Protective effects of Jing-Si-herbal-tea in inflammatory cytokines-induced cell injury on normal human lung fibroblast via multiomic platform analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The protective effects and related mechanisms of Jing-Si herbal tea (JSHT) were investigated in cellular damage mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, on normal human lung fibroblast by multiomic platform analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in silico high-throughput target was analyzed using pharmacophore models by BIOVIA Discovery Studio 2022 with ingenuity pathway analysis software. To assess cell viability, the study utilized the MTT assay technique. In addition, the IncuCyte S3 ZOOM System was implemented for the continuous monitoring of cell confluence of JSHT-treated cytokine-injured HEL 299 cells. Cytokine concentrations were determined using a Quantibody Human Inflammation Array. Gene expression and signaling pathways were determined using next-generation sequencing.

RESULTS: In silico high-throughput target analysis of JSHT revealed ingenuity in canonical pathways and their networks. Glucocorticoid receptor signaling is a potential signaling of JSHT. The results revealed protective effects against the inflammatory cytokines on JSHT-treated HEL 299 cells. Transcriptome and network analyses revealed that induction of helper T lymphocytes, TNFSF12, NFKB1-mediated relaxin signaling, and G-protein coupled receptor signaling play important roles in immune regulatory on JSHT-treated cytokine-injured HEL 299 cells.

CONCLUSION: The findings from our research indicate that JSHT holds promise as a therapeutic agent, potentially offering advantageous outcomes in treating virus infections through various mechanisms. Furthermore, the primary bioactive components in JSHT justify extended research in antiviral drug development, especially in the context of addressing coronavirus.