Geniposide protects pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from lipopolysaccharide-induced injury via α7nAchR-mediated TLR-4/MyD88 signaling

Neuroprotective Effects of [Formula: see text]-Terpinene in Rats with Acute Cerebral Ischemia: Modulation of Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Oxidation

The study aimed to assess 𝛾-Terpinene's (𝛾-TER) neuroprotective potential in acute cerebral ischemia, characterized by reduced cerebral blood flow in rats. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), a standard method for inducing cerebral ischemia, was employed in male Wistar rats. 𝛾-TER at varying doses (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered during reperfusion onset. Neurological outcomes, cerebral infarct size, edema, and enzymatic activities (SOD, GPx, and catalase) in the brain were evaluated using diverse techniques. The study examined gene expression and pathways associated with neuroinflammation and apoptosis using Cytoscape software, identifying the top 10 genes involved. Pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic factors were assessed through real-time PCR and ELISA, while apoptotic cell rates were measured using the TUNEL and Flow cytometry assay. Immunohistochemistry assessed apoptosis-related proteins like Bax and bcl-2 in the ischemic area. 𝛾-TER, particularly at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg, significantly reduced neurological deficits and cerebral infarction size. The 15 mg/kg dose mitigated TNF-α, IL-1β, Bax, and caspase-3 gene and protein levels in the cortex, hippocampus, and striatum compared to controls. Furthermore, Bcl-2 levels increased in these regions. 𝛾-TER show cased neuroprotective effects by suppressing inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidation. In conclusion, 𝛾-TER, possessing natural anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, shields the brain against ischemic damage by reducing infarction, edema, oxidative stress, and inflammation. It modulates the expression of crucial genes and proteins associated with apoptosis in diverse brain regions. These findings position 𝛾-TER as a potential therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke.

Geniposide alleviated hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis of human hepatocytes via altering DNA methylation

Geniposide (GP) is the homology of medicine and food with bioactive effects of antioxidation and resistance to apoptosis in the liver. It's of great significance to explore the biosafety exposure limits and action mechanisms of GP. This study detected the global DNA methylation microenvironment and the regulation of specific genes in GP against cellular apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) of human hepatocyte L-02 cells. The half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of GP on normal L-02 cells was 57.7 mg/mL. GP exerted new epigenetic activity, increased DNMT1, decreased TET1 and TET2 expression, and reversed the demethylation effect to some extent, thereby increasing the overall genomic DNA methylation level at the concentration of 900 μg/mL. GP pretreatment could also adjust the level of P53, Bcl-2 and AKT altered by H2O2, reducing their specific DNA methylation levels in the promoter regions of AKT and Bcl-2 to inhibit apoptosis. Taken together, GP regulates the global DNA methylation level and controls the expression changes of P53, Bcl-2 and AKT, jointly inhibiting the occurrence of apoptosis in human hepatocytes and providing the newly theoretical references for its safety evaluation.

Screening of new Paenibacillus polymyxa S3 and its disease resistance of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

A new strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa S3 with antagonistic effects on 11 major fish pathogens (especially Aeromonas hydrophila), but had no toxicity to grass carp, was screened from the sediment of fishponds. In vivo colonization studies showed that strain S3 could be colonized and distributed in the gill and abdomen of the grass carp. Bioassay results showed that the weight growth rate of grass carp in the strain S3 oral group (16.01%) and strain S3 immersion group (16.44%) was significantly higher than those of the control group (8.61%). At the same time, the activities of ACP, AKP, CAT and GSH-Px in the serum of grass carp in oral and immersion groups were significantly higher than those of the control group. In addition, the treatment with strain S3 could significantly upregulate the expression of the antioxidant-related genes and immune-related genes Keap1, Nrf2, C3, LZM, IgM, TLR-4 and MyD-88 in grass carp tissues. The challenge test showed that strain S3 treatment significantly increased the survival rate of grass carp infected with Aeromonas hydrophila. Whole genome sequencing analysis showed that strain S3 had 16 active metabolite gene clusters, indicating that it had abundant gene resources, which provided important support for its development for fish microecological preparations. In summary, a new strain of Paenibacillus polymyxa S3 with antibacterial activity against a variety of fish pathogens was screened in this study and its probiotic function was evaluated, proving its potential value in fisheries.

Efficacy and Safety of Re Du Ning Injection for Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Re Du Ning, a traditional Chinese medicine injection, has been widely used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, although without established systematic review evidence. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of Re Du Ning in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods

We searched seven databases (PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI, WanFang, and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry) up to November 1, 2021, to identify randomized controlled trials of Re Du Ning for AECOPD. Two researchers independently carried out literature screening and data extraction. Effects were measured by risk ratios (RRs) or mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The meta-analysis was completed by RevMan 5.4 software.

Results

Twenty-six studies met the eligibility criteria, with a total of 2284 patients. The findings of the meta-analysis indicated that the response rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group: RR = 1.14% and 95% CI: (1.09, 1.19). Significantly greater improvements in pulmonary function: FEV1: MD = 0.28 L, 95% CI: (0.20, 0.36); FEV1/FVC: MD = 8.63%, 95% CI: (4.68, 12.59); T-lymphocyte counts: CD4: MD = 6%, 95% CI: (2.44, 9.56); CD3: MD = 10.42%, 95% CI: (8.6, 12.24); CD4/CD8: MD = 0.38%, 95% CI: (0.32, 0.43); acid/base imbalance: PH: MD = 0.05, 95% CI: (0.01, 0.10); PaO2: MD = 9.02 mmHg, 95% CI: (11.11, 0.10), p=0.005; C-reactive protein: MD = -6.65 mg/L, 95% CI: (-10.97, -2.34); and PCT: MD = -0.28 μg/L, 95% (CI: -0.41, -0.15) were observed in patients receiving Re Du Ning compared with those receiving the control treatment. Re Du Ning did not significantly change the carbon dioxide partial pressure. All reported adverse reactions were mild.

Conclusion

Re Du Ning injection, as a complementary therapy to routine treatment, has better efficacy than Western medicine alone in relieving clinical symptoms, delaying pulmonary function decline, and improving inflammation indicators for AECOPD, with good safety. The evidence was limited by a lack of high-quality RCTs.