Praeruptorin A (PA) is one of the active ingredients found in the dried root of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn, has been reported to possess anticancer effects against various types of cancer. However, the effect of PA on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncleared. In this study, our results indicated that PA did not induce cytotoxicity or alter cell cycle distribution in human HCC cells (Huh‐7, SK‐Hep‐1, and PLC/PRF/5 cells). Instead, PA inhibited the migration and invasion of human HCC cells while downregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP1) and activating the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways. Furthermore, blocking the ERK signaling pathway through siERK restored the expression of MMP1 and the invasive ability of PA‐treated HCC cells. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the antimetastatic activity of PA against human HCC cells, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent of HCC treatments.

Azo molecular glass (IAC-4) microspheres with a monodispersed diameter over ten microns were fabricated by microfluidics and unique shape manipulation was achieved based on their fascinating photoinduced deformation behaviour. After irradiation with a polarized laser beam (λ = 488 nm), the IAC-4 microspheres were transformed into uniform mushroom-like particles, and their three-dimensional (3D) asymmetric shapes were precisely manipulated by adjusting the irradiation time and the polarization state of light. By observing the particle morphology in three orthogonal views (top view, front view and side view) by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the photoinduced deformation behaviour of the ten-micron-sized particles was comprehensively revealed in the 3D space for the first time. It was observed that the photoinduced deformation asymmetrically occurred on the upper part of the microspheres due to the strong optical absorption of the azo chromophores. Besides, the deformation manner of the upper part was decided by the direction of the electric vibration of the refracted light. This work not only depicts a clear picture of the photoinduced deformation behaviour of the ten-micron-sized azo particles upon polarized light irradiation, but also provides a new method to controllably manipulate the particle shape from spheres to complex 3D architectures.

Periodic submiocrometer pillar arrays are fabricated from a photoresponsive azo molecular glass (IA-Chol) by soft-lithographic hot embossing with elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) modes. Through deformation of each submicrometer-sized pillar in response to the local amplitude and polarization of the superimposed electric waves, optical holograms are recorded on the IA-Chol pillar arrays. When the interference pattern is formed by two polarized beams with opposite-circular polarizations, the recorded patterns mainly reflect the polarization state variations with spatial phase difference of the interfering waves. When two plane waves with the same linear polarizations are superimposed, where the polarization direction is almost the same as the writing beams, the intensity variation of the superimposed electric waves is recorded by the pillar arrays changing spatially with the phase variations. Various ordered surface patterns with distinct hierarchical configurations are successfully developed by the intensity and polarization modulations of the interfering waves. This approach not only allows to directly visualize the intensity and polarization of the coherent light captured by the holograms, but also provides a powerful platform to fabricate various complex surface patterns. The submicrometer pillar arrays can also be used to record polarization hologram and the images are reconstructed by reference light in diffracted spots.

A diffraction grating of a stimulus-responsive hydrogel was fabricated for the detection of CO2 with a low detection limit. The hydrogel consisted of dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPMA), methyl methacrylate, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. The sensing gratings were fabricated through soft-lithographic duplication of photoinduced surface-relief-gratings on azo molecular glass films on the hydrogel surfaces. The detection of an analyte was achieved by the reaction of tertiary amino groups of DMAPMA in the hydrogel with CO2 in water and swelling of hydrogel gratings to cause the variation of the optical-diffraction efficiency (DE). The relationship between DE and CO2 concentration, controlled by the gas-injection rate and volume, was systematically investigated. The performance of continuous detection of CO2 was also evaluated. The sensing device showed high sensitivity, reliable readability, and excellent repeatability for CO2 detection. The CO2-sensing performance of the hydrogel grating was proved to be almost unaffected by relative humidity variations of the environment in a wide range.