Clinical Application Research Articles

Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Conditioned Medium; An Effective Cell-Free Therapeutic Option for in vitro Maturation of Oocytes.

Infertility is a major reproductive health issue worldwide. One of the main problems in infertile women is the failure to generate or release a mature egg. Therefore, the development of new technologies for in vitro generation or induction of mature oocytes can improve various ART procedures. Recently, stem cell-based therapy has opened a new window for several pathological complications. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into the mesodermal lineage. MSCs contain various bioactive molecules which are involved in the regulation of key biological processes. They can secret multiple paracrine factors, such as VEGF, IGF, HGF, EGF, and FGF to stimulate egg maturation. Although MSCs represent a promising source for cell therapy, the potential risk of tumor development reduces their clinical applications. Recent studies have suggested that the supernatant or conditioned medium of MSCs also contains similar components and regulates the oocyte behavior. The MSC-conditioned medium can eliminate the safety concerns associated with MSC transplantation and avoid rejection problems. Although MSC and MSC-CM could improve oocyte quality, ovarian function, and fertility, these improvements have not yet been demonstrated in clinical trials in humans. Hereby, we summarized recent research findings of MSCs-derived conditioned medium in in vitro development of immature oocytes.

Unveiling myricetin's pharmacological potency: A comprehensive exploration of the molecular pathways with special focus on PI3K/AKT and Nrf2 signaling.

Myricetin can be found in the traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Myrica rubra. Myricetin is a flavonoid that is present in many vegetables, fruits, and plants and is considered to have strong antioxidant properties as well as a wide range of therapeutic applications. Growing interest has been piqued by its classification as a polyphenolic molecule because of its potential therapeutic benefits in both the prevention and management of numerous medical conditions. To clarify myricetin's traditional medical uses, modern research has investigated various pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammation, antiviral, antidiabetic, immunomodulation, and antineurodegenerative effects. Myricetin shows promise as a nutritional flavonol that could be beneficial in the prevention and mitigation of prevalent health conditions like diabetes, cognitive decline, and various types of cancer in humans. The findings included in this study indicate that myricetin has a great deal of promise for application in the formulation of medicinal products and nutritional supplements since it affects several enzyme activities and alters inflammatory markers. However, comprehensive preclinical studies and research studies are necessary to lay the groundwork for assessing myricetin's possible effectiveness in treating these long-term ailments. This review summarizes both in vivo and in vitro studies investigating myricetin's possible interactions through the nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) as well as PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase)/AKT(protein kinase B) signaling pathways in an attempt to clarify the compound's possible clinical applicability across a range of disorders.

Proteomics of human platelet lysates and insight from animal studies on platelet protein diffusion to hippocampus upon intranasal administration.

Human platelet lysates (HPLs) from allogeneic platelet concentrates (PCs) are biomaterials, which are rich in various trophic factors, increasingly used in regenerative medicine and biotherapy. Understanding how preparation methods influence the HPL protein profile, biological function, and clinical outcomes is crucial. Our study sheds light on the proteomes and functionality of different HPLs, with the aim of advancing their scientifically grounded clinical applications. To achieve this, PCs suspended in plasma underwent three distinct processing methods, resulting in seven HPL types. We used three characterization techniques: label-free proteomics and tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics, both before and after the immunodepletion of abundant plasma proteins. Bioinformatic tools assessed the proteome, and western blotting validated our quantitative proteomics data. Subsequent pre-clinical studies with fluorescent labeling and label-free proteomics were used as a proof of concept for brain diffusion. Our findings revealed 1441 proteins detected using the label-free method, 952 proteins from the TMT experiment before and after depletion, and 1114 proteins from the subsequent TMT experiment on depleted HPLs. Most detected proteins were cytoplasmic, playing key roles in catalysis, hemostasis, and immune responses. Notably, the processing methodologies significantly influenced HPL compositions, their canonical pathways, and, consequently, their functionality. Each HPL exhibited specific abundant proteins, providing valuable insight for tailored clinical applications. Immunoblotting results for selected proteins corroborated our quantitative proteomics data. The diffusion and differential effects to the hippocampus of a neuroprotective HPL administered intranasally to mice were demonstrated. This proteomics study advances our understanding of HPLs, suggesting ways to standardize and customize their production for better clinical efficacy in regenerative medicine and biotherapy. Proteomic analyses also offered objective evidence that HPPL, upon intranasal delivery, not only effectively diffuses to the hippocampus but also alters protein expression in mice, bolstering its potential as a treatment for memory impairments.

ω‑3 fatty acids in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (Review).

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. Epidemiological evidence and clinical trials have shown that ω-3 fatty acids have a variety of promoting effects in reducing the risk of ASCVD, but different conclusions of large randomized controlled trials make their clinical use in the prevention and treatment of ASCVD controversial. The present review focuses on the pharmacological mechanism, clinical trials and evidence value of clinical applications of ω-3 fatty acids in order to provide theoretical and practical evidence for the clinical application strategy, and follow-up research and development of ω-3 fatty acids as anti-ASCVD drugs.

Enhancing anti-inflammatory effect of brucine nanohydrogel using rosemary oil: a promising strategy for dermal delivery in arthritic inflammation.

Brucine (BRU), an active constituent of Strychnos nux-vomica L., is one of the potential agents to control subside swelling in arthritis. However, its hydrophobic nature, poor permeation, shorter half-life, narrow therapeutic window, and higher toxicity impede its clinical applications. Hence, this investigation was aimed to develop and evaluate novel BRU loaded β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) nanosponges (BRUNs) hydrogel consisting rosemary essential oil (RO), which have been tailored for delayed release, enhanced skin permeation, and reduced irritation, while retaining anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of this bioactive. Firstly, BRUNs were fabricated by melt technique and characterized appropriately. BRUNs6 demonstrated twofold enhancement in BRU solubility (441.692 ± 38.674) with minimum particle size (322.966 ± 54.456) having good PDI (0.571 ± 0.091) and zeta potential (-14.633 ± 6.357). In vitro release results demonstrated delayed release of BRU from BRUNs6 (67 ± 4.25%) over 24h through molecular diffusion mechanism. Further, preserved anti-inflammatory (53.343 ± 0.191%) and antioxidant potential (60.269 ± 0.073%) of bioactive was observed in BRUNs6. Hence, this Ns batch was engrossed with Carbopol®934 hydrogel with RO and characterized. In vitro (release and anti-inflammatory activity), ex-vivo (skin permeability) and in vivo (carrageenan-induced inflammation) assays along with irritation study were conducted for fabricated hydrogels. Results revealed that in vitro release of BRU was further delayed from Ns hydrogel with RO (56.45 ± 3.01%) following Fickian mechanism. Considerable enhancement in skin permeability (60.221 ± 0.322µg/cm2/h) and preservation of anti-inflammatory activity (94.736 ± 2.002%) was also observed in BRUNs6 hydrogel containing RO. The irritation of BRU was found reduced (half) after its entrapped in Ns. Further, as a proof of concept, BRUNs6 hydrogel with RO effectively reduced (75.757 ± 0.944%) carrageenan-induced inflammation in rat model in comparison to pure BRU (54.914 ± 1.081%). Hence, BRUNs hydrogel with RO can be considered as a promising alternative for dermal delivery of BRU in arthritis.

Decoding long non‑coding RNAs: Friends and foes in cancer development (Review).

Cancer remains a formidable adversary, challenging medical advancements with its dismal prognosis, low cure rates and high mortality rates. Within this intricate landscape, long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) emerge as pivotal players, orchestrating proliferation and migration of cancer cells. Harnessing the potential of lncRNAs as therapeutic targets and prognostic markers holds immense promise. The present comprehensive review delved into the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of lncRNAs in the onset and progression of the top five types of cancer. By meticulously examining lncRNAs across diverse types of cancer, it also uncovered their distinctive roles, highlighting their exclusive oncogenic effects or tumor suppressor properties. Notably, certain lncRNAs demonstrate diverse functions across different cancers, confounding the conventional understanding of their roles. Furthermore, the present study identified lncRNAs exhibiting aberrant expression patterns in numerous types of cancer, presenting them as potential indicators for cancer screening and diagnosis. Conversely, a subset of lncRNAs manifests tissue‑specific expression, hinting at their specialized nature and untapped significance in diagnosing and treating specific types of cancer. The present comprehensive review not only shed light on the intricate network of lncRNAs but also paved the way for further research and clinical applications. The unraveled molecular mechanisms offer a promising avenue for targeted therapeutics and personalized medicine, combating cancer proliferation, invasion and metastasis.

Discovery of novel EGFR-PROTACs capable of degradation of multiple EGFR-mutated proteins

Although three generations of Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) - TK inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of Non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC), their clinical application is still largely hindered by acquired drug resistance mediated new EGFR mutations and side effects. The Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology has the potential to overcome acquired resistance from mutant EGFR through a novel mechanism of action. In this study, we developed the candidate degrader IV-3 by structural modifications of the lead compound 13, which exhibited limited antiproliferative activity against HCC-827 cells. Compared to compound 13, IV-3 exhibited remarkable anti-proliferative activity against HCC-827 cells, NCI–H1975 cells, and NCI–H1975-TM cells (IC50 = 0.009 μM, 0.49 μM and 3.24 μM, respectively), as well as significantly inducing degradation of EGFR protein in these cell lines (DC50 = 17.93 nM, 0.25 μM and 0.63 μM, respectively). Further investigations confirmed that IV-3 exhibited superior anti-tumor activity in all xenograft tumor models through the degradation of mutant EGFR protein. Moreover, IV-3 showed no inhibitory activity against A431 and A549 cells expressing wild-type EGFR, thereby eliminating potential toxic side effects emerging from wild-type EGFR inhibition. Overall, our study provides promising insights into EGFR-PROTACs as a potential therapeutic strategy against EGFR-acquired mutation.

Development and Challenges of Cyclic Peptides for Immunomodulation.

Cyclic peptides are polypeptide chains formed by cyclic sequences of amide bonds between protein-derived or non-protein-derived amino acids. Compared to linear peptides, cyclic peptides offer several unique advantages, such as increased stability, stronger affinity, improved selectivity, and reduced toxicity. Cyclic peptide has been proved to have a promising application prospect in the medical field. In addition, this paper mainly describes that cyclic peptides play an important role in anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-virus, treatment of multiple sclerosis and membranous nephropathy through immunomodulation. In order to know more useful information about cyclic peptides in clinical research and drug application, this paper also summarizes cyclic peptides currently in the clinical trial stage and cyclic peptide drugs approved for marketing in the recent five years. Cyclic peptides have many advantages and great potential in treating various diseases, but there are still many challenges to be solved in the development process of cyclic peptides.

Clinical Application of the 4K-3D Exoscope System in Cochlear Implantation.

To evaluate a system for otomicrosurgery based on 4K three-dimensional (3D) exoscope technology and apply it to cochlear implantation. An open stereoscopic vision-based surgical system, which differs from traditional surgical microscopes, was created by utilizing 4K stereo imaging technology and combining it with low-latency 4K ultra-high-definition 3D display. The system underwent evaluation based on 57 cochlear implantation operations, three designed microscopic manipulations, and a questionnaire survey. The surgical images displayed by the 4K-3D exoscope system (4K-3D-ES) are stereoscopic, clear, and smooth. The use of 4K-3D-ES in cochlear implantation is not inferior to traditional microscopes in terms of intraoperative bleeding and surgical complications, and the surgical duration is not slower or may even be faster than when using traditional microscopes. The results of micromanipulation experiments conducted on 16 students also confirmed this and demonstrated that 4K-3D-ES can be easily adapted. Furthermore, additional advantages of 4K-3D-ES were gathered. Significantly enlarged and high-definition stereoscopic images contribute to the visualization of finer anatomical microstructures such as chordae tympani, ensuring safer surgery. Users feel more comfortable in their necks, shoulders, waists, and backs. Real-time shared stereoscopic view for multiple people, convenient for collaboration and teaching. The ear endoscope and 4K-3D-ES enable seamless switching on the same screen. High-definition 3D images and videos can be saved with just one click, making future publication and communication convenient. The feasibility and safety of 4K-3D-ES for cochlear implantation surgery have been demonstrated. The 4K-3D-ES also offers numerous unique advantages and holds clinical application and promotional value.

Application of improved glomerular filtration rate estimation by a neural network model in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Previous studies have indicated that creatinine (Cr)-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimating equations - including the new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology creatinine (CKD-EPIcr) equation without race and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equation developed for the Chinese population - displayed suboptimal performance in patients with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD), which limited their clinical application for detecting changes in GFR levels in all cohorts. To develop a neural network model based on multilayer perceptron (MLP) for evaluating GFR in Chinese NLUTD patients, and compare the diagnostic performance with Cr-based multiple linear regression equations for Chinese and the CKD-EPIcr equation without race. Single-center, cross-sectional study of GFR estimation from serum Cr, demographic data, and clinical characteristics in Chinese patients with NLUTD. A total of 204 NLUTD patients, from 27 different geographic regions of China, were selected. A random sample of 141 of these subjects was included in the training sample set, and the remaining 63 patients were included in the testing sample set. The reference GFR (rGFR) was assessed by the technetium-99m-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) double plasma sample method. A neural network model based on MLP was developed to evaluate GFR in the training sample set, which was then validated in the testing sample set and compared with Cr-based GFR equations. The MLP-based model showed significant performance improvement in evaluating the difference, absolute difference, precision, and accuracy of GFR estimation compared with the Cr-based GFR equations. Additionally, compared with the rGFR, we found that the MLP-based model provided an acceptable level of accuracy (greater than 85%, which was within a 30% deviation from the rGFR). The MLP-based model offered significant advantages in estimating GFR in Chinese NLUTD patients, and its application could be suggested in clinical practice.

Nanobiosensors: Concepts and emerging clinical applications.

Biosensors have been one of the most fascinating topics for scientists for a long time. This is because biological moieties are multifaceted and are unswervingly related to the presence of a healthy atmosphere. The biosensor approach has also endured profound changes in recent years. Biosensors have been emphasized for various applications, including food quality estimation, surveillance systems, and health and metabolic abnormality diagnostics. The advances in nanotechnology have led to a considerable potential to enhance biosensors' sensitivity, robustness, and anti-interference capabilities. Several new nanomaterials (such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanorods, and nanowires) have been fabricated due to the evolution of nanotechnology, and their unique features are gradually being identified, allowing for much faster detection and reproducibility. Biosensor performance has also been enhanced substantially as a result of their use. Because of their capacity to detect a wide range of compounds at deficient concentrations, nanobiosensors have sparked much interest. This article discusses biosensors based on various nanomaterials, their evolution, accompanying features, and their applications in multiple fields.

Clinical efficacy of ganciclovir combined with transfer factor oral solution for pediatric infectious mononucleosis

This study investigates the clinical efficacy of ganciclovir combined with transfer factor oral solution in the treatment of patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) to provide a reference for clinical application. A total of 150 children with IM who received treatment in our hospital from 2020 to 2022 were randomly selected as the research subjects. They were randomly divided into a control group receiving intravenous administration of ganciclovir (n = 75) and an observation group receiving transfer factor oral liquid in combination with intravenous administration of ganciclovir (n=75). The results showed that after treatment, the serum levels of CK-MB, CK, CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly reduced in both groups. The observation group showed lower levels than the control group. Additionally, peripheral blood CD4+ T cells, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and Tfr expression were higher in the observation group compared to the control group, while the level of CD8+ T cells was lower than that of the control group. Furthermore, there were no significant changes in the levels of IgA, IgM, and IgG antibodies in the two groups before and after treatment. In conclusion, the combination therapy of transfer factor oral solution and ganciclovir demonstrates favorable clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of children with IM, as it effectively reduces inflammatory reactions, regulates cellular immune function, promotes Tfr differentiation, and shortens recovery time.

Unveiling the functional food properties of Pepromia pellucida: Phytochemical profiling, antioxidative potential, and their nanoemulsion fraction in wound healing efficacy

Peperomia pellucida, a tropical plant belonging to the Piperaceae family, has long been recognized for its potential medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial effects. This study investigates the efficacy of Peperomia pellucida nanoemulsion (PPNE) as a novel therapeutic approach for improving burn wound healing in Wistar rats. The nanoemulsion was formulated using the high-energy ultrasonication method, optimized for droplet size, polydispersity index, and stability. A 30% burn wound was induced on the dorsum of 60 Wistar rats, which were then divided into three groups: control (untreated), silver sulfadiazine (SSD) treated, and PPNE treated. Inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that PPNE treatment significantly accelerated wound closure rates compared to both control and SSD-treated groups, with complete wound closure achieved by day 10 in the PPNE-treated group. Histopathological examination revealed improved re-epithelialization, granulation tissue formation, and collagen deposition in the PPNE group compared to the control and SSD groups. Additionally, PPNE treatment significantly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, suggesting a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress in the treated wounds. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of P. pellucida nanoemulsion as a promising and effective therapeutic approach for improving burn wound healing. The observed enhanced wound healing properties may be attributed to the combined anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects of the PPNE, warranting further investigation and potential clinical application.

Automated DeepLabV3+ based model for left ventricle segmentation on short-axis late gadolinium enhancement-magnetic cardiac resonance imaging images

Accurate segmentation of myocardial scar tissue on late gadolinium enhancement-magnetic cardiac resonance imaging (LGE-CMR) is exceptionally vital for clinical applications, enabling precise diagnosis and effective treatment of various cardiac diseases, such as myocardial infarction and cardiomyopathies. However, the ventricle (LV) variations in the size and shape, artifacts, and image resolution of LGE-CMR has made automatic segmentation of myocardial scar tissue more challenging. While many existing approaches delineate the LV myocardium region using multi-modal segmentation, these models may be computationally complex and suffer from misalignment. Therefore, this study proposed an automatic dual-stage DeepLabV3+ based approach tailored for myocardial scar segmentation on short-axis LGE-MRI exclusively. To segment myocardial scar tissue, the second stage employs the segmented LV chamber from the previous stage. The encoder part of the framework utilizes a MobileNetV2 and ResNet50 backbone for the first and second segmentation, respectively, aiming for optimal resolution of feature maps. Both stages tailor an improved Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling module in the DeepLabV3+ model with fine-tuned dilated atrous rates to effectively extract the LV chamber and myocardial scar from the complex LGE-MRI background. Based on the results, the proposed dual-stage network recorded an outstanding segmentation performance, with mean Dice score of 96.02% for LV chamber segmentation and 68.01% for scar tissue extraction.

Oligopeptide modified ICG/Cisplatin@CaCO3 for targeted osteosarcoma NIR-II imaging guided multimodal therapy

Osteosarcoma, as the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor, has consistently shown suboptimal clinical treatment outcomes. In this manuscript, we proposed an efficacious and novel phototherapy strategy for osteosarcoma based on a photoresponsive near-infrared (NIR) material, CaCO3-ICG-DDP-PEG-PT (CIDP-PT), which contained calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and Cisplatin (DDP) via the gas dispersion method, and indocyanine green (ICG) was encapsulated through a nanoprecipitation reaction by employing DSPE-PEG2000-COOH to enhance the stability and hydrophilicity. The targeting oligopeptide (PT) for osteosarcoma cells was inserted into the outer membrane of nanoparticles, thereby further enhancing the tumor-targeting capability through receptor-mediated binding. The prepared CIDP-PT nanoparticles exhibited high targeting efficiency and multifunctionality. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that CIDP-PT significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy for osteosarcoma via the NIR-II photoresponsive and tumor-targeting approach. It achieves efficient tumor cell eradication through multiple modalities while maintaining an exceptional level of biocompatibility. Hence, the CIDP-PT nanocarriers possess considerable practical value for future clinical applications in adjunct osteosarcoma phototherapy.

A Review Article on Permeability Enhancement

Abstract: Human skin acts as a barrier, thermo regulator and prevents excess water loss from internal organs. Various ways of transferring drugs have been developed by altering the barrier properties of the skin. Improvement of skin penetration, partitioning and solubility effects through hydration of the stratum corneum or the use of chemical enhancers acting on lipids and keratinized structures in the stratum corneum is a promising tool in potential clinical applications. Penetration enhancement is a new emerging technology that has the potential to increase the amount of trans-dermally administered drugs. Also drugs with short biological half-lives can be easily administered. Among the many advantages over other routes, three important ones are avoidance of hepatic metabolism, minimal adverse effects, and increased bioavailability. The stratum corneum prevents the loss of physiologically essential substances and consequently provides penetration resistance by acting as a protective barrier. This is the rate-limiting step for absorption of the drug percutaneously. In this review article, we summarize the various advances made in the field of access enhancers based on a literature survey of various research articles.

Sleeping Stage Classification Using CNN

Abstract: Maintaining proper health and mental stability is critical for overall health and well-being. Despite a good deal of research investment, sleep quality continues to be a crucial public challenge. Nowadays, people of all age groups are affected by improper sleep quality. Poor sleep can lead to a variety of neurological disorders. Sleep disorders are common in all subsets of the population, independently of gender. This public health challenge greatly affects quality of life in terms of both physical and mental health. Insomnia, parasomnias, sleep- related breathing difficulties, hypersomnia, bruxism, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm disorders are some common examples of sleep-related disorders. Some of these disorders can be treated with proper analysis of early symptoms; in such cases, adequate sleep quality is essential for the patient’s recovery. Artificial intelligence has several applications in sleep medicine including sleep and respiratory event scoring in the sleep laboratory, diagnosing and managing sleepdisorders, and population health. While still in its nascent stage, there are several challenges which preclude AI’s generalizability and wide-reaching clinical applications. Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool in healthcare that may improve patient care, enhance diagnostic abilities, and augment the management of sleep disorders. However, there is a need to regulate and standardize existing machine learning algorithms and deep learning algorithm prior to its inclusion in the sleep clinic. In this project, we can develop the framework for sleeping stage classification for both subjective data and ECG data and classify the data using Convolutional neural network algorithm to analyse the multiple sleeping stages.

Exploring the therapeutic potential of achyranthes aspera: A comprehensive review

Achyranthes aspera, commonly known as "Prickly Chaff Flower," is a medicinal plant extensively used in traditional medicine systems worldwide. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the phytochemical constituents, pharmacological properties, and therapeutic potential of Achyranthes aspera. The phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of various bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids, among others, which contribute to its medicinal properties. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated the diverse therapeutic effects of Achyranthes aspera, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anticancer activities. Furthermore, the plant has been utilized in the management of various ailments such as arthritis, diabetes, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin diseases. However, despite its promising therapeutic potential, further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and evaluate its safety and efficacy for clinical applications. This review aims to consolidate the existing knowledge on Achyranthes aspera, providing insights for future research and potential development of novel therapeutic agents.

Formulation of colloidal astringent solution using green tea and neem oil

This thesis explores the formulation of a novel colloidal astringent solution utilizing the synergistic properties of green tea and neem oil in skincare applications. Astringents play a crucial role in skincare, offering benefits such as pore tightening, oil control, and skin texture refinement. Green tea and neem oil, renowned for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, present promising ingredients for enhancing skin health. The study begins with a comprehensive literature review, examining previous research on astringents, green tea, and neem oil. This review elucidates the individual properties and skincare benefits of these ingredients, providing a foundation for their integration into a colloidal solution. Relevant formulation techniques for colloidal solutions and astringents are also reviewed, informing the experimental approach. Experimental design focuses on formulating a colloidal astringent solution using green tea extract and neem oil, with the aim of harnessing their collective potency. Physicochemical properties of the solution, including pH, viscosity, particle size, and stability, are characterized to evaluate its suitability for skincare applications. Stability studies over time provide insights into the shelf-life and efficacy of the formulation. Results demonstrate the successful formulation of a colloidal astringent solution with optimized properties, showcasing the potential synergy between green tea and neem oil. Analysis of experimental findings highlights the formulation's efficacy in addressing common skincare concerns, such as pore refinement, oil control, and inflammation reduction. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge in natural skincare formulations, offering insights into the development of innovative products that marry tradition with modern science. In conclusion, the formulation of a colloidal astringent solution using green tea and neem oil represents a promising approach to skincare, leveraging the therapeutic benefits of natural ingredients. Future research may explore clinical applications and further optimization of the formulation to maximize its efficacy and safety in diverse skincare routines.

Research progress of acupuncture regulating ERK signaling pathway in the treatment of depression.

Acupuncture treatment for depression has definite therapeutic efficacy, and its mechanism has been extensively studied. The extracellular regulatory protein kinase(ERK) signaling pathway is involved in the development and progression of depression. This article reviewed and summarized the research progress on the regulation of the ERK signaling pathway by acupuncture in the treatment of depression in recent years, focusing on the physiological activation and regulatory mechanism of the ERK signaling pathway, its association with the occurrence of depression, and the mechanisms through which acupuncture activates the ERK signaling pathway to treat depression (including enhancing neuronal synaptic plasticity, promoting the release of neurotrophic factors, and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis). Future research could explore the relationship between the ERK pathway and other pathways, investigate other brain regions besides the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, examine differences in regulatory mechanisms between male and female patients, assess the effects of different acupuncture techniques on the ERK pathway, and increase efforts to explore mechanism of synaptic plasticity regulation, so as to provide reference for the clinical application and mechanism sludy of acupuncture in depression treatment.