In this study, a novel oral drug delivery system based on linolenic acid-modified chitosan (CS-LA) micelle was developed to improve the oral bioavailability of doxorubicin (DOX), which was proven by its in vivo intestinal absorption in rats. The DOX-loaded CS-LA micelles (CS-LA@DOX) were prepared by the dialysis method. The synthesized micelle material was identified by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). A series of the micelle properties, including particle size distribution, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency (EE), drug loading (DL), micromorphology, polymorphy, and critical micelle concentration (CMC) were characterized or tested. The in vitro release of micelles was observed by the dialysis method, and the absorption-promoting effect of micelles was investigated by intestinal circulation experiments in rats. The animal welfare and experimental procedures were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Guilin Medical University. The results of ¹H-NMR and FT-IR showed that CS and LA were covalently bound via an amide linkage. The DOX encapsulated in the micelle core was in an amorphous state. The as-prepared micelles in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) image showed regular spherical shapes and uniform sizes with a series of excellent characteristics including (119.2 ± 2.1) nm of mean particle size [polymer dispersity index (PDI), 0.190 ± 0.08], +12.1 mV of zeta potential, (70.23 ± 0.74) % of EE, (8.77 ± 0.02) % of DL and 51.75 μg·mL^-1 of CMC. Compared with the reference, DOX hydrochloride, the proposed micelle drug delivery system showed an obvious sustained-release effect in vitro release; and enhanced drug absorption in the small intestine of rats.

CDKs proteins are a kind of cell cycle protein-dependent kinases, which serve as important roles in controlling cell division and transcriptional stages. Among them, CDK9, as a key regulator responsible for the transcriptional elongation of cells, drives the development of various malignant cells and is considered as an important target in the field of anti-tumor drug development. However, the CDK family proteins feature high conservativeness and similarity in structure, leading to the poor selectivity and severe side effects for traditional small-molecular CDK9 inhibitors, which has limited their clinical applications. In view of this, there is an urgent need to investigate CDK9 targets through a novel strategy. The PROTAC is an emerging drug discovery strategy that the degrader could specifically recognize the target protein through indirect linkage with ubiquitin ligases and ultimately eliminate the target protein through the ubiquitination degradation system. This paper provides a brief overview of the structure and function of CDK9 protein, its relationship with the poor prognosis of clinical diseases, as well as the currently reported small molecular inhibitors. The latest research progress on the targeted degradation of CDK9 protein based on PROTAC technology is highlighted. Finally, the development prospects of this target protein in this novel technology field are summarized and prospected, aiming to provide a reference for the development of antitumor drugs in this direction.

Acute leukemia (AL) is a kind of malignant clonal disease of hematopoietic stem cells. Rearrangement of mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene can be observed in about 5%-10% of AL patients. Currently, AL patients with MLL-rearrangements (MLL-r) lack effective treatment and are usually associated with poor prognoses. Recent studies have shown that many epigenetic regulators are directly or indirectly involved in the occurrence and development of AL carrying MLL-r (MLL), which provides a biological basis for the use of epigenetic regulation strategies to treat MLL. In this review, we start from the epigenetic regulation mechanism of MLL, and select representative drug targets to briefly analyze the relationship between each target and MLL and summarize the development progress of their inhibitors, hoping to provide reference for the subsequent research and development of drugs for the treatment of MLL.

In this study, dexamethasone (DXMS) and captopril (CAP) were co-loaded into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles with a surface coating of a phospholipid bilayer, and then the core-shell nanoparticles were modified with polyethylene glycol and integrin α8 antibody to obtain immunoliposome-nanoparticle hybrids (DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs). The role of nanoparticles on the renal targeting, anti-inflammatory effects, and macrophage differentiation were investigated. The results showed that the particle size of the nanoparticles was 115.9 ± 2.89 nm, and the core-shell structure could be observed under an electron microscope. The drug loading capacity of DXMS and CAP was 5.72% ± 0.37% and 7.51% ± 0.07%, respectively. The results of in vitro experiments showed that DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could reduce the secretion of specific cytokines and the mRNA expression of markers in M2-type macrophages, thus promoting the differentiation of M2-type macrophages in the direction of unpolarized macrophages. In vivo experiments in mice showed that DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs had a significant renal targeting effect, which could restore the renal index, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen levels of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in mice. Moreover, DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could reduce both the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and the mRNA expression levels of M1 and M2 macrophage markers in the kidney. All the animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of Animal Ethics Committee of Sichuan Agricultural University. In conclusion, renal-targeting DXMS/CAP@PLGA-ILs could effectively regulate the polarization of macrophages and had an "anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrosis" therapeutic effect, providing a new strategy and basis for the targeted therapy of glomerulonephritis.

The combination of Shuanghuanglian injection (SHLI) and ciprofloxacin injection (CIPI) is frequently prescribed in clinical practice, but the basis for the combination is weak. In this study, isothermal titration calorimetry and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrometry were applied to identify the molecular interactions of SHLI and its main components, chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid with CIPI. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and cold-spray ionization mass spectrometry were performed to confirm that this molecular interaction was related to the formation of self-assembled supramolecular systems induced by chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid with CIPI through weak intermolecular bonds. The antibacterial activity toward Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) was evaluated via molecular interactions, and the inhibitory ability of SHLI, chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid against P. aeruginosa was significantly reduced after interaction with CIPI. A molecular docking study demonstrated that the reduced antibacterial ability was closely related to the competitive binding of drug molecules to the same binding site of the DNA gyrase B (GyrB) subunit of P. aeruginosa. The present study uncovered the intermolecular interactions of SHLI and its main components chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid with CIPI from the perspective of molecular self-assembly and contribute to the reduction of its antibacterial ability, providing a basis for the clinical combination of SHLI and CIPI.

The bZIP (basic leucine zipper) gene family is one of the largest transcription factor families in eukaryotes, and its members play important roles in stress response, secondary metabolism, plant growth, seed development and other aspects. To investigate the biological functions of the bZIP (CsbZIP) gene in Cannabis sativa L., we systematically investigated the CsbZIP gene family using bioinformatics methods based on the whole-genome and transcriptome data. The results showed that 55 CsbZIP gene family members (CsbZIP1-CsbZIP55) were identified and distributed on 10 chromosomes, belonging to 12 subfamilies. The gene structure and protein motif distribution of the same subfamily members were similar. Segment repeats were the main reasons for the expansion of CsbZIP gene family. Cis-elements analysis showed that the promoter regions of 73 lipid synthesis genes contained G-box or A-box element. qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression levels of 7 CsbZIP genes and 7 lipid synthesis genes were relatively high in hemp seed. 7 CsbZIP genes had a significant positive correlation with 7 lipid synthesis genes. This study revealed the structural features, evolutionary patterns and expression patterns of CsbZIP, providing important clues for further study on the regulation of CsbZIP on oil metabolism of hemp seed.

Eleven monoterpene glucosides were isolated from a water decoction of Monochasma savatieri by column chromatography over macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, Sephadex LH-20, and HW-40C, combined with preparative TLC, reversed phase HPLC, and flash column chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, along with acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and NMR calculations, including six new compounds (1-4, 7 and 8), named monochasides A-D, G and H, respectively. Comparing the reported data of 9-hydroxylinaloyl 3-O-β-D-glucoside (5), (6Z)-9-hydroxylinaloyl 3-O-β-D-glucoside (6), and kankanoside D₁ (9) with those obtained in this study, the absolute configurations of 6 and 9 were proved for the first time. Other two compounds were identified as 8-hydroxygeraniol 1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (10) and 8-hydroxygeraniol 8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (11), respectively.

Previously, we discovered that cells contain a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) degradation system (5DS), which includes 5-HT_2A receptor (5-HT_2AR), 5-HT synthase, and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). Among these, 5-HT_2AR has the ability to regulate the expression of 5-HT synthase and MAO-A, and activation of 5DS causes upregulation of these proteins at the same time, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the mitochondria. In this study, we investigated the relationship between interstitial pneumonia (IP) and 5DS activation, as well as the therapeutic effect of inhibiting 5DS on IP. Animal models of bleomycin (BLM)-induced IP in mice and radiation (Rad)-induced IP in rats were established, and the models were treated with the 5-HT_2AR antagonist sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH), 5-HT synthesis inhibitor carbidopa (CDP), and their combination (SH∶CDP = 2∶1). The animal experiments were carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University. In the two IP models, immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of 5-HT synthase was significantly upregulated in all cells of lung tissue, while the expression of 5-HT_2AR and MAO-A was most significantly upregulated in the macrophages. Treatment with SH or CDP significantly reduced pulmonary interstitial thickening, alveolar atrophy with collapse, massive macrophage infiltration and interstitial fibrosis in the two IP models, as measured by HE and Masson staining, and a combination of both almost eliminated the lung tissue lesions. Moreover, treatment with the combination of SH and CDP almost completely eliminated increased ROS and malondialdehyde levels, decreased superoxide dismutase activity, increased tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β levels, and upregulated nuclear factor-κB phosphorylation and α‍-smooth muscle actin, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and collagen expression. SH and CDP worked together to create a synergistic effect. The findings suggested that the activation of 5DS, as evidenced by increased 5-HT synthesis in all cells of lung tissue and increased 5-HT synthesis and degradation in macrophages, is probably related to the occurrence of IP and that inhibition of 5DS can effectively treat IP.

In this study, the reverse engineering technology was used to analyze the prescription and process of Doppelherz^® Energy DIRECT, based on the composition of the prescription on the official website of the product, the detection method of composition is established according to the pharmacopoeia and literature information, combined with gravimetric analysis to complete prescription analysis. The prescription composition of the reference listed drug was determined to be composed of caffeine, taurine, vitamin B, anhydrous glucose, citric acid, sorbitol, sucralose, magnesium salts of fatty acids, in which the glucose content was 71.4%, the citric acid content was 7.0% and the magnesium salts of fatty acids content was < 5.8%. According to patent inquiry, Raman imaging and other technologies, the preparation process of the marketed preparation has been basically obtained, and the development of the self-made preparation has been completed on this basis. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences. Combined with the results of the taste evaluation experiment and the caffeine dissolution test of the preparation in 1 min, the hot-melt extrusion technology was screened out as the taste-masking technology of the self-made preparation, the parameters of the hot-melt extrusion process were screened by differential scanning calorimetry analysis, and finally a product with good taste and qualified quality was obtained, which provided a reference method for the research and development of related preparations.

In this study, a method for simultaneous quantitative analysis of 6 salvianolic acids and 4 tanshinones in extracts of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma was established by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The semi-biomimetic method was applied to simulate digestion process in vitro, to explore the digestion and transport characters of oral administration through the gastrointestinal tract, and to explain the content ratio changes and bioaccessibility of active ingredients in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The results showed that the 10 index components have a good linear relationship in the corresponding concentration range, and the average recovery rate was 91.35% to 105.65%. After simulated digestion in vitro, types of chemical composition in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid digested extracts of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma did not change significantly. While the content ratio of salvianolic acid B and rosmarinic acid decreased, and the content ratio of protocatechuic aldehyde and danshensu increased. In the simulated gastric fluid digestion extract of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the order of bioaccessibility was: danshensu (50.19%) > salvianolic acid B (33.44%) > lithospermic acid (27.34%) > salvianolic acid A (21.71%) > rosmarinic acid (12.31%). In the simulated intestinal fluid digestion extract of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, the order of bioaccessibility was: 15, 16-dihydrotanshinone Ⅰ (5.45%) > tanshinone Ⅰ (3.67%) > cryptotanshinone (3.29%) > tanshinone ⅡA (3.01%) > salvianolic acid A (2.39%) > lithospermic acid (1.57%) > salvianolic acid B (1.02%) > danshensu (0.41%) > rosmarinic acid (0.34%). In conclusion, the UHPLC method established in this study can be applied for accurately and sensitively detecting the contents of 6 salvianolic acids and 4 tanshinones in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The results of semi-biomimetic extraction showed that not all components were extracted with simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid, especially rosmarinic acid and salvianolic acid B. Therefore, in the quality study of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its extract, bioavailability should be considered at the same time when select quality markers and determine their content limits.