Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infectious respiratory disease that has been prevalent since December 2019. Chinese medicine (CM) has demonstrated its unique advantages in the fight against COVID-19 in the areas of disease prevention, improvement of clinical symptoms, and control of disease progression. This review summarized the relevant material components of CM in the treatment of COVID-19 by searching the relevant literature and reports on CM in the treatment of COVID-19 and combining with the physiological and pathological characteristics of the novel coronavirus. On the basis of sorting out experimental methods in vivo and in vitro, the mechanism of herb action was further clarified in terms of inhibiting virus invasion and replication and improving related complications. The aim of the article is to explore the strengths and characteristics of CM in the treatment of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for the research and scientific, standardized treatment of COVID-19 with CM.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; Animals

Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK) is closely related to the cancer occurrence, development, and prognosis. TNIK plays an important role in regulating Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thus becoming a potential target for cancer treatment. Various small-molecule TNIK inhibitors with diverse structures and potent in vitro activities have been developed to treat tumors. However, no TNIK inhibitor has entered clinical phase mainly due to poor selectivity, toxicity, and unsatisfied in vivo anti-tumor efficiency. This review summarizes the research progress of small molecule inhibitors targeting TNIK, with the aim of giving some guidance for future research and development of small-molecule inhibitors.

Viral myocarditis(VMC)is the leading cause of dilated cardiomyopathy,which can lead to heart failure and sudden cardiac death.With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology,non-coding RNA(ncRNA)plays an important role in the occurrence and development of VMC.ncRNA promotes the occurrence and development of VMC by regulating viral replication,immune cell function,myocardial cell death,myocardial interstitial fibrosis,and other pathological processes.This article reviews the research progress of ncRNA in VMC and provides new ideas for the pathogenesis,diagnosis,and treatment of VMC.

Objective To detect the level of related indexes of energy metabolism in liver tissue of alcoholic liver disease(ALD)mice,and to explore the intervention effect of Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction.Methods Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal control group,the model group,the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction high-dose group(4.94 g/kg),the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction low-dose group(2.47 g/kg),and the resveratrol group(0.40 g/kg),with 8 mice in each group.Except the normal control group,the mice in other groups were fed with Lieber-DeCarli control liquid diet for five days,followed by Lieber-DeCarli alcohol liquid diet for ten days,and on the 16th day,the mice were given 31.5%alcohol solution through gavage to establish the ALD model.From the second day after modeling,the rats in the intervention groups were given the corresponding drugs by gavage once a day for nine consecutive days.Hematoxylin and eosin staining and oil red O staining were used to observe the liver steatosis in liver tissue.The activities of Na+K+-ATPase and Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase,and the contents of succinate dehydrogenase(SDH)and hepatic glycogen in liver tissue were detected using spectrophotometry.The contents of ATP,ADP,AMP,the AMP/ATP value,total adenosine pool(TAN)content,and energy charge(EC)in liver tissue were detected by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography method.The mRNA expressions of NAD dependent deacetylase Sirtuin-1(SIRT1)and AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)α2 in liver tissue were detected by real-time PCR.The protein expressions of SIRT1,AMPKα2,and AMPKβ1 in liver tissue were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the normal control group,the model group mice showed significant hepatic steatosis,significantly decreased Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase activity and SDH content in liver tissue,significantly increased hepatic glycogen content,significantly decreased EC and AMP/ATP value,significantly increased ATP,ADP,AMP,and TAN content,significantly decreased mRNA expressions of SIRT1 and AMPKα2,significantly increased protein expression of AMPKβ1(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction high-and low-dose groups significantly reduced liver tissue steatosis,and the activity of Na+K+-ATPase in liver tissue was significantly reduced,the EC and the mRNA expressions of SIRT1 and AMPKα2 were increased(P<0.05);the activity of Ca2+Mg2+-ATPase,SDH and ATP contents were increased in the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction low-dose group(P<0.05);the AMP/ATP value was increased in the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction high-dose group(P<0.05);and the protein expression of SIRT1 was increased in the the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction high-and low-dose groups and the resveratrol group(P<0.05);the protein expression of AMPKα2 in the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction low-dose group and the resveratrol group was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction high-dose group,the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction low-dose group and the resveratrol group showed a significant increase in ATP,TAN contents,and EC in liver tissue,while the AMP/ATP value decreased(P<0.05);mRNA expressionin of AMPKα2 in the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction low-dose group was decreased(P<0.05);and the protein expressions of SIRT1 and AMPKα2 in the resveratrol group were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction low-dose group,the protein expression of AMPKβ1 was decreased in the resveratrol group(P<0.05).Conclusion The changes of energy metabolism caused by chronic alcohol intake may be related to the occurrence of ALD,and the intervention of Gehua Jiejiu Dizhi Decoction can improve the abnormal energy metabolism in the liver of ALD mice.

Objective:To evaluate the effect and influencing factors of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) combined with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the improvement of adult height in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 girls with ICPP who were diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty and received drug treatment at the Children′s Healthcare Institution of Hunan Children′s Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. They were divided into GnRHa group and GnRHa + rhGH group based on the presence or absence of combined rhGH. Changes in bone age (BA)/age (CA), sex hormones, growth rate (GV), predicted adult height (PAH), year-end height (FAH), height benefit (FAH-PAH), and bone age assessment height standard deviation score (HtSDSBA) were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of height benefits in children with ICPP.Results:After drug treatment, the peak value, ratio, and BA/CA ratio of sex hormones in 60 ICCP girls all decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The second year growth rate (GV2) of the two groups of patients decreased compared to the first year growth rate (GV1), and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in FAH-PAH and △ HtSDSBA between the two groups ( t=4.056, P<0.001, t=-6.238, P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis results showed that the indicators related to FAH-PAH included CA ( r=-0.477, P<0.01), total treatment period ( r=0.441, P<0.01), pre-treatment PAH ( r=-0.533, P<0.01), and post-treatment HtSDSBA ( r=0.271, P<0.05). Linear regression analysis with height benefit as the dependent variable showed that pre-treatment PAH ( β=-0.674, t=-8.713, P<0.001) and post-treatment HtSDSBA levels ( β=4.362, t=6.223, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors of height benefit in girls with ICPP. The lower the pre-treatment PAH level and the higher the post-treatment HtSDSBA, the greater the height benefit. Conclusions:GnRHa combined with rhGH treatment or GnRHa treatment can improve adult height in ICCP girls, but the combination therapy has better height benefits. For girls with severe PAH damage, GnRHa combined with rhGH treatment should be prioritized.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of skin ulcer patients in Lingnan area,and to explore the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome types and their related influencing factors.Methods The clinical data of 241 patients with skin ulcer who were hospitalized in the Department of Dermatology,Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from August 2012 to July 2022 were collected,and their clinical characteristics and distribution of TCM syndrome types were analyzed.Results(1)The analysis of clinical characteristics showed that the age of the 241 patients with skin ulcers ranged from 10 years old to 98 years old,and the patients aged 70-79 years had the high incidence;the course of disease ranged from one week to more than 20 years,and most of the patients had the course of disease being 1-5 year(s);most of the patients were male,and the ratio of male to female was 1.62∶1;a total of 200 cases(82.99%)suffered skin ulcers in the lower limbs,17 cases(7.05%)suffered skin ulcers in the trunk,13 cases(5.39%)suffered multiple skin ulcers in the whole body,9 cases(3.73%)suffered skin ulcers in the upper limbs,and 2 cases(0.83%)suffered skin ulcers in the head and face.There was no significant difference in the gender and foci of the patients(P＞0.05).(2)The distribution of TCM syndrome types showed that among the 241 patients with skin ulcers,damp-heat and stasis obstruction syndrome was the most common(46.89%),followed by spleen deficiency with predominant dampness syndrome(27.39%),qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome(14.11%),and qi and yin deficiency syndrome(11.62%).There was no significant difference in the gender among the four TCM syndrome types(P＞0.05),but there was significant difference in the age of the patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion There were certain differences exert in the distribution of the age,gender,foci and course of disease in the patients with skin ulcers in Lingnan area,and the damp-heat and stasis obstruction syndrome is the most common type of the patients.

Folding and post-translational modification of proteins are vital for their proper functionality, with various functional regulatory systems playing significant roles, including molecular chaperone systems, ubiquitination systems, phosphorylation systems, acetylation systems, etc. Precise regulations of these systems have emerged as an important trend in drug development. This review systematically summarizes the molecular control strategies related to protein folding and post-translational modification, with a specific focus on the molecular chaperone system and the strategy of heterobifunctional molecules. On one hand, based on the similarities and differences in molecular mechanisms and design strategies, we summarize the drug development process targeting the molecular chaperone system. On the other hand, we discuss the design principles and characteristics of dual-functional molecules, and summarize their applications and developments in the precise control of post-translational modifications, aiming to provide new insights for future design.

Objective: : Blood-blister aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are challenging lesions with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although research on BBAs is well documented in different populations, the study of BBAs in the Tibetan population is extremely rare. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of BBAs and analyze the treatment modalities and long-term outcomes in the Tibetan population in comparison with the Han population. Methods: : The characteristics of patients with BBAs of the ICA from January 2009 to January 2021 at our institution were reviewed. The features of aneurysms, treatment modalities, complications, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: : A total of 130 patients (41 Tibetan and 89 Han patients) with BBAs of the ICA who underwent treatment were enrolled. Compared with the Han group, the Tibetan group significantly demonstrated a high ratio of BBAs among ICAs (8.6%, 41/477 vs. 1.6%, 89/5563; p<0.05), a high ratio of vasospasm (34.1%, 14/41 vs. 6.7%, 6/89; p=0.001), a high risk of ischemic events (43.9%, 18/41 vs. 22.5%, 20/89; p<0.05), and a low ratio of good outcomes (modified Rankin scale, 0–2) at the 1-year follow-up (51.2%, 21/41 vs. 74.2%, 66/89; p<0.05). The multivariate regression model showed that ischemic events significantly contributed to the prediction of outcomes at 1 year. Further analysis revealed that microsurgery and vasospasm were associated with ischemic events. Conclusion : In comparison with Han patients, the Tibetan population had a high ratio of BBA occurrence, a high incidence of ischemic events, and a high ratio of poor outcomes. The endovascular approach showed more benefits in BBA patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze Chinese medicine (CM) prescriptions for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), we model topics on GERD-related classical CM literature, providing insights into the potential treatment. METHODS: Clinical guidelines were used to identify symptom terms for GERD, and CM literature from the database "Imedbooks" was retrieved for related prescriptions and their corresponding sources, indications, and other information. BERTopic was applied to identify the main topics and visualize the data. RESULTS: A total of 36,207 entries are queried and 1,938 valid entries were acquired after manually filtering. Eight topics were identified by BERTopic, including digestion function abate, stomach flu, respiratory-related symptoms, gastric dysfunction, regurgitation and gastrointestinal dysfunction in pediatric patients, vomiting, stroke and alcohol accumulation are associated with the risk of GERD, vomiting and its causes, regurgitation, epigastric pain, and symptoms of heartburn. CONCLUSIONS Topic modeling provides an unbiased analysis of classical CM literature on GERD in a time-efficient and scale-efficient manner. Based on this analysis, we present a range of treatment options for relieving symptoms, including herbal remedies and non-pharmacological interventions such as acupuncture and dietary therapy.
Humans ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Models, Theoretical

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and mechanism of Dahuang Zhechong Pill (DHZCP) on liver fibrosis. METHODS: Liver fibrosis cell model was induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC-T6). DHZCP medicated serum (DMS) was prepared in rats. HSC-T6 cells were divided into the control (15% normal blank serum culture), TGF-β (15% normal blank serum + 5 ng/mL TGF-β), DHZCP (15% DMS + 5 ng/mL TGF-β), DHZCP+PDTC [15% DMS + 4 mmol/L ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC)+ 5 ng/mL TGF-β], and PDTC groups (4 mmol/L PDTC + 5 ng/mL TGF-β). Cell activity was detected by cell counting kit 8 and levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the cell supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay. Western blot was used to measure the expressions of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor kappa B/transforming growth factor-β1 (p38 MAPK/NF-κ B/TGF-β1) pathway related proteins, and the localization and expressions of these proteins were observed by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: DHZCP improves the viability of cells damaged by TGF-β and reduces inflammatory cytokines and ALT and AST levels in the supernatant of HSC-T6 cells induced with TGF-β (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the TGF-β group, NF-κ B p65 levels in the DHZCP group were decreased (P<0.05). p38 MAPK and NF-κ B p65 levels in the DHZCP+PDTC were also reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the TGF-β group, the protein expression of Smad2 showed a downward trend in the DHZCP, DHZCP+PDTC, and PDTC groups (all P<0.01), and the decreasing trend of Samd3 was statistically significant only in DHZCP+PDTC group (P<0.01), whereas Smad7 was increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION DHZCP can inhibit the process of HSC-T6 cell fibrosis by down-regulating the expression of p38 MAPK/NF-κ B/TGF-β1 pathway.
Animals ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Disease Progression ; Cell Line ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley