The American journal of Chinese medicine
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by the deposition of the [Formula: see text]-Amyloid peptide ([Formula: see text]A), which causes the inflammation of neurons. Bee venom (BV) elicits a strong anti-inflammatory response, and therefore we conducted an in vitro experiment to study the efficacy of BV in an AD cellular model. To mimic AD, the U87MG cell line was incubated for 168 hours with 2.5 [Formula: see text]M [Formula: see text]A. ⋯ Additionally, Caspase-3 levels were also reduced compared to those of the control group when BV was used at a concentration of 10 [Formula: see text]g/mL. BV could inhibit apoptosis and inflammatory responses in an AD cellular model. In addition, it prevented cell accumulation of [Formula: see text]A, an important pathogenic mechanism in AD.
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Inadequate responses to traditional chemotherapeutic agents in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) emphasize a requirement for new effective compounds for the treatment of this malignancy. This study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative property of cucurbitacin B on KKU-100 CCA cells. The determination of underlying molecular mechanisms was also carried out. ⋯ Finally, the effect of cucurbitacin B on upstream receptor tyrosine kinases regulating FAK activation was elucidated. The results showed that the inhibitory effect of cucurbitacin B on FAK activation in CCA cells is mediated via interference of EGFR and HER2 expression. Collectively, cucurbitacin B might be a promising drug for CCA treatment by targeting FAK protein.
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Olea europaea is a beneficial edible plant with a number of biological activities like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antithrombic, antihyperglycemic, and anti-ischemic activities. The mechanisms behind the antiphotoaging and anti-inflammatory effects of Olea europaea are not fully understood. To investigate how an ethanol extract of Olea europaea (Oe-EE) exerts these effects, we explored its activities in human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. ⋯ Oe-EE treatment decreased the mRNA expression level of MMPs, cyclooxygenase-2, IL-6, and TNF-[Formula: see text] and restored type I collagen, filaggrin, and sirtuin 1 expression in UVB-irradiated cells. Furthermore, Oe-EE inhibited the activities of several activator protein 1 regulatory enzymes, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and inhibited nuclear factor (NF)-[Formula: see text]B pathway signaling proteins. Therefore, our results indicate that Oe-EE has photoaging-protective and anti-inflammatory effects.
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Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) plays a main role in pancreatic [Formula: see text]-cell dysfunction and death because of intracellular Ca[Formula: see text] turbulence and inflammation activation. Although several drugs are targeting pancreatic [Formula: see text]-cell to improve [Formula: see text]-cell function, there still lacks agents to alleviate [Formula: see text]-cell ER stress conditions. Therefore we used thapsigargin (THAP) or high glucose (HG) to induce ER stress in [Formula: see text]-cell and aimed to screen natural molecules against ER stress-induced [Formula: see text]-cell dysfunction. ⋯ Conversely HNF4[Formula: see text] knockdown abolished the effect of luteolin on [Formula: see text]-cell using siRNA. These results suggested the protective effect of luteolin on [Formula: see text]-cell was through HNF4[Formula: see text]/Asnk4b pathway. In conclusion, our study discovered that luteolin improved [Formula: see text]-cell function and disclosed the underlying mechanism of luteolin on [Formula: see text]-cell, suggesting luteolin is a promising agent against pancreatic dysfunction.
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Oxidative stress (OS) is the common mechanism for age-related diseases. The co-occurrence of osteoporosis (OP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women makes it warranted to find a holistic approach for treatment of multiple diseases or conditions. The rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (CX), which has high anti-oxidant properties and is widely used for CVD treatment in China, might be the potential candidate. ⋯ CXE significantly improved bone properties as revealed by the increase in trabecular bone mineral density and decrease in trabecular separation at proximal metaphysis of the tibia (PT) in HFS-fed OVX rats but not in LFS-fed OVX rats. CXE ameliorated dyslipidemia, greatly reduced lipid deposition and malondialdehyde levels, improved activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in the livers of HFS-fed OVX rats. In conclusion, CXE could favor osteoblastogenesis against OS. The ability of CXE to reduce bone loss in HFS-fed OVX rats was associated with its abilities to correct dyslipidemia, and reduce lipid deposition and OS levels.