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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Pharmacol.
Sec. Ethnopharmacology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1449322

Protective effect of Haoqin Qingdan decoction on pulmonary and intestinal injury in mice with influenza virus pneumonia

Provisionally accepted
Xi Lin Xi Lin 1Jian Lin Jian Lin 1*Lichun Ji Lichun Ji 1*Jiaona Zhang Jiaona Zhang 2*Yezi Zhang Yezi Zhang 1*Junbin Hong Junbin Hong 3*Geng Li Geng Li 2*Xingdong Lin Xingdong Lin 4*
  • 1 The Third Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
  • 2 Experimental Animal Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
  • 3 The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
  • 4 The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: Haoqin Qingdan decoction (HQQD), composed of eleven herbs, is a traditional Chinese formula widely recognized for its efficacy in treating pulmonary inflammation induced by viral infections. Despite its extensive use, the potential pulmonary and intestinal protective effects of HQQD on influenza viral pneumonia (IVP) and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Materials and methods: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was employed to identify the major chemical constituents of the prescription. Subsequently, network analysis was conducted to predict the potential therapeutic targets of HQQD in IVP. The mechanisms by which HQQD mitigates lung and intestinal damage were further elucidated by assessing NP protein expression, inflammatory factors, TLR7/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway mRNAs and proteins, and through intestinal flora analysis. Results: The protective effects of HQQD on pulmonary and intestinal injuries induced by IVP were thoroughly investigated using comprehensive network analysis, signaling pathway validation, and gut microflora analysis. UHPLC-MS analysis identified the primary chemical constituents. Validation experiments demonstrated a significant reduction in NP protein expression in the lungs. HQQD notably alleviated immune damage in the lungs and intestines of mice by inhibiting NP protein expression and the release of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ); downregulating the expression levels of TLR7, MyD88, and phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-p65); lowering serum LPS levels; and reducing the relative 2 abundance of Proteobacteria. Conclusions: HQQD exerts therapeutic effects against influenza viral pneumonia through antiviral and anti-inflammatory mechanisms and by remodeling the intestinal flora. This study provides initial insights into the "gut-lung" axis mechanism of HQQD in combating respiratory influenza virus infection.

    Keywords: Haoqin Qingdan decoction1, Influenza viral pneumonia2, network analysis3, intestinal flora4, Traditional Chinese Medicine5

    Received: 14 Jun 2024; Accepted: 13 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Lin, Lin, Ji, Zhang, Zhang, Hong, Li and Lin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Jian Lin, The Third Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
    Lichun Ji, The Third Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
    Jiaona Zhang, Experimental Animal Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
    Yezi Zhang, The Third Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
    Junbin Hong, The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510170, China
    Geng Li, Experimental Animal Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
    Xingdong Lin, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China

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