A series of agar/κ-carrageenan mixed hydrogels with different mass ratios were prepared, and their physicochemical properties, gelling behavior and drug release performance were determined and analyzed. The results showed that the gel strength, the gelling temperature and the gel melting temperature decreased with the increase of κ-carrageenan, while the apparent viscosities increased. Optical rotation and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that there did exist intermolecular interactions between agar and κ-carrageenan, and the detailed gelling mechanism of the mixed hydrogels was proposed, which was different from that of the previous research. Besides, agar/κ-carrageenan mixed hydrogels were used as carriers for the delivery of metformin hydrochloride (MET). The results showed that the drug loading efficiency and the sustained release capacity of agar hydrogels could be enhanced by the addition of κ-carrageenan, and the release profile was mainly dominated by the electrostatic interaction between the MET and the polysaccharides. These results indicated that κ-carrageenan had the potential to improve the physicochemical properties and drug release performance of agar hydrogel. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Chinese herbal medicine Qing-Dai (also known as Indigo naturalis) extracted from indigo-bearing plants including Baphicacanthus cusia (Ness) Bremek was previously reported to exhibit anti-psoriatic effects in topical treatment. TH17 was later established as a key player in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. We investigated the anti-TH17 effect of Indigo naturalis and its active compounds. The aim of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of Indigo naturalis (IN) and its derivatives on five cell types involved in psoriasis, and to study the anti-inflammatory mechanism for the toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Following the fingerprint and quantity analysis of indirubin, indigo, and tryptanthrin in IN extract, we used MTS kits to measure the anti-proliferative effect of IN and three active compounds on five different cell types identified in psoriatic lesions. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to measure the expression of various genes identified in the activated keratinocytes and TH17 polarized gene expression in RORγt-expressing T cells. RESULTS We showed that IN differentially inhibited the proliferation of keratinocytes and endothelial cells but not monocytes, fibroblasts nor Jurkat T cells. Among three active compounds identified in IN, tryptanthrin was the most potent compound to reduce their proliferation. In addition to differentially reducing IL6 and IL8 expression, both IN and tryptanthrin also potently decreased the expression of anti-microbial S100A9 peptide, CCL20 chemokine, IL1B and TNFA cytokines, independent of NF-κB-p65-activation. Their attenuating effect was also detected on the expression of signature cytokines or chemokines induced during RORγT-induced TH17 polarization. CONCLUSIONS We were the first to confirm a direct anti-TH17 effect of both IN herbal extract and tryptanthrin. ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Osteoporosis (OP) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are common geriatric concurrent diseases, and many studies indicate the connection of their pathogenesis. Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) Wight (CT) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine and has been extensively applied to treat OP and AD, respectively. However, the active ingredients for both concurrent diseases simultaneously and underlying mechanisms are limited. AIM OF STUDY This work aimed at establishing an effective and reliable network screening method to find dual-effects compounds in CT that can protect AD and OP concurrently. And it will provide new perspectives of the link between OP and AD on molecular mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS The dual-effects of CT were systematically analyzed with integrating multiple databases and extensive analysis at a network pharmacology level. Classified drug-target interaction network was constructed to reveal differences in effects between different types of compounds. To prove the and AD on molecular mechanisms. V.ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) is one of the moststudied Rasayana botanicals used in Ayurveda practice for its immunomodulatory, anti-aging, adaptogenic, and rejuvenating effects. The botanical is being used for various clinical indications, including cancer. Several studies exploring molecular mechanisms of WS suggest its possible role in improving clinical outcomes in cancer management. Therefore, research on WS may offer new insights in rational development of therapeutic adjuvants for cancer. https://www.selleckchem.com/JAK.html AIM OF THIS REVIEW The review aims at providing a detailed analysis of in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies related to WS and cancer. It suggests possible role of WS in regulating molecular mechanisms associated with carcinogenesis. The review discusses potential of WS in cancer management in terms of cancer prevention, anti-cancer activity, and enhancing efficacy of cancer therapeutics. MATERIAL AND METHODS The present narrative review offers a critical analysis of pus and promoting immunosurveillance. Additionally, WS can augment efficacy and safety of cancer therapeutics. CONCLUSION The experimentally-supported evidence of immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, adaptogenic, and regenerative attributes of WS suggest its therapeutic adjuvant potential in cancer management. The adjuvant properties of withanolides can modulate multidrug resistance and reverse chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. These mechanisms need to be further explored in systematically designed translational and clinical studies that will pave the way for integration of WS as a therapeutic adjuvant in cancer management. Six new polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols, hyperfols CH (1-6), along with seven known ones (7-13), were isolated from the aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum. The structures were identified on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis including 1D and 2D NMR, and the absolute configurations of the new compounds were determined by quantum chemical electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. In addition, compounds 4 and 12 exhibited moderate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities, with IC50 values of 20.32 and 27.37 μM, respectively. V.