Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have gained much attention in virtue of their various atomic configurations and band structures. Apart from those thermodynamically stable phases, plenty of metastable phases exhibit interesting properties. To obtain 2D TMDs with specific phases, it is important to develop phase engineering strategies including phase transition and phaseselective synthesis. Phase transition is a conventional method to transform one phase to another, while phase-selective synthesis means the direct fabrication of the target phases for 2D TMDs. In this review, we introduce the structures and stability of 2D TMDs with different phases. Then, we summarize the detailed processes and mechanism of the traditional phase transition strategies. Moreover, in view of the increasing demand of high-phase purity TMDs, we present the advanced phase-selective synthesis strategies. Finally, we underline the challenges and outlooks of phase engineering of 2D TMDs in two aspects-high phase purity and excellent controllability. This review may promote the development of controllable phase engineering for 2D TMDs and even other 2D materials toward both fundamental studies and practical applications.

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This paper first demonstrated that rosemary has an effective function to regulate lipid metabolism through the AMPK/SREBP1c signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro.

Background Mulberry leaves are the dried leaves of Morus alba L., flavonoids from mulberry leaves (MLF) has showed regulatory effect on abnormal lipid metabolism, but the regulatory mechanism of MLF on cholesterol metabolism is still missing. This study was designed to investigate the effect of MLF and its active metabolite quercetin on regulating cholesterol disorders. Methods The mechanism of MLF on alleviating liver injury and regulating cholesterol was examined in dyslipidemic SD rats. The regulatory mechanism of quercetin for cholesterol disorders have also been detected through lipid laden HepG2 cell model. Results Our results showed that MLF significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and alleviate hepatic injury in NAFLD rat model. The hepatic expression level of SREBP2, HMGCR and miR-33a were significantly down-regulated, while CYP7A1 was induced by MLF treatment. In vitro, Quercetin significantly decreased lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Mechanistically, quercetin could inhibit the mRNA and protein expression level of SREBP2 and HMGCR with or without LDL treatment. In addition, quercetin could also reduce the LXRβ while induced SR-BI mRNA expression. Conclusion Our findings indicate that MLF and quercetin could reduce the excessive cholesterol accumulation in vivo and in vitro. These cholesterol-regulating phenomenon might attribute to its effect on down-regulating the expression of lipid-related markers such as SREBP2 and HMGCR, which may exert a protective role in the NAFLD treatment.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide, and its prevalence is still growing rapidly. However, the efficient therapies for this liver disease are still limited. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been proven to be closely associated with NAFLD. The mitochondrial injury caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and oxidative stress can aggravate the hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. which contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD. Therefore, pharmacological therapies that target mitochondria could be a promising way for the NAFLD intervention. Recently, natural products targeting mitochondria have been extensively studied and have shown promising pharmacological activity. In this review, the recent research progress on therapeutic effects of natural-product-derived compounds that target mitochondria and combat NAFLD was summarized, aiming to provide new potential therapeutic lead compounds and reference for the innovative drug development and clinical treatment of NAFLD.