Yupingfeng Granules Research Articles

Effects of yupingfeng granules combined with pediatric lung heat cough asthma on serum inflammatory factors and T lymphocyte subsets in children with Mycoplasma pneumonia.

Effects of yupingfeng granules combined with pediatric lung heat cough asthma on serum inflammatory factors and T lymphocyte subsets in children with Mycoplasma pneumonia.

Simultaneous quantitation of 15 bioactive components in Yupingfeng granules by LC-MS/MS.

Yupingfeng granules (YPFG) is commonly used in the treatment of immunological diseases, inflammations, and pulmonary diseases. Several studies have found that chromones, flavones, and saponins were the major bioactive compounds of YPFG. However, few studies have reported accurate quantification methods of these compounds. This study aimed to establish a simple and rapid method by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to determine 15 bioactive compounds in YPFG. The experimental parameters including extraction methods, extraction solvents, extraction time, solid-liquid ratio, and LC-MS/MS condition were optimized. The linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery of the established method were evaluated. The contents of 15 bioactive compounds in seven batches of YPFG samples were analyzed by the established method and the results were compared with the values determined by HPLC. The optimal extraction condition was to extract 0.1 g of YPFG by ultrasound with 50 mL 50% ethanol for 30 min. A Waters ACQUITY UPLCBEH C18 column using the 0.1% formic acid water solution and acetonitrile as mobile phase with a gradient elution was applied to the chromatographic separation. The linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery of the method were within acceptable ranges. Compared with HPLC analysis methods in Chinese Pharmacopoeia and literature, the established method was faster, simpler, more accurate, and more reliable. The method of simultaneous determination of 15 components in YPFG by LC-MS might provide a basis for the study of the bioactive compounds and the improvement of the quality standard of YPFG.

Effect of YuPingFeng granules on clinical symptoms of stable COPD: study protocol for a multicenter, double-blind, and randomized controlled trial

BackgroundReducing current clinical symptoms and the risks of future exacerbations is the main goal of stable COPD management. Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in chronic disease management. YuPingFeng (YPF), as a classical prescription, has been proven to reduce the risk of exacerbations, but there is a lack of high-quality evidence for the assessment of clinical symptoms and quality of life, particularly for the assessment of treatment response of microecology and immunity.Methods/designThis is a prospective, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 316 eligible subjects with moderate to severe COPD will be randomized 1:1 to receive YPF or placebo. Participants will receive either YPF or a placebo at 5 g three times daily for 52 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score after 52 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include changes in the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score and clinical symptom score, among others. Outcomes will be measured at each visit. The study will continue for 52 weeks and will include six visits to each subject (at day 0 and weeks 4,12,24,36 and 52). In the event of exacerbations, subjects will be required to go back to the hospital once on the first day of exacerbation or when their condition permits.DiscussionThis trial will provide research methods to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and the possible mechanism of YPF in the treatment of stable moderate-to-severe COPD patients. In addition, we hope to provide more possibilities for TCM to participate in the management of stable COPD.Trial registrationThe trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry on 3 June 2022 (ChiCTR2200060476; date recorded: 3/6/2022, https://www.chictr.org.cn/).

Effect of Yupingfeng granules combined with glucocorticoid on eosinophil infiltration and inflammatory factors of lavage fluid in nasal secretion of patients with allergic rhinitis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Yupingfeng granules, a well-known traditional Chinese medication, combined with glucocorticoids on eosinophil (EOS) number and inflammatory factors in nasal secretions of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). 76 patients with AR were randomly divided into controls (nasal inhaled corticosteroids alone) and experimental group (combined with Yupingfeng granules orally). The efficacy, symptoms, number of EOS and levels of inflammatory factors in nasal secretions were compared between the two groups after 2 months of treatment. The results showed that in the experimental group (94.73%, 0.48 ± 0.25 points), the effective rate of treatment was obviously higher and the physical sign score was clearly lower compared with controls (81.57%, 0.97 ± 0.36 points); the EOS count in the experimental group was clearly less than that in the controls; the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (0.76 ± 0.44 ng/mL), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (11.83 ± 3.72 pg/mL), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) (17.45 ± 6.53 pg/mL) levels were evidently lower in the experimental group than in the controls (1.48 ± 0.72 ng/mL, 14.62 ± 5.19 pg/mL, 22.86 ± 9.35 pg/mL) (P < 0.05). In summary, compared with nasal inhalation of glucocorticoids alone, combined with oral administration of Yupingfeng granules, it can more significantly improve the symptoms of nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea in AR patients, reduce nasal mucosal edema, reduce the number of EOS in nasal secretions, and reduce the level of inflammatory factors, which is of positive significance for the clinical treatment of AR patients.

Adjuvant treatment with yupingfeng granules for recurrent respiratory tract infections in children: Asystematic review and meta-analysis.

Yupingfeng granules (YPFG) contribute to various chronic respiratory infections. Several clinical studies have evaluated its efficacy and safety in treating recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in children. However, the evidence for its use has not been conclusively proven. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of YPFG in the adjuvant treatment of RRTIs in children. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, Sinomad, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of YPFG adjuvant therapy for children with RRTIs as of September 1, 2022. We screened the literature for inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed the quality of each included literature, and then extracted data from each study for this systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 17 RCTs were included. Data analysis showed that the total clinical response rate in the YPFG group was significantly higher than that in the control group [risk ratio (RR) = 1.18, 95%CI (1.12, 1.24), I 2 = 39%, P < 0.00001]. Compared with the control group, three serum immunoglobulin levels were significantly increased in the YPFG group: IgA level [standardized mean difference (SMD) = 1.23, 95%CI (0.68, 1.78), I 2 = 95%, P < 0.0001]; IgM level [SMD = 0.85, 95%CI (0.35, 1.35), I 2 = 93%, P = 0.0009]; IgG level [SMD = 1.06, 95%CI (0.65, 1.47), I 2 = 91%, P < 0.00001]. The TNF-α level was significantly lower in the YPFG group [SMD = -1.03, 95%CI (-1.55, -0.51), I 2 = 84%, P = 0.0001] compared with the control group. In summary, adjuvant YPFG therapy improves clinical efficacy and immunity in children with RRTIs. However, the effectiveness and safety of YPFG remain to be further verified. [https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-3-0150/], identifier [INPLASY202230150].

Deciphering the Mechanism of YuPingFeng Granules in Treating Pneumonia: A Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Study.

Objective YuPingFeng Granules (YPFGs) is an herbal formula clinically used in China for more than 100 years to treat pneumonia. Nevertheless, the mechanism of YPFG in pneumonia treatment has not been established. This network pharmacology-based strategy has been performed to elucidate active compounds as well as mechanisms of YPFG in pneumonia treatment. Methods First, active compounds of YPFG were identified in the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database, and then the targets related to the active compounds were obtained from TCMSP and Swiss Target Prediction databases. Next, using DisGeNET, DrugBank, and GeneCards databases, we got therapeutic targets of pneumonia and common targets between pneumonia targets and YPFG. After that, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of pneumonia composed of common targets was built to analyze the interactions among these targets, which focused on screening for hub targets by topology. Then, online software and the ClusterProfiler package were utilized for the enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) data. Finally, the visualization software of Autodock was used for molecular docking among the hub target proteins. Results 10 hub genes were selected by comparing the GO and KEGG functions of pneumonia targets with those of the common targets of YPFG and pneumonia. By using molecular docking technology, a total of 3 active ingredients have been verified as being able to combine closely with 6 hub targets and contribute to their therapeutic effects. Conclusion This research explored the multigene pharmacological mechanism of action of YPFG against pneumonia through network pharmacology. The findings present new ideas for studying the mechanism of action of Chinese medicine against pneumonia caused by bacteria.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the TCM "Yupingfeng Granules" in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbations of COPD Based on a Randomized Clinical Trial.

IntroductionTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is becoming increasingly important as it provides further options for treating many diseases worldwide. The TCM “Yupingfeng” has been used in China for over 800 years, and its clinical efficacy and safety for COPD treatment have been proven in previous studies. The objective of this study was to compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of Yupingfeng granules and the current conventional treatment for COPD patients in China.MethodsA Markov model was constructed from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system using TreeAge Pro 2011. The model cycle length was 12 months, and the cycle time was set to 10 years. Data from a randomized controlled trial were used to generate the number of acute exacerbations, COPD assessment test (CAT) score and actual medication used. The state transition probabilities, costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were derived from available sources. A threshold of 72,447 yuan per QALY gained was used as a cost-effectiveness criterion. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to verify the model. In addition, the cost-effectiveness of a 35-year cycle was evaluated as a scenario analysis.ResultsIn the basic-case analysis, the ICER of adding Yupingfeng granules to the current conventional treatment drugs was ¥2123.04 per QALY, which was less than the threshold (one-time per capita GDP).Sensitivity analyses showed the results to be robust. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of the ICER being less than the one-time per capita GDP threshold was 100%. In the scenario analysis, the incremental cost-effectiveness was ¥12,051.27 per QALY which was also under the one-time per capita GDP.ConclusionBy reducing the number of acute exacerbations of COPD, thereby correspondingly reducing the follow-up treatment cost, Yupingfeng granules combined with conventional treatment were found to provide a cost-effective therapeutic strategy for COPD.

EE470 Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the TCM “Yupingfeng Granules” in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbations of COPD Based on a Randomized Clinical Trial

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained popularity globally and may provide further options for many diseases. The TCM “YuPingFeng” has been used in China for over 800 years, and its clinical efficacy and safety for COPD treatment has been proved in previous studies. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of YuPingFeng granules and the current conventional treatment drugs for patients with COPD in China.

Safety and efficacy of Yupingfeng granules in children with recurrent respiratory tract infection: A randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACTImportanceRecurrent respiratory tract infection (RRTI) is common in children. Inappropriate RRTI treatment will lead to asthma and other diseases, thereby seriously affecting the growth and physical health of children. Immune function modulation can prevent and alleviate childhood RRTI. Yupingfeng (YPF), a patented traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has immunomodulatory effects and is widely used in China to treat children with RRTI.ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of YPF monotherapy in treating children with RRTI.MethodsThis multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, double‐simulation, noninferiority clinical trial was conducted from January 2015 to August 2017, with an 8‐week treatment period and 52‐week follow‐up after the drug withdrawal. Children aged 2–6 years with RRTI meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled in 13 hospitals in China and divided randomly into three groups (2:2:1 ratio) to receive YPF, pidotimod, or placebo. The primary outcome was the proportion of RRTI returning to normal standard level during the follow‐up. The secondary outcomes were reduction in the number of RRTI recurrences, effect on clinical symptoms (in accord with TCM practice), effect per symptom, and safety. The trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (www.chictr.org.cn) under the unique identifier ChiCTR‐IPR‐15006847.ResultsThree hundred and fifty‐one children were enrolled and randomly assigned to 3 groups; 124, 125, and 61 children in the YPF, pidotimod, and placebo groups, respectively, had completed the trial. During the follow‐up, the proportion of RRTI returning to normal standard level was 73.13%, 67.15%, and 38.81% with YPF, pidotimod, and placebo, respectively (P < 0.0001). The proportion of cases who returned to normal standard level in the YPF group was 34.32% higher than that in the placebo group. The safety profile did not significantly differ among the groups.InterpretationYPF granules were noninferior to the active control drug pidotimod oral solution for the treatment of RRTI in children, and were superior to placebo, with a high safety profile.

Immunological regulation of the active fraction from Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche based on improvement of intestinal microflora and activation of RAW264.7 cells

Ethnopharmacological relevancePolygonatum sibiricum, known as “Huangjing” in Chinese traditional medicine, of which functions include invigorating Qi and nourishing Yin, tonifying spleen and kidney, which are considered to replenish energy, and strengthen immunity. However, both the active components and mechanism of the immune-enhancing effect of Polygonatum sibiricum have not been clarified. Aim of the studyTo evaluate the immunoregulation effects of PSE30 (Polygonatum sibiricum ethanol 30) and PSE75 (Polygonatum sibiricum ethanol 75). The gut microbial and activation of RAW264.7 cells were also evaluated for exploring the mechanism of PSE75. Materials and methodsFemale ICR mice were randomly divided into different groups, which were pretreated with 0.9% saline, Yupingfeng granules, different dosage of PSE30 or PSE75. And the immunosuppressed mice model was constructed using cyclophosphamide. And the total duration of the experiment was 15 d. After that, the serum Immunoglobulins G (IgG) and Immunoglobulins M (IgM) antibody, regular blood testing, assessment of natural killer cell activity, and histological observation of spleen in immunosuppressed mice were measured to evaluate the immunoregulation effects of PSE30 and PSE75. Besides, effects of PSE75 on gut microbial were evaluated using 16s rRNA sequence. And the mRNA expression and cytokine secretion of RAW264.7 cell were evaluated to analyze the immunoregulation mechanism of PSE75. ResultsThe content of serum IgG, IgM was significantly elevated by PSE75 (P＜0.05, P＜0.001). The NK cells killing activity in splenocytes against K562 cells induced by PSE30, and PSE75 was pronounced higher than that of the model group (P < 0.05). Both mRNA expression of Th1 molecular markers including interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-γ, and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 4, and Th2 molecular markers including IL-4 in splenocytes were markedly enhanced by PSE30, and PSE75 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, or P < 0.001). Besides, the result of 16s rRNA sequence indicated that PSE75 could recover the gut microbial community disturbed by cyclophosphamide. PSE75 could markedly promote the secretion of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 p40 from RAW264.7 cell (P＜0.01, or P＜0.001). ConclusionsPSE75 was proved to be a more promising immunomodulation agent, of which may enhance the immunity of immunosuppressed mice by improving gut microbial and activating macrophages. And PSE75 could be developed as a good immune booster in the future.

Clinical Efficacy of Adjuvant Treatment of Primary Nephrotic Syndrome in Pediatric Patients with Chinese Medicine.

Objective Current study aimed to investigate the benefits of adjuvant therapy with traditional Chinese medicine on the pediatric primary nephrotic syndrome. Methods A total of 455 patients with PNS admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to January 2019 were divided into the traditional Chinese medicine group (n = 217) and the control group (n = 238). The control group received conventional Western medical treatment, and the traditional Chinese medicine group was treated with traditional Chinese medicine supplemented with Western medical treatment. The differences in remission rate, recurrence rate, and recurrence-free survival between the two groups were evaluated. Results The differences in clinical parameters between the two groups were not statistically significant. Compared with the control group, adjuvant treatment with traditional Chinese medicine increased the clinical remission rate (p=0.037), decreased the relapse rate (p=0.015), prolonged relapse-free survival (p ≤ 0.01), and was an independent protective factor for relapse-free survival in children with PNS (HR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.49–0.63, p ≤ 0.01). In a subgroup analysis of the traditional Chinese medicine formulations, Yuebi Jiazhu Tang, Ganlu Xiaodu Dan, and Yupingfeng granules significantly reduced the risk of recurrence in children (p ≤ 0.01, p ≤ 0.01, p=0.003). Conclusion Adjuvant treatment of pediatric primary nephrotic syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine could benefit the children.

Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology approach to reveal immunomodulatory mechanisms of Yupingfeng granules

Systems biology is an approach that employs modern biological techniques and methods to combine the overall regulation of the body by Chinese herbal formulas with systems analysis at the molecular level. In this study, the underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms of yupingfeng granules (YPFG) were investigated based on the integration of metabolomics and network pharmacology methods. Selected routine peripheral blood indicators, body weight, and organ indices related to immunity were firstly measured in order to evaluate the effects of YPFG in cyclophosphamide-induced immunocompromised rats. Plasma metabolomics analyses were carried out by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with a multivariate data analysis. Our study indicates that the potential regulatory mechanism was related to bile acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism, involving the regulation of 11 metabolites, including 8 bile acids, 1 phosphatidylserine, and 2 phosphatidylethanolamines. By means of network pharmacology, the compound-target network between potential active components of YPFG and immune dysregulation was constructed, which releated to estrogen receptor, PPAR, MAPK, PI3K-Akt, JNK signaling pathways, and ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. The immunomodulatory effect of YPFG may be exerted through regulating lipid metabolism, then bile acid metabolism and inflammation were affected. Biological verification was also performed on cyclophosphamide-induced immunocompromised BALB/c mice. Flavonoid and saponin, two types of compounds in YPFG, were found to be the major active ingredients in the immunomodulatory effects of YPFG, and these components may regulate the abnormal metabolism of bile acids by enhancing the expression of FXR and LXRα. This work elucidated active ingredients, potential biomarkers, and mechanisms of action in the immunoregulatory effects of YPFG from the perspective of systems biology, which provides a scientific basis for its precise clinical medication.

Method for rapidly discovering active components in Yupingfeng granules by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS.

Yupingfeng granules (YPFG) were isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation composed of three herbs (Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Saposhnikoviae Radix). This formulation is used in TCM to tonify qi, and it can help strengthen exterior and reduce sweating. Nevertheless, the active components of YPFG remain unclear. In this study, the chemical constituents of YPFG were systematically characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization/ quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS). Fifty-eight compounds, namely, 20 flavonoids, 19 saponins, nine organic acids, four volatile coumarins, three lactones, one alkaloid, and two other components, were identified. In addition, the constituents of YPFG with the potential for in vivo bioactivities following oral administration were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirteen compounds, namely, 11 flavonoid-related and 2 saponin-related components, were detected in rat plasma. After enriching flavonoids and saponins in YPFG by extraction, the extracts and YPFG were administrated to immunosuppressed rats, respectively. Plasma samples were analyzed by UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS, and principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed that the extracts had similar effects to YPFG. This method could discover active ingredients in YPFG quickly and provide a scientific basis for quality control and mechanism research.

Mechanism of YuPingFeng in the Treatment of COPD Based on Network Pharmacology.

YuPingFeng (YPF) granules are a classic herbal formula extensively used in clinical practice in China for the treatment of COPD. However, the pathological mechanisms of YPF in COPD remain undefined. In the present research, a network pharmacology-based strategy was implemented to elucidate the underlying multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway modes of action of YPF against COPD. First, we identified putative YPF targets based on TCMSP databases and constructed a network containing interactions between putative YPF targets and known therapeutic targets of COPD. Next, two topological parameters, “degree” and “closeness,” were calculated to identify target genes in the network. The major hubs were imported to the MetaCore database for pathway enrichment analysis. In total, 23 YPF active ingredients and 83 target genes associated with COPD were identified. Through protein interaction network analysis, 26 genes were identified as major hubs due to their topological importance. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis results revealed YPF to be mainly associated with the response to glucocorticoids and steroid hormones, with apoptotic and HIF-1 signalling pathways being dominant and correlative pathways. The promising utility of YPF in the treatment of COPD has been demonstrated by a network pharmacology approach.

Systematic evaluation and Meta-analysis on effectiveness and safety of Yupingfeng Granules on recurrent respiratory tract infection

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Yupingfeng Granules in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infection.Six Chinese and English databases were retrieved,namely CNKI,Wan Fang,VIP,CBM,PubMed and Cochrane Library. Randomized controlled trials of Yupingfeng Granules in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infection were collected and screened. According to the evaluation criteria and tools of Cochrane,the heterogeneity among the studies was analyzed,and the Meta-analysis was carried out by Rev Man 5.3 software. A total of 16 studies were included in this study,with a total sample size of 1 788 cases,including 901 cases in the experimental group and 887 cases in the control group. Among them,11 intervention measures were Yupingfeng Granules combined with Western medicine routine vs routine Western medicine,and 5 research interventions were Yupingfeng Granules combined with pidomod vs pidomod based on routine therapy. Meta-analysis showed that the total effective rate of Yupingfeng Granules combined with Western medicine in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infection was better than that of Western medicine( RR= 1. 27,95%CI[1. 21,1. 34],P<0. 000 01). Based on the routine therapy,the total effective rate of Yupingfeng Granules combined with pidomod in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infection was better than that of pidomod( RR = 1. 23,95% CI[1. 13,1. 35],P<0. 000 01). A total of 21 cases of adverse events were reported in this study,including 6 cases in the experimental groups combined with traditional Yupingfeng Granules therapy and conventional Western medicine therapy and 15 in the control group. The adverse events were mainly gastrointestinal reactions,such as fatigue,nausea and diarrhea,which can tolerate or disappear with no impact on treatment. The incidence of adverse events in the two groups was not statistically significant( RR = 0. 44,95% CI[0. 19,1. 03],P = 0. 06). The results showed no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups during treatment. Based on the routine therapy,no adverse event was reported in Yupingfeng Granules pidomod vs pidomod,indicating that both groups were safe. The analysis showed that Yupingfeng Granules combined with routine Western medicine therapy or combined with pidomod could increase the level of immunoglobulin and T lymphocytes in children. Based on the existing data and methods,Yupingfeng Granules combined with routine Western medicine therapy for recurrent respiratory tract infection can improve the total effective rate,immune function and body immunity,with no serious adverse reaction. However,because of the low quality of the literatures included in this study,it is still necessary to adopt well-designed large-sample clinical trials in conformity to international standards to improve the quality of evidence.

Screening the anti-allergic components in Saposhnikoviae Radix using high-expression Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 cell membrane chromatography online coupled with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Saposhnikoviae Radix, the dried root of Saposhnikoviae divaricata, is commonly used in the traditional Chinese anti-allergic preparations, like Bofutsusho-san and Yupingfeng granules. A high-expression Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 cell membrane chromatography coupled online with high-performance liquid chromatography combined with an ion trap time-of-flight multistage mass spectrometry system was established and used for screening and identifying the anti-allergic components in Saposhnikoviae Radix. The system was validated for excellent specificity and suitability using the appropriate standards. Two retained fractions were obtained on the cell membrane chromatography column, and three main components were identified as prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, and 4'-O-β-d-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol. Next, the molecular docking study was conducted, which confirmed that these three components could effectively bind to MRGPRX2 through hydrogen bonds with its amino acid residues. Finally, histamine release assay was performed to investigate the bioactivities of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, and 4'-O-β-d-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol. Results showed that these three components could exert anti-allergic effects by inhibiting the histamine release in a dose-dependent manner (from 10 to 100 µM). In conclusion, the high-expression Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 cell membrane chromatography is an effective tool for discovering the anti-allergic components in Saposhnikoviae Radix.

Effect of Yupingfeng granules on the skin barrier in atopic dermatitis mice models

OBJECTIVETo investigate effect of Yupingfeng granules, prepared with Chinese Medicines, on the wound healing and on the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and the skin barrier in the animal models of atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODSAcute skin lesions of AD models were prepared using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzo (DNCB) in mice and animals were treated with either Yupingfeng granules or placebo for two weeks. Skin wound healing outcome was assessed by measuring skin thickness, weight (quality) of the skin, and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Expression of AQP3 mRNA and protein was assessed by reverse transcriotion polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoblotting, respectively. RESULTSYupingfeng granule treatment resulted in significant acceleration of wound healing with 63.64% efficiency, which was significantly higher than that of placebo granule treatment (31.82%, P < 0.01 by Wilcoxon Rank-sum test). Skin thickness, weight of the wounded skin, and TEWL were significantly higher in the AD models compared to that of normal animals. Treatment with Yupingfeng granules resulted in significant decrease in skin thickness [(937 ±31) vs (360 ±21) urn, P < 0.01], weight of the wounded skin [(42 ± 4) vs (24 ± 5) mg, P < 0.01], and TEWL [(30 ±4) vs (13 ± 4) g • h−1 • m−2, P < 0.01]. Yupingfeng granules also significantly down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of AQP3 in the animal models. CONCLUSIONOur findings suggested that Yupingfeng granules could be used in AD treatment.

Effects of YuPingFeng granules on acute exacerbations of COPD: a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

PurposeRecurrence of acute exacerbations has a major impact on patients with COPD. Therefore, effective prevention and treatment of exacerbation is crucial in the management of COPD, especially for patients with moderate to severe disease. This study evaluated the effectiveness of YuPingFeng granule administration in preventing exacerbation and improving symptom score, as well as its long-term (1 year) safety profile, in patients with COPD.Patients and methodsThis was a randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study of 240 patients from eight centers in China. Participants were eligible if they had mild to severe COPD as defined by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, had a history of at least two COPD exacerbations or one hospitalization within the previous year, and had remained clinically stable for over 4 weeks before the study. They were randomly assigned to receive 5 g of YuPingFeng or placebo, three times per day, for 1 year. The primary end point was the exacerbation rate over 1 year, and the analysis was by intention to treat. Secondary end points included symptom score, which was assessed by COPD assessment test (CAT) score and safety profiles. This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn; registration number: ChiCTR-IPR-15007023).ResultsThe YuPingFeng group had a significantly lower exacerbation rate than the placebo group (1.15 vs 1.55; risk ratio=0.677 [95% CI 0.531–0.863]; P=0.002) and a significantly reduced risk of second exacerbation (95% CI 0.326–0.772; P=0.002). After treatment, the mean change in the CAT score in the YuPingFeng group (−4.41±7.01) differed significantly from that in the placebo group (−2.49±5.31; P=0.001). YuPingFeng was well tolerated.ConclusionYuPingFeng granules can be considered as a treatment option for COPD; this treatment prevents acute exacerbations of COPD and has a good safety profile.

The AHR as a therapeutic target for inflammatory skin diseases

To investigate effect of Yupingfeng granules, prepared with Chinese Medicines, on the wound healing and on the expression of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and the skin barrier in the animal models of atopic dermatitis (AD).Acute skin lesions of AD models were prepared using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzo (DNCB) in mice and animals were treated with either Yupingfeng granules or placebo for two weeks. Skin wound healing outcome was assessed by measuring skin thickness, weight (quality) of the skin, and trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). Expression of AQP3 mRNA and protein was assessed by reverse transcriotion polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoblotting, respectively.Yupingfeng granule treatment resulted in significant acceleration of wound healing with 63.64% efficiency, which was significantly higher than that of placebo granule treatment (31.82%, P < 0.01 by Wilcoxon Rank-sum test). Skin thickness, weight of the wounded skin, and TEWL were significantly higher in the AD models compared to that of normal animals. Treatment with Yupingfeng granules resulted in significant decrease in skin thickness [(937 ±31) vs (360 ±21) urn, P < 0.01], weight of the wounded skin [(42 ± 4) vs (24 ± 5) mg, P < 0.01], and TEWL [(30 ±4) vs (13 ± 4) g • h−1 • m−2, P < 0.01]. Yupingfeng granules also significantly down-regulated mRNA and protein expression of AQP3 in the animal models.Our findings suggested that Yupingfeng granules could be used in AD treatment.

Study on the effect of the Kazakh Traditional Medicine Kezimuk granules to the immunologic function of cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressed mice

The paper reports the study of the effect of the Kazakh mmedicine Kezimuk granules on himoral immunity, cell-medicated immunity and immunological function of cyclophosphamide immunosupressed mice. 60 SPF Kunming mice, half male and half female, were randomly divided into 6 groups. Each group contains 10 mice: Respectively the normal group (saline solution) comparing to the control group (Yupingfeng granules) and the model group (saline solution) comparing to high, medium and low dose Kezimuk granule groups. The high, medium and low dose ,2.72g/kg, 1.36g/kg, and 0.68g/kg, of Kezimuk were equivalent to 4, 9, and 18 times of it and the recommended dose was calculated through the basis of relative surface of mice, referring to humans. Doses were daily intaken by intragastric administration for 2 weeks. After drug administration from the seventh day to ninth day ,for 3 days, each group, except the normal control group, received intra-peritoneal injections,pyrophosphate,at a dose of 50mg/kg to induce the immunocompromise. The thymus index, spleen index, serum IL-2 content and the body weight of the mice, were measured to observe the effect of each dose of Kezimuk granules on pyrophosphate to induce immunosuppression of the cellular immunity and humoral immunity in the mice. Comparing to the model group Kezimuk granules significantly increase the thymus index and spleen coefficient and remarkably increase the index of B Lymphocyte proliferation, T Lymphocyte proliferation and the serum IL-2 content as well as body weight of immunocompromised mice (P<0.05); the results for the middle and high dose of Kezimuk granule groups were significantly higher than the model group (P<0.05). Kezimuk granule might have a protective effect on immunocompromised mice and improve immunologic function.