RESUMO
This study aimed to systematically review and depict the current studies of traditional Chinese medicine for the mental health of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: A scoping review was conducted by searching PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database, and SinoMed, with the retrieval time being from the establishment of the database to April 18, 2022. The basic information of the included studies, objective, design, types of patients, interventions, outcomes, etc., was reviewed and summarized narratively. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool, the methodological index for non-randomized studies or the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results: We identified 30 traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) studies from six databases. Among them, finished randomized controlled trials (n = 16) accounted for most of the studies, followed by single-arm studies (n = 9). In terms of study theme, 20 studies defined the mental health of patients with COVID-19 as the research theme. Psychological assessment was included in the inclusion criteria (performed before participation) of nine studies, whereas the other studies only mentioned the mental outcomes. TCM interventions included TCM exercises (Yijinjing, Baduanjin, Liuzijue, Taichi), acupoint stimulation (auricular and body points), moxibustion, decoction, or granules based on TCM syndrome differentiation, decoction, or granules with fixed formulae (Baidu Jieduan granules, Xuanfei Baidu decoction, and Qingfei Paidu decoction), Chinese patent medicine (Jinhua Qinggan granules), TCM psychological therapy (TCM ideological therapy, TCM five-tone therapy, and TCM psychological sand table), and TCM nursing (dialectical care, dialectical diet, and psychological counseling). Anxiety and depression were the main outcomes evaluated in regard to mental health in patients with COVID-19. The limitations of methodological quality were predominantly from follow-up, blinding, and registration. Positive results were reported by 27 studies (90%, n = 30). Conclusion: We summarized the existing literature about the impact of TCM on mental health in patients with COVID-19. The number of studies evaluating the impact of TCM on mental health is encouraging, but overall methodological quality was low. Several TCM interventions warrant further evaluation, particularly among populations outside of China, for the purpose of establishing supporting evidence. More importantly, research with stronger methodological quality needs to be developed. Graphical abstract: http://links.lww.com/AHM/A36.
RESUMO
We screened a library of botanical compounds purified from plants of Vietnam for modulators of the activity of a two-pore domain K+ channel, TREK-1, and we identified a hydroxycoumarin-related compound, ostruthin, as an activator of this channel. Ostruthin increased whole-cell TREK-1 channel currents in 293T cells at a low concentration (EC50 = 5.3 µM), and also activity of the TREK-2 channel (EC50 = 3.7 mM). In contrast, ostruthin inhibited other K+ channels, e.g. human ether-à-go-go-related gene (HERG1), inward-rectifier (Kir2.1), voltage-gated (Kv1.4), and two-pore domain (TASK-1) at higher concentrations, without affecting voltage-gated potassium channel (KCNQ1 and 3). We tested the effect of this compound on mouse anxiety- and depression-like behaviors and found anxiolytic activity in the open-field, elevated plus maze, and light/dark box tests. Of note, ostruthin also showed antidepressive effects in the forced swim and tail suspension tests, although previous studies reported that inhibition of TREK-1 channels resulted in an antidepressive effect. The anxiolytic and antidepressive effect was diminished by co-administration of a TREK-1 blocker, amlodipine, indicating the involvement of TREK-1 channels. Administration of ostruthin suppressed the stress-induced increase in anti-c-Fos immunoreactivity in the lateral septum, without affecting immunoreactivity in other mood disorder-related nuclei, e.g. the amygdala, paraventricular nuclei, and dorsal raphe nucleus. Ostruthin may exert its anxiolytic and antidepressive effects through a different mechanism from current drugs.