Traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil and application thereof in preparation of medicine for treating pulmonary nodule

Abstract

The application provides a traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil and application thereof in preparation of a medicine for treating pulmonary nodule, relates to the technical field of biological medicine, and the traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil is prepared by compounding essential oil extracted from zedoary, anemarrhena, pinellia ternata, immature bitter orange, paris, and lepidium latifolium by steam distillation as a core component, and matching borneol in a specific ratio. The essential oil can improve the general state, muscle strength and lung function of a pulmonary nodule model mouse, and regulate the expression level of IL-17A and TGF-beta in alveolar lavage fluid, thereby playing a therapeutic role on pulmonary nodule. The application provides a traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil with small side effects, fast effect and convenient use for external treatment of pulmonary nodule in traditional Chinese medicine, and has high clinical application and industrialization value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biomedicine, specifically to a traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil and its application in the preparation of drugs for treating pulmonary nodules. Background Technology

[0002] Pulmonary nodules are focal, round, solid, or subsolid shadows of increased density in the lungs, ≤3 cm in size, as seen on imaging. The Fleischner Society and the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) broadly classify them into solid nodules (SN) and subsolid nodules (SSN). SSN can be further divided into partially solid nodules (PSN) and ground-glass opacities (GGN). Pulmonary nodules often develop insidiously; approximately 50% of cases are asymptomatic. Symptomatic cases typically present with cough, sputum production, hemoptysis, chest pain, fullness, and chest tightness, with or without extrapulmonary manifestations. In later stages, they often lead to pulmonary fibrosis and dyspnea.

[0003] Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classifies pulmonary nodules as belonging to the categories of "pulmonary accumulation" or "abdominal masses," or, based on clinical symptoms, as "cough," "goiter," or "asthenia." The pathogenesis is characterized by a deficiency of the root and an excess of the branch, with the root being deficiency of the body's vital energy (Qi), and the branch being stagnation of Qi, phlegm accumulation, and blood stasis. Clinical treatment often employs methods such as dispersing nodules, promoting Qi circulation, resolving phlegm, removing blood stasis, and strengthening the body's resistance. With the gradual improvement of the TCM external treatment system, the dosage forms and routes of administration for TCM external treatments are also constantly being enriched, such as herbal fumigation, acupoint application, and essential oil inhalation.

[0004] Essential oils, also known as volatile oils, are a distinctive form of aromatic traditional Chinese medicine. They can be administered and penetrate the skin, and also act directly on the respiratory system through inhalation. However, current research focuses primarily on the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils, with limited research on the mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicine volatile oils in treating pulmonary nodules via inhalation and on specific compound formulations. Current treatments for pulmonary nodules mainly rely on follow-up observation, surgical biopsy, and Western medicine, which carries the risk of overtreatment for patients with benign nodules and lack readily available and convenient external treatment formulations based on traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, this invention aims to provide a traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil that can effectively improve the pathological state of pulmonary nodules, has good safety profile, and is easy to administer. Summary of the Invention

[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil and its application in the preparation of drugs for treating pulmonary nodules.

[0007] (II) Technical Solution

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] This invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil, which is made from the following raw materials in parts by volume: 5-18 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 3-16 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 3-16 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 5-18 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 3-16 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 3-16 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 3-16 parts of Borneol.

[0010] Specifically, the herbal compound essential oil is made from the following raw materials in parts by volume: 8-15 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 5-13 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 5-13 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 8-15 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 5-13 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 5-13 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 5-13 parts of Borneol.

[0011] Specifically, the herbal compound essential oil is made from the following raw materials in parts by volume: 12 parts Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 10 parts Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 10 parts Pinellia ternata essential oil, 12 parts Citrus aurantium essential oil, 10 parts Paris polyphylla essential oil, 10 parts Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 10 parts Borneol.

[0012] Specifically, the essential oils in the herbal compound are made from Curcuma zedoaria, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Pinellia ternata, Citrus aurantium, Paris polyphylla, and Lepidium apetalum, extracted by steam distillation using these ingredients respectively, with the purity of the essential oils maintained at over 99%. The borneol is purchased commercially and added in powder or solution form.

[0013] Specifically, the essential oils of Curcuma zedoaria, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Pinellia ternata, Citrus aurantium, Paris polyphylla, and Lepidium apetalum can also be purchased commercially.

[0014] This invention provides the application of the aforementioned traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil in the preparation of a drug for treating pulmonary nodules.

[0015] Curcuma zedoaria: The dried rhizome of Curcuma phaeocaulis Val., Curcuma wangsiensis SG Lee et CF Liang, or Curcuma wenyujin YH Chen et C. Ling, all belonging to the ginger family. It has a pungent and bitter taste, and is warm in nature. It enters the liver and spleen meridians. It has the effects of promoting qi circulation, breaking up blood stasis, eliminating stagnation, and relieving pain. It is used for abdominal masses, amenorrhea due to blood stasis, chest pain, and abdominal distension due to food stagnation. The volatile oil of Curcuma zedoaria mainly contains monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and blood-activating and stasis-removing effects, and can be used for respiratory diseases, digestive diseases, and skin infections.

[0016] Anemarrhenae Rhizoma: the dried rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. belonging to the Liliaceae family. It tastes bitter and sweet, and is cold in nature. It acts on the lung, stomach and kidney meridians. It has the effects of clearing heat and purging fire, nourishing yin and moistening dryness. It is used for exogenous febrile diseases, high fever with thirst and restlessness, lung heat and dry cough, bone steaming and tidal fever, internal heat and consumptive thirst, and intestinal dryness and constipation. The volatile oil of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma mainly contains monoterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, which have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, sedation and tranquillization.

[0017] Pinelliae Rhizoma: the dried tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. belonging to the Araceae family. It tastes pungent, and is warm in nature. It acts on the spleen, stomach and lung meridians. It has the effects of drying dampness and resolving phlegm, lowering adverse qi and stopping vomiting, and relieving focal distension and dissipating masses. It is used for damp phlegm and cold phlegm, cough and asthma with excessive sputum, phlegm-fluid vertigo and palpitation, wind phlegm vertigo, phlegm syncope and headache, vomiting and regurgitation, chest and epigastric focal distension and fullness, plum kernel qi; it is externally used for treating abscesses, swellings and phlegm nodules. The volatile oil of Pinelliae Rhizoma mainly contains components such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, ethers and esters, which have biological activities such as antitussive, expectorant, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antibacterial, sedative and hypnotic effects.

[0018] Aurantii Fructus Immaturus: the dried young fruit of Citrus aurantium L. and its cultivated variants, or Citrus sinensis Osbeck belonging to the Rutaceae family. It tastes bitter, pungent and sour, and is slightly cold in nature. It acts on the spleen and stomach meridians. It has the effects of breaking qi and resolving food stagnation, resolving phlegm and dissipating focal distension. It is used for internal accumulation of stagnant food, focal distension and fullness with pain, dysentery with tenesmus, unobstructed defecation, phlegm stagnation and qi obstruction, chest impediment, chest binding syndrome, and visceroptosis. The volatile oil of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus includes monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and their oxygenated derivatives, which have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, antibacterial and gastrointestinal motility regulation.

[0019] Paridis Rhizoma: the dried rhizome of Paris polyphylla Sm. belonging to the Melanthiaceae family. It tastes bitter, and is slightly cold in nature. It acts on the liver meridian. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain, cooling the liver and arresting convulsions. It is used for carbuncles and boils, sore throat, snake and insect bites, traumatic injuries with pain, and convulsions due to febrile diseases. The volatile oil of Paridis Rhizoma mainly contains components such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and fatty acid esters, which have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, bacteriostasis, analgesia and antipruritus.

[0020] Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen: the dried mature seed of Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb. ex Prantl. or Lepidium apetalum Willd. belonging to the Brassicaceae family. It tastes pungent and bitter, and is very cold in nature. It acts on the lung and bladder meridians. It has the effects of purging the lung to relieve asthma, promoting urination and reducing edema. It is used for phlegm and saliva obstructing the lung, asthma and cough with excessive sputum, fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, inability to lie flat, edema of the chest and abdomen, and dysuria. The volatile oil of Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen mainly contains components such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, which have pharmacological effects such as cardiotonic, anti-inflammation, anti-asthma, diuresis and blood lipid regulation.

[0021] Borneol: Colorless, transparent or white, translucent, flaky, brittle crystals; fragrant aroma, pungent and cool taste, slightly cold in nature; enters the heart, spleen, and lung meridians; volatile, produces thick smoke and a luminous flame when ignited. It has the effects of opening the orifices and refreshing the mind, clearing heat and relieving pain. Used for febrile delirium, convulsions, stroke with phlegm syncope, sudden syncope due to qi stagnation, coma due to sudden illness, chest pain, red eyes, mouth sores, sore throat, and ear discharge.

[0022] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0023] This invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil and its application in the preparation of drugs for treating pulmonary nodules. The compound essential oil uses volatile oils extracted by steam distillation of Curcuma zedoaria, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Pinellia ternata, Citrus aurantium, Paris polyphylla, and Lepidium apetalum as its core components, combined with borneol in a specific ratio. In this formula, Curcuma zedoaria and Citrus aurantium work synergistically to promote qi circulation, break up blood stasis, and dissipate nodules; Pinellia ternata and Lepidium apetalum work together to resolve phlegm, purge the lungs, and dissipate nodules; Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Paris polyphylla work together to clear heat, moisten dryness, detoxify, and reduce swelling; and borneol, with its aromatic and penetrating properties, guides the other herbs upwards to the lungs and directly to the lesion, while also promoting the absorption of the volatile oil components. All components of the formula work synergistically to promote qi circulation, resolve phlegm, break up blood stasis, dissipate nodules, clear heat, detoxify, and guide the other herbs to the affected area.

[0024] This invention establishes a mouse pulmonary nodule model by injecting Propionibacterium acnes. After inhalation administration, the results showed that this traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil improved the overall condition, muscle strength, and lung function of the mice with pulmonary nodules, and regulated the expression levels of IL-17A and TGF-β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on pulmonary nodules. This invention provides a traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil for the external treatment of pulmonary nodules with few side effects, rapid efficacy, and convenient use, possessing high clinical application and industrialization value. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 The study compared lung function indicators and inflammatory factor levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid among the different groups of mice. Where a represents a comparison with the control group (P < 0.05), b represents a comparison with the model group (P < 0.05), and c represents a comparison with the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil (P < 0.05). Detailed Implementation

[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] Example 1

[0028] A compound essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine, wherein the compound essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine is made from the following raw materials in volume fractions: 12 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 10 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 10 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 12 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 10 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 10 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 10 parts of Borneol.

[0029] The essential oils of Curcuma zedoaria, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Pinellia ternata, Citrus aurantium, Paris polyphylla, and Lepidium apetalum were all extracted using steam distillation, and the purity of the essential oils was maintained at over 99%.

[0030] The herbal compound essential oil is used to prepare a drug for treating pulmonary nodules, and the drug is an inhaled preparation or a transdermal patch.

[0031] Example 2

[0032] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the compound essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine is made from the following raw materials in volume fractions: 8 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 5 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 5 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 8 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 5 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 5 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 5 parts of Borneol.

[0033] Example 3

[0034] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the herbal compound essential oil is made from the following raw materials in volume fractions: 15 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 13 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 13 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 15 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 13 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 13 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 13 parts of Borneol.

[0035] Example 4

[0036] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the compound essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine is made from the following raw materials in volume fractions: 5 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 3 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 3 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 5 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 3 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 3 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 3 parts of Borneol.

[0037] Example 5

[0038] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the herbal compound essential oil is made from the following raw materials in volume fractions: 18 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 16 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 16 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 18 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 16 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 16 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 16 parts of Borneol.

[0039] Example 6

[0040] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the herbal compound essential oil is made from the following raw materials in volume fractions: 16 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 15 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 15 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 13 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 15 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 15 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 14 parts of Borneol.

[0041] Experimental Example 1

[0042] 1. Materials

[0043] 1.1 Animals

[0044] One hundred and eight SPF-grade C57BL / 6 mice, female, 6-8 weeks old, weighing 18-20g, were purchased from Jinan Pengyue Experimental Animal Breeding Co., Ltd., Shandong Province. License No.: SCXK (Lu) 20220006; Certificate No.: 370726241100406153; Experimental Unit License No.: SYXK (Yu) 2021-0015; Animal Experiment Training No.: NO00826; Animal Ethics Approval No.: IACUC-202405027.

[0045] 1.2 Reagents and Drugs

[0046] Propionibacterium acnes lyophilized powder (Beina Biotechnology), specification: 200μL lyophilized powder, product number: BNCC330605; Dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection (Xinxiang Huachu Trade Co., Ltd.), specification: 1mL / vial * 10 vials / box, production batch number: 240701.

[0047] The compound essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine in this invention (Zhizhuting essential oil): 6mL of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 5mL of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 5mL of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 6mL of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 5mL of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 5mL of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 5g of Borneol;

[0048] Comparison of essential oil A: Curcuma zedoaria essential oil 6mL, Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil 5mL, Pinellia ternata essential oil 5mL, Citrus aurantium essential oil 6mL, Borneol 5g;

[0049] Comparison essential oil B: 5mL Pinellia ternata essential oil, 6mL Citrus aurantium essential oil, 5mL Paris polyphylla essential oil, 5mL Lepidium apetalum essential oil, 5g Borneol;

[0050] Comparison essential oil C: Curcuma zedoaria essential oil 6mL, Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil 5mL, Paris polyphylla essential oil 5mL, Lepidium apetalum essential oil 5mL, Borneol 5g;

[0051] Comparison essential oil D: 6mL cinnamon twig essential oil, 5mL scrophularia essential oil, 5mL pinellia essential oil, 6mL immature bitter orange essential oil, 5mL Paris polyphylla essential oil, 5mL lepidium seed essential oil, 5g borneol;

[0052] The essential oils mentioned above were prepared by steam distillation using Curcuma zedoaria, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Pinellia ternata, Citrus aurantium, Paris polyphylla, and Lepidium apetalum as raw materials. The purity of the essential oils was ≥99%. Borneol was purchased from Zhang Zhongjing Pharmacy. The oils were accurately weighed according to the above volume proportions and mixed evenly to obtain the final product.

[0053] 1.3 Instruments

[0054] Tabletop high-speed centrifuge (Zhongjia Branch of Daxin Innovation Co., Ltd., Model: AL204); Electronic balance (Mettler-Toledo Instruments (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Model: EK813); Electronic scale (Guangdong Xiangshan Weighing Instrument Group Co., Ltd., Model: F6 / 10-10G); Microplate reader (Made in Japan, Model: Benchmark Plus).

[0055] 2. Experimental Methods

[0056] 2.1 Microbial Culture

[0057] Take two Columbia agar blood plates; after sterilizing the surface of the ampoules, open them in a biosafety cabinet, flame the tops with an alcohol lamp, then quickly drip sterile water onto them to break them, and then crush them with tweezers; add 0.5 mL of sterile water to the lyophilized Propionibacterium acnes powder, and after fully dissolving the powder, inoculate it into the plates, 200 μL per plate, spreading it evenly; incubate under anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 3-4 days to obtain activated Propionibacterium acnes. Prepare Propionibacterium acnes bacterial suspensions at concentrations of 2 mg / mL and 10 mg / mL, respectively, and inactivate them in a 60°C water bath for 30 min for later use.

[0058] 2.2 Modeling and Drug Administration

[0059] Mice were acclimatized for one week, and a mouse model of pulmonary nodules induced by Propionibacterium acnes was established as follows: On day 0 of modeling, model mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0.25 mL of Propionibacterium acnes suspension (2 mg / mL), and on days 14 and 28, they were injected intratracheally with 0.05 mL of Propionibacterium acnes suspension (10 mg / mL). The control group was given an equal volume of PBS. The intratracheal injection procedure was as follows: Mice in each group were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital, fixed to the operating table with their abdomens facing upwards, neck hair was removed, and the area was disinfected with iodine. A 1 cm longitudinal incision was made in the midline of the neck, and the trachea was bluntly dissected with forceps until it was exposed. 0.05 mL of Propionibacterium acnes suspension was injected into the trachea, and the wound was quickly sutured. After surgery, 250,000 U / kg was injected into the thigh muscle of the mice. -1 Inject penicillin once daily for 3 consecutive days to prevent infection. After rotating the mice left and right, suspend them head-down for 1 minute to allow *Propionibacterium acnes* to distribute evenly in the lung tissue.

[0060] Mice were randomly divided into nine groups: a blank control group (Ctrl), a model group (Model), a dexamethasone group (Dex), a high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil (ZZT-H), a low-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil (ZZT-L), and a control group of essential oil AD (DZ-A~DZ-D), with 12 mice in each group. Drug administration began on day 21 after model establishment. All Citrus aurantium essential oil groups and the control group AD were administered the drug via inhalation using a self-made small animal olfactory device: the essential oil was atomized and released into the olfactory chamber for inhalation, with a dosing frequency of once daily. During the olfactory intervention, mice were placed in a self-made sealed olfactory chamber (45×30×25 cm). The corresponding test essential oils were added to the nebulizer cup (10 μL / mouse for the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 5 μL / mouse for the low-dose group, and 10 μL / mouse for both the AD control groups). The air compressor pump was started, and the essential oils were atomized and diffused throughout the chamber using constant condensed air. The time was set for 40 minutes each time, once a day. The positive control group received an intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg / kg dexamethasone aqueous solution twice a week; the model group and the blank group inhaled olive oil via the same method and volume once a day for 14 consecutive days.

[0061] 2.3 Detection Indicators

[0062] 2.3.1 General Observation

[0063] Throughout the experiment, the survival status of mice in each group was recorded, and the condition of their fur, food and water intake, activity levels, and whether there was swelling of the cervical and axillary lymph nodes were observed.

[0064] 2.3.2 Mouse forelimb grip strength test

[0065] The changes in maximum contractile muscle strength of the forelimbs of mice in each group were detected using a mouse grip strength tester.

[0066] 2.3.3 Mouse lung function test

[0067] Tidal volume (TV), respiratory rate (f), and maximum expiratory flow (PEF) of mice in each group were measured using a non-invasive pulmonary function testing system to assess lung function.

[0068] 2.3.4 Detection of IL-17A and TGF-β levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

[0069] Mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and the left lung lobe was ligated. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected. BALF was centrifuged at 4°C for 10 min (3000 r·min). -1 Collect the supernatant and determine and calculate the contents of IL-17A and TGF-β in BALF according to the method described in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

[0070] 2.3.5 Data Processing

[0071] Data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism v.9.0 statistical software. One-way ANOVA was used for between-group analysis, and Brown-Forsythe and Welch ANOVA tests were used to analyze groups with unequal variances. P < 0.05 was considered a significant difference, and P < 0.01 was considered a significant difference.

[0072] 3. Results

[0073] 3.1 Changes in mouse body weight

[0074] No mice died during the experiment, and their general condition showed no obvious abnormalities. The results of weight measurement are shown in Table 1: Compared with the blank group, the weight of mice in the model group decreased significantly (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the weight of mice in the dexamethasone group and the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil increased significantly (P<0.05); the weight improvement effect of each control essential oil group was weaker than that of the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil.

[0075] Table 1. Effects of Citrus aurantium and Atractylodes macrocephala essential oil on body weight in mice with pulmonary nodules (n=12)

[0076]

[0077] Note: a indicates P<0.05 compared to the blank group, b indicates P<0.05 compared to the model group, and c indicates P<0.05 compared to the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil.

[0078] 3.2 Changes in maximum contractile muscle strength of the mouse forelimb

[0079] The results of maximum contractile muscle strength in the forelimbs of mice are shown in Table 2. Compared with the blank group, the maximum contractile muscle strength of the model group mice was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil significantly improved the maximum contractile muscle strength of mice (P<0.05). The muscle strength of the control essential oil AD group was between that of the model group and the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil, showing some improvement compared with the model group, but the muscle strength level was still significantly lower than that of the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil. The above results confirm that the compound essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine in this invention can significantly improve the myasthenia gravis in mice with pulmonary nodules, and the effect is better than that of each control essential oil group, suggesting that there is a synergistic effect among the components of this invention, thereby improving the overall efficacy.

[0080] Table 2. Effects of Citrus aurantium and Atractylodes lancea essential oil on the maximum contractile muscle strength of the forelimb in mice with pulmonary nodules (n=12)

[0081]

[0082] Note: a indicates P<0.05 compared to the blank group, b indicates P<0.05 compared to the model group, and c indicates P<0.05 compared to the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil.

[0083] 3.3 Changes in lung function in mice

[0084] Changes in lung function in mice, such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure. Compared with the blank group, the tidal volume, maximum expiratory flow, and respiratory rate of the model group mice were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the high dose of Citrus aurantium essential oil significantly increased the tidal volume and maximum expiratory flow of mice, and significantly improved the respiratory rate of mice (P<0.05); although the lung function indicators of the control essential oil AD group mice were improved to some extent, the improvement was not as great as that of the high dose of Citrus aurantium essential oil group. The above results confirm that the compound essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine in this invention can significantly improve the lung function damage of pulmonary nodule model mice, and the effect is better than that of each control essential oil group, suggesting that the combination of the components of this invention has a synergistic effect.

[0085] 3.4 Changes in IL-17A and TGF-β levels in mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid

[0086] ELISA test results as follows Figure 1 As shown in the figure. Compared with the blank group, the content of IL-17A in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the model group mice was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the content of TGF-β was significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil had significantly decreased IL-17A content (P<0.01) and significantly increased TGF-β content (P<0.05); the improvement in IL-17A and TGF-β levels in the control essential oil AD group was weaker than that in the high-dose group of Citrus aurantium essential oil. The above results confirm that the compound essential oil of traditional Chinese medicine in this invention can significantly regulate the inflammatory response and inhibit the fibrosis process in mice with pulmonary nodules, and the effect is better than that of each control essential oil group, suggesting that there is a synergistic relationship between the components of this invention, which can jointly exert anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects.

[0087] 4. Discussion

[0088] Pulmonary nodules fall under the category of "lung accumulation" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), characterized by deficiency of the root and excess of the branch, with deficiency of the body's vital energy as the root and nodules as the branch. The basic pathogenesis involves qi stagnation, phlegm accumulation, and blood stasis. Modern physicians often treat this condition with methods such as dispersing nodules, promoting qi circulation, resolving phlegm, removing blood stasis, strengthening the body's resistance, warming yang, and moistening the lungs, combined with individual constitution regulation. This study established a mouse model of pulmonary nodules by injecting Propionibacterium acnes. The mice were then treated with inhaled administration of the herbal compound essential oil, and the levels of IL-17A and TGF-β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were detected using ELISA to explore its mechanism of action. The results showed that the mice in each group had no significant abnormalities in general condition and no deaths. The model group exhibited weight loss, muscle weakness, and decreased lung function. Inhalation administration of the compound essential oil from this invention significantly improved these indicators and effectively regulated the levels of IL-17A and TGF-β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Crucially, while the control groups A-D (with some herbs missing or replaced) showed some improvement in muscle strength, lung function, and inflammatory factor indicators, the overall effect was significantly weaker than that of the herbal compound essential oil group of this invention, suggesting the synergistic effect of the specific compound combination of this invention.

[0089] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A compound essential oil made from traditional Chinese medicine, characterized in that, The herbal compound essential oil is made from the following raw materials in parts by volume: 5-18 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 3-16 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 3-16 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 5-18 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 3-16 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 3-16 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 3-16 parts of Borneol.

2. The traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The herbal compound essential oil is made from the following raw materials in parts by volume: 8-15 parts of Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 5-13 parts of Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 5-13 parts of Pinellia ternata essential oil, 8-15 parts of Citrus aurantium essential oil, 5-13 parts of Paris polyphylla essential oil, 5-13 parts of Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 5-13 parts of Borneol.

3. The traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil according to claim 1, characterized in that, The herbal compound essential oil is made from the following raw materials in parts by volume: 12 parts Curcuma zedoaria essential oil, 10 parts Anemarrhena asphodeloides essential oil, 10 parts Pinellia ternata essential oil, 12 parts Citrus aurantium essential oil, 10 parts Paris polyphylla essential oil, 10 parts Lepidium apetalum essential oil, and 10 parts Borneol.

4. The traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The essential oils of Curcuma zedoaria, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Pinellia ternata, Citrus aurantium, Paris polyphylla, and Lepidium apetalum are extracted by steam distillation from Curcuma zedoaria, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Pinellia ternata, Citrus aurantium, Paris polyphylla, and Lepidium apetalum, respectively, with the purity of the essential oils maintained at over 99%. The borneol is added in the form of powder or solution.

5. The use of the traditional Chinese medicine compound essential oil as described in any one of claims 1 to 4 in the preparation of a medicament for treating pulmonary nodules.

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