Determination of Azidothymidine – an Antiproliferative and Virostatic Drug by Square‐Wave Voltammetry

The 3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine (AZT, Zidovudine) is an antiproliferative and virostatic drug widely used in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) infection treatment. With respect to side effects of high doses and a short half‐life of AZT, a fast and simple detection method for this agent could be helpful. The aim of our study was to determine AZT levels in natural samples (urine, serum, whole blood, and cell cultures, such as the HaCaT line of keratinocytes) without their mineralization and/or purification, by means of electrochemical methods using hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). On this electrode, AZT undergoes irreversible reduction at the peak potential near E_p?1.1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl). Reduction AZT signals were measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), square‐wave voltammetry (SWV), and constant current chronopotentiometric stripping analysis (CPSA). In phosphate buffer (pH 8) the SWV yielded the best AZT signal with the detection limit of 1 nM. The determination of AZT concentration in biological materials is affected by electroactive components, such as proteins and DNA. For monitoring the influence of these compounds, AZT reduction was performed in the presence of 10 μg/mL calf thymus ssDNA and/or 100 μg/mL bovine serum albumin. In these cases, the detection limit increased to 0.25 μM. Also studied was the AZT concentration in keratinocyte cells (HaCaT line) during cell cultivation. It has been shown that the SWV may be considered as a useful tool for the determination of AZT concentration in cell cultures, and for monitoring AZT pharmacokinetics.     

Essential Oils Derived from Cistus Species Activate Mitochondria by Inducing SIRT1 Expression in Human Keratinocytes,Leading to Senescence Inhibition

Cistus L. is a genus of dicotyledonous perennial herbaceous plants. Cistus species have been commonly used in folk medicine in the Mediterranean region. In the present study, the biological activities of essential oils derived from Cistus species (Cistus laurifolius, C. monspeliensis, C. creticus, and C. salviifolius) were evaluated. Essential oils derived from C. laurifolius and C. monspeliensis were found to augment the expression of SIRT1, an anti-aging gene, in the normal culture of HaCaT cells. Furthermore, these essential oils increased the number and size of mitochondria and augmented their activity. These effects were thought to be caused by the up- and downregulated expression of MITOL and Drp1 in HaCaT cells, respectively, in response to the essential oil treatment. In addition, these essential oils were found to attenuate ultraviolet-B-induced mitochondrial damage and cellular senescence in HaCaT cells. These findings indicate that essential oils derived from C. laurifolius and C. monspeliensis may inhibit skin aging through mitochondrial regulation via SIRT1 activation.     

Inhibitory Effect of Bisdemethoxycurcumin on DNCB-Induced Atopic Dermatitis in Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) is an ingredient from the rhizome of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine turmeric. BDMC has been reported to have important pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and antiproliferative activities. However, its effect on atopic dermatitis has not been reported. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of BDMC on TNF-α/IFNγ-stimulated HaCaT cells and on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mice. Our studies showed in vitro that BDMC was able to significantly inhibit the mRNA expression of chemokines and cytokines in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells and alleviate their inflammatory response. Our studies found in vivo that BDMC was able to significantly improve the symptoms of DNCB-induced AD skin lesions, decrease the number of scratches, ear thickness, and spleen index, improve inflammatory cells and mast cell infiltration and decrease skin thickness. Moreover, it was also able to inhibit the mRNA expression levels of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines and the activation of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. Thus, the results indicated that BDMC can improve atopic dermatitis in mice and that further clinical studies are warranted on its treatment of AD.     

扇贝多肽经由aSMase-JNK通路抑制UVA诱导HaCaT细胞凋亡

建立紫外线A(UVA)辐射损伤HaCaT细胞的病理模型, 从酸性鞘磷脂酶-JNK信号通路的角度研究扇贝多肽(Polypeptide from Chlamys farreri, PCF)抑制UVA诱导HaCaT细胞凋亡的分子机制. 采用Hoechst 33258染色结合琼脂糖凝胶电泳分析细胞凋亡; 用RT-PCR法和细胞免疫荧光染色检测胞内酸性鞘磷脂酶(acid sphingomyelinase, aSMase)的表达; 蛋白印迹法检测细胞内JNK及磷酸化JNK的蛋白水平. 结果表明, PCF可明显地抑制UVA诱导的HaCaT细胞凋亡; aSMase抑制剂Desipramine和JNK抑制剂SP600125均可阻断UVA引起的细胞凋亡; PCF的浓度在1.42~5.68 mmol/L范围内可依赖性地抑制UVA辐射后细胞内aSMase的表达量以及JNK蛋白的磷酸化; 预先加入Desipramine则抑制UVA引起的JNK蛋白的磷酸化. 表明PCF通过阻断aSMase-JNK通路来抑制UVA诱导HaCaT细胞凋亡.     

Anti-Phototoxicity Effect of Phenolic Compounds from Acetone Extract of Entada phaseoloides Leaves via Activation of COX-2 and iNOS in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

The extract from Entada phaseoloides was employed as active ingredients of natural origin into cosmetic products, while the components analysis was barely reported. Using LC-DAD-MS/qTOF analysis, eleven compounds (1–11) were proposed or identified from acetone extract of E. phaseoloides leaves (AE). Among them, six phenolic compounds, protocatechuic acid (2), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (3), luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (5), cirsimaritin (6), dihydrokaempferol (9), and apigenin (10), were isolated by various chromatographic techniques. Protocatechuic acid (2), epicatechin (4), and kaempferol (11) at a concentration 100 μM increased the HaCaT cells viability of the UVB-irradiated cell without any cytotoxicity effect and reduced the expression of COX-2 and iNOS inflammation gene. Moreover, compounds 2 and 4 could have potent effects on cell migration during wound closure. These results suggest that compounds 2, 4, and 11 from AE have anti-photoaging properties and could be employed in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products.     

Preparation and Characterization of Chitosan-Gelatin/Glutaraldehyde Scaffolds

Chitosan-gelatin (CG) scaffolds were fabricated with glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker by vacuum freeze-drying. Mixtures of different volumes of chitosan and glutaraldehyde were considered. Morphology, porosity, density, and water absorbency of the scaffolds were studied. Both tensile and compressive properties of the scaffolds were tested. In addition, cellular adherence, proliferation, and morphology on the scaffolds were tested to evaluate the compatibility. It was found that porosity, density, water absorbency, and mechanical properties of CG scaffolds changed with the variation of chitosan or GA content. The adequate adherence, proliferation, and morphology of HaCaT type cells on the scaffolds showed that these scaffolds can be used as carriers for culturing HaCaT. The CG scaffolds, particularly those with chitosan-gelatin volume ratios of 1:1 and adding 6% or 8% volume of 0.25 wt% GA solution, were more suitable than the others through comparing the above properties and could be promising candidates for engineering skin tissue.     

中波紫外线与化学致癌物诱导下HaCaT细胞的蛋白表达应答

对角质形成细胞HaCaT分别进行中波紫外线(UVB)照射、2,4-二硝基苯磺酸(DNBS)刺激及UVB+DNBS(UD)共同刺激, 利用二维荧光差异胶内凝胶电泳(2D DIGE)、DeCyder定量分析软件和HPLC-nESI-MS/MS分析技术, 对HaCaT细胞产生的差异表达蛋白进行了鉴定. 有65个蛋白质点发生了明显表达差异(P<0.05), 与UVB或DNBS单独处理细胞相比, 有41个蛋白点表现为UVB和DNBS的正协同效应, 13个蛋白点表现为负协同效应, 5个蛋白点与UVB单独处理相近, 6个蛋白点与DNBS单独处理相近. HPLC-nESI-MS/MS从65个差异表达蛋白质点中共鉴定出60种单一(Unique)蛋白. 采用生物信息学方法对这些鉴定蛋白所涉及的分子功能、参与的生物学过程及信号通路进行了系统分析. 实验得到了与紫外辐射和化学诱导损伤的直接相关蛋白, 有助于研究不同环境条件下皮肤癌的形成及皮肤疾病的有效防护与治疗.     

Effects of Deacetylasperulosidic Acid on Atopic Dermatitis through Modulating Immune Balance and Skin Barrier Function in HaCaT,HMC-1, and EOL-1 Cells

The medicinal plant noni (Morinda citrifolia) is widely dispersed throughout Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Australia. We previously reported that fermented Noni could alleviate atopic dermatitis (AD) by recovering Th1/Th2 immune balance and enhancing skin barrier function induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene. Noni has a high deacetylasperulosidic acid (DAA) content, whose concentration further increased in fermented noni as an iridoid constituent. This study aimed to determine the anti-AD effects and mechanisms of DAA on HaCaT, HMC-1, and EOL-1 cells. DAA inhibited the gene expression and secretion of AD-related cytokines and chemokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-25, IL-33, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, macrophage-derived chemokine, and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted, in all cells, and inhibited histamine release in HMC-1 cells. DAA controlled mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation levels and the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells into the nucleus by inhibiting IκBα decomposition in all the cells. Furthermore, DAA increased the expression of proteins involved in skin barrier functions such as filaggrin and involucrin in HaCaT cells. These results confirmed that DAA could relieve AD by controlling immune balance and recovering skin barrier function.     

Photocatalytic,antibacterial and anticancer activity of silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag-ZnO NPs) were successfully synthesized by the Sol-gel method coated with polyethylene glycol as a stabilizing and capping agent. The UV–Vis spectrophotometer analysis was done to analyze the optical property of the nanoparticles. XRD pattern showed the hexagonal structure of ZnO nanoparticles and the reduction in the intensity of the peaks of Ag-ZnO NPs indicates the incorporation of Ag⁺ ions in the ZnO lattices. The surface structural properties of the NPs were confirmed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED). The elemental composition of nanoparticles was confirmed by EDAX and XRF-Spectroscopy. The functional group of ZnO and Ag nanoparticles were determined by FT-IR spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of Ag-ZnO NPs was studied against ponceau and the maximum degradation percentage was observed to be 89% at 140 min. Further, Ag-ZnO NPs unveiled high potent antibacterial activity against the selected bacterial pathogens and it also rendered significant anticancer activity in UVB-induced HaCaT cells. Consequently, the fluorescent microscopic analysis confirmed the increasing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation and Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP) loss in the HaCaT cells that leads to the apoptosis induction. Hence, the selected combination of nanoparticles has proven to exhibit higher photocatalytic, antibacterial and anticancer activity. In the near future, it could be an efficient tool for eradicating the dye pollution from wastewater and also preferably be utilized in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries to prevent skin cancer.     

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis L.) Extract vs. Synthetic Surfactants—Effect on Skin-Mimetic Models

Our skin is continuously exposed to different amphiphilic substances capable of interaction with its lipids and proteins. We describe the effect of a saponin-rich soapwort extract and of four commonly employed synthetic surfactants: sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) on different human skin models. Two human skin cell lines were employed: normal keratinocytes (HaCaT) and human melanoma cells (A375). The liposomes consisting of a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine/cholesterol mixture in a molar ratio of 7:3, mimicking the cell membrane of keratinocytes and melanoma cells were employed as the second model. Using dynamic light scattering (DLS), the particle size distribution of liposomes was analyzed before and after contact with the tested (bio)surfactants. The results, supplemented by the protein solubilization tests (albumin denaturation test, zein test) and oil emulsification capacity (using olive oil and engine oil), showed that the soapwort extract affects the skin models to a clearly different extent than any of the tested synthetic surfactants. Its protein and lipid solubilizing potential are much smaller than for the three anionic surfactants (SLS, ALS, SLES). In terms of protein solubilization potential, the soapwort extract is comparable to CAPB, which, however, is much harsher to lipids.