The effects of traditional Chinese medicine Yinqi Sanhuang Jiedu Decoction on gene expression in HepG2.2.15 cells

Yinqi Sanhuang Jiedu Decoction (YQSHJD) is a clinically-proven formula for treating chronic hepatitis B and related fibrosis, demonstrating significant anti-HBV effects in clinical trials. However, its direct inhibitory effect on HBV and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The objective of this study is to elucidate the molecular mechanism through which YQSHJD inhibits HBV. HBV-replicating HepG2.2.15 cells were utilized as an in vitro HBV model to study the impact of YQSHJD on HBV replication. Network pharmacology and transcriptome analysis were used to research the targets for YQSHJD in inhibiting HBV replication. The results showed YQSHJD could inhibit HBV replication through regulation of the host antiviral targets. RNAs was extracted from HepG2.2.15 cells that were incubated with physiological saline and YQSHJD freeze-dried powder dilution for 3 days. The mRNA differential expression profile between the two groups was determined through RNA sequencing in Beijing, Novogene Co., Ltd, China.