Sepsis is a life-threatening condition triggered by a dysregulated host response to infection, characterized by uncontrolled systemic inflammation and often culminating in multiple organ damage. Shengjiang San (SJS), a classic traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) formula, has been historically utilized for its efficacy in removing heat, resolving toxicity, and reducing inflammation. Nevertheless, the precise role and mechanisms through which SJS modulates inflammatory responses and protects against sepsis-induced multi-organ injury are not yet fully understood. To investigate the protective mechanisms of SJS that improve sepsis-induced acute intestinal injury (SAII) by modulating the abundance and metabolism of the gut microbiota. A sepsis animal model was established using cecal ligation and puncture. The protective effects of SJS in SAII were evaluated through behavioral assessments, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, histological examination, and immunofluorescence analysis. Fecal samples were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics to identify probiotic taxa and metabolites associated with SJS administration. Proteomic analysis integrated with network pharmacology was performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and microbial metabolite analysis were utilized to elucidate the potential mechanism. SJS was observed to significantly improve clinical scores, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β. SJS also restored integrity of the intestinal barrier by upregulating the expression of ZO-1 and Claudin-1. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that SJS induced significant restructuring of the gut microbiota, including a marked increase in Lactobacillus murinus (L.M.) abundance. Proteomic and network pharmacological analyses revealed that SJS was protected against SAII by inhibiting NF-κB-mediated M1 polarization while promoting TGF-β-mediated M2 polarization. In particular, this protective effect was found to depend on the abundance of L.M., which regulated intestinal inflammation through its specific metabolites, indoleacetaldehyde (IAAld). SJS improves SAII by orchestrating L.M. derived IAAld-mediated macrophage polarization through modulation of NF-κB and TGF-β signaling pathways.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, with shorter five-year survival than other breast cancer subtypes, and lacks targeted and hormonal treatment strategies. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling is up-regulated in various tumors, including TNBC, and plays a vital role in regulating the expression of multiple proliferation- and apoptosis-related genes. Results: By combining the unique structures of the natural compounds STA-21 and Aulosirazole with antitumor activities, we synthesized a class of novel isoxazoloquinone derivatives and showed that one of these compounds, ZSW, binds to the SH2 domain of STAT3, leading to decreased STAT3 expression and activation in TNBC cells. Furthermore, ZSW promotes STAT3 ubiquitination, inhibits the proliferation of TNBC cells in vitro, and attenuates tumor growth with manageable toxicities in vivo. ZSW also decreases the mammosphere formation of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) by inhibiting STAT3. Conclusions: We conclude that the novel isoxazoloquinone ZSW may be developed as a cancer therapeutic because it targets STAT3, thereby inhibiting the stemness of cancer cells.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) is a precious Chinese traditional medicine, for which ginsenosides are the most important medicinal ingredients. Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450) and their primary redox molecular companion NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) play a key role in ginsenoside biosynthesis pathway. However, systematic studies of CPR genes in ginseng have not been reported. Numerous studies on ginsenoside synthesis biology still use Arabidopsis CPR (AtCPR1) as a reductase. In this study, we isolated two CPR genes (PgCPR1, PgCPR2) from ginseng adventitious roots. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that both PgCPR1 and PgCPR2 are grouped in classⅡ of dicotyledonous CPR. Enzyme experiments showed that recombinant proteins PgCPR1, PgCPR2 and AtCPR1 can reduce cytochrome c and ferricyanide with NADPH as the electron donor, and PgCPR1 had the highest enzymatic activities. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that PgCPR1 and PgCPR2 transcripts were detected in all examined tissues of Panax ginseng and both showed higher expression in stem and main root. Expression levels of the PgCPR1 and PgCPR2s were both induced after a methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment and its pattern matched with ginsenoside accumulation. The present investigation suggested PgCPR1 and PgCPR2 are associated with the biosynthesis of ginsenoside. This report will assist in future CPR family studies and ultimately improving ginsenoside production through transgenic engineering and synthetic biology.

Edible bird's nest (EBN) and its key component, sialic acid (SA), were investigated for their potential to counteract sepsis‐induced immunosuppression. In a murine “two‐hit” sepsis model, EBN and SA significantly enhanced survival, ameliorated multi‐organ damage, and reduced bacterial dissemination. Crucially, they reversed immunosuppression by restoring the TNF‐α‐secreting capacity of immune cells. Proteomic and KEGG analyses identified T cell proliferation as a central mechanism, which was validated by CFSE assay. Furthermore, we demonstrated that this enhanced T cell proliferation is mediated through the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway. This study reveals that EBN and SA are promising immune‐enhancing agents against sepsis‐induced immunosuppression, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for secondary infections.