ABSTRACT
We conducted a randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled, multicenter trial on the use of Shuanghuanglian (SHL), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, in treating cases of COVID-19. A total of 176 patients received SHL by three doses (56 in low dose, 61 in middle dose, and 59 in high dose) in addition to standard care. The control group was composed of 59 patients who received standard therapy alone. Treatment with SHL was not associated with a difference from standard care in the time to disease recovery. Patients with 14-day SHL treatment had significantly higher rate in negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 in nucleic acid swab tests than the patients from the control group (93.4% vs. 73.9%, P = 0.006). Analysis of chest computed tomography images showed that treatment with high-dose SHL significantly promoted absorption of inflammatory focus of pneumonia, which was evaluated by density reduction of inflammatory focus from baseline, at day 7 (mean difference (95% CI), -46.39 (-86.83 to -5.94) HU; P = 0.025) and day 14 (mean difference (95% CI), -74.21 (-133.35 to -15.08) HU; P = 0.014). No serious adverse events occurred in the SHL groups. This study illustrated that SHL in combination with standard care was safe and partially effective for the treatment of COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Humans , COVID-19 , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Research , SARS-CoV-2 , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Ulcerative colitis (UC) manifests as an etiologically complicated and relapsing gastrointestinal disease. The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a pivotal role in rectifying and orchestrating the inflammatory responses in gut tract. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is known as its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic effects in experimental colitis. However, little research focused on its regulatory function on ENS. Therefore, we set out to explore the pathological role of neurogenic inflammation in UC and the modulating effects of berberine on neuro-immune interactions. Functional defects of enteric glial cells (EGCs), with decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and increased substance P expression, were observed in DSS-induced murine UC. Administration of berberine can obviously ameliorate the disease severity and restore the mucosal barrier homeostasis of UC, closely accompanying by maintaining the residence of EGCs and attenuating inflammatory infiltrations and immune cells overactivation. , berberine showed direct protective effects on monoculture of EGCs, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs), T cells, and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) in the simulated inflammatory conditions. Furthermore, berberine could modulate gut EGCs-IECs-immune cell interactions in the co-culture systems. In summary, our study indicated the EGCs-IECs-immune cell interactions might function as a crucial paradigm in mucosal inflammation and provided an infusive mechanism of berberine in regulating enteric neurogenic inflammation.
ABSTRACT
Methyl (S)-4-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-2-hydroxybutanoate (DZ2002) is a potent reversible inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH). Due to its ester structure, DZ2002 is rapidly hydrolyzed in rat blood to 4-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)-2-hydroxybutyric acid (DZA) during and after blood sampling from rats; this hampers accurate determination of the circulating DZ2002 and its acid metabolite DZA in rats. To this end, a method for determining the blood concentrations of DZ2002 and DZA in rats was developed by using methanol to immediately deactivate blood carboxylesterases during sampling. The newly developed bioanalytical assay possessed favorable accuracy and precision with lower limit of quantification of 31 nM for DZ2002 and DZA. This validated assay was applied to a rat pharmacokinetic study of DZ2002. After oral administration, DZ2002 was found to be extensively converted into DZA. The level of systemic exposure to DZ2002 was significantly lower than that of DZA. The apparent oral bioavailability of DZ2002 was 90％–159％. The mean terminal half-lives of DZ2002 and DZA were 0.3–0.9 and 1.3–5.1 h, respectively. The sample preparation method illustrated here may be adopted for de-termination of other circulating ester drugs and their acid metabolites in rodents.
ABSTRACT
Up to date, there are two types of drugs approved to treat hepatitis B: interferons and nucleos (t) ide analogues. However, the therapies are limited in the clinical context because of the negative side effects of interferon-α and the development of substantial viral resistance to nucleos (t) idic inhibitors. Therefore, new drugs with novel structures and mechanisms are needed. In this article, the drugs approved by FDA or the European Commission for treating chronic hepatitis B virus infection, as well as those under clinical trials, and several compounds in preclinical studies are reviewed. Additionally, some potential targets and strategies to combat chronic hepatitis B virus infection are discussed.
ABSTRACT
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a serious autoimmune disease.Type Ⅱ collagen induced murine arthritis(CIA)displays polyarthritis and causes chronic and destructive joint damages,which is similar to RA in many aspects.CIA is widely used for the research on RA pathogenesis and drug discovery.In this review,we discussed the establishment of CIA and the key factors participating in the CIA pathogenesis.
ABSTRACT
The regulation of immune response is affected by several factors in order to maintain homeostasis.Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO) is a tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme expressed by different types of APC,including macrophages and dendritic cells.IDO activity leads to regulatory effects on T cells,which are mediated by tryptophan depletion in specific local tissue microenvironments,the production of proapoptotic metabolites,and inhibition of T-cell clone proliferation through regulatory T cells.IDO plays an important role in protecting the allogeneic fetus from rejection,the development of autoimmune diseases,allograft rejection,and cancer.So regulation of IDO activity may offer a novel drug-based strategy to treat immune-related diseases.
ABSTRACT
AIM:To observe the effect of Jingzhui Wentong (JZWT) Capsule (Ramulus Cinnamomi,Radix et Rhizoma clematidis,Radix Puerariae Lobatae,Radix Dipsaci,etc.) on somesthetic evoked potential (SEP),behavior and pathology of rat's cervical radiculitis induced by formalin. METHODS:Experiments were carried out:(1) 60 SD rats were divided randomly into 6 groups:control,model and Jingfukang groups,the high,moderate and low dose groups of JZWT Capsule. Rats of these groups were given water,Jingfukang or JZWT Capsule respectively,and SEP was tested after operation and 14 days after drugs were given to rats. At the same time,the animal behavior was observed daily. (2) 144 SD rats were divided into the same groups and given the same drugs as before. The nerve roots were taken out for pathological observation after 4,7,14,and 21 days with drug administration. RESULTS:In each drug group,the normal SEP was obviously restored,symptoms of encroached nerve were notably lightened,inflammatory reaction and proliferation tissue of mimic cervical radiculitis were more obviously alleviated than that in the model group of rat. CONCLUSION:JZWT Capsule can reduce significantly pathology change of mimic cervical radiculitis in rats,and promote the recovery of nerve function.