Shufengjiedu capsules protect against neuronal loss in olfactory epithelium and lung injury by enhancing autophagy in rats with allergic rhinitis

Study on basic and clinical application of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule in treating respiratory tract infection

Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (SFJDC), composed of eight herbs, is a big brand traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of different respiratory tract infectious diseases with good clinical efficacy and few side effects. It is clinically applied to acute upper respiratory tract infection(URI), influenza, acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), community-acquired pneumonia(CAP) and other diseases, due to its antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory and antipyretic activities. In particular, it has shown good clinical effects for COVID-19, and was included in the fourth to tenth editions of the 'Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 (Trial)' by the National Health Commission. In recent years, studies on the secondary development which focus on the basic and clinical application of SFJDC have been widely reported. In this paper, chemical components, pharmacodynamic material basis, mechanisms, compatibility rule and clinical application were systematically summarized, in order to provide theoretical and experimental basis for further research and clinical application of SFJDC.

Luteolin restored Treg/Th17 balance to ameliorate allergic rhinitis in a mouse model

OBJECTIVE

Luteolin (LO) has been reported to be a potential drug for allergic rhinitis (AR). This paper explored the mechanism of LO in AR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were treated with ovalbumin (OVA) to construct an AR model in vivo before LO or 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment. The frequency of nasal sneezing was counted. The nasal mucosa thickness was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining assay. The levels of anti-OVA-immunoglobulin E (IgE)/IgG2a, autophagy-related factors (Beclin1, LC3II/LC3I), and T helper cell 17 (Th17)/regulatory T cell (Treg) markers (interleukin (IL)-17A, retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt)/IL-10, forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)) were detected through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Flow cytometry assay was performed to test the percentage of Th17 and Treg cells.

RESULTS

The nasal sneezing frequency, nasal mucosa thickness, and levels of anti-OVA-IgE, Beclin1, LC3II/LC3I, IL-17A as well as RORγt were enhanced whereas anti-OVA-IgG2a, IL-10, and Foxp3 levels were inhibited in a mouse model of OVA-induced AR, which were reversed by LO or 3-MA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

LO restored Treg/Th17 balance to ameliorate AR in a mouse model.

Shufeng Jiedu capsule ameliorates olfactory dysfunction via the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Shufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJDC) has been widely used as a conventional Chinese pharmaceutical agent for various upper respiratory infections, including acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome and allergic rhinitis (AR). However, its mechanism in AR remains unclear.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to decipher the antiallergic inflammatory effect of SFJDC in an AR model with olfactory dysfunction. Specifically, we wanted to explore whether SFJDC can improve the olfactory abnormality in AR mice and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors in the olfactory epithelium (OE) and olfactory bulb (OB).

METHODS

To address the above issues, we constructed an AR model using C57BL/6 mice, which were sensitised and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) by intraperitoneal injection. SFJDC (0.045 or 0.18 g/kg) was delivered by gavage administration 1 h prior to the intraperitoneal injection of OVA. The control mice received saline alone. Then, the animals were assessed according to the presence of nasal symptoms and nasal inflammation, and a buried food test was used to evaluate olfactory function. The levels of proteins involved in the AMPK/mTOR autophagy pathway in the OE and OB were investigated by western blotting and fluorescence staining.

RESULTS

After OVA induction of AR and drug administration, we found that SFJDC significantly ameliorated the nasal symptoms and allergic inflammatory reaction of the nasal mucosa superior to cetirizine. A behavioural test indicated that the mice with AR had olfactory dysfunction, and SFJDC can ameliorate this behavior deficiency. Meanwhile, SFJDC clearly reduced the neuroinflammation level in OE tissue. In addition, SFJDC increased p-mTOR and decreased p-AMPK, beclin1, LC3 and cleaved caspase-3 levels in the OE.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to antibacterial and antiviral activities, SFJDC has marked anti-inflammatory effects in AR mice. Its mechanism of action in the nasal cavity involves inhibition of upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokines, modulation of autophagy and apoptosis levels and regulation of autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR pathway in the OE tissue of AR mice. Hence, SFJDC is a promising drug for AR, and clinical trials should further validate the therapeutic impact of SFJDC on AR with olfactory dysfunction.

Progress in Traditional Chinese Medicine Against Respiratory Viruses: A Review

Respiratory viruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-1, SARS-CoV-2, influenza A viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus, pose a serious threat to society. Based on the guiding principles of “holism” and “syndrome differentiation and treatment”, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in the treatment of respiratory virus diseases owing to the synergistic effect of multiple components and targets, which prevents drug resistance from arising. According to TCM theory, there are two main strategies in antiviral treatments, namely “dispelling evil” and “fu zheng”. Dispelling evil corresponds to the direct inhibition of virus growth and fu zheng corresponds to immune regulation, inflammation control, and tissue protection in the host. In this review, current progress in using TCMs against respiratory viruses is summarized according to modern biological theories. The prospects for developing TCMs against respiratory viruses is discussed to provide a reference for the research and development of innovative TCMs with multiple components, multiple targets, and low toxicity.

Antiviral mechanisms of candidate chemical medicines and traditional Chinese medicines for SARS-CoV-2 infection

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly become a global pandemic. Up to now, numerous medicines have been applied or approved for the prevention and control of the virus infection. However, the efficiency of each medicine or combination is completely different or still unknown. In this review, we discuss the types, characteristics, antiviral mechanisms, and shortcomings of recommended candidate medicines for SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as perspectives of the drugs for the disease treatment, which may provide a theoretical basis for drug screening and application.

Baicalin regulates Treg/Th17 cell imbalance by inhibiting autophagy in allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Baicalin has many biological properties such as anti-oxidation and anti-allergy. The current study aimed to explore the effect of Baicalin on allergic rhinitis (AR) and its potential mechanism of action.

METHODS

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated by density gradient centrifugation. Expression levels of Th17 and Treg cells-related proteins in nasal mucosa and peripheral blood cells were detected by real-time quantitative PCR, flow cytometry and Western blot. The mice were randomly divided into Control, ovalbumin (OVA), l-Baicalin, H-Baicalin, DSGC, 3-MA, and H-Baicalin + Rapa groups. Changes of allergic rhinitis conditions and eosinophil infiltration of the mice were detected and scored by Diff-Quik staining, and histological changes were observed by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining and Periodate Schiff (PAS) staining. Serological changes, expression levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A), interleukin-10 (IL-10), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and anti-OVA-specific antibodies were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Clinical case analysis found that AR patients had a Th17/Treg imbalance and activated autophagy, however, Baicalin restored Th17/Treg cell balance and inhibited autophagy in vitro. in vivo experiments demonstrated that Baicalin inhibited OVA-induced allergic nasal symptoms and the activation of autophagy pathway, which was the same as the regulation of 3-MA, while Rapa could weaken the effects of H-baicalin. Moreover, Baicalin reduced the infiltration of different inflammatory cells of the nasal lavage fluid, prevented the damages to epithelial cells, and improved nasal mucosal thickness and mucus secretion. In addition, Baicalin regulated the balance of mouse anti-OVA-specific antibody levels and expressions of Th17/Treg-associated cytokines.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that Baicalin can be used to treat AR, and the effect is realized through inhibiting autophagy to regulate Th17/Treg cell differentiation.