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Antipsoriatic Medicinal Plants
Published in José L. Martinez, Amner Muñoz-Acevedo, Mahendra Rai, Ethnobotany, 2019
José Luis Ríos, Guillermo R. Schinella, Isabel Andújar
Other relevant mediators in psoriasis are matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), and its inhibition by Scrophularia striata extract and some isolated compounds were studied by Monsef-Esfahani et al. (2014). Among these isolated compounds, the inhibitory effects of nepitrin at 20 μg/mL (56%) and acteoside at 80 μg/mL (73%) on MMP-2 and MMP-9 were remarkable. Lipoxygenase and elastase could also be potential therapeutic targets in psoriasis. In this sense, Prieto et al. (2003) screened 15 extracts from traditional Chinese medicinal plants/fungi used to treat topical inflammations such as psoriasis. They were screened for their inhibitory effect on lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase and elastase activity in intact leukocytes and platelets. Astragalus propinquus (syn: Astragalus membranaceus), Forsythia suspensa and Wolfiporia extensa (syn: Poria cocos) inhibited 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 values of 141, 80 and 141 μg/mL, respectively). Angelica dahurica, Angelica pubescens, F. suspensa and W. extensa also inhibited elastase (IC50 values of 80, 123, 68 and 93 μg/mL, respectively). Previously, Cuéllar et al. (1996) had demonstrated the inhibitory effect of W. extensa extract and its metabolites dehydrotumulosic and pachymic acids on phospholipase A2 activity as well as experimental dermatitis (Cuéllar et al. 1997).
Plant Phenolics
Published in Ruth G. Alscher, John L. Hess, Antioxidants in Higher Plants, 2017
This enzyme (E.C. 1.1.1.195) was first discovered by Mansell et al.63 in 1974 in extracts of the angiosperm Forsythia suspensa. It catalyzes the reduction of aldehydes 33-35 to afford the corresponding monolignols 36-38. It has been shown, at least in the Forsythia sp., to be a Type A reductase of MW ~80,000. In the few examples studied, substrate specificity studies again revealed substantial differences between gymnosperm and angiosperm CAD. Thus, spruce (Picea abies) CAD (MW ~72,000)61 and Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) CAD (MW ~67,000)64 both catalyze the reduction of coniferaldehyde 34 and p-coumaraidehyde 33, but not of sinapaldehyde 35. In contrast, CAD from angiosperms, such as Forsythia, catalyzes the reversible reduction of all of three substrates 33-35. Recent studies65,66 have been directed towards cloning the CAD gene from the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Poplar CAD antibodies were used to immunoprecipitate a putative CAD (MW ~65,000) from fungal elicitor-induced bean cell suspension cultures, and ultimately, a "CAD cDNA clone" was obtained. Sequence data established it to be a malic enzyme and not CAD.67,68 Since then, others have apparently cloned the CAD gene from Pinus taeda.69 Antibodies to this CAD have also been used in an attempt to determine the subcellular compartmentalization of CAD in Pinus taeda cell-suspension cultures. While immunogold labeling suggested that CAD was mainly in the plastid of these cells, and also in seedlings in the chloroplast; it remains to be established whether there is a transit peptide sequence in the gene thereby providing further support to its apparent subcellular location. Smaller immunoresponses were also noted for the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria/ cytoplasm, which presumably reflect sites of protein synthesis and transport.70 CAD has also been purified from tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) in preparation for cloning the gene.71
Clinical evaluation of Shufeng Jiedu Capsules combined with umifenovir (Arbidol) in the treatment of common-type COVID-19: a retrospective study
Published in Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, 2021
Jing Chen, Shaowu Lin, Conway Niu, Qi Xiao
For the treatment of COVID-19 patients, effective control of fever, duration of acute infection and hospitalization, and minimization of serious complications are issues that clinicians have been working to address. Effective antiviral treatment thus becomes a very important part of overall treatment. Umifenovir (Arbidol) was developed by the Russian Research Chemical‐Pharmaceutical Institute. It is a synthetic broad-spectrum antiviral drug that was previously used to prevent and treat human influenza A and B infections and influenza complications. It has been used as an anti-flu drug in some countries with a history of use spanning decades [20]. Umifenovir is active against many DNA/RNA and enveloped/non-enveloped viruses. It inhibits membrane fusion between virus particles and the plasma membrane and between virus particles and endosome membranes by embedding in membrane lipids. Umifenovir has been reported to be effective against COVID-19 in a concentration range of 10–30 μM in vitro [21]. At present, umifenovir has been widely used in Wuhan, other urban areas in Hubei, and for patients with COVID-19 elsewhere in China [22] with long-term treatment effects requiring further verification. Shufeng Jiedu Capsule (SFJDC) is a TCM drug that was approved by China’s State Food and Drug Administration in 2009. It belongs to a class of heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs with anti-infective and anti-inflammatory effects [23] according to the TCM treatment modality and theories which differ in paradigm from Western allopathic medicine. Shufeng Jiedu Capsules are mainly composed of eight components: Polygonum cuspidatum, Forsythia, Radix, Banlangen, Bupleurum, Verbena, Verbena, Reed Root, and Licorice, each of which produces its own therapeutic effect and has a synergistic effect. Modern research shows that the Forsythia suspensa in Shufeng Jiedu Capsules has the functions such as clearing away heat, detoxification, and alleviation of swelling. Banlangen has the effect of clearing away heat and of detoxification. Reed root can clear the lungs, calm the stomach, and alleviate thirst. Bupleurum plays the role of reconciliation; Polygonum cuspidatum has the effect of removing wind, dehumidification, and detoxification; the sapodilla has the functions of clearing away heat and detoxification, removing carbuncles and heat. Licorice has the effect of nourishing the stomach and has a regulating effect. Verbenaside can effectively regulate G protein-coupled receptor 18 (GPR18) protein, improve p21 protein-activated kinase 1 (PAK)-induced lung injury in mice, and has a significant clinical effect on the repair of viral lung injury. Shufeng Jiedu Capsules can produce good antibacterial and antiviral effects after a reasonable combination of drugs, to achieve the purpose of reducing fever, relieving pain, and eliminating cough [24–26].