The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Jing Guan Fang for Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection: From Clinical Observation to Basic Research

Abstract

COVID-19 is a global epidemic. Developing adjuvant therapies which could prevent the virus from binding to cells may impair viral infection. This study produces a traditional Chinese medicine formula, Jing Guan Fang (JGF), based on ancient medical texts, and examines the efficacy and the mechanism by which JGF prevents viral infections. JGF reduces COVID-19 like symptoms. Functional studies show that JGF inhibits the formation of syncytium and reduces the formation of viral plaque. JGF is not toxic in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, JGF induces lysosomal-dependent ACE2 degradation and suppresses mRNA and the protein levels of TMPRSS2 in human lung WI-38 and MRC-5 cells. Mice that inhale JGF exhibit reduced ACE2 and TMPRSS2 protein levels in lung tissues. Together, these findings suggest that JGF may improve the COVID-19 like symptoms and inhibit viral infection. Moreover, JGF may be applicable as an adjuvant preventive strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection in addition to the use of vaccines.

Curbing COVID-19 progression and mortality with traditional Chinese medicine among hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A propensity score-matched analysis

“…Other notable examples, including Lianhua Qingwen, Huoxiang Zhengqi [20] , Jing Si Herbal Tea [21] , and Jing Guan Fang [22] in East Asia, Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) and Giloy ( Tinospora cordifolia ) in South Asia [23] , and propolis in South America [24] , have demonstrated potential in combating COVID-19 with different levels of evidence. Building collaborative networks that transcend the boundary of traditional medicine by incorporating modern and traditional medicine practitioners, bench scientists, and industry in societies where traditional medicine is culturally embedded may facilitate the development of evidence-based, commercially viable options for larger populations during epidemic outbreaks in a timely manner [25] , [26] .…”

Synergistic deciphering of bioenergy production and electron transport characteristics to screen traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for COVID-19 drug development

“…This JGF contained 5 herbal medicine such as Forsythia suspen sa, Scutellaria baicalensis, Bupleurum chinese, Magnolia officinali s and Agastache rugose . JGF provides evidence for JGF effectively blocks syncytia formation and inhibits SARS-CoV-2 plaque formation [57] . As aforementioned, among these active constituents at least 5/8 contained ortho -dihydroxyl substituents for electron-mediation, greatly augmenting their redox-catalyzing capabilities and interactive synergy with other compositions for antiviral characteristics to be effectively expressed.…”

Efficacy analysis and research progress of complementary and alternative medicines in the adjuvant treatment of COVID-19

“…JGF inhibits syncytia and viral plaque formation and has not shown toxicity in cellular and preclinical studies [ 41 ]. JGF has induced the degradation of lysosome-dependent ACE2 and suppressed levels of TMPRSS2 mRNA and protein in human lung WI-38 and MRC-5 cells, and lowered protein levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in lung tissues of mice after inhaling JGF [ 41 ]. These findings suggest that JGF has potential as an adjunctive preventive strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection [ 41 ].…”

“…JGF has induced the degradation of lysosome-dependent ACE2 and suppressed levels of TMPRSS2 mRNA and protein in human lung WI-38 and MRC-5 cells, and lowered protein levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in lung tissues of mice after inhaling JGF [ 41 ]. These findings suggest that JGF has potential as an adjunctive preventive strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection [ 41 ].…”

“…Sore throat was the most common COVID-19-like symptom, affecting 34 patients; at 7 days after consuming JGF, 31 (91.2%) of those patients reported an improvement in symptoms. Similarly, among patients who reported non-COVID-19-like symptoms of fatigue (n = 128) and nervousness (n = 102), the majority reported improvements in these symptoms at 7 days after taking JGF (81.3% and 68.6%, respectively) [ 41 ].…”