Study on Molecular Mechanism of Yiqing Capsule in Treating Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism of Yiqing Capsules in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infection based on network pharmacology. Methods: The main active components of Yiqing Capsules were selected on TCMSP database;the targets of upper respiratory tract infection were selected on GeneCards database. The drug-compound-target network and PPi network were constructed through STRING database and soft Cytoscape 3.7.2. Soft R was used to perform GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of main targets. Results: According to the screening conditions, 48 active compounds and 171 related targets were obtained. GO enrichment analysis obtained 2333 items, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained 2248 items, including Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus infection, Human cytomegalovirus infection, Epstein-Barr virus infection, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, etc. Conclusion: Yiqing capsules play a therapeutic role in upper respiratory tract infection through multi-target and multi-pathway.

To Explore the Potential Mechanism of Yiqing Capsule in the Treatment of COVID-19 Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective: To select the ingredients and targets of Yiqing capsule in treating COVID-19 based on network pharmacology, then to explore the potential mechanism of Yiqing capsule in treating COVID-19. Methods: We screened the ingredients and targets of Yiqing capsule on Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and target genes for COVID-19 in GeneCards database, constructed drug-ingredient-target network through software Cytoscape 3.7.2, and constructed protein protein interaction network (PPI) network through STRING database. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of key gene targets of Yiqing capsule are used to treat COVID-19 through software R5.3.2. Results: We got 42 ingredients, 42 potential therapeutic targets, 1643 GO items and 970 pathways in our study. The main pathway including IL-17 signaling pathway, Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis), Influenza A, and TNF signaling pathway. Conclusion: Yiqing capsule plays a role in treating COVID-19 through multiple ingredients, multiple targets and multiple pathways.

Therapeutic Evaluation of Recurrent Aphthous Ulcer with Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

Objective: To observe the curative effects of Yiqing granule and Zhibai Dihuang pill combined with Oralpolin gel on recurrent aphthous ulcer. Methods: 150 patients with mild recurrent aphthous ulcer were classified as excessive internal heat type and deficiency internal heat type by traditional Chinese medicine theory. Then, they were randomly divided into the positive control group (thalidomide group), the trial group (Yiqing granule group/Zhibai Dihuang pill group), and the negative control group (topical medication group). All the patients in every group used Oralpolin gel. Additionally, the patients in the positive control group took thalidomide tablets orally and those in the trial group orally took proprietary Chinese medicine (Yiqing granule/Zhibai Dihuang pill). The treatment lasted for 4 weeks. The curative effects were all evaluated according to the “RAU Efficacy Evaluation Trial Standard” which was formulated by the Professional Committee of Mucosal Diseases of Chinese Stomatological Association. Results: Of all the 150 patients involved in this medical experiment, 146 cases finished it, including 66 ones in the trial group, 36 ones in the positive control group, and 44 ones in the negative control group. The total drop-out rate was 2.7%. For the excessive internal heat type, the effective rates in the thalidomide group, the Yiqing granule group and the local medication group were 91.7%, 52.6% and 52.9% respectively in order. For the deficiency internal heat type, the effective rates in the thalidomide group, the Zhibai Dihuang pill group and the local medication group were 87.5%, 71.4% and 40% respectively in order. The clinical efficacy of the Zhibai Dihuang pill group was better than that of the local medication group and similar to that of the thalidomide group (P Conclusion: Zhibai Dihuang pill is significantly effective in the treatment for mild recurrent aphthous ulcer of deficiency internal heat type without severe adverse reactions.