Publications by authors named "Congyong Sun"

Combination therapy integrating chemotherapeutic agents with natural bioactive ingredients represents an attractive strategy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treatment, yet achieving tumor-specific co-delivery remains a critical challenge. Herein, we report that the combination of luteolin (LUT) and paclitaxel (PTX) exerts a remarkable synergy in ESCC treatment, while concurrently alleviating PTX-induced hepatotoxicity; EA2 aptamer has been identified for its exceptional specificity and strong affinity toward Catenin Alpha 1 protein (CTNNA1) in ESCC cells. Leveraging this specificity, nanosized EA2-modified pH-sensitive liposomes (EA2-PSL-PTX/LUT) are successfully developed with effective co-loading, controlled release, and good biostability.

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Overexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in activated astrocytes following spinal cord injury is closely associated with glial scar formation, which harms axonal regrowth. In this study, we prepared ultrasmall cationic carbon quantum dots (CQDs) via one-step hydrothermal carbonization. Lycium barbarum oligosaccharides were used as the carbon source for the first time, and polyetherimide (PEI) and ethylenediamine (ED) were used as cationic reagents.

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Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent gastrointestinal cancer characterized by high mortality and an unfavorable prognosis. While combination therapies involving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are advancing, targeted therapy for ESCC remains underdeveloped. As a result, the overall five-year survival rate for ESCC is still below 20%.

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Background: Bufalin (BFL, an active anti-tumor compound derived from ) is limited in its application due to high toxicity and rapid metabolism of the cardiotonic steroid. Ester prodrug self-assembly nanoparticles have shown significant improved effects in addressing the above-mentioned issues.

Methods: An ester bond was formed between linoleic acid and bufalin to synthesize linoleic acid-bufalin prodrug (LeB).

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Objective: Magnolol (MG) and (L.) Merr. oil (BJO) possess synergetic anti-tumor effects, but have poor water solubility and stability, which results in low oral bioavailability.

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Background: Thrombospondin Type 1 Domain Containing Protein 1 (THSD1) has been suggested to be a new regulator of endothelial barrier function in the angiogenesis process, preserving vascular integrity. We sought to characterize the association of genetic variants and mRNA expression with the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) with population-based evidence.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 843 HS cases and 1,400 healthy controls.

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Periplocymarin (PPM), a cardiac glycoside isolated from , has a strong anti-tumor effect against various cancer cells. However, cardiotoxicity and rapid metabolism hinder its clinical applications. In this study, small molecule prodrug was integrated into PEGylated liposome to improve the efficiency of periplocymarin .

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Moringa seed extract containing 1-O-(4-hydroxy-methylphenyl)-α-l-rhamno-pyranoside (GR) has been reported to ameliorate CCl4 induced hyperlipidemia in the liver. However, it is unclear whether GR has any therapeutic effect on NAFLD. This study aimed to determine the hypolipidemic and concomitant hepatoprotective potential of GR.

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It is critical to obtain an anti-inflammatory microenvironment when curing spinal cord injury (SCI). On the basis of this, we prepared oligosaccharide (LBO)-nasal mucosa-derived mesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs) fibronectin hydrogel for SCI restoration inflammatory license effect and M2 polarization of microglias. LBO exhibited remarkable M2 polarization potential for microglia.

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This study aimed to develop a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to enhance the solubility, oral bioavailability, and hypolipidemic effects of syringic acid (SA), a bioactive and poorly-soluble polyphenol. Based on the response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD), an optimum formulation of SA-SMEDDS, consisting of ethyl oleate (oil, 12.30%), Cremophor-EL (surfactant, 66.

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Ectomesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs) are typical adult stem cells obtained from the cranial neural crest. They have the potential to differentiate into various cell types, such as osseous cells, neurons and glial cells. Three-dimensional (3 D) printing is a novel method to construct biological structures by rapid prototyping.

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Curcumin (CUR), a nontoxic natural compound with potent antitumor activity, was limited in clinical application due to its insolubility and exceedingly low bioavailability. In this study, a novel prodrug-nanoparticle (CSSV/TPGS-NPs) self-assembled by co-nanoprecipitation of CUR-s-s-vitamin E conjugate and d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (vitamin E TPGS) was prepared in attempt to solve aforementioned obstacles. CSSV/TPGS-NPs showed smaller sizes and better stability compared with that of CUR-s-s-vitamin E conjugate prodrug-nanoparticles (CSSV-NPs).

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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the prevalent and typical chronic liver diseases. In this study, we extracted a novel polysaccharide (ASP) with low molecular weight (MW) of 3.2 kDa through optimized "one-step" purification process.

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Syringic acid (SA), a natural polyphenol found in fruits and vegetables, is claimed to show notable hepatoprotection. Nevertheless, low solubility and bioavailability hamper the application of SA. This study aimed to investigate the potential of TPGS/F127/F68 mixed polymeric micelles as a sustained and liver-targeting nanocarrier for SA.

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Cardiac glycosides (CGs) have been used to treat cancer for hundreds of years. However, the narrow therapeutic window and system toxicity have hindered their wide clinical applications. Herein, the small molecule prodrug strategy and nanotechnology were integrated into one drug delivery system with enhanced therapeutic effect.

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Gastrodigenin rhamnopyranoside (GR) is a hepatoprotective compound that exists in Moringa oleifera seeds. However, the UPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of GR (in-vitro/in-vivo) is lacking clarification. Herein, this study established the UPLC-MS/MS technique, which was effective and sensitive for the investigation of the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of GR in rats and mice.

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1-O-(4-hydroxymethylphenyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (MPG) is a phenolic glycoside that exists in Moringa oleifera seeds with various health benefits, whereas its hepatoprotective effect is lacking clarification. Herein, MPG was isolated from Moringa oleifera seeds, and its hepatoprotection against CCl-induced hepatotoxicity in L02 cells and ICR mice was investigated. Toxicity studies showed that MPG did not induce significant changes in organ coefficients and histological analysis, as well as exhibited no cytotoxicity.

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The prevalence of hyperuricemia is relatively high worldwide, and a great number of patients are suffering from its complications. 6-shogaol, an alkylphenol compound purified from the root of ginger ( Roscoe), has been proved to possess diverse pharmacological activities. However, its poor aqueous solubility usually leads to low bioavailability, and further clinical applications will be greatly discounted.

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:6-shogaol is a promising anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent. However, the treatment effectiveness of 6-shogaol is limited by poor water solubility, poor oral absorption and rapid metabolism. Herein, 6-shogaol loaded in micelles (SMs) were designed to improve 6-shogaol's solubility and bioavailability.

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In this study, syringic acid-loaded TPGS liposome (SA-TPGS-Ls) was successfully prepared to improve oral bioavailability of syringic acid (SA). SA is a natural and notable antioxidant activity compound with its limited bioavailability ascribable to its poor aqueous solubility and fast elimination. Recently, TPGS has become a perfect molecular biomaterial in developing several carrier systems with sustained, controlled, and targeted the drug delivery.

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The anti-tumor efficacy of curcumin can be markedly improved by nano-drug self-delivery systems with high drug loading capacity and smart stimulus-triggered drug release in tumor cells. Herein, a type of novel, glutathione (GSH)-responsive, PEGylated prodrug nano-micelles (PPNMs) was prepared by self-assembly of curcumin-s-s-vitamin E/mPEG2k-DSPE mixture. The PPNMs (entrapment efficiency: 96.

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In this present study, we investigated the anti-hyperuricemic and anti-gouty arthritis effect of a puried water-soluble polysaccharide (LJP-1) obtained from Lonicera japonica. A series of characterization of the purified polysaccharide were carried out in this paper. Monosaccharide analysis showed that LJP-1 composed of glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, arabinose, and xylose at the ratio of 2.

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In this study, an optimized nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were developed and investigated for improving the solubility and oral availability of 6-Gingerol (6G), an active and abundant component of ginger with limited applications due to its poor water solubility plus oral biological availability. The NLCs consisted of a solid lipid (glyceryl monostearate), another liquid lipid (decanoyl/octanoyl-glycerides) and mixed surfactants (Tween 80 and Poloxamer 188), and was prepared by high pressure homogenization method. The optimal 6G-NLC formulation was evaluated through physical properties such as appearance, mean particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release, alongside techniques viz.

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In this study, two polysaccharide fractions (RRP1: Mw = 5.5 kDa, and RRP2: Mw = 425.7 kDa) were isolated from Rhodiola rosea to investigate their antioxidation and hepatoprotective effects.

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