Yan Zhao

Background: Hyperlipidemia (HL) is a lipid metabolism disorder that contributes significantly to the global burden of metabolic diseases. Hence, novel pharmacological interventions are urgently needed. Our study explored the potential mechanisms by which Crataegi Fructus Carbonisata carbon dots (CFC-CDs) act against hyperlipidemia through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Methods: We prepared CFC-CDs and comprehensively characterized them. Subsequently, we assessed the effects of CFC-CDs on serum lipid profiles in a high-fat diet-induced rat model and used transcriptomic analysis to explore the potential mechanisms underlying their lipid-lowering effects. Additionally, we developed an in vitro model of sodium oleate (OA)-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells and validated it using the PPARα inhibitor GW6471. Results: The CFC-CDs had an ultrasmall size ranging from 1.34 to 4.67 nm and an interplanar spacing of approximately 0.210 nm. Their surfaces contained functional groups, including–OH, C=O, and C=N. These CDs exhibited excellent biocompatibility. Animal studies demonstrated that oral treatment with CFC-CDs markedly reduced high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia. Liver transcriptome analysis indicated that CFC-CDs exerted lipid-lowering effects primarily by activating the PPARα signaling pathway, suggesting that CFC-CDs have significant metabolic reprogramming capabilities. CFC-CDs also exhibited excellent lipid-lowering effects in vitro , and the PPARα inhibitor GW6471 reversed the protective effects of CFC-CDs, thereby leading to lipid accumulation. CFC-CDs may be a potential therapeutic agent for HL. Conclusion: The above evidence suggests that CFC-CDs synthesized by one-step calcination can significantly improve lipid metabolism disorders. Our study shows that CFC-CDs are a biomass-derived carbonaceous nanomaterial exhibiting effective lipid-lowering properties and broadening their potential clinical applications. This research provides crucial insights into the use of CFC-CDs in metabolic disease treatment and lays a solid experimental foundation for developing a new lipid-lowering candidate.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most severe complications of diabetes, often resulting in prolonged healing, recurrent infections, and a high risk of amputation. Despite comprehensive standard treatments, many patients develop chronic non-healing ulcers due to poor tissue perfusion and immune dysregulation. Traditional Chinese medicine, such as Huafu Shengji ointment (HFSJO), offers a novel topical approach that may promote tissue repair and accelerate healing in refractory cases. Case presentation: This report describes four patients with persistent DFUs that responded poorly to conventional therapies and faced either prior amputation or an imminent risk of amputation. Ulcer sizes ranged from 3.0 cm × 3.0 cm to 7.0 cm × 5.0 cm, with comorbidities including hypertension and cardiovascular disease. In addition to routine wound care, patients received topical HFSJO treatment every other day. Within 30–180 days, all wounds showed substantial granulation, epithelialization, and eventual closure. No clinically significant abnormalities in the liver or renal function tests or routine hematological parameters were observed during treatment or follow-up. Conclusion: Topical application of HFSJO appears to be a safe and effective conservative strategy for the management of complex DFUs, particularly in patients unsuitable for surgery or unresponsive to standard care. Through its dual mechanism, i.e., targeted debridement and regenerative stimulation, it may help overcome healing stagnation. These cases offer a promising direction for integrative wound care and warrant further validation in controlled clinical trials.

This study concurrently addressed the separation method for carbon dots derived from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle (GRRPM) and the in vitro evaluation of their anti-allergic biological activity. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle Carbon Dots (GRRPM-CDs) were prepared via decoction followed by dialysis, and their properties were characterized using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and nanomaterial techniques. Anti-allergic activity was evaluated using a C48/80-induced RBL-2H3 mast cell degranulation model. Safety and efficacy were assessed using the CCK-8 assay, direct intervention, and drug-containing serum methods. The release of β-hexosaminidase (β-hex), histamine (HIS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured by ELISA, and key proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway were analyzed by Western blot. GRRPM-CDs inhibited mast cell degranulation and the release of allergic and inflammatory mediators in a dose-dependent manner. They also significantly downregulated the phosphorylation levels of the JNK, ERK, and p38 proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway. GRRPM-CDs exhibit significant anti-allergic activity, likely via suppression of the MAPK pathway. These findings provide new insights into the bioactive components of processed Glycyrrhiza and suggest potential avenues for developing novel therapies for allergic diseases.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, debilitating inflammatory skin disorder mediated by the immune system. It is characterized by excessive keratinocyte proliferation and abnormal differentiation, leading to symptoms that significantly impair the quality of life of affected individuals. Despite extensive research, no effective drugs are currently available to completely inhibit the progression of psoriasis. Purpose: This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of Phellodendron chinense charcoal carbon dots (PCC-CDs) in treating psoriasis. PCC-CDs have recently garnered attention due to their sustained anti-inflammatory properties and unique bioavailability. Methods: This study explores the therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of PCC-CDs in psoriasis treatment via detailed pharmacological experiments in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse model, including topical PCC-CDs application, inflammatory mediator detection, histopathological assessment of tissue damage, and transcriptomic as well as molecular biology analyses focusing on the modulation of the HMGB1/TLR4 and MAPK/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathways. Results: In the IMQ-induced mouse model, PCC-CDs effectively suppressed the levels of inflammatory mediators and reduced histopathological damage. Molecular analyses revealed that PCC-CDs may exert their therapeutic effects by modulating the inflammatory response mediated by the HMGB1/TLR4 pathway, primarily through inhibiting protein expression in the MAPK/NF-κB signaling cascade. The application of PCC-CDs resulted in a significant reduction in psoriasis-like symptoms in IMQ-induced mice, including marked improvements in erythema, scaling, and pruritus. Conclusion: PCC-CDs offer a promising new approach to the clinical management of psoriasis. Their ability to provide sustained anti-inflammatory effects and distinctive bioavailability makes them a potential candidate for further development as a therapeutic agent. This study highlights the importance of PCC-CDs in modulating key inflammatory pathways, offering hope for improved treatment options for individuals suffering from psoriasis.

Background: Epilepsy remains a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by spontaneous, recurrent seizures. Despite available treatments, there is a critical lack of safe and effective strategies for long-term management and control. Crinis Carbonisatus (CrCi), the carbonized product of human hair, has been utilized for millennia to manage epilepsy and hemorrhagic disorders in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In our previous work, we successfully isolated Carbon Dots (CrCi-CDs) from CrCi and demonstrated their neuroprotective activity against ischemic stroke. Extending this rationale to seizure management, the present study investigates the potential antiepileptic efficacy of CrCi-CDs in acute epilepsy models. Methods: CrCi-CDs were synthesized via the calcination of human hair at 350 °C, followed by aqueous extraction and purification. To evaluate their antiepileptic potential, acute epilepsy models were established in mice using three distinct chemoconvulsants: Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), Pilocarpine (PILO), and Penicillin (PNC). We systematically assessed the ability of CrCi-CDs to attenuate seizure severity by modulating neuronal excitability, suppressing neuroinflammation, and mitigating oxidative stress. Furthermore, the PTZ-induced model was specifically selected as a representative paradigm to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results and conclusion: This study successfully synthesized spherical CrCi-CDs rich in surface functional groups (hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups), which exhibited excellent dispersibility in aqueous solutions. In vivo evaluations using PTZ, PILO, and PNC models demonstrated that CrCi-CDs significantly reduced the severity of epileptic seizures and attenuated seizure-induced spatial learning and memory deficits. Brain histopathology revealed that CrCi-CDs treatment effectively mitigated hippocampal neuronal damage. Mechanistically, CrCi-CDs exerted neuroprotective effects through multiple pathways: restoring homeostasis by correcting pathological imbalances of neurotransmitters (Glu/GABA), alleviating oxidative stress (SOD/MDA), and suppressing proinflammatory cytokine release (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18). Further investigations suggest these effects may be mediated by regulating glutamate transporters, inhibiting the NF-κB inflammatory cascade, and modulating neuronal apoptosis pathways. This study confirms that bio-derived CrCi-CDs exhibit potent antiepileptic and neuroprotective properties. By simultaneously targeting neurotransmission, inflammation, and oxidative stress, CrCi-CDs emerge as a highly promising therapeutic candidate with a favorable safety profile, providing a scientific rationale for the development of biomass-derived nanomedicines in epilepsy management.

The Acronicta major larva is a toxic agricultural pest that poses severe ecological management challenges. This study presents a sustainable strategy to valorize this hazardous biological waste into functional nanotherapeutics for insomnia by leveraging its unique intrinsic chemical composition. Carbon dots derived from Acronicta major larva (AM-CDs) were synthesized via one-step pyrolysis, which facilitated the natural molecular pre-assembly of N,S-codoping. Their physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity were evaluated using a series of characterizations and the CCK-8 assay. The sedative and hypnotic effects were assessed in mice with PCPA-induced insomnia through hot plate, Open Field and pentobarbital-induced sleep tests, and their potential mechanism was explored via neurotransmitter detection. The thermal process effectively eliminated intrinsic toxicity while retaining bioactivity via in situ heteroatom doping. AM-CDs exhibited favorable biocompatibility and significant sedative–hypnotic activity, reducing anxiety-related agitation without motor impairment. Mechanistically, AM-CDs effectively restored the GABA/5-HT/glutamate axis. Unlike direct central receptor binding, our findings suggest that this therapeutic effect is likely mediated through a systemic or peripheral regulatory pathway. This study demonstrates the conversion of toxic pests into safe and intrinsically bioactive nanomaterials, providing a dual solution for ecological pest management and novel neuroactive agent development, and validating the “Waste-to-Wealth” concept in biomedicine.

Obesity is not only a direct cause of health problems, but is also closely related to the incidence rate of a variety of noncommunicable diseases. Intervention for obesity requires high self-discipline and compliance from individuals, which often makes weight loss less smooth and prone to rebound. In this study, we prepared a dissolving microneedle (MN) loaded with compound traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The base material was composed of a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), which met the requirements of solubility and sufficient mechanical properties. For the drug, we chose the Huatanqushi formula, which has a clear fat-reducing effect in clinical practice and is food and medicine homology. The results showed that the MN can penetrate the stratum corneum, rapidly release drugs in the dermis of the abdominal wall, alleviate the inflammatory state of local adipose tissue, regulate systemic lipid metabolism, and ultimately achieve weight loss. This MN patch is suitable for busy office workers to use conveniently, avoiding the discomfort of oral medication and the drawbacks of a large dosage and long medication time. It can effectively intervene in obesity with a minimal effect on the body.

Background: Glucose metabolism plays a central role in maintaining systemic energy homeostasis, and its dysregulation is closely linked to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. While traditional mineral medicines such as realgar and cinnabar have a long history of use, their roles in glycometabolism remain poorly defined. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were used to establish both normoglycemic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic models. Oral glucose, starch, protein, fat, and cellulose load tests were performed to evaluate the effects of realgar and cinnabar on postprandial glycemia and thermoregulation. Random blood glucose, body temperature, and insulin levels were monitored. α-Glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition assays were conducted in vitro to explore potential digestive enzyme-targeted mechanisms. Results: Realgar and cinnabar significantly reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic mice and attenuated postprandial glycemic excursions in normal mice following oral glucose and starch loading. Further analysis revealed elevated insulin levels and dose-dependent inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. However, these hypoglycemic effects were abolished when glucose was administered intraperitoneally, and no significant changes in blood glucose were observed under non-carbohydrate nutrient loads (fat, protein, or fiber). Conclusion: This study provides the first systematic evidence that realgar and cinnabar exert hypoglycemic effects, which involving enhanced insulin secretion and inhibition of key digestive enzymes. Their substrate-specific actions and partial influence on thermoregulation suggest broader roles in metabolic regulation and warrant further investigation in chronic models and energy homeostasis pathways.