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Ma Q, Lei B, Chen R, Liu B, Lu W, Jiang H, Chen Z, Guo X, Wang Y, Zhang L, Chen Q, Li X, Yang Z. Liushen Capsules, a promising clinical candidate for COVID-19, alleviates SARS-CoV-2-induced pulmonary in vivo and inhibits the proliferation of the variant virus strains in vitro. Chin Med 2022; 17:40. [PMID: 35365215 PMCID: PMC8972667 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00598-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a global pandemic and has devastating effects around the world, however, there are no specific antiviral drugs and vaccines for the constant mutation of SARS-CoV-2. Purpose In this study, we evaluted the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities of Liushen Capsules (LS) on different novel coronavirus in vitro, studied its therapeutic effects on novel SARS-CoV-2 infected mice and observed the LS’s clinical efficacy and safety in COVID-19. Methods The antiviral and aiti-inflammatory effects of LS on the 501Y.V2/B.1.35 and G/478K.V1/ B.1.617.2 strains were determined in vitro. A hACE2 mouse model of novel SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia was established. Survival rates, histological changes, inflammatory markers, lung virus titers and the expression of the key proteins in the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway was detected by western blotting and immumohistochemical staining in the lungs were measured. Subsequently, the disease duration, prognosis of disease, time of negative nucleic acid and the cytokines levels in serum were used to assess the efficacy of treatment with LS in patients. Results The results showed that LS (2, 1, 0.5 μg/mL) could significantly inhibit the replication of the two SARS-CoV-2 variants and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, CCL-5, MIP-1α, IL-1α) induced by the virus in vitro. As for the survival experiment in mice, the survival rate of virus group was 20%, while LS-treatment groups (40, 80, 160 mg/kg) could increase the survival rate to 60, 100 and 100%, respectively. LS (40, 80, 160 mg/kg) could significantly decrease the lung titers in mice and it could improve the pathological changes, inhibit the excessive inflammatory mediators (IFN-α, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1) and the protein expression of p-NF-κB p65 in mice. Moreover, LS could significantly decrease SARS-CoV-2-induced activation of p-NF-κB p65, p-IκBα, and p-p38 MAPK and increase the protein expression of the IκBα. In addition, the patient got complete relief of symptoms after being treated with LS for 6 days and was proven with negative PCR test after being treated for 23 days. Finally, treatment with LS could reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, PDGF-AA/BB, Eotaxin, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, GRO, CCL-5, MCP-3, IP-10, IL-1α). Conclusion LS effectively alleviated novel SARS-CoV-2 or variants induced pneumonia in vitro and in vivo, and improved the prognosis of COVID-19. In light of the efficacy and safety profiles, LS could be considered for the treatment of COVID-19 with a broad-spectrum antiviral and anti-inflammatory agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinhai Ma
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Biao Lei
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruihan Chen
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Liu
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Wencong Lu
- Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiming Jiang
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Zexing Chen
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowen Guo
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Yutao Wang
- 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Technology Centre, Guangzhou Customs, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qiaoyan Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo Li
- Technology Centre, Guangzhou Customs, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zifeng Yang
- 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, People's Republic of China. .,Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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