Analysis on the Changes of Research Hotspots in the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 by Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Knowledge Graph

Objective: To grasp the changing trend of research hotspots of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and to better play the role of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and other diseases. Methods: The research literature from 2020 to 2022 was searched in the CNKI database, and CiteSpace software was used for visual analysis. Results: The papers on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 by traditional Chinese medicine changed from cases, overviews, reports, and efficacy studies to more in-depth mechanism research, theoretical exploration, and social impact analysis, and finally formed a theory-clinical-society Influence-institutional change and other multi-dimensional achievement systems. Conclusion: Analyzing the changing trends of TCM hotspots in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 can fully understand the important value of TCM, take the coordination of TCM and Western medicine as an important means to deal with public health security incidents, and promote the exploration of the potential efficacy of TCM, so as to enhance the role of TCM in Applications in social stability, emergency security, clinical practice, etc.

The theory development of traditional Chinese medicine constitution: a review

Traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC),as one of the most important parts of Chinese medicine theory,attracted the attention of more and more researchers and many research projects were conducted during past several decades in China's Mainland.This review provided a historic overview of TCMC theory and research progress in its classification,evaluation criteria and epidemiology,so as to give people through a different lens to understand human health.

Analysis of diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 nucleic acid

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),the author has been involved in the treatment of COVID-19 in the first line.It is found that some patients had a long viral nucleic acid negative time,and even the course of the disease lasted more than 40 days.After a thorough investigation of the root causes,it is found the four possible causes were:"Blood stasis syndrome"is difficult to remove;"Damp heat"sticky greasy;Stubborn basic diseases;weak constitution.All the patients treated with traditional Chinese medicine have turned negative,and now the typical cases were analyzed and summarized in order to provide reference for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment and scientific research of the patients with COVID-19 who were difficult to turn negative.

Research progress on intervention of traditional Chinese medicine on myocardial glucose and lipid metabolism in heart failure

Disorder of energy metabolism is a major pathological change in the progression of heart failure.This process leads to insufficient myocardial energy and further aggravates cardiac dysfunction.Disorders of metabolic substrate utilization,mainly glucose and fatty acids,play an important role in this process.Research over the years has shown that some traditional Chinese medicines or compound prescriptions whose main role is to replenish qi and warm yang have good effects in regulating energy metabolism disorders.It has been found that some active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the uptake and utilization of myocardial cell metabolic substrate,so that the metabolism of myocardial cells can be adjusted in a direction that is beneficial to the body under hypoxic conditions,increasing the overall energy supply of the myocardium and improving heart function.This article reviewed the research of traditional Chinese medicine intervention on glucose and lipid metabolism of heart failure myocardial cells,and preliminarily summarizes the law and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in heart failure myocardial glucose and fatty acid metabolism,hoping to provide clues for energy metabolism therapy research from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine.

Optimization of Preparation of Oregano Oil Microspheres by Box-Behnken Response Surface Methodology

[Objectives]To optimize the formulation and preparation of oregano oil microspheres by Box-Behnken response surface methodology.[Methods]Chitosan was used as the carrier material to prepare oregano oil microspheres by emulsion crosslinking method.The encapsulation efficiency,drug loading and ID 50 were used as the evaluation indicators,and the comprehensive score(OD)obtained by"coefficient of variation-AHP comprehensive weighting method"was used as the final evaluation indicator.The formulation design and preparation process were optimized by single factor experiment and Box-Behnken response surface methodology,and the optimal process parameters were determined.[Results]The optimal formulation and preparation process parameters of oregano oil microspheres were as follows:the ratio of oregano oil to chitosan was 2∶1,the emulsifying speed of double emulsion was 200 r/min,the amount of emulsifier in the colostrum was 4%,and the volume of curing agent was 1.0 mL.The average encapsulation efficiency was 45.33%±1.32%,the average drug loading was 30.59%±2.45%,and the median diameter(ID 50)was 52.596μm±0.023%.[Conclusions]The encapsulation efficiency,drug loading and ID 50 of oregano oil chitosan microspheres prepared by emulsion crosslinking method met the requirements.The drug-loaded microsphere not only can be used as a preparation finished product for direct application,but also be used as a product intermediate to lay a foundation for the research and development of subsequent dosage forms.

Medicinal Solid Fermentation Engineering of Chinese Traditional Medicinal Fungal

Medicinal solid fermentation technology of fungal was unique within the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and one of the oldest bio-pharmaceutical technology in the history, for example, the production of medicated leaven named ＂Shenqu＂, the history of which had continued for more than 1,500 years. These kinds of productions were widly used and had a close relationship with TCM. The development of this technology had through stages of ＂yeast production＂, ＂solid culture＂, ＂solid fermentation＂, and nowadays toward a series engineering of solid fermentation with promising prospects. The author described the development of its history briefly, and the representative products and the characteristics of production process of every stage, respectively. This research focused on taking ＂Trametes robinioplila fermented substance＂, ＂T. robinioplila ＆ A. membranaceus fermented substance＂ and ＂T. wilfordii Hook.f. ＆ G. lucidum fermented substance＂ as examples to introduce R ＆ D ideas and important findings of＂common fermentation＂ and ＂bi-directional fermentation＂ which were recommended as studying hotspots. There were many unique and important functions in the fields of TCM about all kinds of＂fermentation substances＂. It is infered that there may exist some other innovate technologies such as ＂Multi-fungal fermentation＂, ＂Special elements fermentation＂, etc. which are remained to be researched and developed continuely. All kinds of＂fermentation substances＂ are looked forward to show unique and important roles in the fields of TCM.

Nominalization in the Translation of Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine has not only made great contribution to the Chinese culture,but also generated positive influences on the world civilization.With China’s entry into WTO,Chinese medicine has been paid great attention.Nevertheless,the nature of the Chinese medicine language makes its translation very hard,particularly it is very difficult to deal with the phenomenon of nominalization when translating Chinese medicine into English.This paper explores how and why there are nominalizations in the English translation of Chinese medicine.

Fabrication of taxifolin loaded zein-caseinate nanoparticles and its bioavailability in rats

Taxifolin loaded zein-caseinate nanoparticles(TZP)were fabricated by the anti-solvent method and were used as an oral delivery vehicle to improve their bioavailability in the rat.The formulations of TZP were optimized.With mass ratio of 1:1:2 between taxifolin,zein and sodium caseinate,the particle size andζpotential of TZP were(168.74±0.35)nm and−(57.67±0.25)mV,while the encapsulation and loading efficiency of taxifolin were(85.83±0.89)%and(17.11±0.88)%,respectively.After freeze-drying,TZP exhibited excellent redispersibility in water without aggregation.Physicochemical characterization showed that taxifolin existed in amorphous form in TZP and its interaction with the protein was observed.After encapsulating in TZP,the excellent dispersion of taxifolin in water signifi cantly improve its diffusion velocity through a semipermeable membrane.After oral administration,taxifolin and its 5 metabolites were identifi ed in rat plasma by ultra high performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-QTOF-MS).The dynamic variation of taxifolin and its metabolites in plasma were then quantifi ed by UPLC with a triple-quadrupole typemass spectroscopy(UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS).A pharmacokinetic study showed that the bioavailability of taxifolin increased from 0.35%to 0.52%through TZP fabrication.The plasma concentration of taxifolin glucuronide and methylated taxifolin glucuronide was much higher than taxifolin.Glucuronidation was the dominating metabolism pathway of taxifolin in vivo.

Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy of Chinese herbal decoction combined with arthroscopy in the treatment of gouty arthritis

Objective:To systematically evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine decoction combined with arthroscopy in the treatment of gouty arthritis.Methods:A systematic search of CNKI,CBM,WanFang,VIP,PubMed,Cochrane Library,and EMBASE databases,and the receipt of the database until February 2021.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)decoction combined with arthroscopy in the treatment of gouty arthritis.Two researchers independently read the title and abstract to screen and them read the full text to clarify whether it should be included.The method of Cochrane systematic review was used to evaluate the quality of the literature,and the RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct meta-analysis of the data.Results:Nineteen RCTs were finally included.A total of 1383 patients,697 cases in the treatment group were treated with traditional Chinese medicine decoction combined with arthroscopy,and 686 cases in the control group were treated with arthroscopy alone or combined with western medicine.Meta-analysis results showed that the total clinical effective rate(P<0.00001)of the treatment group was better than that of the control group.Visual analogue scoring(VAS)score(P=0.0005,P<0.00001,P=0.03)and erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)level(P<0.00001,P<0.00001,P<0.00001)reduction in each subgroup was better than that of the control group.The Lysholm score of the treatment group increased(P<0.00001,P<0.00001,P=0.19),while for blood uric acid(UA)level(P<0.00001,P=0.18,P<0.0001)and C-reactive protein(CRP)levels(P<0.0001,P<0.00001,P=0.23)two subgroups were better than the control group,but there was no significant difference in one subgroup.Conclusion:Traditional Chinese medicine decoction combined with arthroscopy is effective in treating gouty arthritis,which can relieve pain,improve joint function,and reduce body inflammation and uric acid levels.However,in the future,clinical studies with larger sample sizes,more reasonable designs,and higher quality are still needed to demonstrate this conclusion.

Interpretation of the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Jiangxi based on"unified coldness and warmness"

`Since the outbreak of COVID-19,various regions have introduced their own TCM prevention and treatment methods.However,there are two opposing views on the nature of cold and temperature.Since modern times,the thought of the unification of cold and temperature has developed rapidly,and many doctors gradually realized the importance and practicability of the unification of cold and temperature,and began to advocate the unification of cold and temperature syndrome.The prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Jiangxi was developed by Professor Wu Bingcai,a master of Chinese medicine,based on the unified idea of cold and temperature,according to the characteristics of humid climate in Jiangxi,and in combination with the characteristics of COVID-19,the anti-toxin prescription for dispelling cold and desiccating dampness and the anti-toxin prescription for clearing heat and dehumidifying,which achieved exact and satisfactory results in clinical application.

Screening hepatoprotective effective components of Lonicerae japonica Flos based on the spectrum-effect relationship and its mechanism exploring

Lonicerae japonicae Flos(LF)is a kind of healthcare food with hepatoprotective function.This study was designed to explore the spectrum-effect relationships between UPLC fingerprints and the hepatoprotective effects of LF.Fingerprints of ten batches of LF were established by UPLC-PDA.The inhibitory levels of AST and ALT were used as pharmacological indexes,and secoxyloganin,isochlorogenic acid A and isochlorogenic acid C were screened as hepatoprotective active compounds by grey relational analysis(GRA)and partial least squares regression analysis(PLSR).Caspase-3 was obtained by network pharmacology as a key target of hepatoprotective active compounds.Molecular docking is used to explore the interaction between small molecules and proteins.This work provided a general model of the combination of UPLC-PDA and hepatoprotective effect to study the spectrum-effect relationship of LF,which can be used to considerable methods and insight for the fundamental research of the material basis of similar healthcare food.

Exploring the attenuation mechanisms of Dalbergia odorifera leaves extract on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis

The attenuation function of Dalbergia odorifera leaves on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)is little known.The candidate targets for the Chinese herb were extracted from brain tissues through the high-affinity chromatography.The molecular mechanism of D.odorifera leaves on cerebral I/R was investigated.Methods:Serial affinity chromatography based on D.odorifera leaves extract(DLE)affinity matrices were applied to find specific binding proteins in the brain tissues implemented on C57BL/6 mice by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1 h and reperfusion for 24 h.Specific binding proteins were subjected to mass-spectrometry to search for the differentially expressed proteins between control and DLE-affinity matrices.The hub genes were screened based on weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA).Then,predictive biology and potential experimental verification were performed for the candidate genes.The protective role of DLE in blood-brain barrier damage in cerebral I/R mice was evaluated by the leakage of Evans blue,western blotting,immunohistochemistry,and immunofluorescent staining.Results:952 differentially expressed proteins were classified into seven modules based on WGCNA under soft threshold 6.Based on WGCNA,AKT1,PIK3CA,NOS3,SMAD3,SMAD1,IL6,MAPK1,TGFBR2,TGFBR1,MAPK3,IGF1R,LRG1,mTOR,ROCK1,TGFB1,IL1B,SMAD2,and SMAD518 candidate hub proteins were involved in turquoise module.TGF-β,MAPK,focal adhesion,and adherens junction signaling pathway were associated with candidate hub proteins.Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that candidate hub proteins were related to the TGF-βreceptor signaling pathway,common-partner SMAD protein phosphorylation,etc.DLE could significantly reduce the leakage of Evans blue in mice with cerebral I/R,while attenuating the expression of occludin,claudin-5,and zonula occludens-1.Western blotting demonstrated that regulation of TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway played an essential role in the protective effect of DLE.Conclusion:Thus,a number of candidate hub proteins were identified based on DLE affinity chromatography through WGCNA.DLE could attenuate the dysfunction of bloodbrain barrier in the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway induced by cerebral I/R.

Coating Process of Paeonol Sustained Release Pills

[Objectives] To study the coating process of paeonol sustained release pills by extrusion-spheronization method taking ethyl cellulose as the coating material. [Methods] Paeonol pills were made by Auari AW-95 Full Automatic Pill Making Machine. Coating of paeonol sustained release pills was prepared by Auari Mini Pill Polishing Machine. The prescription and process factors of paeonol sustained release pills coating were investigated by single factor experiment and orthogonal experiment. The release of paeonol sustained release pills was determined according to the cumulative release curve of paeonol. [Results] The prepared paeonol sustained release pills released slowly within 24 h, and the release rate reached 80% in 12 h. [Conclusions] The prepared paeonol sustained release pills basically meet the 24 h sustained release standard, and can be further developed and applied.

Quality Standard of Fuyang Wenshen Granules

[Objectives]To establish the quality standard of Fuyang Wenshen Granules and carry out the routine examination of granule type.[Methods]The particle size,water content,solubility,loading difference and microbial limit of Fuyang Wenshen Granules were examined,and TLC was used for qualitative identification of Astmgali Radix and Notoginseng Radix Et Rhizoma.[Results]The particle size,water content,solubility,loading difference,and microbial limit of Fuyang Wenshen Granules complied with the relevant provisions of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(2020).The TLC spots of Astmgali Radix and Notoginseng Radix Et Rhizoma were clearly colored,and negative had no interference.[Conclusions]The method was simple,accurate,reliable,specific and reproducible,and can effectively control the quality of Fuyang Wenshen Granules.

Comparison of the anti-apoptotic effects of 15-and 35-minute suspended moxibustion after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Heat-sensitive suspended moxibustion has a neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but the underly- ing mechanisms remain unclear. The duration of heat-sensitive suspended moxibustion （usually from 30 minutes to 1 hour） is longer than traditional suspended moxibustion （usually 15 minutes）. However, the effects of 15- and 35-minute suspended moxibustion in rats with cerebra/ischemia/reperfusion injury are poorly understood. In this study, we performed 15- or 35-minute suspended moxibustion at acupoint Dazhui （GV14） in an adult rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Infarct volume was evaluated with the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay. Histopathological changes and neuronal apoptosis at the injury site were assessed by hematoxy- lin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 expression at the in- jury site was detected using immunofluorescent staining. Bax and Bcl-2 expression at the injury site was assessed using western blot assay. In the 35-minute moxibustion group, infarct volume was decreased, neuronal apoptosis was reduced, caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax expres- sion was lower, and Bcl-2 expression was increased, compared with the 15-minute moxibustion group. Our findings show that 35-minute moxibustion has a greater anti-apoptotic effect than 15-minute moxibustion after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Probiotics increase T regulatory cells and reduce severity of experimental colitis in mice

AIM:To investigate the effect of probiotics on regulating T regulatory cells and reducing the severity of experimental colitis in mice. METHODS:Forty C57/BL mice were randomly divided into four groups.Colitis was induced in the mice using 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS).After 10-d treatment with Bifico capsules(combined bifidobacterium,lactobacillus and enterococcus),body weight,colonic weight,colonic weight index,length of colon,and histological scores were evaluated.CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cell in mesenteric lymph nodes were measured by flow cytometry,and cytokines in colonic tissue homogenateswere analyzed by a cytometric bead array. RESULTS:The colonic weight index and the colonic weight of colitis mice treated with Bifico were lower than that of TNBS-induced mice without treatment. However,colonic length and percent of body weight amplification were higher than in TNBS-induced mice without treatment.Compared with TNBS-induced mice without treatment,the level of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes,the expression of interleukin(IL)-2,IL-4 and IL-10 in colonic tissues from colitis mice treated with Bifico were upregulated,and tumor necrosis factor-αand interferon-γwere downregulated. CONCLUSION:Probiotics effectively treat experimental colitis by increasing CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cell and regulating the balance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in the colonic mucosa.

Efficacy of suspended moxibustion in stroke rats is associated with a change in tail temperature

Suspended moxibustion-produced heat can transfer from the acupoint to other sites of the body. The suspended moxibustion should be terminated when clinical propagated sensation disappears, because this implies that the quantity of moxibustion is sufficient. We wanted to investigate if this phenomenon also occurs in experimental animals. In the present study, a rat model of stroke was established and treated with suspended moxibustion at Dazhui （DU14）for 60 minutes. Results showed that the increase in tail temperature began at 15 minutes after suspended moxibustion and decreased gradually at 40 minutes. In addition, neurological function was significantly improved in stroke rats with tail temperature increase following suspended moxibustion, and this effect was associated with significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor a and interleukin 113 mRNA. However, there was no significant difference between 40- and 60-minute suspended moxibustion. The findings indicate that elevated tail temperature began to decrease at 40 minutes after suspended moxibustion, and further suspended moxibustion was not useful in the recovery of stroke rats.

Curcumin improves regulatory T cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissue of colitis mice

AIM: To explore the probable pathway by which curcumin(Cur) regulates the function of Treg cells by observing the expression of costimulatory molecules of dendritic cells(DCs).METHODS: Experimental colitis was induced by administering 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid(TNBS)/ethanol solution. Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal, TNBS + Cur, TNBS + mesalazine(Mes) and TNBS groups. The mice in the TNBS + Cur and TNBS +Mes groups were treated with Cur and Mes, respectively, while those in the TNBS group were treated with physiological saline for 7 d. After treatment, the curative effect of Cur was evaluated by colonic weight, colonic length, weight index of the colon, and histological observation and score. The levels of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cells(Treg cells) and costimulatory molecules of DCs were measured by flow cytometry. Also, related cytokines were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Cur alleviated inflammatory injury of the colonic mucosa, decreased colonic weigh and histological score, and restored colonic length. The number of Treg cells was increased, while the secretion of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12 p40, IL-17 and IL-21 and the expression of costimulatory molecules(CD205, CD54 [ICAM-1], TLR4, CD252[OX40 L], CD256 [RANK] and CD254 [RANK L]) of DCs were notably inhibited in colitis mice treated with Cur.CONCLUSION: Cur potentially modulates activation of DCs to enhance the suppressive functions of Treg cells and promote the recovery of damaged colonic mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Alkaloids in Cortex Phellodendri by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and HPLC-DAD

A combined method of high performance liquid chromatograph-elecrtrospray-ionization mass spectrometer（HPLC-ESI-MS/MS） coupled with a photodiode array detector（HPLC-DAD） and principal component analysis（PCA） was applied to the qualitative and quantitative analyses of alkaloids in Cortex Phellodendri（CP） samples, and to the differentiation of two species of CP, Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis（CPC） and Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis（CPA）. Twenty-two peaks appeared in the HPLC-MS base peak chromatogram of CP detected by the HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, and the alkaloids were identified according to the MSn data, the known MS fragmentation rules and the literature data. Five alkaloids including berberine, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, phellodendrine and magnoflorine were simultaneously determinated by the HPLC-DAD. Berberine was the primary component in all CP samples, and the contents of berberine and palmatine were exploited to be two critical parameters for effective discrimination between the two species of CP. The average content of berberine in CPC（58.75 mg/g） was higher than that in CPA（9.16 mg/g）, while the content of palmatine was less, only 0.25 mg/g in CPC and 4.19 mg/g in CPA. With the use of PCA, samples datasets were separated successfully into two different clusters corresponding to the two species, and berberine, pahnatine, phellodendrine and magnoflorine contribute most to the above mentioned calssifying . The proposed method oroved to be a useful tool in the aualitv control of Chinese herbal medicines.

Methotrexate combined with methylprednisolone for the recovery of motor function and differential gene expression in rats with spinal cord injury

Methylprednisolone is a commonly used drug for the treatment of spinal cord injury, but high doses of methylprednisolone can increase the incidence of infectious diseases. Methotrexate has anti-inflammatory activity and immunosuppressive effects, and can reduce in- flammation after spinal cord injury. To analyze gene expression changes and the molecular mechanism of methotrexate combined with methylprednisolone in the treatment of spinal cord injury, a rat model of spinal cord contusion was prepared using the PinPointTM preci- sion cortical impactor technique. Rats were injected with methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg 30 minutes after injury, and then subcutaneously injected with 0.3 mg/kg methotrexate 1 day after injury, once a day, for 2 weeks. TreadScan gait analysis found that at 4 and 8 weeks after injury, methotrexate combined with methylprednisolone significantly improved hind limb swing time, stride time, minimum longitudinal deviation, instant speed, footprint area and regularity index. Solexa high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze differential gene ex- pression. Compared with methylprednisolone alone, differential expression of 316 genes was detected in injured spinal cord treated with methotrexate and methylprednisolone. The 275 up-regulated genes were mainly related to nerve recovery, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic functions, while 41 down-regulated genes were mainly related to proinflammatory and pro-apoptotic functions. These results indicate that methotrexate combined with methylprednisolone exhibited better effects on inhibiting the activity of inflammatory cytokines and enhancing antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects and thereby produced stronger neuroprotective effects than methotrexate alone. The 316 differentially expressed genes play an important role in the above processes.