Lizhong decoction inhibits porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in vitro and in vivo.

ABSTRACT

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Lizhong decoction (LZD) is a frequently utilized traditional Chinese remedy for diarrhea. It is unknown how effective it is as an antiviral against PEDV infection. AIM OF THE STUDY In vitro and in vivo PEDV infection models were used to evaluate the anti-PEDV potential of LZD extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LC-MS was used for qualitative analysis of LZD. The antiviral effect of LZD against PEDV using flow cytometry (FC), Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QPCR), immunofluorescence assay (IFA) analysis in Vero and IPEC-J2 cells. Additionally, we measured the survival rate, clinical symptoms, body weights, fecal scores, temperature, histological analysis, and viral load in a model of newborn piglets infected with PEDV in order to assess the antiviral impact of LZD in vivo. RESULTS: In total, 648 compounds were identified, including 144 Alkaloids, 128 Terpenoids, etc. LZD effectively suppressed PEDV replication in vitro. According to time of addition experiments, LZD mostly inhibited PEDV during the viral life cycle's replication stages. During PEDV infection, LZD can Significantly decrease the apoptotic rate of IPEC-J2 cells and Vero cells. In comparison to the model group, LZD was able to decrease the viral titers in the infected piglets' intestinal and visceral tissues, ameliorate their intestinal pathology, cause a significant increase in body weight growth and increase the piglet survival rate. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the aqueous solution derived from LZD suppressed PEDV replication both in vitro and in vivo, indicating its potential as a candidate for pharmaceutical development.