Immunosuppressive effect of licorice flavonoids investigated by the cytokine storm caused by covid-19 simulated by lipopolysaccharide

ABSTRACT

The majority of deaths in the global epidemic of COVID-19 is caused by ALI and ARDS, in which cytokine storm caused by excessive secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, in the lung plays an essential role in the development of these two lung injuries. This research is designed to establish a mice model using LPS to simulate the cytokine storm generated by SARS-CoV-2 invasion in mice, and then to administer different doses of licorice flavonoid to mice before and after the model establishment. The expression levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) were measured by ELISA assay and RT-qPCR assay. This experiment was designed to test the inhibitory effects of prevention and direct treatment with licorice flavonoids on cytokine storm, providing an academic basis for exploring the possibility of clinical use of licorice flavonoids in the treatment of COVID-19, or widespread use in human bodies for prevention, through a more convenient and cheaper way compared to vaccines or glucocorticoids. © 2021 ACM.