A Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Known as Liang-Ge-San Shows Promise in Protecting Lungs from Viral Infections

TCM News: Understanding Acute Lung Injury and the Role of Liang-Ge-San
Acute Lung Injury (ALI) is a critical health concern worldwide, especially in cases of viral infections like COVID-19 and influenza. The condition often leads to complications such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) that can become life-threatening. Conventional treatments, including mechanical ventilation and medication, offer some relief but come with challenges, such as high costs and potential complications. Recently, researchers from Southern Medical University, the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutics, the Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine for Qingzhi Diseases, and The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University conducted a study exploring the potential of Liang-Ge-San (LGS), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, in treating Acute Lung Injury (ALI) caused by viral infections. This TCM News report dives into their findings, examining how Liang-Ge-San (LGS) could offer a natural, more accessible treatment option.


A Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Known as Liang-Ge-San Shows Promise in
Protecting Lungs from Viral Infections

What is Liang-Ge-San?
Liang-Ge-San is a herbal blend rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, containing seven herbs, including Forsythia suspensa, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Gardenia jasminoides, among others. Traditionally, LGS has been used for treating respiratory issues and inflammation, but its effects on viral-induced ALI are just beginning to gain attention. The recent study focused on how LGS interacts with certain cellular processes to reduce inflammation and protect the lungs.
 
Key Findings: LGS as a Lung Protector
The research showed that LGS has significant anti-inflammatory and lung-protective effects, particularly against viral infections like SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19), H1N1 influenza, and Poly(I:C), a synthetic viral component. Here’s how Liang-Ge-San (LGS) works to protect the lungs:
 
Reduction of Inflammatory Markers
In lab tests, LGS was found to reduce key inflammation markers such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. These markers are known to spike in cases of severe respiratory infections, contributing to cytokine storms, where the immune system overreacts. By reducing these markers, LGS helps alleviate the excessive inflammation often seen in viral-induced Acute Lung Injury (ALI).
 
Activation of α7nAChR
The study found that Liang-Ge-San (LGS) activates a specific receptor called α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), which plays a significant role in moderating the body’s inflammatory response. When α7nAChR was blocked, the anti-inflammatory effects of LGS were diminished, suggesting this receptor is crucial in LGS's efficacy. By stimulating α7nAChR, LGS helps dampen the cytokine storm associated with severe viral infections, protecting the lungs from excessive immune responses.
 
Inhibition of Mitophagy in Lung Cells
Mitophagy is a process where damaged mitochondria (the energy producers within cells) are broken down. This process can sometimes work against the body during infections by diminishing the cells' ability to manage viral impacts effectively. In this study, LGS was shown to reduce mitophagy in infected lung cells (specifically MLE-12 cells). This inhibition of mitophagy protects the cells from virus-induced mitochondrial damage, which can lead to cell death and exacerbate lung injury.
 
Laboratory Testing and Methods Used
The researchers conducted various tests to explore how LGS works within the body, using both in vitro (cell cultures) and in vivo (animal models) approaches. They used a series of advanced techniques, including qRT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blotting, to measure inflammatory markers and protein expression levels. Additionally, they used siRNA and specific inhibitors to better understand the role of α7nAChR in the anti-inflammatory effect of LGS. These methods allowed researchers to isolate the effects of Liang-Ge-San (LGS) and confirm its impact on inflammation reduction and mitophagy inhibition.
 
Testing on ALI Mouse Models
To test LGS’s effectiveness in a more complex system, researchers used mouse models infected with SARS-CoV-2, H1N1, or Poly(I:C). In these tests, LGS significantly prolonged the mice’s survival time and reduced lung damage. Mice treated with Liang-Ge-San (LGS) showed less inflammation and injury in lung tissues compared to untreated mice, further demonstrating LGS’s protective role against viral-induced lung injury. These findings highlight LGS’s potential as a natural alternative to help manage ALI and ARDS, particularly in areas with limited access to advanced medical treatments.
 
The Science Behind Liang-Ge-San: α7nAChR and Cytokine Storms
This study underscores the importance of α7nAChR in managing inflammation during viral infections. Cytokine storms, characterized by an uncontrolled release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, are often deadly in severe cases of COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory infections. By activating α7nAChR, LGS can help prevent these storms, offering a more targeted, natural approach to managing inflammation.
 
Additionally, LGS’s ability to inhibit mitophagy protects lung cells from the destructive processes typically induced by viruses. Infections like COVID-19 and H1N1 can damage lung cells through oxidative stress, leading to ALI. By reducing mitophagy, LGS prevents further lung damage, allowing cells to maintain their function even during viral attacks.
 
Potential as a Complementary Treatment for Viral Infections
Given these findings, Liang-Ge-San (LGS) shows promise as a complementary treatment for viral infections, particularly in managing severe lung complications. While further clinical studies are needed, LGS could be a low-cost, accessible alternative to conventional treatments, especially in developing regions.
 
Conclusion: Liang-Ge-San as a Promising Option for Lung Protection
In conclusion, Liang-Ge-San has demonstrated promising potential to protect against acute lung injury and respiratory distress in viral infections, including those caused by SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1. By activating the α7nAChR protein and inhibiting mitophagy in lung cells, LGS appears to both reduce harmful inflammation and prevent cellular damage. This study suggests that LGS may one day serve as an affordable and accessible treatment option for people suffering from severe respiratory infections, especially in regions where conventional treatments are less feasible. The potential of α7nAChR-targeted therapies, alongside the protective effects of LGS, could mark a new era in the treatment of viral respiratory complications.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Phytomedicine.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711324008882
 
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