEEP titration ( T1 ) , 4 min, 1 h and 2 h after completing the second PEEP titration (T2-4) and T5,6 in group P, blood samples were collect-ed from the radial artery for determination of club cell protein 16, surfactant protein-D, tumor necrosis fac-tor-alpha and interleukin-6 concentrations in serum ( by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) . Results Compared with group C, the serum concentrations of club cell protein 16 at T2-6 and surfactant protein-D, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 at T3-6 were significantly decreased in group P (P<0. 05). Conclusion Cydn-guided PEEP titration can reduce the lung injury in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.