Potential analgesic effect of Foshousan oil-loaded chitosan-alginate nanoparticles on the treatment of migraine

Background: Migraine is a common neurovascular disorder with typical throbbing and unilateral headaches, causing a considerable healthcare burden on the global economy. This research aims to prepare chitosan-alginate (CS-AL) nanoparticles (NPs) containing Foshousan oil (FSSO) and investigate its potential therapeutic effects on the treatment of migraine.Methods: FSSO-loaded CS-AL NPs were prepared by using the single emulsion solvent evaporation method. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells and nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine mice were further used to explore anti-migraine activities and potential mechanisms of this botanical drug.Results: FSSO-loaded CS-AL NPs (212.1 ± 5.2 nm, 45.1 ± 6.2 mV) had a well-defined spherical shape with prolonged drug release and good storage within 4 weeks. FSSO and FSSO-loaded CS-AL NPs (5, 10, and 15 μg/mL) showed anti-inflammatory activities in LPS-treated BV-2 cells via reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and nitric oxide (NO), but elevating interleukin-10 (IL-10) expressions. Moreover, FSSO-loaded CS-AL NPs (52 and 104 mg/kg) raised pain thresholds against the hot stimulus and decreased acetic acid-induced writhing frequency and foot-licking duration in NTG-induced migraine mice. Compared with the model group, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and NO levels were downregulated, but 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and endothelin (ET) levels were upregulated along with rebalanced ET/NO ratio, and vasomotor dysfunction was alleviated by promoting cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the FSSO-loaded CS-AL NPs (104 mg/kg) group.Conclusion: FSSO-loaded CS-AL NPs could attenuate migraine via inhibiting neuroinflammation in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells and regulating vasoactive substances in NTG-induced migraine mice. These findings suggest that the FSS formula may be exploited as new phytotherapy for treating migraine

Advances in the phytochemistry and pharmacology of plant-derived phthalides

Phthalides are a class of unique compounds such as ligustilide, butylphthalide and butyldenephthalide, which have shown to possess multiple bioactivities in new drug research and development. Phthalides are naturally distributed in different plants that have been utilized as herbal treatments for various ailments with a long history in Asia, Europe and North America. Their extensive biological activity has led to a dramatic increase in the study of phthalide compounds in recent years. This review summarizes the latest research progress of plant-derived phthalides, and a total of 133 phthalide compounds are described based on the characteristics of chemical structures. Pharmacological properties of plant-derived phthalides are associated with hemorheological improvement, vascular function modulation and central nervous system protection. Potential treatments for a variety of diseases mainly including cardio-cerebrovascular disorders and neurological complications such as Alzheimer's disease are also concluded. In addition, key metabolic pathways have been clearly elucidated. Further investigations on the molecular mechanisms involved in biological activity are recommended for offering new insights into profound comprehension of phthalide applications

Red-phosphorus-impregnated carbon nanofibers for sodium-ion batteries and liquefaction of red phosphorus.

Red phosphorus offers a high theoretical sodium capacity and has been considered as a candidate anode for sodium-ion batteries. Similar to silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries, the electrochemical performance of red phosphorus is plagued by the large volume variation upon sodiation. Here we perform in situ transmission electron microscopy analysis of the synthesized red-phosphorus-impregnated carbon nanofibers with the corresponding chemo-mechanical simulation, revealing that, the sodiated red phosphorus becomes softened with a liquid-like mechanical behaviour and gains superior malleability and deformability against pulverization. The encapsulation strategy of the synthesized red-phosphorus-impregnated carbon nanofibers has been proven to be an effective method to minimize the side reactions of red phosphorus in sodium-ion batteries, demonstrating stable electrochemical cycling. Our study provides a valid guide towards high-performance red-phosphorus-based anodes for sodium-ion batteries

High-Performance Sub-Micrometer Channel WSe₂ Field-Effect Transistors Prepared Using a Flood–Dike Printing Method

Printing technology has potential to offer a cost-effective and scalable way to fabricate electronic devices based on two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). However, limited by the registration accuracy and resolution of printing, the previously reported printed TMDC field-effect transistors (FETs) have relatively long channel lengths (13–200 μm), thus suffering low current-driving capabilities (≤0.02 μA/μm). Here, we report a “flood–dike” self-aligned printing technique that allows the formation of source/drain metal contacts on TMDC materials with sub-micrometer channel lengths in a reliable way. This self-aligned printing technique involves three steps: (i) printing of gold ink on a WSe₂ flake to form the first gold electrode, (ii) modifying the surface of the first gold electrode with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) to lower the surface tension and render the surface hydrophobic, and (iii) printing of gold ink close to the SAM-treated first electrode at a certain distance. During the third step, the gold ink would first spread toward the edge of the first electrode and then get stopped by the hydrophobic SAM coating, ending up forming a sub-micrometer channel. With this printing technique, we have successfully downscaled the channel length to ∼750 nm and achieved enhanced on-state current densities of ∼0.64 μA/μm (average) and high on/off current ratios of ∼3 × 10⁵ (average). Furthermore, with our high-performance printed WSe₂ FETs, driving capabilities for quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (LEDs), inorganic LEDs, and organic LEDs have been demonstrated, which reveals the potential of using printed TMDC electronics for display backplane applications