Guidelines on the treatment with integrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine for severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by numerous complications, complex disease, and high mortality, making its treatment a top priority in the treatment of COVID-19. Integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine played an important role in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of COVID-19 during the epidemic. However, currently there are no evidence-based guidelines for the integrated treatment of severe COVID-19 with TCM and western medicine. Therefore, it is important to develop an evidence-based guideline on the treatment of severe COVID-19 with integrated TCM and western medicine, in order to provide clinical guidance and decision basis for healthcare professionals, public health personnel, and scientific researchers involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of COVID-19 patients. We developed and completed the guideline by referring to the standardization process of the "WHO handbook for guideline development", the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, and the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT).

[Analysis on mechanisms and medication rules of herbal prescriptions for gout caused by heat-damp accumulation syndrome based on data mining and network pharmacology].

To mine the medication rules of herbal prescriptions for gout caused by heat-damp accumulation syndrome, and explore the possible mechanism of the core herbs, we collected the relevant literature of gout caused by heat-damp accumulation syndrome in CNKI, medication rules of herbal prescriptions are analyzed by using TCMISS(V2.5) software, and the compatibility of core drugs and new prescriptions were mined.KEGG pathway analysis was performed by BATMAN-TCM, an online analysis tool, and the potential signaling pathways of core drugs compatibility to treat gout caused by heat-damp accumulation syndrome were revealed. The results showed that six core drugs and three new prescriptions were found out of the 136 prescriptions. The core compatibility herbs in clinical treament of gout caused by heat-damp accumulation syndrome, Phellodendri Chinrnsis Cortex, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, which potential signaling pathways were purine metabolic pathway and neura activity ligand receptor interaction signaling pathway. Therefore, for gout caused by heat-damp accumulation syndrome, the mainly used therapies of TCM were clearing heat and drying dampness,inducing diuresis for removing edema, dispeling wind and eliminating dampness. The mechnisms of core compatibility herbs may be achieved through the intervention of purine metabolic pathway and neural activity ligand receptor interaction signaling pathway.

Effect of Lang-Chuang-Ding Decoction () on DNA Methylation of CD70 Gene Promoter in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Female Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Lang-chuang-ding Decoction (, LCD) on the expression of DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: PBMCs isolated from female patients with SLE or healthy donors were cultured and treated with LCD medicated serum or normal serum for 24 or 48 h. The mRNA expressions of CD70 gene in PBMCs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the DNA methylation of the CD70 gene promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR. RESULTS: After treated with medicated serum for 48 h, the mRNA expression levels of CD70 in PBMCs of SLE patients were signifificantly higher than those of healthy donors (P<0.05); the DNA methylation levels of CD70 promoter region in PBMCs of SLE patients treated with medicated serum for 48 h were signifificantly higher than those treated with fetal bovine serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: LCD could inhibit CD70 gene expression in PBMCs of SLE patients by promoting the DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter.

Effects of agkistrodon in different dosage forms on collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effective dosage and formulation of agkistrodon in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. METHODS: CIA was induced by injection of collagen in complete/incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Agkistrodon decoction, agkistrodon powder, and agkistrodon wine were administered daily starting from the onset of arthritis. Paw swelling degree was measured by using a volume-measuring instrument every 7 days after primary immunization. Arthritis index was measured and calculated using the "five scoring method" every 7 days. The levels of serum interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and type II collagen IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, all ankles were removed, and X-ray radiography was performed with In-vivo Imaging System FX. Samples were counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin for analysis. RESULTS: Among the various dosage formulations of agkistrodon, high-dose powder, which was equivalent to an amount of 6 g/day in adults, showed better effects on the inhibition of joint swelling and reduction of arthritis index score. The relatively low levels of serum IL-1 and anti-type II collagen IgG antibodies, as well as the X-ray radiography and pathology results, further proved the superiority of the high-dose powder over the other formulations. The effect of decoction on inhibiting joint swelling was inversely proportional to the dosage. Other effects, such as reduction of arthritis index score and the levels of serum IL-1 and anti-type II collagen IgG antibodies, were directly proportional to the dosage. While the use of large dose agkistrodon wine led to negative effects. CONCLUSION: These data highlight the potential function of high-dose agkistrodon powder, which was equivalent to an amount of 6 g/day in adults. The powder can quickly relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and prevent aggravation of disease, especially during the early period.

[Study on the regulation of Jiedu Quyu Zishen Recipe on glucocorticoid receptor alpha in the renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the action mechanism of Jiedu Quyu Zishen Recipe (JQZR) on the signal transduction of glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRalpha) in the renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice. METHODS: Thirty MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the model group, the Western medicine group, and the Chinese medicine group, 10 in each. Besides, another 10 Kunming mice was taken as the normal control group. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed using HE staining. The expression of GRalpha was analyzed using Real-time PCR and Western blot. The effects of JQZR on the binding power of GRalpha to cyclophilin A were detected using co-immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: The renal injury degree of MRL/lpr mice in the Western medicine group and the Chinese medicine group was alleviated. Compared with the model group, the relative quantitation of GRalpha mRNA and protein expressions in the renal tissue of mice in the Western medicine group decreased, while they increased in the Chinese medicine group, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). JQZR could significantly elevate the binding potency of GRalpha to cyclophilin A. CONCLUSION: Up-regulating the expression of GRalpha and enhancing mutual actions of GRalpha and cyclophilin A was one of JQZR's effects on improving the lesion of the renal tissue.

[Effects of three Chinese herbal antidotes (Herba artemisiae annuae, Herba hedyotis diffusae and Rhizoma cimicifugae) and their different combinations on regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreated expression in MRL/lpr mice].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of three Chinese herbal antidotes, i.e. Herba Artemisiae annuae (A), Herba Hedyotis diffusae (H) and Rhizoma Cimicifugae (C), all were ingredients of Jiedu Quyu Ziyin Recipe, for adjusting the regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreated (RANTES), gene expression in serum and renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice. METHODS: Fifty-four MRL/lpr mice were randomized into 9 groups, with 6 in each, and intragastrically infused with A, H, C, A+H, H+C, A+C, A+H+C (all in dosage-form of decoction), prednisone suspension and physiological saline, respectively for 12 weeks. RANTES expression in serum and renal tissue of animals were detected with ELISA and RT-PCR at the end of the study. RESULTS: Levels of RANTES expression was significantly reduced in the prednisone treated group after treatment. Excepting no significant change being observed in the groups treated with A and C, the changes in the other groups were all milder than those in the group treated with A+H+C. CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal antidotes A, H and C in combination can significantly inhibit the RANTES expression in serum and renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice.

[Relationship between TCM syndrome type and expression of human leucocyte antigen DR gene in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of human leucocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients of various TCM syndrome types in order to seek an objective index for syndrome differentiation of SLE. METHODS: SLE patients were sorted into various syndrome types by TCM syndrome differentiation, i. e. Pi-Shen yang-deficiency type (A), yin-deficiency with internal heat type (B), qi-yin deficiency type (C) and Gan-Shen yin-deficiency type (D). Their peripheral blood sample was collected for detecting HLA-DR positive lymphocytes and monocytes in PBMC using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Comparisons among patients of various syndrome type showed that the proportion of HLA-DR positive monocytes and lymphocytes in PBMC in patients of type A was the lowest (P < 0.01); proportion of HLA-DR positive lymphocytes in patients of type B was significantly higher than in those of type C and D (P < 0.01), and that in type D was higher than in type C (P < 0.05); total proportion of HLA-DR positive cells in patients of type A was the lowest, that in type B was higher than that in type C and D (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found between the latter two types (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: HLA-DR could be taken as an objective index for reference in syndrome differentiation of SLE.