Preclinical and clinical studies on Qin-Zhu-Liang-Xue decoction: insights from network pharmacology and implications for atopic dermatitis treatment.
10.1007/s11684-024-1101-7
- Author:
Keke HUANG
1
;
Qingkai LIU
1
;
Ruoxi ZHANG
2
;
Hua NIAN
2
;
Ying LUO
1
;
Yue LUO
3
;
Xiaoya FEI
3
;
Le KUAI
1
;
Bin LI
3
;
Yimei TAN
4
,
5
;
Su LI
5
,
6
;
Xin MA
7
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China.
2. Pharmaceutical Center of Yueyang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China.
3. Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China.
4. Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Institute of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200443, China. ameit@
5. com.
6. Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China. 18817773234@
7. Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200437, China. nicole.ma@me.com.
- Publication Type:Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
Qin-Zhu-Liang-Xue decoction;
atopic dermatitis;
glucocorticoid receptor α;
network pharmacology;
traditional Chinese medicine
- MeSH:
Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy*;
Animals;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*;
Humans;
Mice;
Network Pharmacology;
Male;
Female;
Adult;
Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism*;
Disease Models, Animal;
Single-Blind Method;
Middle Aged;
Young Adult
- From:
Frontiers of Medicine
2025;19(1):134-148
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
To investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Qin-Zhu-Liang-Xue decoction (QZLX) in atopic dermatitis (AD) and glucocorticoid resistance, we conducted a single-blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this concoction. Network pharmacology analysis was performed and validated through clinical studies. The efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of QZLX and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) α recombinant protein were assessed in AD mice induced by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Correlation analysis was performed to determine the clinical relevance of GRα. The trial demonstrated that patients who received QZLX showed considerable improvements in their Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores compared with those who received mizolastine at week 4. Network pharmacological analysis identified GRα as a key target for QZLX in AD treatment. QZLX administration increased the serum GRα expression in AD patients, alleviated AD symptoms in mice, decreased inflammatory cytokine expression, and increased GRα expression without affecting liver or kidney function. In addition, GRα recombinant protein improved AD-like skin lesions in DNFB-induced mice. A negative correlation was observed between GRα expression and clinical parameters, including SCORAD, DLQI, and serum IgE levels. QZLX alleviates AD symptoms through the upregulation of GRα and thus presents a novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention of glucocorticoid resistance in AD management.
