The rapid screening of bioactive constituents within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) presents a significant challenge to researchers. Prevailing strategies for the screening of active components in TCM often overlook trace components owing to their concealment by more abundant constituents. To address this limitation, a fishing strategy based on offline two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) combined with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was utilized to screen bioactive trace components targeting peroxiredoxin 3 (PRDX3), using Uncaria alkaloids (UAs) as a case study. Initially, an orthogonal preparative offline 2D-LC system combining a positively charged C₁₈ column and a conventional C₁₈ column under disparate mobile phase conditions was constructed. To fully reveal the trace alkaloids, 13 2D fractions of UAs were prepared, and their components were characterized using mass spectrometry (MS). Subsequently, employing PRDX3 as the targeting protein, a SPR-based screening approach was established and rigorously validated with geissoschizine methyl ether (GSM) serving as a positive control for binding. Employing this refined strategy, 29 candidate binding alkaloids were fished from the 13 2D fractions. Notably, combining offline 2D-LC with SPR increased the yield of candidate binding components from 10 to 29 when compared to SPR-based screening alone. Subsequent binding affinity assays confirmed that PRDX3 was a direct binding target for the 12 fished alkaloids, with isovallesiachotamine (IV), corynoxeine N-oxide (CO-N), and cadambine (CAD) demonstrating the highest affinity for PRDX3. Their interactions were further validated through molecular docking analysis. Subsequent intracellular H₂O₂ measurement assays and transfection experiments confirmed that these three trace alkaloids enhanced PRDX3-mediated H₂O₂ clearance. In conclusion, this study introduced an innovative strategy for the identification of active trace components in TCM. This approach holds promise for accelerating research on medicinal components within this field.

The aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) is an all-aqueous system fabricated from two immiscible aqueous phases. It is spontaneously assembled through physical liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and can create suitable templates like the multicompartment of the intracellular environment. Delicate structures containing multiple compartments make it possible to endow materials with advanced functions. Due to the properties of ATPSs, ATPS-based drug delivery systems exhibit excellent biocompatibility, extraordinary loading efficiency, and intelligently controlled content release, which are particularly advantageous for delivering drugs in vivo. Therefore, we will systematically review and evaluate ATPSs as an ideal drug delivery system. Based on the basic mechanisms and influencing factors in forming ATPSs, the transformation of ATPSs into valuable biomaterials is described. Afterward, we concentrate on the most recent cutting-edge research on ATPS-based delivery systems. Finally, the potential for further collaborations between ATPS-based drug-carrying biomaterials and disease diagnosis and treatment is also explored.

Objective:To investigate the effect of methylene blue (MB) on motor dysfunction and its mechanism in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) mouse models.Methods:Forty healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, model group, low-dose treatment group and medium-dose treatment group ( n=10); PD mouse models were established by intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/kg/d MPTP for a consecutive 7 d; low-dose treatment group and medium-dose treatment group were pretreated intraperitoneally with MB 2 mg/kg/d or MB 10 mg/kg/d for a consecutive 3 d, respectively; and then, MPTP 25 mg/kg/d+MB 2 mg/kg/d or MPTP 25 mg/kg/d+MB 10 mg/kg/d were injected intraperitoneally into the low-dose treatment group or medium-dose treatment group for a consecutive 7 d (MPTP and MB were given at 12 h of interval). Eight d after modeling, open field experiment, pole climbing experiment and rod rotating experiment were carried out to evaluate the spontaneous movement, coordination, endurance and motor ability. And then, the mice were sacrificed; immunofluorescent staining was used to observe tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra; Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of TH, α-synuclein, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cleaved-Caspase-1 and Gasdermin D (GSDMD) in the striatum and substantia nigra of mice. Contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in the substantia nigra and striatum of mice were detected by ELISA. Results:Compared with the control group, the model group had shortened residence time in rod rotating, prolonged descent time in rod climbing, reduced total movement distance in open field, decreased number of TH-positive cells in the substania nigra, decreased TH protein levels in the substania nigra and striatum, and increased NLRP3, ASC, cleaved-Caspase-1, GSDMD and GSDMD-N protein levels in the substania nigra and striatum, and increased TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18 contents in the substania nigra and striatum, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with the model group, low-dose treatment group and medium-dose treatment group had prolonged residence time in rod rotating, shortened descent time in rod climbing, increased total movement distance in open field, increased number of TH-positive cells in the substania nigra, and increased TH protein levels in the substania nigra and striatum, decreased NLRP3, ASC, and cleaved-Caspase-1 levels in the substania nigra and striatum, and decreased TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-18 contents in the substania nigra and striatum, with significant differences ( P<0.05). No statistical differences in the above indexes were noted between the low-dose treatment group and medium-dose treatment group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Low-/medium-dose MB can ameliorate motor dysfunction in PD mouse models, whose mechanism may be related to downregulate NLRP3 inflammasome and inhibit neuroinflammatory response to reduce dopaminergic neuron pyroptosis.

Objective : To investigate the effects of D ⁃allose on the restoration of neurological function , Galectin⁃3 (Gal⁃3) , adenosine monophosphate⁃activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (AMPK/mTOR) and the expression of some inflammatory factors in ischemia⁃reperfusion injury ( CIRI) mice . Methods : A total of 50 male mice were randomly divided into control group (Con group) , sham group (Sham group) , cerebral ischemia⁃reperfusion injury group (MCAO group) , cerebral ischemia⁃reperfusion injury + D ⁃alolose group (MCAO + D ⁃allose group) and cerebral ischemia⁃reperfusion injury + modified citrus pectin group (MCAO + MCP group) . The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model (reperfusion after 2 hours of MCA ischemia) was established by thread embolism . After successful modeling , the neurological function of mice was evaluated Longa score and rotated rod walking . TTC staining was used to observe the volume of cerebral infarction foci . The expression levels of Gal⁃3 and autophagy⁃related molecules were detected by Western blot and RT⁃PCR . Immunofluorescence was applied to detect the distribution of Gal⁃3 in brain tissue , and TNF⁃α , IL⁃8 secretion was detected with ELISA KIT . Results : Compared with Con group and Sham group , the MCAO model represented significant increase in the Longa neurofunction score (P < 0. 01) , cerebral infarction volume ( P < 0. 01) , Gal⁃3 expression and manifasted enhanced autophagy (P < 0. 01) . After treatment with D ⁃allose , it could significantly improve neurological dysfunction , reduce cerebral infarction volume (P < 0. 01) , reduce the expression of Gal⁃3 ( P < 0. 01) , inhibit AMPK phosphorylation , promote mTOR phosphorylation , and inhibit autophagy (P < 0. 01) . The use of the Gal⁃3 inhibitor MCP alone could also achieve the effect of inhibiting autophagy . Conclusion D ⁃allose can effectively promote the recovery of neurological function and reduce the volume of infarct foci in CIRI mice . The mechanism may involve inhibiting excessive cell autophagy by downregulating the expression of Gal⁃3 , and reducing the release of inflammatory factors such as TNF⁃α and IL⁃8 , thereby exerting neuroprotective effects .

The aim of this study is to construct an injectable gel with stable phototherapy and chemotherapy. Res-PTX@IR780 gel with phototherapy and chemotherapy property was prepared by introduction of photosensitizer IR780 and antioxidant resveratrol (Res) into the polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution of paclitaxel (PTX). The results showed that PTX, PTX@IR780 and Res-PTX@IR780 could form gels and the gels were injectable. ATR-FTIR results indicated not only components of the gels but also the formation of hydrogen bonding during the gelation. The results of UV showed instability of IR780 solution and stability improvement of Res-IR780 solution under infrared radiation (IR) irradiation. Photothermal tests showed that Res-PTX@IR780 displayed better photothermal conversion and photothermal stability under multiple irradiations than PTX@IR780. The results of
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gels ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nanoparticles ; Paclitaxel ; Phototherapy

BACKGROUND:Baloon kyphoplasty is effective in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, but it is unclear that which one is proper, unilateral or bilateral approach, with better efficacy and fewer
complications.
OBJECTIVE:To assess the efficacy and safety of unilateralversus bilateral baloon kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
METHODS: We searched the electronic bibliographic databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, CBMdisc and other databases to colect clinical trials concerning unilateral versus bilateral baloon kyphoplasty. Two estimators independently evaluated the quality of these included studies and analyzed data by Cochrane Colaboration’s RevMan 5.2 software.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Fourteen trials involving 876 patients were included. There were 442 cases of unilateral approach and 434 of bilateral approach. The meta-analysis showed that there were no significant
differences in pain score by visual analog scale, vertebral height, and kyphotic angle; while the unilateral approach had less operating time, lower amount of cement injected and lower risk of cement leakage
than the bilateral approach [mean difference (MD)=-19.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-24.42,-14.24);
MD=-2.07, 95%CI (-2.42,-1.71); odds ratio=0.47, 95% CI (-24.42,-14.240)]. These findings indicate that the unilateral baloon kyphoplasty can reduce the leakage rate of bone cement.