Structure-based development of potent and selective type-II kinase inhibitors of RIPK1

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) functions as a key regulator in inflammation and cell death and is involved in mediating a variety of inflammatory or degenerative diseases. A number of allosteric RIPK1 inhibitors (RIPK1i) have been developed, and some of them have already advanced into clinical evaluation. Recently, selective RIPK1i that interact with both the allosteric pocket and the ATP-binding site of RIPK1 have started to emerge. Here, we report the rational development of a new series of type-II RIPK1i based on the rediscovery of a reported but mechanistically atypical RIPK3i. We also describe the structure-guided lead optimization of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable RIPK1i, 62, which exhibits extraordinary efficacies in mouse models of acute or chronic inflammatory diseases. Collectively, 62 provides a useful tool for evaluating RIPK1 in animal disease models and a promising lead for further drug development.

UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with network pharmacology for exploring antiinflammatory mechanism of Eurycoma longifolia / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the mechanisms that mediate the anti-inflammatory activity of Eurycoma longifolia.@*METHODS@#Kunming mouse models of xylene-induced ear swelling and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute pneumonia were used to compare the anti- inflammatory activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Eurycoma longifolia. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was used to identify the chemical composition in the ethanol extract of Eurycoma longifolia, based on which the potential antiinflammatory targets of Eurycoma longifolia were screened using the databases including SwissADME, SwissTargetPrediction, and Genecards. The String database was used to generate the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and Cytoscape was used for network topology analysis and screening the core targets. The enrichment of the core targets was analyzed using Metascape database, the core components and targets were docked with Autodock software, and the docking results were visualized using Pymol software. In a RAW264.7 cell model of LPS-induced inflammation, the Griess reagent was used to measure NO level, and Western blotting was performed to detect the expression levels of MAPK1, JAK2, and STAT3 proteins to verify the anti- inflammatory mechanism of Eurycoma longifolia.@*RESULTS@#The ethanol extract (75%) of Eurycoma longifolia (ELE) was the active site, which contained a total of 37 chemical components. These chemical compounds and diseases had 541 targets, involving the JAK/STAT3, cAMP and other signaling pathways. Twelve indicator components were identified, which all showed good results of molecular docking with two core targets involved in the signaling pathways. In the cell validation experiment, treatment of the cells with low-, medium-, and high-dose ELE significantly reduced NO release in the cells, and ELE at the medium dose significantly decreased the cellular expressions of JAK2 and STAT3.@*CONCLUSION@#The anti-inflammatory activity of Eurycoma longifolia is attributed primarily to its active ingredients bitter lignin and alkaloids, which may regulate the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway by targeting JAK2 and STAT3.

Injectable hydrogel microspheres experimental research for the treatment of osteoarthritis / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To prepare a novel hyaluronic acid methacrylate (HAMA) hydrogel microspheres loaded polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane-diclofenac sodium (POSS-DS) patricles, then investigate its physicochemical characteristics and in vitro and in vivo biological properties.@*METHODS@#Using sulfhydryl POSS (POSS-SH) as a nano-construction platform, polyethylene glycol and DS were chemically linked through the "click chemistry" method to construct functional nanoparticle POSS-DS. The composition was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the morphology was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. In order to achieve drug sustained release, POSS-DS was encapsulated in HAMA, and hybrid hydrogel microspheres were prepared by microfluidic technology, namely HAMA@POSS-DS. The morphology of the hybrid hydrogel microspheres was characterized by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The in vitro degradation and drug release efficiency were observed. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) and live/dead staining were used to detect the effect on chondrocyte proliferation. Moreover, a chondrocyte inflammation model was constructed and cultured with HAMA@POSS-DS. The relevant inflammatory indicators, including collagen type Ⅱ, aggrecan (AGG), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), recombinant A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin 5 (Adamts5), and recombinant tachykinin precursor 1 (TAC1) were detected by immunofluorescence staining and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, with normal cultured chondrocytes and the chondrocyte inflammation model without treatment as control group and blank group respectively to further evaluate their anti-inflammatory activity. Finally, by constructing a rat model of knee osteoarthritis, the effectiveness of HAMA@POSS-DS on osteoarthritis was evaluated by X-ray film and Micro-CT examination.@*RESULTS@#The overall particle size of POSS-DS nanoparticles was uniform with a diameter of about 100 nm. HAMA@POSS-DS hydrogel microspheres were opaque spheres with a diameter of about 100 μm and a spherical porous structure. The degradation period was 9 weeks, during which the loaded POSS-DS nanoparticles were slowly released. CCK-8 and live/dead staining showed no obvious cytotoxicity at HAMA@POSS-DS, and POSS-DS released by HAMA@POSS-DS significantly promoted cell proliferation (P<0.05). In the chondrocyte anti-inflammatory experiment, the relative expression of collagen type Ⅱ mRNA in HAMA@POSS-DS group was significantly higher than that in control group and blank group (P<0.05). The relative expression level of AGG mRNA was significantly higher than that of blank group (P<0.05). The relative expressions of MMP-13, Adamts5, and TAC1 mRNA in HAMA@POSS-DS group were significantly lower than those in blank group (P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that the joint space width decreased after operation in rats with osteoarthritis, but HAMA@POSS-DS delayed the process of joint space narrowing and significantly improved the periarticular osteophytosis (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#HAMA@POSS-DS can effectively regulate the local inflammatory microenvironment and significantly promote chondrocyte proliferation, which is conducive to promoting cartilage regeneration and repair in osteoarthritis.

Research progress in pharmacological effectsand mechanism of Fel Ursi against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases / 中国中药杂志

Fel Ursi is a dried product obtained from the gallbladder of Ursidae animals, such as Selenarctos thibetanus or Ursus arctos, through gallbladder surgery for bile drainage. It is one of the rare animal medicinal materials in China and is known for its therapeutic effects, including clearing heat, removing toxins, extinguishing wind, relieving spasms, clearing the liver, and improving vision. Research has also found that Fel Ursi has pharmacological effects against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant stress properties. Recently, numerous studies have confirmed the close relationship between cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the gut microbiota as well as gut metabolites. Fel Ursi contains bile acid components that may have bidirectional regulatory effects on the gut microbiota and gut metabolites. This aspect could represent a potential therapeutic pathway for Fel Ursi in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This article comprehensively summarized relevant literature in China and abroad, reviewed the research progress on the pharmacological effects of Fel Ursi against cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and explored the impact of Fel Ursi on gut microbiota and gut metabolites, thereby aiming to provide references for further in-depth research and clinical application of Fel Ursi.

Advances in Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Action of Tinosporae Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Tinosporae Radix， as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb， is the dried root tuber of Tinospora sagittata or T. capillipes. It was first recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica Supplement in the Qing Dynasty and included in the previous edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Tinosporae Radix is excavated in autumn and winter and used after removing fibrous roots， washing， and drying. It is indicated for sore throat， carbuncle boils poison， waist and abdominal pain， and various heat syndromes and is commonly used to treat chronic inflammation. Its efficacy is significantly known as “broad-spectrum antibiotics in Zhuang medicine”. Tinosporae Radix is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb often taken by Zhuang and Yao nationalities in Guangxi province and has a wide range of application and development values and research significance. Modern studies have shown that Tinosporae Radix contains diterpenoids， alkaloids， sterols， anthraquinones， glycosides， fatty acids， volatile oils， and other compounds， which have many pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic， antibacterial and antibacterial， antioxidant， anti-diabetic， and anti-tumor and anti-cancer effects， and it has achieved good efficacy in inhibiting inflammation and treating sore throat and other diseases. In recent years， there have been many research reports on the status， chemical constituents， pharmacological action， clinical application， and quality evaluation of Tinosporae Radix resources， but there is no systematic review and introduction at present. By consulting the literature and combining it with modern research， this paper systematically summarizes and collates Tinosporae Radix resources to provide guidance for the comprehensive development and utilization of Tinosporae Radix resources and subsequent in-depth study.

Seven new 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarin derivatives from Angelica dahurica / 中草药·英文版

OBJECTIVE@#To study the chemical constituents of the roots of Angelica dahurica, a well-known Chinese herbal medicine named Baizhi in Chinese.@*METHODS@#Compounds were separated by various chromatographies, and the structures of new compounds were elucidated based on the analysis of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data (1D, 2D NMR, HRESI MS, IR, and UV). The absolute configurations of new compounds were determined by the calculated electronic circular dichroism and chemical derivatization. The inhibitory activities of all isolates against nitric oxide (NO) production were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.@*RESULTS@#Seven new 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarin derivatives ( 1a/ 1b, 2a/ 2b, 3a/ 3b, 4) together with a known furanocoumarin ( 5) were isolated from the roots of A. dahurica. The new compounds included three pairs of enantiomers, (4S, 2''R)-angelicadin A ( 1a)/(4R, 2''S)-angelicadin A ( 1b), (4S, 2''S)-angelicadin A ( 2a)/(4R, 2''R)-angelicadin A ( 2b), and (4S, 2''S)-secoangelicadin A ( 3a)/(4R, 2''R)-secoangelicadin A ( 3b), together with (4R, 2''R)-secoangelicadin A methyl ester ( 4). The known xanthotoxol ( 5) inhibited the NO production with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of (32.8 ± 0.8) µmol/L, but all the new compounds showed no inhibitory activities at the concentration of 100 µmol/L.@*CONCLUSION@#This is the first report of the discovery of 3,4-dihydro-furanocoumarins from A. dahurica. The results are not only meaningful for the understanding of the chemical constituents of A. dahurica, but also enrich the reservoir of natural products.

Functional biomaterials for comprehensive periodontitis therapy

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by bacterial infection directly, and the dysregulation of host immune-inflammatory response finally destroys periodontal tissues. Current treatment strategies for periodontitis mainly involve mechanical scaling/root planing (SRP), surgical procedures, and systemic or localized delivery of antimicrobial agents. However, SRP or surgical treatment alone has unsatisfactory long-term effects and is easy to relapse. In addition, the existing drugs for local periodontal therapy do not stay in the periodontal pocket long enough and have difficulties in maintaining a steady, effective concentration to obtain a therapeutic effect, and continuous administration always causes drug resistance. Many recent studies have shown that adding bio-functional materials and drug delivery systems upregulates the therapeutic effectiveness of periodontitis. This review focuses on the role of biomaterials in periodontitis treatment and presents an overview of antibacterial therapy, host modulatory therapy, periodontal regeneration, and multifunctional regulation of periodontitis therapy. Biomaterials provide advanced approaches for periodontal therapy, and it is foreseeable that further understanding and applications of biomaterials will promote the development of periodontal therapy.

Five new terpenoids from Viburnum odoratissimum var. sessiliflorum / 中国天然药物

Five new terpenoids, including two vibsane-type diterpenoids (1, 2) and three iridoid allosides (3-5), together with eight known ones, were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Viburnum odoratissimum var.sessiliflorum. Their planar structures and relative configurations were determined by spectroscopic methods, especially 2D NMR techniques. The sugar moieties of the iridoids were confirmed as β-D-allose by GC analysis after acid hydrolysis and acetylation. The absolute configurations of neovibsanin Q (1) and dehydrovibsanol B (2) were determined by quantum chemical calculation of their theoretical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra and Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced ECD analysis. The anti-inflammatory activities of compounds 1, 3, 4, and 5 were evaluated using an LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell model. Compounds 3suppressed the release of NO in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 55.64 μmol·L-1. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1-5 on HCT-116 cells were assessed and the results showed that compounds 2 and 3 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 13.8 and 12.3 μmol·L-1, respectively.

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of electroacupuncture involves the modulation of multiple systems, levels and targets and is not limited to "driving the vagus-adrenal axis" / 中西医结合学报

In October 2021, an international collaborative study on the use of electroacupuncture (EA) to treat inflammation was published in the journal Nature by Dr. Qiufu Ma's team. Based on the results of EA on inflammation in the mouse model of lipopolysaccharide inflammatory storm, the study showed that the distal effect of acupuncture can be achieved by "driving the vagus-adrenal axis (through the adrenal medulla, by releasing catecholamines)." PROKR2Cre-marked sensory neurons, which innervate the deep hindlimb fascia but not the abdominal fascia, are crucial for driving this axis. The study suggests the existence of specificity distribution of acupoints, that different EA stimulation intensities or different needle penetration depths have different therapeutic effects, that photosensitive stimulation may be a substitute for needle acupuncture, and that massage, stretching and body movements may also activate PROKR2Cre-markable dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons and elicit anti-inflammatory effects. However, results of some other studies are contrary to the conclusions of Ma's team. For examples: low-intensity EA at GB30 point significantly reduced the inflammation in the rat model of persistent inflammation, which is more relevant to the real daily acupuncture practice, and this effect was partly related to the adrenal cortex and associated with the stimulation of corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone; manual acupuncture (similar to the low-intensity EA) at KI3, Zhichuan point (an extra point), etc. was effective in a severe COVID-19 patient with sepsis; stimulating ST25 with low-intensity EA or manual acupuncture was effective against gastrointestinal inflammations; the above mentioned points are not in an area enriched with PROKR2Cre-marked sensory nerve endings. Evidence shows that the mechanism of EA against inflammation includes modulating multi-systems, multi-levels and multi-targets, which does not limit to "driving the vagus-adrenal axis." Please cite this article as: Fan AY. Anti-inflammatory mechanism of electroacupuncture involves the modulation of multiple systems, levels and targets and is not limited to "driving the vagus-adrenal axis." J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4):320-323.

Research progress of small molecule modulators targeting Toll-like receptor 2 / 药学学报

Toll like receptors (TLRs) are the earliest discovered natural immune pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The abnormality of TLR signal transduction pathway is the key factor leading to chronic inflammatory, cancer, nervous system disease and cardiovascular diseases. The development of TLR agonists and inhibitors has attracted much attention. Currently known TLR2 agonists, such as lipopeptides or their derivatives, have certain limitations in drug development due to their difficult synthesis, easy hydrolysis, and triggering inflammatory cytokine storms, while inhibitors have been rarely reported. New small molecule TLR2 agonists or inhibitors with higher stability are more likely to be developed as tumor immunotherapy or anti-inflammatory drugs.

The neuroprotective effect of salidroside prophylactic administration on MCAO model rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the neuroprotective effect of prophylactic administration of salidroside (Sal) on MCAO rats. Methods A total of 52 SD adult male rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham), model group (MCAO) and salidroside pre-administration group (MCAO + Sal). The dose of Sal was 50 mg·kg

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of Aconitum tanguticum based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the potential molecular anti-inflammatory mechanism of Aconitum tanguticum based on network pharmacology methods,molecular docking technology and cell experiment. Methods The active ingredients targets and disease targets of Aconitum tanguticum were collected through literature and database. The common targets were utilized by mixture of them and the core targets were obtained by constructing the protein protein interaction(PPI)network. Then the component-target-disease network diagram was constructed. The gene ontology(GO)analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)analysis were performed for common targets. AutoDock Vina(1.1.2)software was utilized for combining some of the core targets and the diterpenoid alkaloids in the chemical components of Aconitum tanguticum. Finally,the influence of alcoholic extract of Aconitum tanguticum(ATS)on RAW264.7 cell inflammation model was preliminarily verified by MTT assay,Griess reagent and realtime RT-PCR. Results A total 17 main active ingredients were obtained from literature and 284 common targets were obtained via intersecting with disease targets. Altogether 108 pathways were screened by KEGG enrichment,mainly including PI3K-Akt,Ras,MAPK and HIF-1. Molecular docking results indicated that the active ingredients of Aconitum tanguticum had a high affinity with the core target to be docked. In vitro experiment suggested that ATS treatment inhibited LPS-induced NO production and iNOS mRNA in RAW264.7 cells. Realtime RT-PCR detection suggested that ATS played an anti-inflammatory effect by regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Conclusions Aconitum tanguticum exerts anti-inflammatory effects through PI3K-Akt pathways,which provides the scientific basis for better promoting the development of Aconitum tanguticum.

Summary of anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects of IFIT1 / 中国药理学通报

IFIT1 is a highly inducible member of the interferon stimulating gene family (ISGs) with tetrapeptide repeats. It mainly exists in the cytoplasm and is regulated by interferon, a variety of antiviral role through a variety of mechanisms and pathways, and many viruses have evolved unique mechanisms to evade the limiting effects of IFIT1 and thus counter the body' s antiviral immunity, the unique anti-inflammatory effect of IFIT1 has been extensively studied in inflammatory diseases, Therefore, we mainly review the anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects of IFIT1 and the related mechanisms, so as to provide new therapeutic targets and ideas for the treatment of related diseases.

Research advance in antiviral effect of sophoridine / 中国药理学通报

Sophoridine is a quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from Sophora in legumes, which is one of the main active ingredients of Sophora alopecuroides L, Sophora flavescentis Ait and Sophora davidii (Franch.) skeels. Its molecular formula is C

GLPS improves EAE demyelination through inhibition of TLR4/NF-KB pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the protective effects of ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLPS) on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the underlying mechanism. Methods Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal control group, EAE model group and GLPS group (5 mg • kg

A new class of potent liver injury protective compounds: Structural elucidation, total synthesis and bioactivity study

A new class of potent liver injury protective compounds, phychetins A-D ( 1- 4) featuring an unique 6/6/5/6/5 pentacyclic framework, were isolated and structurally characterized from a Chinese medicinal plant Phyllanthus franchetianus. Compounds 2- 4 are three pairs of enantiomers that were initially obtained in a racemic manner, and were further separated by chiral HPLC preparation. Compounds 1- 4 were proposed to be originated biosynthetically from a coexisting lignan via an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts reaction as the key step. A bioinspired total synthesis strategy was thus designated, and allowed the effective syntheses of compounds 2- 4 in high yields. Some of compounds exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities in vitro via suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Notably, compound 4, the most active enantiomeric pair in vitro, displayed prominent potent protecting activity against liver injury at a low dose of 3 mg/kg in mice, which could serve as a promising lead for the development of acute liver injury therapeutic agent.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of four kinds of Huangshan chrysanthemum / 药学实践杂志

Objective To investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of four kinds of Huangshan chrysanthemum. Methods ABTS, FRAP and DPPH were used to detect the antioxidant activities of Huangshan golden silk chrysanthemum, Huangshan chrysanthemum, Huangshan gongju, and Huangshan dendranthema. Their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by NF-κB reporter gene assay and rat foot swelling models. Results The outcomes of ABTS，FRAP and DPPH showed that the water extracts of four kinds of chrysanthemum all had certain antioxidant activities and the activities of Huangshan golden silk chrysanthemum were strongest, followed by Huangshan chrysanthemum , Huangshan gongju , and Huangshan dendranthema. Results of NF-κB reporter gene assay and rat foot swelling models showed that four extracts of chrysanthemum morifolium could inhibit the transcription of NF-κB induced by LPS and alleviate foot swelling of rat induced by carrageenan, with the strongest activity of Huangshan chrysanthemum, followed by Huangshan golden silk chrysanthemum, Huangshan gongju, and Huangshan dendranthema. Conclusion The antioxidant activities of Huangshan golden silk chrysanthemum were strongest, followed by Huangshan chrysanthemum, Huangshan gongju, and Huangshan dendranthema. The anti-inflammatory activities of Huangshan chrysanthemum were strongest, followed by Huangshan golden silk chrysanthemum, Huangshan gongju, and Huangshan dendranthema.

Anti-swelling and Analgesic Mechanism of Jianpi Tongluo Prescription from MAPKs Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the anti-swelling and analgesic effects of Jianpi Tongluo prescription （JPTL） and to explore its mechanism initially. MethodA total of 120 ICR mice were divided into normal group， model group， JPTL low-， medium- and high-dose groups （5， 10， 20 g·kg-1） and positive drug （celecoxib， 0.03 g·kg-1） group， with 10 in each group （po，once a day）. Complete freund's adjuvant （CFA） was used to induce the model of chronic inflammatory pain， and xylene-induced ear swelling test， hot plate test and acetic acid writhing test were performed to observe the anti-swelling and analgesic effects of different doses of JPTL in these four acute and chronic models. Further， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the expressions of prostaglandin E2 （PGE2）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in serum and inflammatory paw of mice with chronic inflammatory pain， and the expressions of aquaporin 1 （AQP1）， aquaporin 3 （AQP3）， cyclooxygenase 1 （COX1）， cyclooxygenase 2 （COX2） and mitogen-activated protein kinases （MAPKs） in inflammatory paw were detected by Western blot， to explore the preliminary mechanism of JPTL. ResultCompared with the conditions in the normal group， there was a significant increase in the ear swelling of xylene-induced model mice， a shortened paw withdrawal latency in the hot plate test （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， JPTL remarkably increased the inhibition rate of xylene-induced ear swelling （P<0.05， P<0.01）， prolonged the latency period of writhing caused by acetic acid and reduced the number of writhing （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with normal group, the degree of feet swelling in chronic inflammatory pain mice was significantly increased， the threshold of mechanical pain was decreased and the threshold of cold pain was increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， the protein contents of AQP1 and AQP3 in inflammatory feet were increased， and the contents of IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， PGE2 and COX2 in inflammatory feet were increased in serum and/or inflammatory feet. The protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， p-JNK and p-ERK in inflammatory feet were increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， JPTL relieved paw swelling of mice with chronic inflammatory pain， elevated mechanical withdrawal threshold while decreased cold withdrawal threshold， with analgesia lasting for 4 h and the optimal time point for analgesia being 2 h after administration （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， JPTL down-regulated AQP1， AQP3， COX2， p-p38 MAPK， p-JNK and p-ERK in inflammatory paw of mice with chronic inflammatory pain and reduced IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， and PGE2 in serum and/or inflammatory paw， but it had no significant effect on COX1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionJPTL has anti-swelling and analgesic effects， and its mechanism is related to inhibiting the production of cytokines and inflammatory mediators via the down-regulation of MAPKs signaling pathway， which provides an experimental basis for the clinical application of JPTL.

Effect of Component Compatibility of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix and Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma on Serum Inflammatory Factors and Expression of NF-κB and VEGF in Ankle Joint of Rats with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the component compatibility of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix and Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma on the rat model of rheumatoid arthritis （RA） and the mechanism. MethodSeventy-two SPF-grade SD rats （male and female） aged 5 to 6 weeks were selected. Except the blank group， the rat model of collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） was replicated by the type Ⅱ collagen induction method. The 64 rats after successfully modeling were randomly divided into model group， methotrexate group （0.375 mg·kg-1）， gentianoside with magnoflorine group （150.454 1 mg·kg-1+5.061 8 mg·kg-1）， gentianoside with clematichinenoside AR group （150.454 1 mg·kg-1+16.433 1 mg·kg-1）， sweroside with magnoflorine group （3.455 8 mg·kg-1+5.061 8 mg·kg-1）， sweroside with clematichinenoside AR group （3.455 8 mg·kg-1+16.433 1 mg·kg-1）， swertiamarin with magnoflorine group （9.303 2 mg·kg-1+5.061 8 mg·kg-1）， and swertiamarin with clematichinenoside AR group （9.303 2 mg·kg-1+16.433 1 mg·kg-1）， with 8 rats in each group. Each group was given the corresponding medicinal solution or normal saline by gavage for 15 d. During the experiment， the general status， of rats in each group were observed and recorded. Tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， rheumatoid factor （RF）， C reactive protein （CRP）， prostaglandin E2 （PGE2）， and anti-cyclic peptide containing citrulline antibody （anti-CCP Ab） in the serum of rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The histopathological changes in rat ankle joints were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in rat ankle joints. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of NF-κB and VEGF in rat ankle joints. ResultCompared with those in the blank group， rats in the model group were in poor general conditions with significant foot-plantar swelling， and the content of CRP， anti-CCP Ab， and IL-1β in the rat serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. In the model group， the tissue structure of the ankle joint was severely damaged， and the protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB and VEGF in the rat ankle joints were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， the general status of rats in each administration group was significantly improved. The levels of serum TNF-α， IL-1β， RF， CRP， PGE2， and anti-CCP Ab were reduced to different degrees in these administration groups， among which the effects of the gentianoside with clematichinenoside AR group on down-regulating serum TNF-α and IL-1β， the gentianoside with magnoflorine group on down-regulating serum RF and CRP， the sweroside with magnoflorine group on down-regulating serum PGE2， and the swertiamarin with clematichinenoside AR group on lowering serum anti-CCP Ab were better than those of administration groups. The histopathological changes in the ankle joint were improved to different degrees. The protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB and VEGF in rat ankle joints in the administration groups was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the swertiamarin paired with clematichinenoside AR group had the most significant effect. ConclusionThe component compatibility of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix and Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma exerts a good therapeutic effect on the rat model of RA， and the compatibility of components from the two medicines has a multi-channel， multi-target， and synergistic effect. The five component compatibility patterns， namely gentiobioside with magnoflorine， gentiobioside with clematichinenoside AR， sweroside with clematichinenoside AR， swertiamarin with magnoflorine， and swertiamarin with clematichinenoside AR， all have potential advantages. The mechanism may be related to the reduction of inflammatory factor secretion and the inhibition of abnormal protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB and VEGF.

Chlorella sp.-ameliorated undesirable microenvironment promotes diabetic wound healing

Chronic diabetic wound remains a critical challenge suffering from the complicated negative microenvironments, such as high-glucose, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypoxia and malnutrition. Unfortunately, few strategies have been developed to ameliorate the multiple microenvironments simultaneously. In this study, Chlorella sp. (Chlorella) hydrogels were prepared against diabetic wounds. In vitro experiments demonstrated that living Chlorella could produce dissolved oxygen by photosynthesis, actively consume glucose and deplete ROS with the inherent antioxidants, during the daytime. At night, Chlorella was inactivated in situ by chlorine dioxide with human-body harmless concentration to utilize its abundant contents. It was verified in vitro that the inactivated-Chlorella could supply nutrition, relieve inflammation and terminate the oxygen-consumption of Chlorella-respiration. The advantages of living Chlorella and its contents were integrated ingeniously. The abovementioned functions were proven to accelerate cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis in vitro. Then, streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were employed for further validation. The in vivo outcomes confirmed that Chlorella could ameliorate the undesirable microenvironments, including hypoxia, high-glucose, excessive-ROS and chronic inflammation, thereby synergistically promoting tissue regeneration. Given the results above, Chlorella is considered as a tailor-made therapeutic strategy for diabetic wound healing.