Characterization of the Anti-Influenza Activity of the Chinese Herbal Plant Paeonia lactiflora

Abstract

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.

Quercetin as an Antiviral Agent Inhibits Influenza A Virus (IAV) Entry

“…Natural products appear to be a major source of anti-influenza drug discovery and offer new prospects for influenza management [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Quercetin (3,3’,4’,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) is one of the most ubiquitous flavonoids, and it is found in many Chinese herbs, vegetables and fruits, as well as red wine [ 19 ].…”

Activité virucide in vitro d’un extrait de cyprès sur des virus humains et bovins

“…C'est l'hémagglutinine qui permet l'attachement à la membrane cellulaire et la fusion avec la membrane de l'endosome libérant la capside dans le cytoplasme. Des études ont montré que des tanins issus de différentes plantes inhibent l'attachement et la pénétration du virus influenza A-H1N1 par agrégation de cette protéine [23,[35][36][37]. Les tanins présents dans l'extrait de cyprès pourraient donc avoir produit la perte du pouvoir infectieux du virus influenza A-H1N1 de la même manière, ainsi que celle des autres virus enveloppés qui comportent aussi des protéines d'enveloppe impliquées dans l'attachement et la pénétration.…”

“…Chez l'animal et chez l'Homme, des effets bénéfiques de différents extraits de plantes ont été rapportés lors d'une infection par le virus influenza [27,35,37,[45][46][47][48][49][50]. Il serait donc intéressant d'évaluer aussi les effets de l'extrait de cyprès, seul et en association aux traitements conventionnels, chez l'Homme, ainsi qu'en utilisation prophylactique et thérapeutique complémentaire chez les bovins.…”

Anti-Influenza Virus Activity and Constituents Characterization of Paeonia delavayi Extracts

“…Pharmacological studies of this genus have shown a variety of activities, including analgesic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, antiviral, cardiovascular protection activities and so on [2][3][4]. The pharmacological activities are primarily attributed to monoterpenes, which has a "cage-like" pinane skeleton.…”

“…In recent years, the antiviral activity of some species of Paeonia has been explored. It has been reported that the extract of P. lactiflora possesses anti-influenza activity and has the potential for development as an anti-influenza agent [2]. In addition, literature also reported that P. lactiflora and P. suffruticosa both showed antiviral activities against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) [21].…”