Shufeng Jiedu Capsule Research Articles

The Molecular Mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules in the Treatment of Influenza: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on Network Pharmacology, Bioinformatics, and Molecular Docking

The Molecular Mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules in the Treatment of Influenza: A Comprehensive Analysis Based on Network Pharmacology, Bioinformatics, and Molecular Docking

Shufeng Jiedu capsule alleviates influenza A (H1N1) virus induced acute lung injury by regulating the lung inflammatory microenvironment

BackgroundDeath caused by respiratory tract infection is one of the leading causes of death in the world today. Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (SFJDC) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been widely used clinically for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), H1N1 influenza virus pneumonia and other diseases. Its pharmacological effect is to inhibit inflammation and improve the body's ability to clear viruses. However, the mechanism of SFJDC in the treatment of viral pneumonia, especially its effect on the inflammatory-immune microenvironment of lung tissue remains unclear. MethodsMice with H1N1 influenza virus pneumonia were used as a model to verify the efficacy of SFJDC through death protection, lung index, viral load, and HE staining of lung tissue. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in lung tissue were investigated by multi-analyte immunoassay. The number and proportion of cells in peripheral blood were detected by blood routine. The percentage of infiltrating immune cells in lung tissue was detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. ResultsSFJDC (2.2 g/kg·d−1 and 1.1 g/kg·d−1) increased survival rate (P＜0.01, P＜0.05), prolonged the survival period of mice, and alleviated the histopathological damage in lung (P＜0.01). SFJDC (2.2 g/kg·d−1, 1.1 g/kg·d−1 and 0.055 g/kg·d−1) increased body weight(P＜0.01, P＜0.05), improved activity status, reduced the lung index (P＜0.01, P＜0.05) and viral load (P＜0.01). SFJDC (2.2 g/kg·d−1 and 1.1 g/kg·d−1) reduced interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) (P＜0.01, P＜0.05), and SFJDC (2.2 g/kg·d−1) increased IL-10 levels (P＜0.05) to regulate inflammation. SFJDC (2.2 g/kg·d−1) increased the percentages of CD4+ T cells (P＜0.01), CD8+ T cells (P＜0.05), and B cells(P＜0.05), and decreased F4/80+ macrophages (P＜0.05). ConclusionOur findings indicated that SFJDC could inhibit inflammation and lung injury while maintaining the function of the adaptive immune response mediated by T and B cells, and promote the clearance of the virus, thereby treating influenza A (H1N1) virus-induced pneumonia.

Chinese herbal medicine Shufeng Jiedu capsule for mild to moderate COVID-19: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound global impact, although the majority of recently infected cases have presented with mild to moderate symptoms. Previous clinical studies have demonstrated that Shufeng Jiedu (SFJD) capsule, a Chinese herbal patent medicine, effectively alleviates symptoms associated with the common cold, H1N1 influenza, and COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of SFJD capsules in managing symptoms of mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted from May to December 2022 at two hospitals in China. Mild and moderate COVID-19-infected patients presenting respiratory symptoms within 3days from onset were randomly assigned to either the SFJD or placebo groups in a 1:1 ratio. Individuals received SFJD capsules or a placebo three times daily for five consecutive days. Participants were followed up for more than 14 days after their RT-PCR nucleoid acid test for SARS-CoV-2 turned negative. The primary outcome measure was time to alleviate COVID-19 symptoms from baseline until the end of follow-up. Results: A total of 478 participants were screened; ultimately, 407 completed the trial after randomization (SFJD, n = 203; placebo, n = 204). No statistically significant difference in baseline parameters was observed between the two groups. The median time to alleviate all symptoms was 7days in the SFJD group compared to 8days in the placebo group (p = 0.037). Notably, the SFJD group significantly attenuated fever/chills (p = 0.04) and headache (p = 0.016) compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, the median time taken to reach normal body temperature within 24h was reduced by 7hours in the SFJD group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.033). No deaths or instances of serious or critical conditions occurred during this trial period; moreover, no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: The trial was conducted in a unique controlled hospital setting, and the 5-day treatment with SFJD capsules resulted in a 1-day reduction in overall symptoms, particularly headache and fever/chills, among COVID-19-infected participants with mild or moderate symptoms. Compared to placebo, SFJD capsules were found to be safe with fewer side effects. SFJD capsules could potentially serve as an effective treatment for alleviating mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.isrctn.com/, identifier ISRCTN14236594.

Mechanisms of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule in treating bacterial pneumonia based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (SFJD) for treating bacterial pneumonia (BP) in vivo based on network pharmacology and experimental verification study. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was used to screen the active compounds and target genes of SFJD. Then, the multi drug resistance-Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA) mice lethal model and MDR-PA pneumonia model were established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of SFJD. Western blot and ELISA were used to determinate the protein expression level of the IL-17 signaling pathway and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. ResultsAfter screening, 172 potential components of SFJD were generated, based on which we constructed an SFJD-component-target-BP interaction network. The Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment revealed that SFJD could regulate the IL-17 signaling pathway and Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that the potential target proteins had good combinations with the main active components. SFJD significantly reduced the mortality and prolonged survival days in lethal models. The lung index and pathological changes in the lung were also significantly decreased. SFJD could significantly decrease the expression of interleukin-17A (IL-17A), TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B (p-IκB)/inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB), phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65), phospho-protein kinase B (p-AKT)/AKT, phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3)/STAT3, phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (p-STAT1)/STAT1, and the protein level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and IL-1β. ConclusionCombined with network pharmacology and in vivo study, it was found that SFJD exerted its therapeutic effects on BP by inhibiting the IL-17 pathway and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. This study provides new evidence for SFJD in treatment of BP.

Corrigendum to "Shufengjiedu capsules protect against neuronal loss in olfactory epithelium and lung injury by enhancing autophagy in rats with allergic rhinitis", BioScience Trends. 2019; 13(6):530-538. doi: 10.5582/bst.2019.01332.

Corrigendum to "Shufengjiedu capsules protect against neuronal loss in olfactory epithelium and lung injury by enhancing autophagy in rats with allergic rhinitis", BioScience Trends. 2019; 13(6):530-538. doi: 10.5582/bst.2019.01332.

Systematic review and Meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules in treatment of influenza

This study aims to systematically review the efficacy and safety of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules in the treatment of influenza. The randomized controlled trial(RCT) of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules alone or in combination with conventional western medicine for treating influenza were retrieved from PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, and ClinicalTrails.gov. The data analysis was performed in RevMan 5.4.1. The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the involved RCT, and GRADEpro GDT to assess the quality of the evidence. A total of 11 RCTs involving 1 836 patients were included in this study. Compared with conventional western medicine, Shufeng Jiedu Capsules/Shufeng Jiedu Capsules + conventional western medicine improved the response rate(RR=1.09, 95%CI[1.03, 1.15], P=0.002), shortened the time to relief of cough, and increased the 3-day sore throat relief rate, whereas there was no significant difference in the time to fever abatement, the time to relief of sore throat, 3-day cough relief rate, or 3-day runny nose relief rate. Subgroup-analysis showed that Shufeng Jiedu Capsules + conventional western medicine improved the response rate(RR=1.11, 95%CI[1.08, 1.15], P<0.000 01), shortened the time to relief of cough, and increased the 3-day relief rate of symptoms(cough, sore throat, and runny nose) compared with conventional western medicine alone, while there was no significant difference in the time to fever abatement or the time to relief of sore throat. Shufeng Jiedu Capsules alone could not improve the response rate(RR=0.97, 95%CI[0.93, 1.02], P=0.19). In addition, Shufeng Jiedu Capsules/Shufeng Jiedu Capsules + conventional western medicine vs conventional western medicine were no significant difference in adverse reactions(RR=0.98, 95%CI[0.57, 1.69], P=0.95). The available evidence suggests that Shufeng Jiedu Capsules is effective and safe in the treatment of influenza, and the combination of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules with conventional western medicine can accelerate the relief of symptoms. However, since the number and quality of the included studies were low, the above findings remained to be further verified by multicenter RCT with large sample sizes.

Guideline on treating community-acquired pneumonia with Chinese patent medicines

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious diseases, and its morbidity and mortality increase with age. Resistance and mutations development make the use of anti-infective therapy challenging. Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) are often used to treat CAP in China and well tolerable. However, currently there are no evidence-based guideline for the treatment of CAP with CPMs, and the misuse of CPMs is common. Therefore, we established a guideline panel to develop this guideline. We identified six clinical questions through two rounds of survey, and we then systematically searched relevant evidence and performed meta-analyses, evidence summaries and GRADE decision tables to draft recommendations, which were then voted on by a consensus panel using the Delphi method. Finally, we developed ten recommendations based on evidence synthesis and expert consensus. For the treatment of severe CAP in adults, we recommend Tanreqing injection, Reduning injection, Xuebijing injection, Shenfu injection, and Shenmai injection respectively. For the treatment of non-severe CAP in adults, we recommend Tanreqing injection, Reduning injection, Lianhua Qingwen capsule/granule, Qingfei Xiaoyan Pill and Shufeng Jiedu capsule respectively. CPMs have great potential to help in the fight against CAP worldwide, but more high-quality studies are still needed to strengthen the evidence.

Shufeng Jiedu capsule for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a protocol of multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

IntroductionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Published clinical trials suggest that the Chinese patent herbal medicine Shufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJD) is safe...

Systems pharmacology approach to explore the mechanisms of shufeng Jiedu Capsule on treating H1N1 infection

Background Influenza caused by the H1N1 virus still affects human health. There is currently no effective strategy against H1N1 virus infection. The present study is to evaluate the mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (SFJDC) in the treatment of H1N1 infection using an integrated systems pharmacology approach and experimental validation. SFJDC is recommended for the treatment of H1N1 infection in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), whose mechanism of action is not precise. Methods We systematically analyzed SFJDC using a systematic pharmacology and ADME screening model, and predicted effective targets using systematic drug targeting (SysDT) algorithm. Subsequently, the network of interactions between compounds and targets was built to help in the discovery of new drugs. In addition, the pathway of molecular action was determined by using enrichment analysis from the predicted targets. what is more, molecular docking also applied to predict the specific binding sites and binding capacity of active compounds and related targets, which validated the results of the compounds-targets network (C-T network). Finally, the mechanism of SFJDC effect on autophagy and virus replication in H1N1 virus-infected RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells was experimentally verified. Results The systematic pharmacology results suggested that 68 candidate compounds were obtained from SFJDC, which interacted with 74 different targets related to inflammation and the immune system. The CCK-8 results showed that different concentrations of SFJDC serum had no significant inhibitory effect on the viability of RAW264.7 cells. LC3-II was significantly increased after virus infection compared to the control group, while it was inhibited by different concentrations of SFJDC serum. H1N1 virus nucleocapsid protein (NP protein) was significantly reduced in the high concentration group, Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), and viral M1 gene were significantly reduced compared to the H1N1 group. Conclusions The integrated systemic pharmacological approach and experimental validation not only provide a precise explanation of the molecular mechanism of SFJDC in the treatment of H1N1 infection but also provide valuable clues for the development of novel drug strategies to control the H1N1 infection.

Network Meta-analysis of oral Chinese patent medicines in treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of eight oral Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD) by network Meta-analysis. Randomized controlled trial(RCT) on the treatment of AECOPD with eight oral Chinese patent medicines was retrieved from databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, and Cochrane Library from database inception to August 6, 2022. The information was extracted from the included literature and the quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. The data were analyzed using Stata SE 15.1 and ADDIS 1.16.8 software. Finally, 53 RCTs were included, with 5 289 patients involved, including 2 652 patients in the experimental group and 2 637 patients in the control group. Network Meta-analysis showed that Lianhua Qingwen Capsules+conventional western medicine were optimal in improving clinical effective rate, Shufeng Jiedu Capsules+conventional western medicine in improving FEV1/FVC, Qingqi Huatan Pills+conventional western medicine in improving FEV1%pred, Feilike Mixture(Capsules)+conventional western medicine in improving PaO_2, Lianhua Qingwen Capsules+conventional western medicine in reducing PaCO_2, and Qingqi Huatan Pills+conventional western medicine in reducing C-reactive protein(CRP). In terms of safety, most of them were gastrointestinal symptoms, and no serious adverse reactions were reported. When the clinical effective rate was taken as the comprehensive index of efficacy evaluation, Lianhua Qingwen Capsules+conventional western medicine were the most likely to be the best treatment for AECOPD. There are some limitations in the conclusion of this study. It only provides references for clinical medication.

Herbal medicines exhibit a high affinity for ACE2 in treating COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been an unprecedented disaster for people around the world. A point particularly worth noting is that herbal medicines have made great contributions to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in China. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been identified as the critical functional receptor for SARS-CoV-2. It can bind to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein (S protein), which is responsible for the entry of the coronavirus into host cells. Therefore, ACE2 can be regarded as an important intervention target for COVID-19. Recently, many herbal medicines have exhibited a high affinity for ACE2 in treating COVID-19. The current work summarized these herbal medicines including formulas (such as Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Xuebijing injection, Qingfei Paidu Decoction, Huashi Baidu formula, Shufeng Jiedu capsules, and Maxing Shigan decoction), single herbs including Ephedra sinica Stapf (Mahuang), Scutellariae radix (Huangqin), Lonicera japonica (Jinyinhua), and Houttuynia cordata (Yuxingcao), and active ingredients (such as ursodeoxycholic acid, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhizin, salvianolic acid, quercetin, and andrographidine C), which have exhibited a high affinity for ACE2 in treating COVID-19. We hope this work may provide meaningful and useful information on further research to investigate the mechanisms of herbal medicines against SARS-CoV-2 and follow-up drug discovery.

Recent advances in Chinese patent medicines entering the international market.

As an indispensable part of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Chinese patent medicines have played an important role in preventing and treating diseases in China. Since they are easy to use, easy to store, and cost-effective, Chinese patent medicines have been generally accepted and widely used in Chinese clinical practice as a vital medical resource. In recent years, as TCM has developed and it has been accepted around the world, many Chinese patent medicine companies have gained international market access and successfully registered several Chinese patent medicines as over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription drugs in regions and countries that primarily use Western medicine such as the EU, Russia, Canada, Singapore, and Vietnam. Moreover, several Chinese patent medicines have been obtained the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval conducting phase II or III clinical trials in the US. The current work has focused on several Chinese patent medicines that have been successfully registered or that have been submitted for registration abroad. Summarized here are recent advances in the efficacy and molecular mechanisms of these Chinese patent medicines to treat respiratory infectious diseases (Lianhua Qingwen capsules, Jinhua Qinggan granules, and Shufeng Jiedu Capsules), cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (Compound Danshen Dripping Pills, Huatuo Zaizao pills, and Tongxinluo Capsules), cancers (a Kanglaite injection and a Shenqi Fuzheng Injection), and gynecological diseases (Guizhi Fuling Capsules). The hope is that this review will contribute to a better understanding of Chinese patent medicines by people around the world.

Shufeng Jiedu capsule inhibits inflammation and apoptosis by activating A2AAR and inhibiting NF-κB to alleviate LPS-induced ALI

Ethnopharmacological relevanceShufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJDC) is a pure form of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that contains eight medicinal plants. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects, it is mostly used to treat upper respiratory tract infections and other infectious diseases, such as colds, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. Both acute lung injury (ALI) and COVID-19 are closely related to lung damage, primarily manifesting as lung inflammation and epithelial cell damage. However, whether SFJDC can improve ALI and by what mechanism remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore whether SFJDC could be used as a prophylactic treatment for COVID-19 by improving acute lung injury. Aim of the studyThe purpose of this study was to determine whether SFJDC could protect against ALI caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and we wanted to determine how SFJDC reduces inflammation and apoptosis pharmacologically and molecularly. Materials and methodsPreadministering SFJDC at 0.1 g/kg, 0.3 g/kg, or 0.5 g/kg for one week was followed by 5 mg/kg LPS to induce ALI in mice. Observations included the study of lung histomorphology, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion, as well as the ratio of lung wet/dry weights. In addition, RAW264.7 cells were treated for 24 h with 1 μg/mL LPS after being pretreated for 1 h with 0.5 mg/mL SFJDC. In the samples, we detected TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Cell apoptosis was detected by stimulating A549 cells for 24 h with RAW264.7 supernatant. Both in vitro and in vivo, the levels of A2A adenosine receptor (A2AAR), PKA, IκB, p-IκB, NF-κB P65 (P65), p–NF–κB P65 (p-P65), cleaved caspases-3 (Cc3), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) proteins were determined using Western blot analysis. ResultsLung tissue morphology was improved as SFJDC decreased cytokine secretion, the ratio of lung wet/dry weights, and lung tissue secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. The expression of A2AAR was increased by SFJDC, and the phosphorylation of NF-κB was inhibited. TUNEL staining and flow cytometry showed that SFJDC inhibited apoptosis by reducing the expression of Cc3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2. ConclusionsAccording to the results of this study, SFJDC can reduce inflammation and inhibit apoptosis. A2AAR activation and regulation of NF-κB expression are thought to make SFJDC anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic. A wide range of active ingredients may result in an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect with SFJDC.

Treating patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant with a traditional Chinese medicine, Shufeng Jiedu capsule.

Patients infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 mainly develop mild COVID-19, manifesting as upper respiratory symptoms, fatigue, and fever. Shufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJDC), a traditional Chinese medicine indicated for treatment of upper respiratory infections in China, was tested for its efficacy and safety in treatment of an Omicron infection at a mobile cabin hospital in response to an outbreak of COVID-19 in Shanghai, China in April 2022. In this open-label, randomized controlled trial, patients in the control group received best supportive care, while those in the test group received additional SFJDC therapy for 7 days. SFJDC markedly alleviated patients' symptoms including a sore throat, coughing, fatigue, and a fever after 7 days of treatment. The virus negative time was significantly shorter in the SFJDC treatment group, but there were no obvious differences in the virus negative rate between the two groups at the end of the 7-day follow-up. These results suggest that patients with the Omicron infection may benefit from SFJDC treatment. Double-blind, randomized controlled trials are warranted to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of SFJDC in a large cohort study in the future.

Overview of systematic reviews of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules

At present, there have been many clinical trials and systematic reviews/Meta-analysis proving the good clinical efficacy of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules in the treatment of respiratory diseases, while comprehensive discussion is still required. This article overviews and analyzes the systematic reviews/Meta-analysis of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules to provide evidence support for clinical practice. The systematic reviews/Meta-analysis of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules were searched from CBM, Wanfang, CNKI, VIP, PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library. The AMSTAR 2 scale and GRADE system were respectively employed for the evaluation of methodological quality and the grading of evidence quality. Finally, 8 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis published during 2018-2021 were included for analysis. The diseases involved include acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, community-acquired pneumonia, acute tonsillitis, acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and acute upper respiratory tract infection. The number of included RCTs studies ranged from 8 to 25. The results showed that Shufeng Jiedu Capsules combined with western medicine routine had better therapeutic effect than the latter alone in the treatment of the above five diseases. The reported adverse reactions caused by Shufeng Jiedu Capsules were mainly gastrointestinal discomforts such as mild nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting, with low incidence and mild symptoms, which can be relieved by drug withdrawal. The methodological quality of the included studies was extremely low, and the outcome indicators were mainly of low and very low grades. The efficacy and safety of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules in the clinical treatment of diseases still need to be verified based on more high-quality studies. The relevant clinical research and systematic review/Meta-analysis should pay more attention to methodological quality and reporting standards and strengthen the scientificity of research.

Analysis of the active components and mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu capsule against COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.

This study investigates the active components and mechanism of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules (SFJDC) against novel coronavirus through network pharmacology and molecular docking.The TCMSP, TCMID, and BATMAN-TCM databases were used to retrieve the components of SFJDC. The active components were screened by ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) parameters, and identified by Pubchem, Chemical Book, and ChemDraw softwares. The molecular docking ligands were constructed. SARS Coronavirus-2 Major Protease (SARS-CoV-2-Mpro) and angiotension converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were used as molecular docking receptors. AutoDock software was used for molecular docking. Cytoscape 3.7.1 software was used to generate an herbs-active components-targets network. Gene Ontology gene function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes signal pathway analysis were performed by DAVID data.A total of 1244 components were identified from SFJDC, and 210 active components were obtained. Among them, 97 active components were used as docking ligands to dock with SARS-CoV-2-Mpro and ACE2. There were 48 components with good binding activity to SARS-CoV-2-Mpro. Ten active components (including 7-Acetoxy-2-methylisoflavone, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Baicalein, Glabrene, Glucobrassicin, Isoglycyrol, Wogonin, Petunidin, and Luteolin) combined with SARS-CoV-2-Mpro and ACE2 simultaneously. Among them, Kaempferol, Wogonin, and Baicalein showed higher binding activity. The herbs-active components-targets network contained 7 herbs, 10 active components, and 225 targets. The 225 target targets were involved in 653 biological processes of Gene Ontology analysis and 130 signal pathways (false discovery rate ≤ 0.01) of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis.The active components of SFJDC (such as Kaempferol, Wogonin, and Baicalein) may combine with ACE2 and act on multiple signaling pathways and targets to exert therapeutic effect on novel coronavirus.

Potential therapeutic effect of Shufeng Jiedu capsule and its major herbs on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A review.

The outbreak and rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a huge threat to human health and social stability. Shufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJDC), a patented herbal drug composed of eight medicinal plants, is used to treat different viral respiratory tract infectious diseases. Based on its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory activities in acute lung injury, SFJDC can be effectively used as a treatment for COVID-19 patients according to the diagnosis and treatment plan issued in China and existing clinical data. SFJDC has been recommended in 15 therapeutic regimens for COVID-19 in China. This review summarizes current data on the ingredients, chemical composition, pharmacological properties, clinical efficacy, and potential therapeutic effect of SFJDC on COVID-19, to provide a theoretical basis for its anti-viral mechanism and the clinical treatment of COVID-19.

A synthesis of the evidence regarding safety of a Chinese herbal formula Shufeng Jiedu: A pharmacological review

Shufeng Jiedu capsule (SFJDC) is a Chinese herbal medicine formula for treating acute respiratory tract infections. This review aims to assess its potential safety for clinical setting.Systematic literature searches were conducted across multiple databases to: investigate the phytochemistry and safety data on SFJD and its constituents; and to produce a meta-analysis of RCTs reporting safety concerns (all ages) receiving SFJDC capsule (any condition). The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse events (AEs) or complications associated with taking SFJDC with/without usual care compared with placebo or usual care.Pharmacovigilance data reporting AEs to the Chinese National Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring System in 2017/2018 was analysed.Safety information was insufficient regarding pregnancy/lactation (all herbs). Laboratory studies raised theoretical concerns regarding saikosaponins A and D elevating blood glucose; glycyrrhizin inducing hypertension and hypokalaemia; and saikosaponins/resveratrol/lignans reducing platelet activity. However, these occurred at much higher doses than used clinically.Sixty-four RCTs (7612 participants) met the meta-analysis criteria. Fourteen additional trials and two case studies were also considered. Minor AEs included nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, unspecified gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness and rash; these were not significantly different (statistically) to control groups.Across 2017 and 2018 sales of SFJDC packs (content 36 capsules) totalled 23.2 million. AEs recorded were 169 (2017) and 198 (2018). The majority were gastrointestinal, and improved on stopping SFJDC. None included the potential phytochemical concerns (regarding platelets, hypertension, hypokalaemia, blood glucose).No serious AEs were identified from the included trials or pharmacovigilance data.No substantive safety concerns were identified for SFJD for clinical use; excluding pregnant/lactating women.

Clinical Progress on Management of Pneumonia Due to COVID-19 With Chinese Traditional Patent Medicines.

Background: The outbreak of new coronavirus has tremendously threatened the public health system worldwide, including China. Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) have greatly contributed to the prevention and treatment of this viral infection, as well as the recovery of patients with COVID-19 infection. Therefore, numerous experts and guidelines recommend to take CPMs to treat pneumonia due to COVID-19.Aim of the Study: The present study reviewed CPMs recommended by the < Guidelines for diagnosis and management of COVID-19 (8th edition)> regarding evidence of their efficacy from clinical studies and the underlying mechanisms, which will lay the foundation for clinical use of these CPMs for COVID-19.Methods: The composition, efficacy, indications, history of use, and relevant clinical research on 14 recommended CPMs, including Huoxiangzhengqi capsules (pills, liquid, oral solution), Jinhuaqinggan granules, Lianhuaqingwen capsules (granules), Shufengjiedu capsules, Xiyanping injections, Xuebijing injections, Reduning injections, Tanreqing injections, Xingnaojing injections, Shenfu injections, Shengmai injections, Angongniuhuang pills, Suhexiang pills, were searched in both Chinese and English databases based on differences in stages of the disease and manifestations of such patients. Advantages of these CPMs over conventional treatments and their underlying mechanisms were explored by analyzing results from published articles and undergoing clinical trials.Results: Findings from clinical studies and Chinese experience in using these CPMs showed that CPMs, when used in combination with conventional treatments, were effective in managing COVID-19 with few side effects.Conclusion: CPMs have excellent efficacy in managing COVID-19 with a great potential for clinical use.

Influence of traditional Chinese medicines on the in vivo metabolism of lopinavir/ritonavir based on UHPLC-MS/MS analysis

A fast, reliable, and cost-effective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was established to determine the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine employed to treat coronavirus disease 2019, namely, Lianhua Qingwen granules, Huoxiang Zhengqi capsules, Jinhua Qinggan granules, Shufeng Jiedu capsules, and Angong Niuhuang pills, on the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir/ritonavir in rats. Blood samples were prepared using the protein precipitation method and atazanavir was selected as the internal standard (IS). Separation was performed on an Agilent ZORBAX eclipse plus C18 (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.8 μm) column using acetonitrile and water containing 0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.4 mL/min and the injection volume was 2 μL. Agilent Jet Stream electrospray ionization was used for mass spectrometry detection under positive ion multiple reaction monitoring mode at a transition of m/z 629.3→447.3 for lopinavir, m/z 721.3→296.1 for ritonavir, and m/z 705.4→168.1 for the IS. The method showed good linearity in the concentration range of 25–2500 ng/mL (r=0.9981) for lopinavir and 5–500 ng/mL (r=0.9984) for ritonavir. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy were both within ±15%. Items, such as dilution reliability and residual effect, were also within the acceptable limits. The method was used to determine the effects of five types of traditional Chinese medicines on the pharmacokinetics of lopinavir/ritonavir in rats. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the half-life of ritonavir in the groups administered Lianhua Qingwen granules and Huoxiang Zhengqi capsules combined with lopinavir/ritonavir was prolonged by approximately 1.5- to 2-fold relative to that in the control group. Similarly, the pharmacokinetic parameters of lopinavir were altered. Overall, the results of this study offer important theoretical parameters for the effective clinical use of five types of traditional Chinese medicines combined with lopinavir/ritonavir to reduce the occurrence of clinical adverse reactions.