Anti-tumor effects of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana

Multi-dynamic-bond cross-linked antibacterial and adhesive hydrogel based on boronated chitosan derivative and loaded with peptides from Periplaneta americana with on-demand removability

The design and development of a bio-adhesive hydrogel with on-demand removability and excellent antibacterial activities are meaningful to achieve high wound closure effectiveness and post-wound-closure care, which is desirable in clinical applications. In this work, a series of adhesive antioxidant antibacterial hydrogels containing peptides from Periplaneta americana (PAP) were prepared through multi-dynamic-bond cross-linking among 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (DBA) containing catechol and aldehyde groups and chitosan grafted with 3-carboxy-4-fluorophenylboronic acid (CS-FPBA) to enable the effective adhesion of skin tissues and prevention of bacterial infection of wound. PAP was derived from alcohol-extracted residues generated during the pharmaceutical process, aiming to minimize resource wastage and achieve the high-value development of such a medicinal insect. The hydrogel was prepared by freezing-thawing with no toxic crosslinkers. The multi-dynamic-bond cross-linking of dynamic borate ester bonds and dynamic Schiff base bonds can achieve reversible breakage and re-formation and the adhesive strength of CS-FPBA-DBA-P-gel treated with a 20 % glucose solution dramatically decreased from 3.79 kPa to 0.35 kPa within 10 s. Additionally, the newly developed hydrogel presents ideal biocompatibility, hemostasis and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli compared to commercial chitosan gel (approximately 50 % higher inhibition rate), demonstrating its great potential in dealing with infected full-thickness skin wounds.

Scuttle fly Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) endoparasitoid as a novel biocontrol agent against adult American cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)

The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattodea: Blattidae), is one of the most common pests that thrive in diverse environments and carries various pathogens, causing critical threats to public health and the ecosystem. We thus report in this study the first observation of decapitated American cockroaches as a result of infestation with scuttle fly parasitoids. Interestingly, behavioral alterations in the form of zombification-like behavior could be observed in cockroaches reared in the laboratory before being decapitated, implying that the insect targets cockroach heads. To identify this parasitoid, cockroaches' corpora were isolated in jars, and apodous larvae were observed. Larvae developed into small coarctate pupae, and adults emerged. The scuttle flies were collected and exhibited tiny black, brown, to yellowish bodies. The fly was initially identified based on its morphological properties as a member of the order Diptera, family Phoridae. To provide further insights into the morphological attributes of the phorid species, the fly was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and then identified as Megaselia scalaris accordingly. SEM analysis revealed the distinctive structure of M. scalaris concerning the head, mouth parts, and legs. Specifically, the mouth parts include the labrum, labellum, rostrum, and maxillary palps. Although further investigations are still required to understand the complicated relationships between M. scalaris and American cockroaches, our findings provide a prominent step in the control of American cockroaches using M. scalaris as an efficient biological control agent.

Revisiting edible insects as sources of therapeutics and drug delivery systems for cancer therapy

Cancer has been medicine's most formidable foe for long, and the rising incidence of the disease globally has made effective cancer therapy a significant challenge. Drug discovery is targeted at identifying efficacious compounds with minimal side effects and developments in nanotechnology and immunotherapy have shown promise in the fight against this complicated illness. Since ancient times, insects and insect-derived products have played a significant role in traditional medicine across several communities worldwide. The aim of this study was to inspect the traditional use of edible insects in various cultures and to explore their modern use in cancer therapy. Edible insects are sources of nutrients and a variety of beneficial substances with anticancer and immunomodulatory potential. Recently, insect derived bioactive-components have also been used as nanoparticles either in combination with chemotherapeutics or as a nano-cargo for the enhanced delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs due to their high biocompatibility, low bio-toxicity, and their antioxidant and anticancer effects. The crude extracts of different edible insects and their active components such as sericin, cecropin, solenopsin, melittin, antimicrobial peptides and fibroin produce anti-cancer and immunomodulatory effects by various mechanisms which have been discussed in this review.

N-containing phenolic compounds from Periplaneta americana with triple negative breast cancer inhibitory activity

Eight previously undescribed compounds comprising pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde derivatives, namely periplanpyrroles A-D (1-4), spirooxindole derivatives perispirooxindoles A (5) and B (6), and the phenolic compounds periplanetols G (7) and H (8), along with eight known compounds were isolated from the 70% ethanol extract of the whole bodies of Periplaneta americana. Their structures including absolute configurations were unambiguously identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and computational methods. In addition, all compounds were evaluated for their activities against triple negative breast cancer in vitro. The wound healing assay revealed that 7, 9, and 11 significantly inhibit the migration of BT549 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Further observations made in Western blotting experiments showed that 7 could dose-dependently decrease the protein level of vimentin and N-cadherin in MDA-MB-231 and BT549 cells.

Effects of hTERT transfection on the telomere and telomerase of Periplaneta americana cells in vitro

Telomere and telomerase are crucial factors in cell division and chromosome stability. Telomerase activity in most cells depends on the transcription control by the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). The introduction of an exogenous human TERT (hTERT) in cultured cells could enhance telomerase activity and elongate the lifespan of various cells. Telomere elongation mechanisms vary between insects and are complex and unusual. Whether the use of exogenous hTERT can immortalize primary insect cells remains to be investigated. In this study, we used a recombinant virus expressing hTERT to infect primary cultured cells of Periplaneta americana and evaluated its effects on insect cell immortalization. We found that hTERT was successfully expressed and promoted the growth of P. americana cells, shortening their doubling time. This was due to the ability of hTERT to increase the activity of telomerase in P. americana cells, thus prolonging the telomeres. Our study lays the foundation for understanding the mechanisms of telomere elongation in P. americana, and suggests that the introduction of hTERT into insect cells could be an efficient way to establish certain insect cell lines.

Discovery of indole analogues from Periplaneta americana extract and their activities on cell proliferation and recovery of ulcerative colitis in mice

Background: As an important medicinal insect, Periplaneta americana (PA) has been applied for the treatment of wounds, burns, and ulcers with fewer side effects and a reduced recurrence rate, which provides great potential for developing new drugs based on its active constituents. Materials and methods: The main chromatographic peaks determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the PA concentrated ethanol-extract liquid (PACEL) were separated, purified, and identified by semi-preparative LC, mass spectrum, and 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis. The biological activities of the identified compounds were investigated by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method based on in vitro human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and in vivo experiments based on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mouse model. Furthermore, RT-qPCR of six genes related to inflammation or intestinal epithelial cell proliferation was employed to investigate the molecular mechanism of the indole analogues recovering UC in mice. Results: Five indole analogues were purified and identified from PACEL, including tryptophan (Trp), tryptamine (pa01), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa02), (1S, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa03), and (1R, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa04), among which the pa02 and pa04 were reported in PA for the first time. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that PACEL, Trp, and pa02 had promoting HSF proliferation activity and intragastric administration of them could alleviate symptoms of weight loss and colon length shortening in the UC mice. Although recovery activity of the compound pa01 on the colon length was not as obvious as other compounds, it showed anti-inflammatory activity in histological analysis. In addition, The RT-qPCR results indicated that the three indole analogues could alleviate DSS-induced intestinal inflammation in mice by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (MMP7, IL1α) and down-regulating BMP8B expression. Conclusion: This study reported the isolation, purification, structure identification, and biological activity of the active indole analogues in PACEL. It was found for the first time that the PA extract contained many indole analogues and Trp, which exhibited good proliferation activity on HSF fibroblasts as well as anti-UC activity in mice. These indole analogues probably are important components related to the pharmacological activity in PA.

Pharmaceutical preparations of Periplaneta americana (KangFuXin liquid) in the treatment of pressure ulcer: A meta-analysis

Pressure ulcers often become chronic wounds that are difficult to treat and that tend to recur after healing. In China, convincing data from randomised trials have demonstrated that the pharmaceutical preparations of Periplaneta americana (KangFuXin Liquid, KFX) have a significant efficacy for pressure ulcers. To provide more reference to the clinicians and experts, we conducted a meta-analysis based on the existing randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We searched the RCTs about KFX for the treatment of pressure ulcers published up to July 2022 in major English and Chinese databases with no language restriction, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science (WOS), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China Network Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedicine (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), and WanFang database. Cochrane Handbook guidelines were used to assess the risk of bias and to evaluate the methodological quality of included RCTs. Estimates of the intervention's effects are expressed as the risk ratio (RR) (95% CI) for binary outcomes and mean difference or standardised mean difference (95% CI) for continuous outcomes. We applied fixed or random effects models, and all analyses were performed using Review Manager version 5.4 and Stata/SE version 12.0. We included 22 studies with a total of 1575 participants. Compared with controls, KFX combined with basic wound care or KFX combined with basic wound care and another topical drug or physical treatment significantly increase clinical efficacy (RR: 1.17; 95% CI, 1.06-1.28; P = 0.001; I2  = 81%) and shorten the complete healing time (MD = -5.11; 95% CI [-8.19, -2.02]; P = 0.001) for pressure ulcers. Subgroup analysis showed a significant difference in the total clinical effect rate between KFX combined with basic wound care and controls. (n = 1018, RR 1.21, 95% CI [1.07, 1.36], I2  = 82%, P = 0.003). No difference was found in the total clinical effective rate between patients using KFX combined with basic wound care and another topical drug or physical treatment with controls (KFX combined with basic wound care and topical physical treatment: n = 267, RR 1.15, 95% CI [0.86, 1.52], I2  = 87%, P = 0.34; KFX combined with basic wound care and topical drug: n = 290, RR 1.05, 95% CI [0.80, 1.37], I2  = 86%, P = 0.71). Based on treatment duration, subgroup analysis indicated that increasing treatment duration increased the total clinical effective rate when treatment duration was not long. (treatment duration: 14 days: n = 158, OR 5.48, 95% CI [1.47, 20.43], I2  = 0%, P = 0.01; 21 days: n = 132, OR 5.93, 95% CI [1.86, 18.91], I2  = 65%, P = 0.003). When treatment duration was 28 days or 30 days, the results showed that there was no significant difference in total clinical effective rate between interventions and controls (treatment duration: 28 days: n = 107, OR 3.04, 95% CI [0.25, 37.32], I2  = 50%, P = 0.38; 30 days: n = 256, OR 0.58, 95% CI [0.11, 3.15], I2  = 65%, P = 0.53). No data on side effects were reported in any of the 22 studies. The conclusion is that the combination of KFX and basic wound care is effective in increasing the total clinical effectiveness and shortening the complete healing time of pressure ulcers.

The macrophage polarization in inflammatory dermatosis and its potential drug candidates

Inflammatory dermatosis is characterized by persistent inflammatory infiltration and hard repair of diseased skin. As a member of the human innate immune cells, macrophages usually show different phenotypes in different diseases. The macrophage phenotype (M1/M2) imbalance caused by the increase of M1 macrophages or the decrease of M2 macrophages is common in inflammatory dermatosis. In recent years, with the deepening research on inflammatory skin diseases, more and more natural medicines/traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), represented by Shikonin and Angelica Dahurica, have shown their therapeutic effects by affecting the polarization of macrophages. This review introduced macrophage polarization in different inflammatory dermatosis, such as psoriasis. Then summarized the natural medicines/TCMs that have potential therapeutic effects so far and introduced their mechanisms of action and the proteins/signal pathways involved. We found that the TCMs with therapeutic effects listed in this review are closely related to the theory of five flavors and four properties of Chinese medicinal, and most of them are bitter, acrid and sweet. Bitter TCMs have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, which may improve the persistent inflammation of M1 macrophage infiltration. Acrid TCMs have the effect of promoting blood circulation, while sweet TCMs have the effect of nourishing. These 2 flavors may accelerate the repair of skin lesions of inflammatory dermatosis by affecting M2 macrophages. In conclusion, we hope to provide sufficient knowledge for natural medicine research and the development of inflammatory dermatosis related to macrophage phenotype imbalance.

Unravelling the potential of insects for medicinal purposes - A comprehensive review

Entomotherapy, the use of insects for medicinal purposes, has been practised for centuries in many countries around the world. More than 2100 edible insect species are eaten by humans, but little is known about the possibility of using these insects as a promising alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for treating diseases. This review offers a fundamental understanding of the therapeutic applications of insects and how they might be used in medicine. In this review, 235 insect species from 15 orders are reported to be used as medicine. Hymenoptera contains the largest medicinal insect species, followed by Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Blattodea. Scientists have examined and validated the potential uses of insects along with their products and by-products in treating various diseases, and records show that they are primarily used to treat digestive and skin disorders. Insects are known to be rich sources of bioactive compounds, explaining their therapeutic features such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and so on. Challenges associated with the consumption of insects (entomophagy) and their therapeutic uses include regulation barriers and consumer acceptance. Moreover, the overexploitation of medicinal insects in their natural habitat has led to a population crisis, thus necessitating the investigation and development of their mass-rearing procedure. Lastly, this review suggests potential directions for developing insects used in medicine and offers advice for scientists interested in entomotherapy. In future, entomotherapy may become a sustainable and cost-effective solution for treating various ailments and has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine.

Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory Periplaneta americana remnant chitosan/polysaccharide composite film: In vivo wound healing application evaluation

Periplaneta americana (P. americana), which is widely used for wound healing in China, produces a large amount of solid waste (P. americana remnant) after pharmaceutical production extraction. P. americana remnant chitosan (PAC) has a low molecular weight, low crystallinity, and easily modifiable structural properties. In this study, PAC and P. americana remnant polysaccharide (PAP) were used as raw materials to prepare a composite film (PAPCF). The good biocompatibility of the composite film was verified by cell proliferation assays and protein adsorption assays. The bioactivity of the composite film was assessed by antibacterial and in vivo/vitro antioxidant assays to evaluate its potential as a wound dressing. The wound healing experiment revealed that PAPCF improved wound closure and collagen deposition, decreased reactive oxygen species levels, and attenuated the inflammatory response, enabling rapid wound healing from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative phase in mice. Additionally, PAPCF was administered only once, reducing the chance of infection from multiple deliveries. In summary, this paper presents an easy-to-administer, cost-effective, and effective dressing candidate for wound treatment based on the environmental concept of resource reuse.

A polysaccharide/chitin hydrogel wound dressing from a Periplanattica americana residue: coagulation, antioxidant activity, and wound healing properties

Pharmaceuticals derived from the raw materials of Periplanattica americana have been applied for wound healing, liver disease treatment, and antitumor therapy. However, the resulting residues of P. americana have not been well exploited. We found that P. americana residues comprised high amounts of chitin (PC) and polysaccharides (PAP) exhibit good biological activity. Compared to shrimp-derived chitin, PC has a smaller molecular weight (Mv), lower crystallinity, and looser molecular structure, demonstrating stronger antioxidant activity and degradability. After adding the PAP, the PC solution rapidly lost fluidity and formed a hydrogel (P/PCGEL) that had antioxidation, biodegradability, and injectability properties and exhibited rapid coagulation, good water absorption and retention, and a low hemolysis rate (HR). In vivo studies reported that the P/PCGEL reduced edema during burns, accelerated collagen synthesis and deposition, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, thereby reducing the inflammatory response, avoiding oxidative stress, and effectively promoting wound healing. Furthermore, the P/PCGEL demonstrated good biocompatibility, rapid biodegradation, and injectability, thereby reducing the risk of trauma and infection engendered by repeated wound opening and dressing changes. These properties also demonstrated the potential application for this hydrogel in preparing injectable hydrogel excipients. Hence, this study provided a hydrogel-formed wound dressing comprising pure natural ingredients and offering convenient administration, economic availability, and strong tissue repair ability.

pPe Op inhibits HGC-27 cell proliferation, migration and invasion by upregulating miR-30b-5p and down-regulating the Rac1/Cdc42 pathway

Gastric cancer is the fifth most frequently occurring and the fourth most lethal malignant cancer worldwide. A bioactive protein (pPe Op) from Omphalia lapidescens exhibits significant inhibitory effects on gastric cancer cells. miRNA deep sequencing analysis shows that miR-30b-5p is significantly upregulated in HGC-27 cells treated with pPe Op. Verification results show that the expression level of miR-30b-5p is significantly increased in HGC-27 cells after pPe Op treatment. Additionally, miR-30b-5p is significantly downregulated in clinical gastric cancer tissues compared to that in adjacent normal tissues. Following pPe Op treatment and/or transfection with miR-30b-5p mimic, the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HGC-27 cells are significantly impaired. Immunofluorescence microscopy shows that pPe Op and/or miR-30b-5p destroy(s) microfilaments and microstructures and inhibit(s) the formation of pseudopodia. Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and western blot analysis confirm that miR-30b-5p downregulates Rac1/Cdc42 expression and activation by targeting RAB22A. Available data indicate that miR-30b-5p plays an anti-gastric cancer role in mediating pPe Op. pPe Op upregulates miR-30b-5p expression, which in turn inhibits RAB22A expression, resulting in a reduction in the expression and activation of Rac1 and Cdc42 and their downstream targets, thus destroying the cytoskeletal structure and inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells.

Periplaneta americana (Insecta: Blattodea) and organ fibrosis: A mini review

Fibrosis is the end stage of many chronic inflammatory diseases and eventually leads to organ failure. Periplaneta americana (P. americana) is referred to as "the product of flesh and blood" in traditional Chinese medicine and has a wide range of therapeutic effects. Owing to the growing interest in this insect for its application in the treatment of tissue injury-healing disorders that induce organ fibrosis, it has attracted the interest of researchers. A literature search was performed using core collections of electronic databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang, using the keywords given below and terms such as pharmacological and biochemical details of this insect. P. americana extracts presented a wide range of therapeutic and biological activities, including antifibrotic, antiinflammatory, antioxidative, and tissue repair activities. Emerging evidence suggests that P. americana extracts may improve scarring, pulmonary fibrosis, liver fibrosis, and kidney fibrosis through the regulation of fibroblast activation, cytokine secretion, and deposition of fibrin, indicating the potential role of P. americana as a therapeutic option for organ fibrosis. P. americana is a potential therapeutic agent for treating fibrosis. Further studies are required for a more in-depth characterization of the antifibrogenic mechanism of P. americana prior to its clinical application in the treatment of organ fibrosis. (Fig. 1).

Cockroaches: a potential source of novel bioactive molecule(s) for the benefit of human health

Cockroaches are one of the hardiest insects that have survived on this planet for millions of years. They thrive in unhygienic environments, are able to survive without food for up to 30 days, without air for around 45 min and being submerged under water for 30 min. Cockroaches are omnivorous and feed on a variety of foods, including cellulose and plastic, to name a few. It is intriguing that cockroaches are able to endure and flourish under conditions that are harmful to Homo sapiens. Given the importance of the gut microbiome on its' host physiology, we postulate that the cockroach gut microbiome and/or its metabolites, may be contributing to their "hardiness", which should be utilized for the discovery of biologically active molecules for the benefit of human health. Herein, we discuss the biology, diet/habitat of cockroaches, composition of gut microbiome, cellular senescence, and resistance to infectious diseases and cancer. Furthermore, current knowledge of the genome and epigenome of these remarkable species is considered. Being one of the most successful and diverse insects, as well as their extensive use in traditional and Chinese medicine, the lysates/extracts and gut microbial metabolites of cockroaches may offer a worthy resource for novel bioactive molecule(s) of therapeutic potential for the benefit of human health and may be potentially used as probiotics.

Phytochemical Profiling, Isolation, and Pharmacological Applications of Bioactive Compounds from Insects of the Family Blattidae Together with Related Drug Development

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), insects from the family Blattidae have a long history of application, and their related active compounds have excellent pharmacological properties, making them a prominent concern with significant potential for medicinal and healthcare purposes. However, the medicinal potential of the family Blattidae has not been fully exploited, and many problems must be resolved urgently. Therefore, a comprehensive review of its chemical composition, pharmacological activities, current research status, and existing problems is necessary. In order to make the review clearer and more systematic, all the contents were independently elaborated and summarized in a certain sequence. Each part started with introducing the current situation or a framework and then was illustrated with concrete examples. Several pertinent conclusions and outlooks were provided after discussing relevant key issues that emerged in each section. This review focuses on analyzing the current studies and utilization of medicinal insects in the family Blattidae, which is expected to provide meaningful and valuable relevant information for researchers, thereby promoting further exploration and development of lead compounds or bioactive fractions for new drugs from the insects.

Improved genome assembly provides new insights into the environmental adaptation of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana

The synanthropic pest and a model organism for entomological research, American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus), can survive in unfavorable environments for humans. To investigate the genetic mechanisms of success in environmental adaptation of P. americana, we de novo reassembled its whole genome based on next-generation sequencing and PacBio sequencing. The final genome reassembly consisted of approximately 3.34 Gb with scaffold N50 of 465.51 Kb. The completeness (95.4%) of the complete genome was evaluated with single-copy orthologous genes using BUSCO. We identified 18,618 protein-coding genes, 16,443 (88.32%) of which were well supported by public protein databases. We identified 482.04 Mb (approximately 14.45%) repeat elements, 1,385,093 perfect microsatellites simple sequence repeats in P. americana genome, which was higher than other four Blattaria insects. Comparative genomics analysis revealed obvious expansion in the gene families associated with chemoreception (olfactory receptors, gustatory receptors, ionotropic glutamate receptors, chemosensory protein, and sensory neuron membrane protein), which provided the necessary information for functional characterization of the chemosensory receptors of P. americana, with potential for new or refined applications of semiochemicals-based control of this pest insect. Similarly, gene families (cytochrome P450s, carboxyl/choline esterases, and UDP-glycosyl-transferases) encoding receptors for bitter or toxic substances and detoxification enzymes were obviously expanded in P. americana, enabling its ability to detect and detoxify many toxins. Enrichment analysis of positively selected genes in P. americana revealed items associated with metabolic process and catalytic activity, which possibly contributed to the pesticide resistance of P. americana. We also analyzed the homologs to antimicrobial peptide genes reported in the Drosophila genome, and identified two attacins and seven defensins in P. americana. Our data and findings will substantially facilitate molecular studies in P. americana, including elucidation of detoxification mechanisms of xenobiotic, as well as development of new pest management strategies for the control of pests like P. americana.

Moderate Hyperglycemia-Preventive Effect and Mechanism of Action of Periplaneta americana Oligosaccharides in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Periplaneta americana is a kind of medicinal and edible insect, and its oligosaccharides (PAOS) have been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects by regulating immunity, reducing oxidative stress, and meliorating gut microbiota. We hypothesized PAOS might benefit experimental diabetes mellitus (DM), an inflammatory disease coordinated by both innate and adaptive immunity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PAOS on glycemia and its potential mechanisms. Mice model of diabetes was established, and then the potential effects of PAOS was tested in vivo. Here, we found that PAOS triggered a moderate hyperglycemia-preventive effect on DM mice, showing markedly alleviated symptoms of DM, reduced blood glucose, and meliorated functions of liver and pancreas β cell. Deciphering the underlying mechanism of PAOS-improving diabetes, the results revealed that PAOS downregulated the blood glucose level by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Keap/Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, meanwhile inhibiting TLR4/MAPK/NF-κB, Beclin1/LC3, and NLRP3/caspase1 pathways in vivo. Furthermore, analyses of the microbial community intriguingly exhibited that PAOS promoted the communities of bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), whereas attenuating lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-producing ones that favored inflammatory tolerance. Collectively, balancing the intestinal bacterial communities by PAOS, which favored anabolism but suppressed inflammatory responses, contributed substantially to the glycemia improvement of PAOS in DM mice. Accordingly, PAOS might function as complementary and alternative medicine for DM.

Periplaneta americana extract alleviates steatohepatitis in a mouse model by modulating HMGB1-mediated inflammatory response

Alcoholic abuse and obesity are the most common lifestyle implications of chronic liver injury, and always act synergistically to increase the risk of mortality. Periplaneta americana has a long history of being applied in medicine, including wound healing, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, antifibrotic, and cardiomyocyte-protecting. Ganlong capsule (GLC), a natural prescription drug extracted from Periplaneta americana, has been widely used in HBV-related symptoms. However, the anti-steatohepatitis efficacy and mechanisms of GLC have not yet been characterized. Here, we found the protective effect of GLC on the development of hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation in vivo under alcohol exposure combined with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFHC). Consistently, GLC exhibited a hepatoprotective property by preventing hepatocytes from oxidative stress injury and lipid accumulation in vitro. In addition, it exerted an anti-inflammation characteristic by reducing macrophage recruitment and decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in vivo and in vitro. Mechanically, GLC serum, isolated from GLC-treated mice, reduced extracellular high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) of dying hepatocytes; and suppressed subsequent M1 polarization of macrophages in the co-culture system. Furthermore, GLC serum inhibited inflammatory response via suppressing the HMGB1 release and blocking the downstream TLR4/NF-kB pathway. Collectively, GLC alleviates steatohepatitis induced by alcohol consumption and obesity through inhibition of the HMGB1-mediated inflammatory cascade. GLC might be a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of steatohepatitis developed by alcohol abuse and metabolic disorders.

The Regulating Effect of CII-3 and Its Active Components from Periplaneta americana on M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization

CII-3 is the effective part of Periplaneta americana for application in oncotherapy. This study investigated its main chemical components for macrophage polarization regulation activity. Compounds were separated and purified, and their structures were elucidated based on NMR and HR-ESI-MS analyses. After inducing the M1 and M2 phenotype macrophages, CII-3 and testing components were added and co-incubated to evaluate their effects on the relevant markers of macrophages. Then, gradient concentrations of CII-3 and active monomers were further investigated for their effects on M2 macrophages. The effects were detected by RT-PCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence. Twelve compounds were identified from CII-3. CII-3 and pericanaside (5) had no obvious effect on M1 macrophages, while they significantly reduced the expression levels of M2 macrophage markers. Specifically, they significantly reduced the levels of TGF-β and IL-10 and the mRNA expression levels of ARG-1 and CD206 in the M2 phenotypes of RAW264.7 and Ana-1 macrophages. The conditioned medium of CII-3 and pericanaside (5) could inhibit the migration capacity of CT26.WT tumor cells. Macrophage M1/M2 polarization is a dynamic equilibrium, and the M2 phenotype, which can promote the growth of tumor cells, is relatively highly expressed in the tumor microenvironment. CII-3 and pericanaside could significantly reduce the phenotype of M2-type macrophages, indicating that the anti-tumor activity of CII-3 could be related to the inhibitory effect on M2 polarization, and pericanaside was one of the active components.

An embryonic cell line from the American cockroach Periplaneta americana L. (Blattaria: Blattidae) exhibits susceptibility to AcMNPV

Although the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is widely used in the production of recombinant proteins, only a few lepidopteran insect cell lines have been successfully used so far. This study aimed at evaluating the characteristics of an embryonic cell line from the American cockroach Periplaneta americana L., RIRI-PA1, and determining whether it could be used in recombinant protein expression. Wild type Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV-wt) and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-replicating recombinant baculoviruses (AcMNPV-GFP) were used to infect RIRI-PA1 respectively, demonstrating that RIRI-PA1 cells could be infected by AcMNPV and express recombinant proteins. Within 24 h of infection with AcMNPV-GFP, the GFP expression was higher than that in Sf21 cells. Furthermore, the infection of RIRI-PA1 cells increased gradually (multiplicity of infection, 10) within 24 h, while in Sf21 cells, the infection only began to increase within 48 h. However, after exposure for 96-168 h, the virus progeny and recombinant protein production of RIRI-PA1 cells was lower than those of Sf21 cells. Western blotting revealed that RIRI-PA1 cells could express recombinant GFP, and the protein expression level positively correlated with the multiplicity of infection. In conclusion, this is the first report that a cell line from P. americana has shown susceptibility to infection from a baculovirus and likewise express recombinant protein. Although the yield of recombinant GFP was not as high as that of Sf21 cells, the results nonetheless showed that RIRI-PA1 had an infection rate advantage in the short term (within 24 h of infection), which is of great value for further development and utilization.

Periplaneta americana extract ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis via immunoregulatory and PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathways

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with a low cure rate. Periplaneta americana is a traditional American Cockroach and reportedly has potential therapeutic roles for UC treatment; however, its mechanisms remain unclear. To address this, we investigated the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of Ento-A, a Periplaneta americana extract, in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced chronic and recurrent UC mouse model. Ento-A treatment decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, disease activity index (DAI), colon mucosa damage index (CMDI), histopathological scores (HS), and increased colon length. Additionally, Ento-A effectively increased interleukin-4 (IL-4), and forkhead transcription factor protein 3 (Foxp3) expression levels, while it abated interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-17 levels in spleen lymphocytes. Conversely, in mesenteric lymph nodes, IL-4 and Foxp3 expression were decreased, while IFN-γ and IL-17 expression was increased. Furthermore, Ento-A blocked p-PI3K, p-AKT,*and p-NF-κB activation. In conclusion, Ento-A improved UC symptoms and exerted therapeutic effects by regulating immune responses and inhibiting PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling.

Exploring the mechanisms of action of Cordyceps sinensis for the treatment of depression using network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background

Depression is the most common type of psychological disorder, with continuous, prolonged, and persistent bad moods as the main clinical feature. Cordyceps sinensis is a complex consisting of the ascospores and bodies of insect larvae from the Hepialidae family that have been parasitized by Cordyceps sinensis militaris. Previous studies have reported that this herb has antidepressant activity. The present study used network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques to investigate the potential antidepressant mechanisms of Cordyceps sinensis.

Methods

The active ingredients of Cordycepssinensis were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the potential targets were predicted using the PharmMapper platform. The GeneCards database was then used to obtain sub-targets for depression. Common targets were screened and enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape platform. Finally, the relationship between the active ingredients and the core targets were verified by molecular docking.

Results

Through network pharmacological analysis, 7 active ingredients in Cordyceps sinensis and 41 common targets of drugs and diseases were identified. The active ingredients of Cordyceps sinensis may exert antidepressant effects by acting on important targets such as catalase (CAT), CREB binding protein (CREBBP), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and E1A binding protein P300 (EP300), and by modulating the signaling pathways in which these targets are involved. Subsequently, the core targets were docked to the active ingredients and good binding was observed.

Conclusions

The active ingredients of Cordycepssinensis may exert antidepressant effects by regulating the CREB binding protein and anti-oxidative stress effects. The foxo signaling pathway (hsa04068), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway (hsa04066), and Huntington’s disease (hsa05016) may be involved in the underlying mechanisms of Cordycepssinensis. The joint application of network pharmacology and molecular docking provides a new approach to study the mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicine. Cordyceps sinensis may play an important role in the future treatment of patients with depression.

Potential value and chemical characterization of gut microbiota derived nitrogen containing metabolites in feces from Periplaneta americana (L.) at different growth stages

The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.), is able to highly survive in various complicated environments around the globe, and often considered as a pest. In contrast, billions of P. americana have been massively reared in China and extensively used as a medicinal insect, due to its function for preventing and treating ulceration and heart failure. Considering the possibility that microbiota-derived metabolites could be an effective source to identify promising candidate drugs, we attempted to establish a rapid method for simultaneous determination of gut microbiota metabolites from medicinal insects. In this study, network pharmacology approach and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) technique were employed to reveal the potential pharmacological activity and dynamics variation of nitrogen-containing metabolites (NCMs) originated from the gut microbiota of breeding P. americana at different growth stages. A metabolites-targets-diseases network showed that NCMs are likely to treat diseases such as ulceration and cancer. The analysis of NCMs' content with the growth pattern of P. americana indicated that the content of NCMs declined with P. americana aging. Both principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis suggested that 8-hydroxy-2-quinolinecarboxylic acid and 8-hydroxy-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone are the potential differential metabolic markers for discriminating between nymphs and adults of P. americana. Moreover, the developed UPLC method showed an excellent linearity (R² > 0.999), repeatability (RSD < 2.6%), intra- and inter-day precisions (RSD < 2.2%), and recovery (95.5%–99.0%). Collectively, the study provides a valuable strategy for analyzing gut microbiota metabolites from insects and demonstrates the prospects for discovering novel drug candidates from the feces of P. americana.

Periplaneta americana extract ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury by improving mitochondrial dysfunction via the AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway

Periplaneta americana (PA) extract acts clinically as a therapeutic treatment in various diseases; it enhances liver function in mouse models and mitigates the pathological condition of liver fibrosis. The present study aimed to investigate the role and potential mechanisms underlying the action of the PA extract, xinmailong (XML), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver injury. Following the treatment of AML12 cells with LPS, the content of cytochrome c in the cytoplasm and mitochondria, and the level of ATP synthesis were detected using corresponding kits. The relative mRNA expression levels of nuclear respiratory factor 1 and transcription factor A, mitochondrial were investigated using reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q)PCR analysis. The MTT assay was performed to detect the viability of AML12 cells following treatment with XML, in the absence or presence of LPS. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of proteins in the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) pathway. Following treatment with compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK, the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were determined using ELISA and RT-qPCR analysis. The levels of oxidative stress-related markers were detected using corresponding kits following treatment with compound C. In addition, TUNEL staining was performed to detect the apoptosis of AML12 cells, and western blot analysis was performed to investigate the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins. Mitochondrial dysfunction was induced by LPS in AML12 cells. LPS stimulation significantly downregulated the expression of proteins in the AMPK/PGC-1α pathway, which was reversed following treatment with XML. In addition, inflammation, oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by LPS were alleviated by XML in AML12 cells. However, the addition of compound C and XML to LPS-induced AML12 cells resulted in the aggravation of cell injury. Collectively, the results of the present study indicated that XML suppressed mitochondrial dysfunction induced by LPS by activating AMPK/PGC-1α signaling. Thus, the results of the present study may contribute to further understanding of the underlying mechanism via which XML alleviates liver injury.

Periplaneta americana peptide decreases apoptosis of pig-ovary granulosa cells induced by H2 O2 through FoxO1

Oxidative stress can induce apoptosis of granulosa cells and lead to follicular atresia, thereby reducing the number of pigs giving birth. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Periplaneta americana peptide (PAP) on the apoptosis of the granulosa cells of pig ovaries (PGCs) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) via FoxO1. PGCs were treated with H₂ O₂ to establish a cell apoptosis model. Cell viability was measured using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and nitric oxide (NO) content were detected to reflect the oxidative stress. Western blotting, qRT-PCR and overexpression were undertaken to determine the expression of FoxO1 and caspase-3, and immunofluorescence was used to detect FoxO1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm. PGCs were treated with 100 μM H₂ O₂ for 6 hr, which resulted in oxidative damage and apoptosis and an apoptosis rate for PGCs of 32.95%. Next, PGCs were treated with 400 μg/ml PAP for 24 hr to repair the apoptosis induced by H₂ O₂ . PAP improved cell viability in H₂ O₂ -stimulated PGCs, the increased MDA level and NO content caused by H₂ O₂ stimulation were reversed and the apoptotic rate of PGCs was reduced. The qRT-PCR and Western blotting results indicated that PAP decreased the H₂ O₂ -induced apoptosis and the expression of FoxO1 and caspase-3 in PGCs. The effect of PAP was the same following FoxO1 overexpression. FoxO1 was expressed in the nucleus when stimulated by H₂ O₂ or overexpression; however, it migrated to the cytoplasm following PAP treatment. PAP decreased the apoptosis of PGCs induced by H₂ O₂ by regulating FoxO1 expression and nuclear translocation.

Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Kangfuxin Liquid on Diabetic Patients with Skin Ulcers

In this study, we used meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy of Kangfuxin Liquid in the treatment of diabetic patients with skin ulcers. Literature search was performed through PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data. The retrieval was not limited by language, and the search period was from 2010 to October 12, 2020. Diabetic patients with skin ulcers were treated with Kangfuxin Liquid combined with basic treatment as the treatment group and only basic treatment as the control group. Stata16.0 software was used for system evaluation. A total of 11 studies and 874 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that 11 studies compared the treatment efficacy between the two groups, and the results showed that the treatment efficacy in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group [OR = 5.38, 95% CI (3.52, 8.24), P < 0.001]. Among them, 9 studies compared the healing time of wounds. The healing time of the treatment group was significantly longer than that of the control group [SMD = -2.13, 95% CI (-2.85, -1.41), P < 0.001]. Five studies compared the length of stay, and the length of stay in the treatment group was shorter than that in the control group [SMD = -3.68, 95% CI (-5.38, -1.97), P < 0.001]. Compared with basic treatment, Kangfuxin Liquid combined with basic treatment has an ideal effect in the treatment of diabetic skin ulcers, which can improve the overall treatment efficiency and shorten the wound rehabilitation time and the length of stay.

One new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloid from the stems and leaves of Euonymus fortunei

A new sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloid (1), along with four known compounds (2-5), were isolated from the stems and leaves of Euonymus fortunei. The new structure was determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, UV, NMR, HRESIMS and ECD). In addition, compound 3 showed a stronger anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity with an IC₅₀ value of 1.20 ± 0.10 µM than the positive control ribavirin with an IC₅₀ value of 5.62 ± 0.49 µM.[Formula: see text].

Nonpeptide small molecules with a ten-membered macrolactam or a morpholine motif from the insect American cockroach and their antiangiogenic activity

(±)-Periplactam A (1), a rare ten-membered macrolactam composed of lignan and putrescine, (±)-periplanol E (2), a dimeric phenethyl alcohol derivative formed via morpholine, and periplactams B (3) and C (4) were isolated from American cockroach.

Periplaneta americana extract promotes intestinal mucosa repair of ulcerative colitis in rat

PURPOSE

To investigate the mechanism of Periplaneta americana extract promoting intestinal mucosal repair of OXZ-induced colitis in rat.

METHODS

All experiments used an equal number of male and female SD rats (n=48). We injected OXZ into the colon to induce UC rat model. To determine the optimal concentration of P. Americana's extract (PA-40), it was classified into low (L), medium (M), and high (H) doses. After OXZ treatment, each drug was administered by enema for 7 consecutive days. Rats were divided into the following 6 groups: (1) Saline treatment group (NC), (2) OXZ treatment UC model group (MC), (3) OXZ + budesonide group (BUN), (4) OXZ + PA-40 L group, (5) OXZ + PA-40 M group, (6) OXZ + PA-40 H group. Disease activity index (DAI) scores, colon length, histopathological score, serum cytokine level (IL-4, IL-10, iNOS, tNOS), and amount of MPO, EGF, IL-13 in colonic mucosa were measured.

RESULTS

PA treatment had a significant healing effect on the OXZ-colitis model and significantly reduced the lesioned area, especially in the PA-40H groups. PA treatment did not alter the expression of IL-10 and MPO level, but increased EGF (epidermal growth factor) and decrease IL-13 in the colonic tissue. PA inhibited the rise of NOSs (nitric oxide synthase) and decreased the serum IL-4 level.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that Periplaneta americana extract may be a potential compound for the treatment of colonic lesions. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the secretion of IL-13 and promoting the formation of EGF.

Study on the effect of Periplaneta americana on ulcerative colitis in rats induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of intestinal tract, and Periplaneta americana has been found to be effective in the treatment for UC. The purpose of the study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of Periplaneta americana extract Ento-A on UC in rats induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and to explore its mechanism. The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal control group; TNBS-treated group; sulfasalazine (SASP) treated group; Ento-A low- (50 mg/kg), medium- (100 mg/kg), and high-dose (200 mg/kg) groups, respectively. The UC model of rats was induced via TNBS. Disease activity index (DAI) was used to evaluate the severity of UC in rats. The macroscopic and microscopic damages of colon were accessed by colon mucosa damage index (CMDI) and histopathological score (HS), respectively. The levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in serum and the contents of myeloperoxidase (MPO), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in colonic mucosa were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared with the normal control group, the TNBS-treated group showed increase in DAI, CMDI, HS, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-γ as well as MPO and decrease in the levels of IL-4, EGF, and TGF-β1. However, Ento-A-administrated groups reversed the changes in the DAI, CMDI, HS, and the cytokines caused by TNBS. The study indicates that Periplaneta americana extract Ento-A can effectively alleviate the inflammation in TNBS-induced UC of rats, and the mechanism of that may be related to restoring the balance of T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2/Th17/T regulatory (Treg) cytokines.

Periplaneta americana Extracts Accelerate Liver Regeneration via a Complex Network of Pathways

Successful recovery from hepatectomy is partially contingent upon the rate of residual liver regeneration. The traditional Chinese medicines known as Periplaneta americana extracts (PAEs) positively influence wound healing by promoting tissue repair. However, the effect of PAEs on liver regeneration is unknown. We used a mouse liver regeneration model after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) and a hepatocyte culture to determine whether PAEs can promote liver regeneration as effectively as skin regeneration and establish their modes of action. L02 cells were divided into serum-starved control (NC) and three PAEs (serum starvation + 0.1 mg/ml, 0.5 mg/ml, or 1 mg/ml PAEs) groups. L02 cell proliferation was assessed at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h by CCK-8 assay. Forty male C57 mice were randomly divided into control (NC), normal saline (NS), PAEs400 (400 mg/kg/d), and PAEs800 (800 mg/kg/d) groups (n = 10 per group). The NS and both PAEs groups were administered normal saline and PAEs, respectively, by gavage for 10 days. Two hours after the tenth gavage, the NS and both PAEs groups were subjected to 70% PH and the residual liver was harvested after 48 h. The hepatic regeneration rate was evaluated and hepatocyte proliferation was estimated by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for Ki-67. Twelve DEG libraries (three samples per group) were prepared and sequencing was performed in an Illumina HiSeq 2000 (Mus_musculus) at the Beijing Genomics Institute. The genes expressed in the liver tissues and their expression profiles were analyzed by bioinformatics. KEGG was used to annotate, enrich, and analyze the pathways. PAEs promoted hepatocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo and accelerated mouse liver regeneration after 70% PH. The screening criteria were fold change (FC) ≥ 2 and q-value < 0.001. We identified 1,092 known DEGs in PAEs400 and PAEs800. Of these, 153 were categorized in cellular processes. The KEGG analysis revealed that the aforementioned DEGs participated in several signaling pathways closely associated with cell proliferation including PI3K-Akt, MAPK, Apelin, Wnt, FoxO, mTOR, Ras, VEGF, ErbB, Hippo, and AMPK. It was concluded that PAEs can effectively improve liver regeneration via the synergistic activation of different signaling pathways.

The Role of Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattidae) in Modern Versus Traditional Chinese Medicine

The purpose of this review is to elaborate the role of Periplaneta (P.) americana L. in modern and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and compare the use of the species in these two forms of medical treatments. From searches on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, studies were identified involving TCMs with P. americana, which have a history of use over several thousand years, and demonstrate how extracts from this insect play a role in the treatment of diseases through antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor activity, and enhancement of immune function. Extracts from P. americana have not been fully developed for clinical use because the active components have not been completely purified or their molecular mechanisms thoroughly understood. The development of extraction technology in modern Chinese medicine has revealed that many extracts from P. americana are able to play an important role in the control of diseases such as cancer. Drugs such as 'Kangfuxin Solution' and 'Xinmailong Injection' are now widely used for gastrointestinal ulcers and chronic heart failure, having achieved beneficial curative effects in clinical studies. Based on this, the information from studies of P. americana in TCM and modern medicine should be combined and their respective advantages applied. This review provides an overview of the role of P. americana in modern and TCM and thus contributes to identification of further applications and area requiring drug development.

Effects of Plant and Animal Natural Products on Mitophagy

Mitophagy is a protected cellular process that is essential for autophagic removal of damaged mitochondria and for preservation of a healthy mitochondrial population. In the last years, a particular interest has been devoted in studying the effects of natural compounds on mitophagy. Different natural compounds may modulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, the expression of mitophagy- and autophagy-related genes, and the activities of transcription factors which regulate the expression of mitochondrial proteins, thereby controlling mitochondrial damage and mitophagy. Remarkably, since mitochondrial function has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various diseases (e.g., cancer, atherosclerosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, diabetes complications, Alzheimer's disease, and hepatic steatosis), these effects might have important therapeutic implications. In this review, preclinical studies investigating the role of different natural compounds in the modulation of mitophagy will be discussed.

KangFuXin Liquid in the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus, with the wound not healing as expected and healing slowly. Poor control can develop into gangrene and even amputation. Currently, the existing treatments are not satisfactory enough. In China, KangFuXin liquid (KFXL) has been clinically used to treat DFU and has shown good clinical efficacy. In order to provide more reference to clinicians and experts, evidence of efficacy for it needs to be further rigorously evaluated.

Methods

Eight electronic databases were searched to identify eligible randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published from construction of the library to April 2019. There is no language or data restriction; 11 trials involving 889 participants met the inclusion criteria. These RCTs compared the total effective rate, cure rate, cure time, and adverse events associated with KFXL. The Cochrane Handbook guidelines were used to assess the risk of bias and to evaluate the methodological quality of eligible studies. The methodological quality of included studies was generally low. Dichotomous and continuous data were presented using risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs), respectively.

Results

Compared with the basic treatment, meta-analyses showed that KFXL combined with basic treatment can improve the total effective rate (RR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.23–1.54; P < 0.00001; fixed effect model: I² = 32%) and cure rate (RR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.17–2.38; P=0.005; random effect model: I² = 65%), and shorten the healing time (MD = −5.73; 95% CI = −6.95 to −4.52; P < 0.00001; random effect model). Moreover, under the same basic treatment, KFXL had a better effect than external use of pharmaceutical medications (RR = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.30–2.93; P=0.001), but the cure rate was not significantly different. Also, KFXL had nothing to do with adverse reactions.

Conclusion

The evidence confirms that KFXL is an effective treatment for DFU. However, further large-scale, rigorously designed trials and high-quality studies are needed to confirm the role of KFXL in the treatment of DFU.

Kangfuxin Oral Liquid Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis via the TGF-β1/Smad Pathway

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal respiratory disease with a poor prognosis characterized by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced proliferation, migration, and differentiation of fibroblasts, resulting in excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Whether Kangfuxin oral liquid (KFXOL) has a protective function in pulmonary fibrosis is largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential efficacy of KFXOL, as well as the underlying mechanism by which KFXOL regulates pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. We found that KFXOL dramatically attenuated intratracheal bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in terms of both severe alveolar architecture destruction and collagen deposition. KFXOL treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts following activation using BLM/TGF-β1 and normalized the expression of ECM deposition-related proteins, including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1. These effects were mediated via the inhibition of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 activation in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest that KFXOL attenuates the development of pulmonary fibrosis via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and thus has potential utility in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

To Explore the Protective Mechanism of PTEN-Induced Kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin Mitophagy-Mediated Extract of Periplaneta Americana on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury

BACKGROUND Sepsis is defined as a systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by an infection (suspicious or confirmed). Its essence is inflammatory mediators and cytokines mediated by host immune response. The present study aimed to investigate the role of Periplaneta americana extracts (XML) on PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin mediated mitophagy in cardiomyocyte injury by sepsis. MATERIAL AND METHODS H9C2 cells were cultured and transfected with Mdivi-1 and Atg7 siRNA. The cell viability and drug toxicity were detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was used to assess cardiac injury factors and inflammatory factors. Fluorescence levels of LC3 were detected using immunofluorescence assay. Then, the protein and mRNA expression levels were analyzed using western blot and qRT-PCR. Intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured using an ATP kit. Finally, flow cytometry was used to detected apoptosis. RESULTS The result showed that XML significantly increase cell viability in H9C2 cells. Compared with XML+LPS (lipopolysaccharide) group, the level of cTNI, CK-MB, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α was significantly upregulation in LPS+XML+Mdivi-1 or LPS+XML+Atg7 siRNA group. In addition, the release of LC3 was significant decreased. The protein and mRNA expression of PINK1, Parkin, Nix, Beclin-1 was significantly increased, but decreased expression of Mitofusin1, Mitofusin2, Opa1, Drp1, and P62 in LPS+XML+Mdivi-1 or LPS+XML+Atg7 siRNA groups. More importantly, we found that cell apoptosis was induced by Mdivi-1 and Atg7 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS The study provided evidence that XML regulated the process of LPS-induced cardiomyocyte injury through mitophagy by the PINK1/Parkin pathway.

Toxicological assessment compilation of selected examples of raw materials for homeopathic medicinal products

The considerable number of homeopathic medicinal products (HMP) on the German market and the staggering breadth of active substances of various origin along with the specific legal requirements of adequate safety principles posed the need to compile data on toxicologically evaluated raw materials. In line with the European regulatory framework, HMP applications must consider appropriate safety standards in analogy to conventional human medicinal products. This review presents an option for a systematic and scientifically substantiated approach for regulatory use. Furthermore, this paper provides a multitude of data for selected raw materials processed in HMP with up to now rather scarce knowledge and, thus, aims at filling data gaps on acceptable amounts per day (AAD). The inclusion of raw materials into the compilation was determined considering the frequencies of their occurrence in HMP in Germany along with the availability of appropriate safety assessments. This safety evaluation compilation represents a practical, fairly comprehensive and systematic set of more than 170 raw materials. It is designed to both effectively support regulatory decision making and to be recognized and exploited by applicants, stakeholders and the scientific community.

Anti-cancer effects of Rhizoma Curcumae against doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells

Background

Chemotherapy is a primary approach in cancer treatment after routine surgery. However, chemo-resistance tends to occur with chemotherapy in clinic, resulting in poor prognosis and recurrence. Nowadays, Chinese medicine may shed light on design of new therapeutic modes to overcome chemo-resistance. Although Rhizoma Curcumae possesses anti-cancer activities in various types of cancers, the effects and underlying mechanisms of its bioactive components against chemo-resistance are not clear. Therefore, the present study aims to explore the potential effects of Rhizoma Curcumae on doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells.

Methods

The expression and function of ABC transporters in doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells were measured by western blotting and flow cytometry. Cell viability was detected using MTT assay. The combination index was analyzed using the CalcuSyn program (Biosoft, Ferguson, MO), based on the Chou–Talalay method.

Results

In our present study, P-gp was overexpressed at protein level in doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cell line, but short of MRP1 and BCRP1. Essential oil of Rhizoma Curcumae and the main bioactive components were assessed on doxorubicin-resistant MCF-7 cell line. We found that the essential oil and furanodiene both display powerful inhibitory effects on cell viability, but neither of these is the specific inhibitor of ABC transporters. Moreover, furanodiene fails to enhance the efficacy of doxorubicin to improve multidrug resistance.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings fill the gaps of the researches on chemo-resistance improvement of Rhizoma Curcumae and are also beneficial for Rhizoma Curcumae being developed as a promising natural product for cancer adjuvant therapy in the future.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13020-018-0203-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Periplaneta americana Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats by Keap1/Nrf-2 Activation, Intestinal Barrier Function, and Gut Microbiota Regulation

Periplaneta americana, a magic medicinal insect being present for over 300 million years, exhibits desirable therapeutic outcome for gastrointestinal ulcer treatment. Nowadays, P. americana ethanol extract (PAE) has been shown to ameliorate ulcerative colitis (UC) by either single-use or in combination with other therapeutic agents in clinics. However, its underlying mechanisms are still seldom known. Herein, we investigated the anti-UC activity of PAE by alleviating intestinal inflammation and regulating the disturbed gut microbiota structure in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC rats. Based on multiple constitute analyses by HPLC for quality control, PAE was administrated to DSS-induced UC rats by oral gavage for 2 weeks. The anti-UC effect of PAE was evaluated by inflammatory cytokine production, immunohistochemical staining, and gut microbiota analysis via 16S rRNA sequencing. As a result, PAE remarkably attenuated DSS-induced UC in rats. The colonic inflammatory responses manifested as decreased colonic atrophy, intestinal histopathology scores and inflammatory cytokines. In addition, PAE improved the intestinal barrier function via activating Keap1/Nrf-2 pathway and promoting the expressions of tight junction proteins. It was observed that the UC rats showed symptoms of gut microbial disturbance, i.e., the increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and the significantly decreased probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Roseburia, and Pectobacterium, which were negatively correlated with these detected pro-inflammatory cytokines (secreted by immune CD⁴⁺ T cells, and including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IL-1β). Besides, PAE administration regulated the abnormal intestinal microbial composition and made it similar to that in normal rats. Therefore, PAE could attenuate the DSS-induced UC in rats, by means of ameliorating intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal barrier function, and regulating the disturbed gut microbiota, especially improving beneficial intestinal flora growth, modulating the flora structure, and restoring the intestinal-immune system.

Toxicological characteristics of edible insects in China: A historical review

Edible insects are ideal food sources, which contain important nutrients and health-promoting compounds. With a rapid development of industrial insect farming, insect-derived food is a novel and emerging food industry. Edible insects have been traditionally consumed in various communities, while continuously gaining relevance in today's society; however, they currently remain underutilized. Although there are a large number of literature on edible insects, these literature primarily focus on the nutritional value edible insects. The toxicity assessment data of edible insects remain incomprehensive, especially for the new national standard that is currently in effect; and many data and conclusions are not accurately specified/reported. Therefore, we performed a literature review and summarized the data on the toxicological assessment of edible insects in China. The review first describes the research progress on safety toxicological assessment, and then offers references regarding the development of 34 edible insect species in China. These data can be a platform for the development of future toxicological assessment strategies, which can be carried out by a multidisciplinary team, possibly consisting of food engineers, agronomists, farmers, and so on, to improve the acceptability of edible insects.

Anti-Cancer Activities of Diterpenoids Derived from Euphorbia fischeriana Steud

Euphorbia fischeriana Steud is an essential oriental folk medicine used for healing cancer, edema and tuberculosis. Recently, its anticancer activitity has attracted more attention. A volume of research has indicated that diterpenoids are the major anticancer active constituents from this medicinal herb. In this review, we aimed to provide a summary of the promising anticancer diterpenoids from this plant; many diterpenoids mentioned in this article are newly discovered diterpenoids. According to the carbon skeleton and substituents, they can be classified into eight subtypes: ent-abietane, daphnane, tigliane, ingenane, ent-atisane, ent-rosane, ent-kaurane, and lathyrane. Futhermore, their key anticancer mechanisms and protein targets of these compounds will be discussed. These natural diterpenoids could provide a reservoir for drug discovery.