A Chinese medicine composition and its application

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of traditional Chinese medicine, and specifically relates to a Chinese medicine composition and its application. A Chinese medicine composition, characterized in that it is composed of an ephedra extract, a scutellaria extract and a liquorice extract. The present invention finds that the Chinese medicine composition can synergistically inhibit the invasion of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus into human epithelial cells and synergistically inhibit the production of inflammatory factors by macrophages. By preventing the virus from entering cells; preventing the virus from replicating in cells; inhibiting body inflammation; lowering body temperature; relieving cough; resolving phlegm, increasing the amount of airway secretions in the body, etc., it prevents and treats viral respiratory infections and improves related clinical symptoms. According to the prior art, ephedra, scutellaria or liquorice alone cannot effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Based on this discovery, the present invention uses the Chinese medicine composition to prepare a drug for preventing and / or treating viral infections.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of traditional Chinese medicines, and particularly relates to a traditional Chinese medicine composition and application thereof. Background Art

[0002] In the past two decades, respiratory infectious diseases caused by viruses have brought great harm to human health and life safety. The high infectivity and high mortality rate of new or zoonotic viruses such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, H5N1, H7N9, in addition to causing damage to human health, have also had a great impact on global economic and social development. The frequency of viral pneumonia has gradually increased, causing great harm to people's health and social and economic development. Timely prevention and treatment of viral pneumonia has become one of the important public tasks. But unfortunately, there is no effective treatment. With the continuous emergence of new pathogenic viruses, my country's traditional Chinese medicine therapy, especially Chinese medicine compound, has been effective in preventing and treating new viral respiratory infectious diseases, and has also attracted the attention of countries around the world. Therefore, finding effective therapeutic drugs has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently in this field.

[0003] Ephedra is the dried herbaceous stem of the plants of the Ephedraceae family, including Epihedra sinicaStapf, Ephedra intermediaSchrenk et CAMey. or Ephedra equisetina Bge. It is a pungent and warm antipyretic drug. It tastes pungent, slightly bitter, and warm in nature. It enters the lung and bladder meridians. It has the effects of sweating and dispelling cold, clearing the lungs and relieving asthma, and promoting diuresis and reducing swelling. It is used for colds caused by wind and cold, chest tightness, asthma and cough, and edema caused by wind and water.

[0004] Scutellaria baicalensis is the dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, a plant of the Labiatae family. It is a heat-clearing and dampness-drying medicine. It tastes bitter and is cold in nature. It enters the lung, gallbladder, spleen, large intestine, and small intestine meridians. It has the effects of clearing heat and dampness, purging fire and detoxifying, stopping bleeding, and calming the fetus. It is used for chest tightness, nausea, lung heat cough, high fever, and thirst.

[0005] Licorice is the dried root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. or Glycyrrhiza glabra L. of the Leguminosae family. It is a Qi-tonifying drug with sweet nature and flat taste. It enters the heart, lung, spleen and stomach meridians. It has the effects of tonifying the spleen and replenishing Qi, clearing away heat and detoxifying, removing phlegm and relieving cough, relieving acute pain and harmonizing various drugs. It is used for cough with phlegm, relieving drug toxicity and potency, etc.

[0006] However, it is difficult to effectively inhibit viruses such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, H5N1, and H7N9 by using the above-mentioned drugs or extracts alone. Summary of the invention

[0007] Purpose of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a new Chinese medicine composition. This patent targets the pathogenic characteristics and pathological links of viral respiratory infectious diseases, takes antiviral, antitussive, expectorant, antipyretic and other activities as evaluation indicators, and forms a composition composed of ephedra, scutellaria, and licorice extracts with synergistic antiviral respiratory infection effects.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] A preparation method and use of a traditional Chinese medicine composition consisting of ephedra, scutellaria and liquorice, namely, a preparation method and use in preparing a medicine for preventing and / or treating viral respiratory tract infections.

[0011] A Chinese medicine composition, characterized in that it consists of ephedra extract, scutellaria baicalensis extract and liquorice extract.

[0012] The ephedra extract, scutellaria baicalensis extract or liquorice extract is prepared by the following steps: 1-8 parts by weight of ephedra, 1-8 parts by weight of scutellaria baicalensis or 1-8 parts by weight of liquorice are extracted with 1-80% ethanol respectively; the mass ratio of the extraction raw material to the 1-80% ethanol is 1:10-20, and during the extraction process, the extraction raw material is soaked in the solvent for 0.5-24 hours, and then heated for extraction for 20-60 minutes; the above extraction method is repeated on the obtained medicinal residues, the two extracts are combined, freeze-dried to powder, and the powders of the obtained extracts are mixed to form a traditional Chinese medicine composition.

[0013] In particular, the Chinese medicine composition is 2 parts by weight of ephedra, 1 part by weight of scutellaria and 2 parts by weight of liquorice, each of which is treated with 40% ethanol 15 times the weight of the medicinal materials. The extracted raw materials are soaked in 40% ethanol for 0.5h and heated under reflux for extraction for 40 minutes. The obtained medicinal residue is subjected to the above extraction method repeatedly, and the two extraction solutions are combined and freeze-dried to powder.

[0014] The application of the traditional Chinese medicine composition in preparing medicine for treating viral respiratory diseases.

[0015] The application is characterized in that the virus is one of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, H5N1, H7N9 or a mixture thereof.

[0016] The Chinese medicine composition has a compatibility effect between ephedra, scutellaria and liquorice, which can synergistically inhibit the invasion of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus into human epithelial cells and synergistically inhibit the production of inflammatory factors by macrophages. The Chinese medicine composition provided by the present invention can effectively prevent viral respiratory tract infections, reduce inflammatory reactions and improve clinical symptoms of viral respiratory tract infections.

[0017] Furthermore, the synergistic effect of the present invention in inhibiting viral invasion and reducing inflammatory response is more significant, and the effect in improving the clinical symptoms of viral respiratory tract infection, including antitussive, expectorant and antipyretic effects, is more significant.

[0018] The Chinese medicine composition of the present invention also includes acceptable adjuvants. The drug and the pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant components can be made into corresponding preparations, including but not limited to any one of powders, powders, pills, granules, microcapsules, fluid extracts, decoctions, capsules, tablets, oral liquids, syrups, gargles, sprays, aerosols, nasal washes, etc.

[0019] Beneficial Effects

[0020] Modern research shows that the pathogenesis of viral respiratory tract infection involves multiple important links: mainly including virus invasion and replication, inflammation and tissue damage. Virus invasion into body cells includes processes such as adsorption, invasion, uncoating, synthesis of viral proteins and nucleic acids, and assembly and release of viruses. Virus invasion requires its surface protein to bind to the specific receptors of target cells. Once the virus invades, it will use the intracellular nucleotide pool to quickly replicate its own genetic material and further release it in large quantities. Virus invasion and replication can cause the body's immune response, and the excessive pro-inflammatory factors produced mediate the inflammatory response and cause tissue damage, leading to a series of symptoms such as fever, cough, dry throat, etc.

[0021] The prior art shows that existing drugs are difficult to effectively treat SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, H5N1, and H7N9. The present invention finds that the Chinese medicine composition can synergistically inhibit the invasion of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus into human epithelial cells and synergistically inhibit the production of inflammatory factors by macrophages. It prevents viral respiratory infections and improves related clinical symptoms by preventing viruses from entering cells; preventing viruses from replicating in cells; inhibiting inflammation in the body; lowering body temperature; relieving cough; reducing phlegm, and increasing the amount of airway secretions in the body. According to the prior art, ephedra, scutellaria, or licorice alone cannot effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Based on this discovery, the present invention uses the Chinese medicine composition to prepare drugs for preventing and / or treating viral infections. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1Optimization of ephedra preparation process, where M1-M5 represent active ingredients in ephedra, M1 and M2 are ephedrine components, M3-M5 are quinolinic acid components, A alcohol content; B time; C material-liquid ratio; D extraction times;

[0023] Figure 2 Optimization of the preparation process of Scutellaria baicalensis, where H1-H5 represent the active ingredients in Scutellaria baicalensis, H1-H3 are flavonoid glycoside components, H4 and H5 are flavonoid aglycones, A alcohol content; B time; C material-liquid ratio; D extraction times;

[0024] Figure 3 Optimization of licorice preparation process. G1-G6 represent the active ingredients in licorice, G1-G5 are flavonoid components, G6 is triterpenoid saponin components, A alcohol content; B time; C material-liquid ratio; D extraction times;

[0025] Figure 4 Visualization of the interaction between different concentrations of ephedra and scutellaria extracts in inhibiting viral invasion; blue indicates synergy and red indicates antagonism; conc.Drug1: concentration of ephedra extract (in terms of crude drug amount μg / mL), conc.Drug2: concentration of scutellaria extract (in terms of crude drug amount μg / mL);

[0026] Figure 5 Visualization of the interaction between different concentrations of ephedra and scutellaria extract in inhibiting IL-1β release. Blue indicates synergy and red indicates antagonism. conc.Drug1: concentration of ephedra extract (in terms of crude drug amount μg / mL), conc.Drug2: concentration of scutellaria extract (in terms of crude drug amount μg / mL);

[0027] Figure 6 Visualization of the interaction between different concentrations of ephedra and licorice extracts in inhibiting IL-1β release. Blue indicates synergy and red indicates antagonism. conc.Drug1: concentration of ephedra extract (in terms of crude drug amount μg / mL), conc.Drug2: concentration of licorice extract (in terms of crude drug amount μg / mL);

[0028] Figure 7 Visualization of the interaction between different concentrations of Scutellaria baicalensis and Licorice extracts in inhibiting IL-1β release. Blue indicates synergy and red indicates antagonism. conc.Drug1: Scutellaria baicalensis extract concentration (in terms of crude drug amount μg / mL), conc.Drug2: Licorice extract concentration (in terms of crude drug amount μg / mL);

[0029] Figure 8 HE-stained lung sections of mice infected with viral respiratory tract, where the scale bar indicates 100 μM. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0032] Example 1 Preferred conditions for preparing the composition.

[0033] Ephedra, Scutellaria and Licorice were crushed separately to obtain crude powder of medicinal materials; single factor optimization experiments were carried out on the preparation conditions of Ephedra, Scutellaria and Licorice by selecting factors such as the mass fraction of medicinal materials added (10-20 times), extraction time (20-60min), number of extractions (1-3 times), and concentration of extraction reagents (0-80%).

[0034] After fixing a single condition, add a certain mass fraction of medicinal material powder and a certain concentration of extraction solvent and soak for half an hour, heat and reflux for extraction for a certain period of time, then filter out the medicinal liquid after separating the medicinal residue. The obtained medicinal liquid is concentrated under reduced pressure and freeze-dried to powder to obtain freeze-dried powder of each medicinal material. The optimal preparation conditions are determined by comparing the extraction rate of key active ingredients in the medicinal materials under various extraction conditions.

[0035] Experimental Results

[0036] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figure 3, the main active ingredients in the medicinal materials are well dissolved within the selected extraction conditions. Furthermore, by comparing the extraction rates of the main active ingredients in the medicinal materials, the optimal preparation conditions for Ephedra, Scutellaria and Licorice are obtained as follows: 40% ethanol with 15 times the weight of the medicinal materials, heating reflux extraction for 40 minutes, and extraction twice.

[0037] Example 2 Preparation of Chinese medicine composition

[0038] 2 parts by weight of ephedra, 1 part by weight of scutellaria and 2 parts by weight of liquorice are crushed to obtain crude powder of medicinal materials. 40% ethanol (15 times the weight of the medicinal materials) is added to soak for half an hour, heated and refluxed for extraction for 40 minutes, then the residue is separated and the liquid medicine is filtered out; the residue is added with the same amount of 40% ethanol (i.e., 15 times the weight of the medicinal materials) and heated and refluxed for extraction for 40 minutes, then the residue is separated and the liquid medicine is filtered out.

[0039] The drug solutions obtained in the above steps were combined, concentrated under reduced pressure, and freeze-dried to powder to obtain freeze-dried powders of various medicinal materials.

[0040] The Chinese medicine composition used in the subsequent examples is: take the above-prepared lyophilized powder of medicinal materials and mix them evenly according to the mass fraction ratio of the crude drugs.

[0041] Example 3 Ephedra and Scutellaria baicalensis combination synergistically inhibits SARS-Cov-2 pseudovirus from invading Calu-3 cells

[0042] Sample processing and experimental methods

[0043] Human lung epithelial cell line Calu-3 was cultured at 4×10 4 The number of cells / well was seeded in a 96-well plate. After culturing the cells for 24 hours, the culture medium was discarded, and 50 μL of the Chinese medicine composition solution of different concentrations and 50 μL of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus solution were added. After continuing to culture for 48 hours, the cell supernatant was discarded, and 100 μL of luciferase reporter gene detection reagent (Novozyme Bio) was added. The chemiluminescent signal was detected on an ELISA instrument to detect the activity of the reporter gene luciferase, thereby evaluating the number of pseudovirus invasions.

[0044] The bliss independent model method in the R package Bayesynergy was used to evaluate the drug synergy. The drug efficacy values ​​of single drug A, single drug B, and combination drug A+B obtained from the experiment were used to calculate the synergy score according to formula 1 and visualized, where cyan represents synergy, and the darker the cyan, the stronger the synergy.

[0045]

[0046] Where E A、 E B、 E AB They represent the A+B efficacy values ​​of a single drug, a single drug, and a combination of drugs, respectively.

[0047] Experimental Results

[0048] As shown in Table 1, both the ephedra extract and the scutellaria extract can inhibit the invasion of pseudoviruses, and the relationship is dose-dependent within a certain concentration range. Compared with the group using the ephedra extract or the scutellaria extract alone, the ability of the combination to inhibit the invasion of pseudoviruses is enhanced. Figure 4 As shown, the interaction between different concentrations of ephedra and scutellaria extracts generally presents a synergistic effect (green or blue). This experiment shows that there is a synergistic effect between ephedra extract and scutellaria extract, which can synergistically inhibit the invasion of pseudoviruses.

[0049] Table 1 Effect of the composition on pseudovirus invasion of cells

[0050]

[0051] Example 4 The combination of Ephedra, Scutellaria and Licorice synergistically inhibits the production of inflammatory factor IL-1β by mouse macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells.

[0052] Sample processing and experimental methods

[0053] Macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was cultured at 4 × 10 4 The number of cells / well was seeded in a 96-well plate, and after 24 hours of cell culture, different concentrations of extract solution and 100 μg / mL virus mimic Poly I: C (a double-stranded RNA, commonly used to simulate virus infection) were added, and the culture was continued for 24 hours. The cell supernatant was taken and the sample was processed according to the instructions provided by the Elisa kit (Hunan Aifang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.), and the absorbance at 450nm was detected on an ELISA reader for detecting the content of IL-1β. The calculation method of the synergistic effect is the same as described in Example 2.

[0054] Experimental Results

[0055] As shown in Table 2, the extracts of Ephedra sinica, Scutellaria baicalensis and Licorice root can inhibit the invasion of pseudoviruses in a dose-dependent manner within a certain concentration range.

[0056] Compared with the use of ephedra extract and scutellaria extract alone, the ability of the combination to inhibit the release of IL-1β is enhanced. Figure 5 As shown, the interaction between different concentrations of Ephedra and Scutellaria extracts generally presents a synergistic effect (green or blue). This experiment shows that there is a synergistic effect between Ephedra extract and Scutellaria extract, which can synergistically inhibit the release of IL-1β.

[0057] Compared with the use of ephedra extract and licorice extract alone, the ability of the combination to inhibit the release of IL-1β is enhanced. Figure 6 As shown, the interaction between different concentrations of ephedra and licorice extracts generally presents a synergistic effect (green or blue). This experiment shows that there is a synergistic effect between ephedra extract and licorice extract, which can synergistically inhibit the release of IL-1β.

[0058] Compared with the use of Scutellaria baicalensis extract and Licorice extract alone, the ability of the combination to inhibit the release of IL-1β is enhanced. Figure 7 As shown, the interaction between different concentrations of Scutellaria baicalensis and Licorice extract generally presents a synergistic effect (green or blue). This experiment shows that there is a synergistic effect between Scutellaria baicalensis extract and Licorice extract, which can synergistically inhibit the release of IL-1β.

[0059] In summary, there is a synergistic anti-inflammatory effect among ephedra extract, scutellaria extract and licorice extract.

[0060] Table 2 Effect of composition on IL-1β release

[0061]

[0062] Example 5 Chinese herbal medicine composition inhibits multiple pseudoviruses from invading Calu-3 and Caco-2 cells

[0063] Sample processing and experimental methods

[0064] The Chinese medicine composition was prepared according to the method in Example 2 above.

[0065] Human lung epithelial cell line Calu-3 was cultured at 4×10 4 The number of cells / well was seeded in a 96-well plate. After culturing the cells for 24 hours, the culture medium was discarded, and 50 μL of the Chinese medicine composition solution of different concentrations and 50 μL of various pseudovirus solutions such as SARS-CoV-2 (WH), SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron), MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, H5N1, and H7N9 were added respectively. After continuing to culture for 48 hours, the cell supernatant was discarded, and 100 μL of luciferase reporter gene detection reagent (Novozyme Bio) was added. The chemiluminescent signal was detected on an enzyme reader to detect the activity of the reporter gene luciferase, thereby evaluating the number of pseudovirus invasions.

[0066] Human colon cell line Caco-2 was cultured at 2×10 4 The number of cells / well was seeded in a 96-well plate. After culturing the cells for 24 hours, the culture medium was discarded, and 50 μL of the Chinese medicine composition solution of different concentrations and 50 μL of various pseudovirus solutions such as SARS-CoV-2 (WH), SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron), MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, etc. were added respectively. After continuing to culture for 48 hours, the cell supernatant was discarded, and 100 μL of luciferase reporter gene detection reagent (Novozyme Bio) was added. The chemiluminescent signal was detected on an enzyme reader to detect the activity of the reporter gene luciferase, thereby evaluating the number of pseudovirus invasions.

[0067] Experimental Results

[0068] As shown in Table 3, the Chinese medicine composition can inhibit the invasion of multiple pseudoviruses into human lung epithelial cells Calu-3, including but not limited to coronaviruses SARS-CoV-2 (WH), SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron), MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, etc.; influenza viruses H5N1, H7N9, etc.

[0069] As shown in Table 4, the Chinese medicine composition can inhibit the invasion of various pseudoviruses into human colon cells Caco-2, including but not limited to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (WH), SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron), MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, etc.

[0070] Table 3 Effects of Chinese herbal medicine combination on invasion of multiple pseudoviruses into Calu-3 cells

[0071]

[0072] Table 4 Effects of Chinese medicine combination on invasion of various pseudoviruses into Caco-2 cells

[0073]

[0074] Example 6 Chinese medicine composition inhibits SARS-CoV-2 microreplicon replication

[0075] Sample processing and experimental methods

[0076] The Chinese medicine composition was prepared according to the method in Example 2 above.

[0077] 293T cells were cultured at 5 × 10 4 The number of cells / well was seeded in a 24-well plate. After 24 hours of cell culture, the culture medium was discarded and 1 mL of different concentrations of the Chinese medicine composition solution was added for 2 hours. Then 30 μL of pBAC-SARS-CoV-2 microreplicon plasmid was added to transfect the cells, and the cells were collected after 48 hours of continuous culture. The intracellular RNA was extracted using a total RNA extraction kit and reversely transcribed into cDNA. RT-qPCR quantitatively analyzed the relative content of the SARS-CoV-2N gene and OFR1ab gene after treatment with different concentrations of Chinese medicine composition.

[0078] Experimental Results

[0079] As shown in Table 5, the RT-qPCR results show that the Chinese medicine composition can inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 microreplicons in cells in a concentration-dependent manner. This experiment shows that the Chinese medicine composition can exert an antiviral effect by inhibiting the replication of the virus in cells.

[0080] Table 5 Effects of Chinese herbal medicine combination on intracellular replication of SARS-CoV-2

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] Example 7 Chinese medicine composition inhibits respiratory inflammatory response in mice induced by Poly I:C

[0084] Sample processing and experimental methods

[0085] 48 Balb / C mice, male, weighing 18-22g, were randomly divided into 6 groups, 8 mice in each group. Tribromoethanol anesthesia, tracheal instillation of 2.5mg / kg Poly I:C induced respiratory inflammation. According to the method in Example 1 above, Chinese medicine composition and single herbal extract were prepared. The medicine was prepared with distilled water before the experiment. The ephedra group, scutellaria group, licorice group and combination group were gavaged with the corresponding extracts, and the control group and model group were gavaged with the same volume of distilled water. Continuous administration for 3d, once a day, 30min after the last administration, blood was taken to kill the mice, a piece of lung lobe was separated and fixed in a polyformaldehyde solution, embedded in paraffin after 48h, and HE stained sections were prepared. Another equal amount of lung tissue was taken, ground into tissue homogenate, and the content of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in mouse lung tissue was detected by Elisa kit.

[0086] Experimental Results

[0087] like Figure 8 As shown in Table 6, by observing the HE staining sections of mouse lung tissue, it was found that compared with the control group, the alveolar structure of the lung tissue in the model group was disordered, bleeding was seen in some alveolar cavities, and more inflammatory cells were seen in the interstitium; compared with the model group, each drug group could improve the virus mimic Poly I:C-mediated mouse lung injury, but the combination was better than the single drug. As shown in Table 6, the ephedra group, scutellaria group, licorice group and combination group could significantly reduce the concentration of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in the lungs of mice, and inhibited the respiratory inflammation of mice, but the combination had the best improvement effect, which was better than the single drug effect, among which the combination group had a significant improvement effect on the TNF-α in the lung tissue compared with the scutellaria group (p<0.05).

[0088] Table 6 Effect of Chinese medicine composition on respiratory tract inflammation caused by Poly I:C in mice

[0089]

[0090] Compared with the control group △ p<0.001; compared with the model group * p<0.05; ** p<0.01; *** p<0.001, compared with the combination group a p<0.05.

[0091] Example 8 Chinese medicine composition inhibits the cough reaction of mice induced by concentrated ammonia

[0092] Sample processing and experimental methods

[0093] 40 ICR mice, male, weighing 18-22g, were randomly divided into 5 groups, 8 mice in each group. According to the method in Example 1 above, the Chinese medicine composition and the single herbal extract were prepared. The drugs were prepared with distilled water before the experiment. The ephedra group, the scutellaria group, the liquorice group, and the combination group were gavaged with the corresponding extracts, and the control group was gavaged with the same volume of distilled water. 30 minutes after the administration, the mice were placed in an inverted 1000mL beaker, and a cotton ball inhaled with 200μL of 25% ammonia was placed inside, and the number of coughs of the mice within 3 minutes was observed and recorded.

[0094] Experimental Results

[0095] As shown in Table 7, the ephedra group, licorice group and combination group can all inhibit the ammonia-induced cough reaction of mice, but the combination has the best improvement effect, which is better than the efficacy of single medicine. Among them, the combination group is significantly better than the ephedra group and the scutellaria group (p<0.001).

[0096] Table 7 Effect of Chinese medicine combination on the cough reaction of mice induced by concentrated ammonia

[0097]

[0098] Compared with the control group * p<0.05; *** p<0.001. Compared with the combination group a p<0.001.

[0099] Example 9: Chinese medicine composition inhibits LPS-induced fever in mice

[0100] Sample processing and experimental methods

[0101] 48 ICR mice, male, weighing 18-22g, were randomly divided into 6 groups, 8 mice in each group. According to the method in Example 1 above, Chinese medicine composition and single herbal extract were prepared. The drugs were prepared with distilled water before the experiment. The ephedra group, scutellaria group, liquorice group and combination group were gavaged with the corresponding extracts, and the control group and model group were gavaged with the same volume of distilled water. 30 minutes after administration, the basal body temperature (rectal temperature) T1 of the mice was measured. The model group and groups 1-5 were injected with 200μg / kg LPS saline solution, and the control group was injected with the same amount of saline. The body temperature (rectal temperature) T2 of the mice was measured 30 minutes later. Body temperature change = T2-T1.

[0102] Experimental Results

[0103] As shown in Table 8, the ephedra group, the scutellaria group and the combination group were all able to inhibit the fever response of mice induced by LPS.

[0104] Table 8 Effect of Chinese medicine composition on fever induced by LPS in mice

[0105]

[0106]

[0107] Compared with the control group △ p<0.001, compared with the model group * p<0.05; *** p<0.001.

[0108] Example 10 Chinese medicine composition increases the amount of airway secretions in mice

[0109] Sample processing and experimental methods

[0110] 40 ICR mice, male, weighing 18-22g, were randomly divided into 5 groups, 8 mice in each group. The Chinese medicine composition was prepared according to the method in Example 1 above. The medicine was prepared with distilled water before the experiment. The ephedra group, scutellaria group, liquorice group and the combination group were gavaged with the corresponding extracts, and the control group was gavaged with the same volume of distilled water. 30 minutes after the administration, 0.5% phenol red solution was injected intraperitoneally. 30 minutes after the injection, the mice were killed and the trachea between the thyroid cartilage and the main bronchus was removed. Immediately placed in 2mL 5% NaHCO 3-solution, stand at 4°C for 24h, centrifuge at 3000rpm for 5min, take 200μL of supernatant and detect absorbance at 558nm wavelength.

[0111] As shown in Table 9, both the licorice group and the combination group can significantly increase the amount of airway secretions in mice, but the combination has the best effect, which is better than the efficacy of a single drug. Among them, the combination group is significantly better than the ephedra group and the scutellaria group (p<0.001), and significantly better than the licorice group (p<0.01).

[0112] Table 9 Effect of Chinese medicine composition on the amount of airway secretions in mice

[0113]

[0114] Compared with the control group *** p<0.001, compared with the combination group a p<0.001, b p<0.01.

[0115] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0116] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is to be understood that the above examples are illustrative and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, and that a person skilled in the art may change, modify, substitute and vary the above examples within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A Chinese medicine composition for treating viral respiratory diseases, characterized in that: The invention comprises an ephedra extract, a scutellaria extract and a liquorice extract; wherein the ephedra extract, the scutellaria extract and the liquorice extract are prepared by the following steps: 1-8 parts by weight of ephedra, 1-8 parts by weight of scutellaria and 1-8 parts by weight of liquorice are extracted with 1-80% ethanol respectively; the mass ratio of the extraction raw material to the 1-80% ethanol is 1:10-20, during the extraction process, the extraction raw material is soaked in the solvent for 0.5-24 hours, and then heated for extraction for 20-60 minutes; the above extraction method is repeated on the obtained medicinal residues, the two extracts are combined, freeze-dried to powder, and the powders of the obtained extracts are mixed to form a traditional Chinese medicine composition.

2. The Chinese medicine composition according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Chinese medicine composition is 2 parts by weight of ephedra, 1 part by weight of scutellaria and 2 parts by weight of liquorice, each of which is soaked in 40% ethanol 15 times the weight of the medicinal materials. The extracted raw materials are soaked in 40% ethanol for 0.5h and heated under reflux for extraction for 40 minutes. The obtained medicinal residues are subjected to the above extraction method repeatedly, the two extraction solutions are combined, freeze-dried to powder, and the powders of the obtained extracts are mixed to form the Chinese medicine composition.

3. Use of the Chinese medicine composition according to claim 1 or 2 in the preparation of a drug for treating viral respiratory diseases, characterized in that: The virus is one of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, H5N1, H7N9 or a mixture thereof.

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