Research progress on antiviral constituents in traditional Chinese medicines and their mechanisms of action.

CONTEXT: Viruses have the characteristics of rapid transmission and high mortality. At present, western medicines still lack an ideal antiviral. As natural products, many traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have certain inhibitory effects on viruses, which has become the hotspot of medical research in recent years. OBJECTIVE: The antiviral active ingredients and mechanisms of TCM against viral diseases was studied in combination with the pathogenesis of viral diseases and antiviral effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: English and Chinese literature from 1999 to 2021 was collected from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier, Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 (CP), and CNKI (Chinese). Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), active ingredients, antiviral, mechanism of action, and anti-inflammatory effect were used as the key words. RESULTS: The antiviral activity of TCM is clarified to put forward a strategy for discovering active compounds against viruses, and provide reference for screening antivirus drugs from TCM. TCM can not only directly kill viruses and inhibit the proliferation of viruses in cells, but also prevent viruses from infecting cells and causing cytophilia. It can also regulate the human immune system, enhance human immunity, and play an indirect antiviral role. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Based on the experimental study and antiviral mechanism of TCM, this paper can provide analytical evidence that supports the effectiveness of TCM in treating virus infections, as well as their mechanisms against viruses. It could be helpful to provide reference for the research and development of innovative TCMs with multiple components, multiple targets and low toxicity.

The Circular RNA circSKA3 Facilitates the Malignant Biological Behaviors of Medulloblastoma via miR-520 h/CDK6 Pathway.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are reported to participate in the development of diverse human malignancies. This work investigated the mechanism of circSKA3 in modulating medulloblastoma progression. A total of 15 cases of medulloblastoma were collected in this work. Daoy cells were used to construct cell models. The expression level of circSKA3, microRNA-520 h (miR-520 h), and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) mRNA in tissues or cells was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Western blot was employed to detect CDK6 protein expression. CCK-8 experiment, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were applied to detect the regulatory effects of circSKA3 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle. Dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment was executed to determine the relationship between circSKA3 and miR-520 h, and between miR-520 h and CDK6. circSKA3 was remarkably up-modulated in medulloblastoma tissues. CircSKA3 depletion markedly suppressed Daoy cell viability, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression. CircSKA3 overexpression induced the opposite effects. circSKA3 could decoyed miR-520 h, which targeted the 3' UTR of CDK6. circSKA3 expression in medulloblastoma tissues was negatively correlated with miR-520 h expression and positively correlated with CDK6 expression. "Rescue" experiments revealed that miR-520 h down-modulation or CDK6 overexpression remarkably counteracted the inhibitory effect of circSKA3 knockdown on Daoy cells. circSKA3 facilitates medulloblastoma progression through miR-520 h/CDK6.

The extraordinary transformation of traditional Chinese medicine: processing with liquid excipients.

Context: The Chinese medicinal materials originate from animals, plants, or minerals must undergo appropriate treatment before use as decoction pieces. Processing of Chinese medicines with liquid excipients is a pharmaceutical technique that transforms medicinal raw materials into decoction pieces which are significantly different from the original form. During processing, significant changes occur in chemical constituents, which inevitably affects clinical efficacy. At present, the liquid materials in processing mainly involve wine, vinegar, honey, saline water, ginger juice, herbal juice, etc.Objective: This review introduces the typical methods of liquid excipients processing, summarizes the influence on chemical composition, pharmacological efficacy, and expounds the ways and mechanisms of liquid excipients to change the properties of drugs, enhance the efficacy, eliminate or reduce toxicity and adverse reaction.Methods: English and Chinese literature from 1986 to 2020 was collected from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier, Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015, and CNKI (Chinese). Liquid excipients, processing, pharmacological effects, synergism, chemical constitution, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were used as the key words.Results: Liquid excipients play a key role in the application of TCM. Processing with proper liquid excipients can change the content of toxic or active components by physical or chemical transformation, decrease or increase drug dissolution, alter drug pharmacokinetics, or exert their own pharmacological effects. Thus, processing with liquid excipients is essential to ensure the safety and efficacy of TCM in clinic.Conclusion: This article could be helpful for researchers who are interested in traditional Chinese herbs processed with liquid excipients.

A review on charred traditional Chinese herbs: carbonization to yield a haemostatic effect.

Context: Charcoal of Chinese drugs is a kind of special processing product in Chinese medicine and used for treatment of haemoptysis, hematemesis and haemorrhage in the clinic during ancient times. During carbonizing, significant changes occur in chemical constituents and the efficacy of haemostasis will be enhanced. But the quality control standard of 'carbonizing retains characteristics' should be followed. Objective: This review introduces the typical methods of carbonizing, which highlight current research progress on haemostatic substances of charcoal drugs so as to provide a reasonable explanation for the theory of haemostasis treated by charcoal medicine. Methods: English and Chinese literature from 2004 to 2019 was collected from databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier and CNKI (Chinese). Charcoal drug, chemical constituents, processing, haemostasis and carbon dots were used as the key words. Results: Charcoal drugs mainly play a haemostatic role and the effect can be classified into four types to stop bleeding: removing blood stasis, cooling blood, warming meridians and astringing. Changes in composition lead to changes in pharmacodynamics. Carbonizing methods and basic research on haemostasis material in charcoal drugs have also been summarized. Conclusions: This review summarizes the classification of charcoal drugs and highlights the possible material bases for the haemostatic effect of charcoal drugs in recent years, providing new insights to future research.