Honeysuckle extract relieves ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis by inhibiting AR-induced inflammation and autoimmunity

The IL-17 family in diseases: from bench to bedside

The interleukin-17 (IL-17) family comprises six members (IL-17A-17F), and recently, all of its related receptors have been discovered. IL-17 was first discovered approximately 30 years ago. Members of this family have various biological functions, including driving an inflammatory cascade during infections and autoimmune diseases, as well as boosting protective immunity against various pathogens. IL-17 is a highly versatile proinflammatory cytokine necessary for vital processes including host immune defenses, tissue repair, inflammatory disease pathogenesis, and cancer progression. However, how IL-17 performs these functions remains controversial. The multifunctional properties of IL-17 have attracted research interest, and emerging data have gradually improved our understanding of the IL-17 signaling pathway. However, a comprehensive review is required to understand its role in both host defense functions and pathogenesis in the body. This review can aid researchers in better understanding the mechanisms underlying IL-17's roles in vivo and provide a theoretical basis for future studies aiming to regulate IL-17 expression and function. This review discusses recent progress in understanding the IL-17 signaling pathway and its physiological roles. In addition, we present the mechanism underlying IL-17's role in various pathologies, particularly, in IL-17-induced systemic lupus erythematosus and IL-17-related tumor cell transformation and metastasis. In addition, we have briefly discussed promising developments in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases and tumors.

Research Progress of Immunomodulation on Anti-COVID-19 and the Effective Components from Traditional Chinese Medicine

SARS-CoV-2 has posed a threat to the health of people around the world because of its strong transmission and high virulence. Currently, there is no specific medicine for the treatment of COVID-19. However, for a wide variety of medicines used to treat COVID-19, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a major role. In this paper, the effective treatment of COVID-19 using TCM was consulted first, and several Chinese medicines that were frequently used apart from their huge role in treating it were found. Then, when exploring the active ingredients of these herbs, it was discovered that most of them contained flavonoids. Therefore, the structure and function of the potential active substances of flavonoids, including flavonols, flavonoids, and flavanes, respectively, are discussed in this paper. According to the screening data, these flavonoids can bind to the key proteins of SARS-CoV-2, 3CLpro, PLpro, and RdRp, respectively, or block the interface between the viral spike protein and ACE2 receptor, which could inhibit the proliferation of coronavirus and prevent the virus from entering human cells. Besides, the effects of flavonoids on the human body systems are expounded on in this paper, including the respiratory system, digestive system, and immune system, respectively. Normally, flavonoids boost the body's immune system. However, they can suppress the immune system when over immunized. Ultimately, this study hopes to provide a reference for the clinical drug treatment of COVID-19 patients, and more TCM can be put into the market accordingly, which is expected to promote the development of TCM on the international stage.

Lonicerin attenuates house dust mite-induced eosinophilic asthma through targeting Src/EGFR signaling

Eosinophilic asthma is the predominant phenotype of asthma, and although these patients are sensitive to glucocorticoid therapy, they also experience many side effects. Lonicerin is a kind of bioflavonoid isolated from the Chinese herb Lonicera japonica Thunb, which has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of lonicerin on eosinophilic asthma and its potential mechanisms. Here, we established a house dust mite (house dust mite)-induced eosinophilic asthma model in BALB/c mouse, and evaluated the effects of lonicerin on it. Our results showed that lonicerin significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness the number of inflammatory cells (especially eosinophils) and the elevation of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatants of mice. Additionally, lonicerin also eminently blunted inflammatory infiltration and mucus secretion, as well as mRNA levels of Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in lung tissue. Furthermore, results of network pharmacology and molecular docking revealed that Src kinase and epidermal growth factor receptor may be the potential targets responsible for the effects of lonicerin. Finally, in vivo experiments confirmed that lonicerin inhibited activation of the Src/EGFR pathway by decreasing their phosphorylation. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that lonicerin could suppress HDM-induced eosinophilic asthma in mice through inhibiting the activation of Src/EGFR pathway, which also provides a basis for further research as a new potentially therapeutic agent for eosinophilic asthma and its underlying mechanisms in the future.

The application of gargle containing honeysuckle and semen oroxyli to reduce the pain and complications after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Purpose: The main purpose of this pilot study was to detect the positive effects of our self-made gargle containing honeysuckle and semen oroxyli on post-operative pain and complications after Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP).

Methods: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who had underwent elective UPPP during the period of April 2019 to January 2022 were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The patients in the treatment group were instructed to gargle the solution containing honeysuckle and semen oroxyli (25 ml) four times a day for 2 weeks. The patients in the control group were instructed to gargle normal saline (25 ml) at the same schedule. The post-operative resting throat pain, swallowing throat pain and patient comfort level were evaluated at 12 h, 1 week and 2 weeks after UPPP. The post-operative complications were collected and analyzed.

Results: During the study period, 218 patients completed all the post-operative assessments. For resting throat pain, the treatment group had much lower VAS scores at 1 week and 2 weeks after UPPP. For swallowing throat pain, treatment group had much lower VAS scores than control group at 2 weeks after surgery. And patients in the treatment group felt more comfortable comparing to those in control group at 1 week and 2 weeks after UPPP. Although the treatment group had less numbers of patients with post-operative wound infection or bleeding, the difference between the 2 groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The gargle containing honeysuckle and semen oroxyli could relieve both resting and swallowing throat pain and increase patient comfort after UPPP.

Integrative analysis of network pharmacology and proteomics to identify key targets of Tuomin-Zhiti-Decoction for allergic rhinitis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of most prevalent disease and it is urgent need to develop new drug. Tuomin-Zhiti-Decoction (TZD) is a traditional medicinal compound consisting of eleven different herbs and has a significant effect on AR, yet its underlying mechanism is still unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to confirm the anti-AR effects and the underlying mechanism of TZD. Integrative analysis of network pharmacology and proteomics to explore the common mechanism of TZD treating AR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were subjected to serial intranasal challenge with ovalbumin (OVA), we examinaed the nasal symptoms, histopathology and Th1/Th2-related cytokines after TZD treatments. Active compounds, potential targets and underlying mechanisms of TZD against AR were systematically clarified by integrating network pharmacology and proteomics analysis. Then we validated the binding affinity between the key potential targets and matching active compounds using molecular docking evaluation.

RESULTS

TZD controlled allergy by reduction of OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine release. In nasal tissue, TZD decreased nasal rubbing, sneezing and reduced AR-induced damage to nasal mucosa, accordingly, the nasal symptoms were also clearly ameliorated. Moreover, TZD modulated the balance of Th1/Th2/Th17. The proteomics analysis recognized 41 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Integrative analysis of network pharmacology and proteomics, we found IL-6 and CD40 could be potential protein targets of TZD against AR, quercetin and wogonin may play more effective roles in AR. Active core compounds of TZD could bind closely to the key targets by molecular docking.

CONCLUSION

TZD may have therapeutic potential for treating AR, integrating analysis of network pharmacology and proteomics uncovered the underlying mechanism and targets of TZD, which provides a scientific method for the sensible development of traditional Chinese medicine.

Shin'iseihaito (Xinyiqingfeitang) extract ameliorates ovalbumin-induced murine allergic rhinitis by regulating cytokines

Shin'iseihaito (Xinyiqingfeitang) is a formula of traditional Japanese Kampo medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and for chronic sinusitis. However, the precise action mechanism has been unknown. We examined the effect of shin'iseihaito extract (SSHT) on murine allergic rhinitis model using ovalbumin (OVA). We decocted the mixture of 9 crude drugs in water to prepare SSHT. SSHT (20 times amount of human dose) was orally administered to mice treated with OVA. After mice were sacrificed on day 28, immunoglobulin (Ig) E, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, interferon (IFN)-γ, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) levels in nasal lavage fluid samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pathological tissue sections from the nasal epithelial mucosa were histopathologically investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopies. We also investigated the effects of modified SSHTs prepared by removing one crude drug from shin'iseihaito to clarify the active ingredients. SSHT suppressed IgE, IL-4, IL-13, and TSLP levels, while increased the IFN-γ levels in OVA-induced allergic mice. Sensitization with OVA resulted in an increase in eosinophilia and goblet cells in murine nasal cavity tissue in comparison with those in untreated group, however, those were significantly reduced by the treatment with SSHT. The extracts of 8 crude drug's mixtures except for the removal of Gypsum fibrosum (GF) from shin'iseihaito counteracted on the suppressive effects of SSHT on IgE, IL-4, IL-13, and TSLP levels in nasal lavage fluid. Our result demonstrated that SSHT may contribute to inhibit the exacerbation of OVA-induced murine allergic rhinitis by regulating cytokines, and the components except for GF contributed anti-allergic effect of shin'iseihaito.

Toxicological safety evaluation of Qiguiyin formula in rats at the treatment phase and recovery phase

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Qiguiyin, a hospital preparation of traditional Chinese medicinal formula, is a combination of Astragalus hamosus L., Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Lonicera sempervirens L., Artemisia annua L., and Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc. at a ratio of 12:3:3:2:2. It has been used to treat severe pneumonia caused by drug-resistant bacteria in clinical practice, while studies on its toxicological safety are rare in the literature.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In the present study, we aimed to develop a new application of Qiguiyin according to the general research routine of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the toxicological effects of the Qiguiyin formula at the treatment phase and recovery phase were also evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were administered with the Qiguiyin formula at 10, 30, and 50 times of the corresponding dosage in humans for 13 consecutive weeks. During 13 weeks of the treatment phase and 4 weeks of the recovery phase, the general signs of toxicity and mortality were monitored daily, and the body weight and food consumption were determined every week. Moreover, the hematology, biochemistry, urine, organ weights, and histopathology were analyzed, and the reproductive system was examined at the end of the treatment phase or recovery phase, respectively.

RESULTS

The toxicological results showed no deaths and no changes in general behavior. Moreover, there was no clinically significant effect of the Qiguiyin formula on body weight or food consumption in rats. Although the Qiguiyin formula resulted in some changes in hematological, biochemical, and urinary indexes, these alterations were not related to the treatment because they remained within normal ranges throughout the 17 weeks. Besides, the main organs were not affected basically. All the above-mentioned results showed no gender difference. Furthermore, a clinical dosage of 50 times of the Qiguiyin formula did not affect the reproductive system of female rats, while it could lead to atrophied seminiferous tubules in two out of 10 male rats. However, such abnormality could not be found at the end of the recovery phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the Qiguiyin formula could be used safely. The administration at doses of less than 1000 g/day for 13 weeks showed no distinct toxicity or side effects.

Chlorogenic acid ameliorated allergic rhinitis-related symptoms in mice by regulating Th17 cells

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a non-infectious chronic inflammatory disease of nasal mucosa provoking T helper cell (Th) 17 response. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), one of the most abundant polyphenol compounds in various agricultural products, possesses antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. However, the effect of CGA on AR is unclear. Thus, our study explored the effect of CGA in modulating AR-related symptoms and immunoreaction, especially Th17 response. AR mice were induced by ovalbumin (OVA) administration and further treated with CGA or dexamethasone (Dex). The frequencies of rubbing and sneezing of AR mice were recorded. Histopathological analysis of nasal mucosa was conducted by Hematoxylin–Eosin and Periodic acid–Schiff stainings. The serum and nasal mucosa levels of OVA-immunoglobulin (Ig)E, interferon (IFN)-γ, retinoic acid-associated nuclear orphan receptor (ROR)-γt, and interleukin (IL)-17A were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), or Western blot. The ratio of CD4⁺IL-17⁺Th17 cells to CD4⁺ T cells in peripheral blood of AR mice was assessed by flow cytometer. CGA diminished the frequencies of rubbing and sneezing of AR mice in a concentration-dependent manner. CGA attenuated histopathological abnormalities and decreased goblet cell number in nasal mucosa of AR mice. CGA decreased the serum levels of OVA-IgE, ROR-γt, and IL-17A, while increasing the serum level of IFN-γ in AR mice. Meanwhile, CGA decreased the ratio of CD4⁺IL-17⁺Th17 cells to CD4⁺T cells in peripheral blood and the mRNA and protein levels of IL-17A and ROR-γt in AR mice. CGA ameliorated AR-related symptoms in mice by regulating Th17 cells, which could be a candidate for the treatment of AR.