Korean researchers find that the herb Angelica Tenuissima Nakai shows promise in fighting influenza A

Herbs And Phytochemicals: Researchers from Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Wonkwang University, and the Catholic University of Korea have made an exciting breakthrough in the battle against influenza A viruses. The study focuses on the herb Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN), known for its medicinal properties in traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. This Herbs And Phytochemicals news report reveals the study’s key findings, showing the antiviral potential of Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN) and its promising use as an alternative treatment for flu-like illnesses.


Korean researchers find that the herb Angelica Tenuissima Nakai shows promise in fighting influenza A

Influenza A and the Need for New Antivirals
Influenza A virus is a major global health issue, causing periodic outbreaks and pandemics. With the virus evolving, treatments have become less effective, creating an urgent need for alternative antiviral therapies. While vaccines are available, they offer limited protection, especially for the elderly. Currently, there are three types of antiviral drugs used to treat influenza A: M2 channel inhibitors, neuraminidase inhibitors, and the recently developed baloxavir marboxil. However, these treatments face the challenge of drug resistance.
 
Angelica Tenuissima Nakai: Traditional Medicine with Modern Potential
Angelica tenuissima Nakai, a plant from the Umbelliferae family, has long been used in East Asia to treat various ailments, including headaches, colds, and inflammation. Its root extracts have shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and liver-protective effects, making it an attractive candidate for further research. In this study, scientists tested ATN’s antiviral properties against influenza A virus strains H1N1 and H3N2, aiming to uncover its potential as a modern therapeutic agent.
 
The Study: How ATN Targets Influenza A Virus
The researchers conducted a series of experiments to explore how ATN interacts with the influenza A virus. The study used Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, which are commonly used for influenza research. The first step involved evaluating ATN's cytotoxicity to ensure it did not harm healthy cells. Using assays like methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and sulforhodamine B colorimetric (SRB), they found that ATN had low toxicity, meaning it was safe for use in therapeutic applications.
 
Next, the researchers tested the antiviral activity of Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN). They treated MDCK cells with different concentrations of ATN and then exposed the cells to the H1N1 and H3N2 strains of influenza A. The results were promising: ATN showed significant antiviral effects, particularly at concentrations of 100 µg/mL and 200 µg/mL. The virus's ability to infect and destroy cells was notably reduced, suggesting that ATN could inhibit the virus’s virulence.
 
How ATN Blocks the Virus: Time-of-Addition Experiments
One of the key questions the researchers aimed to answer was how Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN) blocks the influenza A virus. To investigate this, they performed time-of-addition experiments. These experiments are designed to determine at which stage of the virus's lifecycle a treatment is most effective.

In the case of ATN, the researchers found that it had the greatest antiviral impact when it was added before the virus adsorbed onto the host cells. This early-stage interference suggested that ATN prevents the virus from binding to and entering the cells. Interestingly, ATN did not seem to affect the virus at later stages of the lifecycle, such as replication or release. This specific mode of action sets ATN apart from other antiviral treatments, which typically target later stages of the virus’s replication.
 
Boosting Cell Survival: Microscopic Insights
The researchers also wanted to understand how Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN) affects cell survival after influenza infection. To do this, they conducted a microscopic examination of virus-infected cells treated with ATN. The results were remarkable. Cells infected with H1N1 or H3N2 showed significant damage, with many cells dying off. However, when treated with ATN, the survival rate of these cells increased dramatically. Even at lower doses, ATN appeared to protect the cells from the harmful effects of the virus, further reinforcing its potential as an antiviral agent.
 
ATN’s Molecular Impact: Reducing Viral RNA Synthesis
The team delved deeper into ATN’s antiviral properties by examining its impact on viral RNA synthesis. By using real-time PCR, they measured the levels of viral RNA in infected cells. Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN) significantly reduced the production of viral RNA, particularly in the early stages of infection. This reduction in viral RNA levels suggests that ATN inhibits the virus's ability to replicate within the host cells, thereby halting the spread of infection.
 
However, the researchers noted that further studies are required to determine whether Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN) directly affects viral RNA synthesis or if it blocks earlier steps in the virus’s replication cycle. Regardless, the evidence strongly supports ATN’s potential as a treatment for influenza A.
 
Why This Matters: The Global Impact of Herbal Antivirals
The discovery of ATN’s antiviral properties is significant, especially as the world faces evolving viral threats. Current antiviral drugs are losing their effectiveness due to resistance, and new strains of influenza continue to emerge. Natural products like Angelica tenuissima Nakai (ATN) offer a new avenue for treatment, especially since they tend to have fewer side effects and are less likely to contribute to drug resistance.
 
Herbal medicines, such as ATN, have been used for centuries in East Asia, and modern science is now uncovering their potential benefits. By studying these traditional remedies, researchers are not only preserving cultural knowledge but also discovering new ways to combat global health challenges.
 
Conclusions: A Promising Future for ATN
In conclusion, Angelica tenuissima Nakai shows significant potential as an antiviral treatment for influenza A viruses. Its ability to inhibit viral infection in the early stages, combined with its low cytotoxicity, makes it a promising candidate for further research and development. As drug resistance continues to threaten current treatments, ATN could offer a natural and effective alternative.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Pathogens.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/13/9/761
 
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