2. Academic Validation
  3. Xiao-Er-Kang-Du capsules regulate autophagy against the influenza B virus (Victoria strain) through the mTOR/ULK1/Beclin1/VPS34 pathway

Xiao-Er-Kang-Du capsules regulate autophagy against the influenza B virus (Victoria strain) through the mTOR/ULK1/Beclin1/VPS34 pathway

  • J Ethnopharmacol. 2025 Jan 30;337(Pt 2):118872. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118872.
Yan Cao 1,  Jing Han 2,  Yan Xiao 3,  Zhongtian Wang 2,  Haiyang Zhang 2,  Ruikang Fang 3,  Jingjing Li 3,  Meiwen Dong 3,  Rui Chen 4,  Guangze Zhu 5,  Jicheng Han 6,  Liping Sun 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China; College of Basic Medical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China.
  • 2 College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China; Center of Children's Clinic, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130022, PR China.
  • 3 Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, College of Integrative Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China.
  • 4 College of Basic Medical Sciences, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China. Electronic address: 794558014@qq.com.
  • 5 Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, College of Integrative Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China. Electronic address: zhuguangze820@126.com.
  • 6 Key Laboratory of Jilin Province for Traditional Chinese Medicine Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, College of Integrative Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China. Electronic address: hanjc@ccucm.edu.cn.
  • 7 College of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, PR China; Center of Children's Clinic, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130022, PR China. Electronic address: slpcczyydx@sina.com.
PMID: 39366496 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118872
Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Xiao-er-kang-du (XEKD) capsule is a Chinese herbal formula used for treatment of upper respiratory tract Infection caused by various viruses in pediatric patients in China. XEKD is used clinically for the treatment of influenza-like symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, stuffy and runny nose, headache, and sore throat, with remarkable efficacy. However, the pharmacologic mechanism of XEKD against influenza B virus (IBV) Infection is unclear.

Aim of the study: The main purpose of the present work is to explore the curative effect as well as possible mechanisms of XEKD against influenza B virus (IBV) (Victoria strain).

Materials and methods: Both in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to confirm the Antiviral properties of XEKD. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze the active components and assess the stability of XEKD. In addition, the mechanism of action of XEKD against IBV (Victoria) was investigated by western blot, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analyses, in addition to confocal fluorescence microscopy.

Results: The findings revealed that XEKD demonstrated Antiviral effects against IBV Infection in both in vivo and in vitro via the mTOR/ULK1/Beclin1/Vps34 pathway and promote cellular Autophagy to mitigate IBV-induced lung tissue damage. The results of this work are expected to lead to a deeper understanding of the mechanism underlying the effect of the XEKD capsule against IBV infections.

Conclusions: IBV Infection was found to inhibit Autophagy, which exacerbated inflammatory damage. XEKD regulates Autophagy through the mTOR/ULK1/Beclin1/Vps34 pathway and exerts Antiviral effects, thereby laying a foundation for further development of XEKD as a potential therapeutic against IBV Infection.

Keywords

Autophagy; Influenza B virus; Xiao-Er-Kang-Du capsules; mTOR/ULK1/Beclin1/VPS34 pathway.

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