Inhibitory effect of ZX-1201 on pancreatic cancer and the relevant molecular mechanism

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC) is one of the five most malignant cancer.ZX-1201 is one of the active constituents in Alismatis Rhizoma,a well-known traditional Chinese medi.cine with a wide variety of pharmacological properties including diuretic,anti-hyperlipidemic,anti-atheroscle.rotic,anti-cancer,anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities.We investigated the inhibitory effect of ZX-1201 on pancreatic cancer and the relevant molecular mechanism in vitro and in vivo.ZX-1201 inhibited the growth and metastasis of PANC-1 cells in BALB/c nude mice significantly.ZX-1201 inhibited the function of AQP1 via directly interaction and involved in the reversion process of ZX-1201 on TGF-β_1.CTGF was an important protein in the reversion process of ZX-1201 on TGF-β_1.ZX-1201 inhibited the migration of PANC-1 and CPFAC-1 cells induced by TGF-β_1 in vitro.ZX-1201 reversed the down-regu.lated of epithelial markers and up-regulated of mesenchymal markers,as well as the up-regulated of Snail and p-Smad2/3 induced by TGF-β_1.And ZX-1201 reversed Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by down-regulating AQP1 and inhibiting translocation of β-catenin,the promotor of CTGF.According to these,ZX-1201 inhibited the migration of pancreatic cancer cells.We concluded that ZX-1201 inhibited the growth and metastasis of PANC-1 cells in vivo significantly.And AQP1,β-catenin and CTGF were the pivotal proteins in the process of ZX-1201 inhibiting PANC-1 cells migration induced by TGF-β_1.

Discovery of natural BH3 mimetics and research on related mechanism

In the past two decades,with the increase of smoking population,more and more people are suffering from small cell lung cancer(SCLC).Besides,it is difficult to find an effective way to cure SCLC,since patience can easily develop drug resistance.On the other hand,with the development of science and technology,people began to study the anti-cancer strategy to increase apoptosis,such as inhibiting the overexpression of survival factors.In these survival factors,BCL-2 family has attracted a lot of attention.BH3-only protein is a member of BCL-2 family and it can directly inhibit the expression of BCL-2 protein,thereby prompting apoptosis.Since the BH3-only protein itself is difficult to become a clinical drug,to find alternatives BH3-only protein-BH3 mimetics is particularly important.Plus,more and more researchers have paid attention on the natural BH3 mimetic since it has less side-effect than artificial BH3 mimetics.To find possible BH3 mimetics,we made a primary screening with this pharma.cophore on a small molecular compounds library via Discovery Studio software.And then MTS assay were introduced to verify the activity of compounds.After that,we use Western Blot and Co-IP meth.ods to test the effect of BH3 mimetics.And finally use CDOCKER to predict the further mechanism on autophagy and apoptosis.In our studies,we found 3 possible BH3 mimetics compounds from 170,000 natural small molecular compounds via pharmacophore-based virtual screening.Furthermore,we dem.onstrated AD23,one of the 3 possible natural BH3 mimetics,induced autophagy and apoptosis simulta.neously in dose-time dependence in SCLC cell line.Finally,we use Molecular Docking to predict the further mechanism on autophagy and apoptosis.We believe our works would provide evidences and clues for the structural optimizing and further study of new drugs in the future.

Perceptions of Acne and Its Treatments Among Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objective:This cross-sectional survey aimed to explore Chinese college students’perceptions regarding acne and its topical medications,and to evaluate whether these perceptions affect their motivation to seek and adhere to treatments.Methods:A cross section survey was performed using a 14-item questionnaire was administered via WeChat.among Chinese college students at Jiangsu University aged 18-24 years.Results:One thousand and four hundred and fifteen responses were received.The prevalence of self-diagnosed acne was 34.1%.The factors associated with a greater likelihood of seeking treatment were being female,having acne for a longer duration,and having severe acne.Nearly two-thirds of the respondents had discontinued topical medication use within 1 month,with only 4.8%continuing for over 6 months.The main reason for discontinuation was slow onset of action.Patients who considered acne a long-term condition were more likely to seek treatment and use medication for longer periods than those who considered it a short-term condition.Lack of knowledge about medication features,proper usage,and prevention of adverse effects may lead to early discontinuation.Furthermore,93.8%of the respondents hoped to obtain the above information from doctors.Conclusion:Detailed explanations of acne and medication guidance are necessary to help patients understand the necessity of continuous treatment and the expected efficacy.