Exploring the compatibility theory of traditional Chinese medicine formulae:the disassembled prescriptions study

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has become very popular in the treatment of complex diseases worldwide in recent decades.Despite the promising performance of TCM,how herbs work synergistically in a formula and their therapeutic targets remain ambiguous.This largely limits the correct use and modernization of TCM formulas clinically.The study of disassembled prescriptions is important for investigating the compatibility theory of Chinese medicines.By dissecting the mechanisms of TCM formulae,the compatibility principles of some well-known formulae,such as Realgar-Indigo naturalis,have been elucidated to a certain extent.In this review,several common methods of disassembled prescription studies are summarized,including those of single herb or mineral,sub-prescription,active ingredients or effective parts,large formulae,and systems pharmacology studies,as well as the methods of grouping based on the properties or efficacy of Chinese medicines,in order to provide evidence for formulae study.Moreover,some challenges to be addressed in disassembled prescriptions studies have been identified in this review.

Liangxue Xiaoban decoction and its disassembled prescriptions ameliorate psoriasis-like skin lesions induced by imiquimod in mice via T cell regulation

Objective:To explore the therapeutic capacity of the Liangxue Xiaoban(LXXB)decoction and its disassembled prescriptions in the modulation of T cell subsets and recurrence-related indexes of psoriasis using a psoriasis-like mouse model.Methods:The psoriasis model was generated by the treatment of BALB/c mice(n=48)with imiquimod.Mice were divided into six groups:control,psoriasis model,tripterygium glycosides,LXXB decoction,Liangxue decoction,and Qingqi decoction.After the intervention period,the interleukin(IL)-17A,IL-22,and interferon-γ levels in mice were examined and hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted to determine pathological changes in the skin tissues.T cell subset changes in the skin-draining lymph nodes were analyzed using flow cytometry,and the expression levels of the associated transcription factors and recurrence-related indexes in the skin tissues were determined using a polymerase chain reaction.Results:LXXB decoction attenuated the levels of CD8^(+)T,Th17,and Th1 cells and induced an increase in the Th2 and Treg cell levels.The disassembled prescriptions promoted or inhibited specific subsets of T cells to improve the symptoms of psoriasis.Notably,the LXXB and Liangxue decoctions suppressed the expression of IL-22 at both the gene and protein levels and restored the CD103 and IL-15 expressions in the skin tissue to the normal range.Conclusion:LXXB decoction exerted significant immunoregulatory effects on T cell subsets and improved the recurrence-related indexes.Interestingly,the Liangxue prescription appeared to have a therapeutic advantage in terms of Th17 modulation and psoriasis recurrence,while the Qingqi prescription performed better in Treg immunoregulation.

Effects of Erlong Zuoci Pill (耳聋左慈丸) and Its Disassembled Prescriptions on Gentamicin-induced Ototoxicity Model in vitro

Objective：To study the effects of Erlong Zuoci Pill（耳聋左慈丸,ELZCP）and its disassembled prescriptions on gentamicin（GM）-induced ototoxicity model in vitro.Methods：After the spiral organ of cochleae of newborn mice（postnatal days：2-3）cultured for 24 h,GM alone or combined with water extracting-alcohol precipitating solution of ELZCP or with its disassembled prescriptions was added.Hair cells were observed under a fluorescence microscope after TRITC-phalloidin staining,and the cochlear hair cell loss rate was calculated by counting the whole cochlear hair cells and analyzed by whole cochlear hair cells analyzing software.Results： GM induced cochlear outer hair cells（OHCs）and inner hair cells（IHCs）injuries in a dose-dependent manner, and they were significantly different as compared with those in the normal control group（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）. ELZCP at the concentration of 0.003-3 mg/mL could decrease the hair cells loss induced by the 0.3 mmol/L GM （P〈0.05,P〈0.01）,the effects was in a dose-dependent manner,and the concentration of 0.3 mg/mL showed the optimal protective effect.For the ELZCP disassembled prescriptions,Liuwei-Dihuang could decrease OHC loss rate than that in the 0.3 mmol/L GM model group（P〈0.05）,but the OHC loss rate was still higher than that in the ELZCP group（P〈0.01）,which indicated that the protective effect of hair cells by Liuwei-Dihuang was not better than that of ELZCP.Poria decreased OHC loss rate from 72.1%±3.7%to 58.8%±8.2%（P〈0.05）. Conclusions：ELZCP could play a role in antagonizing the injury of cochlear hair cells induced by GM ototoxicity, and its disassembled prescriptions,Liuwei-Dihuang was the main component to protect the cochlear hair cells from GM-induced ototoxicity,and Magnetitum combined with Radix Bupleurui could strengthen the action of the whole prescription; Poria could reduce GM-induced OHC loss.