Screening and evaluation of quality markers from Shuangshen Pingfei formula for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis using network pharmacology and pharmacodynamic, phytochemical, and pharmacokinetic analyses.

BACKGROUND: The Shuangshen Pingfei formula (SSPF), a classic Chinese medicine derivative formula, has been shown to exert therapeutic effects on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the quality control compounds of SSPF remain unclear. PURPOSE: To select and confirm Q-markers of SSPF based on network pharmacology, cytobiology, animal-based pharmacodynamics, and phytochemical and pharmacokinetic analyses. METHODS: A compound-target network was constructed based on previous research. In addition, high-degree compounds of SSPF were chosen as potential Q-marker candidates. Animal and cytological experiments were performed to verify key targets of IPF. Haematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were used to observe lung tissue pathology. Cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured using ELISA kits. Gene and protein expression levels were determined using PCR and western blotting, respectively. The contents of Q-marker candidates in different batches of SSPF were then determined for traceability research, and the quality consistency of SSPF was objectively evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA). Finally, pharmacokinetic research was performed, and candidates with desirable metabolite and bioavailability parameters were confirmed as Q-markers of SSPF. RESULTS: The compound-target network included 56 compounds and 14 therapeutic targets. Animal experiments showed that SSPF attenuates lung fibrosis. SSPF decreased CC motif chemokine 2 (CCL2) and CC chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) levels in the BALF and downregulated the gene and protein expression of IPF therapy-related molecules, such as 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A (HTR2A), CCL2, and CCR2, in the lungs. Cell experiments showed that nine Q-marker candidates in SSPF regulated the expression of CCL2 and CCR2, as predicted. Phytochemical analysis and PCA indicated that the qualities of SSPF in the nine batches were relatively stable. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that mangiferin, salvianolic acid B, tanshinone IIA, naringin, and glycyrrhizic acid could be effectively absorbed into rat plasma, which ensured desirable bioavailability and confirmed their roles as Q-markers to represent anti-pulmonary fibrotic activity. CONCLUSION: Our study is an integrated strategy, based on network pharmacology with experimental verification and phytochemical and pharmacokinetic analyses that provides a novel approach for Q-marker selection and validation of SSPF for IPF treatment.

Prescriptions with Mori Cortex in Treatment of Respiratory Diseases： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Mori Cortex is sweet and pungent in taste， cold in nature， and has the tropism to the lung meridian. It has the functions of purging the lung and relieving asthma and can treat oliguria and edema， being one of the commonly used herbal medicines in clinical practice. The prescriptions with Mori Cortex， such as Sangbaipi Tang， Qingjin Huatanfang， and Qingfei Huatantang， are widely used in clinical practice. The main active components in Mori Cortex are the material basis for its efficacy. Owing to the mature methods for the identification of pharmacodynamic substances in Chinese herbal medicines， the research on the chemical components of Mori Cortex has been in-depth and systematic. This article reviews the recent studies about the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Mori Cortex， as well as the treatment of respiratory diseases by the prescriptions with Mori Cortex. On this basis， the effect and mechanism of Mori Cortex and related prescriptions in the treatment of respiratory diseases are summarized. Furthermore， this article analyzes the formulation compatibility and commonly used dosages of Mori Cortex-related prescriptions in clinical practice. It provides reference for the clinical application of Mori Cortex and related prescriptions in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Prescriptions with Mori Cortex in Treatment of Respiratory Diseases： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Mori Cortex is sweet and pungent in taste， cold in nature， and has the tropism to the lung meridian. It has the functions of purging the lung and relieving asthma and can treat oliguria and edema， being one of the commonly used herbal medicines in clinical practice. The prescriptions with Mori Cortex， such as Sangbaipi Tang， Qingjin Huatanfang， and Qingfei Huatantang， are widely used in clinical practice. The main active components in Mori Cortex are the material basis for its efficacy. Owing to the mature methods for the identification of pharmacodynamic substances in Chinese herbal medicines， the research on the chemical components of Mori Cortex has been in-depth and systematic. This article reviews the recent studies about the chemical components and pharmacological effects of Mori Cortex， as well as the treatment of respiratory diseases by the prescriptions with Mori Cortex. On this basis， the effect and mechanism of Mori Cortex and related prescriptions in the treatment of respiratory diseases are summarized. Furthermore， this article analyzes the formulation compatibility and commonly used dosages of Mori Cortex-related prescriptions in clinical practice. It provides reference for the clinical application of Mori Cortex and related prescriptions in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

Molecular docking of chlorogenic acid, 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid with human serum albumin / 中西医结合学报

To investigate the mechanism of binding of human serum albumin (HSA) with potential sensitinogen, including chlorogenic acid and two isochlorogenic acids (3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid).

Exploration on eighteen incompatible medicaments of chest pain prescriptions based on association rules mining / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the laws of eighteen incompatible medicaments of the chest pain prescriptions based on association rules mining.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The database of chest pain prescription was established and then the chest pain prescriptions composed of eighteen incompatible medicaments were screened. The dynasty, couplet medicines, the property and flavor of drugs and preparation form were analyzed with the frequent item sets and corresponding analysis methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Eight hundred and fifty chest pain prescriptions were collected, and 88 of them contained eighteen incompatible medicaments, taking 10.3% of all; the applications of ancient and modern chest pain prescriptions containing eighteen incompatible medicaments are significant difference (P < 0.05). Ancient formulas, mainly focus on the eastern jin dynasty and tang dynasty, are more often used than the modern formulas. The most common anti-drugs is on the Fuzi-Pinellia, Chuanwu-Pinellia; the property and flavor of drugs is bitter cold most closely; the decoction of the formulas is mostly used.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Eighteen incompatible medicaments account for about ten percent of the chest pain prescription, not an uncommon side. There are certain rules for application of anti-drug compatibility to treat chest pain.</p>

Comparative analysis of volatile oils of Wuao decoction and its major constituing herbs by GC-MS / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the correlativity between volatile components of Wuao decoction and its major constituting herbs.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chemical compositions of essential oil, obtained by hydrodistillation from Wu-ao Decoction and its major constituting herbs (Herba Ephedrae, Semen Armeniacae Amarum, Radix Platycodi, Herba Schizonepetae), were analyzed by GC-MS.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The volatile components of Wu-ao Decoction were mostly derived from Herba Ephedrae, Radix Platycodi and Herba Sehizonepetae.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method of GC-MS can be used to investigate the volatile component changes in traditional Chinese medicine formulae.</p>

Effects of San'ao decoction and its analogous prescriptions on airway inflammation in mice with respiratory syncytial virus- and ovalbumin-induced asthma / 中西医结合学报

To evaluate the effects of San'ao decoction (SAD) and its analogous prescriptions (APs), compounds of traditional Chinese herbal medicine for asthma, on airway inflammation in mice with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)- and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma.

On characteristic properties of TCM dose-effect relationship / 中华中医药杂志

The relationship of dose and effect in TCM formulae was an important subject in the TCM modernization research.Some characteristic properties of TCM dose-effect relationship were proposed in this paper: the dose-effect relationship of TCM had a specifi c regulation from the whole-view idea in traditional medical theories besides common properties,nonlinear character from the compatibility of medicine properties,and multi-effects varied with the different compatibility from the alternation of doses.The subjects of dose-effect relationship included single medicine,drug pair and formulae.The study on the dose-effect relationship of TCM might be helpful to the explanation of conception,connotation,ideas and methods of TCM,provide scientifi c supports and instructions for the TCM clinical practices,and provide research bases for the TCM innovation.

Problems in continuing medical education in grass-roots hospitals and solutions / 中华医院管理杂志

With the burgeoning of continuing medical education, grass-roots hospitals are confronted with quite a number of problems in the implementation of the task, such as a general rush into action with each department going its own way, incontrollable educational expenses that are beyond the hospitals, difficulties in developing programs at the hospital level because of the limitation of academic disciplines, and the buying and selling of credits. In view of the above problems, the authors put forward some suggestions for formulating a series of continuing medical education management strategies that both conform to the situation in our country and suit the needs of health professionals at grass-roots institutions.