Licochalcone A plays dual antiviral roles by inhibiting RSV and protecting against host damage

Abstract Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes lower respiratory tract diseases and bronchiolitis in children and elderly individuals. There are no effective drugs currently available to treat RSV infection. In this study, we report that Licochalcone A (LCA) can inhibit RSV replication and mitigate RSV‐induced cell damage in vitro, and that LCA exerts a protective effect by reducing the viral titer and inflammation in the lungs of infected mice in vivo. We suggest that the mechanism of action occurs through pathways of antioxidant stress and inflammation. Further mechanistic results demonstrate that LCA can induce nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) translocation into the nucleus, activate heme oxygenase 1 (HO‐1), and inhibit reactive oxygen species‐induced oxidative stress. LCA also works to reverse the decrease in I‐kappa‐B‐alpha (IкBα) levels caused by RSV, which in turn inhibits inflammation through the associated nuclear factor kappa B and tumor necrosis factor‐α signaling pathways. The combined action of the two cross‐talking pathways protects hosts from RSV‐induced damage. To conclude, our study is the first of its kind to establish evidence of LCA as a viable treatment for RSV infection.