BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
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2026
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IF 2.5
Mengya Cai,Weijian Chen,Chao Lu,Wenqiang Li,Yimin Lu,Ling Cheng,Meirong Guo,Yun Liang,Yuanmei He,Wengang Liu,Tao Jiang
Impaired infected wound healing is closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, and ferroptosis has emerged as a key mechanism connecting oxidative stress to mitochondrial damage. Baicalein holds potential for modulating this process, yet its application is constrained by poor bioavailability. Herein, a multifunctional nano-delivery system (Ba@Zn-MSN@CH) was rationally designed for infected wound treatment. Zinc-doped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Zn-MSN) were synthesized to serve as a baicalein carrier. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and dihydrocaffeic acid were covalently grafted onto the surface of the nanoparticles via silanization and amidation reactions, leading to the formation of a stable core-shell structure. The introduction of macromolecular coating was found to not only prolong drug release but also enhance antioxidant and antibacterial efficacy. What's more, Ba@Zn-MSN@CH effectively alleviated mitochondrial damage by inhibiting ferroptosis, thereby restoring cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, and ultimately accelerating infected wound healing. Mechanistically, Ba@Zn-MSN@CH inhibited ferroptosis by inducing AMP-activated Protein Kinase α (AMPKα) phosphorylation in fibroblasts. AMPKα sustained the abundance of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which subsequently suppressed lipid peroxidation and inhibited ferroptotic cell death through upregulation of downstream antioxidant factors. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that Ba@Zn-MSN@CH accelerated infected wound healing by inhibiting ferroptosis through activation of the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway, highlighting the potential of baicalein-based nanotherapeutics as a promising strategy for infected wound management.
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高影响因子
Food Bioscience
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2026
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IF 6.2
Qing Liu,Zengying Sui,Shiyi Li,Miaomiao Wan,Meilan Xue,Xia Qiu,Hui Liang,Lirui Sun
Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown algae ( Saccharina japonica ), and exhibits immunomodulatory properties. Emerging evidence suggests a strong correlation between the development of food allergy and intestinal dysfunction. The present study aimed to investigate the potential anti-food allergy activity of fucoidan and to elucidate its mechanism at the intestinal barrier function. The ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergy mouse model was established, exhibiting increased OVA-specific IgE, histamine, Th2 inflammatory response, and intestinal damage. Oral administration of fucoidan markedly alleviated allergic symptoms by inhibiting mast cell activation and modulating intestinal immune responses. Furthermore, fucoidan significantly ameliorated intestinal immunological dysregulation, maintained barrier integrity, modulated gut microbiota composition, and enhanced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Mechanistically, the protective effects of fucoidan were closely associated with activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/FOXO1 pathway, which correlated with improved intestinal barrier function. Collectively, these results demonstrate that fucoidan may protect against food allergy by enhancing intestinal barrier function, highlighting the potential of natural biological substances in addressing food allergy.
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JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2026
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IF 6.8
Chunlai Wang,Xiao Xu,Haoyun Zhu,Dengyu Wu,Jianing Liang,Xiangxiang Wang,Ruoxi Song,Liangye Shen,Yuhang Hu,Dechang Wang,Haoru Zhu,Xinhui Cheng,Yu Qi
Ethnopharmacological relevance Effective activation of neuronal autophagy and clearance of amyloid-beta (Aβ) represents a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma-Curcumae Radix Herbal pair (ACHP), derived from the traditional Changpu Yujin Decoction, has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine for addressing conditions related to cognitive function. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its role in autophagic dysfunction-related dementia remain unclear. Aim of the study This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of ACHP and the underlying mechanisms in AD. Materials and methods Analysis of prototype constituents in drug-containing serum was performed using UHPLC-Triple-TOF/MS. The neuroprotective effects of ACHP were evaluated in APP/PS1 mice using behavioral tests, including the Y-maze and Morris water maze. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to identify potential neuroprotective pathways activated by ACHP. Neuronal damage and structural recovery were assessed through HE and Nissl staining. In addition, the anti-inflammatory and autophagy-regulating effects of ACHP were further investigated in N2a/APP cells. The molecular mechanisms were further elucidated using Western blot, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and qRT-PCR in both in vivo and in vitro models. Results Twenty-five compounds in ACHP-treated mouse serum were identified. ACHP improved spatial learning and memory performance, increased intracellular Ca 2+ levels and downregulated the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, while significantly promoting autophagy. ACHP increased CaMKKβ protein expression and activated the AMPK signaling pathway (elevated p-AMPK/AMPK ratio), as well as those of autophagy-related proteins, while improving neuronal morphology. Conclusion These findings indicate that ACHP alleviates neuro-inflammatory damage and cognitive impairment potentially through modulation of the Ca 2+ /CaMKKβ–AMPK–mTOR signaling pathway involved in autophagy.
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FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
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2026
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IF 8
Rucui Yu,Yan Zhang,Ruiying Wu,Jingwei Xu
Objective Mitochondrial dysfunction and dysregulated cell death are key drivers of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progression. This study aimed to construct CD44-targeted chitosan (Cs) nanoparticles encapsulating ginsenoside Rg1 (CD44-Cs@Rg1) for targeted delivery, and to evaluate their ability to regulate autophagy, pyroptosis, and mitochondrial function in DKD. Methods CD44-Cs@Rg1 nanoparticles were synthesized using a covalent modification strategy. Their targeting uptake, effects on GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis, autophagic flux, and energy metabolism were systematically evaluated in renal tubular epithelial cells under high-glucose (HG) conditions and in DKD mouse models. Mitochondrial function was assessed by Western blotting, immunostaining, MitoSOX, JC-1, and ATP assays. Transcriptomic profiling and pharmacological interventions were applied to elucidate the involvement of the AMPK/mTOR signaling axis. Results CD44-Cs@Rg1 nanoparticles were efficiently internalized by renal tubular epithelial cells, significantly reducing pyroptosis while restoring autophagic flux through AMPK activation and mTOR inhibition. These effects improved mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation, and enhanced ATP production. In vivo , CD44-Cs@Rg1 treatment markedly ameliorated renal dysfunction and histopathological injury in DKD mice. Transcriptomic and protein-level analyses consistently revealed enrichment of pathways related to AMPK signaling, autophagy, and energy metabolism. Conclusion CD44-targeted Cs nanoparticles enable precise delivery of ginsenoside Rg1 to renal tubular cells in DKD, restoring mitochondrial homeostasis and regulating autophagy–pyroptosis balance via the AMPK/mTOR axis. This nanotherapeutic platform demonstrates strong translational potential for DKD treatment.
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高影响因子
MOLECULES
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2023
·Vol. 28
·期 21
·7307
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IF 4.6
Yecheng Lei,Xiao Lei,Anqi Zhu,Shijie Xie,Tiantian Zhang,Chuo Wang,Anning Song,Xiaoming Wang,Guangwen Shu,Xukun Deng
Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury is a common hepatic disease resulting from drug abuse. Few targeted treatments are available clinically nowadays. The flower bud ofRosa rugosahas a wide range of biological activities. However, it is unclear whether it alleviates liver injury caused by APAP. Here, we prepared an ethanol extract ofRosa rugosa(ERS) and analyzed its chemical profile. Furthermore, we revealed that ERS significantly ameliorated APAP-induced apoptosis and ferroptosis in AML-12 hepatocytes and dampened APAP-mediated cytotoxicity. In AML-12 cells, ERS elevated Sirt1 expression, boosted the LKB1/AMPK/Nrf2 axis, and thereby crippled APAP-induced intracellular oxidative stress. Both EX527 and NAM, which are chemically unrelated inhibitors of Sirt1, blocked ERS-induced activation of LKB1/AMPK/Nrf2 signaling. The protection of ERS against APAP-triggered toxicity in AML-12 cells was subsequently abolished. As expression of LKB1 was knocked down, ERS still upregulated Sirt1 but failed to activate AMPK/Nrf2 cascade or suppress cytotoxicity provoked by APAP. Results of in vivo experiments showed that ERS attenuated APAP-caused hepatocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis and improved liver injury and inflammation. Consistently, ERS boosted Sirt1 expression, increased phosphorylations of LKB1 and AMPK, and promoted Nrf2 nuclear translocation in the livers of APAP-intoxicated mice. Hepatic transcriptions of HO-1 and GCLC, which are downstream antioxidant genes of Nrf2, were also significantly increased in response to ERS. Our results collectively indicated that ERS effectively attenuates APAP-induced liver injury by activating LKB1/AMPK/Nrf2 cascade. Upregulated expression of Sirt1 plays a crucial role in ERS-mediated activation of LKB1.Keywords:extract ofRosa rugosa;acetaminophen;liver injury;Sirt1;Nrf2
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Journal of Diabetes
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2023
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IF 4.5
Guangwei Yang,Zitian Liu,Shuohui Dong,Xiang Zhao,Zheng Ge,Zhiqiang Cheng,Xiang Zhang,Kexin Wang
Background Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a serious complication of obesity with type 2 diabetes and is a major cause of mortality. Metabolic surgery, such as duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB), can effectively improve diabetic cardiomyopathy; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Oxidative stress is one of the pivotal mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Our objective was to investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of DJB on oxidative stress in the heart of diabetic cardiomyopathy rats. Methods High-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin was used to establish diabetic cardiomyopathy rats. DJB was performed on diabetic cardiomyopathy rats, and high glucose and palmitate were used to simulate diabetic cardiomyopathy in H9C2 cells in vitro. Sera from different groups of rats were used for experiments in vivo and in vitro. Results DJB effectively improved oxidative stress and activated the adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway to increase endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation level and the expression of antioxidative system-related proteins and genes in the heart of diabetic cardiomyopathy rats. AMPK agonists and serum from DJB rats activated the AMPK pathway to increase eNOS phosphorylation level and the expression of antioxidative system-related proteins and genes and decreased the content of reactive oxygen species in H9C2 cells, but this improvement was almost eliminated by the addition of AMPK inhibitors. Conclusions DJB activates eNOS and enhances the antioxidant system by activating the AMPK pathway—and not solely by improving blood glucose—to improve oxidative stress in the heart of diabetic cardiomyopathy rats.
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Journal of Functional Foods
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2021
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IF 4.451
Xian Zheng,Xiao-Gai Zhang,Yao Liu,Li-Ping Zhu,Xiao-Shuang Liang,Hui Jiang,Gao-Feng Shi,Yuan-Yuan Zhao,Zhi-Wei Zhao,Yuan Teng,Ke Pan,Jian Zhang,Zhi-Qi Yin
Arjunolic acid (AA), as the most abundant triterpenoid component in Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal) Iljinskaja, previously displayed delipidating effects in free fatty acid (FFA)-induced HepG2 steatosis cells. However, whether AA still possesses the ameliorative effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in normal hepatocytes and in vivo remains vacant and the detailed mechanisms are not defined. In vitro , AA dose-dependently alleviated lipid accumulation in FFA-challenged primary hepatocytes without cytotoxicity. In vivo , AA showed pleiotropic benefits, including attenuating adiposity, mitigating hepatic steatosis and inflammation, improving lipid disorders and insulin resistance, and restoring the impaired gut barrier. Mechanically, we found that AA indirectly activated Sirt1/AMPK-modulated lipid metabolism through elevating NAMPT-mediated NAD + level, and triggering autophagy, together mediating the lipid-lowering effects. Collectively, our results convey that AA can substantially mitigate NAFLD via indirectly activating Sirt1/AMPK signaling, inducing autophagy and restoring gut barrier, and will be considered as a promising candidate for NAFLD therapy.
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Journal of Functional Foods
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2016
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IF 3.973
Yu Zhang,Shiguo Chen,Chaoyang Wei,Jianchu Chen,Xingqian Ye
The increasing rate of hyperlipidemia has drawn great attention and natural products may play a potential role in prevention of these disorders. Chinese bayberry leaves proanthocyanidin (BLPs) with epigallocatechin-3- O -gallate (EGCG) as its terminal and major extension units is unusual in the plant kingdom. Crude, purified and ultrasound depolymerized BLPs (CBLPs, SPBLPs and UDBLPs) were prepared with the aim to investigate their hypolipidemic mechanisms. BLPs inhibited the lipase activity in vitro and reduced the accumulation of total triacylglycerols (TAG) and cholesterol induced by oleic acid in HepG2 cells. SPBLPs and UDBLPS significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and thus reduced TAG and sterols biosynthesis by inhibiting its downstream proteins, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein. BLPs also promoted glucose consumption in oleic acid induced HepG2 cells. Overall, this study suggests the hypolipidemic property and promotion of glucose consumption of BLPs via AMPK pathway.
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Food Bioscience
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2025
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IF 5.9
Lijiao Zhao,Heyun Zhu,Haoye Li,Shuaihao Guo,Jingchun Wang,Zhaoxin Tang,Jianzhao Liao,Jianying Guo
Nano-copper (nanoCu), a nanoscale form of copper (Cu), has been widely applied in the animal husbandry industry. However, it is of great concern that the Cu exposure to humans and animals can cause toxic damage to multiple organs. Hesperidin (Hes), a flavonoid found in citrus fruits, has shown mitigating effects on various organ damages. In our study, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of nanoCu exposure on the kidneys of chickens and the therapeutic efficacy of Hes in nanoCu-induced renal injury. Our results indicated that Hes could alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) caused by nanoCu exposure. Intriguingly, nanoCu significantly disrupted endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, which manifested as increased levels of key proteins such as GRP78, PERK, and CHOP, as well as elevated H 2 O 2 levels. But Hes treatment exhibited an opposite trend. Furthermore, nanoCu significantly induced autophagy in renal cells, which was accompanied by the activation of the AMPK-AKT/mTOR pathway and a concurrent increase in the protein levels of ATG5, Beclin 1, LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ, and ULK1, along with a decrease in the level of p62. However, it can be reversed by Hes treatment. These findings suggest that Hes could mitigate ER homeostasis disruption and autophagy caused by nanoCu exposure, providing new insights into the pharmacological treatment of Hes in related health issues.
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MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
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2024
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IF 4.5
Dai Zhao,Yuan Gao,Yiqin Chen,Yingsi Zhang,Yian Deng,Sai Niu,Hanchuan Dai
Scope Oxidative stress caused by iron overload tends to result in intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction and intestinal microbiota imbalance. As a neutral and nonprotein amino acid, L-Citrulline (L-cit) has been implicated in antioxidant and mitochondrial amelioration properties. This study investigates whether L-cit can alleviate iron overload-induced intestinal injury and explores the underlying mechanisms. Methods and results C57BL/6J mice are intraperitoneally injected with iron dextran, then gavaged with different dose of L-cit for 2 weeks. L-cit treatment significantly alleviates intestine pathological injury, oxidative stress, ATP level, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activities, accompanied by ameliorating mitochondrial quality control. L-cit-mediated protection is associated with the upregulation of Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression, inhibition Nuclear Receptor Coactivator 4 (NCOA4)-mediated ferritinophagy and ferroptosis, and improvement of gut microbiota. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms, Intestinal Porcine Epithelial Cell line-J2 (IPEC-J2) cells are treated with L-cit or AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) inhibitor. AMPK signaling has been activated by L-cit. Notably, Compound C abolishes L-cit's protection on intestinal barrier, mitochondrial function, and antioxidative capacity in IPEC-J2 cells. Conclusion L-cit may restrain ferritinophagy and ferroptosis to regulate iron metabolism, and induce AMPK pathway activation, which contributes to exert antioxidation, ameliorate iron metabolism and mitochondrial quality control, and improve intestinal microbiota. L-cit is a promising therapeutic strategy for iron overload-induced intestinal injury.
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JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2026
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IF 6.8
Yi Feng,Xiaoyu Liu,Xinyi Zhang,Yongzhi Sun,Kexin Ren,Xuemei Qian,Wenjing Sun,Ji Li,Bo Yu
This is the first report of geraniin alleviating visceral adipose tissue expansion. • Geraniin promotes lipid metabolic remodeling in visceral adipose tissue. • This is the first in vivo study of geraniin activating cAMP-LKB1-AMPK signaling. • β-adrenergic receptors contributes to geraniin-induced lipid metabolic remodeling. • This study provides a new insight on the anti-obesity potential of natural tannin. Ethnopharmacological relevance Geranium ( Geranium wilfordii Maxim.) has traditionally been used as a folk medicine in East Asia and Europe. Geraniin, the major bioactive constituent of geranium, has been reported to ameliorate dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, but its effects against adipose metabolic dysfunction remain unclear. Aim of the study To investigate the protective effects of geraniin against pathological visceral adipose tissue (VAT) expansion in high-fat diet-fed (HFD-fed) mice and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods Adipose tissue content was detected using micro-CT. Adipocyte morphology and macrophage infiltration in VAT were evaluated by HE staining and immunohistochemistry. Target gene and protein expression were analyzed by qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. Circulating free fatty acid (FFA) profiles were quantified using GC-MS. Results Geraniin markedly attenuated body weight gain and pathological VAT expansion in HFD-fed mice without affecting food intake. Geraniin reduced adipocyte hypertrophy and inflammatory responses in VAT. Mechanistically, geraniin suppressed the SREBP-1/FAS-associated lipogenic program while enhancing PGC-1α/ATGL-associated lipolytic program. These metabolic changes were accompanied by increased cAMP level and enhanced LKB1 and AMPK phosphorylation. Importantly, propranolol reversed geraniin-induced cAMP accumulation and LKB1-AMPK activation, as well as lipid metabolic remodeling in VAT. Consistent findings were observed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, geraniin partially normalized circulating FFA profiles, particularly by reducing palmitic acid levels. Conclusion Geraniin alleviated pathological VAT expansion in HFD-fed mice through lipid metabolic remodeling. Our findings suggest that β-adrenergic receptor (ADRB)-associated signaling and downstream cAMP-LKB1-AMPK activation may contribute to the protective effects of geraniin, supporting its therapeutic potential for abdominal obesity and related metabolic disorders. Download: Download high-res image (280KB) Download: Download full-size image
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Journal of Functional Foods
·
2026
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IF 3.9
Yifan Zheng,Kunying Ding,Haojie Jin,Zhaorong Wang,Liujie Zheng,Zhengwei Fu,Yinhua Ni
Cellular senescence is a core hallmark of aging and a major risk factor for most chronic diseases. Natural products targeting senescent cells have garnered increasing attention for anti-senescence potential in aging-related disease intervention. Previous studies revealed that hydrolyzed chicken extract (HCE) exerts neuroprotective effects, but its role in senescent cell clearance and underlying mechanisms remains unclear. Here, we investigated the anti-senescent effects and mechanisms of HCE in D-galactose-induced senescent HT-22 hippocampal neurons, compared with the traditional essence of chicken (EC). HCE significantly enhanced cellular antioxidant capacity, reduced SA-β-gal positivity, restored cell cycle progression, inhibited senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) secretion, and promoted autophagic flux, with a slightly stronger efficacy than EC. We further identified cyclo (Val-Pro), cyclo (His-Pro), and cyclo(Gly-Pro) as bioactive components, with cyclo(His-Pro) showing the strongest potency. Mechanistically, HCE and these cyclopeptides exerted effects via SIRT1/AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy, which was fully abolished by SIRT1 knockdown or targeted pathway inhibition.
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