On April 21, the paper “Liu Shen capsules show antiviral and anti-inflammatory abilities against novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 via suppression of NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro” written by the research team of Dr. Yang Zifeng from Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health and SKLRD was received by the international pharmacology journal Pharmacological Research (IF5.574). It was found that Liu Shen capsules (pills) can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 virus replication and the induced inflammatory factor expression in cells. The mechanism of action is to inhibit the phosphorylation of kinases such as NF-κB p65, IκBα and MAPK p38, and upregulate the expression of IκBα protein. The research results provide a basis for the clinical treatment of COVID-19 by Liu Shen capsules (pills). Researcher Yang Zifeng is the corresponding author of this paper, Ma Qinhai of Guangzhou Respiratory Research Institute, Pan Weiqi and Dr. Li Runfeng of SKLRD are co-first authors.

SARS-CoV-2 spreads worldwide through human-to-human contact and has attracted worldwide attention. It is urgent to develop an effective antiviral treatment method. Liu Shen Capsules (pills) are originated from Suzhou Lei Yun Shang Song Fen Tang Recipe, which has a history for more than 150 years. It is an important representative anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunomodulatory and other pharmacological effects prescription developed by the traditional school of epidemic treatment. It has played an important role in the prevention and control of many epidemic outbreaks, and has been recommended by many famous experts for the treatment of epidemics. Liu Shen Capsules (pills) have been recommended for the treatment of respiratory diseases such as SARS, colds, and influenza by 21 national guidelines, consensus, and diagnosis and treatment plans. The research on the efficacy of H1N1 influenza has recently been published in the SCI Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Liu Shen Capsules (pills) has been included in the "Diagnosis and treatment plan of Covid-19" in Guangzhou Medical University, Shanghai, Hebei and other provinces.

The team of Yang Zifeng found that Liu Shen Capsules (pills) can significantly inhibit the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells, with IC50 (half the effective concentration) of 0.6024 μg/mL, which can reduce the number of virus particles on the cytoplasm, intracellular vesicles, and cell membrane surfaces and significantly reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, CCL-2/MCP-1, and CXCL-10/IP-10) at mRNA level by regulating the expression of NF-κB and other pathways.

Figure 1 Inhibition effects of Liu Shen Capsules (LS) on the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero E6 cells

Figure 2 Liu Shen Capsules (LS) inhibits the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors induced by SARS-CoV-2 infected Huh-7 cells

Figure 3 Liu Shen Capsules (LS) inhibits the NF-κB and MAPK p38 expression induced by SARS-CoV-2 infected Huh-7 cells