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Plant-derived extracellular vesicles have recently been extracted and recognized as promising bioactive molecules, owing to their distinctive biological properties and inherent therapeutic activities. In this study, we investigated the physicochemical characteristics, bioactive properties, and therapeutic potential of Perilla frutescens-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PELNs). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that PELNs exhibited a cup-shaped morphology, with a lipid bilayer and a size distribution ranging from 40 to 200 nm (mean: 68.4 ± 13.0 nm). The cargoes in PELNs were analyzed through multi-omics and small RNA sequencing. In vivo studies on zebrafish demonstrated that PELNs are non-toxic at experimental concentrations. A reduction in neutrophil migration to injured fins evidenced the anti-inflammatory properties of PELNs. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of transcriptomic data identified hundreds of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across 12 samples of three experimental groups. These DEGs were annotated into three categories following gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. Additionally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that these DEGs were involved in immune-related pathways, including complement and coagulation cascades, systemic lupus erythematosus, PPAR signaling pathways, and antigen processing and presentation. Twelve selected DEGs were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), with particular confirmation of the mpx and lcp1 genes via in situ hybridization. Furthermore, PELNs demonstrated antioxidative effects by mitigating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as evidenced by measurements of four oxidative stress (OS) indicators (i.e., SOD, CAT, GSH, and MDA) in zebrafish larvae subjected to H₂O₂-induced OS. In summary, PELNs exhibit substantial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, underscoring their potential as therapeutic agents for treating various inflammatory diseases.

01 Apr 2025·The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry

Curcumin mitigates obesity-driven dysbiosis and liver steatosis while promoting browning and thermogenesis in white adipose tissue of high-fat diet-fed mice

Article

Author: Ko, Min-Chi ; Liao, Jun-Cheng ; Chou, Wei-Ling ; Chiu, Yi-Han ; Huang, Tse-Hung

Curcumin, recognized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is a promising dietary supplement for liver protection. However, its role in preventing obesity-induced hepatic steatosis is not fully understood. This study aims to show that curcumin mitigates hepatic steatosis and promotes browning and thermogenesis in white adipose tissue (WAT) under obesity. Male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to four groups: standard diet (STD), STD supplemented with 100 mg/kg curcumin, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with 100 mg/kg curcumin, administered for 4 weeks. Compared to STD mice, HFD-fed mice exhibited significantly greater body weight, epididymal fat mass, liver weight, postprandial blood glucose (PBG), insulin, and plasma/hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglyceride (TG) levels, alongside an inflammatory response and macrophage infiltration. Additionally, HFD-fed mice showed reduced adiponectin, adiponectin receptor-1, and PI3K/AKT phosphorylation in liver tissue. Except for liver weight, these effects were reversed in curcumin-treated HFD mice. Curcumin inhibited adipocyte hypertrophy and elevated the expression of PGC-1α, PPARγ, and UCP-1 proteins, as well as Zic1, Prdm16, Tnfrsf9, and Tmem26 genes in epididymal fat pads (EFPs). It also significantly altered gut microbiota composition, reducing pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Helicobacter, Oscillospira, Parabacteroides, and Alistipes, thereby alleviating intestinal dysbiosis and improving obesity-related metabolic parameters. In conclusion, curcumin's protective effects against hepatic steatosis and adiposity in HFD-fed mice stem from its ability to upregulate adiponectin, enhance insulin signaling, promote WAT browning, increase thermogenesis, and modulate intestinal dysbiosis.

01 Mar 2025·The American Journal of Medicine

Leser-Trélat sign in a patient with ovarian cancer

Article

Author: Weng, Pei-Chun ; Chen, Chun-Bing

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