Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactiflora
Bai Shao (BS, the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), a common Chinese herb in many recipes used to treat viral infection and liver diseases, is recognized for its ability to nourish menstruation, its Yin convergence, and as an antiperspirant. However, the mechanism and components for its antiviral f...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2014-04-01
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| Series: | Viruses |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/6/4/1861 |
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| author | Jin-Yuan Ho Hui-Wen Chang Chwan-Fwu Lin Chien-Jou Liu Chung-Fan Hsieh Jim-Tong Horng |
| author_facet | Jin-Yuan Ho Hui-Wen Chang Chwan-Fwu Lin Chien-Jou Liu Chung-Fan Hsieh Jim-Tong Horng |
| author_sort | Jin-Yuan Ho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bai Shao (BS, the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), a common Chinese herb in many recipes used to treat viral infection and liver diseases, is recognized for its ability to nourish menstruation, its Yin convergence, and as an antiperspirant. However, the mechanism and components for its antiviral function remain to be elucidated. In this study, an ethanolic extract of BS was further partitioned into aqueous and organic parts (EAex) for in vitro functional study and in vivo efficacy testing. EAex exhibited an IC50 of 0.016 ± 0.005 mg/mL against influenza virus A/WSN/33 (H1N1), with broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against different strains of human influenza A viruses, including clinical oseltamivir-resistant isolates and an H1N1pdm strain. The synthesis of both viral RNA and protein was profoundly inhibited when the cells were treated with EAex. A time-of-addition assay demonstrated that EAex exerted its antiviral activity at various stages of the virus replication cycle. We addressed its antiviral activity at virus entry and demonstrated that EAex inhibits viral hemagglutination and viral binding to and penetration into host cells. In vivo animal testing showed that 200 mg/kg/d of EAex offered significant protection against viral infection. We conclude that BS possesses antiviral activity and has the potential for development as an anti-influenza agent. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:58:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-27f938459ef2434382c13db5ef74af4c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T00:58:08Z |
| publishDate | 2014-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-27f938459ef2434382c13db5ef74af4c2022-12-22T00:43:49ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152014-04-01641861187510.3390/v6041861v6041861Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactifloraJin-Yuan Ho0Hui-Wen Chang1Chwan-Fwu Lin2Chien-Jou Liu3Chung-Fan Hsieh4Jim-Tong Horng5Department of Biochemistry, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanDepartment of Biochemistry, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanDepartment of Cosmetic Science, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanDepartment of Biochemistry, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanDepartment of Biochemistry, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanDepartment of Biochemistry, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan 333, TaiwanBai Shao (BS, the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), a common Chinese herb in many recipes used to treat viral infection and liver diseases, is recognized for its ability to nourish menstruation, its Yin convergence, and as an antiperspirant. However, the mechanism and components for its antiviral function remain to be elucidated. In this study, an ethanolic extract of BS was further partitioned into aqueous and organic parts (EAex) for in vitro functional study and in vivo efficacy testing. EAex exhibited an IC50 of 0.016 ± 0.005 mg/mL against influenza virus A/WSN/33 (H1N1), with broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against different strains of human influenza A viruses, including clinical oseltamivir-resistant isolates and an H1N1pdm strain. The synthesis of both viral RNA and protein was profoundly inhibited when the cells were treated with EAex. A time-of-addition assay demonstrated that EAex exerted its antiviral activity at various stages of the virus replication cycle. We addressed its antiviral activity at virus entry and demonstrated that EAex inhibits viral hemagglutination and viral binding to and penetration into host cells. In vivo animal testing showed that 200 mg/kg/d of EAex offered significant protection against viral infection. We conclude that BS possesses antiviral activity and has the potential for development as an anti-influenza agent.http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/6/4/1861antiviralBai Shaoherbaceous peonyinfluenza virusPaeonia lactiflora Pall |
| spellingShingle | Jin-Yuan Ho Hui-Wen Chang Chwan-Fwu Lin Chien-Jou Liu Chung-Fan Hsieh Jim-Tong Horng Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactiflora Viruses antiviral Bai Shao herbaceous peony influenza virus Paeonia lactiflora Pall |
| title | Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactiflora |
| title_full | Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactiflora |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactiflora |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactiflora |
| title_short | Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactiflora |
| title_sort | characterization of the anti influenza activity of the chinese herbal plant paeonia lactiflora |
| topic | antiviral Bai Shao herbaceous peony influenza virus Paeonia lactiflora Pall |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/6/4/1861 |
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