Cytokine storm-calming property of the isoquinoline alkaloids in Coptis chinensis Franch

Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread worldwide and its effects have been more devastating than any other infectious disease. Importantly, patients with severe COVID-19 show conspicuous increases in cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1, IL-18, and IL-17, with characteristics of the cytokine storm (CS). Although recently studied cytokine inhibitors are considered as potent and targeted approaches, once an immunological complication like CS happens, anti-viral or anti-inflammation based monotherapy alone is not enough. Interestingly, certain isoquinoline alkaloids in Coptis chinensis Franch. (CCFIAs) exerted a multitude of biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory etc, revealing a great potential for calming CS. Therefore, in this timeline review, we report and compare the effects of CCFIAs to attenuate the exacerbation of inflammatory responses by modulating signaling pathways like NF-ĸB, mitogen-activated protein kinase, JAK/STAT, and NLRP3. In addition, we also discuss the role of berberine (BBR) in two different triggers of CS, namely sepsis and viral infections, as well as its clinical applications. These evidence provide a rationale for considering CCFIAs as therapeutic agents against inflammatory CS and this suggestion requires further validation with clinical studies.

Keywords: Coptis chinensis franch; berberine; cytokine storm; inflammatory signaling pathway; isoquinoline alkaloid.

FIGURE 1

Process of cytokine storm production induced by SARS-CoV-2.

FIGURE 2

Overactivation of innate immune signaling pathways and modulation of these pathways by isoquinoline alkaloids in Coptis Chinensis Franch.

FIGURE 3

Coptis Chinensis Franch. Whole plant (A), dry root (B), chemical structure of berberine, coptisine, and palmatine (C).