Analysis on application of Chinese materia medica in treatment of COVID-19 by suppressing cytokine storm / 中草药

At the end of December, 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak was found in China. COVID-19 spreads all over 268 countries, and more than 70 000 people got infected till February 23th, 2020. COVID-19 can result in acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ failure due to its strong infectivity and extensive spread. These severe complications are believed to be the consequence of cytokine storm caused by the virus infection. In the “Diagnosis and treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia”, glucocorticoid is recommended as the immunosuppressive agents to prevent acute immune reaction in critical patients. However, the usage of glucocorticoid may bring severe residual effects such as superinfection risks, prolonged course of disease. Traditional Chinese medicine might have advantages in the moderation of immune system. Actually, TCM is now applied in the treatment of COVID-19 clinically, and exhibits excellent therapeutic effects. In this review, the potential usage of TCM or traditional prescriptions in inhibiting cytokine storm and treating in acute lung injury were analyzed, which would be an effective strategy for the treatment of COVID-19.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Xingnaojing Injection () for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy in Newborns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine Xingnaojing Injection () for newborns with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Literatures were identified by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Cochrane Central, and four Chinese literature databases from the establishment of database to October in 2013. Relevant reference lists were also screened. Two reviewers independently evaluated the methodological quality of included studies. We also conducted the meta-analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirteen trials involving 1,169 patients were included. There was no trial reported death or disability at the end of follow-up period. Meta-analysis of 4 trials (n=371) showed that there was no significant difference in the reduction of mortality [risk ratios (RR)=0.48, 95% confidence intervals (CI, 0.21, 1.13), P=0.09] between the Xingnaojing and control groups. Meta-analysis of 5 trials (n=359) showed that there was significant difference in reducing the major neurodevelopmental disability [RR=0.36, 95% CI (0.19, 0.66), P=0.001]. Meta-analysis of 6 trials (n=447) showed that there was significant difference in the author self-defined symptom improvement [RR=1.25, 95% CI (1.14, 1.37), P<0.01]. No fatal side-effects were reported.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Based on the limited evidence, the routine use of Xingnaojing Injection for treatment of HIE in newborns is not recommended. Further well-conducted trials are justified.</p>

Preparation and anti-cancer activity in vitro of curcumin loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle / 中国中药杂志

This paper is to prepare curcumin (Cur) loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle (Cur-MSN), evaluate its release behavior and anti-cancer activity in vitro. Mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) was prepared by polymerization method and Cur-MSN was obtained using solvent evaporation method and impregnation centrifugation method. The preparation method was optimized using entrapment efficiency (EE) and loading efficiency (LE) as indexes. Cur-MSN was characterized with scanning electron microscope and its particle size and zeta potential were determined. Finally, in vitro release behavior in 0.2% SDS solution and its cell-killing effect on HeLa cells were also evaluated. The Cur-MSN prepared with process optimization method was round and uniform and exhibited typical mesoporous characterization. The mean particle size and Zeta potential of Cur-MSN were 75.8 nm and -30.1 mV, respectively. EE and LE of three batches of Cur-MSN were (72.55 ± 2.01)% and (16.21 ± 1.12)%, respectively. In vitro release behavior of Cur-MSN showed a sustained release profile with 83.5% cumulative release within 96 h. The killing effect of Cur-MSN on HeLa cells was dose-dependent with IC50 of 19.40 mg x L(-1), which was similar to that of Cur.

Study on preparation process and formulation optimization of herpetin liposomes / 中国中药杂志

Herpetin (HPT) is an active monomer constituent isolated from lignanoid in seeds of Herpetospermum caudigerum. HPT shows inhibitory effects in hepatic injury and HBV-DNA and the replication. In the study, we successfully prepare herpetin liposomes by film dispersion method for the first time. The prescription process was optimized, with the entrapment efficiency as the index. According to the optimized prescription, the mass ratio of HPT: phospholipids: cholesterol was 2.44:78.05: 19.51, the hydration and de-molding process was performed with 0.5% F68 solution at 50 degrees C, and the water-bath ultrasonic time was 20 min. The HPT liposomes prepared by this method showed an average entrapment efficiency of (94.50 +/- 2.15)% and a particle size of (119.2 +/- 10.7) nm, which was consistent with the trial expectations and will lay a solid foundation for the hepatic targeting delivery system in future.

Preparation of herpetin lyophilized liposome and evaluation on its safety and pharmacodynamics / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the herpetin (HPT) lyophilized liposome was prepared, and its saftey and pharmacodynamics were evaluated. HPT lyophilized liposome was prepared by thin-film ultrasonication method. The lyoprotectant was optimized using particle size and encapsulation efficiency as indexes. Then, the influencing factors of HPT lyophilized liposome were investigated. In addition, preliminary safety and therapy efficiency of HPT lyophilized liposome to liver injury induced by CCl4 in the mice. The optimal lyoprotectant was 5% sucrose plus 5% lactose and the dispersed HPT lyophilized liposomes were spherical with the mean diameter of (107.0 ± 1.2) nm and the mean encapsulation efficiency of (99.7 ± 0.50)%. The lyophilized powder was sensitive to temperature, humidity and illumination. None of hemolysis, hemagglutination and vein irritation was observed after intravenous injection of HPT lyophilized liposomes into rabbits. HPT lyophilized liposome showed obviously therapy efficiency to liver injury induced by CCl4 in the mice. The improvements of ALT, AST and ALP were better than that in HPT free drug. The obtained HPT lyophilized liposome met the standard of CP with fine particle size and encapsulation efficiency after dispersion. The HPT lyophilized liposome showed good safety and enhanced the treatment efficacy of HPT. The HPT lyophilized liposome should be stored in low temperature, sealed condition far away from light.

Effects of Chinese drugs for activating blood and Chinese drugs for nourishing qi and activating blood on the metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma in different stages / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reveal the different molecular mechanisms between Chinese drugs for activating blood (CDAB) and Chinese drugs for nourishing qi and activating blood (CDNQAB) in the metastasis process of Lewis lung carcinoma, thus providing experimental reliance for Chinese drugs to reverse immune escape.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The inhibition rate of lung metastasis was observed in each group. The dynamic percentage and ratio changes of Th17 and Treg cells in spleen CD4+ T lymphocytes were detected using flow cytometry. The dynamic levels of IL-17, IL-23, and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) in the culture supernatant of CD4+ T lymphocytes were detected by ELISA. The dynamic mRNA expressions of Foxp3 and RORgammat in CD4+ T lymphocytes were detected by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CDNQAB (sapanwood +astragalus) showed better lung metastasis inhibiting rate than CDAB (sapanwood alone) (P<0.05), similar to the effects of cyclophosphamide (P>0.05). Except the CDNQAB group, spleen Th17 and Treg cells showed a rising tendency in mice of each tumor-bearing group. The effectors of Th17 and Treg cells (IL-17, IL-23, and IFN-gamma) and key transcription molecules of Th17 and Treg cells (RORgammat and Foxp3) showed dynamic changes corresponding to Th17 and Treg cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The immune inflammatory reactions of CDNQAB (sapanwood +astragalus) were superior to those of CDAB (sapanwood alone) and of cyclophosphamide during the process of inhibiting tumor immunotolerance and of the formation of tumor. All drugs showed certain inhibition on the mechanisms for neoplasm metastasis. But CD-NQAB was superior to CDAB and chemotherapeutics.</p>