Efficacy and safety of Reduqing granules in the treatment of common cold with wind-heat syndrome： a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE:To assess the efficacy and safety of Reduqing granules in patients with common cold with wind-heat syndrome(CCWHS).METHODS:A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel, positive-controlled trial included 72 CCWHS patients was performed.The participants were randomly assigned to two groups,Reduqing(RDQ) group and Lianhuaqingwen(LHQW) group, in a 1∶1 ratio.Patients in RDQ group received Reduqing granules and dummy Lianhuaqingwen capsules three times a day and patients in LHQW group received Lianhuaqingwen capsules and dummy Reduqing granules three times daily.The duration of treatment and follow-up were four days.RESULTS:There were no statistically significant differences in total markedly effective rate and total effective rate between RDQ group and LHQW group after treatment.Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) symptom score was significantly reduced after treatment in RDQ group, as well as in LHQW group.However, the difference of change in TCM symptom score between two groups was not statistically significant(P > 0.05).There were no significant differences between two groups in the median time to fever relief [RDQ group(4 ± 8) h vs LHQW group(4 ± 5) h] or the median time to fever clearance(RDQ group 47 h vs LHQW 36 h).No serious adverse events were reported during the study.CONCLUSION:Compared with Lianhuaqingwen capsules, Reduqing granules achieved similar therapeutic effect in the treatment of CCWHS and no drug-related adverse events were reported during the study.Therefore, Reduqing granules might be effective and safe in the treatment of CCWHS.

Effect of Reduqing (热毒清)on Plasma Interleukin-8 and Nitric Oxidein Rabbits with Endotoxin induced Disseminated intravascular Coagulation

objective: To investigate the effects of Reduqing （RDQ, 热毒清） on plasma interleukin-8 （IL-8）complement 5a （C5a）and polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte （PMN） chemotaxis Index （CI） in rabbits with endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation （DIC）. Methods: Endotoxin-induced DIC model made by injection of LiPoPolysacchrides （LPS） was used in the experiment. Above-mentioned indexes were determined before and after RDQ treatment and compared with blank and dexamethasone treated group. Results: Plasma IL-8,C5a and CI level of PMN increased markedly in the model group, which were confirmed pathologically with obvious damage of tissues or organs. In the RDQ group, the abovementiond parameters and damage of tissues or organs were reduced significantly （P ＜ 0.01 ）. Conclusion: IL-8 and NO might be involved in pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced DIC, and RDQ could be used in preventing or treating DIC through the mechanism of regulation of cytokines network.

Effect of Reduqing (热毒清) on Endotoxin-Induced Production of Tissue Factor and Cytokines in Human Whole Blood

Objective: TO study the effect of Reduqing (RDQ) Injection on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)induced tissue factor and cytokine production in whole blood. Methods: Heparinized human blood was incubated with LPS in the presence or absence of RDQ. The plasma concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and the monocyte tissue factor activity wasmeasured by a one-stage tissue factor induced plasma clotting time assay. Results: RDQ was found to diminishthe LPS-induced increase of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in plasma but did not completely abolish their production.In contrast to the effect on these cytokines, RDQ caused further increase of the plasma level of IL-8 and themonocyte TF activity in the presence of LPS. Conclusions: In the in vztro whole blood assay system used inthis study, the decrease of LPS-induced production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was similar to a previous in vivostudy on the effect of RDQ on the production of these cytokines in response to two-time LPS injection in rabbits, while the increase of IL-8 and TF production was contradictory to the previous in vivo study. Potentialreasons contributing to the differences are discussed.

The Prevenlive-Therapeutic Effects of Reduqing (热毒清)on Endotoxin-Induced DIC in Rabbits (Continued)Protection of Hepatocytic Microsomes, Maintenance of CalciumHomeostasis and Reduction of Oxygen Free Radicals

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) model of rabbits was made by the injectionof endotoxin. Cytochrome P-450 content and aniline hydroxylase activity in hepatocytic microsomes in DICrabbits were significantly reduced. The microviscosity of mitochondrial membrane was elevated, whilethe fluidity of the membrane, and the activities of calcium-magnesium-adenosine triphosphatase and calci-um-adenosine triphosphatase were reduced. Lipid peroxide and xanthine oxidase activities were in-creased. while superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or <0. 01) . The changes in the Reduqing test group were not prominent. and the parameters ofthe test group were close to those of the control group. This study suggests that in endotoxin induced DICrabbits the hepatocytic microsomes are injured. calcium homeostasis is disturbed and oxygen free radicalsare notably accumulated. Whereas Reduqing may have a protective effect on hepatocytic microsomestrom the injury, maintain calcium homeostasis and reduce oxygen free radicals in DIC rabbits.

Mechanism of Three Inhibitors of TACE in Blocking the Converting of pro-TNFα into sTNFα

The effects of inhibitors of TNFα converting enzyme (TACE) on TNFα secretion were studied to develop an approach to interfere inflammation processes. The HL-60 cell lines were stimulated in vitro with LPS intravenously for different time to establish the cellular model of inflammation and simultaneously induce in vivo inflammation animal model by LPS The cytotoxic effects of soluble TNFa were checked using MTT colorimetric method to determine the rate of cell proliferation. The level of expression of TACE was detected by using RT-PCR, FCM and immuno-histochemical technique respectively. It was found Chinese medicine Reduqing (RDQ) could inhibit the transcription of TNFa mRNA induced by LPS stimulation (P<0. 01, compared with the control). The anti-oligodeoxyribonucleotide (anti-ODN) of TNFα mRNA could inhibit 78. 9 % of TNFα secretion. The mimic peptides of TACE substrates with hydroxamine group showed potency in vivo and in vitro a-gainst converting of pro-TNFα. It was concluded that all the three types of TACE inhibitors can regulate the expression of TACE at different levels and inhibit sTNFα secretion, indicating TACE is a novel target for inflammation therapy.