ABSTRACT
COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread throughout the world. China has achieved rapid containment of this highly infectious disease following the principles of early detection, early quarantine and early treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the Chinese protocol is based on its successful historic experience in fighting against pestilence. Current findings have shown that the Chinese medicine can reduce the incidence of severe or critical events, improve clinical recovery and help alleviate symptoms such as cough or fever. To date there are over 133 ongoing registered clinical studies on TCM/integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The three Chinese patent medicines (/ (Forsythiae and Honeysuckle Flower Pestilence-Clearing Granules/Capsules), (Honeysuckle Flower Cold-Relieving Granules) and (Stasis-Resolving & Toxin-Removing) were officially approved by the National Medical Products Administration to list COVID-19 as an additional indication. The pharmacological studies have suggested that Chinese medicine is effective for COVID-19 probably through its host-directed regulation and certain antiviral effects.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of psychological factor on asthma, the protective and therapeutic effects of Shugan Lifei Recipe on rats with asthma under stress and the mechanisms. METHODS: Allergy and stress-induced asthma models were established in rats by giving ovalbumin and restraining stress. Radioimmunoassay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical method were used to detect plasma corticosterone, IL-4, IFN-gamma, expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA in hippocampus and adrenocorticotropic hormone corticoliberin (CRH) positive neuron in hypothalamus. Optical and electron microscopes were used to observe the morphological changes of pulmonary hilar and hippocampal tissues. RESULTS: Shugan Lifei Recipe (SGLFR) could reduce plasma corticosterone, decrease CRH positive neurons in paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus, up-regulate the expression of GR mRNA in hippocampus and reduce the injury of hippocampal neuron. SGLFR had certain inhibitive effect on hyperfunction of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal cortex (HPA) axis in rats with asthma under stress and could also relieve the pathological changes of the pulmonary hilar tissue. The level of plasma IFN-gamma was increased while the level of plasma IL-4 was decreased in SGLFR-treated group. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of SGLFR in treating the rats with asthma under stress is probably to regulate the hyperfunction of HPA axis and the disorder of immuo-system.