The publisher regrets that the abstract of the above article was inadvertently published incorrectly in the final version due to a production error. The correct abstract is provided below. The original article can be found online at: https://www.benthamscience.com/article/146959 The publisher apologizes for any inconvenience caused. Details of the error and the corrections are provided below. Original: Abstract: Introduction: Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC) remains a significant global health challenge, underscoring the urgent need for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. Ranunculus ternatus Thunb., a traditional herb, exhibits potential anticancer properties, but its mechanisms against ESCC remain poorly understood. This study integrates network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the therapeutic effects of the ethyl acetate extract of Ranunculus ternatus Thunb. (RTE). Methods: Potential targets of RTE and ESCC were screened using public databases. A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify key targets, followed by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. The predicted mechanisms were validated using in vitro assays, including cell proliferation analysis and western blot assay in ESCC cell lines. Results: Network pharmacology analysis identified 274 potential targets, with 14 key genes implicated in the therapeutic effects of RTE. GO analysis revealed significant involvement in the inflammatory response and apoptotic signaling pathways. KEGG pathway analysis highlighted the MAPK, Relaxin, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways as critical mechanisms. In vitro experiments demonstrated that RTE significantly inhibited the proliferation of EC-109 and TE-13 cells by modulating the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways. Discussion: The study reveals that active compounds of RTE target MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways, aligning with prior evidence. However, future studies should explore animal models to confirm efficacy. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of RTE against ESCC. These findings underscore the potential of RTE as a promising natural compound for ESCC treatment. Revised: Abstract: Objective: Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AIT) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases and often causes hypothyroidism in patients. As a traditional formulation in China, Buzhong Yiqi decoction (BZYQD) has significant effects in improving clinical symptoms of AIT and reducing autoantibody titers, but its specific mechanism of action needs to be further explored. The purpose of this study was to explore the effective targets and related mechanisms of Buzhong Yiqi decoction in AIT mice using transcriptome sequencing technology. Methods: Forty NOD.H-2h4 mice were selected, and 0.05% NaI was provided ad libitum in drinking water for 8 weeks to establish AIT mouse models, and drug intervention was performed according to groups for 8 weeks. The groups were as follows: control group, Model Group, Buzhong Yiqi Decoction group (9.56 gÅEkg-1) and Positive control group (Se yeast tablets, 3.033Å~10-5 gÅEkg-1), of which Buzhong Yiqi Decoction was the clinical equivalent dose. Thyroid tissues of the Model Group, blank group and Buzhong Yiqi Decoction group were subjected to transcriptome sequencing to analyze the expression of differential genes, and enrichment analysis was carried out. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (HE staining) was used to detect the pathological changes in thyroid tissues, and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to detect the content of serum Thyroglobulin Antibody (TGAb) to determine the intervention effect of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction; Real-time fluorescence quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-time PCR) was performed based on the transcriptome sequencing results to detect the expression of TLR8, JUN, TICAM2, TIRAP, and IL-1β mRNA in thyroid tissue. Results: According to the transcriptome results, compared with the blank group, there were 327 significantly up-regulated genes and 440 significantly down-regulated genes in the Model Group; compared with the Model Group, there were 502 significantly up-regulated genes and 380 significantly down-regulated genes in the Buzhong Yiqi Decoction group, mainly enriched in immune inflammation and other related pathways, including Toll-like receptors. Animal experiments showed that compared with the control group, the model group had obvious lymphocyte infiltration in thyroid tissue under light microscope, a significant increase in inflammatory cells, a significant increase in TGAb content in serum, and a significant increase in TLR8, JUN, TICAM2, TIRAP, and IL-1β mRNA expression was observed (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the Model Group, Buzhong Yiqi Decoction could significantly improve the inflammatory damage in thyroid tissue in AIT mice, reduce the content of TGAb in serum, and down-regulate the expression of TLR8, JUN, TICAM2, TIRAP, and IL-1β mRNA (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: Buzhong Yiqi Decoction can effectively improve the inflammatory damage in AIT, and inhibiting the abnormal activation of the Toll-like receptor pathway may be one of its intervention mechanisms.
Zhao et al. (Wed,) studied this question.