Chinese scientists found an effective drug for treating and controlling the Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) from tick bites.
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a novel emerging acute infectious disease caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), characterized by high fever and thrombocytopenia. It has been proved that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has displayed definite therapeutic effects on viral hemorrhagic fever, indicating its potential to treat SFTS. In this study, SFTS-relative key targets were predicted via Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was then used to select stable binders. Molecules matched TCMs were identified, and a new prescription, Qingqi Guxue decoction (QQGX), was formulated to clear heat and nourish blood, with a resulting drug composition network. We explored the optimal drug proportion for QQGX. Through an in-depth study of molecular mechanisms, we found that QQGX induces S phase arrest by promoting the degradation of Cyclin A2 (CCNA2) and Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), thereby inhibiting SFTSV replication. Finally, we verified the effectiveness and safety of QQGX based on the mouse liver bile duct organoid model infected with SFTSV. In summary, our study prepared a TCM decoction using the method of network pharmacology. This decoction has a significant inhibitory effect on the replication of SFTSV and provides a new treatment strategy for hemorrhagic fever with TCM.
一种通过蜱虫传播的致命传染病——发热伴血小板减少综合征(SFTS)近日迎来治疗新曙光！天津大学生命科学学院王涛教授团队在国际知名期刊《中国病毒学》发表突破性研究成果，揭示由金银花等五味中药组成的“清气固血方”能通过独特的分子机制有效抑制病毒复制，为这一全球重点关注传染病带来中医药解决方案。
这种被民间称为“蜱虫病”的急性传染病，其元凶SFTS病毒可通过蜱虫叮咬侵入人体，引发持续高热、血小板锐减、多器官衰竭等危急症状。由于缺乏特效药和疫苗，我国每年报告病例数持续攀升，该传染病已成为世界卫生组织重点监控的公共卫生威胁。
天津大学王涛教授团队将目光投向传承千年的中医药宝库，运用现代科技手段展开攻关。他们将网络药理学与分子对接技术结合，从百余种中药材中精准筛选出金银花、丹参、连翘、乌药、玄参五种药材组成复方。实验显示，该复方中的关键成分木犀草素如同精准制导的“生物导弹”，能直接作用于细胞周期调控蛋白CCNA2和CDK2，通过剂量依赖方式将宿主细胞“冻结”在细胞DNA合成期，使病毒失去复制所需的“温床”。在类器官实验中，不仅病毒载量在“清气固血防”处理组显著降低，因感染引发的肝胆类器官损伤也得到有效控制。
“这项研究系统阐释了中药复方通过调控细胞周期抗病毒的科学机制。”据团队负责人王涛教授介绍，他们采用现代科研手段验证传统医学智慧，发现中药成分不仅能抑制病毒复制，还能缓解过度炎症反应，这种“双管齐下”的治疗策略为应对新发传染病提供了创新思路。“在这项研究中，我们的本科生与研究生组成的跨年级团队通力合作，也展现了青年科研力量的蓬勃生机。”
据了解，该项目得到国家自然科学基金重点支持，目前正推进后续转化研究。专家还建议在蜱虫活跃季节做好个人防护，发现疑似症状及时就医，共同筑牢生命安全防线。
