Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Deepak Hiraganahalli Bhaskarmurthy, Sabina Evan Prince
Summary: In this study, topical application of Baricitinib showed promising therapeutic effects on chronic TPA-induced psoriasis in mice, effectively inhibiting inflammation and promoting skin repair. Baricitinib significantly reduced ear swelling, leukocyte infiltration, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis, while also decreasing the phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT1. These results suggest that Baricitinib could be a potential topical treatment for the progression of psoriasis.
Article
Oncology
Tao Zhang, Yingnan Wang, Hiroyuki Inuzuka, Wenyi Wei
Summary: This review summarizes the recent findings on the link between necroptosis and cancer, and discusses targeting necroptosis as a new strategy to overcome apoptosis resistance in tumor therapy.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ning Wang, Yijie Yang, Yixin Liu, Lulu Huang, Mengyang Gu, Yue Wu, Li Xu, Hao Sun, Wenyi Guo
Summary: MAG inhibits NF Kappa B-dependent inflammatory processes by elevating PPAR gamma, which suggests its potential as a novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent for relieving the progression of glaucoma.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sana Hibino, Tetsuro Kawazoe, Hidenori Kasahara, Shinji Itoh, Takatsugu Ishimoto, Mamiko Sakata-Yanagimoto, Koji Taniguchi
Summary: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and metastasis by suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Different types of tumors may have diverse responses to inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Akiyoshi Sawabe, Ayato Tanaka, Masato Nomura, Ryuji Takeda
Summary: This study synthesized glycosides using magnolol and honokiol and examined their anti-aging effects on the skin. The results showed that these glycoside compounds exhibited significant anti-glycation activities and effectively prevented the decrease in cell viability. Therefore, these newly synthesized glycosides have the potential to be used in cosmetics, health foods, and pharmaceutical products.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisette Van Hove, Kim Lecomte, Jana Roels, Niels Vandamme, Hanna-Kaisa Vikkula, Isabelle Hoorens, Katia Ongenae, Tino Hochepied, Giacomo Donati, Yvan Saeys, Sven R. Quist, Fiona M. Watt, Geert van Loo, Esther Hoste
Summary: Fibroblasts play a crucial role in the microenvironment of tumors, with their heterogeneity and plasticity impacting cancer development. Research has shown that cancer-associated fibroblasts in skin tumors exhibit persistent extracellular matrix remodeling. Fibrotic enzymes expressed by CAFs can influence squamous tumor initiation through ECM remodeling.
Review
Immunology
Wenbin Gong, Kui Yang, Wei Zhao, Jianbao Zheng, Junhui Yu, Kun Guo, Xuejun Sun
Summary: Gasdermins (GSDMs) protein family plays an important role in gut homeostasis, mediating inflammatory reactions, clearing pathogenic organisms, and participating in a novel inflammatory cell death called PANoptosis. They also have potential intrinsic physiological functions independent of cell death.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jianwei Xu, Hui Xu
Summary: This article reviews the recent advances in the extraction, purification, chemical synthesis, biosynthesis, structural modification, and biological activities of magnolol and its derivatives. It aims to serve as a reference for future high value-added applications in the pharmaceutical and agricultural fields.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yuting Zhang, Yuyang Tian, Haowen Zhang, Baohua Xu, Hongping Chen
Summary: Zinc is the second most abundant necessary trace element in the human body, and zinc deficiency has been reported to promote the progression of various cancers through multiple signaling pathways. Factors such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, cell cycle, and inflammation level are closely related to cancer development.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sen Yu, Jie He, Keping Xie
Summary: Tight junction (TJ) is a barrier in epithelial and endothelial cells that maintains paracellular substrate transport and cell polarity. Zonula occludens (ZO) proteins, as cytoplasmic adaptor proteins adjacent to the cell membrane, connect transmembrane TJ proteins and cytoplasmic cytoskeleton to maintain barrier function. Besides their structural role, ZO proteins also play important roles in signal regulation, such as cell proliferation, motility, embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, inflammation, tumorigenesis, and cancer progression. This review focuses on the signal regulating function of ZO proteins in inflammation and tumorigenesis, and discusses the limitations and future challenges in ZO protein research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hong Zhou, Qixiang Zhao, Chengcheng Yue, Jiadong Yu, Huaping Zheng, Jing Hu, Zhonglan Hu, Haozhou Zhang, Xiu Teng, Xiao Liu, Xiaoqiong Wei, Yuxi Zhou, Fanlian Zeng, Yan Hao, Yawen Hu, Xiaoyan Wang, Chen Zhang, Linna Gu, Wenling Wu, Yifan Zhou, Kaijun Cui, Nongyu Huang, Wei Li, Zhen Wang, Jiong Li
Summary: IL-38 is downregulated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and its knockout suppresses skin tumor formation and malignant progression. Deletion of IL-38 leads to reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines and myeloid cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. IL-38 activates the JNK/AP-1 pathway in an IL-1Rrp2-dependent manner to promote cancer-related inflammatory cytokines expression, tumor cell proliferation, and migration.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Imran Khan, Debasish Kumar Dey, Jai-Heon Lee, Sun Chul Kang
Summary: In this study, the effects of SCN leaf extract on ear inflammation were investigated. The results showed that SCN could effectively suppress TPA-induced ear edema by modulating the MAP kinase signaling pathway and NF-kappa B activation. Overall, SCN may prove to be a useful therapeutic agent against skin inflammation.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Qiyu Yang, Jing Ouyang, Damao Pi, Li Feng, Jiadan Yang
Summary: There is accumulating evidence that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of developing different cancers, and the presence of Malassezia fungus may worsen the inflammatory response and promote tumorigenesis in these patients. Surveillance and intervention should be taken to minimize the cancer risk in individuals with IBD.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Meng Wang, Huihua Huang, Chaokang Huang, Shujun Liu, Xiaohong Peng
Summary: The novel nanocapsule-embedded hydrogel dressing (MCNG-H), formed by crosslinking magnolol-grafted-chitosan hydrochloride (CSCl-MAG) with genipin, shows sustained antibacterial and antioxidant properties. MCNG-H exhibits good swelling properties and biocompatibility, with the combination of CSM-H and MCNGs effectively inhibiting bacteria and eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS). The pH-responsive release of loaded MAG in MCNG-H ensures sustained release and long-term antibacterial and anti-oxidant activities. In a splinted excisional dermal wound model, MCNG-H significantly accelerates wound healing, making it a promising dressing for infected wounds.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Linglu Wang, Ponnuswamy Mohanasundaram, Michelle Lindstrom, Muhammad Nadeem Asghar, Giulia Sultana, Julia O. Misiorek, Yaming Jiu, Hongbo Chen, Zhi Chen, Diana M. Toivola, Fang Cheng, John E. Eriksson
Summary: Vimentin plays an important role in intestinal diseases, particularly in the injury and repair processes of colonic epithelial cells. Vim(-/-) mice showed more severe colitis and higher production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species than wild-type mice when exposed to DSS. CD11b(+) macrophages were identified as the main cellular source of reactive oxygen species production. Additionally, Vim(-/-) mice did not spontaneously develop colitis-associated cancer model upon DSS treatment, but exhibited increased tumor numbers and size in the distal colon in the azoxymethane/DSS model.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Pei-Sheng Lee, Ying-Ying Lu, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, Chi-Tang Ho, Hui-Ching Mei, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: This study found that Calebin A, a novel compound derived from medicinal turmeric, has a good thermogenesis function and can modulate the composition of gut microbiota, thus reducing obesity induced by high-fat diet. Additionally, Calebin A can decrease body weight, blood sugar levels, and adipose tissue load in obese mice, demonstrating its potential as an anti-obesity agent.
JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yen-Chun Koh, Lee-Han Kuo, Ya-Yun Chang, Yen-Chen Tung, Yi-Chen Lo, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: This study investigates the anti-aging potential of fermented black soybean and adlay (FBA) supplements. The results show that FBA supplementation prevents muscle loss, reduces aging biomarkers, improves gut microbial dysbiosis, and reverses the reduced ability of microbiota in aged mice. These findings suggest that FBA has significant anti-aging effects and can be developed as a functional food for healthy aging.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yen-Chun Koh, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to cell death, and it has recently been recognized as a strategy for cancer prevention and treatment using chemotherapy drugs or phytochemicals. However, most drugs currently available cannot specifically target cancer cells and may have negative effects on normal cells. Studies have shown that phytochemicals like resveratrol can improve various diseases associated with dysfunctional or damaged mitochondria by regulating mitophagy, reducing oxidative stress, preserving membrane potential, inducing mitochondrial biogenesis, balancing fusion and fission, and enhancing electron transport chain functionality. Limited research suggests that phytochemicals may also protect against cytotoxicity caused by certain cancer drugs that damage mitochondria. Additionally, mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to COVID-19 and long COVID, and curcumin has shown positive effects on these conditions. Therefore, this review examines the potential benefits of resveratrol and curcumin for cancer treatment/prevention and disease amelioration. It also discusses the potential of phytochemicals as adjuvant treatments for COVID-19 and long COVID by targeting mitochondrial rescue. The review aims to provide new insights into disease treatment using phytochemicals targeting mitochondria.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yuhong Mao, Wenting Huang, Rongju Jia, Yangyang Bian, Min-Hsiung Pan, Xiuyun Ye
Summary: This study aimed to examine the impact of protein features on the properties of nanoparticles assembled using the pH-shifting approach, and to understand the underlying mechanism. Four legume protein isolates were fractionated into natural aqueous-soluble and aqueous-insoluble fractions, which served as shell and core for the nanoparticles, respectively. Using zein as the core instead of the aqueous-insoluble fractions improved size uniformity, and particle size could be precisely controlled by adjusting core/shell ratios. Proteomic analysis and computational characterization revealed that hydrophobicity, rather than molecular weight or surface charge, predominantly determined particle size. Molecular docking, structural analysis, and dissociation tests showed that the assembly of zein/aqueous-soluble-based nanoparticles was primarily driven by hydrophobic interactions. This study provides valuable insights into the correlation between protein features and the properties of pH-driven-assembled nanoparticles, enabling precise control over particle size.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chun-Han Chang, You-Tsz Lien, Wei-Sheng Lin, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Evidence suggests that dietary intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from food processing can lead to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) by inducing cellular DNA damage. In this study, piceatannol (PIC) was found to effectively inhibit B[a]P-induced cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) protein expression in human colon epithelial cells and alleviate DNA damage. PIC also exhibited antioxidative effects by increasing glutathione (GSH) content and scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by B[a]P. Furthermore, PIC activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and upregulated phase II detoxification enzymes and antioxidative enzymes. These findings suggest that PIC has the potential to prevent CRC by protecting against DNA damage and modulating the metabolism and detoxification of B[a]P.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Chiung-Jung Wen, Yen-Chun Koh, Yen-Chen Tung, Pin-Yu Ho, Shu-Chen Hsieh, Yi-Chen Lo, Jaw-Shiun Tsai, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: This study aims to explore the relationship between serum metabolites and gut microbiota in non-robust older adults as a potential diagnostic biomarker. The results show significant differences in gut microbial composition between robust and non-robust subjects, particularly with the abundance of Escherichia/Shigella. Moreover, the abundance of Escherichia/Shigella is positively correlated with the levels of discriminant metabolites. These findings indicate the clear interrelation between gut microbiota and serum metabolites in non-robust older adults, suggesting Escherichia/Shigella as a potential biomarker candidate for robustness sub-phenotypic identification.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yen-Chun Koh, Dickson Chok, Chun-Han Chang, Chia-Cheng Wei, Chia-Tung Wu, Ko-Chun Cheng, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the preventive effect of piceatannol on glutamate-induced neurodegeneration via mitochondrial rescue. The results show that piceatannol can prevent glutamate-induced apoptosis, reduce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulation, promote mitochondrial biogenesis, and preserve mitochondrial functionality. Piceatannol effectively protects dopaminergic neurons from degradation and preserves their controlled responses.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wei-Sheng Lin, Wan-Chen Cheng, Pin-Yu Ho, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: The study indicates that NBT and 5-DMNB can reduce B[a]P metabolism and protect against B[a]P-induced DNA damage by modulating the AhR/CYP1s signaling pathway. This protective effect was observed in both cell and mouse models. These findings suggest that NBT and 5-DMNB have potential for chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yu Xiao, Min-hsiung Pan, Yi-shiou Chiou, Zhenshun Li, Shudong Wei, Xiaoli Yin, Baomiao Ding
Summary: The interaction mechanism between nanoliposomes (NL) and soybean protein isolate (SPI) was studied. It was found that NL formed complexes with beta-conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S), resulting in static quenching of the endogenous fluorescence emissions of 7S and 11S, and increased polarity of the SPI fluorophore. The interaction between NL and SPI was exothermic, altered the secondary structures of 7S/11S, exposed more hydrophobic groups on protein surfaces, and had a large zeta potential to ensure system stability. Hydrophobic forces, hydrogen bonds, and salt bridge played important roles in the interaction, which were mainly influenced by the protein characteristics such as amino acid composition, surface hydrophobicity, and advanced structure. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the interaction mechanism between NL and SPI.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chun Ming How, Ko-Chun Cheng, Yong-Shan Li, Min-Hsiung Pan, Chia-Cheng Wei
Summary: This study investigated the effects of chronic exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) on aging in Caenorhabditis elegans, and found that BaP exposure aggravated protein aggregation, shortened lifespan, and worsened age-related decline in motility and pharyngeal pumping. In addition, BaP exposure increased the expression of heat shock proteins and reduced survival under heat stress. However, dietary supplementation with Tangeretin (TAN) alleviated the BaP-induced decline in motility, pumping, and protein accumulation, and restored heat shock proteins' expression levels.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yen-Chun Koh, Lee-Han Kuo, Yen-Chen Tung, Monthana Weerawatanakorn, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Gut microbial indicators in aged mice have been identified, and these indicators are associated with human diseases and relevant metabolic processes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Monthana Weerawatanakorn, Sang He, Chun-Han Chang, Yen-Chun Koh, Meei-Ju Yang, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Obesity and overweight pose a growing risk for various health conditions, and diet, especially tea consumption, has been identified as a potential intervention. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GABA oolong tea extracts (OTEs) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity using male C57BL/6 J mice. The results showed that GABA OTEs reduced leptin expression, protected against fatty liver disease, and promoted thermogenesis and lipid metabolism, therefore preventing obesity development.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei-Sheng Lin, Wan-Chen Cheng, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the intestines, and Virofree has shown potential in preventing this disease. This study found that Virofree can alleviate intestinal inflammation and modulate the gut microbiota in mice.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kai-Yu Hsu, Chi-Tang Ho, Min-Hsiung Pan
Summary: Turmeric is a medicinal plant commonly used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine. It has various health benefits due to the active components called curcuminoids. This article reviews the composition of turmeric and the properties of curcumin, highlighting its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-colorectal cancer, and other physiological activities. It also discusses the challenges of using curcumin and provides three novel application strategies to overcome these limitations.
JOURNAL OF FOOD AND DRUG ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Chun Ming How, Ko-Chun Cheng, Yong-Shan Li, Min-Hsiung Pan, Chia-Cheng Wei
Summary: This study finds that chronic exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) has negative effects on aging, and Tangeretin (TAN) supplementation can alleviate the aging toxicity induced by BaP.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)