BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a persistent and advanced pulmonary ailment. The roles of innate immunity and adaptive immunity are pivotal in the evolution of IPF. An ill-adjusted interaction between epithelial cells and immune cells is responsible for initiating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and sustaining chronic inflammation, thereby fostering fibrosis progression. The intricacy of IPF pathogenesis has hindered the availability of efficacious agents. Elephantopus scaber Linn. (ESL) is a canonical Chinese medicine with significant immunoregulatory effects, and its aqueous extract has been proven to attenuate IPF symptoms in bleomycin (BLM)-induced mice. However, the underlying mechanism through which ESL relieves IPF remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE: To validate whether ESL reverses IPF by mediating the immune response and EMT.
METHODS: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) and UPLC were used to identify the components and determine the concentrations of the specific compounds in the ESL. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were applied to predict the potential mechanism underlying the anti-IPF effect of ESL. BLM-induced IPF mice were used to validate the anti-IPF effect of ESL, and lung tissue was collected to test putative pathways involved in inflammation and EMT via immunohistochemistry (ICH), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting.
RESULTS: Sixty-one compounds were identified, and thirteen main ingredients were quantified in the ESL. In silico experiments predicted that the IPF-mediated reversal of adverse effects by ESL would be related to interruption of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-k-gene binding (NF-ĸB) inflammatory pathway and the transforming growth factor-beta l (TGF-β1)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/forkhead box O3 (FOXO3a) fibrosis pathway. In vivo experiments showed that ESL alleviates BLM-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis by reducing neutrophil aggregation and fibroblast foci, similar to the effects of the positive control drug pirfenidone (PFD). ESL markedly inhibited the transcription of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, which are downstream genes of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, the protein levels of TLR4 and p-NF-κB were correspondingly inhibited in response to ESL treatment. Additionally, ESL reverses BLM-induced changes in the expression of EMT-related biological characteristic indicators (collagen I [COLIA1], E-cadherin, and alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) at the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) level and markedly inhibits the expression of EMT-related upstream proteins (TGF-β1, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-FOXO3a).
CONCLUSIONS: Our research suggested that ESL attenuates BLM-induced IPF through mediating the EMT process via the TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt/FOXO3a signaling pathway and inhibiting inflammation through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, highlighting that ESL can serve as an immunoregulator for relieving the abnormal immune response and reversing the EMT in IPF.

The seed germination index (GI) serves as the principal determinant that impedes the integration of aerobic composting products into agricultural lands. The current research work predominantly focuses on exploring the correlation between physical and chemical indicators of the compost products and GI, neglecting the fundamental cause. This study systematically analyzed the composition of GI aqueous extracts from compost products derived from kitchen waste under various composting methodologies, with nitrogen, carbon, and inorganic salt as critical factors. The analytical work concluded that acetic acid, formic acid, and ammonium were the inhibitory factors influencing GI. Validation experiments introduced inhibitory factors, yielding a functional relationship formula depicting GI variations due to a single influential factor. This study conclusively identified acetic acid as the primary constraint, establishing that its inhibitory concentration corresponded to 70 % GI stands at 85 mg/L. This study will provide guidelines for the future research on enhancing aerobic composting techniques.

Allelopathy has a profound impact on the germination and growth of plants, influencing the establishment of plant populations and shaping community ecological patterns. However, the allelopathic potential of many grassland species remains poorly understood. In this study, we prepared aqueous extracts from 17 herbaceous plants to investigate their allelopathic effects on the seed germination and seedling growth of Leymus chinensis, a dominant grassland species. Our results revealed that the response of L. chinensis to allelopathic compounds was dependent on the specific plant species, extract concentration, and target plant organ. Notably, Fabaceae plants exhibited a stronger allelopathic potential than Poaceae, Asteraceae, and other plant families. Moreover, we observed that root growth of L. chinensis was more sensitive to allelopathy than shoot growth, and seed germination was more affected than seedling growth. Generally, the germination of L. chinensis was strongly inhibited as the donor plant extract concentration increased. The leachate of Fabaceae plants inhibited the seedling growth of L. chinensis at concentrations ranging from 0.025 to 0.1 g mL-1. On the other hand, the leachate from other families\' plants exhibited either inhibitory or hormetic effects on the early growth of L. chinensis, promoting growth at 0.025 g mL-1 and hindering it at concentrations between 0.05 and 0.1 g mL-1. These findings highlight the significant allelopathic potential of grassland plants, which plays a critical role in establishing plant populations and associated ecological processes. In addition, they shed light on the coexistence of other plants with dominant plants in the community.

A microneedle patch loaded with Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma water extract was prepared for the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia. To explore the relationship between Mammary gland hyperplasia and intestinal flora.
Preparation of the microneedle patch by micromolding method, the prescription of the microneedle was optimized by the Box-Behnken Design response surface test, and the micro-morphology, penetration, toughness, and brittleness were investigated. In vitro release of drug-loaded microneedles was measured by diffusion cell method. The rat model of mammary gland hyperplasia was prepared by the combination of estradiol benzoate-progesterone, and the microneedle patch of Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract was used for intervention treatment. The change of levels in E2, P, and PRL in rat serum was determined. The intestinal contents of rats were collected and the changes in intestinal flora in MGH rats were analyzed by 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing.
The optimized microneedle formula is a PVA concentration of 6.0%, HA concentration of 15.5%, and PVPK30 concentration of 16.0%. The prepared microneedle tip loaded with Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract has complete, sharp, and no bubbles and the needle rate of the microneedle array is in the range of 95%~100%. The bending rate of the microneedle is about 12.7%, and it has good flexibility, and the microneedle can puncture 4 layers of ParafilmⓇ membrane smoothly, and the puncture rate is more than 96%. The in vitro release of the microneedle was characterized by rapid release. The results of animal experiments showed that Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract microneedle patch could significantly reduce the E2 level, significantly reduce the PRL level, and significantly increase the P level. At the same time, it can regulate the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora in MGH rats, improve the intestinal flora disorder caused by mammary gland hyperplasia, and balance the community structure.
The prepared microneedle containing Atractylodes macrocephala Rhizoma aqueous extract has good toughness and brittle strength, can penetrate the skin and enter the dermis, and effectively deliver drugs to play a role in the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia.

This study aims to examine the effect of superfine powder and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizomaon on natural perimenopausal syndrome in rats and explore the underlying mechanism. To be specific, a total of 60 female SD rats(14-15 months old) with estrous cycle disorder were screened by the vaginal smear and randomized into model control group, β-estradiol 3-benzoate group(0.1 mg·kg~(-1)), superfine powder of Polygonati Rhizoma group(0.25, 0.5 g·kg~(-1)) and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizoma group(0.25, 0.5 g·kg~(-1)), and another 10 female SD rats(14-15 months old) were selected as the youth control group. The administration lasted 6 weeks. Then the perimenopausal syndrome-related indexes such as body temperature, microcirculatory blood flow of face and ear, vertigo period, salivary secretion, grip force, and bone strength were determined and open field test was conducted. The immune system-related indexes such as the wet weight and index of thymus and spleen, percentage of T lymphocytes and subgroups in peripheral blood, and hematological indexes were measured. In addition, the ovary-related indexes such as estrous cycle, the wet weight and index of uterus and ovary, ovarian tissue morphology, and cell apoptosis were determined. Moreover, hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis(HPO)-related indexes such as serum sex hormone levels, cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1(CYP11A1), cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1(CYP19A1), and cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1(P450 17A1) in ovarian tissue were measured. The results showed that the superfine powder and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizoma significantly decreased body temperature(anal, facial and dorsal temperature), microcirculatory blood flow in the ear, and vertigo period, increased salivary secretion, grip force, bone strength, total distance and total speed in the open field test, wet weight and index of thymus and spleen, lymphocyte ratio, CD3~+ level, and CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio, reduced neutrophil number and ratio, estrous cycle disorder ratio, and number of ovarian apoptotic cells, raised wet weight and index of uterus, wet weight of ovary, levels of inhibin B(INHB), estradiol(E_2), anti-müllerian hormone(AMH), and ovarian CYP11A1 and CYP19A1, decreased follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH) content, and improved ovarian tissue morphology. It is suggested that the superfine powder and aqueous extract of Polygonati Rhizoma can improve the symptoms associated with natural perimenopausal syndrome in rats and enhance ovarian function and immune function. The mechanism is that they regulate HPO axis function by increasing estrogen synthesis.

Crassostrea sikamea (C. sikamea) is used as an important edible and medicinal seafood in China. In the present study, an aqueous extract of C. sikamea (AECs) was prepared, and its immunomodulatory effects on rat splenocytes were studied. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay revealed that AECs was able to promote splenocyte proliferation. Moreover, flow cytometry revealed that AECs treatment markedly altered the populations of splenic lymphocyte subtypes. Data from real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that AECs promoted the mRNA expression and secretion of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, and IFN-γ. Mechanistically, p38 MAPK phosphorylation in splenocytes was significantly upregulated under AECs treatment and p38 MAPK inhibitor reversed the promoting effect of AECs on the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Collectively, our novel evidence suggests that AECs exhibits immunomodulatory activity in vitro, supporting the further application of C. sikamea as a potential functional food.

In this work, the antibacterial activity and mechanism of chloroform fraction obtained from aqueous extract of mugwort leaves against Staphylococcus aureus were investigated. The extract showed obvious antibacterial activity against S. aureus which the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined to be 3·0 and 6·0 mg ml-1 respectively. The mechanism study suggested that the extract could destroy the integrity of the S. aureus cell walls and increase the permeability of cell membrane in a certain concentration, but it could not kill S. aureus in a short time. Instead, the extract could make bacteria in a state of apoptosis for a long time, interfere with the normal physiological metabolism of bacteria, and eventually make bacteria die, which was confirm by scanning electronic microscope.

Naturally occurring compounds isolated from the microalga Euglena gracilis, such as polysaccharide paramylon, exhibit antimicrobial, anti-viral, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. Whether live E. gracilis cells and its aqueous extract accelerate burn wound healing remains to be investigated. In this study, live E. gracilis cells and its aqueous extract were mixed with chitosan-hyaluronic acid hydrogel (CS/HA) to form cell + CS/HA and extract + CS/HA, which were then smeared onto the deeply burned skin of mice. The efficacy of these mixtures in accelerating wound healing was assessed through wound size reduction measurement, histological and immunofluorescence analyses, and serum pro-inflammatory cytokine level (INF-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6) determination. The live E. gracilis cells and its aqueous extract were found to facilitate wound healing by enhancing re-epithelization and reducing fibroplasia without stimulating excessive inflammatory response. In conclusion, live E. gracilis cells and its aqueous extract can be potentially used to treat cutaneous wounds.

The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum has a worldwide distribution and causes serious losses for agricultural production. Drunken horse grass Achnatherum inebrians is a widely distributed perennial poisonous grass on the grasslands of Northern and Northwestern China. The present study focused on contact toxicity activity of aqueous extracts of endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) A. inebrians in different growth periods of pea aphids, and the growth and development of two color morphs of F1 generation nymphs. Both of the color morphs had development durations in E+ treatments that tended to be longer at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instars than E- and control (CK). The E+ treated aphids also showed decreased weights at maturity with over all lower mean relative growth rates (MRGR). Aphid survival of E+ treated aphids was lower than that of E- and CK at all growth periods. Seeding stage E+ extracts showed a greater propensity for negatively affecting aphids than did E+ extract at maturity and the yellowing stage. These results show that extracts from endophyte-containing plants may contain compounds that may be used to control insects.

BACKGROUND: A formulation of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) and tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) (denoted BLAB tea) is traditionally used to relief allergy reaction including allergic rhinitis. However, little is known about its underlining mechanism of anti-allergic effects.
METHODS: To investigate the anti-allergenic mechanism of BLAB tea, we treated ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) model of mice with BLAB tea, and elucidated its possible mechanism of action. Mice in the control group were treated with phosphate-buffered saline only. Subsequently, the infiltration of different inflammatory cells was measured. In addition, histopathological changes in the nasal mucosa, and the levels of allergen-specific cytokines and OVA-specific immunoglobulins were measured.
RESULTS: The aqueous extract of BLAB significantly alleviated the nasal symptoms and reduced the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa and nasal lavage fluid of AR model of mice.
CONCLUSIONS: The aqueous extract of BLAB induced the production of Th1 and Treg cytokines and inhibited the release of Th2 cytokines and histamine in nasal mucosa and serum of mice while decreasing the serum levels of OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG2a. These results suggest the potential of the aqueous extract of BLAB as a treatment option for allergic diseases.