title: The roots of Ilex asprella extract lessens acute respiratory distress syndrome in mice induced by influenza virus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In traditional Chinese medicine, the root of Ilex asprella (Hook. & Arn.) Champ. ex Benth. (IA) has been widely used to treat influenza, lung abscess and other diseases in South China for many years. The present study is aimed at investigating the treatment effect of IA on acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by the H1N1 virus in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  After being inoculated with several viral doses of influenza A/FM/1/47 H1N1 virus, mice were given oral administration of IA extract (500 mg/kg or 12 5mg/kg per day) for five or 10 consecutive days, respectively. Mice survival rate and clinical condition were observed for 15 days after inoculation. Lung weight, pathological analysis and arterial blood gas analysis were assessed. Lung viral load was quantified by RT-PCR. Moreover, immunological analysis was measured by leukocyte counts and the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, MCP-1 and IL-12p 70 in serum of mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that the extract of Ilex asprella at dosages of 500 mg/kg could effectively diminish mortality rate, and ameliorate lung edema and inflammation. Administration of IA extract significantly depressed the expression of IL-6, TNF-α and MCP-1, and significantly increased the expression of IL-10 and IFN-γ in serum. Simultaneously, the extract was also found to reduce the lung viral load and improve pulmonary ventilation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows that the extract of IA has the potential to treat ARDS, due to its abilities of attenuation of systemic and pulmonary inflammatory responses and inhibition of viral replication.
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Ping
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
authors.forename: Geng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
authors.forename: Xiong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
authors.forename: Qiu-Ping
authors.initials: QP
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Xing
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tropical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510405, China. Electronic address: zhangfengxue@gzucm.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Feng-Xue
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
authors.forename: Zi-Ren
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Dongguan Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dongguan 523808, China. Electronic address: lxp88@gzhtcm.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiao-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D030017:Ilex; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Ilex asprella extract; Immunoregulation; Influenza virus; Viral load