Chinese herbal medicine combined with Western medicine for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children:An overview of systematic reviews

Objective:To summarize the characteristics and evaluate the quality of the methodology and evidence within systematic reviews(SRs)of Chinese herbal medicine(CHM)for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)inchildren.Methods:SRs of randomized controlled trials were searched using PubMed,the Cochrane Library,Embase,the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Databases(CNKI),the Chinese Scientific Journals Database(VIP),Wanfang,and the SinoMed Database.SRs on the use of CHM alone or in combination with Western medications for MPP in children were included.The study compared the effects of Western medicine alone with those of CHM.The evidence quality using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews(AMSTAR)2,the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA)2020,and the Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development,and Evaluation(GRADE)criteria.The primary indicators were the total effective rate,fever subsidence time,and cough disappearance time.The secondary outcomes were pulmonary rale disappearance time,average hospitalization time,lung X-ray infiltrate disappearance time,immunological indices,and inflammatory cytokine levels.Results:Twelve relevant SRs were included;75%(9/12)were assessed as very low quality,and 25%(3/12)Were rated as low quality using the AMSTAR 2 criteria.According to the PRISMA 2020 checklist,the average SR score was 20.3 out of a 27 point maximum.In all SRs,CHM demonstrated improvement in symptoms and signs among children with MPP.The evidence quality using the GRADE criteria ranged from"very low"(>50%)to"moderate"(<5%).The most common downgrading factor was imprecision,followed by publication bias and inconsistency.Conclusion:This overview highlights the limited quality of the methodology and evidence of the included SRs.Although the included studies showed the beneficial effects of CHM on MPP in children,it was difficult to draw firm conclusions owing to methodological flaws.

Model informed precision medicine of Chinese herbal medicines formulas-A multi-scale mechanistic intelligent model

Recent trends suggest that Chinese herbal medicine formulas(CHM formulas)are promising treatments for complex diseases.To characterize the precise syndromes,precise diseases and precise targets of the precise targets between complex diseases and CHM formulas,we developed an artificial intelligence-based quantitative predictive algorithm(DeepTCM).DeepTCM has gone through multilevel model calibration and validation against a comprehensive set of herb and disease data so that it accurately captures the complex cellular signaling,molecular and theoretical levels of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).As an example,our model simulated the optimal CHM formulas for the treatment of coronary heart disease(CHD)with depression,and through model sensitivity analysis,we calculated the balanced scoring of the formulas.Furthermore,we constructed a biological knowledge graph representing interactions by associating herb-target and gene-disease interactions.Finally,we experimentally confirmed the therapeutic effect and pharmacological mechanism of a novel model-predicted intervention in humans and mice.This novel multiscale model opened up a new avenue to combine“disease syndrome”and“macro micro”system modeling to facilitate translational research in CHM formulas.

Developments in the study of Chinese herbal medicine's assessment index and action mechanism for diabetes mellitus

In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),based on various pathogenic symptoms and the‘golden chamber’medical text,Huangdi Neijing,diabetes mellitus falls under the category‘collateral disease’.TCM,with its wealth of experience,has been treating diabetes for over two millennia.Different antidiabetic Chinese herbal medicines re-duce blood sugar,with their effective ingredients exerting unique advantages.As well as a glucose lowering effect,TCM also regulates bodily functions to prevent diabetes associated complications,with reduced side effects compared to western synthetic drugs.Chinese herbal medicine is usually composed of polysaccharides,saponins,al-kaloids,flavonoids,and terpenoids.These active ingredients reduce blood sugar via various mechanism of actions that include boosting endogenous insulin secretion,enhancing insulin sensitivity and adjusting key enzyme activity and scavenging free radicals.These actions regulate glycolipid metabolism in the body,eventually achiev-ing the goal of normalizing blood glucose.Using different animal models,a number of molecular markers are available for the detection of diabetes induction and the molecular pathology of the disease is becoming clearer.Nonetheless,there is a dearth of scientific data about the pharmacology,dose-effect relationship,and structure-activity relationship of TCM and its constituents.Further research into the efficacy,toxicity and mode of action of TCM,using different metabolic and molecular markers,is key to developing novel TCM antidiabetic formulations.

Unveiling the anticancer effect of traditional Chinese herbal medicine

In this issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology,Huang et al reported that Calculus bovis(CB),a traditional Chinese herbal medicine,impedes the growth of liver cancers in vivo.Through further in vitro studies,they showed that CB suppressed the M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages by suppressing the Wnt signaling pathway,which consequently inhibited the growth of liver cancer.Although the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicine are often not scientifically proven,Huang et al successfully identified the molecular mechanism involved in the anticancer effect of CB,and it is anticipated that the molecular mechanisms involved in the effects of other traditional Chinese herbal medicines will be scientifically elucidated,as demonstrated in this article.

The potential of Chinese herbal medicines in treating anxiety disorders

In recent years,there has not been much progress in developing anxiolytic drugs.Amongst the barriers are the lack of clarity on the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders,low product conversion rates for developing drugs targeting the receptors,and species variability.Some scientists have focused on natural medicines,especially herbal medicines in traditional Chinese medicine.New drugs with excellent anxiolytic activity are hoped to be found in herbal medicines with anxiolytic effects.This mini-review summarised three Chinese herbal medicines with anxiolytic effects and anxiolytic herbal formulas used in the traditional Chinese medicine clinic.Several key issues that block the development of new anxiolytic drugs are also discussed.We hope to provide some ideas for researching and developing new anxiolytic drugs and studying anxiolytic components in traditional Chinese medicine.

Effects of Salinity and Dietary Chinese Herbal Medicine on Survival and Growth of Juvenile Fenneropenaeus chinensis

[Objective] The aim of this study was to provide theoretical basis for the large-scale breeding of Fenneropenaeus chinensis as well as the promotion of Chinese herbal medicine.[Method] The experiment was conducted to determine the effects of salinity（12‰,20‰ and 28‰）and dietary Chinese herbal medicine（CHM：0%,1%,2% and 4%）on survival and growth of juvenile F.chinensis with the average initial wet body weight of 0.027±0.005 g.The experiment lasted for 5 weeks.[Result] The survival rate,specific growth rate,food consumption and apparent digestibility coefficient was increased with CHM level increasing;when attained the critical value,the survival rate,specific growth rate,food consumption and apparent digestibility coefficient decreased with CHM level increasing.Food conversion ratio decreased with CHM level increasing,and then it increased after attained the critical value.At each CHM level,the survival rate,specific growth rate,food consumption and apparent digestibility coefficient were highest at salinity of 20‰,while food conversion ratio was lowest at salinity 20‰.[Conclusion] Salinity and CHM had a significant effect on growth of F.chinensis,which should be paid more attention in the breeding.

Investigation of Heavy Metal Contents in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Peristrophe roxburghiana Collected from Northwest of Guangxi

Objective] This study was conducted to evaluate the product quality and safety of Peristrophe roxburghiana_ col ected from different places in Hechi City, northwest of Gunagxi, so as to provide basic data for further development and uti-lization of the characteristic plant resource P. roxburghiana. [Method] Contents of 9 kinds of heavy metals including Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn and Cu in the herb were deter-mined by the method of wet digestion-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry, respectively. [Results] Heavy metal contents of Cd, Mn, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Hg and Se were 1.62-17.25, 8.93-142.53, 4.37-18.43, 103.7-242.81, 2.55-5.35, 85.40-146.30, 0.07-0.54, 0.00-0.08 and 0.00-0.47 mg/kg, respectively. According to the national food safety standards and Green Trade Standards of lmporting ＆amp; Exporting Medicinal plants ＆amp; Preparations, the heavy metal contents of the P. roxburghiana_samples col ected from different coun-ties in Hechi City exceeded standards or at the critical values. Among which, Cd, Pb and Zn contents of the samples are seriously higher than the standards. [Con-clusion] Therefore, the impact of soil heavy metal pol ution on the safety of edible plants in the northwest of Guangxi should be highly concerned.

Effects of a Self-made Compound Chinese Herbal Medicine Additive on Growth Performance and Occurrence of Diarrhea in Weaned Piglets

In this study,the effects of compound Chinese herbal medicine on growth performance and occurrence of diarrhea in weaned piglets were investigated.A compound Chinese herbal medicine that consisted of Astragalus membranaceus,Codonopsis pilosula,Epimedium sagittatum,massa medicata fermentata,Atractylodes macrocephala,malt,Glycyrrhiza uralensis,Angelica sinensis and Crataegus pinnatifida,was crushed and then passed through a 500-mesh sieve.The obtained powder was added to the basal diet of weaned piglets.A total of 100 healthy crossbred weaned piglets,aging 26±2 days,were selected.They were randomly divided into 5groups（20 piglets/group） in according to principles of similar parity（3-5）,similar body weight and half male and half female.The piglets in the control group were fed with basal diet.For the piglets in the I,II and III groups,0.4%,0.7% and 1.0%of Chinese herbal medicine additive were added to the basal diets,respectively.The basal diet of piglets in the IV group was added with 30 mg/kg of oxytetracycline.The results showed the incidences of diarrhea in I,II and III groups were4.85%,5.14% and 5.63% lower than that of control groups（P〈0.05）.There was no significant difference in incidence of diarrhea between the control and the IV groups.

Isolation and Identification of the Pathogen Causing Skin Ulcer Disease in Cynoglossus semilaevis Günther and Its Sensitivity to Chinese Herbal Medicine

In this study, the pathogen causing skin ulcer disease in Cynoglossus semilaevis Gunther was isolated for morphological observation, physiological and bio- chemical identification. According to the result, the isolated pathogen was identified as Vibrio harveyi. The results of recurrent infection of C. semilaevis Gonther showed that the pathogen was strongly pathogenic to C. semilaevis Gunther. In or- der to explore the pathogenesis, outer membrane protein （OMP） gene of C. semi- laevis Gunther was detected by PCR. The results showed that all the three repre- sentative strains harbored OMP gene. According to the results of sensitivity test of the pathogen to Chinese herbal medicine, Galla Chinensis, Fructus Mume, Fructus Hippophae and Lignum Sappan exerted strong antibacterial effects against V. harveyr, Pericarpium Granati exhibited slight antibacterial effect against V. harveyi; Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, Rhizoma Acori GramineL Herba Houttuyniae, Herba Portulacae, Herba Andrographis, Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Herba Menthae Heplocalycis had little effect on V. harveyi. Galla Chinensis, Fructus Mume, Fructus Hippophae and Lignum Sappan were prepared into three prescriptions, among which prescription 1 （Galla Chinensis ＋ Fructus Mume） exhibited the strongest antibacterial effect.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine on the Structure of Duodenal Mucosa of Chickens under Heat Stress

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicine on the structure of duodenal mucosa of chickens under heat stress. [Method] One hundred and twenty 88-day-old Isa Brown chickens were randomly divided into six groups, including three control groups （normal temperature control group, high temperature control group, high temperature Vc control group） and three high-temperature administration groups （high-dose administration group, moderate-dose administration group, low-dose administration group）. Chickens in normal temperature control group were reared at 14-25 ℃, and those in other five groups were reared at 28-39 ℃. The experiment lasted 10 d. Five chickens in each group were euthanized at 1, 4, 8 and 10 d post-treatment, respectively. The duodenal mucosa was collected and prepared into tissue slices with the conventional method for hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Mucosal thickness, villus length and crypt depth of duodenal mucosa were measured. [Result] Under heat stress, duodenal mucosal thickness and villus length were both significantly lower than those in normal temperature control group, and the duodenal villi were scarce and thin. However, under high temperature conditions, various indicators in high-dose and moderate-dose administration groups were higher than those in high temperature control group and high temperature Vc control group, which exhibited extremely significant differences at 8 and 10 d post-treatment, especially. Moreover, various indicators in high-dose administration group were significantly higher than those in moderate-dose and low-dose administration groups. The traditional Chinese herbal medicine prescription exhibited higher protective effects on duodenal mucosa of chickens under heat stress compared with high temperature Vc control group. [Conclusion] Under heat stress, traditional Chinese herbal medicine reduced effectively the duodenal mucosa damage in chickens.

Effects of Salinity Fluctuation and Dietary Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines on Survival,Growth and Immunity of Exopalaemon carinicauda

[Objective]The aim of this study was to provide a theoretical basis for the large-scale breeding of Exopalaemon carinicauda. [Method]Effects of salinity fluctuation （S0,S3,S6 and S9 represented salinity fluctuations of 0,3,6 and 9 respectivley） and dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines （0,1%,2% and 4% respectively） on survival,growth and immunity of E.carinicauda were studied,and its experiment lasted for 60 d. [Result]The results showed that specific growth rate,feed conversion efficiency and superoxide dismutase activity of E.carinicauda in the treatment group with 1% dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicine and S6 salinity fluctuation were higher than those in other treatments,which was significantly higher than the treatment groups with S0,S3 and S9 salinity fluctuation at the same adding level of 1% dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The regression analysis indicated that at S0,S3 and S6 salinity fluctuation,the optimal adding level of dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines in feeds decreased with the increase of salinity fluctuation,accounting for 2.74%,1.77% and 0.51% respectively. At four adding levels of dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines,the optimal salinity fluctuation of E.carinicauda also decreased with the increase of dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines in feeds,accounting for 5.26,4.95,3.54 and 1.97 respectively. [Conclusion]Salinity,dietary traditional Chinese herbal medicines and their interactions have a significant effect on survival,growth and immunity of E.carinicauda,which calls for attentions in the breeding.

Chinese Herbal Medicine Resources with Bacteriostatic and Insecticidal Activities and Their Application as Pesticides

Herbal pesticides refer to the active ingredients extracted from herbs which are used for pest and disease control in crops or pure substances isolated from them. They are of great significance for the production of pollution-free agricultural products, as well as for exploiting the abundant plant resources in China for the prevention and control of pests. In this paper, the advantages of herbal pesticides,such as being environment-friendly, diverse patterns of action, safety for higher animals and the natural enemies of pests and making it hard for pests to produce resistance were first stated; then, Chinese herbal medicine resources with antibacterial and insecticidal activities from 49 families and their functions were reviewed, and 19kinds of herbal pesticides that have been developed and applied in China and seven kinds that have been produced on a large scale were also introduced; finally,three issues deserving further exploration during the development and application of herbal pesticides were presented, that is, research in variety selection and cultivation of herbs, and methods for extraction of active ingredients; basic research in the structure identification of herbal active ingredients, and the relationship between plant variety and active ingredients; development of lead compounds based on herbal active ingredients.

Screening of Chinese Herbal Medicines Resistant to Chicken Escherichia coli and Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus

[Objective] This study aimed to screen Chinese herbal medicines resistant to Chicken Escherichia coli and infectious laryngotracheitis virus. [Methed] Conven- tional punch method, test tube method and plate dilution method were adopted for in vitro susceptibility test of chicken E, coil strains O5 and O8 using 13 kinds of Chi- nese herbal medicines including Sanguisorba officinalis, Coptis chinensis, Anemar- rhena asphodeloides, Strobilanthes cusia, Agastache rugosa, etc.; chicken embryo inoculation experiment was adopted to screen Chinese herbal medicines resistant to chicken infectious laryngotracheitis virus. [Result] Sanguisorba officinalis, Fructus mume, Rheum officinale, Coptis chinensis, Herba Taraxaci, Anemarrhena asphode- Ioides, Scutellaria baicalensis and Rhizoma Fagopyri Cymosi had ideal antibacterial effect against chicken E. coil strain O5; Sanguisorba officinalis, Fructus mume, Rheum officinale, Coptis chinensis, Herba taraxaci and Rhizoma Fagopyri Cymosi had ideal antibacterial effect against chicken E. coil strain 08; other Chinese herbal medicines showed relatively poor or no antibacterial effect. Results of chicken embryo inoculation experiment showed that nine kinds of Chinese herbal medicines showed relatively strong anti-lLTV effect, including Forsythia suspensa, Radix Isatidis, Fofium isatidis, Flos Ionicerae, Radix codonopsis, Radix astragali, Atractylodes, Radix gly- cyrrhizae, and Pericarpium granati. [Conclusion] The study laid the foundation for fur- ther development of Chinese herbal compound preparations to treat chicken cofibacil- Iosis, infectious laryngotracheitis and other bacterial, viral diseases.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines on Blood Ions and Enzymes of Egg-laying Hens Under Heat Stress

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the effects of tradi- tional Chinese herbal medicines on blood biochemical indices of egg-laying hens under heat stress and to provide theoretical basis for clinical application of the medicines. [Method] One hundred of 88-day-old ISA-Brown hens were randomly di- vided into five groups. The hens in four groups were administrated with Prescription I herbal medicines, Prescription II herbal medicines, Vc and blank control under ar- tificially simulated heat stress, respectively. The last group was raised under normal temperature condition. Blood samples of the hens were collected on 1, 4, 8 and 10 d later and detected for their biochemical indices. [Result] The blood sodium （Na）, phosphorus （P）, potassium （K） and chlorine （CI） concentrations in hens under heat stress were decreased, while the activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and creatine kinase （CK） were increased. These indices grad- ually returned to normal levels after the use of traditional Chinese herbal medicines. [Conclusion] The herbal medicines can relieve the adverse effects caused by heat stress to blood biochemical indices via different metabolic pathways of ions and en- zymes.

Inhibition Effects of Four Kinds of Chinese Herbal Medicine Extracts Containing Pyrola(Pyrola rotundifolia) against Monilinia fructicola

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the inhibition effects of four Chinese herbal medicine extracts containing Pyrola （ Pyrola rotundifolia） against Moni- linia fructicola. [ Method ] Three-time immersion method was used to extract Chinese herbal medicines. The antifungal activity was determined by methods of myce- lial growth rate, sporulation quantity per unit area and germination rate on slide. [Result] Pyrola, clove, licorice and kudzu root extracts in vitro had different de- grees of inhibition effects on vegetative growth, conidia production and germination of M. fructicola, which also had certain degree of destruction effect on mycelial cells. Growth inhibition rate of pyrola extract against M. fructicola reached 80%, and that of water vapor extract of clove was more than 90%. It also had significant destruction effect on mycelial cells, and could inhibit the production and germination of canidia. [ Conclusion] Inhibition effects of pyrola extract and water vapor extract of clove were obvious, indicating that they contained antifungal ingredients.

Screening test for anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of traditional Chinese herbal medicines

AIM:To evaluate the anti-Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) activity of 50 traditional Chinese herbal medicines in order to provide the primary evidence for their use in clinical practice.METHODS:A susceptibility test of water extract from 50 selected traditional Chinese herbal medicines for in vitro H.pylori Sydney strain 1 was performed with broth dilution method.Anti-H.pylori activity of the selected Chinese herbal medicines was evaluated according to their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).RESULTS:The water extract from Rhizoma Coptidis,Radix Scutellariae and Radix isatidis could significantly inhibit the H.pylori activity with their MIC less than 7.8 mg/mL,suggesting that traditional Chinese herbal medicines have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects and can thus be used in treatment of H.pylori infection.CONCLUSION:Rhizoma Coptidis,Radix Scutellariae and Radix isatidis are the potential sources for the synthesis of new drugs against H.pylori.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE PLUS ATOMIZED HERBAL MEDICINE IN THE TREATMENT OF LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC PROTRUSION

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with atomized herbal medicine in the treatment of protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods A total of 211 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion were randomized into two groups, with 106 cases being in trealment group and 105 in control group. The treatment was given once everyday, 12 days as one course of treatment. After two courses of treatment, the results were analyzed. Results The curative rate was 97.1% in the treatment group and 81.0% in the control group. Conclusion Acupuncture together with herbal medicine for the protrusion of lumbar intervetebral disc was better in effect than acupuncture only.

Systematic review of Chinese herbal medicine for functional constipation

Constipation is a common gastrointestinal complaint in clinical practice, affecting an estimated 27% of the population. Many patients are disappointed by current conventional treatments and, therefore, seek help from complementary and alternative medicine （CAM）. Traditional Chinese medicine, is the most important part of CAM and has been practiced for treating diseases and promoting the health of humans for thousands of years, and has become a popular alternative choice. Although there are many Chinese herbal medicine （CHM interventions available, and some have been verified b＇ clinical trials, their efficacy and safety are still questioned by both patients and health care providers worldwide. The purposes of this review are, first, to appraise the qualities of individual study designs in the new Cochrane approach. Second, the benefits of individual CHM interventions or individual types of CHM intervention for the treatment of functional constipation are analyzed. Finally, valid and comprehensive conclusions are drawn, if applicable, in order to make clinical recommendations.

Herbal medicines and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD), which is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver of patients who consume little or no alcohol, becomes increasingly common with rapid economic development. Long-term excess fat accumulation leads to NAFLD and represents a global health problem with no effective therapeutic approach. NAFLD is considered to be a series of complex, multifaceted pathological processes involving oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and metabolism. Over the past decades, herbal medicines have garnered growing attention as potential therapeutic agents to prevent and treat NAFLD, due to their high efficacy and low risk of side effects. In this review, we evaluate the use of herbal medicines(including traditional Chinese herbal formulas, crude extracts from medicinal plants, and pure natural products) to treat NAFLD. These herbal medicines are natural resources that can inform innovative drug research and the development of treatments for NAFLD in the future.

Research Progress in the Application of Chinese Herbal Medicines in Aquaculture： A Review

Due to increasing safety concerns regarding human consumption of fish products, an increasing number of medicinal chemicals are prohibited from use in aquaculture. As a result, Chinese herbal medicines are being increasingly used, coining the use of the term ＂green medicine.＂ Research shows that Chinese herbal medicines have many beneficial effects on fish, including growth promotion, enhancement of disease resistance, and improvement in meat quality. Many effective ingredients have been discovered in Chinese herbal medicines, which function to promote feed intake, improve meat flavor, and increase digestive enzyme activity. They also regulate and participate in processes that improve the specific and non-specific immunity of fish; however, the composition of Chinese herbal medicines is very complex and it is often difficult to identify the effective ingredients. This article reviews the latest research and application progress in Chinese herbal medicines regarding growth and feed utilization, immunity and disease resistance, and the meat quality of cultured fish. It also discusses research on the chemical constituents of classical Chinese medicinal herbs and problems with the application of Chinese herbal medicines in fish culture. This article concludes by proposing that future studies on Chinese herbal medicines should focus on how to cheaply refine and extract the effective ingredients in classical Chinese medicinal herbs, as well as how to use them efficiently in aquaculture.