A trillium tschonoskii extract, a method of preparing the same, and an application thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a cat's claw extract, a preparation method and application thereof, and belongs to the technical field of traditional Chinese medicine extracts. The technical problem to be solved is to provide application of the cat's claw extract in preparation of a medicine for treating lung nodules complicated with depression. The technical solution is that the cat's claw extract is prepared from water extraction of cat's claw and purification and elution of the water extraction by a macroporous resin, or is prepared from cat's claw by sequential alcohol extraction, water extraction and alcohol precipitation, and the cat's claw extract has a brand-new effect of treating lung nodules complicated with depression, and the pharmaceutical application of the cat's claw extract is expanded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of traditional Chinese medicine extract technology, specifically relating to a cat's claw herb extract, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology

[0002] Pulmonary nodules are focal, round or oval, solid or subsolid pulmonary shadows with increased density, less than 3 cm in diameter, as seen on imaging. They can be solitary or multiple. With the widespread use of multi-slice spiral CT and extensive lung cancer screening, the detection rate of pulmonary nodules has significantly improved. Statistics show that over 95% of pulmonary nodules are benign, with common types including granulomas, lymph nodes, and inflammatory pseudotumors. Although most pulmonary nodules are benign and can heal spontaneously, some patients may progress to chronic conditions, even developing pulmonary fibrosis or malignant tumors. Currently, anxiety and depression are common negative emotions in patients with pulmonary nodules. These negative emotional states can cause varying degrees of immune dysfunction and low-grade inflammation. Studies have found that negative emotions and immune dysfunction and inflammation have a mutually reinforcing effect: immune dysfunction and inflammation can lead to negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, which in turn can exacerbate this process, thus forming a vicious cycle. Therefore, if patients are not given timely and positive psychological counseling, it will not only aggravate their negative emotions, but also have an adverse effect on the prognosis of the disease.

[0003] Relevant patent documents retrieved: This patent, published in China (CN1026002508A) on December 18, 2023, discloses an in-situ gel-release formulation of *Cat's Claw* herb. The active ingredient in this formulation is *Cat's Claw* extract or its powder. This invention is beneficial for targeted interventional treatment of refractory, relapsed, and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and can significantly improve the cure rate of tuberculosis.

[0004] This patent, published in China (CN105412265A) on March 23, 2016, discloses an extract of the traditional Chinese medicine *Uncaria rhynchophylla* and its uses. The *Uncaria rhynchophylla* extract is a polar solvent extract, and both its aqueous and polar organic solvent extracts have therapeutic effects on depression. The *Uncaria rhynchophylla* extract is a novel use in the preparation of drugs or foods for the prevention and treatment of depression, showing significant effects in preventing and treating depression caused by various factors.

[0005] The prior art represented by the aforementioned documents has at least the following unresolved technical problems or defects: Patent document CN1026002508A only records that cat's claw extract or its raw powder can be used to treat refractory, relapsed, and multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis through interventional drug delivery. This document only confirms the intervention effect of cat's claw extract on pulmonary tuberculosis lesions, but does not disclose its effect on pulmonary nodules combined with depression complications.

[0006] Patent document CN105412265A, through a mouse spontaneous activity experiment to eliminate central nervous system excitation interference, combined with tail suspension test and forced swimming experiment, verifies that the *Corydalis yanhusuo* extract prepared in Example 1 can significantly improve hopeless and depressive-like behaviors in mice. An in vitro glutamate-induced hippocampal primary neuronal injury model shows that it can increase neuronal survival rate, reduce LDH release, and antagonize excitotoxicity, concluding that *Corydalis yanhusuo* extract has significant potential in vitro and in vivo antidepressant pharmacological activity. This patent document only demonstrates that the aqueous extract of *Corydalis yanhusuo* can exert a central nervous system protective effect by antagonizing glutamate-mediated hippocampal neuronal excitotoxicity and enhancing hippocampal neuronal activity, directly improving stress-induced hopeless and depressive-like behaviors; it does not record its intervention effect on depression caused by pulmonary nodules.

[0007] In conclusion, there are currently no studies on the effects of cat's claw extract on depression associated with pulmonary nodules. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide: A cat's claw herb extract and related technologies are proposed to provide more effective treatment options for pulmonary nodules complicated with depression.

[0009] Terminology Explanation: Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Unless otherwise stated, all patents, patent inventions, and publications cited throughout this document are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. If multiple definitions exist for terms in this document, the definitions provided in this chapter shall prevail.

[0010] It should be understood that the above brief description and the following detailed description are exemplary and for illustrative purposes only, and do not limit the subject matter of the invention in any way. In this invention, the singular is used in conjunction with the plural unless otherwise specifically stated. It should also be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the use of “or” or “or” means “and / or”. Furthermore, the use of the term “comprising” and other forms such as “including,” “containing,” and “contains” are not limiting.

[0011] Definitions of standard chemical terms can be found in the reference "Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2025 Edition)".

[0012] Unless otherwise stated, conventional methods within the scope of the art shall be used, such as statistical analysis of data, pathological examination of lung tissue, lung CT examination, detection of inflammatory factors and chemokine levels, and detection of corticosterone (CORT) and leptin levels.

[0013] Unless specifically defined herein, the use of all commercially available products herein employs standard techniques. For example, it may be carried out using the manufacturer's instructions for use with the kit, or in accordance with methods known in the art or the description of this invention. The techniques and methods described herein can generally be implemented according to conventional methods well known in the art, based on the descriptions in the various summary and more specific documents cited and discussed in this specification.

[0014] The terms “optional / arbitrary” or “optionally / arbitrarily” mean that the event or situation described below may or may not occur, including both the occurrence and non-occurrence of the event or situation. As used herein, “cat's claw grass” refers to the dried tuberous root of *Ranunculus ternatus* Thunb., a plant in the Ranunculaceae family.

[0015] The term "crushing" as used in this article refers to a general pretreatment operation that uses mechanical force to break up whole Chinese medicinal root tubers and slices, reduce the particle size of the material, and increase the contact area between the medicinal material and the extraction solvent; it includes, but is not limited to, all processing methods that reduce the particle size of materials, such as manual crushing, coarse crushing with a crusher, grinding with a multi-functional pulverizer, and milling.

[0016] The term "concentration" as used in this article refers to a process that uses physical or chemical methods to remove solvents (such as water) from materials, thereby increasing the concentration of active ingredients and reducing their volume. This includes conventional concentration methods in this field such as vacuum concentration, spray concentration, and vacuum distillation.

[0017] The term "solid-liquid separation" as used in this article refers to the process of separating the solid phase and the liquid phase from each other in a solid-liquid mixture. This includes conventional solid-liquid separation methods in this field, such as filtration (atmospheric pressure filtration, vacuum filtration), centrifugation, and pressing.

[0018] The term "drying" as used in this article refers to the conventional operation of removing moisture from liquid mixtures or solid components to obtain dried products, including but not limited to vacuum freeze drying, low-temperature drying, spray drying, and hot air drying.

[0019] In this article, the term "coarse powder" refers to powder that can pass through the No. 2 sieve completely, but contains no more than 40% powder that can pass through the No. 4 sieve.

[0020] The term "double-distilled water" used throughout this article refers to high-purity water obtained by purifying raw water through two distillations, which can reduce the interference of ions and impurities on the extraction of medicinal materials and pharmacological experiments.

[0021] All terms “room temperature” in this article refer to 10-30℃.

[0022] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention provides: a cat's claw extract prepared by elution of cat's claw water extract by macroporous resin purification or by cat's claw being successively extracted with alcohol, water and precipitated with alcohol.

[0023] In some embodiments, the preparation method of the cat's claw extract includes the following steps: the cat's claw is pulverized, soaked in water, refluxed for extraction, the extracts are combined, concentrated, eluted with macroporous resin, the eluent is collected, and dried to constant weight.

[0024] The reflux extraction is performed by reflux extraction at 95-100℃ at least once, followed by solid-liquid separation and merging of the extracts.

[0025] Preferably, the reflux extraction is performed 1-5 times, more preferably 1-4 times, and even more preferably 2-3 times.

[0026] Preferably, during each reflux extraction process, the amount of water added is 8-12 times the mass of cat's claw grass, more preferably 8-11 times, and even more preferably 9-10 times.

[0027] Preferably, the reflux extraction time is 0.5-3 hours during each reflux extraction process; more preferably, it is 0.5-2 hours; and even more preferably, it is 0.5-1 hours.

[0028] The soaking treatment can better promote the dissolution of active ingredients during reflux extraction. Preferably, the soaking is performed at 35-37℃ for 0.5-2 hours; more preferably, 0.5-1.5 hours; and even more preferably, 0.5-1 hour.

[0029] The concentration is carried out under reduced pressure at 50-60℃ to a concentration of 1.5-2g crude drug / g extract.

[0030] The macroporous resin is D101 macroporous resin.

[0031] The elution process involves: a macroporous resin diameter-to-height ratio of 1:5-8, and a loading solution concentration of 1-1.5 g crude drug / g. m L, the sample volume is 3-5 BV, and elution is performed with 4-6 BV of water.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cat's claw extract is prepared by sequentially extracting cat's claw with alcohol, water, and alcohol.

[0033] Specifically, the preparation method of the cat's claw extract includes the following steps: (1) After crushing the cat's claw herb, add an ethanol aqueous solution for reflux extraction, and separate the solid and liquid to obtain the residue; (2) The residue was extracted by reflux with water, the solid and liquid were separated, and the extracts were combined to obtain an aqueous extract; (3) Concentrate the water extract, precipitate with alcohol, let stand and filter, and dry the precipitate to constant weight.

[0034] The reflux extraction in step (1) is as follows: after soaking in an aqueous ethanol solution with a volume fraction of 72%-88%, the reflux extraction is performed at least once, and the reflux extraction time is 0.5-3 hours each time. The amount of aqueous ethanol solution added in each reflux extraction is 8-12 times the mass of the cat's claw grass.

[0035] Preferably, the volume fraction of ethanol in the aqueous ethanol solution in step (1) is 76%-84%; more preferably 78%-82%; and even more preferably 80%.

[0036] Preferably, the reflux extraction in step (1) is performed 1-5 times, more preferably 1-4 times, and even more preferably 2-3 times.

[0037] Preferably, the reflux extraction time in step (1) is 0.5-2.5h; more preferably 0.5-2h; and even more preferably 0.5-1h.

[0038] Preferably, the amount of ethanol aqueous solution added in each reflux extraction in step (1) is 8-11 times the mass of cat's claw grass, and more preferably 9-10 times.

[0039] Preferably, the soaking treatment in step (1) can better promote the dissolution of active ingredients during reflux extraction. Preferably, the soaking time is 0.5-2h; more preferably 0.5-1.5h; and even more preferably 0.5-1h.

[0040] The reflux extraction in step (2) is as follows: reflux extraction at 95-100℃ at least once, the time of each reflux extraction is 0.5-3h, and the amount of water added in each reflux extraction is 8-12 times the mass of cat's claw grass.

[0041] Preferably, the reflux extraction is performed 1-5 times, more preferably 1-4 times, and even more preferably 2-3 times.

[0042] Preferably, during each reflux extraction process, the amount of water added is 8-11 times the mass of cat's claw grass, more preferably 9-10 times.

[0043] Preferably, the reflux extraction time is 0.5-2 hours during each reflux extraction process; more preferably, it is 0.5-1 hour.

[0044] The concentrated alcohol precipitation in step (3) is as follows: concentrate to a relative density of 1.4-1.5, and add ethanol to make the final ethanol concentration 70%-80%.

[0045] Secondly, the present invention provides a method for preparing the above-mentioned cat's claw extract.

[0046] Thirdly, the present invention provides the use of the above-mentioned cat's claw extract in the preparation of a medicament for treating pulmonary nodules complicated with depression.

[0047] In some embodiments, the drug includes cat's claw extract and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

[0048] As an alternative implementation, the pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include any one or a combination of at least two of the following: carriers, diluents, excipients, fillers, binders, wetting agents, emulsifiers, cosolvents, surfactants, or buffers.

[0049] As an alternative implementation, the dosage form of the drug is selected from mixtures, ointments, pills, lozenges, tablets, granules, powders, capsules, oral solutions, or syrups.

[0050] Suitable drug carriers can be selected for different dosage forms. For example, the drug carrier used can be solid, liquid, or gaseous. Examples of solid carriers include lactose, kaolin, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, gum arabic, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid. Examples of liquid carriers include syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, and water. Examples of gaseous carriers include carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

[0051] In preparing compositions for oral dosage forms, any convenient pharmaceutical medium can be used. For example, water, ethanol, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, coloring agents, etc., can be used to form oral liquid dosage forms, such as suspensions and solutions; while carriers, such as starch, sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulators, emulsifiers, lubricants, binders, and disintegrants, can be used to form oral solid dosage forms, such as granules, capsules, and tablets. Tablets and capsules are preferred oral dosage units using solid pharmaceutical carriers due to their ease of administration. Tablets can be coated using standard aqueous or non-aqueous techniques.

[0052] Tablets containing the cat's claw extract of this invention can be prepared by compression or molding, optionally using one or more excipients or adjuvants. The active ingredient can be compressed in a free-flowing form (e.g., powder or granules) in a suitable machine, optionally mixed with binders, lubricants, inert diluents, surfactants, or dispersants. Molded tablets can be formed in a suitable machine from a mixture of powdered compounds moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

[0053] The drug suitable for parenteral administration in this invention can be prepared as an aqueous solution or suspension of cat's claw extract. Suitable surfactants, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, may be included. Dispersions can also be prepared in a mixture of glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycol, and its oil. Furthermore, preservatives may be added to prevent harmful microbial growth.

[0054] The medicaments of the present invention can be in forms suitable for topical use, such as aerosols, creams, ointments, lotions, powders, or the like. Furthermore, the compositions can be in suitable forms for transdermal drug delivery devices. These formulations can be prepared using the cat's claw extract of the present invention via conventional processing methods.

[0055] The medicament of the present invention can be in a form suitable for rectal administration, wherein the carrier is solid. It is preferable to formulate the mixture into a single-dose suppository. Suitable carriers include cocoa butter and other materials commonly used in the art. Suppositories can be made by first forming a mixture containing a softened or melted carrier, followed by cooling and shaping in a mold.

[0056] In addition to the carrier components described above, the pharmaceutical formulations may include (if applicable) one or more additional carrier components, such as diluents, buffers, flavoring agents, binders, surfactants, thickeners, lubricants, preservatives (including antioxidants), etc. Furthermore, other excipients may be added, such as lactose, starch, cellulose derivatives, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, etc., colorants, and flavoring agents, to make the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. Components containing the cat's claw extract of this invention can also be prepared in powder or concentrated form.

[0057] Based on further solutions to the technical problems of the present invention, or simultaneous solutions to multiple technical problems, the preferred solution in the technical solution provided in the first aspect of the present invention includes: Cat's Claw Herb Extract MZW. This technical approach further enhances the efficacy of treating depression associated with pulmonary nodules.

[0058] In this invention, Examples 1 and 2 at least support the protection scope of "the cat's claw extract is prepared by elution of cat's claw water extract by macroporous resin or by cat's claw being successively extracted with alcohol, water and alcohol".

[0059] The technical feature "the cat's claw extract is prepared by purifying and eluting the cat's claw water extract with macroporous resin or by sequentially extracting, precipitating, and ethanolating the cat's claw" is summarized from the foregoing explanation and / or the corresponding preparation methods in Examples 1-2. Therefore, those skilled in the art can reasonably infer that the above-mentioned technical features, their subordinate concepts, their essentially equivalent technical means, and technical means that can be replaced within the scope of conventional technical means and common knowledge based on the existing level of technology should all fall within the protection scope of this invention. For example, replacing the cat's claw water extract with cat's claw powder, soaking it in water, reflux extraction, and combining the extracts while keeping other technical features unchanged still falls within the protection scope of this invention.

[0060] In this invention, Examples 1 and 2 at least support the protection scope of "the application of cat's claw extract in the preparation of a drug for treating pulmonary nodules complicated with depression".

[0061] The technical feature “Application of Cat's Claw Extract in the Preparation of Drugs for Treating Pulmonary Nodules Complicated with Depression” is summarized by the Cat's Claw Extract as described in the foregoing explanation and / or the corresponding preparation methods in Examples 1-2. The treatment of pulmonary nodules complicated with depression is summarized by the technical effects described in the foregoing explanation and / or Detection Example 1, such as “Cat's Claw Extract can effectively inhibit granuloma proliferation and reduce pathological damage of pulmonary nodules,” “Cat's Claw Extract can improve abnormal lung imaging in mice with granulomatous pulmonary nodules and reduce the degree of lung lesions,” “Cat's Claw Extract can inhibit the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes in the lungs and improve the local inflammatory microenvironment in the lungs,” and “Cat's Claw Extract can improve the disordered state of depression-related molecules secondary to granulomatous pulmonary nodules and achieve intervention on the depressive phenotype of the comorbidity model.” Therefore, those skilled in the art can reasonably presume that the above-mentioned technical features, their subordinate concepts, their basically equivalent technical means, and technical means that can be replaced by conventional technical means and common knowledge based on the existing technical level should all fall within the protection scope of this invention.

[0062] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention utilizes cat's claw extract to simultaneously intervene in pulmonary nodule lesions and regulate depression-related endocrine disorders, breaking the vicious cycle of mutual aggravation between pulmonary nodules and negative emotions, achieving "co-regulation of lung disease and emotions." This differs from existing technologies that target only a single symptom, filling a technological gap in the treatment of pulmonary nodules complicated by depression. Existing patents only demonstrate the anti-tuberculosis activity or simple antidepressant activity of cat's claw extract, without disclosing its synergistic intervention effect on pulmonary nodules combined with depression. This invention provides a novel direction for drug development for patients with pulmonary nodules and accompanying depressive symptoms in clinical practice.

[0063] Experiments have shown that the cat's claw extracts (MZW and DT) of this invention can, on the one hand, inhibit lung inflammation, reduce the area of ​​granulomatous nodules, and improve lung imaging damage, thus exerting an anti-pulmonary nodule effect; on the other hand, they can downregulate CORT and leptin-related depression factors, improving neurological function. Endocrine disorders can be addressed by regulating concurrent depression. Cat's claw extract has been shown to have a regulatory effect on pulmonary nodules. Synchronous intervention for comorbid depression; among them, MZW was more effective than DT. Attached Figure Description

[0064] Figure 1 The results of pathological examination of mouse lung tissue with granulomatous pulmonary nodules using cat's claw extract are shown in Figure A, where A is the staining image and B is a statistical graph of granuloma area. P<0.001, P<0.0001.

[0065] Figure 2 The images show the lung CT results of mice with granulomatous pulmonary nodules treated with cat's claw herb extract. In the images, A is the CT image and B is a statistical graph of CT values. P<0.05, P<0.01.

[0066] Figure 3 The effect of *Uncaria rhynchophylla* extract on the levels of inflammatory and chemokine factors in mice with granulomatous pulmonary nodules was investigated. A represents the gene expression level of the chemokine CCL5, and B represents the gene expression level of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. P<0.05, P<0.001.

[0067] Figure 4 The effect of *Cat's Claw* extract on the levels of depression-related factors in mice with granulomatous pulmonary nodules was investigated. In this study, A represents corticosterone content, and B represents leptin content. P<0.05, P<0.001. Detailed Implementation

[0068] The following non-limiting embodiments are intended to enable those skilled in the art to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the present invention, but do not limit the invention in any way. The following content is merely an exemplary description of the scope of protection claimed by the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention based on the disclosed content, and such changes should also fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

[0069] The present invention will be further described below by way of specific embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, all instruments, devices, equipment, reagents, products, etc., used in the embodiments of the present invention are obtained through conventional commercial means.

[0070] Example 1 Cat's claw herb was coarsely powdered and mixed with 10 times the volume of sterile double-distilled water. The mixture was soaked in 37℃ water for 0.5 hours and then refluxed at 100℃ for extraction. This extraction was repeated three times, for one hour each time, using 10 times the volume of sterile double-distilled water each time. The extracts were filtered and combined, then concentrated under reduced pressure at 50-60℃ to obtain an extract (2g crude drug / g). This extract was then treated with D101 macroporous resin. The macroporous resin had a diameter-to-height ratio of 1:5, a loading concentration of 1-1.5g crude drug / mL, a loading volume of 5 BV, and passed through the resin column at a rate of 2 BV / h. After adsorption was complete, elution was performed with 5 BV of water. The eluent was collected and dried under reduced pressure (50℃, -0.08MPa) to constant weight to obtain the cat's claw herb extract MZW.

[0071] Example 2 The dried tuberous roots of *Corydalis yanhusuo* were crushed into coarse powder and mixed with 10 times the volume of 80% ethanol aqueous solution. The mixture was then extracted by constant soaking at 37℃ for 0.5 hours and reflux at 80℃ for 3 times, each time for 1 hour, using 10 times the volume of 80% ethanol aqueous solution. The mixture was filtered to obtain the residue. The residue was then extracted again by reflux at 100℃ with 10 times the volume of sterile double-distilled water for 3 times, each time for 1 hour, using 10 times the volume of sterile double-distilled water. The extracts were filtered and combined, and concentrated under reduced pressure at 50-60℃ to a relative density of 1.5. 95% ethanol was added to make the alcohol content reach 75wt%. The mixture was allowed to stand for 8 hours, filtered, and the precipitate was dried under reduced pressure (50℃, -0.08MPa) to constant weight to obtain *Corydalis yanhusuo* extract DT.

[0072] Detection Example 1 Cat's Claw Extract for the Treatment of Granulomatous Pulmonary Nodules Complicated with Depression 1. Experimental Methods C57BL / 6J mice were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group, an MZW (300 mg / kg) group, and a DT (600 mg / kg) group, with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank control group, which received a subcutaneous injection of Freund's incomplete adjuvant emulsion, the other groups received a subcutaneous injection of an emulsion formed by emulsifying Mycobacterium tuberculosis (SodA) with Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Administering the medication was done on the day of model establishment, once daily for 21 consecutive days, and changes in body weight were recorded.

[0073] On day 1, the model group, MZW group, and DT group were subcutaneously injected with an emulsion containing SodA and Freund's incomplete adjuvant, while the blank group was subcutaneously injected with Freund's incomplete adjuvant emulsion. On day 14, the model group, MZW group, and DT group were injected with agarose beads conjugated with SodA via the tail vein, while the blank group was injected with PBS. On day 21, Micro-CT imaging was performed. On day 22, the mice were processed by harvesting lung tissue homogenate, extracting RNA, and detecting the expression of cytokines in the lung tissue by RT-qPCR. The lung tissue was then fixed for pathological studies.

[0074] 2. Experimental Results 2.1 Results of Pathological Examination of Lung Tissue from Mouse with Granulomatous Pulmonary Nodules Using Cat's Claw Extract like Figure 1 As shown, compared with the normal group, multiple benign granulomatous nodules appeared in the lung tissue of mice in the model group. Compared with the model group, the area of ​​epithelial granulomas in the lung tissue of mice was significantly reduced after MZW and DT intervention (P < 0.0001), indicating that cat's claw extract can effectively inhibit granuloma proliferation and reduce pathological damage of lung nodules.

[0075] 2.2 Results of CT scans of the lungs of mice with granulomatous pulmonary nodules using cat's claw extract like Figure 2 As shown, the lungs of mice were CT scanned using the PerkinElmer Quantum GX microCT. By comparing the lung imaging results, the model group showed gray ground-glass opacities compared with the blank group. After intervention with MZW and DT administration, the gray ground-glass opacities were reduced (P<0.01), indicating that cat's claw extract can improve the abnormal lung imaging of mice with granulomatous pulmonary nodules and reduce the degree of lung lesions.

[0076] 2.3 Effects of Cat's Claw Extract on the Levels of Inflammatory Factors and Chemokines in Mice with Granulomatous Pulmonary Nodules Figure 3 The mRNA expression levels of chemokine CCL5 and inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in the lung tissue of mice in each group were displayed. Compared with the control group, the expression levels of CCL5 and TNF-α in the model group mice were significantly increased (P<0.001). After intervention with MZW and DT, the expression levels of CCL5 and TNF-α in mice were significantly downregulated compared with the model group (P<0.001). This indicates that *Cercis chinensis* extract can inhibit the transcription of pro-inflammatory genes in the lungs and improve the local inflammatory microenvironment in the lungs, and MZW is more effective than DT (P<0.05).

[0077] 2.4 Effects of Cat's Claw Herb Extract on Depression-Related Factors in Mice with Granulomatous Pulmonary Nodules Figure 4 The levels of depression-related factors corticosterone (CORT) and leptin in mice of each group were displayed. Compared with the control group, the levels of CORT and leptin in the model group mice were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, both MZW and DT interventions significantly downregulated the expression levels of CORT and leptin (P<0.05), suggesting that *Cereus uncaria rhynchophylla* extract can improve the disordered state of depression-related molecules secondary to granulomatous pulmonary nodules, and achieve intervention on the depressive phenotype of the comorbidity model.

[0078] Verification of technical effectiveness and / or analysis of technical problem solving The cat's claw extract (MZW and DT) of this invention can, on the one hand, inhibit lung inflammation, reduce the area of ​​granulomatous nodules, and improve lung imaging damage, thus exerting an anti-pulmonary nodule effect; on the other hand, it can downregulate CORT and leptin-related depression factors, improving neurological function. Endocrine disorders can be addressed by regulating concurrent depression. Cat's claw extract has been shown to have a regulatory effect on pulmonary nodules. Synchronous intervention for comorbid depression; among them, MZW was more effective than DT.

[0079] Finally, it should be noted that the above content is only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Simple modifications or equivalent substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of the present invention do not depart from the essence and scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cat's claw herb extract, characterized in that, It is prepared by elution of water extract of cat's claw with macroporous resin or by sequentially extracting cat's claw with alcohol, water and alcohol.

2. The method for preparing the cat's claw extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: After crushing the cat's claw herb, soaking it in water, refluxing to extract it, combining the extracts, concentrating them, eluting them with macroporous resin, collecting the eluent, and drying it to constant weight.

3. The preparation method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The reflux extraction is performed by reflux extraction at 95-100℃ at least once, followed by solid-liquid separation and combination of extracts.

4. The preparation method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The macroporous resin is D101 macroporous resin; The elution process involves: a macroporous resin diameter-to-height ratio of 1:5-8, and a loading solution concentration of 1-1.5 g crude drug / g. m L, the sample volume is 3-5 BV, and elution is performed with 4-6 BV of water.

5. The preparation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) After crushing the cat's claw herb, add an ethanol aqueous solution for reflux extraction, and separate the solid and liquid to obtain the residue; (2) The residue was extracted by reflux with water, the solid and liquid were separated, and the extracts were combined to obtain an aqueous extract; (3) Concentrate the water extract, precipitate with alcohol, let stand and filter, and dry the precipitate to constant weight.

6. The preparation method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reflux extraction in step (1) is as follows: after soaking in an aqueous ethanol solution with a volume fraction of 72%-88%, reflux extraction is performed at least once, with each reflux extraction lasting 0.5-3 hours. The amount of aqueous ethanol solution added in each reflux extraction is 8-12 times the mass of the cat's claw herb.

7. The preparation method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reflux extraction in step (2) is as follows: reflux extraction at 95-100℃ at least once, with each reflux extraction time being 0.5-3h, and the amount of water added in each reflux extraction being 8-12 times the mass of cat's claw grass.

8. The preparation method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The concentrated alcohol precipitation in step (3) is as follows: concentrate to a relative density of 1.4-1.5, and add ethanol to make the final ethanol concentration 70%-80%.

9. The use of the cat's claw extract according to claim 1 or the cat's claw extract prepared by any one of claims 2-8 in the preparation of a medicament for treating pulmonary nodules complicated with depression.

10. The application according to claim 9, characterized in that, The drug includes cat's claw extract and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

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