11c

Lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli O111:B4 are key components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. As a smooth-type LPS, they consist of lipid A, an R3-type core oligosaccharide, and an O-specific polysaccharide. These LPS molecules exhibit high immunogenicity, can trigger strong immune responses and gastric disorders by activating the TLR-4 receptor on immune cells, and help maintain the structural integrity of the bacterial outer membrane while protecting against bile salts and lipid-based antibiotics. They are widely used to establish inflammation-related disease models, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Colchicine is an orally active natural alkaloid that acts by inhibiting microtubule polymerization (IC50 = 3 nM) and as a competitive antagonist of the α3 glycine receptor. It possesses broad anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and antifibrotic activities, can inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation to prevent NSAID-induced small intestine injury, holds potential for gouty arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis research, and is commonly used to establish Alzheimer’s disease models.

Histamine (Ergamine) is an amine derived by the enzymatic decarboxylation of histamine. Histamine is a potent stimulant of gastric secretion, a constrictor of bronchial smooth muscle, a vasodilator, and a neurotransmitter of central action.

Monocrotaline is an 11-membered macrocyclic pyrrolizidine alkaloid extracted from the seeds of Crotalaria plants. It inhibits organic cation transporters OCT-1 and OCT-2, with IC50 values of 36.8 µM and 1.8 mM, respectively. Monocrotaline exhibits antitumor activity and shows certain cytotoxicity against liver cancer cells such as HepG2. It is also commonly used to induce pulmonary arterial hypertension models in rodents.

Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, possessing mineralocorticoid activity and serving as a precursor to aldosterone. As an agonist of the mineralocorticoid receptor, DOCA can induce severe kidney damage, including inflammation, fibrosis, glomerular injury, and proteinuria. It is commonly used to establish animal models of chronic kidney injury and hypertension.

L-Arginine (L-Arg) is a substrate of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). L-Arginine is transported to vascular smooth muscle cells via a family of cationic amino acid transporters and is metabolized to nitric oxide, polyamines, or L-proline. L-Arginine is a potent vasodilator and can be used to induce experimental acute pancreatitis.

Aristolochic acid A is the main component of the plant extract aristolochic acids, primarily found in the herbaceous plants Aristolochia and Asarum. It significantly inhibits the activity of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and NF-κB, and downregulates the expression of the bladder cancer-associated BLCAP gene in human cells. It is commonly used to induce nephrotoxicity models.

Bicuculline is an alkaloid extracted from Corydalis decumbens, acting as a competitive antagonist of the neurotransmitter GABAA receptor (IC50 = 2 μM). It also blocks Ca2+-activated potassium (SK) channels and inhibits slow afterhyperpolarization (slow AHP). Bicuculline has anticonvulsant effects and is commonly used to establish mouse seizure models.