Search Results (6,935)

In traditional Chinese medicine, frankincense is widely recognized for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capacities and has been conventionally applied to manage multiple chronic inflammatory skin disorders. Nevertheless, its therapeutic potency and molecular mechanisms against atopic dermatitis (AD) remain poorly clarified. This study aimed to explore the protective efficacy of frankincense oil extract (FOE) and its active constituents in AD mouse models, thereby clarifying underlying regulatory mechanisms. Two classic AD models induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and carvacrol were established to evaluate the therapeutic performance of FOE and its bioactive components. Hematoxylin–eosin and toluidine blue staining were applied to characterize lesional histopathological alterations, immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression profiles of TRPV3, β-catenin, and COX-2 in skin lesions, and calcium fluorescence imaging was applied to monitor TRPV3-mediated intracellular calcium dynamics. The results showed that FOE markedly alleviated typical AD-like manifestations, reducing inflammatory injury, ear edema and splenomegaly in DNCB- and carvacrol-challenged mice. Histological evaluation confirmed that FOE improved pathological lesions, mitigated epidermal hyperplasia, and reduced mast cell infiltration. Meanwhile, FOE remodeled the abnormal expression patterns of TRPV3, β-catenin, and COX-2 triggered by AD stimulation. Additionally, FOE effectively regulated carvacrol-evoked calcium influx mediated by TRPV3 activation. Collectively, FOE and its active components exert anti-inflammatory effects, restraining epidermal over-proliferation and ameliorating epidermal structural disorders, thereby supporting the restoration of epidermal tissue morphology. Such benefits are attributed to modulating TRPV3 activity and remodeling the cutaneous inflammatory microenvironment. This work highlights FOE as a promising novel candidate for atopic dermatitis intervention. Full article

Fucoidan (FUC) exhibits immunomodulatory activity; however, its effects on intestinal mucosal immunity through dendritic cell (DC)-mediated regulation remain unclear. In this study, fucoidan was extracted from Saccharina japonica by hot-water extraction and characterized by chemical composition analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Bone marrow-derived DCs were used to evaluate the effects of FUC on DC maturation and immune function. An LPS-induced acute enteritis mouse model was used to assess intestinal injury, barrier function, and DC-mediated T/B cell immune responses. Structural analysis confirmed that purified FUC has the sulfated polysaccharide characteristics. FUC promoted DC maturation and enhanced antigen-presenting capacity. In LPS-induced enteritis, FUC reduced IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels and improved intestinal barrier integrity by restoring the mRNA expression of tight-junction-related genes. Mechanistically, FUC regulated the excessive activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, increased TGF-β and IFN-γ expression, modulated Th1/Th17/Treg immune balance, and promoted B cell homing and sIgA secretion. FUC regulates DC-mediated immune responses, repairs intestinal mucosal barrier function, and restores the intestinal immune microenvironment, thereby alleviating LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Full article

Akebia trifoliata is an important Chinese traditional medicinal plant, and its abundant triterpenoids are the primary active medicinal components. However, the oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC) gene family responsible for constructing their triterpenoid skeletons has not yet been systematically characterized. In this study, nine AktOSC genes were identified genome-wide in A. trifoliata. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most AktOSC members formed independent evolutionary subclades. Synteny and selective pressure analyses indicated that multiple duplication modes collectively contributed to the expansion of the AktOSC family, and all members were subjected to strong purifying selection. Sequence alignment showed that all members possess the characteristic motifs of the OSC family, whereas amino acid substitutions at critical active-site residues hinted at potential catalytic product diversity. Cis-acting element prediction revealed an abundance of environmental and phytohormone responsiveness elements within the AktOSC promoter regions. Expression profiling revealed that AktOSC genes exhibited distinct expression patterns across tissues, developmental stages, and disease-susceptibility groups. Finally, AktOSC8, which was specifically and highly expressed in the pericarp, was identified as a highest-priority candidate gene. Collectively, these findings provide essential foundational insights for further elucidating the mechanisms underlying triterpenoid biosynthesis and accumulation in A. trifoliata. Full article

Background: Finger citron (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle, CM) is an important edible and medicinal plant. Owing to its diverse pharmacological properties, its fruit has long served as a traditional Chinese medicine and has increasingly been developed for functional food applications. However, its non-fruit parts, including leaves, branches, and roots, remain underutilized. Methods: In this study, CM fruit (CMF), leaves (CML), roots (CMR), and branches (CMB) were selected to systematically compare their small-molecule metabolic profiles and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Untargeted metabolomics was conducted based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Meanwhile, antioxidant capacity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays, and anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage inflammation model. Results: Metabolomic analysis revealed 826 differential metabolites across the four CM parts (CMs), reflecting pronounced organ-specific metabolic features. According to Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, the variations in metabolite profiles across the four CMs were primarily linked to amino acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid metabolism. In the antioxidant assays, the DPPH radical scavenging activity at 2 mg/mL followed the order CML (78.37 ± 7.29%), CMR (73.30 ± 2.68%), CMB (40.71 ± 0.16%), and CMF (36.67 ± 1.67%), whereas ABTS radical scavenging activity followed the order CMR (51.36 ± 2.17%), CML (48.30 ± 1.64%), CMB (45.23 ± 1.72%), and CMF (18.48 ± 0.22%). In the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage model, at 0.4 mg/mL, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production followed the order CML (88.18 ± 4.02%), CMB (87.21 ± 3.02%), CMF (68.05 ± 2.54%), and CMR (67.21 ± 9.12%). Correlation analysis further suggested that features putatively annotated as minecoside, maltotetraose, and (+)-catechin may be associated with antioxidant or anti-inflammatory activities. Conclusions: The study revealed differences in metabolite composition and bioactivities among different CMs, providing an experimental basis for the development and utilization of non-fruit parts, especially leaves, and for further investigation of their bioactive constituents. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the excessive production and aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ), which serves as key pathological features of disease progression. Although Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. is a traditional medicinal plant rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, its specific anti-amyloidogenic constituents remain to be fully elucidated. This study evaluated the effects of the aerial parts of H. japonicus on Aβ production and aggregation, and identified its active constituents through bioassay-guided isolation. The 80% ethanolic extract of H. japonicus aerial parts significantly reduced soluble amyloid precursor protein β (sAPPβ) levels and BACE1 protein expression in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells stably expressing amyloid precursor protein (APP-CHO cells). Furthermore, it inhibited Aβ aggregation and promoted fibril disaggregation in Thioflavin T assays. Among the solvent-partitioned fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the most potent anti-amyloidogenic activity and was subjected to chromatographic isolation, leading to the characterization of fourteen compounds (7 flavonoids, 2 phenolic acids, 2 sesquiterpenoids, and 3 phenylpropanoids). Specifically, luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), orientin (3), vitexin (5), vomifoliol (8), abscisic acid (9), and p-hydroxyphenylethyl-p-coumarate (12) significantly decreased sAPPβ levels, as well as BACE1 and Presenilin-1 protein expression. Meanwhile, luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), orientin (3), vitexin (5), and quercetin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside trimer (7) effectively reduced Aβ aggregation and enhanced the disaggregation of pre-formed Aβ aggregates. Collectively, luteolin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), orientin (3), and vitexin (5) exhibited the most consistent dual inhibitory effects on both Aβ production and aggregation, supporting their selection as key marker compounds. Among the extracts prepared with varying ethanol concentrations, the 100% ethanol extract yielded the highest levels of these flavonoid glycosides and exhibited the strongest anti-amyloidogenic activity. These findings suggest that the aerial parts of H. japonicus and its constituent flavonoid glycosides represent promising natural resources for modulating amyloidogenic APP processing and Aβ aggregation in AD. Full article

A strategy for the selective C–H silylation of 7-phenyl-1H-indoles has been established via palladium(II)/norbornene cooperative catalysis. This method employs norbornene (NBE) as both a C–H activation mediator and an alkylating agent to access arylsilanes with exceptional selectivity. Kinetic isotope effect (KIE) studies revealed that C–H cleavage is the rate-determining step, consistent with a mechanism proceeding through an eight-membered palladacycle. Full article

The seeds of Polygonatum sibiricum exhibit dormancy, which poses a major challenge for its cultivation. To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying dormancy release, we performed integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses on seeds at 0, 5, 10, and 15 d after seed imbibition. Physiological assays revealed progressive declines in abscisic acid (ABA) and starch levels, alongside increases in gibberellin (GA) and soluble sugar contents, reflecting the metabolic changes accompanying the transition from dormancy to germination. Transcriptomic analysis identified 11,520 expressed genes, with 6753, 7775 and 9387 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at T5, T10, and T15, respectively. KEGG enrichment highlighted starch and sucrose metabolism and plant hormone signal transduction as key pathways. Notably, the GA biosynthesis gene GA3ox was markedly upregulated, while the DELLA repressor (Isoform0012761) showed sustained downregulation, suggesting relieved GA signaling. In the ABA pathway, CYP707A catabolic genes exhibited biphasic expression, and ABA signaling components (PYL, PP2C, SnRK2) showed stage-specific remodeling. A total of 316, 412, and 479 differentially expressed transcription factors were identified across stages, with the GRAS family being the largest. Co-expression network analysis revealed 19 transcription factors integrating starch/sucrose metabolism with ABA and GA signaling, most of which were downregulated, except one C2H2 member showing sustained upregulation. These findings demonstrate that dormancy release in P. sibiricum is governed by coordinated hormonal reprogramming, metabolic mobilization, and transcription factor-mediated regulation, providing a theoretical foundation for improving seed germination in this medicinal plant. Full article

Huperzine A (HupA) is a natural Lycopodium alkaloid known for its potent neuroprotective properties through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Nevertheless, the limited understanding of its biosynthesis restricts its broader application. This study integrates full-length and second-generation transcriptomes with the quantification of HupA and its precursor, huperzine B, across various tissues of Huperzia serrata, the primary source plant. By employing phylogenetic clustering, expression profiling, and correlation analysis between gene expression and metabolite abundance, we identified 71 candidate genes from seven enzyme families potentially involved in the synthesis of the HupA backbone, including lysine/ornithine decarboxylases, copper amine oxidases (CAOs), chalcone synthases, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. Additionally, 28 genes from two families were identified for modification reactions, specifically 2-oxoglutarate/Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases and caffeoyl shikimate esterases. Comparative analysis between young and mature leaves revealed 3801 genes with higher expression in young leaves, with 84 showing a high correlation with HupA content across seven families. Protein–protein interaction network analysis indicated possible interactions with transcription factors from the MYB, NF-YC, GRAS, ERF, BHLH, and SAP families. Functional validation of two candidate CAOs in planta confirmed their catalytic roles in amine/alkaloid metabolism. This study provides a theoretical foundation and a set of candidate genes for elucidating the biosynthetic pathway of HupA and related alkaloids in H. serrata. Full article

Background/Objectives: Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability worldwide. Wearable devices have shown potential in supporting rehabilitation, yet evidence on their safety, feasibility, and adherence remains fragmented. This scoping review aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and adherence of wearable devices in stroke rehabilitation. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL Complete was conducted in January 2026. Studies involving participants with a confirmed diagnosis of stroke were included regardless of study design. Studies were eligible if wearable devices were used as part of rehabilitation interventions and reported outcomes related to safety, feasibility, or adherence. Adverse events were categorized according to severity, while feasibility was assessed using indicators such as recruitment rate, dropout rate, and adherence rate. Results: A total of 38 studies involving 1121 participants were included in this review. Available evidence generally suggested a favorable safety profile for wearable device-assisted rehabilitation, with most reported adverse events being mild and primarily consisting of skin irritation, pressure-related discomfort, muscle fatigue, localized pain, and transient discomfort. Recruitment rates ranged from 5.8% to 100%, indicating substantial variability in implementation feasibility across studies. Only four studies reported adherence-related outcomes, and considerable variation existed in the definitions and assessment methods used. Most included studies reported intervention completion, attendance, or dropout outcomes rather than directly evaluating adherence. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that wearable devices are generally safe and potentially feasible for stroke rehabilitation. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies, inconsistent adverse event reporting, and limited adherence data restrict the strength of current conclusions. Adherence remains an important evidence gap, as it was infrequently reported and inconsistently defined. Future research should establish standardized reporting criteria for safety, feasibility, and adherence outcomes and evaluate wearable device interventions in larger and more diverse populations with longer follow-up periods. Full article

Acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) is a life-threatening cardiovascular disorder characterized by excessive oxidative stress and persistent inflammatory cascades, yet safe multi-target natural therapeutic agents remain scarce. Cinnamomum migao is a well-known Miao ethnic medicine used for cardiovascular conditions, yet its cardioprotective effects and mechanisms remain largely unclear. This study investigated the efficacy and underlying mechanism of C. migao ethyl acetate extract (MGE) against AMI. MGE significantly improved the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to OGD/R injured. UPLC-MS/MS and molecular networking identified 30 constituents in MGE, among which sesquiterpenoids predominated. In ISO-induced AMI rats, MGE dose-dependently mitigated myocardial injury, as reflected by reduced ST-segment elevation, serum CK-MB and LDH levels, and alleviated histopathological damage. MGE enhanced SOD and CAT activities, decreased MDA content, and inhibited the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Mechanistically, MGE downregulated the expression of NOX4, HIF-1α, p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65, while activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Oxyphyllenone A and magnodelavin C were identified as key active sesquiterpenoids that stably bound to IL-17 and TNF. Collectively, MGE alleviates AMI injury via anti-oxidative, anti-hypoxic, and anti-inflammatory effects through modulation of the HIF-1α/Nrf2/NF-κB/MAPK axis downstream of oxidative stress, with sesquiterpenoids serving as its key bioactive components. This work provides robust experimental evidence supporting C. migao as a promising natural antioxidant candidate for the prevention and treatment of AMI. Full article

Background: As a common clinical anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX) easily triggers obvious doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) during clinical application. Accumulating evidence has proven that ferroptosis dominates the pathological process of DIC yet efficient targeted treatment strategies remain scarce. The present work mainly focused on clarifying the protective role of quercetin (QUE) against DIC. Methods: In vivo rat models and in vitro cardiomyocyte injury models were constructed to mimic DIC. Echocardiographic detection and histological staining were adopted to observe overall cardiac function and myocardial fibrotic changes. Ultrastructural alterations of intracellular mitochondria were observed under a transmission electron microscope. Relevant ferroptosis and oxidative stress levels were further determined. Moreover, a Western blot assay and NRF2 gene transfection technique were applied to confirm the involvement of the NRF2 signaling pathway. Results: In vivo and in vitro experimental outcomes showed that QUE treatment effectively relieved abnormal cardiac function and myocardial fibrotic lesions and improved damaged mitochondrial morphology. It also markedly restrained excessive iron accumulation and abnormal lipid peroxidation and restored disturbed redox balance in cardiomyocytes. Further mechanism exploration revealed that QUE could facilitate NRF2 entry into the cell nucleus and activate downstream SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling to maintain cellular glutathione homeostasis. Silencing NRF2 expression could fully reverse the above beneficial influences of QUE. Conclusions: Collectively, our experimental data demonstrated that QUE confers cardioprotective effects against DIC within subacute rat models and cultured cardiomyocyte injury models. Further mechanistic observations revealed that this protective phenotype is closely linked to the activation of NRF2/SLC7A11/GPX4 signaling alongside obvious reductions in multiple characteristic ferroptosis markers. Full article

The long-term preservation of historical documents in archival environments is critically challenged by the accumulation of hazardous gases—formaldehyde (HCHO), benzene (C₆H₆), and radon (Rn)—which originate from collection materials and pose severe health risks to personnel. In this work, we systematically investigate, via first-principles theory, the potential of Au- and Ru-doped PtSe₂ monolayers as resistive-type gas sensors for the detection of these pollutants. Atomic-scale substitutional doping at the Se site is modeled to establish the doped PtSe₂ configurations, and the structural stability, electronic properties, adsorption behavior, charge transfer characteristics, and recovery kinetics of the doped systems are comprehensively evaluated and compared. Our findings, through comprehensive comparison, reveal that Ru-PtSe₂ outperforms its Au-doped counterpart across all key performance metrics, positioning it as a promising candidate for hazardous gas monitoring in archival environments. The key innovation of this work lies in the systematic comparative assessment of noble metal dopants on PtSe₂ monolayers, identifying Ru as a superior choice to Au and providing a theoretical foundation for designing high-performance, recyclable 2D material-based gas sensors tailored for cultural heritage preservation applications. Full article

Exercise habits may support long-term exercise maintenance in older adults, yet the construct has been inconsistently defined and measured. This scoping review examined how exercise habits were conceptualized and operationalized, health-related evidence, and factors reported in relation to exercise initiation and maintenance. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to July 2025 following PRISMA-ScR guidance, and methodological quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Of 12,539 records, 25 studies were included. Most studies defined exercise habit through frequency, duration, continuity, participation, or adherence, and none directly assessed cue-dependent automaticity using a validated habit-specific measure. Reported health-related associations were heterogeneous and were based mainly on observational studies and self-reported measures. Recurring factors related to exercise initiation and maintenance were synthesized into a provisional framework comprising initial engagement, routine establishment, and possible habit internalization. By distinguishing behavioral regularity, contextual stability, and automaticity, this review provides a clearer conceptual basis for studying exercise habit formation in older adults. Future longitudinal and intervention studies should assess these components separately and test how cue-based, social, environmental, and program-related supports facilitate exercise habit formation and maintenance in everyday life. Full article

Taxilli Herba (Sangjisheng) is a hemi-parasitic medicinal plant whose quality is intrinsically linked to its host species. While previous reviews have extensively summarized its chemical constituents and pharmacological activities, a systematic understanding of how host trees dictate its quality and safety remains largely fragmented. This review bridges this gap by proposing a “host-governed quality paradigm.” By integrating historical records with modern scientific findings, we critically evaluate the molecular mechanisms underlying host–parasite interactions and their impact on medicinal quality. We highlight that host species influence Taxilli Herba across three critical dimensions: (i) chemical composition, comprising both intrinsic bioactive compounds and host-derived metabolites; (ii) toxicity profile, where even hosts lacking cardiac glycosides may pose potential safety hazards; and (iii) pharmacological activity, where host identity modulates therapeutic potency and traditional medicinal properties (e.g., “cold” vs. “warm” nature). Importantly, we highlight that the cardiac glycoside test specified in the current Chinese Pharmacopoeia is insufficient to ensure the safety of Sangjisheng derived from diverse hosts. To address these challenges, we propose a host-governed quality paradigm comprising four pillars: (1) mechanistic studies on host–parasite interactions; (2) revision of pharmacopeial standards to restrict approved sources; (3) promotion of standardized cultivation using safe host species (e.g., Morus alba); and (4) stringent quality control for edible and medicinal applications. This framework aims to ensure the safety, efficacy, and sustainable use of Sangjisheng in clinical practice. Full article

Rab proteins are key members of the Ras superfamily that regulate vesicular trafficking in eukaryotic cells, ensuring accurate cargo transport and cellular homeostasis. To investigate the functional role of Rab proteins, RNA interference (RNAi) was employed to silence LmRab11A in Locusta migratoria, followed by integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Transcriptomic profiling identified 54 downregulated and 71 upregulated genes upon LmRab11A knockdown. Based on Log2 fold change values and statistical significance, 15 downregulated genes were selected for further analysis. RT-qPCR validation confirmed that 9 of these genes were significantly downregulated following LmRab11A silencing. Subsequent RNAi-mediated knockdown of these 9 genes revealed that silencing of only LOCMI11062 (β-tubulin) resulted in 100% mortality and severe morphological defects in locust nymphs, indicating its critical role in development. Metabolomic analysis identified 11 significantly altered metabolites, including 8 exhibiting increased abundance and 3 exhibiting decreased abundance. Spearman correlation analysis between the 9 downregulated genes and the altered metabolites suggested potential associations between 6 metabolites and specific genes. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that suppression of LmRab11A disrupts downstream gene expression and alters the metabolite network, thereby impairing growth and development. Full article