Research progress of mast cell activation-related receptors and their functions / 生理学报

Mast cells are widely distributed in various parts of the body, especially in the mucosal surface between the body and the external environment. Mast cell is one of the important immune cells and plays important roles in innate immunity, adaptive immunity and immune regulation. Previous researches have shown that excessive activation of mast cells is closely related to the development of allergic and inflammatory diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, acute and chronic itching. Mast cells infiltrate into the inflammation site and release various allergic mediators during the occurrence and development of these diseases. Therefore, termination of mast cell activation can be one of the effective methods for the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases, and receptors related to mast cell activation are potential targets for the development of anti-allergic drugs. There are many receptors related to mast cell activation, and the effects mediated by different receptors varied from each other. In the recent years, new mast cell receptors are being discovered, but there are not many literatures discussing the possible functions of these newly discovered receptors. This review aims to summarize the receptors involved in mast cell activation and classify related receptors according to their effects.

Advances in Research on Antipruritic Effect of Xiaofengsan in Orthodox Manual of External Diseases / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Itching is an unpleasant sensation that can cause physical and psychological discomfort. It often occurs in a variety of diseases. In addition to the common chemical medicines, the application of traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs) have attracted much attention for itch. As one of the classic antipruritic formula, Xiaofengsan is widely used by the later generations of doctors based on the edition of Orthodox Manual of External Diseases(Wài Kē Zhèng Zōng). It can be used to remove wind, dehumidify, clear heat and nourish blood by taking into account the complicated pathogenesis of skin diseases. In modern clinics, Xiaofengsan is commonly used for the treatment of rubella, eczema, acute and chronic urticaria, contact dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, psoriasis and other types of dermatitis with remarkable antipruritic effect. Its mechanism is related to its anti-allergic reaction, anti-allergy, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine,immune regulation etc. This article reviews the research literature of Xiaofengsan and its addition and subtraction in modern pharmacological experimental research and clinical treatment in the past 15 years, and analyzes the current research situation of Xiaofengsan in the topic of antipruritic effect. The focus is on the compatibility characteristics of formula and the component study of single herb after being decomposed of Xiaofengsan, and the main material basis of antipruritic effect is summarized. It was found that Schizonepetae Herba, Saposhnikoviae Radix, Arctii Fructus, Cicadae Periostracum and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix were the main medicines for its antipruritic effect,which was helpful to expand the clinical value of Xiaofengsan and deepen its mechanisms of anti-itching.