Effect of Yangxinshi tablets on the phenotype and function of monocytes in patients with unstable angina pectoris of coronary heart disease

Expression profile of circular RNAs in patients with unstable angina

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of noncoding RNAs, which interfere with gene transcription by absorbing microRNAs (miRNAs).

OBJECTIVE

The expression profile and roles of circRNAs in unstable angina (UA) patients remains unclear.

METHODS

An initial screening of circRNA expression by microarray analysis was performed using blood samples from three pairs of UA patients and matched healthy individuals. The differential expression of the chosen six circRNAs from the results of the microarray analysis was validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

The microarray results demonstrated that some circRNAs were markedly different in UA patients, when compared with matched healthy individuals. In these UA patients, 22 circRNAs were upregulated and six circRNAs were downregulated when a P-value of < 0.05 was considered as a cut-off level and the fold change was > 1.5. Among the six circRNAs chosen for further analysis, qRT-PCR identified that five of these were upregulated, and the remaining circRNA was downregulated. By comparing the outcome of the six candidate circRNAs between the circRNAs microarray assay and RT-PCR validation, it was found that four circRNAs (hsa_circ_0002229, hsa_circ_0005580, hsa_circ_0046667, and hsa_circ_0001451) had the same variation trend.

CONCLUSION

The present study provided the expression profile of circRNAs in UA patients. Moreover, some circRNAs have the potential to be biomarkers for the detection of UA patients. Further studies with a larger population will focus on hsa_circ_0002229, hsa_circ_0005580, hsa_circ_0046667 and hsa_circ_0001451.

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Angiogenic Aattributes of Moringa olifera Lam. and its Nanoclay-Based Pectin-Sericin films

Background: Inflammation is a strong reaction of the non-specific natural immune system that helps to start protective responses against encroaching pathogens and develop typical immunity against intruding factors. However, prolonged inflammation may lead to chronic autoimmune diseases. For thousands of years, medicinal plants have served as an excellent source of treatment for chronic pathologies such as metabolic diseases.

Purpose: The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic potential of Moringa olifera Lam. extract (MO) and Moringa-loaded nanoclay films.

Methods: The extract preparation was done through the maceration technique using absolute methanol (99.7%) and labelled as Mo. Me. Mo. Me-loaded nanoclay-based films were prepared by using pectin and sericin (Table 1). The in vitro studies characterized the film thickness, moisture, and phytochemical contents. The in vivo anti-inflammatory tests involved using a cotton pellet-induced granuloma model assay. In addition, the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was employed for angiogenesis activity.

Results: The phytochemical analysis of the extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and phytosterol. This extract contained quercetin in a large quantity. Cotton-pellet induced granuloma model study revealed a comparable (p > 0.05) effect of a high dose of Mo. Me (500 mg/kg) as compared with standard drug. Noteworthy, data obtained through the RT-PCR technique manifested the dose-dependent anti-oedematous effect of Moringa olifera via downregulation of TNF-α and interleukin-1ß. The findings of the CAM assay exhibited a remarkable anti-angiogenic activity of Mo. Me loaded nanoclay films, showing diffused vasculature network in the macroscopic snapshot.

Conclusion:Moringa olifera and its nanocomposite films have therapeutic potential against inflammation.