New tale on LianHuaQingWen: IL6R/IL6/IL6ST complex is a potential target for COVID-19 treatment.

LianHuaQingWen (LHQW) improves clinical symptoms and alleviates the severity of COVID-19, but the mechanism is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential molecular targets and mechanisms of LHQW in treating COVID-19 using a network pharmacology-based approach and molecular docking analysis. The main active ingredients, therapeutic targets of LHQW, and the pathogenic targets of COVID-19 were screened using the TCMSP, UniProt, STRING, and GeneCards databases. According to the "Drug-Ingredients-Targets-Disease" network, Interleukin 6 (IL6) was identified as the core target, and quercetin, luteolin, and wogonin as the active ingredients of LHQW associated with IL6. The response to lipopolysaccharide was the most significant biological process identified by gene ontology enrichment analysis, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathway activation was prominent based on the interaction between LHQW and COVID-19. Protein-protein docking analysis showed that IL6 receptor (IL6R)/IL6/IL6 receptor subunit beta (IL6ST) and Spike protein were mainly bound via conventional hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, protein-small molecule docking showed that all three active ingredients could bind stably in the binding model of IL6R/IL6 and IL6ST. Our findings suggest that LHQW may inhibit the lipopolysaccharide-mediated inflammatory response and regulate the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway through IL6. In addition, the N-terminal domain of the S protein of COVID-19 has a good binding activity to IL6ST, and quercetin and wogonin in LHQW may affect IL6ST-mediated IL6 signal transduction and a large number of signaling pathways downstream to other cytokines by directly affecting protein-protein interaction. These findings suggest the potential molecular mechanism by which LHQW inhibits COVID-19 through the regulation of IL6R/IL6/IL6ST.

Study on two preparation methods for beta-CD inclusion compound of four traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare inclusion effects and process conditions of two preparation methods-colloid mill and saturated solution-for beta-CD inclusion compound of four traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils and study the relationship between each process condition and volatile oil physical properties and the regularity of selective inclusion of volatile oil components.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Volatile oils from Nardostachyos Radix et Rhizoma, Amomi Fructus, Zingiberis Rhizoma and Angelicaesinensis Radix were prepared using two methods in the orthogonal test. These inclusion compounds by optimized processes were assessed and compared by such methods as TLC, IR and scanning electron microscope. Inclusion oils were extracted by steam distillation, and the components found before and after inclusion were analyzed by GC-MS.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Analysis showed that new inclusion compounds, but inclusion compounds prepared by the two processes had differences to some extent. The colloid mill method showed a better inclusion effect than the saturated solution method, indicating that their process conditions had relations with volatile oil physical properties. There were differences in the inclusion selectivity of components between each other.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The colloid mill method for inclusion preparation is more suitable for industrial requirements. To prepare volatile oil inclusion compounds with heavy gravity and high refractive index, the colloid mill method needs longer time and more water, while the saturated solution method requires higher temperature and more beta-cyclodextrin. The inclusion complex prepared with the colloid mill method contains extended molecular weight chemical composition, but the kinds of components are reduced.</p>

Influence of iridoid from Valeriana jatamansi on 5-HT and 5-HIAA in rats with irritable bowel syndrome / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of iridoid from Valeriana jatamansi treating irritable bowel syndrome.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Sixty male SD rats were equally divided into 6 groups (2 controls, 1 model and 3 treatment doses) with 10 rats per group. The test groups were administered with iridoid (24.92, 12.46, 6. 23 mg x kg(-1)) while the control groups were administered with fluoxetine (2.5 mg x kg(-1), positive control) or distilled water (negative control). The model was established by chronic stress and independent feeding. The influence of iridoid from V. jatamansi on 5-HT and 5-HIAA in colon, serum and hypothalamic were observed in all groups.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In the model group, the content of 5-HT in colon and serum increased significantly, but the content of 5-HT in hypothalamic decreased significantly. The content of 5-HIAA and the value of 5-HT/5-HIAA had no significant change. In three iridoid-treated groups, the content of 5-HT in colon and serum decreased, but the content of 5-HT in hypothalamic increased. The content of 5-HIAA had no significant change. The value of 5-HT/5-HIAA in colon and serum reduced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mechanism of iridoid from V. jatamansi treating irritable bowel syndrome may be related to the regulation effect to the levels of 5-HT from Gastrointestinal to central nervous system.</p>

IT-based Management Model for TCM Pharmacy / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To upgrade the information management of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)pharmacy in our hospital.METHODS:The benefits and problems in implementing information management in our hospital's TCM pharmacy were discussed,and solutions for improvement were proposed.RESULT & CONCLUSION:The application of the information management system can help regulate the management of the TCM pharmacy,and establish a closer connection between traditional medicine and modern technology.