Herbal-based tea bag reduces SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microRNA regulation: Clinical and mechanistic insights

Objective: MicroRNAs (RNA) are crucial in combating SARS-CoV-2; Some traditional Chinese herbal formulas (CHF) have shown potential against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain but no research explores CHF’s role in regulating microRNAs to combat the virus. This study aimed to investigate whether a herbal...

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Main Authors: Kai-Wei Chang, Yen-Ying Kung, Shu-Ling Fu, Ju-Fang Liu, Kun-Chang Wu, Tzu-Hau Shi, Yu-Han Luo, Chao-Hsiung Lin, Jih-Jung Chen, Yueh-Hsin Ping, Tung-Hu Tsai, Muh-Hwa Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Functional Foods
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624005322
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author Kai-Wei Chang
Yen-Ying Kung
Shu-Ling Fu
Ju-Fang Liu
Kun-Chang Wu
Tzu-Hau Shi
Yu-Han Luo
Chao-Hsiung Lin
Jih-Jung Chen
Yueh-Hsin Ping
Tung-Hu Tsai
Muh-Hwa Yang
author_facet Kai-Wei Chang
Yen-Ying Kung
Shu-Ling Fu
Ju-Fang Liu
Kun-Chang Wu
Tzu-Hau Shi
Yu-Han Luo
Chao-Hsiung Lin
Jih-Jung Chen
Yueh-Hsin Ping
Tung-Hu Tsai
Muh-Hwa Yang
author_sort Kai-Wei Chang
collection DOAJ
description Objective: MicroRNAs (RNA) are crucial in combating SARS-CoV-2; Some traditional Chinese herbal formulas (CHF) have shown potential against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain but no research explores CHF’s role in regulating microRNAs to combat the virus. This study aimed to investigate whether a herbal-based tea bag, Zheng-Yi-Fang (ZYF), from the modified combination of Jie-Geng-Tang (桔梗湯) and Huopu-Xia-Ling-Tang (藿朴夏苓湯) with Houttuynia cordata and Scutellaria baicalensis, can alleviate mild SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms through microRNA regulation. Methods: Patients with SARS-CoV-2 were recruited via telemedicine services at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from August to December 2022. Participants were randomly assigned to the ZYF group or a control group receiving standard Western medicines for symptom relief. Efficacy was evaluated by clinical symptom scores and the duration for positive antigen results to turn negative. Additional assays assessed spike protein fusion, viral main protease (Mpro) activity, IL-6/IL-8 secretion, and miRNA induction. Results: ZYF demonstrated efficacy in alleviating the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 variants infection in the nasal, throat, upper respiratory areas, and gastrointestinal tract, while reducing the time required for positive antigen results to turn negative. ZYF inhibited spike protein fusion, regulated miRNA-98 to decrease ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression, and inhibited Mpro activity. ZYF also modulated miRNA-146a expression, reducing IL-6/IL-8 secretion. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the herbal-based tea bag offers a novel antiviral approach against SARS-CoV-2 variants by modulating miRNAs, reducing viral entry and IL-6/IL-8 secretion, and inhibiting Mpro activity.
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spelling doaj-art-a3ae0aa038e548c4b898d4ba474ba8eb2024-11-16T05:10:49ZengElsevierJournal of Functional Foods1756-46462024-11-01122106530Herbal-based tea bag reduces SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microRNA regulation: Clinical and mechanistic insightsKai-Wei Chang0Yen-Ying Kung1Shu-Ling Fu2Ju-Fang Liu3Kun-Chang Wu4Tzu-Hau Shi5Yu-Han Luo6Chao-Hsiung Lin7Jih-Jung Chen8Yueh-Hsin Ping9Tung-Hu Tsai10Muh-Hwa Yang11Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanInstitute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Center for Traditional Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Corresponding author at: Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong St., Taipei 11221, Taiwan.Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, TaiwanTranslational Medicine Center, Shin-Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Oral Hygiene, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, TaiwanSchool of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, TaiwanDepartment of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, TaiwanInstitute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Life Sciences and Institute of Genome Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, TaiwanDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Medicine and Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, TaiwanInstitute of Traditional Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, TaiwanResearch Center for Epidemiology Prevention and One Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, TaiwanObjective: MicroRNAs (RNA) are crucial in combating SARS-CoV-2; Some traditional Chinese herbal formulas (CHF) have shown potential against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain but no research explores CHF’s role in regulating microRNAs to combat the virus. This study aimed to investigate whether a herbal-based tea bag, Zheng-Yi-Fang (ZYF), from the modified combination of Jie-Geng-Tang (桔梗湯) and Huopu-Xia-Ling-Tang (藿朴夏苓湯) with Houttuynia cordata and Scutellaria baicalensis, can alleviate mild SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms through microRNA regulation. Methods: Patients with SARS-CoV-2 were recruited via telemedicine services at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from August to December 2022. Participants were randomly assigned to the ZYF group or a control group receiving standard Western medicines for symptom relief. Efficacy was evaluated by clinical symptom scores and the duration for positive antigen results to turn negative. Additional assays assessed spike protein fusion, viral main protease (Mpro) activity, IL-6/IL-8 secretion, and miRNA induction. Results: ZYF demonstrated efficacy in alleviating the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 variants infection in the nasal, throat, upper respiratory areas, and gastrointestinal tract, while reducing the time required for positive antigen results to turn negative. ZYF inhibited spike protein fusion, regulated miRNA-98 to decrease ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression, and inhibited Mpro activity. ZYF also modulated miRNA-146a expression, reducing IL-6/IL-8 secretion. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the herbal-based tea bag offers a novel antiviral approach against SARS-CoV-2 variants by modulating miRNAs, reducing viral entry and IL-6/IL-8 secretion, and inhibiting Mpro activity.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624005322MicroRNAsZheng-Yi-Fang (ZYF)SARS-CoV-2 variantThe main proteases
spellingShingle Kai-Wei Chang
Yen-Ying Kung
Shu-Ling Fu
Ju-Fang Liu
Kun-Chang Wu
Tzu-Hau Shi
Yu-Han Luo
Chao-Hsiung Lin
Jih-Jung Chen
Yueh-Hsin Ping
Tung-Hu Tsai
Muh-Hwa Yang
Herbal-based tea bag reduces SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microRNA regulation: Clinical and mechanistic insights
Journal of Functional Foods
MicroRNAs
Zheng-Yi-Fang (ZYF)
SARS-CoV-2 variant
The main proteases
title Herbal-based tea bag reduces SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microRNA regulation: Clinical and mechanistic insights
title_full Herbal-based tea bag reduces SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microRNA regulation: Clinical and mechanistic insights
title_fullStr Herbal-based tea bag reduces SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microRNA regulation: Clinical and mechanistic insights
title_full_unstemmed Herbal-based tea bag reduces SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microRNA regulation: Clinical and mechanistic insights
title_short Herbal-based tea bag reduces SARS-CoV-2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microRNA regulation: Clinical and mechanistic insights
title_sort herbal based tea bag reduces sars cov 2 variant symptoms and infection duration via microrna regulation clinical and mechanistic insights
topic MicroRNAs
Zheng-Yi-Fang (ZYF)
SARS-CoV-2 variant
The main proteases
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464624005322
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