Jiawei-Yupingfeng-Tang, a Chinese herbal formula, inhibits respiratory viral infections in vitro and in vivo.
BACKGROUND
Jiawei-Yupingfeng-Tang (JYT) is a Chinese herbal formula that is widely used to treat respiratory tract illness. However, the effect of JYT on respiratory viruses remains unknown. The influenza virus (IFV) and the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) cause millions of cases of severe illness per year, and many of these illnesses develop into lethal pneumonia. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether JYT can be used to treat these infections.


METHODS
The effect of JYT against IFV and HRSV was tested using a plaque reduction assay in the lower respiratory tract cell line A549. The expression of ICAM-1 was determined by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. A mouse model infected with lethal influenza developing into interstitial pneumonia was used to evaluate the effect of JYT in vivo.


RESULTS
JYT extract inhibited both IFV and HRSV in a dose-dependent manner when given before, during and after a viral infection. JYT was effective in blocking the entry of the virus. Furthermore, pre-treatment with JYT reduced the susceptibility of cells to the invasion of HRSV by inhibiting the expression of ICAM-1. Importantly, JYT extract increased the survival rate of lethal influenza-infected mice, prolonged the survival time and alleviated the virus-induced lung lesions, which is comparable with the effects of ribavirin treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
These data support JYT as an alternative modality to be used in the treatment of respiratory viral infection induced by HRSV and IFV.
State Key Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Virology, Research Centre of Food and Drug Evaluation, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, PR China; State Laboratory of Antiviral and Tumour of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Medical Virology, Research Centre of Food and Drug Evaluation, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, PR China.
Qiang
Q
Liu
Li
L
Lu
Moli
M
Hua
Yu
Y
Xu
Hairong
H
Xiong
Wei
W
Hou
Zhanqiu
Z
Yang
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C000588882:Jiawei-Yupingfeng-Tang; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
50% cytotoxic concentration; 50% inhibitory concentration; Antiviral activity; Attachment; CC(50); HRSV; IC(50); ICAM; ICAM- 1; IFV; JYT; Jiawei-Yupingfeng tang; Jiawei-Yupingfeng-Tang; PFU; Penetration; TCM; d.p.i.; days post infection; human respiratory syncytial virus; influenza virus; intercellular adhesion molecule-1; plaque forming units; traditional Chinese medicine