Essential Oil-Rich Chinese Formula Luofushan-Baicao Oil Inhibits the Infection of Influenza A Virus through the Regulation of NF-κB P65 and IRF3 Activation.

Xin Mao,Huiting Sang,Weizhong Huang,Shuwen Liu,Zifeng Yang,Jingyan Li,Ping Jiang,Yilu Ye,Shuyin Gu,Qinhai Ma,Yunxia Teng,Feiyu Zhang,Miranda Li Xu

doi:10.1155/2021/5547424

Abstract

Background Luofushan-Baicao Oil (LBO) is an essential oil-rich traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that is commonly used to treat cold, cough, headache, sore throat, swelling, and pain. However, the anti-influenza activities of LBO and the underlying mechanism remain to be investigated. Methods The in vitro anti-influenza activity of LBO was tested with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and plaque assays. The effects of LBO on the expressions of viral nucleoprotein and cytokines were evaluated. In the polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid- (Poly I: C-) induced inflammation model, the influences of LBO on the expression of cytokines and the activation of NF-κB P65 (P65) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) were tested. After influenza A virus (IVA) infection, mice were administered with LBO for 5 days. The lung index, histopathologic change, the expression of viral protein, P65, and IRF3 in the lung tissue were measured. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines in serum were examined. ResultsIn vitro, LBO could significantly inhibit the infection of IVA, decrease the formation of plaques, and reduce the expression of viral nucleoprotein and cytokines. LBO could also effectively downregulate the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-β and the activation of P65 and IRF3 in Poly I:C-treated cells. In the IVA-infected mice model, inhalation of LBO with atomizer could decrease the lung index, alleviate the pathological injury in the lung tissue, and reduce the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6. LBO could significantly downregulate the expression of viral protein (nucleoprotein, PB2, and matrix 2 ion channel) and the phosphorylation of P65 and IRF3 in the lungs of mice. Conclusion The therapeutic effects of LBO on treating influenza might result from the regulation of the immune response of IVA infection. LBO can be developed as an alternative therapeutic agent for influenza prevention.

Highlights

Luofushan-Baicao Oil (LBO) is an essential oil-rich traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that is commonly used to treat cold, cough, headache, sore throat, swelling, and pain
To investigate the antivirus activity of LBO, we evaluated the influence of LBO on the cell viability of Madin–Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK)
In methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, LBO (25–100 μg/mL) could inhibit the reduction of cell viability induced by the influenza virus in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 2(b)). e infection of influenza virus A/WSN/1933 (H1N1) could induce plaque formation in the MDCK infection model

Summary

Introduction

Luofushan-Baicao Oil (LBO) is an essential oil-rich traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that is commonly used to treat cold, cough, headache, sore throat, swelling, and pain. LBO could significantly inhibit the infection of IVA, decrease the formation of plaques, and reduce the expression of viral nucleoprotein and cytokines. LBO could effectively downregulate the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon-β and the activation of P65 and IRF3 in Poly I:C-treated cells. In the IVA-infected mice model, inhalation of LBO with atomizer could decrease the lung index, alleviate the pathological injury in the lung tissue, and reduce the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6. LBO could significantly downregulate the expression of viral protein (nucleoprotein, PB2, and matrix 2 ion channel) and the phosphorylation of P65 and IRF3 in the lungs of mice. E therapeutic effects of LBO on treating influenza might result from the regulation of the immune response of IVA infection. LBO can be developed as an alternative therapeutic agent for influenza prevention

Methods

Results

Conclusion