Enhancing Si Hyperpolarization Efficiency in Silica Nanoparticles Multishell Design with Selective Si-Isotope and Radical Enrichment.

Silica nanoparticles (SiO NPs) are garnering significant attention in medical imaging as promising probes for hyperpolarized Si magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is crucial for amplifying Si MR signals by transferring polarization from electron spins to nuclei under microwave irradiation. However, the hyperpolarization of SiO NPs is limited by the absence of intrinsic electronic defects.

Tailored synthesis of pH-responsive biodegradable microcapsules incorporating gelatin, alginate, and hyaluronic acid for effective-controlled release.

In response to escalating environmental concerns and the urgent need for sustainable drug delivery systems, this study introduces biodegradable pH-responsive microcapsules synthesized from a blend of gelatin, alginate, and hyaluronic acid. Employing the coacervation process, capsules were created with a spherical shape, multicore structure, and small sizes ranging from 10 to 20 μm, which exhibit outstanding vitamin E encapsulation efficiency. With substantial incorporation of hyaluronic acid, a pH-responsive component, the resulting microcapsules displayed noteworthy swelling behavior, facilitating proficient core ingredient release at pH 5.

In vitro and in vivo neuroprotective effect of novel mPGES-1 inhibitor in animal model of Parkinson's disease.

mPGES-1 is found to be up-regulated in the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of postmortem brain tissue from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD mice. Since the genetic deletion of mPGES-1 abolished 6-OHDA-induced PGE production and 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration in vitro and in vivo models, mPGES-1 enzyme has the potential to be an important target for PD therapy. In the present work, we investigated whether a small organic molecule as mPGES-1 inhibitor could exhibit the neuroprotective effects against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in in vitro and in vivo models.

Antioxidant Activities and Mechanisms of Tomentosin in Human Keratinocytes.

Tomentosin, one of natural sesquiterpene lactones sourced from L., exerts therapeutic effects in various cell types. Here, we investigated the antioxidant activities and the underlying action mechanisms of tomentosin in HaCaT cells (a human keratinocyte cell line).

Inducible Prostaglandin E Synthase as a Pharmacological Target for Ischemic Stroke.

As the inducible terminal enzyme for prostaglandin E2 (PGE) synthesis, microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1) contributes to neuroinflammation and secondary brain injury after cerebral ischemia via producing excessive PGE. However, a proof of concept that mPGES-1 is a therapeutic target for ischemic stroke has not been established by a pharmacological strategy mainly due to the lack of drug-like mPGES-1 inhibitors that can be used in relevant rodent models. To this end, we recently developed a series of novel small-molecule compounds that can inhibit both human and rodent mPGES-1.

Olfactory Receptor OR7A17 Expression Correlates with All- Retinoic Acid (ATRA)-Induced Suppression of Proliferation in Human Keratinocyte Cells.

Olfactory receptors (ORs), which belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor family, have been widely studied as ectopically expressed receptors in various human tissues, including the skin. However, the physiological functions of only a few OR types have been elucidated in skin cells. All- retinoic acid (ATRA) is a well-known medication for various skin diseases.

Protective Effects of Maclurin against Benzo[a]pyrene via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Targeting.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formed during the incomplete combustion of organic matter, has harmful effects. Therefore, much research is ongoing to develop agents that can mitigate the effects of B[a]P. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of maclurin, one component of the branches of L.

Blue Light Irradiation Induces Human Keratinocyte Cell Damage via Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) Regulation.

Although blue light has been reported to affect skin cells negatively, little is known about its action mechanisms in skin cells. Therefore, we investigated the role of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in blue light-induced effects on human keratinocytes and its underlying mechanisms. Blue light decreased cell proliferation and upregulated TRPV1 expression.

Mechanisms of Resorcinol Antagonism of Benzo[a]pyrene-Induced Damage to Human Keratinocytes.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and ubiquitous environmental toxin with known harmful effects to human health. Abnormal phenotypes of keratinocytes are closely associated with their exposure to B[a]P. Resorcinol is a component of argan oil with reported anticancer activities, but its mechanism of action and potential effect on B[a]P damage to the skin is unknown.