Intension research on influencing factors of medicinal properties formation of Lonicera japonica and cause hypothesis in explaining medicinal properties of Chinese materia medica single herb / 中草药

The four natures are the basic properties of Chinese materia medica (CMM). At present, it is one of the research hotspots to reveal the scientific connotation of CMM property theory. Clarifying the formation process and influencing factors of the medicinal properties of each single herb in a long historical period is the basic condition for the induction and summary of common characteristics of TCM property theory. Through the textual research of ancient books and documents, combined with the research results of modern Chinese medicine science, this paper combs the influence factors in the formation of the medicinal properties of Lonicera japonica, and reveals its scientific connotation. That is to say, the formation of the medicinal properties of each single herb of TCM is the result of its efficacy material base, the efficacy reflected in the process of clinical treatment and the tendency of clinical medication in previous dynasties. Based on the above research, the cause hypothesis of single herb property is put forward for the first time. The hypothesis provides a reference for the theoretical study of medicine property of TCM.

Is there a role for immune-to-brain communication in schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is characterised by hallucinations, delusions, depression-like so-called negative symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, impaired neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. Epidemiological and genetic studies strongly indicate a role of inflammation and immunity in the pathogenesis of symptoms of schizophrenia. Evidence accrued over the last two decades has demonstrated that there are a number of pathways through which systemic inflammation can exert profound influence on the brain leading to changes in mood, cognition and behaviour. The peripheral immune system-to-brain communication pathways have been studied extensively in the context of depression where inflammatory cytokines are thought to play a key role. In this review, we highlight novel evidence suggesting an important role of peripheral immune-to-brain communication pathways in schizophrenia. We discuss recent population-based longitudinal studies that report an association between elevated levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines and subsequent risk of psychosis. We discuss emerging evidence indicating potentially important role of blood-brain barrier endothelial cells in peripheral immune-to-brain communication, which may be also relevant for schizophrenia. Drawing on clinical and preclinical studies, we discuss whether immune-mediated mechanisms could help to explain some of the clinical and pathophysiological features of schizophrenia. We discuss implication of these findings for approaches to diagnosis, treatment and research in future. Finally, pointing towards links with early-life adversity, we consider whether persistent low-grade activation of the innate immune response, as a result of impaired foetal or childhood development, could be a common mechanism underlying the high comorbidity between certain neuropsychiatric and physical illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression, heart disease and type-two diabetes.