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Fulltext Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities (α-Glucosidase, Xanthine Oxidase, and Acetylcholinesterase) of Musella lasiocarpa

Li R, Ru Y, Wang Z, He X, Kong KW, Zheng T, et al.

Molecules, 2021 Jul 24;26(15).
PMID: 34361630 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26154472

In this study, we aimed to investigate the chemical components and biological activities of Musella lasiocarpa, a special flower that is edible and has functional properties. The crude methanol extract and its four fractions (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous fractions) were tested for their total antioxidant capacity, followed by their α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. Among the samples, the highest total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were found in the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction (224.99 mg GAE/g DE) and crude methanol extract (187.81 mg QE/g DE), respectively. The EtOAc fraction of Musella lasiocarpa exhibited the strongest DPPH· scavenging ability, ABTS·+ scavenging ability, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with the IC50 values of 22.17, 12.10, and 125.66 μg/mL, respectively. The EtOAc fraction also showed the strongest ferric reducing antioxidant power (1513.89 mg FeSO4/g DE) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity ability (524.11 mg Trolox/g DE), which were higher than those of the control BHT. In contrast, the aqueous fraction demonstrated the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 10.11 μg/mL), and the best xanthine oxidase inhibitory ability (IC50 = 5.23 μg/mL) was observed from the crude methanol extract as compared with allopurinol (24.85 μg/mL). The HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS analyses further revealed an impressive arsenal of compounds, including phenolic acids, fatty acids, esters, terpenoids, and flavonoids, in the most biologically active EtOAc fraction. Taken together, this is the first report indicating the potential of Musella lasiocarpa as an excellent natural source of antioxidants with possible therapeutic, nutraceutical, and functional food applications.
The correlation between mindfulness and problematic smartphone use: A meta-analysis

Ru Y, Norlizah HC, Nasuha Burhanuddin NA, Liu H, Dong J

Addict Behav, 2025 May;164:108272.
PMID: 39923383 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108272

OBJECTIVES: In the modern era of constant digital technological advancements, problematic smartphone use has become a key issue in educational psychology. This phenomenon affects individual psychological well-being and academic or other performance and encompasses interpersonal relationships and societal aspects, divulging the intricate correlation between technology usage and human behavior. This study aims to explore mindfulness as an intervention measure to lessen problematic smartphone use.
METHODS: Based on the PRISMA method, this study used a meta-analytic approach to explore the relationship between mindfulness and problematic smartphone use systematically. Systematic literature searches for papers published before February 2024 yielded 29 studies, including 17,534 individuals and 30 effect sizes. The sample comprised participants from Eastern cultures (n = 22 studies) and Western cultures (n = 8 studies).
RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between mindfulness and problematic smartphone use (r = -0.399, 95 % CI [-0.457, -0.338], p
Fulltext African swine fever virus pEP364R acts as an important inflammatory-inducing factor to activate NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis by regulating DDX3X

Li Q, Ma X, Shang X, Nian X, Mao R, Luo Z, et al.

PLoS Pathog, 2026 Feb;22(2):e1013874.
PMID: 41739885 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013874

African swine fever virus (ASFV) infection causes a severe hemorrhagic disease in pigs, characterized by excessive inflammatory responses and tissue damage, posing substantial threats to the pig industry worldwide. Given the lack of vaccines and effective antiviral treatments, as well as the largely unknown functions of most ASFV-encoded proteins, it's urgent to study the proteins that are crucial in triggering inflammatory responses and how they do so. This study demonstrated that ASFV exploited the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome to induce pyroptosis and inflammatory responses, effectively replacing the non-functional porcine AIM2 pseudogene. Screening over 150 proteins encoded by the ASFV genome, EP364R was identified as the viral factor responsible for driving NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis and high-level cytokine production. Ectopic expression of EP364R in mice elicited significant upregulation of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and splenomegaly, while its expression in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from NLRP3-knockout mice abrogated pyroptosis and related effects. Mechanistic investigation revealed that the helicase DDX3X acted as a molecular bridge, enabling EP364R to interact with NLRP3 to promote the aggregation and activation of inflammasomes. Depletion of DDX3X abolished EP364R's ability to induce NLRP3-dependent pyroptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. We found that the NACHT domain of porcine NLRP3 interacted with DDX3X, and EP364R established a connection with the NACHT and LRR domains of NLRP3 through DDX3X. However, EP364R bound to all the domains of DDX3X. Molecular docking analysis revealed that DDX3X interacted with EP364R through a spatially defined interface, thereby exerting its function. Furthermore, a natural compound library was employed to screen functional compounds targeting EP364R, and HAMNO was identified as an inhibitor that bound to E256, K259, and D260 of EP364R, consequently suppressing ASFV replication. Our findings explain how ASFV triggers pyroptosis and excessive cytokine release, and identify a potent small-molecule inhibitor of ASFV, aiding the development of vaccines and therapies to prevent and control African swine fever (ASF) caused by ASFV infection.

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