Abstract
Background Chaiqin Qingning Capsule (CQ-C) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula commonly used to treat respiratory infectious diseases in China. The aim of this study was to detect the effect and mechanism of CQ-C treated with influenza virus in vitro and vivo. Methods The cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of CQ-C in vitro was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. The regulation of CQ-C on cytokine/chemokine expression was evaluated using RT-qPCR. In addition, the effect of CQ-C on the pathway protein, NF-κB, and its phosphorylation level was verified by western blotting. After virus inoculation, BALB/c mice were administered with CQ-C of different concentrations for 7 days. Body weight, viral titer, lung pathology, and mortality of the mice were measured, and the level of inflammatory cytokines was also examined using real-time RT-qPCR. Results CQ-C inhibited the proliferation of influenza virus of various strains in vitro, with the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranging from 49 to 59 µg/mL. CQ-C downregulated virus-induced gene expression of IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL8, CXCL10, CCL5, and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner in A549 cells. Also, CQ-C inhibited the expression of NF-κB protein of the signaling pathway. Moreover, a decrease of the lung index and mortality of mice was observed in the CQ-C (1 g/kg/d) group. The related cytokine/chemokine expression was also decreased in the early stages of infection in the mRNA level. Conclusion As a clinically applied Chinese prescription, our study shows that CQ-C has a wide range of effects on several influenza viruses. Moreover, CQ-C could play an important role in anti-influenza activity and anti-inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Thus, CQ-C may be a promising treatment option for influenza.
Highlights
Influenza is an infectious disease that seriously affects human life and health
Influenza virus is firstly recognized by the innate immune system through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as the toll-like receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene I, and nucleotidebinding oligomerization domain- (NOD-) like receptors, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine which leads to the production of type I interferons (IFNs), proinflammatory cytokines, eicosanoids, and chemokines [7]
Virus-induced high levels of cytokines could result in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [8], which was observed in COVID-19 patients [9]. us, excessive activation of monocyte/macrophage and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines causing cytokine storms contributes to acute lung immunopathology and the severity of the disease [10]. ese studies suggested that inhibiting immune response disorder may provide the therapeutic benefit during influenza virus infection [11, 12]
Summary
Influenza is an infectious disease that seriously affects human life and health. Influenza virus is a common respiratory pathogen, which occurs globally with an annual attack rate estimated about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and about 250,000 to 500,000 death [1]. It is well known that the virus replicates and can cause strong inflammatory response, which contributes to sever diseases or death. Virus-induced high levels of cytokines could result in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [8], which was observed in COVID-19 patients [9]. Us, excessive activation of monocyte/macrophage and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines causing cytokine storms contributes to acute lung immunopathology and the severity of the disease [10]. E aim of this study was to detect the effect and mechanism of CQ-C treated with influenza virus in vitro and vivo. E related cytokine/chemokine expression was decreased in the early stages of infection in the mRNA level. CQ-C could play an important role in anti-influenza activity and anti-inflammation in vitro and in vivo. us, CQ-C may be a promising treatment option for influenza
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
