A data-driven approach to exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine's potential in treating Mpox
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 19, 2024 4 weeks, 12 hours, 2 minutes ago
TCM News: A New Hope from Ancient Wisdom
A new study from researchers at the College of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China, has highlighted the potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an alternative treatment for Mpox (MPX), a viral disease that has seen a resurgence in recent years. This
TCM News report delves into how centuries-old knowledge is being applied through modern scientific methods to identify potential therapies for this challenging virus. The study, which uses a data-driven approach to screen TCM, sheds light on promising herbs and compounds that could offer new avenues for treatment.
A data-driven approach to exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine's potential in treating Mpox
Understanding the Mpox Challenge
Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease that has primarily affected regions in Central and West Africa but has recently seen a global spread, leading to an urgent need for effective treatments. The Mpox virus (MPXV) is closely related to the smallpox virus, and while the disease is generally less severe, it shares many symptoms with smallpox, including fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy. Currently, no specific treatments have been proven effective against MPXV, making the discovery of new therapies a critical public health priority.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Rich Source of Potential Treatments
Traditional Chinese Medicine has a long history of treating viral diseases, including smallpox. The research team aimed to extract and analyze ancient TCM knowledge, specifically focusing on prescriptions documented by Wan Quan, a renowned pediatrician from the Ming Dynasty, in his book Exclusive Methods for Treating Pox. This historical text, rich in clinical experience, was the foundation for the study's exploration of potential Mpox treatments.
Methodology: A Modern Approach to Ancient Knowledge
The researchers employed a multi-step, data-driven approach to identify and evaluate the potential of TCM in treating Mpox. The process began with data mining to extract relevant prescriptions from Exclusive Methods for Treating Pox. This was followed by the identification of high-frequency Chinese Medicines (CMs) and CM pairs, which were then subjected to network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulations.
Key Findings: Promising Herbs and Compounds
The study identified 119 prescriptions, from which 25 high-frequency CMs and 23 high-frequency CM pairs were selected for further analysis.
Among these, Gancao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), Renshen (Panax ginseng), Danggui (Angelica sinensis), Shengma (Cimicifuga foetida), and Zicao (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) emerged as core components. These herbs were chosen based on their historical usage in treating smallpox and their potential relevance to Mpox.
Gancao and Renshen: The Power Duo
Gancao and
Renshen, frequently used together, were identified as having significant potential due to their properties of tonifying Qi (vital energy) and harmonizing other herbs. These herbs are known for their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects, which are crucial in combating viral infections like Mpox.
Shengma and Zicao: Cooling and Detoxifying
Shengma and Zicao, both known for their cooling properties and ability to promote eruption (a key therapeutic strategy in TCM for treating pox-like diseases), were also highlighted. These herbs are believed to help in clearing heat and detoxifying the body, making them valuable in treating the heat-related symptoms of Mpox.
Quercetin And Celabenzine
The study went beyond traditional knowledge by employing modern scientific techniques to understand how these herbs might work at a molecular level. Using network pharmacology, the researchers identified 131 active components and 348 potential targets for these herbs. Two key compounds, quercetin and celabenzine, were selected for further analysis through molecular docking.
Quercetin: A Potent Antiviral Agent
Quercetin, a well-known flavonoid with antiviral properties, showed strong binding activity with key MPXV targets, suggesting it could play a role in inhibiting the virus's replication. The molecular docking simulations indicated that quercetin could stably bind to the profilin-like protein A42R, a target crucial for the virus's structure and function.
Celabenzine: A Natural Inhibitor
Celabenzine, another compound identified in the study, demonstrated significant binding activity with MPXV DNA polymerase holoenzyme, another essential protein for the virus's replication. This suggests that celabenzine might inhibit the virus's ability to reproduce, offering a potential therapeutic pathway.
Conclusion: Bridging the Past and Present
The findings of this study highlight the potential of combining ancient medical knowledge with modern scientific methods to discover new treatments for emerging diseases. While the results are promising, it is important to note that these findings are based on virtual screenings and simulations. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to validate the efficacy of these herbs and compounds against Mpox in clinical settings.
Nevertheless, this research provides a strong foundation for the development of natural antiviral drugs and underscores the relevance of Traditional Chinese Medicine in addressing modern public health challenges.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Medicine.
https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2023/09150/screening_potential_treatments_for_mpox_from.95.aspx
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