Journal of Food and Drug Analysis最新文献

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one dominating reason for death in diabetic patients, and its incidence is high. It has been reported that Yiqi Yangyin Tongluo prescription (YYTP) can relieve inflammation, and it owns better clinical effects in the treatment of DN. However, the molecular mechanisms of YYTP in the treatment of DN still keep unclear, and deeply investigations are needed. In this study, it firstly was manifested that YYTP can repress the lncRNA VIM-antisense 1 (VIM-AS1) expression in high glucose (HG)-evoked HK-2 cells. Overexpression of VIM-AS1 roll-backed the inhibitive impacts of YYTP on cell apoptosis in HG-triggered HK-2 cells. Additionally, it was uncovered that the attenuated autophagy of LC3B in HG-triggered HK-2 cells was counteracted after 20% YYTP treatment, but this phenomenon was further attenuated after VIM-AS1 amplification. Besides, VIM-AS1 can pull down FOXK2 protein, and overexpression of VIM-AS1 counteracted the suppressive effects of YYTP on forkhead box K2 (FOXK2)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in HG-mediated HK-2 cells. In conclusion, it was firstly disclosed that YYTP targeted lncRNA VIM-AS1 to regulate FOXK2/mTOR to promote autophagy and inhibit cell apoptosis in DN progression. This discovery hinted that YYTP may be one valid drug for DN therapy.

Aspergillosis stands as a primary opportunistic fungal infection which mainly results from Aspergillus fumigatus events that have gained more importance because of its multiple infection patterns and developing antifungal resistance. Healthcare providers identify two main ends of the aspergillosis spectrum which include allergic responses and invasive systemic infections that affect mainly immunocompromised subjects. This review presents a detailed summary for understanding the epidemiology of aspergillosis along with its risk factors as well as pathogenesis and host immune response and diagnostic difficulties. The analysis puts significant weight on increasing azole and echinocandin resistance that has become worse because of agricultural and environmental azole exposure and the development of multidrug-resistant strains. The mechanisms of action and restrictions together with resistance profiles differentiate different antifungal treatments like azoles and echinocandins in addition to polyenes from each other. The potential therapeutic benefits of using combination therapy with drug delivery targeting systems and developing new antifungal agents including rezafungin and ibrexafungerp are assessed. The review emphasizes relevant interactions between drugs when used together with food elements which affect antifungal safety and effectiveness specifically in patients with complex healthcare needs. The review analyzes newly developed diagnostic methods including PCR-based tests and biomarkers for their capability of improving fast and precise detection. The review presents immunomodulatory therapies as well as host-directed strategies which represent a set of emerging approaches. The clinical presentation of aspergillosis varies widely which case studies help doctors to understand better. Comprehensive management of aspergillosis necessitates cooperative medical care and precise medicinal interventions alongside continuous diagnostics improvements to achieve solutions for the worldwide health issue.

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is precancerosis with limited treatment options. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of velvet antler (VA), a traditional natural medicine, on CAG, with a focus on ferroptosis. In vivo experiments demonstrated the efficacy of VA in alleviating CAG, and network pharmacology analysis revealed its involvement in related terms, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell proliferation. Analyses further confirmed the modulation of ferroptosis by VA, particularly via the Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway. In vitro assays supported these findings, demonstrating the ability of VA to reduce methylnitronitrosoguanidine-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and ferroptosis in GES-1. This study provides a basis for exploring VA as a potential treatment for CAG, and offers new therapeutic strategies targeting ferroptosis.

The Ping-Chong-Jiang-Ni Formula (PCJNF), a compound of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has demonstrated remarkable clinical effectiveness and is widely utilized in the treatment of endometriosis (EMs). Previous studies have shown that PCJNF inhibits the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESCs) by modulating the JNK signaling pathway. In our most recent study, published in January 2024, we found that PCJNF effectively alleviates EMs-associated pain by reducing inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Furthermore, PCJNF down-regulates the expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), phosphorylated TRPV1 (p-TRPV1), and protein kinase C (PKC). To further investigate the therapeutic potential of PCJNF, we conducted a comprehensive tandem mass tag (TMT) proteomics analysis, identifying 4984 proteins co-expressed in human EESCs treated with PCJNF and control serum. Based on these findings, this study explored the inhibitory effects of PCJNF on the migration and invasion of EMs cells in vitro. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of 12 genes revealed a significant upregulation of FER and TRIP13 in ectopic lesions, which was further validated by immunohistochemistry. Given the crucial role of TRIP13 in EMs, we employed small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knock down its expression, observing a marked reduction in the migration and invasion abilities of EMs cells. Conversely, overexpression of TRIP13 using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) enhanced these processes. Additionally, after PCJNF treatment, we observed significant alterations in the expression of migration-and invasion-related proteins, such as vimentin and E-cadherin. In conclusion, these findings suggest that TRIP13 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for EMs and that PCJNF offers a promising new approach for integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern medical treatments.

Products containing live microorganisms may be classified as food or drugs depending on their intended use; live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) with therapeutic claims are defined as medicinal products containing live bacteria or yeasts intended to prevent or treat disease. Based on their characteristics, LBPs are classified as biological drugs and must be registered as biological drugs before they can enter the Taiwanese market. As research into the microbiota and its role in health and disease continues to advance, LBPs are expected to play an increasingly important role in medicine and biotechnology. With the growing popularity of microbial applications in recent years, there is still a lack of awareness regarding the management and regulation of such products. This article outlines the development, manufacturing, and marketing requirements of LBPs in Taiwan. After searching relevant literature, we summarized the regulations or related guidelines on LBPs from regulatory agencies such as the U.S. FDA, EMA, PMDA, and ICH. And compare the current requirements for LBPs in Taiwan. Key regulatory aspects of LBPs in Taiwan include definitions and classifications, quality and manufacturing requirements, clinical evidence, labeling and packaging information, post-marketing surveillance, etc. Regulations of LBPs in Taiwan align with international standards, but Taiwan authorities must be more inclusive in addressing new challenges facing LBPs innovation. This highlights the importance of continuous regulatory adaptation to foster innovation while ensuring safety and efficacy. Collaboration between regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, and scientific communities will be essential to promoting innovation while maintaining robust regulatory oversight in the LBPs sector. In summary, while LBPs have significant therapeutic potential, addressing the regulatory challenges associated with their development, approval, and post-marketing surveillance is critical to ensure their safety, efficacy, and successful integration into clinical practice.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) disrupts intestinal cells and causes dysbiosis in the gut microbiota. This study explores the potential of Bacillus coagulans-198 (BC198) to mitigate gut microbiota imbalance and mucositis caused by 5-fluorouracil. L-glutamine is used to alleviate mucositis, and this study found that BC198 exhibits protective effects on the gut, including maintaining a healthy microbiota and reducing intestinal inflammation, regardless of whether L-glutamine is used in combination. Therefore, it can help reduce the deterioration of the gut environment caused by 5-fluorouracil. BC198 can be provided to cancer patients to prevent severe side effects, thereby improving their treatment outcomes and nutritional status.

Xanthohumol (XN) is an isoprene chalcone found in hops (Humulus lupulus L.), a food ingredient with a wide range of pharmacological activities. The aim of this study was to reveal the therapeutic effect of XN on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the potential underlying molecular mechanism. Through network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking, and HTRF determination, XN was shown to inhibit the kinase activities of FLT3 and SRPK1 by targeting their ATP-binding domains, with IC₅₀ values of 1.51 ± 0.44 μM and 0.37 ± 0.15 μM, respectively. By inhibiting AML cell proliferation, promoting apoptosis, regulating autophagy, and inhibiting invasion, XN, which targets the unique FLT3/SRPK1 signaling pathway, exerts anti-AML effects. XN also significantly inhibited FLT3 inhibitor-resistant AML cells and exhibited synergistic interactions with gilteritinib. Moreover, XN at 40 mg/kg effectively inhibited the growth of AML subcutaneous tumors with good tolerance. These results suggest that XN could be a promising therapeutic agent for AML treatment. XN effectively targets the FLT3/SRPK1 signaling axis, demonstrating strong anti-AML effects and offering a potent strategy to address AML.

This study investigated the preventive effects of a 40% ethanol extract of Hsian-tsao (40EEHT) on obesity in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Male Wistar rats were administered 0, 100, 200, or 500 mg/kg of 40EEHT, resulting in reduced body weight, total body fat, and hepatic tissue weight after 8 weeks. 40EEHT also decreased adipocyte size, improved lipid profiles, alleviated oxidative stress, and enhanced hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities. Additionally, it regulated fatty acid metabolism by reducing lipogenesis and increasing lipolysis and β-oxidation, suggesting its potential as an anti-obesity dietary supplement.

An M1/M2 macrophage-regulating treatment, ON101 cream, has shown its superior healing efficacy for diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) versus standard absorbent dressing, according to a phase III trial. Given its high cost, corroborating the economic value of ON101 treatment can facilitate clinical and policy decision-makings. This study sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ON101 versus an absorbent dressing for patients with DFUs from Taiwan's healthcare sector perspective. This economic evaluation utilized effectiveness and cost data (in 2022 USD) from a randomized controlled trial of ON101, published literature, and Taiwan's National Health Insurance program. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) against willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold was estimated to determine the cost-effectiveness of treatment. Over a mean follow-up of 12.69 weeks in the full analysis set of patients (n = 236), 6 patients would need to be treated with ON101 versus the absorbent dressing to obtain a case of complete healing, which costed US$21,128 per complete-healing case gained. This ICER value was below WTP threshold of US$32,788. Cost-effective findings were consistent across sensitivity analyses, and more remarkable for patients with Wagner grade 2 ulcers, HbA_1c >7%, and plantar ulcers. All these results were similar in modified intention-to-treat set. The high upfront drug cost of ON101 could be offset by its superior healing efficacy. Considering key prognostic factors for DFUs while optimizing the allocation of limited healthcare budgets, ON101 should be prioritized for severe cases with poor ulcer prognosis.

Apples, a ubiquitous and beloved fruit, harbor a treasure trove of bioactive compounds, with apple polyphenols (APs) taking center stage. This review delves into the latest scientific advancements illuminating the anti-cancer and anti-aging properties of APs. We dissect the intricate mechanisms by which APs combat cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, highlighting their prowess in inducing apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, and modulating cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, we explore the multifaceted ways APs combat aging, including their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, DNA protective effects, and ability to modulate cellular processes like autophagy and metabolism. This comprehensive review underscores the therapeutic promise of APs in promoting healthy aging and combating age-related diseases like cancer.