Hydrangea macrophylla and Thunberginol C Attenuate Stress-Induced Anxiety in Mice

Virus-Induced Gene Silencing (VIGS) in Hydrangea macrophylla and Functional Analysis of HmF3'5'H

Hydrangea macrophylla, renowned for its large inflorescences and a diverse range of colors, highlights a significant limitation in current gene function research, which is the lack of effective molecular genetic tools. This study utilized a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system to investigate gene function through posttranscriptional gene silencing in H. macrophylla for the first time. The ortholog of phytoene desaturase (PDS) in H. macrophylla, termed HmPDS, was identified. Infection of tissue-cultured seedlings with TRV-HmPDS led to photobleaching of the leaves. Additionally, infection with TRV containing the HmCHS1 fragment in the flowers resulted in decreased anthocyanin production in sepals and a lightening of sepal coloration in the infected flowers. The phenomena and RT-qPCR results proved that the PDS and CHS genes of hydrangea were successfully silenced via the vacuum infiltration method. Furthermore, the introduction of TRV-HmF3'5'H revealed a decrease in delphinidin-3-glucoside content in sepals and caused a color change in the sepals from blue to pink. This study demonstrated that the TRV-VIGS system was successfully established in H. macrophylla and effectively applied to the function analysis of HmF3'5'H.

The Improved Brain-Targeted Drug Delivery of Edaravone Temperature-Sensitive Gels by Ultrasound for γ-ray Radiation-Induced Brain Injury

Radiation-induced brain injury (RBI) is a common neurological disease caused by ionizing radiation (IR). Edaravone (EDA) is a free radical scavenger, has the potential to treat RBI. EDA loaded temperature-sensitive gels (TSGs) were prepared for subcutaneous injection to improve inconvenient administration of intravenous infusion. RBI mice model was established by irradiation of 60Co γ-ray on head. EDA TSGs could improve spontaneous behavior, learning and memory and anxiety of RBI mice by behavior tests, including the open field test, the novel object recognition test, the elevated plus maze test and the fear conditioning test. The therapeutic effects were enhanced with the assistance of ultrasound. Alleviative pathological changes, decreased the expression of Molondialdehyde (MDA) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the hippocampus of brain, indicated reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response with the treatment of EDA TSGs and ultrasound. Moreover, ultrasound was superior to the use of EDA TSGs. Safe and effective EDA TSGs were prepared for RBI, and the feasibility of brain-targeted drug delivery enhanced by ultrasound was preliminarily demonstrated in this study.