ABSTRACT
As a member of the dibenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid family, cepharathine is an alkaloid from the traditional Chinese medicine cepharathine, which is mainly used for treatment of leukopenia and other diseases. Recent studies of the inhibitory effect of cepharathine against SARS-CoV-2 have attracted widespread attention and aroused heated discussion. As the original discoverer of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of cepharanthine, here we briefly summarize the discovery of cepharanthine and review important progress in relevant studies concerning the discovery and validation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of cepharathine, its antiviral mechanisms and clinical trials of its applications in COVID-19 therapy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Benzylisoquinolines/therapeutic use , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of fluidized bed granulation with dextrin on moisture sorption and diffusion of Zexie Decoction granules. Methods: The particle characterization was studied by the particle size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The moisture sorption isotherm, equilibrium moisture content (EMC), and moisture diffusion coefficients were determined by using the saturated salt solution method. Results: The particle size increased from 6.04 µm (powder) to 1201.47 µm (granule). The glass transition temperature of dextrin, Zexie Decoction powder, and granule was 107.13 °C, 94.82 °C, and 126.25 °C. As the increase of temperature, the initial rate of moisture sorption become higher. Furthermore, the initial rate of moisture sorption of Zexie Decoction granules was lower than those of powders and dextrin. The EMC and moisture diffusion coefficients were reduced significantly after granulation (P < 0.01). Critical relative humidity and diffusion activation energy of granules were higher than powders. Conclusion: Results suggested that fluidized bed granulation with dextrin could reduce the hygroscopicity of the Zexie Decoction extract powders and inhibited moisture diffusion, which is mainly related to the microstructure reorganization by fluidized bed granulation and anti-plasticizing effects of dextrin.