Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease with few therapeutic options available currently. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been practiced for thousands of years in China and Asian countries, and regarded as an important source for identifying novel medicines for diseases. Si Miao Formula (SMF) is a classical TCM formula for the treatment of gout disease by reducing serum uric acid concentrations, while high concentration of uric acid is also an independent risk factor for NAFLD. ⋯ The results indicate that SMF attenuates HFHS diet-induced NAFLD and regulates hepatic lipid metabolism pathways. The anti-NAFLD effect of SMF was linked to modulation of the gut microbiota composition and in particular an increased relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila.
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The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula Qing-Fei-Pai-Du decoction (QFPDD) was the most widely used prescription in China's campaign to contain COVID-19, which has exhibited positive effects. However, the underlying mode of action is largely unknown. ⋯ This work illustrated that QFPDD could exhibit immune regulation, anti-infection, anti-inflammation, and multi-organ protection. It may strengthen the understanding of QFPDD and facilitate more application of this formula in the campaign to SARS-CoV-2.
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Case Reports
The antiinflammatory effects of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction on C3H/HeJ mice with alopecia areata.
As a traditional and typical prescription of prominently activating blood circulation to remove blood stasis, Xuefu Zhuyu decoction (XZD) consists of 15 kinds of herbal medicine. Clinical investigations have showed that XZD could significantly promote the new hair generation of alopecia areata (AA) patients characterized by Qi stagnation and blood stasis. ⋯ XZD could dramatically ameliorate CUMS-induced AA damage in the skin of C3H/HeJ mice, possibly by suppressing the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and osteopontin.
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Treatments for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are limited by suboptimal efficacy. ⋯ Our findings suggest that Lopinavir-Ritonavir has some efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19, and the Huashi Baidu Formula might enhance this effect to an extent. In addition, superiority was displayed in the treatment of COVID-19 through a combination of the Huashi Baidu Formula and traditional Chinese medicine injection. In future, well-designed prospective double-blinded randomised control trials are required to confirm our findings.
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The traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal formula Lian Hua Qing Wen (LHQW) improves the results of COVID-19 treatment. Three very recent studies analyzed with network pharmacology some working mechanisms of LHQW. However, we used more techniques and also included Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (a SARS-CoV receptor, possibly the viral entry point in alveolar lung cells) and the immune system, as cytokine storm is essential in the late phase. ⋯ Detailed network analysis shows, that LHQW herbal TCM treatment modulates the inflammatory process, exerts antiviral effects and repairs lung injury. Moreover, it also relieves the "cytokine storm" and improves ACE2-expression-disorder-caused symptoms. These innovative findings give a rational pharmacological basis and support for treating COVID-19 and possibly other diseases with LHQW.