ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-Alzheimer's disease （AD） effect of Dipsacus asper（DA） in the Caenorhabditis elegans model， and decipher the underlying mechanism via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （PPARα）/transcription factor EB （TFEB） pathway. MethodsFirst， transgenic AD C. elegans individuals were assigned into the blank control， model， positive control （WY14643， 20 µmol·L^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （100， 200， and 400 mg·L^-1， respectively） DA groups. The amyloid β-42 （Aβ₄₂） formation in the muscle cells， the paralysis time， and the deposition of amyloid β-protein （Aβ） in the head were detected. The lysosomal autophagy in the BV2 cell model was examined by Rluc-LC3wt/G120A. The expression levels of lysosomal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ， LC3I， LAMP2， and TFEB were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to determine the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes beclin1 and Atg5 and lysosome-related genes LAMP2 and CLN2 downstream of PPARα/TFEB. A reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of PPARα， and the active components of the ethanol extract of DA were identified by UPLC-MS. RCSB PDB， Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， and Autodock were used to analyze the binding between the active components and PPARα-ligand-binding domain （LBD）. ResultsCompared with the model group， the positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L^-1 DA groups showed prolonged paralysis time （P<0.05）， and all the treatment groups showed decreased Aβ deposition in the head （P<0.01）. DA within the concentration range of 50-500 mg·L^-1 did not affect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition， DA enhanced the autophagy flux （P<0.05）， up-regulated the mRNA levels of beclin1， Atg5， LAMP2， and CLN2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB （P<0.05）， increased LAMP2 expression and autophagy flux （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and enhanced the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB （P<0.01）. The positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L^-1 DA groups showed enhanced fluorescence intensity of PPARα in the BV2 nucleus （P<0.01）. UPLC-MS detected nine known compounds of DA， from which 8 active components of DA were screened out. The docking results suggested that a variety of components in DA could bind to PPARα-LBD and form stable hydrogen bonds. ConclusionDA may reduce the pathological changes in AD by regulating the PPARα-TFEB pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of salvianolic acid F （Sal F） in repairing the high glucose-induced injury in human kidney-2 （HK-2） cells via the B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）-associated X protein （Bax）/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 3 （Caspase-3）/gasdermin-E （GSDME） pathway. MethodThe cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to measure the relative viability of HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and different concentrations （2.5， 5， 10， 20 μmol·L^-1） of Sal F and the relative viability of HK-2 cells treated with Sal F for different time periods. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in the supernatant of the cell culture were measured by the LDH assay kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kit， respectively. Flow cytometry combined with Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide （PI） and Hoechst 33342/PI staining was employed to reveal the proportion of PI-positive HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of Bax， Bcl-2， cytochrome C， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase （Caspase）-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. The 2，7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence probe （DCFH-DA） and mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit （JC-1） were used to determine the production of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and the mitochondrial membrane potential in the HK-2 cells exposed to high glucose and treated with Sal F. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased cell viability （P<0.01）， elevated levels LDH and IL-1β， increased proportion of PI-positive cells （P<0.01）， up-regulated protein levels of Bax， cytochrome C， Caspase-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）， decreased mitochondrial membrane potential， and excessive ROS accumulation. Compared with the model group， Sal F repaired the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells （P<0.05）， lowered the levels of LDH and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased the proportion of PI-positive cells （P<0.01）. In addition， Sal F down-regulated the protein levels of Bax， cytochrome C， Caspase-9， Caspase-3， and GSDME and up-regulated the protein level of Bcl-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased the mitochondrial membrane potential， and decreased the accumulation of ROS in HK-2 cells. ConclusionSal F can reduce the production of ROS， restore the balance of mitochondrial membrane potential， and inhibit pyroptosis via the Bax/Caspase-3/GSDME signaling pathway to repair the high glucose-induced injury in HK-2 cells.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yishen Tongluo prescription （YSTLP） on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and explore the mechanism based on endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）/transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）. MethodThe db/db mice were randomly divided into model group， valsartan group （10 mg·kg^-1）， and low， middle， high-dose YSTLP groups （1， 2.5， 5 g·kg^-1）. Samples were collected after eight weeks of drug intervention. In addition， db/m mice in the same litter served as the control group. Human renal tubular epithelial cells （HK-2） were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group， advanced glycated end-product （AGE） group， and AGE + low， middle， and high-dose YSTLP groups （100， 200， 400 mg·L^-1）. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL） staining was used to detect the apoptosis rate of HK-2 cells. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay was conducted to detect the viability of HK-2 cells. Calcium fluorescence probe staining and luciferase reporter gene method were adopted to detect the luciferase activity of folded protein response element （UPRE） and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Immunohistochemical （IHC） analysis was carried out to measure the protein expressions of phosphorylated PKR （p-PERK）， CHOP， and ATF4. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and X-box binding protein 1 （XBP1） in mouse kidney and HK-2 cells. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression level of p-PERK， PERK， CHOP， ATF4， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax）， and cleaved Caspase-3 in mouse kidney and HK-2 cells. ResultIn the cellular assay， HK-2 cell viability was significantly reduced， and the apoptosis rate was elevated in the AGE group compared with the control group （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of apoptosis-related factor Bcl-2 were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and those of Bax were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The protein expression level of cleaved Caspase-3 was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the AGE group， YSTLP administration treatment resulted in elevated cell viability and reduced apoptosis rate （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Bcl-2 were significantly elevated in a time- and dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）， and those of Bax were significantly reduced in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The protein expression level of cleaved Caspase-3 was significantly reduced in a time- and dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）. The intracellular Ca²⁺ imbalance and UPRE luciferase fluorescence intensity were increased in the AGE group compared with the control group （P<0.01）. The mRNA levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factors CHOP and XBP1 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-PERK， CHOP， and ATF4 were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the AGE group， YSTLP effectively improved intracellular Ca²⁺ imbalance in HK-2 cells and decreased UPRE luciferase fluorescence intensity in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）. It reduced the mRNA levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related factors CHOP and XBP1 （P<0.01） and the protein expression levels of intracellular p-PERK， CHOP， and ATF4 in a dose- and time-dependent manner （P<0.01）. In animal experiments， the protein expression level of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced（P<0.01）， and that of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was significantly increased in the model group compared with the control group （P<0.05）. The protein expression level of Bcl-2 was dose-dependently elevated， and that of cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax was dose-dependently decreased in the YSTLP groups compared with the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and XBP1 were significantly elevated in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-PERK， CHOP， and ATF4 were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， YSTLP significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of CHOP and XBP1 （P<0.01） and the protein expression levels of p-PERK， CHOP， and ATF4 （P<0.01）. ConclusionYSTLP can effectively inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress and improve apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the PERK/AFT4/CHOP pathway.

OBJECTIVE To design and synthesize novel α-naphthylthiol amino acid ester lysine specific demethylase 1(LSD1) inhibitors, evaluate their inhibitory activity with selectivity against LSD1, and explore their binding mechanism through molecular docking and dynamics simulation. METHODS Based on the binding mode of hit compound 3a with LSD1, the α- naphthyl mercapto amino acid ethyl ester small molecule compound were designed by fixing the planar hydrophobic naphthyl ring in the structure, while introducing hydrophilic amino fragment, and they were prepared through a multi-component one-pot cascade reaction. All the compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against LSD1 at concentrations of 5.0 and 1.0 μmol·L–1 using the LSD1 screening platform of research group. The most potent compound was tested for its IC50 value and enzyme selectivity over MAO-A and MAO-B, and its binding mode was investigated through molecular docking and dynamics simulation. RESULTS A total of 13 compounds were obtained, all of which exhibited significant inhibitory effects on LSD1. Among them, nine compounds showed an inhibitory rate of over 50.0% against LSD1 at a concentration of 1.0 μmol·L–1, while compound 3l displaying the best activity with an IC50 value of 0.17 μmol·L–1, 174 times higher than the positive control. It also showed excellent selectivity towards MAO-A and MAO-B. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations indicated that compound 3l inhibited the activity of LSD1 through multiple interactions. CONCLUSION The structures of α-naphthylthiol amino acid ester can serve as lead compounds or active fragments, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent design of LSD1 inhibitors based on structure-oriented drug design.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅰ,the active constituent of milkvetch root,in inhibiting podocyte injury and improving diabetic kidney disease.Methods According to the body weight,60 male db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,astragaloside Ⅰ low-dose group(10 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ medium-dose group(20 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ high-dose group(40 mg/kg),and valsartan group(10mg/kg),with 12 mice per group.Twelve db/db littermate control db/m mice were used as the control group.The drug was administered by gavage for 8 weeks.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of the kidney;immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of nephrotic protein(nephrin),a marker of renal podocytes;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-18(IL-18)in the serum of mice;Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1),and Gasdermin D(GSDMD)in kidney tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the glomeruli of the model group showed obvious podocyte loss and foot process fusion;the protein expression of nephrin was decreased(P＜0.05);the contents of IL-1 β and IL-18 in serum were increased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the renal pathological damage in the astragaloside Ⅰ administration groups were alleviated;the protein expression of nephrin was increased(P＜0.05);the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were decreased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Astragaloside Ⅰ may play a role in intervening diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting pyroptosis and improving podocyte injury.

Objective To explore prescription medication rules and potential mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease(ALD)based on the technology of data mining and network pharmacology.Methods The prescriptions related to the treatment of ALD were retrieved in Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,Chinese Biomedical Literature and VIP databases.After the data were collated according to the filter criteria,IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 18 software were used to analyze the prescription rules and association rules.Then,the medication rules of TCM in the treatment of ALD were summarized,and the core drug combinations were obtained.Active ingredients in the core drug combinations for ALD and their targets were screened by network pharmacology.GO and KEGG analysis were performed on the main targets,and molecular docking technique was used to verify the binding ability of active ingredients to main targets.Results A total of 143 prescription for ALD were screened,involving 222 Chinese medicine,among which 28 high-frequency Chinese medicine were used with a frequency≥25 times.Eight core drug combinations were obtained by associations rule analysis.It has been found that there are 215 intersection targets between"Poria-Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Hearba Artemisiae Scopariae"and ALD,including six core targets of AKT1,TNF,VEGFA,IL-1β,SRC,EGFR.One hundred and sixty-eight of signaling pathways are involved,including cancer pathways,PI3K/AKT signaling pathways,chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species,lipid and atherosclerosis,etc.Molecular docking results showed that the main active components including cerevisterol,genkwanin and demethoxycapillarisin had good binding ability to AKT1.Conclusion The main active ingredients in"Poria-Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma-Hearba Artemisiae Scopariae"can participate in the regulation of key signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT by acting on key target proteins(AKT1,TNF,and VEGFA).Subsequently,they play a role in inhibiting inflammatory response and apoptosis,slowing down liver fibrosis,and promoting hepatocyte repair.This study provides data support and theoretical guidance for the study of TCM in the treatment of ALD.

Objective:To explore the effect and possible mechanism of Zexie Tang(ZXT)regulate the balance of M1/M2 polarization in macrophage cells.Methods:Lipid metabolism disorder mouse model was induced by Western diet(WD)in vivo,RAW264.7 cell M1/M2 macrophage model was induced by LPS/IL-4 in vitro,set up blank group,model group and ZXT group.The flu-orescence intensity of M1 and M2 macrophage markers in adipose tissue and RAW264.7 cells was observed by immunofluorescence staining;protein levels of p-AKT,AKT and COX-2 were measured by Western blot;levels of macrophage marker gene mRNAs of M1 and M2 were analysed by qPCR;IL-1β and IL-10 were measured by ELISA;content of NO was detected by Griess;binding of active components of Alismatis Rhizoma and Atractylodes Macrocephala with PI3K protein was analyzed by Docking.Results:Compared with WD group,expression of CD11c was significantly decreased in ZXT group,while expression of CD206 was significantly up-regulated;ZXT reversed LPS-induced increased in CD80 expression,down-regulated mRNA levels of M1 macrophage marker gene iNOS,etc,decreased the expression of COX-2 protein,and inhibited the secretion of IL-1β(P<0.001);ZXT promoted IL-4-induced CD206 expression,up-regulation of M2 macrophage marker gene Arg-1 and other mRNAs levels and secretion of IL-10;ZXT reversed the LPS-induced increased in NO release;p-AKT/AKT protein level increased in vivo and in vitro after ZXT administration;Docking re-sults show that many active ingredients in Alismatis Rhizoma and Atractylodes Macrocephala could form hydrogen bonds stably with PI3K protein.Conclusion:ZXT regulates the M1/M2 polarization balance of macrophages,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of PI3K/AKT pathway.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)is known to modulate the expression of genes related to cell transformation,proliferation,and survival,making it a significant target for cancer therapy.Recent research has also highlighted the crucial involvement of aberrant STAT3 activation in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Accordingly,this article focuses on the therapeutic potential of targeting STAT3 in DKD.The structure of STAT3,its mechanisms of activity regulation,mechanisms of abnormal STAT3 activation in DKD,and a summary of the current research is provided.The review aims provide a reference for research into the pathogenesis of DKD and the development of new drugs.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect mechanism of ethanol extract from Atractylodes macrocephala （EEAM） on microglial phagocytosis and degradation of amyloid β （Aβ） based on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPAR- γ） signaling pathway. METHODS Taking neuromicroglial cell BV2 as subjects， confocal microscopy was used to observe the effects of EEAM （0.3， 0.4， 0.5 mg/mL， similarly hereinafter） on phagocytosis and degradation of Aβ in microglia. Human embryonic kidney cell HEK293 was used to investigate the effects of EEAM on luciferase transcriptional activity of PPAR-γ. The effect of EEAM on nuclear translocation of PPAR-γ was investigated by immunofluorescence. Alzheimer’s disease BV2 cell model was induced by Aβ1-42， and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the effects of EEAM on mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ downstream target genes （Lxra， Lxrb， Abca1， Abcg1， Cd36， Sra and Apoe）. RESULTS The results of Aβ uptake experiment showed that after the intervention of medium and high doses of EEAM， fluorescence intensity of Aβ in BV2 cells increased significantly （P＜0.05）. The degradation experiment of Aβ showed that after the intervention of medium and high doses of EEAM， fluorescence intensity of Aβ in BV2 cells decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. After the intervention of different doses of EEAM， luciferase transcriptional activity of PPAR-γ in HEK293 cells increased significantly （P＜0.05）； fluorescence intensity of PPAR-γ in BV2 cells and nuclei （except for low-dose group） increased significantly （P＜0.05）. mRNA expressions of Lxra， Lxrb， Abca1， Abcg1， Cd36， Sra and Apoe in BV2 cells were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS EEAM can promote the uptake and degradation of Aβ in microglia by activating PPAR-γ signaling pathway， thus improving Alzheimer’s disease.