Exploration of the mechanisms and active compounds of Scutellaria barbata D. Don against influenza A (H1N1) virus
- 1College of Basic Medicine, Jining Medical University , ,
- 2Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medicinal Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , ,
- 3Beijing Life Science Academy , ,
Abstract
Introduction: Scutellaria barbata D. Don ( S. barbata ), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely used for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, has shown broad-spectrum antiviral potential. However, its anti-H1N1 activity and underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated.
Methods: In this study, the anti-H1N1 activity and underlying mechanisms of S. barbata extract were investigated using H1N1-infected MDCK cells and BALB/c mice. Transcriptomic analysis followed by mRNA and protein-level validation was performed to characterize its molecular effects, while UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used to identify blood-absorbed constituents. Potential active compounds were subsequently screened by integrating the absorbed constituents with network pharmacology and further validated in vitro and in vivo .
Results: S. barbata extract markedly inhibited H1N1 replication in MDCK cells (IC ₅₀ = 42.87 μg/mL; CC ₅₀ > 500 μg/mL) and reduced viral burden and pulmonary inflammation in infected mice. Mechanistically, S. barbata treatment suppressed the Toll-like receptor, NF-κB, and chemokine signaling pathways, suggesting coordinated regulation of antiviral and inflammatory responses. Among the blood-absorbed constituents, baicalein and chrysoeriol were identified as key candidate active compounds and exhibited potent anti-H1N1 activity in vitro and in vivo (IC ₅₀ = 13.80 and 11.10 μM, respectively).
Discussion: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that S. barbata exerts anti-H1N1 effects through a combination of direct inhibition of viral replication and modulation of excessive inflammatory responses, with baicalein and chrysoeriol representing important contributors to its antiviral activity.
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BibTeX
@article{yang2026exploration,
title = {{Exploration of the mechanisms and active compounds of Scutellaria barbata D. Don against influenza A (H1N1) virus}},
author = {Ying Yang and Junjing Shao and Lin Hou and Shihao Sun and Guihong Qi},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1945077},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13668814},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Exploration of the mechanisms and active compounds of Scutellaria barbata D. Don against influenza A (H1N1) virus
AU - Ying Yang
AU - Junjing Shao
AU - Lin Hou
AU - Shihao Sun
AU - Guihong Qi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Frontiers in microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1945077
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13668814
AB - Introduction: Scutellaria barbata D. Don ( S. barbata ), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely used for its heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, has shown broad-spectrum antiviral potential. However, its anti-H1N1 activity and underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Methods: In this study, the anti-H1N1 activity and underlying mechanisms of S. barbata extract were investigated using H1N1-infected MDCK cells and BALB/c mice. Transcriptomic analysis followed by mRNA and protein-level validation was performed to characterize its molecular effects, while UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was used to identify blood-absorbed constituents. Potential active compounds were subsequently screened by integrating the absorbed constituents with network pharmacology and further validated in vitro and in vivo . Results: S. barbata extract markedly inhibited H1N1 replication in MDCK cells (IC ₅₀ = 42.87 μg/mL; CC ₅₀ > 500 μg/mL) and reduced viral burden and pulmonary inflammation in infected mice. Mechanistically, S. barbata treatment suppressed the Toll-like receptor, NF-κB, and chemokine signaling pathways, suggesting coordinated regulation of antiviral and inflammatory responses. Among the blood-absorbed constituents, baicalein and chrysoeriol were identified as key candidate active compounds and exhibited potent anti-H1N1 activity in vitro and in vivo (IC ₅₀ = 13.80 and 11.10 μM, respectively). Discussion: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that S. barbata exerts anti-H1N1 effects through a combination of direct inhibition of viral replication and modulation of excessive inflammatory responses, with baicalein and chrysoeriol representing important contributors to its antiviral activity.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -