Effects of maoto (ma-huang-tang) on host lipid mediator and transcriptome signature in influenza virus infection

Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 19;11(1):4232. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-82707-1.

Abstract

Maoto, a traditional kampo medicine, has been clinically prescribed for influenza infection and is reported to relieve symptoms and tissue damage. In this study, we evaluated the effects of maoto as an herbal multi-compound medicine on host responses in a mouse model of influenza infection. On the fifth day of oral administration to mice intranasally infected with influenza virus [A/PR/8/34 (H1N1)], maoto significantly improved survival rate, decreased viral titer, and ameliorated the infection-induced phenotype as compared with control mice. Analysis of the lung and plasma transcriptome and lipid mediator metabolite profile showed that maoto altered the profile of lipid mediators derived from ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids to restore a normal state, and significantly up-regulated the expression of macrophage- and T-cell-related genes. Collectively, these results suggest that maoto regulates the host's inflammatory response by altering the lipid mediator profile and thereby ameliorating the symptoms of influenza.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / administration & dosage*
  • Ephedra sinica
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / genetics
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Influenza A virus*
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy*
  • Influenza, Human / etiology*
  • Influenza, Human / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Macrophages / pathology
  • Mice
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / drug therapy
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / etiology
  • Plant Preparations / administration & dosage*
  • Symptom Assessment
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Transcriptome / drug effects*
  • Viral Load / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Plant Preparations
  • Ephedrae herba