Antiviral effects of Atractyloside A on the influenza B virus (Victoria strain) infection

Abstract

Influenza viruses pose a serious threat to human health, infecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide each year, resulting in a significant increase in global morbidity and mortality. Influenza activity has declined at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the genetic diversity of B/Victoria lineage viruses has increased significantly during this period. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of the influenza B Victoria strain virus should continue to attract research attention. In this study, we found that Atractyloside A (AA), one of the effective components in Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC shows potential antiviral properties. This study shows that AA not only possesses anti-influenza B virus infection effects in vivo and in vitro but also can regulate macrophage polarization to the M2 type, which can effectively attenuate the damage caused by influenza B virus infection. Therefore, Atractyloside A may be an effective natural drug against B/Victoria influenza infection.