A traditional Chinese medicine herbal decoction known as Xuanbai Chengqi shows promise in treating Mpox
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Aug 22, 2024 4 months, 15 hours, 19 minutes ago
TCM News: In the wake of the global health crisis spurred by the monkeypox outbreak, researchers are exploring various treatment options to combat this virus. A study conducted by scientists from the Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen) in China has uncovered the potential of Xuanbai Chengqi decoction (XBCQD), a traditional Chinese medicine, in treating monkeypox (Mpox). This
TCM News report delves into the study’s findings, shedding light on how this age-old remedy could offer new hope in modern medicine.
A traditional Chinese medicine herbal decoction known as Xuanbai Chengqi shows promise in treating Mpox
Thailand Medical News had previously covered another study that showed certain herb pairs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) could also be used to treat Mpox (Monkeypox) infections.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/a-data-driven-approach-to-exploring-traditional-chinese-medicine-s-potential-in-treating-mpox
It should be noted that in Traditional Chinese Medicine, there numerous herbal formulations to treat Orthopoxvirus infections such as smallpox and also monkeypox.
Understanding the Threat of Monkeypox
Monkeypox, once confined to rainforests in Central and West Africa, has now spread globally, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in July 2022. The virus, a relative of the smallpox virus, presents with symptoms such as fever, rash, and muscle soreness. While vaccines and antiviral drugs developed for smallpox are being tested for monkeypox, no specific treatment has yet been established, leaving a significant gap in therapeutic options.
The Role of Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction
Xuanbai Chengqi decoction is a traditional Chinese medicinal formula composed of four main herbs: gypsum, rhubarb, bitter almond, and trichosanthes. Historically, it has been used to treat various respiratory ailments, including those caused by viral infections like influenza and COVID-19. Given its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, researchers hypothesized that XBCQD might also be effective against monkeypox.
Study Methodology: A Modern Approach to Traditional Medicine
The researchers employed a combination of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the efficacy of XBCQD against monkeypox. Network pharmacology is a technique that integrates multiple databases and bioinformatics tools to map out the interactions between drugs, their active compounds, and the biological targets involved in diseases.
In this study, five active compounds or phytochemicals from XBCQD and ten hub targets r
elated to monkeypox (Mpox) were identified. The team constructed a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network to better understand how these compounds might interact with the virus. They also conducted Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses to determine the biological processes and pathways involved in the therapeutic effects of XBCQD.
Key Findings: Estrone and Androgen Receptor Interaction
One of the most significant findings from this study was the identification of estrone, a key active compound in XBCQD, as having a strong binding affinity with the androgen receptor (AR), a hub target associated with monkeypox. The researchers used molecular docking to simulate how estrone interacts with AR and other targets, revealing that this interaction could be crucial in reducing viral replication and inflammation caused by the monkeypox virus.
Molecular dynamics simulations further supported these findings, showing that the estrone-AR complex exhibited high structural stability, making it a potentially effective therapeutic agent against monkeypox. This article highlights that these findings could pave the way for future research into the use of XBCQD in treating monkeypox and other viral infections.
Broader Implications: Pathway Enrichment and Therapeutic Mechanisms
The study also explored the broader implications of XBCQD's action against monkeypox. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the decoction's effects are likely mediated through multiple pathways, including those related to viral infection, inflammatory response, and cell proliferation. Notably, pathways involved in Hepatitis B, breast cancer, and human cytomegalovirus infection were among those identified, suggesting that XBCQD's benefits might extend beyond just treating monkeypox.
Moreover, the study found that XBCQD could modulate immune responses and cytokine secretion, processes that are often dysregulated in viral infections. This multi-target approach aligns with traditional Chinese medicine's philosophy of holistic treatment, offering a broader scope of therapeutic effects compared to conventional single-target drugs.
Conclusion: A Promising Avenue for Future Research
In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence that Xuanbai Chengqi decoction could be a promising treatment for monkeypox. By leveraging modern pharmacological methods, the researchers have demonstrated how a traditional remedy can be reimagined to address contemporary health challenges. The interaction between estrone and the androgen receptor, in particular, represents a critical discovery that could inform future drug development efforts.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Microbiology.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1234817/full
This article serves as a reminder of the potential that traditional medicines hold when combined with modern scientific approaches. As the global community continues to grapple with emerging infectious diseases, such integrative research could lead to innovative solutions that bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science.
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