Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most devastating forms of stroke. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) has shown certain neuroprotective roles in ICH. Nevertheless, the details concerning the underlying molecular mechanism of DEX’s protective effects still need further elucidation. Herein, a model of ICH was established. The rats were randomly divided into the sham group, the ICH group, and the ICH + DEX group. Neurological outcomes, neuronal injury, and apoptosis were evaluated. Brain water content, Evans blue extravasation, and the expression of tight junction-associated proteins were also detected to assess the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Subsequently, the microglia/macrophage polarization state and inflammatory cytokine levels were observed. To further explore the underlying mechanism, NF-κB signaling pathway-associated proteins were detected. The results showed that DEX exerted neuroprotective effects against ICH-induced neurological deficits. DEX significantly increased the numbers of the surviving neurons and ameliorated neuronal cell loss and apoptosis in ICH. The rats that received the DEX displayed a lower level of brain water content and EB extravasation, moreover, ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5 were markedly increased by DEX. Additionally, DEX facilitated M2 microglia/macrophage polarization, the M1-associated markers were reduced by DEX, while the M2-associated identification significantly increased. We found that DEX dramatically diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines expression, simultaneously promoting anti-inflammatory cytokines expression. DEX inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB in ICH rats. Our data suggest that DEX post-conditioning protects BBB integrity by modulating microglia/macrophage polarization via inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway in ICH.

Background: Chaihu-Shugan-San is a classical prescription to treat depression. According to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle, the 2 decomposed recipes in Chaihu-Shugan-San exert synergistic effects, including Shu Gan (stagnated Gan-Qi dispersion) and Rou Gan (Gan nourishment to alleviate pain). However, the specific mechanism of Chaihu-Shugan-San on depression and its compatibility rule remain to be explored.Objective: We aimed to explore the anti-depression mechanisms and analyze the advantage of TCM compatibility of Chaihu-Shugan-San.Methods: The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model was established. Antidepressant effects were evaluated by sucrose preference test (SPT), and forced swimming test (FST). Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics of the hippocampus was used to obtain differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Bioinformatics analysis including Gene Ontology (GO), pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks was utilized to study the DEPs connections. At last, the achieved key targets were verified by western blotting.Results: Chaihu-Shugan-San increased weight gain and food intake, as well as exhibited better therapeutic effects including enhanced sucrose preference and extended immobility time when compared with its decomposed recipes. Proteomics showed Chaihu-Shugan-San, Shu Gan, and Rou Gan regulated 110, 12, and 407 DEPs, respectively. Compared with Shu Gan or Rou Gan alone, the expression of 22 proteins was additionally changed by Chaihu-Shugan-San treatment, whereas the expression of 323 proteins whose expression was changed by Shu Gan or Rou Gan alone were not changed by Chaihu-Shugan-San treatment. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that Chaihu-Shugan-San affected neurotransmitter’s release and transmission cycle (e.g., γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and acetylcholine). GABA release pathway is also targeted by the 22 DEPs. Unexpectedly, only 2 pathways were enriched by the 323 DEPs: Metabolism and Cellular responses to external stimuli. Lastly, the expression of Gad2, Vamp2, and Pde2a was verified by western blotting.Conclusions: Chaihu-Shugan-San treats depression via multiple targets and pathways, which may include regulations of 110 DEPs and some neurotransmitter’s transmission cycle. Compared with Shu Gan and Rou Gan, the 22 Chaihu-Shugan-San advanced proteins and the affected GABA pathway may be the advantages of Chaihu-Shugan-San compatibility. This research offers data and theory support for the clinical application of Chaihu-Shugan-San.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gaining increasing popularity worldwide for the function of health promotion and adjuvant therapy. However, the world's understanding of TCM is far from enough, which seriously limits the modernization and internationalization of TCM. Therefore, modern and efficient analytical methods are urgently needed to understand the mechanism of TCM. Optogenetics is one of the most prevalent technologies in the 21^st century and has been used to explore life science, especially neuroscience. It already has had great influences in the study of neural circuits and animal models of mental diseases and was named Method of the Year by the Nature Methods journal in 2010. Increased interests occurred in the applications of optogenetics to explore a myriad of medical and mental health disorders. However, it has not so far been noticed by TCM researchers. We elaborated on an idea that introducing this technique into the field of TCM research to improve diagnosis, treatments, and evaluating the therapeutic effects. In this review, we made a systematic prospect in the theory, feasibility, and application of TCM optogenetics. We mainly focused on applying optogenetic methodologies to make a more comprehensive understanding of TCM.

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers profound neuroinflammatory responses; however, the regulatory role of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) in TBI-associated neuroinflammation remains poorly understood. This study evaluated its prognostic value in TBI. Mice and Methods: A controlled cortical impact (CCI) model was established in male C57BL/6 mice and validated through modified neurological severity scoring (mNSS), hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, and immunostaining for IgG leakage and Nissl substance. Cortical snoRNA expression profiles were assessed using microarray analysis, with differentially expressed candidates confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The spatial distribution of snoRNAs was determined via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), while the anti-inflammatory effects of snoRNA Gm24418 were evaluated in vivo and vitro. Downstream molecular pathways were identified through transcriptomic sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis. Results: Mice subjected to CCI exhibited significant motor and cognitive impairments (elevated mNSS), neuronal loss (as indicated by H&E and Nissl staining), and blood-brain barrier disruption (evidenced by IgG extravasation). Microarray analysis identified 47 dysregulated small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), comprising 43 that were downregulated and 4 that were upregulated, with Gm24418 exhibiting the most significant downregulation. FISH confirmed the localization of Gm24418 predominantly in cortical neurons. Overexpression of Gm24418 in N₂A cells and mice significantly reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, and suppressed the activation of Ccl2 and TNF signaling pathways. Mechanistic analyses indicated that Gm24418 overexpression is associated with downregulation of the TNF signaling pathway, thereby attenuating neuroinflammation and promoting the restoration of blood-brain barrier integrity following TBI. Conclusion: Gm24418 is identified as a neuron-specific snoRNA that ameliorates TBI-induced neuropathology through influencing the expression of key inflammatory mediators, including CCL2 and TNF-α, representing a promising novel therapeutic target for post-traumatic neuroinflammation. At the top, Gm24418 DNA is transcribed into pre-snoRNA, which is processed into C/D box snoRNA and H/ACA box snoRNA. These snoRNAs form snoRNP complexes. The diagram is divided into two sections: low snoRNP level and high snoRNP level. In the low snoRNP level section, Gm24418 snoRNP is shown interacting with CCL2, leading to a pro-inflammatory phenotype with increased TNF alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6. In the high snoRNP level section, multiple Gm24418 snoRNP complexes interact with CCL2, resulting in an anti-inflammatory phenotype with decreased TNF alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6. Arrows indicate the direction of snoRNA processing and the effects on inflammatory phenotypes.Diagram showing Gm24418 snoRNA processing, snoRNP levels and their effects on inflammatory phenotypes.