Latest ArticlesMacrophages play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previously, studies have shown that changes in the metabolism of glucose, choline, amino acids and lipids in macrophages of patients with RA can lead to the accumulation of metabolic intermediates which can act as inflammatory signaling molecules to aggravate the inflammation and cause complications. Therefore, a full understanding of the metabolic process of macrophages in RA patients will lay the foundation for macrophage-targeted therapy of RA. In this review, not only the role of macrophage abnormal metabolism in the pathogenesis of RA but also the research progress on macrophage-targeted drugs in RA treatment will be discussed.
G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) has been a promising target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It can not only directly promote insulin secretion, but also indirectly increase insulin secretion by stimulating the release of glucose-dependent GIP/CLP-1 without causing hypoglycemia. The remarkable advantages of small molecule GPR119 agonists make it one of the research hotspots for the development of type 2 diabetes drugs. This article reviews the anti-diabetic small molecules based on the GPR119 target in the past five years.
The major challenge in the development of recombinant biologics lies in generating and isolating rare high-producing stable single clone in a short period of time. The selection marker is an essential component of the plasmid vector, it plays an important part in the generation and screening of producing cell lines. Engineering the selection marker to enhance the stringency of selection for high producing cells is one of the most effective approaches to improve the cell line development process. Here, using Chinese hamaster overy (CHO) cells as an example, we introduce the application of selection marker for generation of recombinant biologics producing mammalian cell lines, methods of engineering the selection markers to enhance the selection stringency, and propose considerations on cell substrate stability and selection marker safety, in order to provide references for high-efficiency development of recombinant biologics.
Four cadinane-type sesquiterpenes were obtained from the petroleum ether of 95% ethanol extract of Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng by using an HP-20 macroporous resin column, silica gel, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were determined by physical, chemical and spectroscopic methods and identified as eupatorinol (1), (+)-(5R, 7S, 9R, 10S)-2-oxocadinan-3, 6(11)-dien-12, 7-olide (2), (1S, 4R)-7-hydroxycalamenen-3-one(3) and (-)-(5R, 6R, 7S, 9R, 10S)-cadinan-3-ene-6, 7-diol (4). Among them, compound 1 is a new cadinane-type sesquiterpene, and compound 3 was isolated from this genus for the first time. In bioassay, none of these compounds displayed obvious cytotoxicity.
Cannabis sativa, one of the ancient medicinal plants, has been used to alleviate pain and seizures. However, cannabinoids are often addictive, which limits their clinical use. Cannabidiol (CBD) as a non-psychoactive component of Cannabis sativa, has much weaker adverse effects than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and therefore has received widespread attention. CBD has been found to ameliorate a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases, but the precise mechanism(s) of action are still unclear. Due to its low affinity for classical cannabinoid receptors current studies are focusing on other targets outside the endocannabinoid system. In the present review we mainly summarize the effects and molecular mechanisms of CBD in neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, neuropathic pain, anxiety, and depression.
Circadian rhythm is an internal regulatory mechanism that allows organisms to adapt to circadian changes in the external environment, and can regulate the body's steady state by affecting the metabolic pathways of multiple organs. When exogenous factors such as eating time, worktime changes, and sleep disturbances cause the body's circadian rhythm to be disrupted, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome is significantly increased. This article explores the relationship between circadian rhythm and body metabolism and summarizes the molecular mechanisms by which circadian rhythm regulates the digestive system, liver and bile acid production, and kidney function. We review research progress on intervention in the circadian rhythm by traditional Chinese medicine and provide a reasonable and valuable basis for follow-up studies on the role of traditional Chinese medicine in research on the molecular mechanisms of regulation of circadian rhythm.
In recent years the interaction between host and gut microbiota has attracted increasing attention. However, intestinal flora dysbiosis may lead to many diseases, and there is increasing evidence that the intestinal microbiota in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with the pathophysiological status of the host. "Gut-kidney axis" provides a better explanation of the two-way communication between intestinal flora and CKD. Impaired kidney function leads to dysbiosis of intestinal flora and an altered intestinal flora can damage the intestinal mucosal barrier and facilitate the entry into the bloodstream of harmful bacteria, which can induce chronic inflammation and thus accelerate renal injury. In addition, the accumulation of nephrotoxic metabolites from an altered intestinal flora can aggravate CKD in the "gut-kidney axis". Among them, p-cresol sulfate, indoxyl sulfate and trimethylamine oxide are the most widely studied metabolites of nephrotoxicity, and their renal toxicity has been widely confirmed in basic research and clinical studies. Current studies show that the intestinal microbiota-metabolite network is closely related to the occurrence and development of chronic kidney disease. Thus, intervention in the intestinal microbiota may provide a new approach to the prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease.
The research and development of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is a rapidly developing field. From the first generation of murine mAbs to the fourth generation of fully human mAbs, the efficacy and safety of mAbs in the treatment of various diseases have been continuously improved. In order to regulate the development and evaluation of mAbs, drug regulatory agencies and pharmacopeias of America and China have tried to issue feasible test procedures and acceptance criteria for quality evaluation of mAbs and biosimilars. Mass spectrometry (MS) technique with high sensitivity, resolution, selectivity, and specificity has become an important tool to evaluate the quality characteristics of monoclonal antibody-related products or specify mAb quality. The research of MS-based monoclonal antibody study involves structure characterization, impurity analysis, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), etc. This review focuses on the current quality control requirements of mAb related products and the development of MS technique for mAb quality characterization and specification. It is expected to provide information and references for evaluating the quality of monoclonal antibodies under research and development.
3D printing technology has the advantages of accurate spatial distribution, accurate drug release and personalized drug dosage, which can make up for the shortcomings of traditional pharmaceutical technology. In recent years drop-on powder (DoP) 3D printing technology has been widely used in pharmaceutical preparation. Compared with other types of 3D printing technology, it is more simple, flexible and easy to operate. In 2015, Aprecia Pharmaceuticals announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the launch of its first instant tablet Spritam® (levetiracetam) made with DoP 3D printing. After the first 3D printed medicine was launched, people also saw the unique advantages and broad prospects of DoP 3D printing technology platform in pharmaceutical preparation. This review focuses on the technical principles and key factors of DoP 3D printing, its application in the preparation field and its future development challenges.
The chemical constituents from ethyl acetate extract of Gleditsiae spina were isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods such as MCI gel CHP-20, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, silica gel and semi-preparative HPLC. Seven lignans were isolated and identified by spectroscopic data analyses as (7R, 8S, 7'E, 7''S, 8''R)-buddlenol P (1), (+)-syringaresinol (2), (+)-isolariciresinol (3), (7S, 8R)-cedrusin (4), (7S, 8R)-4, 9, 9'-trihydroxy-3, 3'-dimethoxy-7, 8-dihydrobenzofuran-1'-propylneolignan (5), 3', 4-O-dimethylcedrusin (6), balanophonin (7). Among them, compound 1 is a new lignan, compounds 2-7 are isolated from the Gleditsia L. for the first time. MTT method was used to investigate the effect of compounds 2-7 on LPS-induced injury of NRK-52e cells. As a result, compounds 2, 3 and 7 exhibit protective effects against LPS-induced damage to NRK-52e cells.
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