Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition characterized by several symptoms. The pathogenesis of COPD is complex and involves multiple factors. A fantastic drug from traditional Chinese medicine, Isodon Suzhouensis (ISZ) is a perennial herb belonging to the Labiaceae family. It has the functions of resolving phlegm, removing stasis, promoting blood circulation and eliminating qi stagnation. ISZ has been found to possess great potential against COPD. Present study is focused on identifying microRNA (miRNA) biomarkers for COPD and determining the role of ISZ leaf extract in regulating the disease through miRNA expression in serum exosomes. The Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, COPD group and COPD + ISZ group. After the establishment of the model, the rats were sacrificed, and the results were compared with the control group. Then the total RNA of rat serum was extracted and identified by nanoparticle tracker. Finally, high-throughput screening and sequencing were performed to screen miRNAs with significant differential expression. Then, different databases were used to figure out the possible target genes, and their functions were assessed by employing Gene Ontology (GO) as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. The sequencing results were then further verified by qRT-PCR. The results pointed out that these 17 differentially expressed miRNAs may have the potential of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers against COPD. Interestingly, it was also found that ISZ leaf extract may regulate the occurrence of COPD by affecting the expression of miRNAs. This study identified the biomarkers of COPD and clarified the mechanism of the treatment of COPD by ISZ leaf extract, which is helpful to improve the level of early diagnosis and treatment of COPD.

Background: Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is closeky linked to metabolic disorders and lack of effective therapeutic options. Schisandrin A (SA), derived from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Schisandra, has shown liver-protective properties. SA may counteract MAFLD by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and inhibiting apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of SA on high-fat diet-induced MAFLD in C57BL/6 mice. The study also sought to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, focusing on the ERS signaling pathway and apoptosis.

Methods: MAFLD mice models were induced with a high-fat diet and divided into control, model, SA intervention (various dosages), atorvastatin positive control, and ERS inhibitor combined with SA intervention groups. serum lipid profiles, liver enzymes, and liver histopathology were assessed. Western blot, immunofluorescence, and TUNEL assay were used to evaluate ERS and apoptosis-related protein expression.

Results: SA intervention markedly enhanced serum lipid profiles and reduced liver enzyme levels. The histopathological alterations observed in the model group were significantly mitigated by SA treatment. Western blot analysis revealed that SA effectively modulated the expression levels of proteins associated with ERS and apoptosis. Furthermore, immunofluorescence and TUNEL assay results substantiated SA's regulatory influence on ERS and apoptotic pathways.

Conclusion: SA effectively improved dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid metabolism abnormalities. It reduced hepatic lipid deposition and pathological damage in MAFLD mice induced by a high-fat diet. The mechanism of action may involve the regulation of the ERS signaling pathway, thereby protecting cells from apoptosis.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought the new challenges to scientific research. Isodon suzhouensis has good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant stress effects, which is considered as a potential treatment for COVID-19. The possibility for the treatment of COVID-19 with I. suzhouensis and its potential mechanism of action were explored by employing molecular docking and network pharmacology. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to screen drug targets, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced RAW264.7 and NR8383 cells inflammation model was used for experimental verification. Collectively a total of 209 possible linkages against 18 chemical components from I. suzhouensis and 1194 COVID-19 related targets were selected. Among these, 164 common targets were obtained from the intersection of I. suzhouensis and COVID-19. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enriched 582 function targets and 87 target proteins pathways, respectively. The results from molecular docking studies revealed that rutin, vitexin, isoquercitrin and quercetin had significant binding ability with 3 chymotrypsin like protease (3CLpro) and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). In vitro studies showed that I. suzhouensis extract (ISE) may inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway and the expression level of downstream proinflammatory factors by inhibiting the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS. In addition, ISE was able to inhibit the activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in NR8383 cells exposed to LPS. Overall, the network pharmacology and in vitro studies conclude that active components from I. suzhouensis have strong therapeutic potential against COVID-19 through multi-target, multi-pathway dimensions and can be a promising candidate against COVID-19.