Systematic evaluation of Lianhua Qingwen against respiratory syncytial virus: Multi-mechanism insights and identification of an active ingredient U17
- J Ethnopharmacol. 2026 Sep 15:368:121840. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2026.121840.
- 1. The First People's Hospital of Zunyi (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University), Guizhou, Zunyi, 563000, China.
- 2. State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510230, China.
- 3. Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Jiangmen Institute of Respiratory Disease, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Jiangmen, Guangdong, 529030, China.
- 4. State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510230, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
- 5. State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510230, China; Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangdong, 510000, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, 519020, Macao Special Administrative Region of China. Electronic address: [email protected].
- 6. State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510230, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
Ethnopharmacological relevance: Lianhua Qingwen (LHQW), as a classic compound formulation of traditional Chinese medicine, holds significant value in Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities.
Aim of the study: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity of LHQW, elucidated its mechanisms of action, and identified its key active ingredients.
Materials and methods: The Antiviral effects were assessed using in vitro cell models and in vivo models of young and immunosuppressed mice. Network pharmacology was employed to screen potential active ingredients of LHQW. Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were used to analyze the interaction between active ingredients and Viral Proteins. Changes in m6A modification and the expression of related Enzymes were examined to explore epigenetic regulatory mechanisms.
Results: LHQW inhibited RSV replication in a dose-dependent manner, down-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors, and alleviated pulmonary pathological damage. These observations appeared to be associated with the potential suppression of the IKK-α/β-NF-κB pathway and the modulation of m6A modification homeostasis. Using network pharmacology, the component U17 was identified, and it appeared to exhibit significant anti-RSV activity both in vitro and in vivo. U17 was shown to interact with the RSV-F protein during early Infection, which may contribute to blocking viral entry.
Conclusions: LHQW may exert its anti-RSV effects partly through mechanisms associated with the suppression of the IKK-α/β-NF-κB pathway and the modulation of m6A epigenetic homeostasis. Notably, the constituent U17 emerges as a key active ingredient, which directly targets the RSV-F protein to block viral entry. These findings position U17 as a promising lead candidate for anti-RSV drug development and underscore the multi-target potential of traditional Chinese medicine in treating viral infections.
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Cat. No.Product NameDescriptionTargetResearch Area
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target: DNA Alkylator/CrosslinkerResearch Areas: Cancer
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