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International Journal of Medical... 2024Age-related structural and functional changes in the kidney can eventually lead to development of chronic kidney disease, which is one of the leading causes of mortality...
Age-related structural and functional changes in the kidney can eventually lead to development of chronic kidney disease, which is one of the leading causes of mortality among elderly people. For effective management of age-related kidney complications, it is important to identify new therapeutic interventions with minimal side-effects. The present study was designed to evaluate the synergistic effect of a traditional Chinese herb, Alpinate Oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF), and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) in ameliorating D-galactose (D-gal)-induced renal aging phenotypes in WKY rats. The study findings showed that D-gal-induced alteration in the kidney morphology was partly recovered by the AOF and ADMSC co-treatment. Moreover, the AOF and ADMSC co-treatment reduced the expression of proinflammatory mediators (NFkB, IL-6, and Cox2) and increased the expression of redox regulators (Nrf2 and HO-1) in the kidney, which were otherwise augmented by the D-gal treatment. Regarding kidney cell death, the AOF and ADMSC co-treatment was found to abolish the proapoptotic effects of D-gal by downregulating Bax and Bad expressions and inhibiting caspase 3 activation. Taken together, the study findings indicate that the AOF and ADMSC co-treatment protect the kidney from D-gal-induced aging by reducing cellular inflammation and oxidative stress and inhibiting renal cell death. This study can open up a new path toward developing novel therapeutic interventions using both AOF and ADMSC to effectively manage age-related renal deterioration.
Topics: Animals; Galactose; Rats; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Kidney; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Oxidative Stress; Male; Apoptosis; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 38903928
DOI: 10.7150/ijms.96007 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 20242-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazole [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP), a heterocyclic amine (HAA), is found in meat products heated at high temperatures. However, PhIP is a...
INTRODUCTION
2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazole [4,5-b] pyridine (PhIP), a heterocyclic amine (HAA), is found in meat products heated at high temperatures. However, PhIP is a mutagenic and potential carcinogenic compound. Cassiae semen, a type of medicine and food homology plant, is abundant in China and has been less applied for inhibiting heterocyclic amines.
METHODS
To investigate the inhibitory effect of cassiae semen extract on PhIP formation within a model system and elucidate the inhibitory mechanism, an ultrasonic-assisted method with 70% ethanol was used to obtain cassiae semen extract, which was added to a model system (0.6 mmol of phenylalanine: creatinine, 1:1). PhIP was analyzed by LC-MS to determine inhibitory effect. The byproducts of the system and the mechanism of PhIP inhibition were verified by adding the extract to a model mixture of phenylacetaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde and creatinine.
RESULTS
The results indicated that PhIP production decreased as the concentration of cassiae semen extract increased, and the highest inhibition rate was 91.9%. Byproduct (E), with a mass-charge ratio of m/z 199.9, was detected in the phenylalanine and creatinine model system but was not detected in the other systems. The cassiae semen extract may have reacted with phenylalanine to produce byproduct (E), which prevented the degradation of phenylalanine by the Strecker reaction to produce phenylacetaldehyde.
DISCUSSION
Cassiae semen extract consumed phenylalanine, which is the precursor for PhIP, thus inhibiting the formation of phenylacetaldehyde and ultimately inhibiting PhIP formation. The main objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanism by which cassiae semen inhibit PhIP formation and establish a theoretical and scientific foundation for practical control measures.
PubMed: 38903617
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1407007 -
Drug Target Insights 2024is extensively employed in traditional medicine. This study aimed to isolate and evaluate the therapeutic effects of 3'4'78-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone from crude...
BACKGROUND
is extensively employed in traditional medicine. This study aimed to isolate and evaluate the therapeutic effects of 3'4'78-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone from crude extract.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study utilized column chromatography for isolation. The plant extract and its isolated compound were assessed for in vivo analgesic (hot plate model), anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema), sedative (open field model), and muscle relaxing properties (inclined plane and traction test).
RESULTS
In the thermal-induced analgesic model, a significant analgesic effect was observed for the extract (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) and the isolated compound (2.5, 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg) at higher doses. The extract (100 mg/kg) significantly prolonged latency time (21.98 seconds) after 120 minutes of administration. The isolated compound elevated the latency time (20.03 seconds) after 30 minutes, remaining significant up to 120 minutes with a latency time of 24.11 seconds. The anti-inflammatory effect showed a reduction in inflammatory reactions by 50.23% (extract) and 67.09% (compound) after the fifth hour of treatment. Both samples demonstrated significant sedative effects, with the extract hindering movement by 54.11 lines crossed compared to the negative control (180.99 lines). The isolated compound reduced the number of lines crossed to 15.23±SEM compared to the negative control. Both samples were also significant muscle relaxants. Docking studies indicated that the compound's therapeutic effect is due to inhibiting COX and nociceptive pathways.
CONCLUSION
The isolated compound from exhibits significant analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and muscle relaxing properties, with potential therapeutic applications by inhibiting COX and nociceptive pathways.
PubMed: 38903608
DOI: 10.33393/dti.2024.2745 -
Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical... 2024The invasive plant, (L.) J. F. Pruski, has been known for its bioactivities and used to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Nonetheless, previous research has not...
The invasive plant, (L.) J. F. Pruski, has been known for its bioactivities and used to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Nonetheless, previous research has not directly compared the effectiveness of the plant parts in producing the AuNPs. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the flower and leaf of in synthesizing AuNPs. leaves and flowers were separately extracted using distilled water at 60°C for 30 min. The leaf and flower extracts were mixed with the HAuCl. 3HO and heated to 60°C for 30 min to yield AuNPs-ALSt and AuNPs-AFSt, respectively. AuNPs were also prepared using trisodium citrate (NaCHO) as a control. The resultant AuNPs were characterized using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, particle size analyzer, and scanning electron microscope. Antioxidant activity was evaluated based on 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition and anticancer activity- 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay against MCF-7 cells. The AuNPs-ALSt and AuNPs-AFSt were revealed to have better stability and smaller particle diameters. AuNPs-ALSt and AuNPs-AFSt had average particle diameters of 11.86 ± 3.37 and 34.86 ± 23.56 nm, respectively. Agglomeration was predominantly observed in AuNPs synthesized using the flower or leaf extract as stipulated to be affected by the insufficient capping agent and intense hydrolytic reaction. AuNPs-AFSt had higher DPPH antioxidant activity than AuNPs-ALSt with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of IC 123.44 and 168.83 ppm, respectively. Both AuNPs-ALSt and AuNPs-AFSt could inhibit 80% growth of the MCF-7; however, at lower concentrations, inhibitory effects were more pronounced in AuNPs-AFSt. Aqueous extracts of flowers and leaves could be used to synthesize AuNPs, whereas the former yielded AuNPs with higher biological activities.
PubMed: 38903547
DOI: 10.4103/japtr.japtr_410_23 -
Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical... 2024The antioxidant potential of (wungu leaves), an indigenous shrub plant extensively used in traditional medicine in Indonesia, was investigated in this study. The...
The antioxidant potential of (wungu leaves), an indigenous shrub plant extensively used in traditional medicine in Indonesia, was investigated in this study. The research focused on a comprehensive evaluation of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) across various plant parts, including roots, stems, and flowers, which had been underexplored in prior studies. The ethanol extract derived from wungu flowers and leaves demonstrated notable antioxidant potential, characterized by elevated TPC (12.22 ± 0.31 mg GAE/g DW) and FRAP (37.73 ± 1.08 μmol TEAC/g DW) in the ethanol extract of wungu flowers. Similarly, the ethanol extract of wungu leaves showcased a substantial TFC (2.31 ± 0.18 mg QE/g DW) and DPPH (1.12 ± 0.05 μmol TEAC/g DW), surpassing other parts of the wungu plant in the same or different extracts. These findings suggested that ethanol extracts were a promising foundation for herbal medicines with antioxidant properties, highlighting their potential applications in plant breeding programs. Furthermore, the correlation data underscored the significance of the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts, revealing a robust correlation between TPC, TFC, and FRAP compared to the -hexane extract.
PubMed: 38903545
DOI: 10.4103/japtr.japtr_325_23 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Yunnan Xiaomila is a pepper variety whose flowers and fruits become mature at the same time and multiple times a year. The distinction between the fruits and the...
INTRODUCTION
Yunnan Xiaomila is a pepper variety whose flowers and fruits become mature at the same time and multiple times a year. The distinction between the fruits and the background is low and the background is complex. The targets are small and difficult to identify.
METHODS
This paper aims at the problem of target detection of Yunnan Xiaomila under complex background environment, in order to reduce the impact caused by the small color gradient changes between xiaomila and background and the unclear feature information, an improved PAE-YOLO model is proposed, which combines the EMA attention mechanism and DCNv3 deformable convolution is integrated into the YOLOv8 model, which improves the model's feature extraction capability and inference speed for Xiaomila in complex environments, and achieves a lightweight model. First, the EMA attention mechanism is combined with the C2f module in the YOLOv8 network. The C2f module can well extract local features from the input image, and the EMA attention mechanism can control the global relationship. The two complement each other, thereby enhancing the model's expression ability; Meanwhile, in the backbone network and head network, the DCNv3 convolution module is introduced, which can adaptively adjust the sampling position according to the input feature map, contributing to stronger feature capture capabilities for targets of different scales and a lightweight network. It also uses a depth camera to estimate the posture of Xiaomila, while analyzing and optimizing different occlusion situations. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified through ablation experiments, model comparison experiments and attitude estimation experiments.
RESULTS
The experimental results indicated that the model obtained an average mean accuracy (mAP) of 88.8%, which was 1.3% higher than that of the original model. Its F1 score reached 83.2, and the GFLOPs and model sizes were 7.6G and 5.7MB respectively. The F1 score ranked the best among several networks, with the model weight and gigabit floating-point operations per second (GFLOPs) being the smallest, which are 6.2% and 8.1% lower than the original model. The loss value was the lowest during training, and the convergence speed was the fastest. Meanwhile, the attitude estimation results of 102 targets showed that the orientation was correctly estimated exceed 85% of the cases, and the average error angle was 15.91°. In the occlusion condition, 86.3% of the attitude estimation error angles were less than 40°, and the average error angle was 23.19°.
DISCUSSION
The results show that the improved detection model can accurately identify Xiaomila targets fruits, has higher model accuracy, less computational complexity, and can better estimate the target posture.
PubMed: 38903433
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1421381 -
Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi... Jun 2024The human immune system plays a pivotal role in protecting the body against pathogens, maintaining homeostasis, and preventing disease. Immunomodulation, the process of... (Review)
Review
The human immune system plays a pivotal role in protecting the body against pathogens, maintaining homeostasis, and preventing disease. Immunomodulation, the process of regulating immune responses, is crucial for optimal health. In recent years, there has been growing interest in natural remedies for immune system modulation, driven by the recognition of their potential efficacy and safety profiles. This project aims to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of drumstick leaves tablets, derived from Moringa oleifera, a plant known for its rich nutritional and medicinal properties. The study will explore the potential of drumstick leaves tablets to modulate immune responses through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Through comprehensive analysis of the immunomodulatory properties of drumstick leaves tablets, this project aims to contribute to our understanding of natural remedies for immune system modulation. The findings could have significant implications for the development of novel therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing immune function and improving human health.
Topics: Moringa oleifera; Plant Leaves; Immunomodulating Agents; Tablets; Animals; Immunologic Factors; Mice; Humans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal
PubMed: 38902996
DOI: 10.62958/j.cjap.2024.004 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Jun 2024Elderly patients with hip fractures are at a greater risk of developing postoperative delirium (POD), which significantly impacts their recovery and overall quality of...
Potential mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction in preventing and treating postoperative delirium in intertrochanteric fracture patients based on retrospective analysis and network pharmacology.
OBJECTIVE
Elderly patients with hip fractures are at a greater risk of developing postoperative delirium (POD), which significantly impacts their recovery and overall quality of life. Neuroinflammation is a pathogenic mechanism of POD. Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD), known for its ability to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, can effectively reduce inflammation in the nervous system. Therefore, the objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive summary of the clinical efficacy of THSWD in the prevention of POD. Additionally, it aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of THSWD in the prevention and treatment of POD using network pharmacology and molecular docking.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with intertrochanteric fractures between January 2016 and October 2021. The patients were divided into two groups: the control and THSWD group. We performed a comparative analysis of hemoglobin (HB), albumin (ALB), C-reactive protein (CRP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio (BCR) on two different time points: the day before surgery (D0) and the third day after surgery (D3). Furthermore, we examined the incidence and duration of delirium, as well as the Harris Hip Score (HHS) at 3 months and 12 months post-surgery. Network pharmacology was employed to identify the primary targets and mechanisms of THSWD in the management of delirium. Molecular docking was employed to confirm the interaction between active ingredients and COX-2. Inflammatory cytokines, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-α), were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cognitive status of the patients was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scoring system.
RESULTS
Regardless of whether it is in D0 or D3, THSWD treatment can increase HB levels while decreasing BCR. In D3, the THSWD group demonstrated a significant reduction in the expression of CRP and BUN when compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences in ABL levels, surgery duration, and blood loss between the two groups. Additionally, THSWD treatment requires fewer blood transfusions and can reduce the incidence and duration of POD. The results of the logistic analysis suggest that both CRP levels and BCR independently contribute to the risk of POD. Network pharmacology analysis indicates that THSWD has the potential to prevent and treat POD possibly through inflammatory pathways such as IL-17 signaling pathways and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. Molecular docking validated the interaction between the active ingredient of THSWD and COX-2. Furthermore, THSWD treatment can reduce the levels of COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, BUN and CRP in the blood of patients with POD, increase HB levels, and enhance MMSE scores. The expression of COX-2 is positively associated with other inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP), and inversely associated with MMSE.
CONCLUSION
THSWD has been found to have a preventive and therapeutic effect on POD in intertrochanteric fracture patients possibly through inflammatory pathways. This effect may be attributed to its ability to increase hemoglobin levels and reduce the levels of certain detrimental factors, such as blood urea nitrogen and inflammatory factors.
Topics: Humans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Retrospective Studies; Hip Fractures; Male; Female; Aged; Postoperative Complications; Network Pharmacology; Delirium; Aged, 80 and over; Molecular Docking Simulation
PubMed: 38902693
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04854-1 -
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Jun 2024Iron nanoparticles comprise a significant class of inorganic nanoparticles, which discover applications in various zones by prudence of their few exciting properties....
Iron nanoparticles comprise a significant class of inorganic nanoparticles, which discover applications in various zones by prudence of their few exciting properties. This study achieved the green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) by black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) extract, which acts as a reducing and capping agent. The iron nanoparticles and black cumin extract were synthesized in three different concentrations: (01:01, 02:04,01:04). UV-visible spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, and AFM characterized the synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles. UV-visible spectra show the maximum absorbance peak of 01:01 concentration at 380 nm. The other concentrations, such as 02:04, peaked at 400 nm and 01:04 at 680 nm, confirming the formation of iron oxide nanoparticles. AFM analysis reveals the spherical shape of iron oxide nanoparticles. The XRD spectra reveal the (fcc) cubic crystal structure of the iron oxide nanoparticles. The FTIR analysis's peaks at 457.13, 455.20, and 457.13 cm-1 depict the characteristic iron nanoparticle synthesis. The black cumin extract-mediated iron oxide nanoparticles show substantial antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in a dose-dependent manner.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Seeds; Plant Extracts; Nigella sativa; Anti-Infective Agents; Free Radical Scavengers; Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles; Ferric Compounds; Green Chemistry Technology
PubMed: 38902620
DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04552-9 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is on the rise globally. Shen-Zhu-Lian-Bai decoction (SZLBD) can relieve the clinical symptoms of UC. This study aimed to...
The incidence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is on the rise globally. Shen-Zhu-Lian-Bai decoction (SZLBD) can relieve the clinical symptoms of UC. This study aimed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism of SZLBD in the treatment of UC. The key treatment targets of SZLBD for UC were obtained based on the online database, and combined with the STRING database and Cytoscape 3.7.2 software, PPI network was constructed and visualized. The GEO database was utilized to validate the expression levels of core targets in UC. Metascape database GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking technology was used to verify the docking of core compounds with key targets. RT-qPCR and Western Blot were used to detect the expression of key targets in HCoEpiC cells for verification. After screening, 67 targets shared by SZLBD and UC were obtained. It is predicted that IL-6, IL-1B, and AKT1 might be the key targets of SZLBD in the treatment of UC. Quercetin was the main active ingredient. GEO results showed that the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1B and AKT1 were higher in the UC group compared to the control group. GO and KEGG analyses showed that these targets were related to apoptosis and inflammation. The results of molecular docking demonstrated that the AKT1 gene, a key target of quercetin, had the highest affinity of -9.2 kcal/mol. Cell experiments found that quercetin could affect the expression of IL-6, IL-1B, and AKT1. This study preliminarily explored and verified the mechanism of action of SZLBD in the treatment of UC, which provides a theoretical basis for subsequent in vivo mechanism studies.
Topics: Colitis, Ulcerative; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Molecular Docking Simulation; Network Pharmacology; Protein Interaction Maps; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Interleukin-6; Quercetin; Interleukin-1beta
PubMed: 38902425
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64683-4