Combined effect of traditional Chinese herbal-based formulations Jing Si herbal tea and Jing Si nasal drop inhibits adhesion and transmission of SARS-CoV2 in diabetic SKH-1 mice

Abstract

Multiple studies show increased severity of SARS-CoV2-infection in patients with comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. In this study, we have prepared two herbal-based formulations, a pleiotropic herbal drink (Jin Si Herbal Tea, JHT) and a nasal drop (Jin Si nasal drop, JND), to provide preventive care against SARS-CoV2 infection. The effect of JHT and JND was determined in SARS-CoV2-S-pseudotyped lentivirus-infected bronchial and colorectal cell lines and in SKH-1 mouse models. For preliminary studies, ACE2 receptor abundant bronchial (Calu-3) and colorectal cells (Caco-2) were used to determine the effect of JHT and JND on the host entry of various variants of SARS-CoV2-S-pseudotyped lentivirus. A series of experiments were performed to understand the infection rate in SKH-1 mice (6 weeks old, n = 9), find the effective dosage of JHT and JND, and determine the combination effect of JHT and JND on the entry and adhesion of various variant SARS-CoV2-S-pseudotyped lentiviruses, which included highly transmissible delta and gamma mutants. Furthermore, the effect of combined JHT and JND was determined on diabetes-induced SKH-1 mice against the comorbidity-associated intense viral entry and accumulation. In addition, the effect of combined JHT and JND administration on viral transmission from infected SKH-1 mice to uninfected cage mate mice was determined. The results showed that both JHT and JND were effective in alleviating the viral entry and accumulation in the thorax and the abdominal area. While JHT showed a dose-dependent decrease in the viral load, JND showed early inhibition of viral entry from day 1 of the infection. Combined administration of 48.66 mg of JHT and 20 µL of JND showed rapid reduction in the viral entry and reduced the viral load (97–99%) in the infected mice within 3 days of treatment. Moreover, 16.22 mg of JHT and 20 µL JND reduced the viral infection in STZ-induced diabetic SKH-1 mice. Interestingly, combined JHT and JND also inhibited viral transmission among cage mates. The results, therefore, showed that combined administration of JHT and JND is a novel and an efficient strategy to potentially prevent SARS-CoV2 infection.

Recuperative herbal formula Jing Si maintains vasculature permeability balance, regulates inflammation and assuages concomitants of “Long-Covid”

“…In addition, five major flavonoids Jaceosidin, Eupatilin, Apigenin, Eupafolin, and 5,6-Dihydroxy-7,3′,4′-trimethoxyflavone, of A. argyi , have been predicted to be the potential inhibitors the main protease Mpro of COVID-19 [58] . Other constituents of JSHT such as H. cordata , O. caudate and G. uralensis were found to block the ACE2-spike protein binding and thereby inhibit of COVID-19 [32] , [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] . Previous reports partially attribute the antiviral activity to of O. caudata to their flavonoid content [59] .…”

“…Current TCM-based formulations known to treat COVID-19 patients were reported to act on multiple pathways and possess anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects [32] , [53] , [54] , [55] , [56] . For example, Tsai et al, demonstrated the therapeutic effects of Taiwan Chingguan Yihau (NRICM101) [53] which include blocking the viral entry and cytokine production.…”

“…On the other hand, pleiotropic and multi-targeted Chinese herbal medicine has great potential in assisting the development of new treatments for improving depression systemically. Various studies on COVID-19 treatment approaches have shown TCMs as an effective complementary therapy along with conventional treatment by reducing the hospitalization period, easing symptoms, decreasing mortality and relieving adverse reactions [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] . Extracts from Artemisia species like A. annua , A. afra , A. argyi have shown alleviating effects on COVID symptoms regulate innate and adaptive immunity [33] , [34] , [35] .…”

“…Extracts from Artemisia species like A. annua , A. afra , A. argyi have shown alleviating effects on COVID symptoms regulate innate and adaptive immunity [33] , [34] , [35] . Jing Si Herbal Tea (JSHT), is an eight herb ( Artemisia argyi , Ohwia caudate , Ophiopogon japonicas , roots of Houttuynia cordata , Platycodon grandifloras , Glycyrrhiza uralensis , Perilla frutescens , and flowers of Chrysanthemum × morifolium ) formula containing leaves of A. argyi, with demonstrated potential as an adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 infection [31] , [32] , [36] . The constituent herbal extracts and the JSHT have been previously characterized by HPLC finger printing and were verified in the present study.…”

A combination of isoliquiritigenin with Artemisia argyi and Ohwia caudata water extracts attenuates oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis by modulating Nrf2/Ho‐1 signaling pathways in SD rats with doxorubicin‐induced acute cardiotoxicity

“…According to previous literature, Ohwia caudata (OC) and Artemisia argyi (AA) locally called chinse herbal medicines derived from these plants are used to treat several common human diseases, including bacillary dysentery and rheumatic arthritis which is known as folk medicine. Ohwia caudata (OC) belongs to the Fabaceae family under the genus Ohwia formally Desmodium ( Desmodium caudatum ) 10,11,15 . Artemisia argyi (AA) leaf extract is commonly used as traditional Chinese herbal medicine for several diseases, such as eczema.…”