The aim of this study was to prepare two novel magnolol (MO)-loaded binary mixed micelles (MO-M) using biocompatible copolymers of Soluplus (SOL) and Solutol^® HS15 (HS15), SOL and d-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS), to improve magnolol’s poor solubility and its oral bioavailability. The organic solvent evaporation method was used to obtain two MO-M by optimization; one was prepared by using SOL and HS15 (MO-H), and the other was prepared by using SOL and TPGS (MO-T). The entrapment efficiency (EE%) and drug loading (DL%) of MO-T were 94.61 ± 0.91% and 4.03 ± 0.19%, respectively, and the MO-H has higher EE% and DL% (98.37 ± 1.23%, 4.12 ± 0.16%). TEM results showed that the morphology of MO-M was homogeneous and was spherical in shape. The dilution stability of MO-M did not undergo significant changes. Permeability of MO-M across a Caco-2 cell monolayer was enhanced in Caco-2 cell transport models. The pharmacokinetics study showed that the relative oral bioavailability of MO-T and MO-H increased by 2.39- and 2.98-fold, respectively, compared to that of raw MO. This indicated that MO-H and MO-T could promote absorption of MO in the gastrointestinal tract. Collectively, the mixed micelles demonstrated greater efficacy as a drug delivery system. The development of these novel mixed micelles is valuable for resolving the poor solubility and bioavailability of drugs.

Ligustrum vicaryi L. is a hybrid of Ligustrum ovalifolium Hassk. var. aureo-marginatum and Ligustrum vulgale L., belonging to the Oleaceae family. It is often used as an ornamental shrub due to its golden leaves. However, its medical value is yet to be discovered. Recently, plant polysaccharides have attracted comprehensive attention owing to their biological properties, including immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. This study aimed to extract, purify, and characterize the polysaccharide from the Ligustrum vicaryi L. fruit and investigate its immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. The Ligustrum vicaryi L. fruit polysaccharide (LVFP) was obtained by ultrasonic extraction, ethanol precipitation, macroporous resin separation, and dialysis bag purification. The physicochemical properties of the LVFP were elucidated using Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometry, high‐performance ion chromatography, and high‐performance gel filtration chromatography. The results indicated that the LVFP consisted of rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, and glucose in a ratio of 1.79 : 7.55 : 4.58 : 1.54, and its molecular weight was 88,949 Da. The immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities of the LVFP were investigated using a cyclophosphamide‐ (Cy‐) induced immunosuppressed mouse model. The results demonstrated that the LVFP significantly increased spleen and thymus indexes, enhanced the phagocytic function of neutrophils, activated B and T lymphocytes, and upregulated serum levels of IL‐10 and TNF‐α. Moreover, we observed that the LVFP relieved Cy‐induced liver damage by increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐px) levels. These results suggested that the LVFP has the immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities, therefore laying a foundation for the application of the LVFP in the pharmaceutical and functional food industries.

The roots of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. are a famous traditional Chinese medicinal herb and are also used as health food. However, information about polysaccharides from S. ningpoensis (SNPS) is very limited. We applied the ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (UAE) process to extract SNPS. The UAE conditions were optimized using single‐factor experiments and response surface analysis. Under the optimized conditions of ultrasonic power of 550 W, extraction time of 26 min, and extraction temperature at 50°C, the highest yield of 13.47% ± 1.63% was obtained, which was in accordance with the predicted value of 13.71%. In comparison with traditional hot water extraction, the optimized UAE method significantly increased the extraction yield with lower extraction temperature and shorter extraction time. Furthermore, the in vitro antioxidant evaluation showed that EC₅₀ values of SNPS were 2.43 ± 0.21, 4.40 ± 0.35, and 0.56 ± 0.062 mg/mL for 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl free radical, and 2,2’‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, respectively. The anti‐inflammatory potential of SNPS was detected in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced ICR mice. Real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay showed that SNPS significantly improved LPS‐stimulated inflammatory response by decreasing mRNA and protein expression of interleukin (IL)‐6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α in a dose‐dependent manner. In conclusion, the extraction process of SNPS established in this study is reliable, and SNPS possesses potential antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities, which will provide a theoretical basis for guiding the clinical application of S. ningpoensis.

Background: Extensive bioactivities of alkaloids from the genus Macleaya (Macleaya cordata (Willd.) R. Br. and Macleaya microcarpa (Maxim.) Fedde) have been widely reported, as well as more and more concerned from the scientific communities. However, systematic research on the phytochemical information of M. microcarpa is incomplete. The aim of this study was to rapidly and conveniently qualitative analyze alkaloids from M. microcarpa by ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-fight mass spectrometry (UHPLC–Q-TOF-MS) using accurate mass weight and characteristic fragment ions, furthermore separate and identify the main alkaloids, test antitumor activity in vitro and antiangiogenic activity in vivo. Results: A total of 14 alkaloids from fruits of M. microcarpa were identified by UHPLC–Q-TOF-MS, including 5 protopines, 2 benzophenanthridines, 1 dimer, 1 dihydrobenzophenanthridines and 5 unknown structure compounds. Two major alkaloids were isolated by various column chromatographic methods. Their structures were determined by NMR data and related literatures. The two major alkaloids were evaluated for intro cytotoxic activities against HL-60, MCF-7, A-549, and in vivo antiangiogenic activity using transgenic zebrafish. Conclusions: Current qualitative method based on UHPLC–Q-TOF-MS technique provided a scientific basis for isolation, structural identification, and in vitro or in vivo pharmacological further study of alkaloids from M. microcarpa in the future.

Pancreatic cancer remains a formidable challenge in oncology due to its aggressive nature and limited treatment options. In this study, we investigate the potential therapeutic efficacy of elaiophylin, a novel compound, in targeting BxPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. We comprehensively explore elaiophylin’s impact on apoptosis induction, proliferation inhibition, migration suppression, invasion attenuation, and angiogenesis inhibition, key processes contributing to cancer progression and metastasis. The results demonstrate that elaiophylin exerts potent pro-apoptotic effects, inducing a substantial increase in apoptotic cells. Additionally, elaiophylin significantly inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells. Furthermore, elaiophylin exhibits remarkable anti-angiogenic activity, effectively disrupting tube formation in HUVECs. Moreover, elaiophylin significantly inhibits the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. Our findings collectively demonstrate the multifaceted potential of elaiophylin as a promising therapeutic agent against pancreatic cancer via inhibition of the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. By targeting diverse cellular processes crucial for cancer progression, elaiophylin emerges as a prospective candidate for future targeted therapies. Further investigation of the in vivo efficacy of elaiophylin is warranted, potentially paving the way for novel and effective treatment approaches in pancreatic cancer management.

Aim: Epimedium plants are used in traditional Chinese medicine due to their medicinal properties and can be clinically used for the treatment of liver cancer.Using network pharmacology and HPLC, we identified a key anti-HCC complex, CMPLX (containing icariin and kaempferol), from four Epimedium species. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that CMPLX suppresses HCC proliferation by downregulating p-Akt, p-PI3K, and Bcl-2 expression. Untargeted metabolomics and gut microbiome analysis revealed significant negative correlations between serum levels of lignin/kaempferol derivatives and Escherichia coli abundance. These findings highlight CMPLX as a promising candidate for HCC drug development. Purpose: Investigate the pharmacodynamic material basis of the components of four Epimedium species with activities against hepatocellular carcinoma based on biological target networks and multi-omics analysis. Materials and Methods: We first screened four Epimedium extracts for anti-HCC activity using HepG2 cells. Shared bioactive compounds were identified through network pharmacology and HPLC, defining core target AKT1 and key complex CMPLX (icariin and kaempferol). Molecular docking/dynamics simulations confirmed CMPLX-AKT1 binding. In vitro assays (CCK-8, wound healing, colony formation, Annexin V/PI, Western blot) demonstrated CMPLX inhibits proliferation, migration, and induces apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/Bcl-2 pathway. In vivo validation in H22 tumor-bearing mice showed tumor suppression, corroborated by histology, serum metabolomics and gut microbiota analysis. Results: CMPLX suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, it downregulated p-Akt, p-PI3K, and Bcl-2 expression, inhibiting growth and promoting apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Integrated multi-omics revealed CMPLX treatment elevated flavonoid/kaempferol derivatives while reducing Enterobacteriaceae_A/Escherichia abundance, with Marinifilaceae dominating the gut microbiota. Crucially, lignan/kaempferol derivatives showed significant negative correlation with Escherichia levels. Conclusion: CMPLX demonstrated synergistic anti-HCC efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Multi-omics analysis revealed its modulation of tumor-related pathways and gut microbiota composition, collectively contributing to tumor suppression.