Explore the vast range of titles available.

Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is one of the main active components extracted from the Chinese medicinal herb Astragali and serves as a marker for assessing the herb’s quality. AS-IV is a tetracyclic triterpenoid saponin in the form of lanolin ester alcohol and exhibits various biological activities. This review article summarizes the chemical structure of AS-IV, its pharmacological effects, mechanism of action, applications, future prospects, potential weaknesses, and other unexplored biological activities, aiming at an overall analysis. Papers were retrieved from online electronic databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI, and data from studies conducted over the last 10 years on the pharmacological effects of AS—IV as well as its impact were collated. This review focuses on the pharmacological action of AS-IV, such as its anti-inflammatory effect, including suppressing inflammatory factors, increasing T and B lymphocyte proliferation, and inhibiting neutrophil adhesion-associated molecules; antioxidative stress, including scavenging reactive oxygen species, cellular scorching, and regulating mitochondrial gene mutations; neuroprotective effects, antifibrotic effects, and antitumor effects.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is one of the sequelae of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and currently, lung transplantation is the only viable treatment option. Hence, other effective treatments are urgently required. We investigated the therapeutic effects of an approved botanical drug, cepharanthine (CEP), in a cell culture model of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis rat models both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, CEP and pirfenidone (PFD) suppressed BLM-induced lung tissue inflammation, proliferation of blue collagen fibers, and damage to lung structures in vivo. Furthermore, we also found increased collagen deposition marked by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen Type I Alpha 1 (COL1A1), which was significantly alleviated by the addition of PFD and CEP. Moreover, we elucidated the underlying mechanism of CEP against PF in vitro. Various assays confirmed that CEP reduced the viability and migration and promoted apoptosis of myofibroblasts. The expression levels of myofibroblast markers, including COL1A1, vimentin, α-SMA, and Matrix Metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), were also suppressed by CEP. Simultaneously, CEP significantly suppressed the elevated Phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-p65)/NF-κB p65 (p65) ratio, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) levels, and elevated inhibitor of NF-κB Alpha (IκBα) degradation and reversed the progression of PF. Hence, our study demonstrated that CEP prevented myofibroblast activation and treated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner by regulating nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/ NLRP3 signaling, thereby suggesting that CEP has potential clinical application in pulmonary fibrosis in the future.

Although the wide variety of bioactivities of curcumin has been reported by researchers, the clinical application of curcumin is still limited due to its poor aqueous solubility. In view of this, a series of dimethylaminomethyl-substituted curcumin derivatives were designed and synthesized (compounds 1–15). Acetate of these derivatives were prepared (compounds 1a–15a). The Mannich reaction and aldol condensation reaction are the main reactions involved in this study. Compounds 6, 10, 12, 3a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, and 15a exhibited better in vitro anti-inflammatory activity compared to curcumin in the RAW264.7 cell line. Compounds 5, 1a, 5a, 8a, and 12a exhibited better in vitro antioxidant activity compared to curcumin in the PC 12 cell line. Compounds 11, 13, 5a, 7a, and 13a exhibited better in vitro radiation protection compared to curcumin in the PC 12 cell line. The aqueous solubilities of all the curcumin derivative acetates were greatly improved compared to curcumin.

The separation of xenon (Xe) and krypton (Kr) is very important for industrial applications and environmental protection. However, the lack of permanent dipoles, low polarizabilities arising from their spherical nature, and similar kinetic diameters make their efficient separation by porous adsorbents exceptionally challenging. This study explored the effects of pore geometry and surface polarity of a series of aluminum-based metal–organic frameworks (CAU-10-H, MIL-160, KMF-1, CAU-23) on Xe/Kr separation performance using a heteroatom engineering strategy. These MOFs are composed of AlO6 clusters and bent dicarboxylic acid linkers, enabling us to systematically investigate the effects of pore size and heteroatom types on Xe/Kr separation performance. Among them, MIL-160 has a polar linker based on furan, showing the best balance performance. At 298 K and 1.0 bar, the uptake of Xe is 4.12 mmol g−1 and the IAST selectivity is 7.63 for a Xe/Kr (20/80) mixture. The practical performance was verified by dynamic breakthrough experiments, which yielded a long Xe breakthrough time of 42.9 min g−1. Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations and first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the enhanced performance originates from cooperative confinement and polarization effects, with the furanyl oxygen atoms providing optimal Xe-binding sites. This work clarifies the structure–property relationships governing Xe/Kr separation in aluminum-based MOFs (Al-MOFs), highlighting the potential of heteroatom engineering for designing efficient noble gas adsorbents.

The symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) range from severe lung disease to milder manifestations, such as cough and throat irritation. As a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, cepharanthine (CEP) has various pharmacological properties, such as antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects. However, its poor solubility and low bioavailability hinder subsequent drug development. Inclusion complex technology is a well-established drug delivery method that improves drug bioavailability. Therefore, in our study, we encapsulated CEP with β-cyclodextrin and formulated it into oral tablets. Oral tablets can be absorbed through sublingual and buccal mucosa, improving CEP bioavailability, facilitating convenient dosing, and thereby enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. The cepharanthine–β-cyclodextrin (CEP–β-CD) inclusion complex was prepared using the co-grinding method. It was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry to assess its physicochemical properties. Subsequently, the quality of the CEP–β-CD oral tablets was evaluated according to the relevant requirements of the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the oral tablets were assessed in beagles. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effects of the CEP–β-CD oral tablets were evaluated in alveolar macrophage MH-S cells and a mouse pneumonia model. Our results suggest that the formulation of the CEP–β-CD inclusion complex into oral tablets is a promising preventive and therapeutic approach for lung injury caused by COVID-19.

Orychophragmus violaceus (L.) O. E. Schulz (Brassicaceae) is widely distributed and plentiful in China and has been widely used for its application in ornamental, oil, ecology, foraging, and food. Recent studies have revealed that the main components of Orychophragmus violaceus include flavonoids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, etc., which have pharmacological activities such as antioxidation, antiradiation, antitumor, hepatic protection, antiferroptosis, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. In this paper, the nutritional value, chemical compositions, pharmacological activity, and application value of Orychophragmus violaceus are summarized by referring to the relevant domestic and international literature to provide a reference for further research, development, and utilization of Orychophragmus violaceus in the future.

Large full-thickness skin wounds pose significant challenges, particularly in achieving scar-free healing and the regeneration of skin appendages. This study introduces a portable approach for promoting scarless healing and skin appendage regeneration by utilizing low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) activated piezoelectric electrospun membranes to modulate the local electrical environment. Dopamine-modified polyvinylidene fluoride (DA/PVDF) nanomembranes were fabricated via electrospinning, followed by piezoelectric characterization under varying LIPUS stimulation. Cell adhesion was examined using SEM and laser confocal microscopy to assess surface interactions. Cell proliferation and migration were further analyzed using the CCK-8 assay and Transwell migration assay, respectively. Finally, the effects of DA/PVDF membranes on full-thickness skin defect healing were tested in a mouse model. The healing process was documented with photographs, and functional skin regeneration was evaluated through histological analysis. The DA/PVDF nanomembranes had an average diameter of 732 ± 232 nm and generated a voltage of 450 mV under LIPUS stimulation, a 1.28-fold increase compared to PVDF membranes alone. In vitro, LIPUS-activated membranes enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation, resulting in a 1.14-fold increase in cell growth over three days. The transwell migration assays showed 244.67 ± 7.85 migrated cells. , the DA/PVDF+LIPUS group exhibited significantly higher wound healing rates, with improved epidermal regeneration, collagen fiber deposition and remodeling, and enhanced blood vessel and skin appendage formation. DA modification enhances the piezoelectric properties of PVDF membranes, boosting cell adhesion and promoting dermal and vascular regeneration. LIPUS-generated mechanical waves effectively stimulate membrane deformation, producing a localized electrical microenvironment that mimics the natural bioelectric field of skin and accelerates functional wound healing.

Background The effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear, and there is no nomogram integrated SES and clinicopathological factors to predict the prognosis of HCC. This research aims to confirm the effects of SES on predicting patients’ survival and to establish a nomogram to predict the prognosis of HCC. Methods The data of HCC patients were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Final Results (SEER) database from 2011 to 2015. SES (age at diagnosis, race and sex, median family income, education level, insurance status, marital status, residence, cost of living index, poverty rate) and clinicopathological factors were included in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Nomograms for predicting 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were established and evaluated by the concordance index (C‐index), the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the calibration plot, the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and the net reclassification improvement (NRI). Results A total of 33,670 diagnosed HCC patients were involved, and nomograms consisting of 19 variables were established. The C‐indexes of the nomograms are higher than TNM staging system, which predicts the CSS (0.789 vs. 0.692, p < 0.01) and OS (0.777 vs. 0.675, p < 0.01). The ROC curve, calibration diagram, IDI, and NRI showed the improved prognostic value in 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates. Conclusion SES plays an important role in the prognosis of HCC patients. Therefore, policymakers can make more precise and socially approved policies to improve HCC patients’ CSS and OS. The impacts of socioeconomic status (SES), including: age at diagnosis, race and sex, median family income, education level, insurance status, marital status, residence, cost of living index, poverty rate on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still unclear. This research collected the data of 33,670 diagnosed HCC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Final Results (SEER) database, and nomograms for 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival rates based on the SES and clinical factors were constructed.

DR5, a receptor with the highest affinity for TRAIL under physiological conditions, selectively induces apoptosis in specific target cells such as tumor and aberrant immune cells, while minimally affecting normal cells. The TRAIL-DR5 signaling pathway is a crucial regulatory mechanism when the body responds to various exogenous interference factors, including viruses, chemicals, and radiation. This pathway plays a vital role in maintaining physiological homeostasis and in the pathological development of various diseases. Different modulations of DR5, such as upregulation, activation, and antagonism, hold significant potential for therapeutic applications in tumors, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, viral infections, and radiation injuries. This article provides an overview of the current research progress on DR5, including the status and prospects of its clinical applications.

Alkaloids are a material treasure bestowed on humans by nature owing to their numerous biological activities. Orychophragine D, an alkaloid isolated from the seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus was identified as bearing a novel skeleton and proved to have an excellent radioprotective effect. Different from the common alkaloid structure, the main block of orychophragine D is constructed of an oxotriazine and an oxopiperazine, which are connected in parallel by a C-N bond. In this paper, a preparation method for the novel heterocycle skeleton of orychophragine D is proposed for the first time. N-Boc-L-serine was utilized as the original material to complete the preparation with 11 steps in a 13% overall yield. A hydroxyl group was established on the side chain of the skeleton as the reaction site for researchers to conduct further structural modification or derivatization.