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Nanocarriers have therapeutic potential to facilitate drug delivery, including biological agents, small-molecule drugs, and nucleic acids. However, their efficiency is limited by several factors; among which, endosomal/lysosomal degradation after endocytosis is the most important. This review summarizes advanced strategies for overcoming endosomal/lysosomal barriers to efficient nanodrug delivery based on the perspective of cellular uptake and intracellular transport mechanisms. These strategies include promoting endosomal/lysosomal escape, using non-endocytic methods of delivery to directly cross the cell membrane to evade endosomes/lysosomes and making a detour pathway to evade endosomes/lysosomes. On the basis of the findings of this review, we proposed several promising strategies for overcoming endosomal/lysosomal barriers through the smarter and more efficient design of nanodrug delivery systems for future clinical applications.

Malaria is an ancient infectious disease that threatens millions of lives globally even today. The discovery of artemisinin, inspired by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has brought in a paradigm shift and been recognized as the “best hope for the treatment of malaria” by World Health Organization. With its high potency and low toxicity, the wide use of artemisinin effectively treats the otherwise drug-resistant parasites and helps many countries, including China, to eventually eradicate malaria. Here, we will first review the initial discovery of artemisinin, an extraordinary journey that was in stark contrast with many drugs in western medicine. We will then discuss how artemisinin and its derivatives could be repurposed to treat cancer, inflammation, immunoregulation-related diseases, and COVID-19. Finally, we will discuss the implications of the “artemisinin story” and how that can better guide the development of TCM today. We believe that artemisinin is just a starting point and TCM will play an even bigger role in healthcare in the 21st century.

Aristolochic acid (AA), mainly derived from herbal and plants, was listed as a human carcinogen class I in 2002. Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) is a rapidly progressive tubulointerstitial nephritis and urothelial cancer caused by AA. However, the targeting molecular mechanisms of AAs-induced nephrotoxicity are largely unclear. This study aims to dissect targeting molecular mechanisms of AA-induced nephrotoxicity. Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) in combination with cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was performed to identify the AAs binding target proteins. Our data indicated that several key enzymes in the metabolic process and mitochondrial respiration including IDH2 and MDH2 (Krebs cycle), PKM and LDH (aerobic respiration), FASN (fatty acid beta-oxidation), HK2 (glucose metabolism), and ATP synthase were identified as directly binding targets of AAs. Metabolomics and oxygen consumption rate (OCR) experiments further confirmed that AAs targeting proteins disrupted metabolic biosynthesis processes and impaired mitochondrial functions. Ultimately, AAs induced renal cells apoptosis by disturbing various biological processes. Cumulatively, AAs may directly bind to key proteins involved in the metabolic process and mitochondrial homeostasis, and finally induce aristolochic acid nephropathy. Our findings provide novel insight into underlying mechanisms of AAs-induced kidney toxicity, which may help to develop therapeutic strategies for AAN.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a widely used nutritional and medicinal plant, whose roots are an important commercial source of inulin, while the aerial parts are often discarded during industrial processing. This study systematically compared chicory polysaccharides (CPs) extracted from aerial parts (CP-A) and roots (CP-R) with respect to their compositional features and cytoprotective effects in an oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R)-induced H9c2 cell injury model. CP-A and CP-R differed in molecular weight distribution and monosaccharide composition, with CP-R exhibiting a higher molecular weight and fructose content. Despite these differences, both fractions significantly improved cell viability and reduced oxidative and biochemical injury markers. Integrated proteomic and transcriptomic analyses indicated that CP-A and CP-R were associated with the modulation of stress-responsive signaling networks, prominently involving oxidative stress-linked MAPK/NF-κB pathways. These findings demonstrate comparable cytoprotective activities of polysaccharide-rich fractions from roots and aerial parts and support the valorization of chicory aerial biomass as a potential source of functional ingredients for cardiovascular health.

The diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in clinical settings face serious challenges, particularly due to the lack of integration between the two processes, which limit real-time adjustments in treatment plans based on the patient’s condition and drive-up treatment costs. Here, we present a multifunctional pH-sensitive core-shell nanoparticle containing quercetin (QCT), termed AHA@MnP/QCT NPs, designed for the simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Mechanistic studies indicated that QCT and Mn 2+ exhibited excellent peroxidase-like (POD-like) activity, catalysing the conversion of endogenous hydrogen peroxide into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals through a Fenton-like reaction, depleting glutathione (GSH), promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, and inducing ferroptosis. Additionally, Mn 2+ could activate the cGAS-STING signalling pathway and promote the maturation of dendritic cells and infiltration of activated T cells, thus inducing tumor immunogenic cell death (ICD). Furthermore, it exhibited effective T2-weighted MRI enhancement for tumor imaging, making them valuable for clinical diagnosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that AHA@MnP/QCT NPs enabled non-invasive imaging and tumor treatment, which presented a one-stone-for-two-birds strategy for combining tumor diagnosis and treatment, with broad potential for clinical application in non-small cell lung cancer therapy. Graphical Abstract

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a globally distributed necrotrophic fungal pathogen capable of infecting a wide range of crops. While conventional chemical fungicides offer effective control, their long-term use leads to increased fungicide resistance and poses risks to the environment and human health due to pesticide residues, underscoring the urgent need to develop novel fungicides. Artemisinin, first identified in Artemisia annua, is renowned for its antimalarial activity. Here, we demonstrate that artemisinin exhibited effective antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum with an EC50 value of 0.1 mg/mL. Treatment with artemisinin caused the mycelia surface to collapse and shrivel, accompanied by enhanced membrane permeability. Pretreating Brassica napus and Arabidopsis leaves with artemisinin increased resistance to S. sclerotiorum infection. Proteomic analysis revealed that artemisinin treatment markedly downregulated the expression of key functional proteins in S. sclerotiorum, including enzymes involved in oxalic acid biosynthesis, cell wall-associated proteins, and secreted proteins. In conclusion, artemisinin exhibits notable inhibitory effects against S. sclerotiorum and may hold potential for development as a novel fungicide.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are essential drivers of fibrogenesis. Inducing activated-HSC apoptosis is a promising strategy for treating hepatic fibrosis. 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) is a natural compound that exists widely in herbal medicines, such as Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, which is used for treating multiple liver diseases, especially in Asia. In the present study, we demonstrated that 18β-GA decreased hepatic fibrosis by inducing the apoptosis in activated HSCs. 18β-GA inhibited the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type I alpha-1. Using a chemoproteomic approach derived from activity-based protein profiling, together with cellular thermal shift assay and surface plasmon resonance, we found that 18β-GA covalently targeted peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) and peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) proteins via binding to active cysteine residues and thereby inhibited their enzymatic activities. 18β-GA induced the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in the apoptosis of activated HSCs. PRDX1 knockdown also led to ROS-mediated apoptosis in activated HSCs. Collectively, our findings revealed the target proteins and molecular mechanisms of 18β-GA in ameliorating hepatic fibrosis, highlighting the future development of 18β-GA as a novel therapeutic drug for hepatic fibrosis. [Display omitted] •18β-GA ameliorates hepatic fibrosis and inhibits ECM deposition.•18β-GA directly targets PRDX1 and PRDX2 in activated HSCs.•18β-GA binding to the cysteines of PRDX1 and PRDX2 inhibits their enzyme activities.•18β-GA induces ROS-mediated activated-HSC apoptosis by targeting PRDX1 and PRDX2.

The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is a pivotal contributor to therapeutic resistance in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Immunogenic cell death (ICD), which activates antitumor immunity through damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) release, represents a promising therapeutic strategy for TNBC. Although gambogic acid (GA) triggers ICD by inducing synergistic apoptosis/ferroptosis and DAMP secretion, its clinical translation is hindered by non-specific targeting, poor solubility, and systemic toxicity. To overcome these limitations, we engineered homologous tumor cell membrane-coated GA/Ga³⁺ nanoparticles (M@GAGa NPs) that operate through a triple-functionality: (1) Tumor-targeted delivery: Homologous membrane coating enables immune evasion and precise TNBC tissue accumulation. (2) TME-responsive synergy: Acidic TME-triggered release of GA and Ga³⁺ permits Ga³⁺-mediated disruption of tumor metabolism via ferric ion mimicry, synergistically enhancing GA-induced cytotoxicity. (3) Immunomodulation: GA-induced ICD releases immune signalling molecules such as calreticulin (CRT) and high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), while Ga³⁺ reprograms immunosuppressive cells, collectively activating dendritic cell (DC) antigen presentation and CD8⁺ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. M@GAGa NPs remodel the immunosuppressive TNBC microenvironment through multimodal synergy, offering an innovative precision immunotherapy platform to overcome current therapeutic constraints.

Background Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, tightly associated with neuroinflammation. Activation of inflammatory cells and molecules in damaged nervous tissues plays a pivotal role in epilepsy. Caffeic acid, one of the most abundant polyphenols in coffee, has shown potent protective effects as a phytomedicine in various neurological disorders. However, the direct protein targets and exact molecular mechanisms of caffeic acid in epilepsy, remain largely elusive. Purpose This study aimed to explore the protective effects of caffeic acid in epilepsy and elucidate its underlying mechanism. Methods In this study, we established pentylenetetrazol-induced acute and kindling models of seizures. Additionally, a BV2 microglial cellular inflammation model was established by lipopolysaccharide stimulation. The potential direct protein targets of caffeic acid in BV2 cells were analyzed using an activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) with a caffeic acid probe. Various methods such as pull-down assay, immunofluorescence and cellular heat transfer assays were used for experimental validation. The anti-inflammatory effects of caffeic acid in LPS-activated BV2 cells was proved by knocking down the target protein. Results Here, we found that caffeic acid exhibits antiepileptic effects in pentylenetetrazol-induced epilepsy mice and exerts anti-neuroinflammation effect in vivo and in vitro. Besides, we discovered that caffeic acid directly binds to aconitate decarboxylase 1 and influenced its enzymatic activity. Moreover, we indicated that caffeic acid exhibits anti-neuroinflammation effect through aconitate decarboxylase 1 mediated PERK-NF-κB pathway in vitro. Conclusion In summary, this study elucidates, for the first time, the potential antiepileptic targets and mechanism of action of caffeic acid using the ABPP strategy. Our study provides evidence supporting the utilization of caffeic acid as a promising therapeutic agent for treating epilepsy and neuroinflammation-related disorders. Highlights 1. Caffeic acid alleviates antiepileptic effects in pentylenetetrazol-induced epilepsy and exhibits obvious anti-neuroinflammatory effect. 2. Caffeic acid directly covalently binds to the cysteines of aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1). 3. Caffeic acid ameliorates neuroinflammation by inhibiting the ACOD1-PERK-NF-κB pathway.

Background: Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) has been reported to be liver protective; however, the characters and underlying mechanisms of GA against tripterygium glycoside tablet (TGT)-induced acute liver injury remain unelucidated. Hypothesis/Purpose: We assumed that GA could relieve TGT-induced acute liver injury by regulating liver function-related genes and lipid metabolites. Study Design: TGT-induced acute liver injury models were constructed in vivo and in vitro . Then the liver protective effect and mechanisms of GA were investigated by a combination of transcriptome, lipid metabolomics, and experimental validation. Methods: Intraperitoneal injection of GA was given in advance for six successive days. Then, the TGT-induced acute liver injury model was constructed by a single oral administration of TGT at 270 mg/kg, except for the normal group. All animals were sacrificed 18 h later. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were quantified. Liver tissues were used to observe pathological changes through hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining and selected for transcriptome and metabolome sequencing. The underlying mechanisms were analyzed and further validated both in vivo and in vitro . Results: Pre-administration of GA markedly decreased the serum concentrations of AST, ALT, ALP, and TBIL but increased those of SOD and GSH-Px, improving the liver morphology of mice with TGT-induced acute liver injury. In addition, GA significantly increased the gene levels of Cyp2b13, Cyp2c69, Cyp3a16, Cyp3a44, Fmo3, and Nipal1. Differentially accumulated metabolites were screened and classified as phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The in vitro results indicated that pre-administration of GA markedly alleviated the inhibitory effect of TGT on BRL-3A activity. Conclusion: This study combined transcriptome, lipid metabolomics, and experimental validation to offer convincing evidence that GA alleviates TGT-induced acute liver injury partially by regulating the activities of CYP and the metabolism of PC and PE.