Anti-infectious efficacy of essential oil from Caoguo ( Fructus Tsaoko )

Chemical profile of anti-epidemic sachet based on multiple sample preparation coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis combined with an embedded peaks resolution method and their action mechanisms

The anti-epidemic sachet (Fang Yi Xiang Nang, FYXN) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can prevent COVID-19 through volatile compounds that can play the role of fragrant and dampness, heat-clearing and detoxifying, warding off filth and pathogenic factors. Nevertheless, the anti-(mutant) SARS-CoV-2 compounds and the compounds related to the mechanism in vivo, and the mechanism of FYXN are still vague. In this study, the volatile compound set of FYXN was constructed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based on multiple sample preparation methods, which include headspace (HS), headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). In addition, selective ion analysis (SIA) was used to resolve embedded chromatographic peaks present in HS-SPME results. Preliminary analysis of active compounds and mechanism of FYXN by network pharmacology combined with disease pathway information based on GC-MS results. A total of 96 volatile compounds in FYXN were collected by GC-MS analysis. 39 potential anti-viral compounds were screened by molecular docking. 13 key pathways were obtained by KEGG pathway analysis (PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, etc.) for FYXN to prevent COVID-19. 16 anti-viral compounds (C95, C91, etc.), 10 core targets (RELA, MAPK1, etc.), and 16 key compounds related to the mechanism in vivo (C56, C30, etc.) were obtained by network analysis. The relevant pharmacological effects of key pathways and key compounds were verified by the literature. Finally, molecular docking was used to verify the relationship between core targets and key compounds, which are related to the mechanism in vivo. A variety of sample preparation methods coupled with GC-MS analysis combined with an embedded peaks resolution method and integrated with network pharmacology can not only comprehensively characterize the volatile compounds in FYXN, but also expand the network pharmacology research ideas, and help to discover the active compounds and mechanisms in FYXN.

Geraniol-a potential alternative to antibiotics for bovine mastitis treatment without disturbing the host microbial community or causing drug residues and resistance

Mastitis is one of the most prevalent diseases of dairy cows. Currently, mastitis treatment in dairy cows is mainly based on antibiotics. However, the use of antibiotics causes adverse effects, including drug resistance, drug residues, host-microbiome destruction, and environmental pollution. The present study sought to investigate the potentiality of geraniol as an alternative to antibiotics for bovine mastitis treatment in dairy cows. Additionally, the effectiveness of treatment, improvement in inflammatory factors, the influence on microbiome, presence of drug residues, and drug resistance induction were compared and analyzed comprehensively.Geraniol showed an equivalent therapeutic rate as antibiotics in the mouse infection model and cows with mastitis. Moreover, geraniol significantly inhibited the pathogenic bacteria and restored the microbial community while increasing the abundance of probiotics in milk. Notably, geraniol did not destroy the gut microbial communities in cows and mice, whereas antibiotics significantly reduced the diversity and destroyed the gut microbial community structure. Additionally, no geraniol residue was detected in milk four days after treatment discontinuation, but, antibiotic residues were detected in milk at the 7th day after drug withdrawal. In vitro experiments revealed that geraniol did not induce drug resistance in the Escherichia coli strain ATCC25922 and Staphylococcus aureus strain ATCC25923 after 150 generations of culturing, while antibiotics induced resistance after 10 generations. These results suggest that geraniol has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects similar to antibiotics without affecting the host-microbial community structure or causing drug residues and resistance. Therefore, geraniol can be a potential substitute for antibiotics to treat mastitis or other infectious diseases and be widely used in the dairy industry.

Anti-Microbial Activity of Aliphatic Alcohols from Chinese Black Cardamom (Amomum tsao-ko) against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv

The fruits of Amomun tsao-ko (Chinese black cardamom; Zingiberaceae) contain an abundance of essential oils, which have previously demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity. In our preliminary search for natural anti-tuberculosis agents, an acetone extract of A. tsao-ko (AAE) exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find the principal compounds in an AAE against M. tuberculosis. Nine aliphatic compounds (1−9) including a new compound (1, tsaokol B) and a new natural unsaturated aliphatic diester (6), together with three acyclic terpenoids (10−12), were isolated from an AAE by repetitive chromatography. The structures of the isolates were determined by spectroscopic data analysis. All isolates were evaluated for activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Isolated compounds 1−6, and 11 had MICs ranging from 0.6−89 µg/mL. In contrast, compounds 7 to 10, and 12 had MICs that were >100 µg/mL. Tsaokol A (3) was the most active compound with MICs of 0.6 µg/mL and 1.4 µg/mL, respectively, against replicating and nonreplicating M. tuberculosis. These results are the first to illustrate the potency of tsaokol A (3) as a natural drug candidate with good selectivity for treating tuberculosis.

Amomum tsao-ko Crevost & Lemarié: a comprehensive review on traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology

Tsaoko Fructus, the dried ripe fruit of Amomum tsao-ko Crevost & Lemarié, is used as both medicinal material and food additive. This review summarized the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological progress on Tsaoko Fructus. One classical prescription and the other 11 representative prescriptions containing Tsaoko Fructus were reviewed. The indications of these prescriptions are major in treating spleen and stomach disorders and epidemic febrile diseases including malaria. At least 209 compounds have been isolated and identified from Tsaoko Fructus, most of which belong to terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and organic acids. Essential oil, crude extract, and some compounds were observed to have pharmacological activities such as anti-biotics, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, mostly via in vitro experiments. However, the mechanism of its medicinal uses remains unclear. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of Tsaoko Fructus, which will be beneficial to exploring the mechanism and potential medicinal applications of Tsaoko Fructus, as well as developing a rational quality control system for Tsaoko Fructus as a medicinal material in the future.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11101-021-09793-x.

Analysis of the Active Components and Mechanism of Three Prescriptions in the Treatment of COVID-19 Via Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Purpose: Prescriptions of Han-Shi-Yu-Fei (HSYF), Han-Shi-Zu-Fei (HSZF), and Yi-Du-Bi-Fei (YDBF) were effective in treating COVID-19. Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, overlapping Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), their active components, and core targets were explored in this study. Methods: First, the overlapping TCMs and their active components were collected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) by evaluating Oral Bioactivity (OB) and Drug Likeness (DL). The overlapping targets of potential components and COVID-19 were collected by SwissTargetPrediction, Gene Cards, and Venn 2.1.0 databases. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were analyzed via DAVID6.8.1 database. Through comprehensive analysis of the “prescriptions-TCMs-components” (P-T-C), “components-targets-pathways” (C-T-P) and “protein–protein interaction” (PPI) networks constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1 software, the active components and core targets were obtained. Finally, the binding energies of these components with ACE2 and SARS-CoV-2 3CL were analyzed by AutDockTools-1.5.6 and PyMOL software. Results: In all, five overlapping TCMs, 40 potential active components, and 47 candidate targets were obtained and analyzed in these prescriptions. There were 288 GO entries ( P < 0.05), including 211 biological process (BP), 40 cell composition (CC), and 37 molecular function (MF) entries. Most of the 105 KEGG pathways ( P < 0.05) were involved with viral infection and inflammation. Through “PPI” and “C-T-P” networks, the core targets (EGFR, PTGS2, CDK2, GSK3B, PIK3R1, and MAPK3) and active components (Q27134551, acanthoside B, neohesperidin, and irisolidone) with high degrees were obtained. Molecular docking results showed that the above-mentioned four components could inhibit the binding of ACE2 and SARS-COV-2 3CL to protect against COVID-19. Conclusion: In this study, the active components and core targets of three prescriptions in the treatment of COVID-19 were elaborated by network pharmacology and molecular docking, providing a reference for their applications.

Add-On Chinese Medicine for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (ACCORD): A Retrospective Cohort Study of Hospital Registries

Chinese medicine (CM) was extensively used to treat COVID-19 in China. We aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of add-on semi-individualized CM during the outbreak. A retrospective cohort of 1788 adult confirmed COVID-19 patients were recruited from 2235 consecutive linked records retrieved from five hospitals in Wuhan during 15 January to 13 March 2020. The mortality of add-on semi-individualized CM users and non-users was compared by inverse probability weighted hazard ratio (HR) and by propensity score matching. Change of biomarkers was compared between groups, and the frequency of CMs used was analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed to stratify disease severity and dose of CM exposure. The crude mortality was 3.8% in the semi-individualized CM user group and 17.0% among the non-users. Add-on CM was associated with a mortality reduction of 58% (HR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.77, [Formula: see text] = 0.005) among all COVID-19 cases and 66% (HR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.76, [Formula: see text] = 0.009) among severe/critical COVID-19 cases demonstrating dose-dependent response, after inversely weighted with propensity score. The result was robust in various stratified, weighted, matched, adjusted and sensitivity analyses. Severe/critical patients that received add-on CM had a trend of stabilized D-dimer level after 3-7 days of admission when compared to baseline. Immunomodulating and anti-asthmatic CMs were most used. Add-on semi-individualized CM was associated with significantly reduced mortality, especially among severe/critical cases. Chinese medicine could be considered as an add-on regimen for trial use.

The Important Role of Volatile Components From a Traditional Chinese Medicine Dayuan-Yin Against the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aromatic Chinese herbs have been used to prevent plagues since ancient times. Traditional Chinese medicine has unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of epidemic diseases. According to the traditional Chinese medicine treatment plan in the National COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Trial Seventh Edition) of the National Health Commission, Chinese patent medicines or prescriptions rich in aromatic Chinese herbs are selected for prevention and treatment during the period of medical observation, clinical treatment, and recovery of confirmed COVID-19 patients. Some local health committees or traditional Chinese medicine administrations recommend a variety of other ways of using traditional aromatic Chinese herbs to prevent and cure COVID-19. These involve external fumigation, use of moxibustion, and wearing of sachet. The efficacy of aromatic Chinese herbs plays a decisive role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The unique properties, chemical composition, and mechanism of action of aromatic Chinese herbs are worthy of extensive and in-depth experimental and clinical research. The findings are expected to provide a reference for follow-up treatment of novel coronavirus and the development of corresponding drugs. In 2003, Dayuan-Yin produced excellent results in the treatment of the SARS virus. Individually, 112 confirmed cases were administered this drug between January and April 2003, and more than 93.7% of the patients showed noticeable mitigation of the symptoms, as well as recovery. Dayuan-Yin also was selected as one of the nationally recommended prescriptions for the COVID-19. Based on the national recommendation of Dayuan-Yin prescription, this review discusses the role of volatile components in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and speculates the possible mechanism of action, so as to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.