Effect of systemic lupus erythematosus on the ovarian reserve: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that occurs at higher rates in young women. Evidence suggests that SLE may be associated with ovarian dysfunction. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the possible effects of SLE on ovarian reserve function. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from inception to July 2023 to identify studies that compared ovarian reserve in patients with SLE to that of healthy individuals. The study examined anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as outcomes. RESULTS: Thirteen studies (n=1017) were eligible for meta-analysis. Females with SLE had significantly lower levels of AMH (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.37 to -0.76, P<0.001) and AFC (WMD: -3.46, 95% CI: -4.57 to -2.34, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in FSH levels. Subgroup analyses by age of onset revealed that SLE patients with adult-onset had significantly lower AMH levels (WMD: -1.44, 95% CI: -1.71 to -1.18, P<0.001), lower AFCs (WMD: -3.11, 95% CI: -3.60 to -2.61, P<0.001) and higher FSH levels (WMD: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.15 to 1.05, P<0.01). However, SLE patients with juvenile-onset did not exhibit significant differences in their AMH and FSH levels, except for AFCs (WMD: -7.27, 95% CI: -12.39 to -2.14, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The impact of SLE on ovarian reserve is significant, and the effect may be particularly severe in cases of adult-onset SLE.

Highly Efficient Wavelength-Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence Film Constructed by Responsive Chiral Aggregation-induced Emission Luminophore.

Key Lab of Environment-friendly Chemistry and Circularly polarized luminescent (CPL) materials with multitudinous inherent advantages shows extensive application. In this work, we prepare a kind of highly efficient wavelength-tunable CPL free-standing films by responsive chiral aggregation-induced emission mesogen. Firstly, the pyridine-functionalized tetraphenylethene monomer (MPy) is designed and synthesized. Then, the different ration of the monomer MPy mixed with the liquid crystal (LC) reactive monomer (LC242) to fabricate a free-standing film by photopolymerization. The obtained film presents efficient CPL with a constant luminescence asymmetry factor (glum ) of +0.75, as well as sensitive wavelength tunability. Finally, this wavelength-tunable CPL film with both fluorescence and CPL modes is successfully applied in anti-counterfeiting and information encryption. This work provides a simple way to construct CPL apparatus with adjustable luminescence wavelength and high glum .

α-Pyrones with glucose uptake-stimulatory activity from the twigs of Cryptocarya wrayi.

Five new α-pyrones, cryptowratones A-E (1-5), and five known congeners (6-10), together with four other known compounds 11-14 were isolated from the twigs of Cryptocarya wrayi. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic data analysis and ECD calculations. All α-pyrones except 6 were evaluated for their stimulatory effects on glucose uptake in vitro with CHO-K1/GLUT4 cells. The positive control insulin displayed an approximate 42 ± 0.14% promotion on glucose uptake at 25 µM, compared with the CHO-K1/GLUT4 group. Compounds 1a/2a, 2, 3, and 10 showed a more significant stimulation of glucose uptake than insulin (25 µM) by 36 ± 0.08%, 27 ± 0.12%, 28 ± 0.12%, and 25 ± 0.12% at 1.5 µM, respectively. Immunofluorescence assays indicated the glucose uptake-stimulatory activity of α-pyrones might be correlated with increased GLUT4 translocation.

[Effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix on cAMP/Epac signaling pathway in the treatment of chronically infected cough mice with Yin deficiency syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR) on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) /exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac) signaling pathway in the treatment of chronically infected cough mice with Yin deficiency syndrome. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model control group, positive control group and ASR group (n=8). The chronic cough mouse model of hyperreactive and infected airway with Yin deficiency syndrome was established with fumigation (once a day, 30 days in total), lipopolysaccharide nasal drip (every 3 days 10 µl, 10 times in total), intragastric administration of thyroid gland (120 mg/kg, once a day, a total of 15 days) and inhalation of ammonia (3 min / time × 10 times). On the basis of observing eating and drinking water, body weight and autonomic activities, the effects of ASR on metabolic level, autonomous activities, antitussive effect, cell factor in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) brain tissue 5-HT and lung tissue related active factors(SP, PGP9.5, cAMP, Epac1) were detected. RESULTS: ASR could significantly restrain cough, alleviate the pathological changes of bronchioles, reduce the contents of IL-4, IL-13, TNF-α in BALF and the levels of SP, PGP9.5, cAMP and Epac1 in lung tissues, increase the content of 5-HT in brain tissue (P＜0.05, 0.01). CONCLUSION: ASR has some effects on restraining cough and one of its mechanisms is to down-regulate cAMP/Epac signaling pathway, to alleviate airway neurogenic inflammation and reduce sensitivity of cough neural pathway.

Two new isoquinoline alkaloids from Cryptocarya wrayi and their biological activities.

Two new isoquinoline alkaloids, cryptowrayines A (1) and B (2), along with one known pavine alkaloid (-)-12-hydroxyeschscholtzidine (3), were isolated from the twigs of Cryptocarya wrayi. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Both compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate quinone reductase inducing activity in Hepa 1c1c7 cells.

[Effects of BiejiaYugan Granule on TGF-ß1/Smads pathway in rats with hepatic fibrosis caused by compound factors].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Biejia Yugan Granule on hepatic fibrosis caused by compound factors in rats and its effect on TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model control group, colchicine group, Biejia Yugan Granule low, medium and high dose (1.85, 3.70, 7.40 g/kg) groups (n= 8 in each group). The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was established by treating with 5% alcohol 15 ml/kg (ig) everyday and injecting with 40% carbon tetrachloride (sc) twice a week for 42 days. The effects of Biejia Yugan Granule on liver function, liver index and water content, serum hepatic fibrosis related indicators, key proteins and gene expression of TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway in rats were observed. Results: Biejia Yugan Granule at the doses of 1.85, 3.70 and 7.40 g/kg could decrease the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP and HA, PCⅢ, C-Ⅳ, LN significantly, reduce the water content of liver tissue leads to the decrease of liver index, regulate the liver tissue TGF-ß1, Smad3 mRNA and Smad7 mRNA expressions. Conclusion: Biejia Yugan Granule has obvious effects of reducing enzyme and protecting liver and inhibiting hepatic fibrosis, and inhibiting TGF-ß1/Smads signaling pathway is one of its mechanisms of anti-hepatic fibrosis.

[Effects of Butylphthalide on airway mucus hypersecretion, IL-13 and TNF-α in asthmatic mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Butylphthalide (NBP) on airway mucus hypersecretion, interleukin-13 (IL-13) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in asthmatic mice. Methods: The mice were randomly divided into control group, asthma group, DEX group and high, medium and low doses of NBP (100, 50, 25 mg/kg) groups (n=12). Ovalbumin (OVA) injection was sensitized on the 1st, 8th, and 15th day of the experiment, and OVA was inhaled on the 22nd day to stimulate for 5 weeks to replicate the asthma model, and 20 mg/kg of NBP was given for intervention before the challenge. Finally, the asthma behavior, the secretion of goblet cells and Mucin 5ac (Muc5ac)were observed, and meanwhile the viscosity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the levels of Muc5ac, IL-13 and TNF-α in BALF were measured by ELISA. Results: Compared with the control group, the degree of sneezing, nose scratching and asthma, the proliferation of airway epithelial goblet cells and secretion of Muc5ac in the asthma group were increased significantly (P＜0.01), meanwhile, the viscosity of BALF and the contents of Muc5ac, IL-13 and TNF-α were also increased significantly (P＜0.01). Compared with the asthma group, the above behavioral scores of asthma were decreased significantly (P＜0.01) after the intervention of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg NBP, as well as the proliferation of airway epithelial goblet cells, secretion of Muc5ac, the viscosity of BALF and the contents of Muc5ac, IL-13 and TNF-α were significantly lower than those of the asthma group (P＜0.05, 0.01). Conclusion: NBP has the effect of anti-asthma by inhibiting mucus hypersecretion, and one of its mechanisms is to alleviate the abnormal expressions of IL-13 and TNF-α.

Luminescent Liquid Crystals Based on Carbonized Polymer Dots and Their Polarized Luminescence Application.

Traditional luminescent liquid crystals (LLCs) suffer from fluorescence quenching caused by aggregation, which greatly limits their further application. In this work, a kind of novel LLCs (named carbonized polymer dot liquid crystals (CPD-LCs)) are designed and successfully synthesized through grafting the rod-shaped liquid crystal (LC) molecules of 4'-cyano-4-(4″-bromohexyloxy) biphenyl on the surface of CPDs. The peripheral LC molecules not only increase the distance between different CPDs to prevent them from aggregating and reduce intermolecular energy resonance transfer but also make this LLC have an ordered arrangement. Thus, the obtained CPD-LCs show good LC property and excellent high luminous efficiency with an absolute photoluminescence quantum yield of 14.52% in the aggregated state. Furthermore, this kind of CPD-LC is used to fabricate linearly polarized devices. The resultant linearly polarized dichroic ratio (N) and polarization ratio (ρ) are 2.59 and 0.44, respectively. Clearly, this type of CPD-LC shows promising applications for optical devices.

[Effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis on airway mucus hypersecretion and the TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway in Yin-deficiency asthmatic mice].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RADA) on airway mucus hypersecretion and the tumor necrosis factor-α/ nuclear factor- κB (TNF-α/NF-κB) signaling pathway in Yin-deficiency asthma mice. Methods: KM mice were randomly divided into control group, model group, ambroxol group and RADA low, medium and high dose (2, 4 and 8 g/kg) group(n=12). Ovalbumin and the thyroid gland were used to replicate the model of Yin-deficiency asthma. Asthma symptoms in mice , immune globulin E (IgE) , TNF-α , and the expressions of Mucin 5ac (Muc5ac) and NF- κB in lung tissue were observed under the intervention of RADA. Results: RADA at the doses of 2,4 and 8 g/kg could alleviate the asthma symptoms of Yin-deficiency asthma mice significantly, reduce the levels of IgE in serum and TNF-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and inhibite the overexpressions of Muc5ac and NF- κB in lung tissue. Conclusion: RADA has significant anti-asthmatic effect. One of its mechanisms is to inhibit TNF-α/NF- κB signaling pathway and to alleviate airway mucus hypersecretion.

[Effects of Biejia Yugan Granule on rat with ethanol-induced hepatic fibrosis].

Objective: To investigate the prevention and treatment effect of Biejia Yugan Granule (BYG) on ethanol-induced hepatic fibrosis (EHF) rats. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, BYG group, colchicine group and BYG low and BYG high dose groups (n=8). The EHF rat model was established by intragastric edible ethanol with a gradually increased dose. Briefly, the rats of model group, colchicine group and BYG low and high dose groups were given gavage of 5 g/(kg·d) ethanol at week 1～4, 7 g/(kg·d) ethanol at week 5～8, 9 g/(kg·d) ethanol at week 9～12 and 9.5 g/(kg·d) ethanol at week 13～24. And the other two groups were treated with equal volume water. At the same time, the corresponding drugs were administrated daily: BYG group was treated with Biejia Yugan Granules 5.55 g/kg, colchicine group was treated with colchicine 0.1 mg/kg, BYG low-dose and high-group were treated with Biejia Yugan Granules 1.85 and 5.55 g/kg respectively. The blank control group and model control group were given the same amount of purified water. On the 169th day of the experiment, the effects of BYG on the macroscopic changes of rat liver organs, the water content of liver tissue and the pathological changes of fibrosis, the content of hydroxy proline (Hyp) in liver tissue and the expression levels of α-SMA and CREB were observed. Results: BYG at the doses of 1.85 and 5.55 g/kg could significantly improve the macroscopic changes of liver and pathological changes of liver tissue fibrosis in rats with EHF, reduce the contents of water and Hyp in liver tissue, and down-regulate the expressions of α-SMA and CREB. Conclusion: BYG has obvious effect on inhibiting EHF and one of its mechanisms is down-regulate the content of CREB.

[Preventive and therapeutic effects of Qiwei Yugan Granule on hepatic fibrosis in rats].

Objective: To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Qiwei Yugan Granule (QYG) on hepatic fibrosis in rats based on MMP-13/TIMP-1 imbalance. Methods: The rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, colchicine group (1.0×10-4 g/kg) and QYG treated groups (3.7, 7.4, 14.8 g/kg) (n=8). The rat model of hepatic fibrosis was established by injected with carbon tetrachloride subcutaneously for 4 weeks and treated with ethanol by gavage for 6 weeks. The effects of QYG on liver function, histopathology of liver, related indexes of serum liver fibrosis, and MMP-13, TIMP-1 in hepatic tissue were observed. Results: QYG at the doses of 14.8、7.4、3.7 g/kg could significantly decrease the serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, PCⅢ and C-Ⅳ, relieve the pathological changes of hepatic fibrosis, increase the activity of MMP-13, decrease the activity of TIMP-1 and alleviate the imbalance of MMP-13/TIMP-1. Among them, QYG had a certain trend of dose-effect relationship with TIMP-1 and MMP-13/TIMP-1 (P＜0.05, 0.01). Conclusion: QYG has the effect of preventing and treating liver fibrosis and one of mechanisms is to promote MMP-13/TIMP-1 to restore balance.

Tyrosinase inhibitors from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus.

A new isoiphionane sesquiterpene, named (3S, 5S, 7S, 10R)-3, 11-dihydroxyisoiphion-4-one (1), two new phloroglucinol glycosides, named eucalglobuside A (2) and eucalglobuside B (3), along with 15 known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis and in comparison with literature data. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by ECD calculation. All isolates were evaluated their inhibitory activities against the mushroom tyrosinase. As a result, three sesquiterpenoids, 1, 5ß, 11-dihydroxy-iphionan-4-one (5), and (-)-globulol (8), exhibited the most potent activities with IC50 values of 14.17 µM, 10.08 µM and 9.79 µM, respectively.

Artopithecins A-D, Prenylated 2-Arylbenzofurans from the Twigs of Artocarpus pithecogallus and Their Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activities.

Four new prenylated 2-arylbenzofurans, namely artopithecins A-D (1-4), together with five known compounds (5-9) were isolated from the twigs of Artocarpus pithecogallus for the first time. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analysis and in comparison with literature data. All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against mushroom tyrosinase. Compounds 3 and 4 displayed significant tyrosinase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 37.09±0.33 and 38.14±0.21 µM, respectively.

[Comparative study on anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation of different Isatidis Radix strains growing in Gansu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation effects of different ecotype from Isatidis Radix growing in Gansu province. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=11)and used the auricular swelling and paw edema to observe the anti-inflammatory effects of Isatidis Radix; Mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=11) and through the gasbag synovitis model to observe the anti-inflammatory effects of Isatidis Radix; Mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=11), the immunosuppressed model were established by injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX) to study the effects of Isatidis Radix on index of thymus, blood routine and cytokines. RESULTS: Gansu different ecotype from Isatidis Radix could reduce the swelling of the mice auricle, paw edema and total protein, leukotriene B4(LTB4)and malonaldehyde(MDA) in airbag synovitis exudates, and upgrade serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD); Degrade the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and upgrade the index of thymus, the number of red and white corpuscles, the level of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4) (P<0.05, 0.01) of mice immunosuppressed model; Above the research of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation, there were no significant differences between Isatidis Radix of Gansu different ecotype and tetraploid. CONCLUSIONS: Different ecotype of Isatidis Radix has obvious functions in anti-inflammatory and immunomodulation, but there are no significant differences between Gansu different ecotype and tetraploid.

[Effect of Yuyin Ruangan Granule on TGF-ß1 expression in hepatic fibrosis rats].

OBJECTIVES: To observe the preventive and therapeutic action of Yuyin Ruangan Granule (YRG, Traditional Chinese Medicine) in hepatic fibrosis rats model and its effect on transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) expression. METHODS: The Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 group (n=10), and the model of hepatic fibrosis rats was established by subcutaneous injected with carbon tetrachloride (CCL4), fed on high-fat diet and 20% ethanol for 6 weeks, to survey the effect and mechanism of YRG preventing hypatic fibrosis by detecting liver function (the activity of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), etc.) of liver fibrosis rats, liver fibrosis indicators (hyaluronic acid, Ⅲ procollagen, type IV collagen, laminin and hepatic pathology, etc.), and TGF-ß1 expression in liver tissue after 6 weeks treated with YRG through intragastric administration (q. d.). RESULTS: At the 7th week, fibrotic lesions appears distinctly in liver tissue of model group compared with control group (P<0.01), YRG of 6.2~28.8 g/kg could significantly decrease hepatic index, ALT and AST activities, content of hyaluronic acid(HA), Ⅲ procollagen (PCⅢ), type Ⅳ collagen(C-Ⅳ), laminin (LN) in serum, relieve liver fibrosis pathological changes and inhibit TGF-ß1 expression in fibrotic liver tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: YRG has significantly preventive effects on liver fibrosis rats model, and it may be one of its mechanisms to inhibit expression of TGF-ß1.

Prenylflavonoids from the Twigs of Artocarpus nigrifolius.

Two new prenylated flavones, artocarnin A (2) and carpachromenol (12), together with 13 known prenylflavonoids (1, 3-11, 13-15) were isolated from the twigs of Artocarpus nigrifolius for the first time. Their structures were elucidated by high resolution-electrospray ionization (HR-ESI)-MS, NMR spectroscopic analysis, and in comparison with the reported data. Compounds 1-15 were evaluated for their antiproliferative effects against SiHa and SGC-7901 human cancer cell lines in vitro. The most active compound, eleocharin A (10), showed significant cytotoxicity on SiHa cells (IC50=0.7±0.1 µM) and inhibitory activity against SGC-7901 cells (IC50=8.3±0.2 µM) and could be considered as potential lead compound for further development of novel anti-tumor agents.

[Effect of Angelica sinensis radix on colonic morphology and mucus secretion of experimental XuexuBianmi model mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Angelicaesinensis radix (Danggui) decoction on the therapeutic action and the colonic morphology and mucus secretion in XuexuBianmi model mice. METHODS: Sixty Kunming mice, maleandfemaleinhalf, were randomly divided into six groups according to gender and weight (n=10):normal control group, XuexuBianmi model group, positive control group, and high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose Danggui groups. Except the normal control group, the mice in the rest groups were orally administrated with diphenoxylate (DPN) and subcutaneously injected with acetylphenyhydrazine (APH) and intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide (CPA) to copy XuexuBianmi model. Fromthe 14th day, the mice in Danggui groups were orally administered with different doses of Danggui decoction (16.67、8.33、4.17 g/kg), the mice in positive control group were orally administered with Changtongshu granule (5 g/kg), the mice in XuexuBianmi model group were administered with normal saline (NS) at the same volume (10 ml/kg), once a day for consecutive 28 days. The general status were observed, the first black defecation time (FBDT), the water content in stool and in colon in mice of all groups were tested. And the colon tissue was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and AB-PAS to observe the changes of colonic morphology and the mucus secretion. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, there appeared the XuexuBianmi syndromes in model group as follows, the defecation time (FBDT) was significantly prolonged, the water contentinstool and in colon were decreased (P<0.01), the colonic mucosa and gland were atrophied, mucous membrane layer was thinned (P<0.01), mucus secretion was decreased. Compared with the XuexuBianmimodel group, the Xuexu and Bianmi syndromes were improved, the FBDT was significantly shortened (P<0.05, P<0.01), the water content of colon was increased in the three groups of Danggui decoction (P<0.05, P<0.01). The water content of the stool was obviouslyincreased in groups of 16.67and 8.33kg.dDanggui decoction (P<0.05). The atrophy of colon mucosa and gland was improved, the mucus secretion was increased, and the colon lubrication function was improved in the three groups in different doses of Danggui decoction. CONCLUSIONS: Dangguican improve the mucosal atrophy, and increase the secretion of colonic mucus, then the stool is softened and promoted to discharge.

[Effects of combined administration of Radix Angelicae Sinensis and hydrocortisone on the therapeutic action in the murine asthma model].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RASI) and hydrocortisone combination on the murine asthma model and the mechanism. METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, blood stasis model group, asthma model group, HSS group, RASI group and RASI+HSS group (n=12). Ovalbumin (OVA) was used to replicate mice asthma model and hydrocortisone sodium succinate (HSS) to copy blood stasis model. Effects of RASI, HSS and their combination on hemorheology, anti-asthma (asthmatic behaviors, lung function, lung index and water content in lung tissue) were observed. and anti-asthma mechanisms The expression of relative cytokines, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry respectively. RESULTS: Eight g/kg RASI, 0.05 g/kg HSS and their combination could significantly relieve asthma behavioral indicators, improve lung function, reduce lung index and water content in lung tissue, decrease the levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and inhibit the high expression of HMGB1, TLR4 and NF-κB in lung tissue. The improvement of lung function and the decrease in level of relative cytokines (TNF-α、IL-1ßIL-6) were better in RASI+HSS group than those in RASI group and HSS group, and the inhibition of protein expression of TLR4 and NF-κB was also too. Combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone could decrease serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) content and blood viscosity, which were increased induced by hydrocortisone. CONCLUSIONS: Combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone have obvious anti-asthma effects and one of the mechanisms is to inhibit protein synthetization of HMGB1, TLR4 and NF-κB.The combined administration of RASI and hydrocortisone has stronger improvement of lung function than that of RASI and hydrocortisone alone, and it may be related to the inhibition of TLR4 and NF-κB synthetization. The combined administration of RASI can alleviate abnormal changes of hemorheology induced by hydrocortisone in treatment of asthma.