Ethnopharmacological relevance Lithocarpus litseifolius (Hance) Chun is a tall evergreen tree belonging to the genus Lithocarpus in the family Fagaceae. According to the Chinese Materia Medica, its roots, stems, leaves, and fruits can all be used medicinally. Documented functions include clearing heat, detoxification, dispelling wind, lowering blood pressure, promoting blood circulation to alleviate pain, tonifying the liver and kidney, harmonizing the stomach, and directing rebellious qi downward. Aim of the study This study aimed to elucidate the active constituents and mechanisms of action underlying the hypouricemic and renoprotective effects of L. litseifolius. Materials and methods The chemical constituents of L. litseifolius extract (LLE) were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The hypouricemic effect of LLE was first confirmed in a hyperuricemia (HUA) mouse model induced by potassium oxonate and yeast extract. Mechanistic studies were then conducted using renal untargeted metabolomics and Western blot analysis. To identify the key active component, we employed a multi-method approach: identifying blood-absorbed constituents in rats, performing in vitro XOD inhibition and HK-2 cell UA reabsorption assays, and finally verifying efficacy in the HUA mouse model. Results A total of 42 compounds were identified from the LLE, predominantly flavonoids, of which 10 were identified as prototype blood-absorbed components. In vivo and in vitro experiments results demonstrated that the LLE and its major active component, trilobatin (TR), dose-dependently reduced serum levels of UA, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen in HUA mice. These effects were accompanied by downregulating URAT1 and upregulating OAT1 expression in kidney, as well as inhibiting both the activity and expression of XOD in liver. Untargeted metabolomics and Western blot analysis confirmed that the LLE and TR effectively inhibited the expression of p-AKT and p-S6K. In vitro assays revealed that TR not only exhibited XOD inhibitory activity but also suppressed UA uptake in HK-2 cells. Furthermore, results from both cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) and drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay experiments indicated that TR shows direct interaction potential with URAT1. Conclusion LLE and its active component TR reduced serum UA in HUA mice through a dual mechanism: decreasing hepatic UA production (inhibiting XOD) and promoting renal UA excretion (downregulating URAT1 and upregulating OAT1). Simultaneously, they ameliorated renal injury, which was associated with the suppression of AKT/S6K signaling pathway overexpression.

TRPV6 is a member of the transient receptor potential cation channel family with selective permeability to Ca2+. Research indicates that TRPV6 is involved in the promotion of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis in various cancers, rendering it a prospective therapeutic target in cancer treatment. Thus, TRPV6 inhibitors are a very promising avenue for research into novel anti-tumor drugs. Nevertheless, the development of TRPV6 inhibitors remains in the preliminary stage, and the existing TRPV6 inhibitors demonstrate inadequate selectivity and off-target effects. Currently, the development of new drugs is being accelerated greatly by virtual screening technology, as is the reduction of research and development costs. In the present study, a novel TRPV6 inhibitor, designated AZ191, was identified through a structure-based virtual screening process utilizing the MCE and TOPSCIENCE databases. Electrophysiological experiments demonstrated that the compound AZ191 exhibited a high degree of affinity for hTRPV6, with an IC50 of 3.83 ± 0.32 μM. In vitro experiments have demonstrated the efficacy of compound AZ191 in combating tumors by virtue of its inhibitory effect on TRPV6. Notably, our study further demonstrates the good potential of TRPV6 inhibitors as novel anti-cancer drugs and provides a good lead compound for TRPV6 inhibitor research.

IKKε plays an important role in interferon (IFN) production, however, its regulation remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that black carp TANK (bcTANK) interacts with bcIKKε and significantly enhances its activation of bcIRF3 and bcIRF7, leading to the improved antiviral activity against spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV). Mechanistically, bcTANK recruits deubiquitinase bcUSP46 to bcIKKε and leads to a reduction in polyubiquitination of and a concurrent increase in phosphorylation of bcIKKε, which suggests the activation status of this molecule. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that lysine residues K418 and K545 of bcIKKε are critical for bcIKKε-mediated IFN production. Furthermore, we identified the SVCV phosphoprotein (P) as a viral antagonist of bcTANK/bcIKKε/bcIRF cascade. The SVCV P protein interacts with bcIKKε, promotes its polyubiquitination, attenuates its phosphorylation and disrupts its interaction with bcTANK, bcUSP46, bcIRF3, and bcIRF7, thereby facilitating viral replication. Thus, our findings reveal a novel positive regulation of IKKε by TANK.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by the fibrotic thickening of the alveolar walls, resulting in compromised gas exchange, restricted ventilation, and respiratory failure. It has been indicated that elastase inhibitors reduced the severity of IPF by neutralizing excessive elastase levels in the lungs. ShSPI is an elastase inhibitor derived from centipede toxin. The present study evaluates the therapeutic effects of ShSPI in a bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis model. According to the results, ShSPI markedly reduced the weight loss, showing the improvement of health status in bleomycin-induced mice. Its robust antifibrotic effects were evidenced by the mitigation of alveolar structural damage, reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration, inhibition of collagen deposition, and suppression of fibrotic nodule formation. ShSPI effectively attenuated inflammatory responses by downregulating pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, and MCP-1) and upregulating the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10 (IL-10). After delivered via inhalation, ShSPI exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties. It could be detected at 8 h at doses of 1 mg/kg and achieved maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) of 188.00 ± 64.40 ng/mL in vivo. At high doses (160 mg/kg), ShSPI maintained a strong safety profile, with no detectable toxicity observed. This feature shows the therapeutic potential of ShSPI in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and provides valuable evidence for its development as a novel peptide-based therapy.

OBJECTIVE:Osimertinib (OSI) therapy, a cornerstone in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), has been severely limited by rapidly developing acquired resistance. Inhibition of bypass activation using a combination strategy holds promise in overcoming this resistance. Biguanides, with excellent anti-tumor effects, have recently attracted much attention for this potential. The current study investigated whether novel biguanide compounds developed by our team could overcome OSI resistance and the underlying mechanisms were explored. METHODS:A comprehensive screening assay using OSI-resistant cells identified the optimal combination of biguanide compounds with OSI. Proteomics, co-immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry, RNA sequencing, and homologous recombination assays were used to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying combination therapy. NSCLC tumor tissues, especially OSI-resistant tissues, obtained from our clinic were used to assess the correlations between key proteins and OSI resistance. RESULTS:SMK-010, a highly potent biguanide compound, effectively overcame OSI resistance in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistical studies showed that BMI1/FGFR1 pathway activation is responsible for OSI resistance. Specifically, silencing BMI1 promoted NEDD4-mediated FGFR1 ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, whereas SMK-010 treatment induced FGFR1 lysosomal degradation. This reduction in FGFR1 levels impaired homologous recombination, increased DNA damage, and surmounted OSI resistance. Analysis of clinical samples revealed overexpression of BMI1 and FGFR1 in NSCLC tissues and represented potential biomarkers for OSI resistance. CONCLUSIONS:These findings highlight the crucial role of the BMI1/FGFR1 axis in OSI resistance and provide a rational basis for the future clinical application of the biguanide, SMK-010, in combination with OSI.

Cancer remains a leading global health challenge, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies. Vitexin (apigenin-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside), a natural flavonoid glycoside with a molecular weight of 432.38 g/mol, is derived from plants such as mung bean, beetroot, and hawthorn. This compound features a distinctive C-glycosidic bond at the 8-position of its apigenin backbone, contributing to its enhanced metabolic stability compared to O-glycosidic flavonoids. Preclinical studies demonstrate that vitexin modulates critical cellular processes such as cell cycle progression, apoptosis, autophagy, metastasis, angiogenesis, epigenetic modifications, and tumor glycolysis inhibition. It exerts its effects by targeting key signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and shows potential for combination therapies to enhance efficacy and overcome resistance. Advances in nanotechnology further enhance its bioavailability and delivery potential. This review comprehensively examines the current evidence on vitexin’s anticancer mechanisms, highlighting its multi-target therapeutic potential and future research directions.

Background: To enhance the bioavailability and neuroprotective efficacy of biatractylolide against Alzheimer's disease by developing a novel Tween-80-modified pullulan-chenodeoxycholic acid nanoparticle as a delivery vehicle. Methods: Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was chemically conjugated to pullulan to yield hydrophobically modified pullulan (PUC), onto which polysorbate 80 (Tween-80) was subsequently adsorbed. The PUC polymers with CDCA substitution levels were analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Nanoparticles were fabricated via the dialysis method and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering for morphology, size, and surface charge. In vitro neuroprotection was assessed by exposing SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells to 20 µM Aβ25-35 to induce cytotoxicity, followed by pretreatment with biatractylolide-loaded PUC (BD-PUC) nanoparticle solutions at various biatractylolide concentrations. The in vivo brain-targeting capability of both empty PUC and BD-PUC particles was evaluated using a live imaging system. Results: The 1H NMR analysis confirmed three distinct CDCA substitution degrees (8.97%, 10.66%, 13.92%). Transmission electron microscopy revealed uniformly dispersed, spherical nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering measurements showed a hydrodynamic diameter of ~200 nm and a negative zeta potential. Exposure to 20 µM Aβ25-35 significantly reduced SH-SY5Y and PC12 cell viability; pretreatment with BD-PUC nanoparticles markedly enhanced cell survival rates and preserved cellular morphology compared to cells treated with free biatractylolide. Notably, the cytoprotective effect of BD-PUC exceeded that of the free drug. In vivo imaging demonstrated that both empty PUC and Tween-80-adsorbed BD-PUC nanoparticles effectively accumulated in the brain. Conclusions: The protective effect of BD-PUC on SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells induced by Aβ25-35 was higher than free biatractylolide solution, and the BD-PUC nanosolution modified with Tween-80 showed a brain-targeting effect.

Traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) show serious adverse effects during clinical use, which limits their usage. Oxicams (e.g., piroxicam, meloxicam) are widely used as NSAIDs. However, selectivity to cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 may cause cardiovascular problems considering the long-term use of the drugs. Therefore, it is important to develop new non-steroidal compounds as anti-inflammatory drugs. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of a newly developed nonsteroidal drug XK01. Our data showed that XK01 reduced the contents of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)and inhibited the transcription levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse RAW264.7 macrophages. XK01 showed no significant inhibitory effect on COX-1, but inhibited the expression of COX-2. At molecular level, XK01 prevented the translocation of p65 protein from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and inhibited the phosphorylation of p65, IκB, and MAPKs proteins. And high concentration of XK01 also inhibited the phosphorylation of JNK, p38 and ERK, showing stronger effect than that of meloxicam. In addition, the anti-inflammatory activity of XK01 was further validated in Xylene-induced mouse ear swelling model. Thus, this study verified that XK01 inhibits the expression of inflammatory mediators and COX-2, and exhibits potential anti-inflammatory effects via suppressing the NF-κB and MAPK pathway.

Long noncoding (Lnc) RNAs are novel regulators in melanoma. Lnc nuclear enriched autosomal transcript 1 (NEAT1) was reportedly upregulated in melanoma; however, the functional roles and mechanisms of Lnc NEAT1 need further investigation. Therefore, we used quantitative real-time PCR to determine the mRNA levels of Lnc NEAT1, miR-152-3p, and cyclin-dependent protein kinase 6 (CDK6). The protein level of CDK6 was determined by Western blot. Cell counting kit 8 and colony formation assays were used to assess cell proliferation. Cell migration was measured by wound healing and Transwell assays. Direct binding of the indicated molecules was verified by an RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assay and a dual luciferase reporter assay. The results revealed that Lnc NEAT1 and CDK6 were elevated, while miR-152-3p was downregulated in melanoma. Furthermore, Lnc NEAT1 was positively correlated with CDK6 expression and negatively correlated with miR-152-3p level. Furthermore, Lnc NEAT1 facilitated proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells. The underlying mechanism is that Lnc NEAT1 serves as a sponge for miR-152-3p to suppress the inhibitory effect of miR-152-3p on CDK6. Furthermore, the miR-152-3p/ CDK6 axis was implicated in the progression of melanoma accelerated by Lnc NEAT1. Taken together, Lnc NEAT1 may promote melanoma development by serving as an endogenous sponge of miR-152-3p, increasing CDK6 expression, and identifying a new target for the treatment of melanoma.

将思政教育融入到专业课是顺应时代发展和高等教育发展的必然趋势，是构建药学专业三位一体人才培养新格局的重要举措。在大思政教育背景下，湖南师范大学医学院分析化学教学团队通过将家国情怀、开拓创新、环保意识及辩证思维等思想政治教育合理渗透到分析化学教学过程中，以期实现分析化学课程教育和思政教育的同向同行，帮助学生塑造正确的世界观、人生观、价值观，达到立德树人的目的。

Background and aim: Pro-inflammatory macrophages aggravated progress of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) both in patients and animal models. Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) formula, a Chinese herbal product, is effective in treating pulmonary fibrosis in our previous study. But its action mechanism against PF relating to macrophage activation was unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory roles of FZHY in pulmonary fibrosis and to elucidate the potential mechanisms. Methods: Network pharmacology was employed to identify the interrelationships among compounds of FZHY, potential targets and putative pathways on anti-pulmonary fibrosis. According to the data of bioinformatics analysis, the key pharmacological target for FZHY against PF was screened. The network pharmacological prediction was validated by a series of experimental assays, including CCK8, western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Then molecular mechanism of FZHY on relating to the predictive target were studied in bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice with methylprednisolone as a positive control, and in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated cultured macrophages in culture, respectively. Results: The network pharmacology analysis reveal that a total of 12 FZHY-PF crossover proteins were filtered into a protein-protein interaction network complex and designated as the potential targets of FZHY against pulmonary fibrosis, while TNF-α signal pathway ranked at the top. FZHY and methylprednisolone could attenuate the lung fibrosis and decrease pulmonary TNF-α expression in bleomycin induced fibrotic mice, without difference between two treatments. While TNF-α was mainly originated from macrophages identified by double fluorescent staining of TNF-α and F4/80. LPS stimulated cultured macrophage polarization and activation demonstrated by the enhance contents of TNF-α and iNOS but decreased level of Arg-1. FZHY could alleviate the LPS stimulated macrophage polarization and activation demonstrated by decreasing TNF-α and iNOS and increasing Arg-1. In particular, FZHY could significantly reduce the production of p65 and the nuclear translocation of phosphorylated p65. Conclusion: Fuzheng Huayu formula has a good effect against pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in mice, whose action mechanism was associated with down-regulation of NF-κB/TNF-α signaling pathway in pro-inflammatory macrophages. These findings provided an important strategy for developing new agents against lung fibrosis and accelerated FZHY product application on patients with lung fibrosis.

Mitochondria play a central role in the survival or death of neuronal cells, and they are regulators of energy metabolism and cell death pathways. Many studies support the role of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Biatractylolide (BD) is a kind of internal symmetry double sesquiterpene novel ester compound isolated from the Chinese medicinal plant Baizhu, has neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s disease. We developed a systematic pharmacological model based on chemical pharmacokinetic and pharmacological data to identify potential compounds and targets of Baizhu. The neuroprotective effects of BD in PC12 (rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells) and SH-SY5Y (human bone marrow neuroblastoma cells) were evaluated by in vitro experiments. Based on the predicted results, we selected 18 active compounds, which were associated with 20 potential targets and 22 signaling pathways. Compound-target, target-disease and target-pathway networks were constructed using Cytoscape 3.2.1. And verified by in vitro experiments that BD could inhibit Aβ by reducing oxidative stress and decreasing CytC release induced mPTP opening. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of BD as an anti-Alzheimer’s disease drug.

Most Alzheimer’s disease drugs do not work efficiently because of the blood–brain barrier. Therefore, we designed a new nanopreparation (PS-DZP-CHP): cholesterol-modified pullulan (CHP) nanoparticle with polysorbate 80(PS) surface coverage, as donepezil (DZP) carrier to realize brain tissue delivery. By size analysis and isothermal titration calorimetry, we chose the optimal dosing ratio of the drug with nanomaterials (1:5) and designed a series of experiments to verify the efficacy of the nanoparticles. The results of in vitro release experiments showed that the nanoparticles can achieve continuous drug release within 72 h. The results of fluorescence observation in mice showed a good brain targeting of PS-DZP-CHP nanoparticles. Furthermore, the nanoparticle can enhance the drug in the brain tissue concentration in mice. DZP-CHP nanoparticles were used to pretreat nerve cells with Aβ protein damage. The concentration of lactate dehydrogenase was determined by MTT, rhodamine 123 and AO-EB staining, which proved that DZP-CHP nanoparticles had a protective effect on the neurotoxicity induced by Aβ 25–35 and were superior to free donepezil. Microthermal perpetual motion meter test showed that PS-DZP-CHP nanoparticles have an affinity with apolipoprotein E, which may be vital for this nanoparticle targeting to brain tissue.

目的:研究黄花倒水莲总皂苷(total saponin of Polygala fallax Hemsl,PTS)的抗凝血、抗血栓作用及机制.方法:网络药理学方法筛选分析预测出PTS可能作用的靶点及通路.利用FeCl3诱导大鼠颈总动脉血栓模型,通过染色切片结果来验证PTS的抗凝血、抗血栓作用.测定PTS对活化部分凝血活酶时间(activated partial thromboplastin time,APTT)、凝血酶时间(thrombin time,TT)、凝血酶原时间(prothrombin time,PT)的影响及凝血因子II(coagulation factor II,FII)a和辅因子X(cofactor X,FX)a活性的影响,初步确定其抗凝血作用机制.结果:PTS中皂苷A质量分数为1.673％.经网络药理学预测PTS的抗凝血作用靶点为FII和血小板活化因子受体(platelet activating factor receptor,PTAFR).体内动物实验结果表明,血栓通胶囊组和高剂量PTS组的血栓形成抑制率分别为39.7％和47.4％,血栓面积率分别为50.69％和43.51％.体外实验结果表明,在0～2 mg/mL范围内,PTS延长人质控血浆APTT、TT所需质量浓度分别为0.36 mg/mL和0.14 mg/mL,FIIa和FXa活力检测实验结果表明,PTS对FXa的活力无影响,可剂量依赖性地抑制FIIa活力,其半数抑制质量浓度(half-maximal inhibitory concentration,IC50)为(85.88±12.50) μg/mL.结论:体内外实验证明,PTS具有抗血栓和抗凝血作用,抗凝血作用机制之一为抑制内源性凝血途径上FIIa的活性.

In this study, a series of new flavones (2-phenyl-chromone), 2-naphthyl chromone, 2-anthryl-chromone, or 2-biphenyl-chromone derivatives containing 6 or 7-substituted tertiary amine side chain were designed, synthesized, and evaluated in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition. The results indicated that the alteration of aromatic ring connecting to chromone scaffold brings about a significant impact on biological activity. Compared with flavones, the inhibitory activity of 2-naphthyl chromone, 2-anthryl-chromone derivatives against AChE significantly decreased, while that of 2-biphenyl chromone derivatives with 7-substituted tertiary amine side chain is better than relative flavones derivatives. For all new synthesized compounds, the position of tertiary amine side chain obviously influenced the activity of inhibiting AChE. The results above provide great worthy information for the further development of new AChE inhibitors. Among the newly synthesized compounds, compound 5a is potent in AChE inhibition (IC50 = 1.29 ± 0.10 μmol/L) with high selectivity for AChE over BChE (selectivity ratio: 27.96). An enzyme kinetic study of compound 5a suggests that it produces a mixed-type inhibitory effect against AChE.

目的 利用网络药理学探讨中药白术“成分-靶标-疾病”的相互关系及其有效成分治疗阿尔茨海默症的作用机制.方法 从中药系统药理学数据库(TCMSP)中筛选白术活性成分,利用Cytoscape 3.2.1软件将活性成分、成分靶标及相关疾病构建可视化网络图,通过生物信息学方法进行关键靶标的GO功能分析和KEGG信号通路富集分析;并通过MTT细胞增殖实验与活性氧(ROS)荧光探针实验验证白术有效成分对损伤神经细胞的保护作用.结果 通过网络药理学方法收集到白术共55个化学成分,进一步筛选出18个活性成分,其中包括主要有效成分双白术内酯.网络富集得到17个关键靶标,72种相关疾病及5条通路.这些成分靶标,疾病靶标和信号通路均表明白术可以有效作用于阿尔茨海默症.细胞实验表明白术的有效成分双白术内酯能显著提高损伤神经细胞的细胞活力,并减少活性氧的生成.结论 本研究筛选了白术的有效成分、关键靶标及相关通路,为其治疗阿尔茨海默症的作用机制研究提供了科学依据.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a significant threat to human life and health. The intraneuronal accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in the brains of AD patients results in neuronal cell death, which is a key factor that triggers multiple changes in the pathogenesis of AD. The inhibition of Aβ-induced neuronal cell death may potentially help in the intervention and treatment of AD. Our previous study reported that tumor necrosis factor α-induced protein 1 (TNFAIP1) is induced by and promotes Aβ 25–35 -induced neurotoxicity in mouse neuronal cells, but the roles and regulatory mechanisms of TNFAIP1 are still largely unknown. In this study, our experimental results show that TNFAIP1 and p-TNFAIP1 (phosphorylation of TNFAIP1 at Ser280) are overexpressed in the neurons of the cortex and hippocampus in the brains of APP/PS1 mice, and the transcription factor NF-κB is involved in the Aβ-induced upregulation of TNFAIP1. Moreover, our results suggest that TNFAIP1 contributes to the Aβ-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm), and neuronal cell death in human SH-SY5Y cells. We further revealed that Aβ increases the binding of TNFAIP1 to RhoB, and knockdown of RhoB attenuates the TNFAIP1-induced apoptosis of human SH-SY5Y cells. These data suggest that TNFAIP1 is closely associated with AD pathogenesis, and overexpression of TNFAIP1 in the neurons of the brains of AD patients plays a role in apoptosis, at least in part, via RhoB signaling.

Melanoma is the most aggressive and treatment-resistant form of skin cancer. Curcumol is a Chinese medicinal herb traditionally used as a cancer remedy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of curcumol in melanoma remains largely unknown. In the present study, we observed that Curcumol decreased mouse melanoma B16 cell proliferation and migration. The xenograft tumor assay showed that curcumol reduced melanoma volume and lung metastasis. Curcumol upregulated the expression of E-cadherin and downregulated the expression of N-cadherin, MMP2 and MMP9 in mouse melanoma B16 cell. Western blot analysis revealed that curcumol reduced the translocation of p65 to the nucleus and decreased p-ERK. Furthermore, curcumol attenuated c-MET, P13K and p-AKT protein expression and upregulated miR-152-3p gene expression. The dual-luciferase reporter assay indicated that c-MET was a target gene of miR-152-3p. Reduced expression of miR-152-3p partially attenuated the effect of curcumol on mouse melanoma B16 cell proliferation and migration. The decrease in c-MET, P13K and p-AKT protein expression following curcumol treatment in mouse melanoma B16 cells was notably attenuated by the miR-152-3p inhibitor. Taken together, our findings suggested that curcumol attenuated melanoma progression and concomitantly suppressed ERK/NF-κB signaling and promoted miR-152-3p expression to inactivate the c-MET/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Previously, we designed, synthesized and evaluated a series of quinolone-benzofuran derivatives as multitargeted anti-Alzheimer's disease (anti-AD) compounds, and we discovered that WBQ5187 possesses superior anti-AD bioactivity. In this work, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of this new molecule, as well as its therapeutic efficacy in restoring cognition and neuropathology, in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Pharmacokinetic analyses demonstrated that WBQ5187 possessed rational oral bioavailability, metabolic stability and excellent blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Pharmacodynamics studies indicated that a 12-week treatment with the lead compound at doses of 40 mg/kg or higher significantly enhanced the learning and memory performance of the APP/PS1 transgenic mice, and the effect was more potent than that of clioquinol (CQ). Furthermore, WBQ5187 notably reduced cerebral β-amyloid pathology, gliosis, and neuronal cell loss and increased the levels of cAMP in the hippocampus of these mice. The surrogate measures of emesis indicated that WBQ5187 had no effect at its cognitive effective doses. Overall, our results demonstrated that this compound markedly improves cognitive and spatial memory functions in AD mice and represents a promising pharmaceutical agent with potential for the treatment of AD.

Most free drugs that cross the blood–brain barrier are characterized by high liposolubility, but they often have limited clinical applications because of poor dissolution and poor bioavailability. In this study, we prepared donepezil drug-loaded nanoparticles (DZP) with cholesterol-modified pullulan (CHP) as the nanocarrier (DZP-CHP) and surface modified the drug-loaded nanoparticles to improve the water solubility of donepezil while enhancing its targeting and sustained release. We determined the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of DZP-CHP nanoparticles at different feed ratios. The mean ± SD drug loading and entrapment efficiency were high: 13.52 ± 2.03 and 86.54 ± 1.31. On dynamic light-scattering measurement, mean ± SD particle size was 260.7 ± 1.76 nm, polydispersity index 0.123 ± 0.004, and zeta potential −5.75 ± 0.64 mV. DZP-CHP nanoparticles prepared with the optimal feed ratio (DZP : CHP = 1 : 5) were coated with polysorbate 80, and the adsorption process was determined by isothermal titration calorimetry. We found good affinity between polysorbate 80 and DZP-CHP, with mean ± SD coverage 2.7 ± 0.372. The mean ± SD drug loading and entrapment efficiency of polysorbate 80-emulsified DZP-CHP nanoparticles were 8.25 ± 1.80 and 91.28 ± 4.57, respectively, and the proportion of drug released by 72 h was 42.71%. Compared to DZP-CHP alone, PS-DZP-CHP can enhance the release of donepezil.