Network pharmacological study of Qingfei Paidu Decoction intervening on cytokine storm mechanism of COVID-19

Objective:To explore the possible mechanism of Qingfei Paibu Decoction in the treatment of COVID-19 from the perspective of cytokine storm by network pharmacology.Methods: The TCMSP and SymMap databases were used to screen out the active components and targets of Qingfei Paibu Decoction;The GeneCards database was used to screen the predicted targets of COVID-19;Two targets were mapped;The STRING database and Cytoscape3.7.2 software were used to construct the network diagram of active drag-ingredient-target and screen out the core components and targets;The GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out by OmicShare cloud platform and David respectively.Results:A total of 52 potential targets of Qingfei Paibu Decoction for the treatment of COVID-19 were obtained, among which 17 were core targets related to inflammation, mainly including cytokines such as IL, IFN, TNF and chemokines. And 26 core components were obtained, including quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringenin, and baicalein;The GO enrichment results showed 224 biological processes, 15 molecular functions and 33 cell components related to inflammation;There were 5 inflammatory signaling pathways in KEGG enrichment results, including TNF signaling pathway, Nod-like receptor signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and cytokine receptor interaction. Conclusion: Qingfei Paibu Decoction can inhibit cytokine storms by acting on multiple targets and pathways with multiple components and thus treat COVID-19.

“Qingfei Paidu Decoction”—A Possible Choice of Phytotherapy for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Caused by Coronavirus Disease-19

This work is aimed to study the therapeutics and pharmacology of the treatment of severe acute respiratory infection caused by coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) “Qingfei Paidu Decoction”. We analyze the “Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia” (Version I to Version VII) made by China, “Clinical management of severe acute respiratory infection when novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection is suspected—Interim guidance” made by World Health Organization (WHO), “Therapeutic Guidelines: Respiratory” published by Australia, and the origin of classical prescription of Qingfei Paidu Decoction: “Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases)” and “Jinkui Yaolue (Synopsis of Golden Chamber)”. We search the dictionary of traditional Chinese medicine (Version II) manually. We search literatures from 2001 to 2020 on Wiley online library. We conduct a comparative study on the therapeutic options and indications among Qingfei Paidu Decoction, COVID-19 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). And we carry out pharmacological inquiry of Qingfei Paidu Decoction. The therapeutic options and indications of Qingfei Paidu Decoction in China, COVID-19 and COPD are considered to be basically consistent. Qingfei Paidu Decoction has a definite therapeutic effect on the symptoms, basic diseases and complications for COVID-19 and COPD. Qingfei Paidu Decoction is a possible choice of phytotherapy for severe acute respiratory infection caused by COVID-19.

Discussion on the composing principle of "Qingfei Paidu Decoction"in the treatment of anti-COVID-19 from the theory of syndrome-differentiation of the six meridians in Treatise on Febrile Diseases

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)was a newly discovered infectious respiratory disease and characterized by wide prevalence,high incidence rate and fast progress and dangerous,which belonged to the category of"cold-wet plague"in TCM.The onset of COVID-19 was caused by pestilence,which mingled with seasonal cold-dampness and invaded the human body when external defensive qi was weak and then leaded to the accumulation of Yang qi.Different from exogenous pathogenic factors transmitted from the external to the internal or followed the transmission law of Wei,Qi,Ying and Xue,the nature of pestilence belonged to the category of pathogenic fire,spreading as soon as possible,from the external to the internal and from the upper and lower part of triple energizer,even to every part.At the very beginning,the pestilence attacked from the Taiyang meridian into the Yangming meridian quickly,or straight into the three Yang meridian,which was called"triple-yang combination of diseases".Manifestations of fever,aversion to cold and pain of body were conformed to the exterior syndrome of Taiyang,as well as manifestations of fullness and discomfort in chest,vomiting and spitting and diarrhea were conformed to the syndrome of half-interior-half-exterior;And symptoms manifested as high fever,faint,and abdominal fullness and constipation were conformed to the syndrome of Yangming;But sometimes,there was cold-dampness surrounding the exterior at the beginning along with intense interior pathogenic fire.Or at the beginning,the exterior factors invaded into three Yin meridians quickly while have not been eliminated,which may lead to the syndrome of inner blocking causing collapse or Jue exhaustion.The most typical syndrome of COVID-19 was triple-yang combination of diseases,which was often seen in mild,moderate and part of severe cases.Hence"Qingfei Paidu Decoction"was prescribed especially for this kind of syndrome.Its accurate efficacy has been proved by that mild cases converting to severe cases in the mobile cabin hospital have been effectively restrained and thus the progression of the disease has blocked.Composition analysis showed that Mahuang decoction with Maxing Shigan decoction was to relieve exterior Taiyang syndrome,Xiaochaihu decoction was for harmonizing half-superficies and half-interior Shaoyang syndrome,and large dose of gypsum was used to clear interior heat of the Yangming meridian,and Shegan Mahuang decoction and Xiaoqinglong plus gypsum decoction was for lowering the adverse qi and resolving fluid,and Wuling San was for warming the triple energizer and transforming qi and draining water."Qingfei Paidu Decoction"was an syncretic innovation of classical prescriptions from Treatise on Febrile Diseases,which was not made up of herbs but multiple concordant prescriptions helping to get twice the result with half the effort,so that the"cold-wet plague"can be quickly discharged.

Long-term effects of Qingfei Paidu decoction(清肺排毒汤)in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 acute pneumonia after treatment:a protocol for systematic review and Meta-analysis

This study aims to provide evidence regarding whether Qingufei paidu decoction(清肺排毒汤,QFPD)treatment in the acute phase shows long-term benefits for coronavirus disease 2019-associated sequelae.The 10 databases will be retrieved.Every reference list of related trials and gray literature will be searched as well.Study screening,data extraction,and risk of bias evaluation will be performed by two reviewers(CUI Hanjin and FAN Rong).Data analysis will be conducted by using STATA(version 14).Statistical heterogeneity will be explored by a standardχ2 test with a significance level of P<0.10.Funnel plots,Egger’s&Begg’s test,and Trim and Fill analysis will be used for publication bias assessment.The results of the present Meta-analysis and systematic review will be disseminated via peer-review journal publication.Ethical approval is not required,as this Meta-analysis will not contain any individual patient data.This systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO(registration number:CRD42021246937)on 15 April 2021.

Study on the Inheritance,Innovation and Development of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in the Treatment of COVID-19

The discovery of highly effective medicine"Qingfei Paidu Decoction"for COVID-19 is a new era gift of traditional Chinese medicine to the world.The traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi,as a medicinal plant in the family of Labiatae,is the dominant variety of genuine medicinal material in North China.It is the leading traditional Chinese medicine in the advantageous area of agricultural products with Chinese characteristics in Shangdang of Changzhi City,and it is one of the 21 herbal medicines in the new national prescription"Qingfei Paidu Decoction"for the rapid and effective treatment of COVID-19.This paper introduces S.baicalensis Georgi and its traditional Chinese medicine GAP base,ecologically suitable planting county and medicinal value in poor areas,and studies the intellectual property resources related to S.baicalensis Georgi,such as traditional knowledge,biological genetic resources,patents,new plant varieties,geographical indications,and trademarks.This paper mainly discusses the inheritance essence,innovation and high-quality development strategy of S.baicalensis Georgi under the rural revitalization strategy and traditional Chinese medicine development strategy from the aspects of intellectual property rights,important agricultural cultural heritage,advantageous areas of characteristic agricultural products and so on.

New insights for infection mechanism and potential targets of COVID-19:Three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas as promising therapeutic approaches

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)with high pathogenicity and infectiousness has become a sudden and lethal pandemic worldwide.Currently,there is no accepted specific drug for COVID-19 treatment.Therefore,it is extremely urgent to clarify the pathogenic mechanism and develop effective therapies for patients with COVID-19.According to several reliable reports from China,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),especially for three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas,has been demonstrated to effectively alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 either used alone or in combination with Western medicines.In this review,we systematically summarized and analyzed the pathogenesis of COVID-19,the detailed clinical practice,active ingredients investigation,network pharmacology prediction and underlying mechanism verification of three Chinese patent medicines and three Chinese medicine formulas in the COVID-19 combat.Additionally,we summarized some promising and high-frequency drugs of these prescriptions and discussed their regulatory mechanism,which provides guidance for the development of new drugs against COVID-19.Collectively,by addressing critical challenges,for example,unclear targets and complicated active ingredients of these medicines and formulas,we believe that TCM will represent promising and efficient strategies for curing COVID-19 and related pandemics.