Screening of Botanical Drugs against SARS-CoV-2 Entry Reveals Novel Therapeutic Agents to Treat COVID-19.

An escalating pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has severely impacted global health. There is a severe lack of specific treatment options for diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we used a pseudotype virus (pv) containing the SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein to screen a botanical drug library containing 1037 botanical drugs to identify agents that prevent SARS-CoV-2 entry into the cell. Our study identified four hits, including angeloylgomisin O, schisandrin B, procyanidin, and oleanonic acid, as effective SARS-CoV-2 S pv entry inhibitors in the micromolar range. A mechanistic study revealed that these four agents inhibited SARS-CoV-2 S pv entry by blocking spike (S) protein-mediated membrane fusion. Furthermore, angeloylgomisin O and schisandrin B inhibited authentic SARS-CoV-2 with a high selective index (SI; 50% cytotoxic concentration/50% inhibition concentration). Our drug combination studies performed in cellular antiviral assays revealed that angeloylgomisin O has synergistic effects in combination with remdesivir, a drug widely used to treat SARS-CoV-2-mediated infections. We also showed that two hits could inhibit the newly emerged alpha (B.1.1.7) and beta (B.1.351) variants. Our findings collectively indicate that angeloylgomisin O and schisandrin B could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 efficiently, thereby making them potential therapeutic agents to treat the coronavirus disease of 2019.

The Effects of Long-Term Tai-Chi Practice on Blood Pressure Under Normal Conditions.

BACKGROUND: Tai-Chi is a popular form of mind-body activity that is suitable for people of all ages. Accumulating evidence have shown that Tai-Chi can help ameliorate cardiovascular diseases. However, the benefits of long-term practice of Tai-Chi on blood pressure control remains unclear. A total of 898 villagers of Chenjiagou were enrolled in this study based on certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. METHODS: All basic information and clinical data were collected by physicians. The effects of Tai-Chi on the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mental status of participants were analyzed. The average practice time of Tai-Chi in the Tai-Chi group was 28.53 years (median 29 years, range 2-69 years). RESULTS: The results showed that SBP and DBP were significantly lower in the Tai-Chi group, compared with the control group and the stop group. Meanwhile, the long-term practice of Tai-Chi significantly improved the body mass index (BMI) (P=0.021). Stepwise regression results demonstrated that Tai-Chi practice, age and BMI could significantly affect blood pressure, with adjusted R2 of 0.218 and 0.159 for SBP and DBP, respectively. In addition, Tai-chi is associated with a lower rate of hypertension after age 40. However, compared with the control group, participants who practiced Tai-Chi for a short time, then stopped, showed no significant improvement in the above-mentioned measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term practice of Tai-Chi was associated with better blood pressure, at least partly through the improvement of BMI and mental state. However, the short-term practice of Tai-Chi may not provide significant benefits on blood pressure in the long term.

[Quality evaluation of Salvianolate for Injection by quantitative analysis of multi-components with single-marker].

Developing high-quality standard is useful for promoting the quality of traditional Chinese medicine injections, which could be evaluated by establishing the comprehensive quality control method. A method for simultaneous determination of salvianolic acid B, rosmarinic acid and lithospermic acid in Salvianolate for Injection was developed for quantitative analysis of multi-components with single-marker(QAMS). ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C_(18) chromatographic column was adopted, with 0.1% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile as mobile phase. The flow rate was set at 1 mL·min~(-1). The column temperature was set at 20 ℃, and the detection wavelength was 286 nm. Salvianolic acid B was used as internal reference. The relative correction factors of rosmarinic acid and lithospermic acid(f_(s/i)) were 0.58 and 0.94, respectively. About 85% of substances in Salvianolate for Injection were quantified by the established QAMS method. The analysis of different batches of intermediates and preparations during four years showed that the contents of salvianolic acid B were 77.1%-81.5% in intermediates and 70.5%-80.1% in preparations; The total content of rosmarinic acid and lithospermic acid was about 6%. The ratio of rosmarinic acid to lithospermic acid was(3.4∶1-10∶1) and(2.5∶1-5∶1), respectively, which showed that the ratio was more stable in preparation. The QAMS method established is feasible for comprehensive quality control of multiple components of in Salvianolate for Injection.

Pharmacogenomics and herb-drug interactions: merge of future and tradition.

The worldwide using of herb products and the increasing potential herb-drug interaction issue has raised enthusiasm on discovering the underlying mechanisms. Previous review indicated that the interactions may be mediated by metabolism enzymes and transporters in pharmacokinetic pathways. On the other hand, an increasing number of studies found that genetic variations showed some influence on herb-drug interaction effects whereas these genetic factors did not draw much attention in history. We highlight that pharmacogenomics may involve the pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic pathways to affect herb-drug interaction. We are here to make an updated review focused on some common herb-drug interactions in association with genetic variations, with the aim to help safe use of herbal medicines in different individuals in the clinic.

[Study on effect of Polygonatum sibiricum on Yin deficiency model rats induced by long-term overload swimming].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Polygonatum sibiricum on Yin deficiency model rats induced by long-term overload swimming. METHOD: Except for the normal group, all of the remaining rats performed the long-term overload swimming for eight weeks, with five days every week and once every day, to establish the Yin deficiency model. The daily swimming time increased from 10 min to 180 min at the end of the 7th week, with the water depth of 60 cm and the water temperature at 30 degrees C. After the success of the modeling, the rats were orally administered with different doses of aqueous extracts from P. sibiricum (2.5, 10 g x kg(-1)) for eight weeks. After the final administration, their blood were collected from orbits to measure immunoglobulin A, G and M (IgA, IgG, IgM), interleukin 2 and 6 (IL-2, IL-6) and cAMP, cGMP contents in plasma General behavioral indicators (weight, facial temperature, pain threshold and holding power) of rats were observed during the drug administration. RESULT: Compared with the model control group, aqueous extracts from P. sibiricum was given for eight weeks to significantly increase the rat weight and holding power of Yin deficiency model rats, decrease the facial temperature and the sensitivity of pain threshold, and increase IgA, IgG, IgM and IL-6 content and IgG content in serum, but without statistical difference. Aqueous extracts from P. sibiricum (10 g x kg(-1)) could also increase IL-2 content in serum, and decrease cAMP content and cAMP/cGMP ratio. CONCLUSION: P. sibiricum could improve the general behavioral indicators (weight, holding power, pain threshold and facial temperature), immunologic functions (IgA, IgG, IgM) and cyclic nucleotide (cAMP, cAMP/cGMP), so as to ameliorate such Yin deficiency symptoms as dysphoria in chestpalms-soles, weight loss, soreness and weakness of waist and knees, immunologic dysfunction and cyclic nucleotide system disorders.