Abstract The main proteases (Mpro), also termed 3‐chymotrypsin‐like proteases (3CLpro), are a class of highly conserved cysteine hydrolases in β‐coronaviruses. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that 3CLpros play an indispensable role in viral replication and have been recognized as key targets for preventing and treating coronavirus‐caused infectious diseases, including COVID‐19. This review is focused on the structural features and biological function of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) main protease Mpro (also known as 3CLpro), as well as recent advances in discovering and developing SARS‐CoV‐2 3CLpro inhibitors. To better understand the characteristics of SARS‐CoV‐2 3CLpro inhibitors, the inhibition activities, inhibitory mechanisms, and key structural features of various 3CLpro inhibitors (including marketed drugs, peptidomimetic, and non‐peptidomimetic synthetic compounds, as well as natural compounds and their derivatives) are summarized comprehensively. Meanwhile, the challenges in this field are highlighted, while future directions for designing and developing efficacious 3CLpro inhibitors as novel anti‐coronavirus therapies are also proposed. Collectively, all information and knowledge presented here are very helpful for understanding the structural features and inhibitory mechanisms of SARS‐CoV‐2 3CLpro inhibitors, which offers new insights or inspiration to medicinal chemists for designing and developing more efficacious 3CLpro inhibitors as novel anti‐coronavirus agents.

The SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (Mpro): Structure, function, and emerging therapies for COVID‐19

The devastating COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than six million deaths worldwide during the last 2 years. Effective therapeutic agents are greatly needed, yet promising magic bullets still do not exist. Numerous natural products (cordycepin, gallinamide A, plitidepsin, telocinobufagin, and tylophorine) have been widely studied and play a potential function in treating COVID-19. In this paper, we reviewed published studies (from May 2021 to April 2022) relating closely to bioactive natural products (isolated from medicinal plants, animals products, and marine organisms) in COVID-19 therapy in vitro to provide some essential guidance for anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug research and development.

Bioactive natural products in COVID-19 therapy

Fatigue is recognized as one of the most commonly presented long-term complaints in individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. This systematic review was performed to describe symptoms, etiology, possible risk factors related to post-COVID-19 fatigue and the therapeutic approaches used for the treatment of post-COVID-19 fatigue. For the systematic literature search the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and PsycInfo were used. All articles that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed for demographics, clinical data and treatment. Included were studies which focused on an adult population (18–65 years old); elderly patients and patients with chronic somatic diseases which can also cause fatigue were excluded. We identified 2,851, screened 2,193 and finally included 20 studies with moderate to high methodological quality, encompassing 5,629 participants. Potential risk factors for post-COVID-19 fatigue were old age, female sex, severe clinical status in the acute phase of infection, a high number of comorbidities, and a prediagnosis of depression/anxiety. Lastly, a possible autoimmune etiology was suspected. Several treatment approaches have been tested mostly in small and uncontrolled studies so far: a Chinese herbal formulation improved breathlessness and fatigue. Moreover, molecular hydrogen (H2) inhalation had beneficial health effects in terms of improved physical (6-min walking test) and respiratory function in patients with post-COVID-19. Patients also noticed improvement in fatigue after undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP). Lastly. muscle strength and physical function were improved after undergoing an 8-weeks biweekly physical therapy course including aerobic training, strengthening exercises, diaphragmatic breathing techniques, and mindfulness training. However, larger and controlled studies e.g., investigating the effect of physical and / or psychotherapy for patients with post-COVID-19 fatigue are urgently warranted. Systematic Review Registration Unique Identifier: CRD42022320676, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.947973/pdf

Post-COVID-19 fatigue: A systematic review

Active/intelligent packaging films developed by immobilizing anthocyanins from purple sweetpotato and purple cabbage in locust bean gum, chitosan and κ-carrageenan-based matrices.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112787

Traditional Chinese medicine against COVID-19: Role of the gut microbiota

Traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19.

Abstract: Anthocyanins are natural flavonoid organic compounds widely existing in natural fruits and vegetables. Increasing researches have confirmed that anthocyanins have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, anthocyanins have been widely used in food, health products, cosmetics, medicine, chemical industry, and other fields. The extraction and purification of anthocyanins from natural plants is the premise of anthocyanins application. The research progresses and future prospects of anthocyanins must be systematically reviewed to promote their better understanding. This paper reviewed the latest research progress in extraction and purification of anthocyanins, analyzed and compared the effects of different extraction and purification methods on the extraction rate and purity of anthocyanins. This review can provide scientific basis for the research and industrial utilization of anthocyanins. 

Extraction and purification of anthocyanins: A review

http://www.cell.com/article/S2405844022007708/pdf

Recent evidence in support of traditional chinese medicine to restore normal leptin function in simple obesity

Background At present, the incidence of obesity is increasing. Several studies have shown that obesity can reduce male fertility by affecting spermatogenesis and semen quality. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has fewer side effects and stable efficacy in the treatment of related diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Huaji Jianpi Decoction on the semen quality of high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Methods The obese male mice model was constructed by using high-fat diet and the Huaji Jianpi Decoction was processed into an aqueous extract. Mice were allocated in the normal group (n=30) and five different treatment groups (n=50). Huaji Jianpi Decoction was applied in low-, medium- and high-dose [17.52 g/(kg·d), 35.04 g/(kg·d) and 70.07 g/(kg·d), respectively]. The body weight, body fat, testis wet weight, testis coefficient, and routine sperm parameters were detected and analyzed. Meanwhile, transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe testis ultrastructure. reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the expression of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Results Compared with normal mice (ND), the testis wet weight and testis coefficient of mice in the blank group were significantly decreased, while the number of mitochondria was observed to be decreased on testis ultrastructure examination, and apoptotic cells and germ cells in the spermatogenic tubules were shed. After Huaji Jianpi Decoction administration, the body fat and blood lipid levels of obese mice were decreased, the testis wet weight and testis coefficient were increased, and semen parameters were increased. Different doses of Huaji Jianpi Decoction could improve testicular weight, sperm density, sperm motility, forward motility, and total sperm motility. Huaji Jianpi Decoction could also downregulate TNF-α and MCP-1 expression and inhibit germ cell apoptosis to improve semen quality. Conclusions Huaji Jianpi Decoction can improve the semen quality of high-fat diet-induced obese mice by reducing weight and lipid levels.

/pdf/effect-of-huaji-jianpi-decoction-on-the-semen-quality-of-2vyry86d.pdf

Shaoqin Ge

Papers

Traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19.

Extraction and purification of anthocyanins: A review

Recent evidence in support of traditional chinese medicine to restore normal leptin function in simple obesity

Effect of Huaji Jianpi Decoction on the semen quality of high-fat diet-induced obese mice