• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.465-480
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• 2009

Objective : Lonicerae Flos has detoxifying properties and been used as antipyretic, antibacterial and antitumor. Fermentation of herbal medicine is known to increase the absorption, enhance effectiveness, decrease herbal toxicity and reduce side-effects. This study was performed to measure the effects of fermented Lonicerae Flos on influenza A/WSN (H1N1) virus replication. Material and Methods : Lonicerae Flos was fermented by Lactobacillus casei PM1. Fermented Lonicerae Flos was treated for 12 hours to MDCK (Mardin Darby canine kidney) cells, then cell-virulence was observed by MTT assay for 12 hours, 24 hours, and 36 hours after treatment. Following cases were conducted for 0, 10, 100, and $1000{\mu}g/ml$ concentrations of fermented Lonicerae Flos under the same time-frame; the fermented Lonicerae Flos was treated to MDCK cells before and after contamination by A-type influenza virus. The fermented Lonicerae Flos and the virus were mixed directly. The influence was observed by MTT assay and plaque assay. Results : These findings suggest that the fermented Lonicerae Flos inhibited the virulence of influenza A virus in MDCK cells and suppressed the plaque forming colonies induced by influenza A virus. Furthermore, pretreatment with fermented Lonicerae Flos was more effective than post-treatment. The titer of influenza virus was reduced for all before and after influenza A virus inoculation.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2011

The fruit body of Forsythiae Fructus (Oleaceae), a common Korean medical herb, is widely used in the treatment of cold and inflammation. In order to elucidate the action mechanism and the active principles from the plant against anti-influenza virus, the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) gene RT-PCR and Viral Screening & Identification (VSI) assay were conducted, and the activity against viral replication was also investigated. Consequently, one active constituent, namely pinoresinol showed the in vitro antiviral principle using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction method, indicating pinoresinol possessed anti-influenza viral activity. Furthermore, combination of pinoresinol and Tamiflu exhibited higher activities than Tamiflu alone against influenza virus (H3N2) infection. The results suggested that combination of pinoresinol with Tamiflu could be a better candidate for an ant-H3N2 viral agent in the treatment of the influenza.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.197-203
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• 2007

A total of 501 serum samples were selected from blood samples that were submitted to Department of Veterinary Pathology, Kangwon National University from all provinces in Korea from September 2001 to August 2002. Their sera were examined for antibodies to swine influenza virus subtype H1N1 (SlV H1N1) and porcine repro-ductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) according to the age of pig, season, and herd size using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalence of SIV H1N1, PRRSV, and dual infection were 39.12%, 61.48%, and 25.95%, respectively. The seroprevalence of SIV H1N1 according to herd size was not significant differences (p>0.05). The results showed that the PRRSV infection spread widely in swine herds throughout the country.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.96-103
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• 2016

The influenza A (H1N1) virus, also known as swine flu is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality since 2009. There is a need to explore novel anti-viral drugs for overcoming the epidemics. Traditionally, different plant extracts of garlic, ginger, kalmegh, ajwain, green tea, turmeric, menthe, tulsi, etc. have been used as hopeful source of prevention and treatment of human influenza. The H1N1 virus contains an important glycoprotein, known as neuraminidase (NA) that is mainly responsible for initiation of viral infection and is essential for the life cycle of H1N1. It is responsible for sialic acid cleavage from glycans of the infected cell. We employed amino acid sequence of H1N1 NA to predict the tertiary structure using Phyre2 server and validated using ProCheck, ProSA, ProQ, and ERRAT server. Further, the modelled structure was docked with thirteen natural compounds of plant origin using AutoDock4.2. Most of the natural compounds showed effective inhibitory activity against H1N1 NA in binding condition. This study also highlights interaction of these natural inhibitors with amino residues of NA protein. Furthermore, among 13 natural compounds, theaflavin, found in green tea, was observed to inhibit H1N1 NA proteins strongly supported by lowest docking energy. Hence, it may be of interest to consider theaflavin for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.260-265
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• 2005

Purpose : During epidemics, influenza induces a high mortality and morbidity, and when influenza is prevalent, it is revealed by increased pneumonia, hospitalization due to influenza-like illness, and mortality in community. We aimed at the isolation of influenza virus and prevalence period in Busan from 2000 to 2002. Methods : For 3 years from 2000 to 2002, we analyzed the patterns of influenza virus, the occurrence distribution of influenza by age and sex and the prevalence period after cultivating the examined materials from throat smears and snivel, collected from patients in St. Benedict Hospital Pediatrics Department, from 10 monitoring hospitals, and from 16 public health centers. Results : For three years, a total of 209 strains of influenza virus were isolated. In 2000, there were A/sydney/05/97(H3N2)-like, A/Beijing/262/95(H1N1)-like and B/Harbin/07/94-like. In 2001, there were A/Panama/2007/99(H3N2)-like and A/Newcaledonia/20/99(H1N1)-like. In 2002, there were A/Panama/2007/99(H3N2)-like, A/Newcaledonia/20/99(H1N1)-like, B/Beijing/243/97, B/Honkong/22/2001 and B/Sichuam/379/99. The occurrence distribution by sexes were 14 males and 25 females in 2000, 23 males and 33 females in 2001, 57 males and 57 females in 2002. As for the occurrence distribution by ages, 0-10 years made up 48.4 percent in 2000, 11-20 years 33.93 percent in 2001, and below 10 years was 64.91 percent in 2002. As for the occurrence distribution by month, the rate was once high in January and somewhat high in April and by June, when there happened to be various viruses, though there was a low rate in 2000. On the other hand, the virus was concentrated in February and March in 2001. And in 2002, it happened high twice, in March and November. Conclusion : Influenza virus revealed frequent antigenic changes and infect children, especially those below 10 years of age from late fall to early spring. So we should consider appropriate prevention in children.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.225-231
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• 2014

In this study we aim to extensively investigate the anti-influenza virus immune responses in human pharyngeal epithelial cell line (Hep-2) and evaluate the protective role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands in seasonal influenza A H1N1 (sH1N1) infections in vitro. We first investigated the expression of the TLRs and cytokines genes in resting and sH1N1 infected Hep-2 cells. Clear expressions of TLR3, TLR9, interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interferon (IFN)-${\beta}$ were detected in resting Hep-2 cells. After sH1N1 infection, a ten-fold of TLR3 and TLR9 were elicited. Concomitant with the TLRs activation, transcriptional expression of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\beta}$ were significantly induced in sH1N1-infected cells. Pre-treatment of cells with poly I:C (an analog of viral double-stranded RNA) and CpG-ODN (a CpG-motif containing oligodeoxydinucleotide) resulted in a strong reduction of viral and cytokines mRNA expression. The results presented indicated the innate immune response activation in Hep-2 cells and affirm the antiviral role of Poly I:C and CpG-ODN in the protection against seasonal influenza A viruses.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.558-570
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• 2009

Background : Since March 2009, when the first patient of novel influenza A (H1N1) was reported, many deaths have occurred in North and Central America. The start of the 2009 influenza pandemic was declared by WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan on 11 June 2009, and the level of influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 5 to phase 6. There was no vaccine yet developed, and many experts worried that the novel H1N1 virus could kill as many or more as did the influenza pandemic in 1918-1919. Objective : To evaluate the possibility of treatment for 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) using herbal remedies and other non-conventional therapies. Methods : We researched the clinical studies for novel H1N1 influenza virus-related herbal medicine or non-conventional medicine treatment using internet search engines including PubMed and CNKI. In addition, we reviewed many reports and clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for influenza A (H1N1). Results : Two case series were selected after reviewing 701 papers, and two CPG published by the Chinese government and Jilin province identified. They reported that the clinical symptoms were no more significant than seasonal influenza, and the condition of patients more than 45 years old was milder than those less than 45 years old. There are no patients with gastric problems, and oseltamivir has been used at the same time in all patients. Conclusion : The efficacy and effectiveness of herbal medicine and other non-conventional treatments for the novel influenza A (H1N1) is questionable, and more studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion. However, in the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) experience in 2002/2003, it was demonstrated that herbal medicine can relieve all symptoms of SARS patients, promote absorption of lung inflammation, improve the degree of blood oxygen saturation, regulate immunological functions, reduce the required dosage of glucocorticoid and other medicines, and reduce case fatality rate. In light of the current situation that there is no vaccine or conventional treatment yet available, the study of herbal medicine and other non-conventional therapies are also necessary for appropriate evaluation.

• Journal of the Korean Professional Engineers Association
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.42-46
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• 2009

Every year influenza contributes to the death of 72 people in the South korea, 20,000 in the U.S. and perhaps millions worldwide. The swine fever so-called the noble flu A H1N1, a strain of the flu virus, which jumped species and burst into the human population in March and April of this year. The outbreak of 2009 novel H1N1 was the fourth in 100 years. Fortunately, it led to today's comparatively tame swine flu than the vicious 1918, which was original H1N1 pandemic flu virus, killed at least 40 million worldwide in an ongoing pandemic era. Although the 2009 H1N1 which is still in full swing, this global flu epidemic is already teaching scientists valuable lessons about pandemics. Evidence accumulated these days indicates that the 2009 H1N1 was not entirely new to all human immune systems. This article introduces only an outline for our better understanding the basic mechanisms of influenza and the vaccination about longstanding fears of that worst-case scenario engendered pandemic that are paying off today.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.173-181
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• 2011

Purpose : 2009 Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified in March 2009 and subsequently caused worldwide outbreaks. We described the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of H1N1 influenza infection. Methods : We used retrospective medical chart reviews to collect data on the visiting patients from a single institute. H1N1 infection was confirmed in specimens with the use of a RT-PCR (real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay). Result : 6,836 patients had H1N1 RT-PCR test, and 2,781 were confirmed with H1N1 virus infection. 158 patients (5.7%) had hospital treatment and inpatients were significantly younger (5.4${\pm}$3.3 years) than outpatients (7.5${\pm}$3.9 years) among H1N1 virus confirmed patients. Oxygen, steroid, immunoglobulin, ventilator treatment was provided in a substantial proportion among pneumonia patients accompanying wheezy respiration. In addition more intensive care was needed in patients accompanying segmental, lobar, interstitial, mixed pneumonia and lung effusion (27.2%) than patients with bronchopneumonia (7.3%) among H1N1 virus infection confirmed patients. Seventy-one infants had oseltamivir treatment out of 83 infants under 1 year, and no significant side effects and complications were identified. Conclusion : In 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1), hospital treatment was needed in younger patients. Early intensive care was needed in pneumonia patients accompanying wheezy respiration, and patients accompanying segmental, lobar, interstitial, mixed pneumonia and lung effusion.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.862-868
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• 2009

Since its identification in April 2009, a swine-origin H1N1 influenza A virus (S-OIV) which is a reassortment of gene segments from both North American triple-reassortant and Eurasian swine influenza has been widely spread among humans in unexpected rapidity. To date, each gene segment of the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) outbreak viruses have shown high (99.9%) neucleotide sequence identity. As of July 6, 94,512 people have been infected in 122 countries, of whom 429 have died with an overall case-fatality rate of <0.5%. Most confirmed cases of S-OIV infection have been characterized by self-limited, uncomplicated febrile respiratory illness and 38% of cases have also included vomiting or diarrhea. Standard plus droplet precautions should be adhered to at all times. Tests on S-OIV have indicated that current new H1N1 viruses are sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir). However, current less virulent S-OIV may evolve into a pathogenic strain or acquire antiviral resistance, potentially with more severe clinical consequences. Efforts to control these outbreaks would be based on our understanding of novel S-OIV and previous influenza pandemics.