Butyrate-producing commensal bacteria mediates the efficacy of herbal medicine JCM-16021 on abdominal pain in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) presents significant treatment challenges due to limited therapeutic options that effectively target the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. In this study, we performed a multi-center, double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine JCM-16021 on IBS-D with a focus on its effects on gut microbiota.

Results: Our study assessed the clinical efficacy and safety of JCM-16021 in alleviating abdominal pain in IBS-D patients.

Multi-kingdom microbiota analysis reveals bacteria-viral interplay in IBS with depression and anxiety.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder frequently accompanied by psychological symptoms. Bacterial microbiota plays a critical role in mediating local and systemic immunity, and alterations in these microbial communities have been linked to IBS. Emerging data indicate that other intestinal organisms, including bacteriophages, are closely interlinked with the bacterial microbiota and their host, yet their collective role remains to be elucidated.

Macrophage-Mediated Transport of Insoluble Indirubin Induces Hepatic Injury During Intestinal Inflammation.

Many plant-derived bioactive molecules with low solubility and permeability can cause hepatocyte injury. However, the mechanism by which they induce hepatic damage without passive diffusion into the hepatic circulatory system remains unclear. This study demonstrate that indirubin, the main component of indigo naturalis with poor aqueous solubility, predisposes mice with chronic colitis to hepatic injury.

Gut microbe-derived aromatic trace amines mediate individual variability in response to herbal medicine CDD-2101 for functional constipation.

Functional constipation (FC), a common gastrointestinal disorder, poses significant therapeutic challenges due to the limited efficacy and durability of current therapies. A novel strategy for addressing FC involves the targeting of gut dysbiosis. Our previous study demonstrated that the botanical drug CDD-2101 alleviated bowel movement disorders in FC patients.

Phenolics from Chaenomeles speciosa leaves: Ionic liquid-based ultrasound-assisted extraction, adsorptive purification, UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS quantification, and bioactivity assessment.

This study aimed to enhance the valorization of Chaenomeles speciosa leaves as a sustainable source of bioactive phenolics. An innovative ionic liquid-based ultrasound-assisted extraction (IL-UAE) method was developed for extracting phenolic compounds. Among 10 structurally diverse ILs, [BMIM]Br demonstrated superior extraction performance.

Green valorization of Chaenomelis Fructus agro-industrial by-products as a source of phenolics: Ultrasound-assisted extraction, adsorptive enrichment and quality control.

This study aimed to develop a green and efficient strategy for the recovery of bioactive phenolics from agro-industrial by-products (AIBPs) derived from Chaenomelis Fructus (CF). The peel of Chaenomelis Fructus (CFP) has a higher phenolic content compared to its leaves and seeds. The ultrasound-assisted extraction process for CFP total phenolics (CFPTP) was optimized using response surface methodology, achieving a yield of 216.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of triterpenoids from Chaenomeles speciosa leaves: Process optimization, adsorptive enrichment, chemical profiling, and protection against ulcerative colitis.

For the valorization of Chaenomeles speciosa leaves, this study focused on extraction, enrichment, chemical profiling, and investigation of the biological activity of its abundant triterpenoid components. Initially, the total triterpenoids in C. speciosa leaves were extracted by ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) method, with the extraction process optimized through response surface methodology (RSM).

Modified Zhenwu Decoction improved intestinal barrier function of experimental colitis through activation of sGC-mediated cGMP/PKG signaling.

Background: The invasion of luminal antigens and an aberrant immune response resulting from a disrupted physical epithelial barrier are the key characteristics of ulcerative colitis (UC). The restoration of damaged epithelial function is crucial for maintaining mucosal homeostasis and disease quiescence. Current therapies for UC primarily focus on suppressing inflammation.

Integrated metabolomics and serum-feces pharmacochemistry-based network pharmacology to reveal the mechanisms of an herbal prescription against ulcerative colitis.

Background: CDD-2103 is an herbal prescription used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to uncover its mechanism by integrating metabolomics and serum-feces pharmacochemistry-based network pharmacology.

Methods: A DSS-induced chronic colitis mice model was used to evaluate the anti-colitis effect of CDD-2103.

Modified Zhenwu Decoction suppresses chronic colitis via targeting macrophage CCR2/Fyn/p38 MAPK signaling axis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with intestinal macrophage infiltration due to disruption of the mucosal barrier and bacterial invasion. Therefore, it is crucial to identify therapeutic agents capable of attenuating the macrophage-induced inflammatory response to preserve mucosal homeostasis and immune tolerance. The modified Zhenwu decoction (CDD-2103) is a novel herbal formulation developed based on the principles of Traditional Chinese medicine.

Tolerogenic dendritic cell-mediated regulatory T cell differentiation by Chinese herbal formulation attenuates colitis progression.

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by loss of immune tolerance to luminal antigens and progressive intestinal tissue injury. Thus, the re-establishment of immune tolerance is crucial for suppressing aberrant immune responses and UC progression.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the action of CDD-2103 and its bioactive compounds in mediating immune regulation in mouse models of colitis.

Production and characterization of single-chain variable fragment antibodies targeting the breast cancer tumor marker nectin-4.

Background: Nectin-4 is a novel biomarker overexpressed in various types of cancer, including breast cancer, in which it has been associated with poor prognosis. Current literature suggests that nectin-4 has a role in cancer progression and may have prognostic and therapeutic implications. The present study aims to produce nectin-4-specific single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies and evaluate their applications in breast cancer cell lines and clinical specimens.

Gut microbiota-derived tryptamine and phenethylamine impair insulin sensitivity in metabolic syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome.

The incidence of metabolic syndrome is significantly higher in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. Gut microbiota is causatively linked with the development of both metabolic dysfunctions and gastrointestinal disorders, thus gut dysbiosis in IBS may contribute to the development of metabolic syndrome. Here, we show that human gut bacterium Ruminococcus gnavus-derived tryptamine and phenethylamine play a pathogenic role in gut dysbiosis-induced insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and IBS.

Altered gut microbiota-host bile acid metabolism in IBS-D patients with liver depression and spleen deficiency pattern.

Background: Dysregulation of gut microbiota-host bile acid (BA) co-metabolism is a critical pathogenic factor of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), instructed by pattern differentiation, is effective in treating IBS-D, in which liver depression and spleen deficiency (LDSD) is the most prevalent pattern. Still, it is unclear the linkage between the LDSD pattern and the BA metabolic phenotype.

Alkaloid from diels root against gastrointestinal cancer: Acetoxytabernosine inhibits apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Liver cancer belongs to Gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies which is a common clinical disease, a thorny public health problem, and one of the major diseases that endanger human health. Molecules from natural products (NPs) or their derivatives play an increasingly important role in various chronic diseases such as GI cancers. The chemical composition of the roots was studied using silica column chromatography, gel chromatography, recrystallization, and HPLC, and the compounds were structurally identified by modern spectral analysis using mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (H-, C-, HMQC-, HMBC-, and H-HCOSY-NMR), ultraviolet and visible spectrum (UV), and electronic Circular Dichroism (ECD).

Aqueous cinnamon extract ameliorates bowel dysfunction and enteric 5-HT synthesis in IBS rats.

Cinnamon protects against irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in humans, but its efficacy and underlying mechanism of action remain poorly understood. Maternally separated (MS) IBS-D rat model and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced post-inflammatory IBS-D rat model are characterized by visceral hyperalgesia and diarrhea. This study used the two models to evaluate the effect of cinnamon extract (CE) on bowel symptoms.

Mechanisms for Bile Acids CDCA- and DCA-Stimulated Hepatic Spexin Expression.

Spexin (SPX) is a novel peptide involved in glucose and lipid metabolism and suppresses hepatic total bile acid levels by inhibiting hepatic cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase 1 expression. As important mediators for glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism, the effects of bile acids on SPX expression is yet to be understood. By using SMMC7721 and BEL-7402 cell lines, we screened the effects of bile acids and found that chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and deoxycholic acid (DCA) can stimulate SPX gene transcription.

Therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Zhen-Wu-Bu-Qi Decoction on dextran sulfate sodium-induced chronic colitis in mice assessed by multi-omics approaches.

Background: Zhen-Wu-Bu-Qi Decoction (ZWBQD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula comprising Poria, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens, Radix Codonopsis and Rhizoma Coptidis, is used for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). In a previous study, we have reported ZWBQD mitigates the severity of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.

Hypothesis: In this study, we aimed to understand the systemic actions and underlying mechanisms of ZWBQD on experimental colitis in mice.

Translation initiation landscape profiling reveals hidden open-reading frames required for the pathogenesis of tomato yellow leaf curl Thailand virus.

Plant viruses with densely packed genomes employ noncanonical translational strategies to increase the coding capacity for viral function. However, the diverse translational strategies used make it challenging to define the full set of viral genes. Here, using tomato yellow leaf curl Thailand virus (TYLCTHV, genus Begomovirus) as a model system, we identified genes beyond the annotated gene sets by experimentally profiling in vivo translation initiation sites (TISs).

A Novel Model for Landslide Displacement Prediction Based on EDR Selection and Multi-Swarm Intelligence Optimization Algorithm.

With the widespread application of machine learning methods, the continuous improvement of forecast accuracy has become an important task, which is especially crucial for landslide displacement predictions. This study aimed to propose a novel prediction model to improve accuracy in landslide prediction, based on the combination of multiple new algorithms. The proposed new method includes three parts: data preparation, multi-swarm intelligence (MSI) optimization, and displacement prediction.

Altered metabolome and microbiome features provide clues in understanding irritable bowel syndrome and depression comorbidity.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the functional gastrointestinal disorders characterized by chronic and/or recurrent symptoms of abdominal pain and irregular defecation. Changed gut microbiota has been proposed to mediate IBS; however, contradictory results exist, and IBS-specific microbiota, metabolites, and their interactions remain poorly understood. To address this issue, we performed metabolomic and metagenomic profiling of stool and serum samples based on discovery (n = 330) and validation (n = 101) cohorts.

Bradykinin-Potentiating Peptide-Paclitaxel Conjugate Directed at Ectopically Expressed Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. Here, we present a peptide-drug conjugate (PDC)─bradykinin-potentiating peptide-paclitaxel (BPP-PTX) conjugate─synthesized by conjugating BPP9a with PTX via a succinyl linker. BPP-PTX targets the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) on TNBC cells.

Initial and Continuous Effects of Essential Oil Therapy in Relieving Knee Pain Among Older Adults With Osteoarthritis.

Background: For older adults, osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic disease that may cause pain, stiffness, and even disability of the affected knee joints. Aromatherapy might presumed to be an alternative and supplemental therapy.

Primary Study Objective: To investigate the effects of aromatherapy on relieving knee pain and improving physical functions among older adults with OA.