Fibrosis is a typical aging-related pathological process involving almost all organs, including the heart, kidney, liver, lung, and skin. Fibrogenesis is a highly orchestrated process defined by sequences of cellular response and molecular signals mechanisms underlying the disease. In pathophysiologic conditions associated with organ fibrosis, a variety of injurious stimuli such as metabolic disorders, epigenetic changes, and aging may induce the progression of fibrosis. Sirtuins protein is a kind of deacetylase which can regulate cell metabolism and participate in a variety of cell physiological functions. In this review, we outline our current understanding of common principles of fibrogenic mechanisms and the functional role of SIRT3/6 in aging-related fibrosis. In addition, sequences of novel protective strategies have been identified directly or indirectly according to these mechanisms. Here, we highlight the role and biological function of SIRT3/6 focus on aging fibrosis, as well as their inhibitors and activators as novel preventative or therapeutic interventions for aging-related tissue fibrosis. Graphical abstract

Deer antler-derived medicinal materials, including antler velvet, antlers, and deer antler base, exhibit differential therapeutic efficacy across developmental stages, though their molecular mechanisms at the proteomic level remain uncharacterized. This study employed Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) quantitative proteomics to systematically analyze protein profiles in sika deer antler velvet, antlers, and deer antler base. Comparative analysis revealed 3154 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs, 95% upregulated) between antler velvet and antlers, which were significantly enriched in Ribosome Biogenesis (e.g., Polyadenylate-binding protein), oxidative phosphorylation, and neurodegenerative disease pathways. In the comparison of deer antler base versus antlers, 1024 DEPs (92% upregulated) were identified, primarily involved in proteolysis (e.g., ACTC protein), glycolysis, and complement and coagulation cascades. Between deer antler base and antler velvet, 2749 DEPs (87% downregulated) were enriched in Thioredoxin domains, cytoskeleton regulation, and RNA-binding functions. Subcellular localization demonstrated antler velvet proteins predominantly distributed in the cytoplasm (37.6%) and nucleus (19.6%), while deer antler base proteins showed marked enrichment in extracellular regions (19.7%) and cytoskeletal components. As the first comprehensive proteomic characterization of these materials, this study identifies ribosomal proteins and complement pathway-related proteins as key biomarkers, thus establishing a scientific foundation for precise authentication, quality control, and efficacy–mechanism interpretation of deer antler-derived medicines. It further highlights antler velvet’s neuroprotective potential and deer antler base’s immunomodulatory applications.

(1) Background: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an aquatic plant with a long history and ornamental, edible, medicinal, and commercial value. All parts of the lotus are important “homologous and different effects” medicinal herbs as distinct parts of the same plant with different medicinal effects. (2) Methods: Six representative medicinal parts of lotus were selected, i.e., the lotus flower (Nelumbinis Flos, Flo), lotus petiole (Nelumbinis Petiolus, Pet), lotus seedpod (Nelumbinis Receptaculum, Rec), lotus stamen (Nelumbinis Stamen, Sta), lotus seed (Nelumbinis Semen, Sem), and lotus plumule (Nelumbinis Plumula, Plu), and analyzed via UPLC-MS/MS for metabolite profiling and RNA sequencing for gene expression. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified several transcription factor families related to flavonoid synthesis. (3) Results: Distinct metabolite accumulation and gene expression patterns were observed, particularly in the flavonoid synthesis pathway. Key findings included important metabolic profiles in stamens, high flavonoid content in light-exposed tissues, and functional differentiation in seeds and plumules. The discovered transcription factor families are essential for flavonoid biosynthesis and contribute to molecular breeding and resource utilization. (4) Conclusion: This study provides an important theoretical basis for molecular breeding of lotus, quality control of medicinal materials, and the rational use of resources obtained from different medicinal parts of lotus.

In this study, a TM widely-targeted metabolomics approach was employed to systematically characterize endogenous metabolites in the antlers(ANT), velvet antler(PA), and antler base(SDAB) of sika deer and red deer. A total of eighteen samples were selected and divided into six groups for metabolomic profiling. Based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), metabolic features were comprehensively identified by combining untargeted metabolite screening with a self-constructed database from MWE, leading to the detection of 2,361 metabolites. Multivariate statistical analyses, including PCA (principal component analysis) and OPLS-DA (orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis), were applied to investigate metabolic differences among tissues and between species. The results revealed significant tissue-specific metabolic profiles, particularly in antler tips, as well as species-specific differences between sika and red deer. Multiple differentially abundant metabolites were identified and predominantly enriched in pathways related to ABC transporters, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. These findings reveal distinct metabolic profiles associated with antler-derived materials and provide a scientific foundation for quality assessment, species discrimination, and biocompound discovery.It should be noted that this study has limitations, including a small sample size (n = 3 per group) and the geographical separation of sample sources. Future studies with larger cohorts and controlled environments are needed to validate these findings.

This study employed a TM widely-targeted metabolomics approach to systematically characterize endogenous metabolites in the antlers, antler tips, and pedicles of sika deer and red deer. A total of eighteen samples were selected and divided into six groups for metabolomic profiling. Based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), metabolic features were comprehensively identified by combining untargeted metabolite screening with a self-constructed database from MWE, leading to the detection of 2,361 metabolites. Multivariate statistical analyses, including PCA and OPLS-DA, were applied to investigate metabolic differences among tissues and between species. The results revealed significant tissue-specific metabolic profiles, particularly in antler tips, as well as species-specific differences between sika and red deer. Multiple differentially abundant metabolites were identified and predominantly enriched in pathways related to ABC transporters, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism. These findings elucidate the metabolic basis underlying the medicinal properties of antler-derived materials and provide a scientific foundation for quality assessment, species discrimination, and biocompound discovery.

(1) Background: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an aquatic plant with a long history, with ornamental, edible, medicinal, and commercial value. All parts of lotus are important “homologous and different effects” medicinal herbs as distinct parts of the same plant with different medicinal effects. (2) Methods: Six representative medicinal parts of lotus were selected, i.e., lotus flower (Nelumbinis Flos, Flo), lotus petiolous (Nelumbinis Petiolus, Pet), lotus seedpod (Nelumbinis Receptaculum, Rec), lotus stamen (Nelumbinis Stamen, Sta), lotus seed (Nelumbinis Semen, Sem), and lotus plumule (Nelumbinis Plumula, Plu). Analyzed via UPLC-MS/MS for metabolite profiling and RNA sequencing for gene expression. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified several transcription factor families related to flavonoid synthesis. (3) Results: Distinct metabolite accumulation and gene expression patterns were observed, particularly in the flavonoid synthesis pathway. Key findings included important metabolic profiles in stamens, high flavonoid content in light-exposed tissues, and functional differentiation in seeds and plumules. The discovered transcription factor families are essential for flavonoid biosynthesis and contribute to molecular breeding and resource utilization. (4) Conclusion: This study provides an important theoretical basis for molecular breeding of lotus, quality control of medicinal materials, and the rational use of resources obtained from different medicinal parts of lotus.