The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of acacetin on serum lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis in mice and explore its molecular mechanism. HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of acacetin. The expression of LDL receptor (LDLR) and sterol-regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) were detected by RT-qPCR and/or Western blot. C57BL/6J mice were given acacetin (50 mg·kg^-1) for 5 weeks by gavage. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were analyzed by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The expression of LDLR or SREBP-2 was detected by Western blot. After 12 weeks of intragastric administration of acacetin (30 mg·kg^-1) in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice, the serum lipid levels were determined by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The lipid deposition in aortic plaque (en face) and aortic root plaque were stained with oil red O. The expression of LDLR and SREBP-2 were detected by RT-qPCR and/or Western blot. The intestinal content microflora was analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing (All animal studies were approved by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee of Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, CAMS & PUMC). In vitro results indicated that acacetin significantly up-regulated LDLR mRNA and protein levels, and stimulated LDLR transcription factor SREBP-2 protein expression. As indicated from in vivo studies, compared with control group, acacetin significantly decreased the serum levels of TC and LDL-C in C57BL/6J mice by 34% and 57% (P < 0.01), respectively. Furthermore, mechanic study showed that acacetin significantly increased the protein expression of hepatic LDLR and SREBP-2. Although the results of serum lipid profiles, hepatic LDLR/SREBP-2 expression and area of atherosclerotic lesions in aorta and aortic root in ApoE KO mice showed differences between acacetin and high-fat diet group, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Nevertheless, acacetin exhibited a profound influence on the composition of the intestinal microbiota as indicated by 16s rDNA sequencing analysis. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that acacetin can decrease the serum lipid levels in C57BL/6J mice through up-regulation of hepatic LDLR and SREBP-2, and alter gut microflora in high-fat diet fed Apo KO mice. This study suggests the possibility that acacetin has a potential role in inhibiting the progression of atherosclerosis.

Based on the concept of network pharmacology, the main nephroprotective components in Erzhi Pill reported in previous studies, were used to predict the targets through the PharmMapper method. Molecular docking was applied to screen for potential targets and biological information annotation databases (DAVID) was used to analyze the molecular function and biological process of the action targets. The Cytoscape software was used to construct the "ingredient-target-pathway" network of Erzhi Pill for renal injury treatment. TTD and GAD database were then applied to screen for the targets of renal disease for building "ingredient-core target" network. We found that 17 major active ingredients of Erzhi Pill regulated 32 targets (including ESR1, ESR2, GCK, MMP3) and affected 6 pathways, such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway and purine metabolism. This study reflected the nature of traditional Chinese medicine as multi-ingredients, multi-targets and multi-path ways, providing new clues for basic science research on the nephroprotective pharmacological mechanism of Erzhi Pill.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease with an extremely high incidence in China. In parallel with an increased incidence yearly, the population of diabetes is showing a trend towards younger age. Therefore, it is urgent to carry out research on diabetes in order to develop strategy for prevention. In recent years, metabolomics has made significant progress in the study of biomarkers, pathogenesis, early diagnosis and prognosis, and evalua tion of drug efficacy in diabetes. However, limited by metabolomics technology and the complexity of diabetes research, metabolomics in the diabetes research remains challenging. We summarize the progress and prospect the future development of metabolomics in the diabetes research.

Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is an intestinal bacterium that was isolated from human feces in 2004. Its specialization in mucin degradation makes it a key organism that maintains the intestinal mucosal barrier function. A. muciniphila, which is the only representative of the Verrucomicrobia that can be cultured, is relatively easy to be detected in metagenomic analysis. For the past few years, A. muciniphila has quickly attracted the attention of researchers and become a medical and biological hotspot due to the close correlation between its intestinal colonization and the development and progression of various metabolic diseases. This review introduces the biological characteristics and colonization environment of A. muciniphila, and reviews its relationship with host health and disease, especially focusing on the metabolic disease and related mechanism, as well as the factors affecting its colonization in the host, expecting to provide evidence and clues for drug development targeting A. muciniphila.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the new approaches for cancer treatment with high efficacy. However, applications of current photosensitizers are restricted to skin and superficial tumor due to poor in vivo targeting ability, poor water solubility and short wavelength excitement, which limits penetration therefore thera peutic depth. Here, a biodegradable polymeric micelle, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-polylactide copolymer (mPEG-PDLLA), is employed as drug delivery system to co-encapsulate strong two-photon absorption compound (L_TPA) and photosensitizers. This delivery system is designed to target tumor passively, resulting in near infrared light with an approximately 808 nm wavelength becoming able to indirectly excite photosensitizers through fluores cence resonance energy transfer. Tumor cells and microvessels could be damaged by the generated singlet oxygen. The average size of drug loaded micelles was approximately 55 nm and showed a spherical shape. Both com pounds could be released simultaneously from micelles under either weak acid and neutral pH conditions. Reactive oxygen species was produced intracellularly during two-photon PDT process and induced cell apoptosis/necrosis, which was quantified by Annexin-V/FITC assays. Time-dependent ex vivo organ distribution and in vivo anticancer efficacy results suggested that the drug carriers could accumulate in tumors and suppress tumor growth by twophoton PDT. All animals experiments were performed in line with national regulations and approved by the Animal Experiments Ethical Committee of College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University. In summary, we have employed two-photon PDT for breast cancer treatment successfully in a mouse model and have demonstrated the significance of delivery system in such therapeutics.

Arenaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses, and eight members in this family are known to cause human hemorrhagic fever. Treatments for the viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) by arenaviruses are very limited. We have identified the first flavone, tangeretin, with broad-spectrum inhibitory activities on VHF-arenaviruses infection by blocking viral entry. In this study, we evaluated thirty-four tangeretin analogues and found 3, 5, 6, 7, 4'-pentamethoxyflavone as a Lassa virus entry inhibitor, with EC₅₀ of 5.2 μmol·L^-1, by blocking the viral fusion pro cess. The compound 3, 5, 6, 7, 4'-pentamethoxyflavone is effective on all known VHF-arenaviruses, with EC₅₀ range of 0.84-10.2 μmol·L^-1. These results suggest that 3, 5, 6, 7, 4'-pentamethoxyflavone is able to serve as a start point for discovery of arenavirus entry inhibitors from flavone natural products.

Snake venom has special pharmacological activities and contains a array of small polypeptides that can antagonize integrins, therefore called disintegrins. Disintegrins can block integrin-dependent platelet aggrega tion, tumor growth, and tumor metastasis. A disintegrin fraction was isolated and purified from the venom of snake Gloydius brevicaudus (GBV). Its physical and chemical properties were characterized, and its biological activities were investigated. The crude venom of GBV were isolated by Superdex 75 gel filtration chromatography. The antiplatelet aggregation activity of the fractions was screened by the Born method. The fraction that shown anti-platelet activity was further purified with Sephadex G-25 gel filtration, DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow ion exchange chroma tography, and Lichrospher C18 reversed-phase chromatography respectively. The purity of the active component was analyzed with SDS-PAGE (Tris-Tricine system) and high-performance liquid-phase chromatography (HPLC), with protein concentration determined by the Bradford method. The molecular weight was evaluated by the gel imaging method and mass spectrometry, and the isoelectric point was measured by disc isoelectric focusing electro phoresis. The protease activity was measured with the Rick method. The phospholipase A activity was determined by the automatic potentiometric titration method. Amino acid sequencing results were subjected to homology comparison using the BLAST program. Seven fractions (Ⅰ-Ⅶ) were isolated from GBV by gel filtration chroma tography on Superdex 75 column. The fraction Ⅳ inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by ADP with molecular weight lower than 10 000 Da, suggesting a disintegrin component. A disintegrin named GBV-Ⅳ 4 was purified from the fraction by Sephadex G-25 gel filtration, DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow ion-exchange and Lichrospher C18 reverse chromatography. It was homogeneous shown as a single band on SDS-polyacrylmide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE, Tris-Tricine system) with molecular weight 8 746 Da as calculated by Image Master VDS system. The isoelectric point of GBV-Ⅳ4 was 6.3 by disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. GBV-Ⅳ4 exhibited no detectable phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) activity with the pH-stat technique or proteinase activity according to the method of Rick. GBV-Ⅳ4 is composed of 70 amino acids with RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) active region and a molecular weight of 7 442 Dalton as assayed by Mass Spectrography. Characterization of GBV-Ⅳ4 is consistent with metachain disintegrin (70 amino acid sequence, six pairs of disulfide bond). Retrieved by Genbank, GBV-Ⅳ4 has high homology with other disintegrins. We concluded that GBV-Ⅳ 4 is a novel disintegrin contained RGD. GBV-Ⅳ4 showed dose-dependent inhibition of ADP-or thrombin-induced platelet aggregation with IC₅₀ 0.339 or 0.577 μg·mL^-1 respectively. In conclusion, a new disintegrin derived from the GBV snake venom and named GBV-Ⅳ4 containing RGD tripeptide sequence could inhibit platelet aggregation.

Lorlatinib (PF-06463922) is a highly selective and potent third generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor with dual activity against c-ros oncogene 1, a receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1). In November 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved lorlatinib for treatment of disease progression in ALK-positive and late-stage NSCLC patients who receive the treatment with crizotinib and at least one of other ALK inhibitors; and those with disease progression after treatment of alectinib or ceritinib as the first ALK inhibitor. The results of Phase Ⅰ/Ⅱ clinical trials showed that it has effective initial anti-tumor activity, strong intracranial therapeutic activity, with less tolerance and safety issues. This paper systematically reviewed the chemical structure, mechanism of action, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, usage and dosage, clinical research, safety and upcoming research fields of lolatinib, to provide an update on clinical or laboratory research and clinical practice.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Huangqin Tang (HQT) on oxidative stress associated with ulcerative colitis in rats, and to explore its antioxidant mechanism. After approved by Institute of Chinese Materia Medica Ethics Committees in China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, the rats were given 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic (TNBS)/ethanol mixture to induce the ulcerative colitis (UC), and were randomly divided into normal group, model group, the salazosulfapyridine (SASP) group, and high, middle or low dose (20, 10, 5 g·kg^-1) of HQT groups. After 5 days of treatment, the activity of catalase (CAT) from micrococcus lysodeikticus, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by biochemical assays. The levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) were detected by ELISA. The positive protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were detected by immunohistochemistry method and the downstream antioxidant enzymes of Nrf2 were determined by Western blot analyses. The levels of SOD, CAT and GSH-px activities in the normal group were significantly higher than the model group, while the serum MPO activity in the model group was obviously increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, there was a significant difference in the activity of CAT in the high and middle dose groups of HQT (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the activity of GSH-px in the high, middle and low dose groups of HQT were apparently higher than the model group (P < 0.05); The serum levels of LPO in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.05), while the up-regulating effects on LPO were reversed by the high and middle dose groups of HQT (P < 0.05). The expression of Nrf2 in the high-dose group of HQT and SASP group was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of Western blot showed that compared with the model group, each of the HQT and SASP group could increase the heme oxygenase (HO-1) and NAD[P]H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1) expression in a dose-dependence manner. HQT has significant anti-oxidative stress and obviously improves the signs, mental status and defecation of UC rats. The mechanism of action for HQT maybe related to activate the Nrf2 pathway and increase the expression of Ⅱ phase metabolic enzymes such as HO-1 and NQO-1, reduce the content of LPO and MPO in serum and enhance the activity of SOD, CAT and GSH-px.

Injury of vascular endothelial barrier function is implicated in several pathophysiological processes. The integrity of vascular endothelium is regulated by cytoskeleton and cell-cell junctions. Small guanosine triphosphatases of the Rho family (Rho GTPases) are known to play a central role in vascular endothelial barrier function. It has been reported that RhoA, Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoB are involved and they exert both positive and negative effect on endothelial barrier integrity, depending on their subcellular location. When inflammatory factors such as thrombin attack the vascular endothelial cells, GEF of RhoA will be widely distributed throughout the cells. Thus, activated RhoA causes aggregation of F-actin fibers in a short time and disrupts the vascular endothelial barrier, a process named acute cell contraction. However, RhoA may also induce the production and maturation of intercellular junctions in new cells. Rac1 and Cdc42 help to maintain the integrity of vascular endothelial barrier at the resting state. They cause the phosphorylation of LIM kinase and inhabitation of cofilin, resulting in less remodeling of cytoskeletal in the vascular endothelial cells. On the other hand, Cdc42 can translocate to the cortex rapidly after a stimulation, where Cdc42 will activate the myosin Ⅱ and promote the reorganization of adjective junction to facilitate the recovery of vascular endothelial barrier. In this review, we overviewed how Rho GTPases regulate the vascular endothelial barrier integrity.