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Background and Purpose Uncontrollable inflammation has been the leading cause of mortality in many acute respiratory infections, including influenza. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital to develop valid therapeutics or supplements that are effective in suppressing lung inflammation. Feruloylated oligosaccharides (FOs) is a phytochemical constituent that exerts anti-inflammatory activities. Experimental Approach We established the influenza-induced lung inflammation model by infecting C57BL/6J mice or MAVS knockout (Mavstm1Zjc/J) mice with influenza A virus (H1N1). Lung index, histology analysis, hemagglutination inhibition assay as well as neuraminidase inhibition assay were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of FA and FOs. PCR, western blot, docking simulation and metabolomics were done to elucidate the mechanism of FOs anti-inflammatory function in lung. Key Results Herein, we found that oral administration of FOs moderately inhibited H1N1 virus infection and reduced lung inflammation in influenza-infected mice by decreasing a wide spectrum of cytokines in the lungs. FOs also suppressed transduction of the RIG-I/MAVS/TRAF3 signaling pathway and lowered the expression of NF-κB. Moreover, we found that the anti-inflammatory function of FOs against influenza depends on MAVS, which is closely associated with activation of the downstream signaling cascades and the eventual production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and type I interferons. Conclusions and Implications In conclusion, we demonstrated that FOs is an effective anti-inflammatory agent for treating the lung inflammation caused by influenza. Such therapeutic effect was likely mediated by RIG-I/MAVS/TRAF signaling.

Supplementing with edible herbal medicine is an important strategy because of its role in nutrition. Many polyphenols, which are universal components in edible herbal medicines, have low bioavailability. Therefore, gut microbiota is a key determinant of polyphenol bioactivity. Polyphenols can alter the abundance of flora associated with neuroinflammation by reversing intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. Intestinal flora-mediated chemical modification of polyphenols can result in their conversion into active secondary metabolites. The current review summarizes the main edible medicines used in anti-depression and details the interactions between polyphenols and gut microbiota; in addition, it provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the possible suppression of neuroinflammation associated with depression, by polyphenols in edible herbal medicine. A better understanding of polyphenols with bioactivities that are crucial in edible herbal medicine may facilitate their use in the prevention and treatment of neuroinflammation associated with depression.

Incidence of anxiety and depression has been surging in recent years, causing unignorable mental health crisis across the globe. Mounting studies demonstrated that overgrowth of detrimental gut microbes is driving the development of anxiety and depression. Our previous studies suggested that ferulic acid (FA) and feruloylated oligosaccharides (FOs) were potent in regulating gut microbiome and microbial metabolism in a variety of disease settings, including neuroinflammation. Given the increasing evidence solidifying the role of gut-brain axis in neurological disorders, we here investigated the therapeutic potential of FA and FOs in anxiety and depression. In present study we found that FA and FOs effectively alleviated anxiety and depression-like behavior in mice, while increasing the abundance of Firmicutes, Solibacillus, Acinetobacter and Arthrobacter, and decreasing the abundance of Parabacteroides, Oscollospira and Rummeliibacillus. In addition, FA and FOs were efficacious in enhancing phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine and caffeine metabolism in mice having depression. Our results validated FA and FOs as effective nutrition to prevent anxiety and depression, as well as provided mechanistic insight into their anti-anxiety and anti-depression function. We suggested that FOs mitigated the symptom of depression in mice potentially via changing gut microbiome structure and microbial metabolism.

Professor Shen pays attention to the simultaneous treatment of lung and stomach in the clinical treatment of cough. Professor Shen emphasized that the treatment of cough should be based on comprehensive judgments such as cough, phlegm, individual quality, general condition and pay attention to protecting the spleen and stomach while relieving cough. In the treatment, he is good at formulating prescriptions, using mulberry leaves and almonds, Uncaria and mint, Platycodonis Radix and Fritillaria thunbergii, Scutellariae Radix and Atractylodes macrocephala. Professor Shen pays attention to the impact of climate change on coughing. In the treatment of coughs occur in spring, he emphasizes on calming the liver and eliminating wind, nourishing yin and promoting body fluid while relieving the lung, relieving cough, resolving phlegm and relieving asthma. In the treatment of cough in autumn and winter, he focused on clearing, cooling and moisturizing, promoting body fluid and moisturizing. Nourish the viscera. Professor Shen inherited the style of ancient Lingnan medicine, and used the special herbal medicine of Lingnan area. He selected the prescriptions according to the locality. When treating coughs, he often used the combination of Seed of Indian Trumetflower, Roughhaired Holly Root, FoliumNerviliae, Herba Strigae, etc.

Depression is a prevalent emotion disorder which is thought to be due to neuronal structural alterations and/or functional impairment within specific brain regions. Several studies have shown that microRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of depression. As a Chinese herbal formula, Xiaoyaosan (XYS) could have antidepressive effects, although the mechanisms associated with microRNAs are poorly understood.In this study, we investigated whether inhibition of the miR-200a/b-3p/NR3C1 pathway in the prefrontal cortex is involved in the anti-neuronal apoptosis and anti-stress effects of XYS and then further delineated the underlying mechanism.To evaluate the efficacy of XYS in relieving stress behaviors and altering the expression of miRNAs involved in the regulation of these behaviors in vivo, a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rodent model and RNA-seq were performed. Primary cortical neurons were used to evaluate the molecular function of miR-200a/b-3p and detect the in vitro neuroprotective function of paeoniflorin, which is one of the main components of XYS. To investigate the function of miR-200a/b-3p in stress behaviors, stereotactic microinjection of AAV2/9-Syn-miR-200a/b-3p was performed to deliver the treatment to the rat mPFC.XYS reduced the anxiety and depression-like behaviors associated with chronic stress and reduced the expression of miR-200a/b-3p and neuronal apoptosis in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The overexpression of miR-200a/b-3p in primary cortical neurons reduced the expression of the target gene NR3C1, increased the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax, and decreased the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. One of the active ingredients of XYS, paeoniflorin, can inhibit miR-200a/b-3p-mediated apoptosis of primary neurons and abnormal expression of apoptosis-related proteins. After overexpressing miR-200a/b-3p in vivo (vmPFC), the rats eventually showed significant anxiety-like behaviors similar to those caused by chronic stress.Our findings indicate that XYS can inhibit the CUMS-induced expression of miR-200a/b-3p, regulate miR-200a/b-3p/NR3C1 signaling in the PFC caused by chronic stress, and reduce neuronal apoptosis and stress-related behaviors.

Aim: To explore and analyze the feasibility of establishing a program of complex intervention in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) based on Text Mining and Interviewing method. Methods: According to MRC, Constructing the program of complex intervention in TCM by Text Mining and Interviewing method should include 4 steps: 1) establishment of interview framework via normalization of extraction of ancient documents and Effectiveness of collection of modern periodical literatures; 2) materialization of interview outline based on Focus Group Interview; 3) rudimentary construction of complex intervention program based on Semi-structured Interview; 4) evaluation of curative effect of complex intervention. Conclusions: It is feasible and significative to establish a program of complex intervention in TCM based on Text Mining and Interviewing method.

Objective: To explore the extracurricular classes teaching mode and clinical practice ability of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Methods: A retrospective control study method was used to select the grade 2014 undergraduates and grade 2015 undergraduates of Jinan University as the research object, and the average performance of the two different modes in the traditional teaching and the new competition unit as a second class was added. Points, class pass rate, excellent rate and award-winning situation are compared to evaluate the effect of the new teaching model. Results: There is no significant difference between the 2014 level and the 2015 grades of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. For the performance point, the 2015 Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan students are increasing. There was no significant difference in the mean GPA between grade 2 and grade 2014 before the competition teaching model (P > 0.05). After the competition teaching mode, the average GPA of the third grade of the former was much higher than that of the latter (P < 0.05), compared with that of the overseas Chinese students of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who received only the traditional Chinese medicine subject education in grade 2014 (P < 0.05). From the point of passing rate and excellent rate, the pass rate and excellent rate of grade 1 were much higher than that of grade 2014, and the difference between them was statistically significant (P < 0.05). As far as the award is concerned, the status of award-winning and project establishment in 2015 was higher than that in grade 2014, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Competition teaching is beneficial to the training of Chinese medicine learning and clinical practice ability of Chinese students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas.

Along with the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasingly used and attracts more interest in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). As an important bridge between different cultures, translation plays a major role in promoting TCM in CEE. However, there are some problems in the translation process hindering further promotion of TCM theories and culture in CEE. First of all, the English translations of TCM classics and textbooks lack universally accepted standards, and the quality of TCM text translation is low. Secondly, TCM translators lack sufficient training in TCM knowledge. Also, the translation of TCM materials lacks cultural connotation. Through analyzing the current problems of TCM translation in CEE, this study proposed three suggestions: strengthening the exchange between the government and experts, regulating the translation of TCM textbooks, and strengthening the training of TCM translators.