Network Pharmacology Discussion on the Mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu Granules in Treating Corona Virus Disease 2019

Objective: To study the mechanism of Shufeng jiedu granules in treating Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19)based on network pharmacology. Method(s): TCMSP database was used to search and screen the active components of Shufeng jiedu granules, GeneGards database was used to predict and screen disease targets, the common targets of the above two were input into the STRING database to obtain the target protein interaction network, the PPI network and the "traditional Chinese medicines-components-targets-diseases" network were constructed by using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software, and the GO function enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out by using Cytoscape 3.7.2 software, R software and the corresponding program package. Result(s): A total of 207 active components and 1 006 traditional Chinese medicine component targets were screened, and 350 COVID-19-related targets were identified, so as to obtain 49 common drug-disease targets.GO functional enrichment analysis resulted in 1 575 items(P<0.05), KEGG enrichment analysis resulted in 120 related signaling pathways(P<0.05), mainly involving IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, etc. Conclusion(s): Shufeng jiedu granules may achieve the therapeutic effect of COVID-19 through multi-targets, multi-pathways to regulate virus and inflammation-related pathways. Copyright © 2021, Central Station of Chinese Medicinal Materials Information, National Medical Products Administration. All right reserved.

Evaluation of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives as antibacterial agents: activity and mechanistic studies.

The diverse and large-scale application of disinfectants posed potential health risks and caused ecological damage during the 2019-nCoV pandemic, thereby increasing the demands for the development of disinfectants based on natural products, with low health risks and low aquatic toxicity. In the present study, a few natural naphthoquinones and their derivatives bearing the 1,4-naphthoquinone skeleton were synthesized, and their antibacterial activity against selected bacterial strains was evaluated. In vitro antibacterial activities of the compounds were investigated against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Under the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ⩽ 0.125 µmol/L for juglone (1a), 5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (1f), and 7-methyl-5-acetoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (3c), a strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus was observed. All 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives exhibited a strong antibacterial activity, with MIC values ranging between 15.625 and 500 µmol/L and EC50 values ranging between 10.56 and 248.42 µmol/L. Most of the synthesized compounds exhibited strong antibacterial activities against S. aureus. Among these compounds, juglone (1a) showed the strongest antibacterial activity. The results from mechanistic investigations indicated that juglone, a natural naphthoquinone, caused cell death by inducing reactive oxygen species production in bacterial cells, leading to DNA damage. In addition, juglone could reduce the self-repair ability of bacterial DNA by inhibiting RecA expression. In addition to having a potent antibacterial activity, juglone exhibited low cytotoxicity in cell-based investigations. In conclusion, juglone is a strong antibacterial agent with low toxicity, indicating that its application as a bactericidal agent may be associated with low health risks and aquatic toxicity. Electronic Supplementary Material: Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at 10.1007/s11783-023-1631-2 and is accessible for authorized users.

Oxytocin, the panacea for long-COVID? a review.

OBJECTIVES: In this hypothesis paper we explore the underlying mechanisms for long-COVID and how the oxytocinergic neurones could be infected by SARS-CoV-2 leading to a reduction in plasma oxytocin (OXT). Furthermore, we aim to review the relevance of OXT and hypothalamic function in recovery from long-COVID symptoms and pathology, through exploring the pro-health effects of the OXT neuropeptide. METHODS: A review of published literature was surveyed using Google Scholar and PubMed. RESULTS: Numerous experimental data can be shown to correlate with OXT and long-COVID symptoms and conditions, thus providing strong circumstantial evidence to support our hypothesis. It is postulated that the reduction in plasma OXT due to acute and post-viral damage to the hypothalamus and oxytocinergic neurones contributes to the variable multi-system, remitting and relapsing nature of long-COVID. The intranasal route of OXT application was determined to be most appropriate and clinically relevant for the restoration of oxytocinergic function post COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: We believe it is imperative to further investigate whether OXT alleviates the prolonged suffering of patients with long-COVID. Succinctly, OXT may be the much-needed post-pandemic panacea.

Review on the potential action mechanisms of Chinese medicines in treating Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared as a global pandemic, but specific medicines and vaccines are still being developed. In China, interventional therapies with traditional Chinese medicine for COVID-19 have achieved significant clinical efficacies, but the underlying pharmacological mechanisms are still unclear. This article reviewed the etiology of COVID-19 and clinical efficacy. Both network pharmacological study and literature search were used to demonstrate the possible action mechanisms of Chinese medicines in treating COVID-19. We found that Chinese medicines played the role of antivirus, anti-inflammation and immunoregulation, and target organs protection in the management of COVID-19 by multiple components acting on multiple targets at multiple pathways. AEC2 and 3CL protein could be the direct targets for inhibiting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin, isorhamnetin, baicalein, naringenin, and wogonin could be the main active ingredients of Chinese medicines for the management of COVID-19 by targeting on AEC2 and 3CL protein and inhibiting inflammatory mediators, regulating immunity, and eliminating free radicals through COX-2, CASP3, IL-6, MAPK1, MAPK14, MAPK8, and REAL in the signaling pathways of IL-17, arachidonic acid, HIF-1, NF-κB, Ras, and TNF. This study may provide meaningful and useful information on further research to investigate the action mechanisms of Chinese medicines against SARS-CoV-2 and also provide a basis for sharing the "China scheme" for COVID-19 treatment.