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Article

Mechanistic Exploration of Yiqi Zengmian in Regulating the Microenvironment as an Immunopotentiator with the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Coronavirus Vaccine Based on Transcriptomics and Integrated Serum Pharmacochemistry

by
Zeyue Yu
1,2,
Yudong Wang
2,
Jianhui Sun
2,
Xiaotong Zheng
3,
Liyu Hao
2,
Yurong Deng
2,
Jianliang Li
2,
Zongyuan Li
2,
Zhongchao Shan
2,
Weidong Li
3,
Yuling Qiao
3,
Ruili Huo
4,
Yibai Xiong
4,
Hairu Huo
2,
Hui Li
2,
Longfei Lin
2,
Hanhui Huang
2,
Guimin Liu
2,
Aoao Wang
2,
Hongmei Li
2,* and
Luqi Huang
1,*add Show full author list remove Hide full author list
1
National Resource Center for Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China
2
Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China
3
Beijing Institute of Biological Products Company Limited, No. 9 Boxing Second Road, Beijing 100176, China
4
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16 Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei Ave., Beijing 100700, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(6), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18060802
Submission received: 21 April 2025 / Revised: 15 May 2025 / Accepted: 21 May 2025 / Published: 27 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
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Abstract

Background: Yiqi Zengmian (YQZM) functions as an immunopotentiator by enhancing both cellular and humoral immunity. However, its pharmacodynamic active constituents, particularly those absorbed into the bloodstream, and mechanism of action remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the immunopotentiating effects and mechanisms of YQZM in mice immunized with the BBIBP-CorV (Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Coronavirus Vaccine). Methods: Serum pharmacochemistry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) were employed to identify bioavailable components of YQZM. The mice received the BBIBP-CorV twice on days 1 and 14, while YQZM was orally administered for 28 days. Neutralization assays and ELISA quantified antigen-specific antibodies (abs), flow cytometry (FC) and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) were used to assess immune cell populations and their cytokines, and an enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISpot) quantified memory T and B cells (MBs and MTs). To identify underlying mechanisms, network pharmacology, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), molecular docking, Western blotting (WB), and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) were performed. Results: YQZM significantly enhanced antigen-specific antibody titers, immune cell proportions, cytokine levels, and memory lymphocyte functions. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified 31 bioactive compounds in YQZM. KEGG enrichment analysis based on RNA-Seq and network pharmacology implicated the TLR-JAK-STAT signaling pathway in YQZM’s immune-enhancing effects. WB and RT-PCR validated that YQZM upregulated the expression of critical nodes in the TLR-JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Furthermore, molecular docking indicated that YQZM’s primary active components exhibited strong binding affinity for critical proteins. Conclusions: YQZM effectively enhances vaccine-induced innate and adaptive immunity via a multi-component, multi-target mechanism, among which the TLR-JAK-STAT signaling pathway is a validated molecular target.
Keywords: Yiqi Zengmian decoction; BBIBP-CorV; humoral immunity; cellular immunity; transcriptome analysis; network pharmacology Yiqi Zengmian decoction; BBIBP-CorV; humoral immunity; cellular immunity; transcriptome analysis; network pharmacology
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MDPI and ACS Style

Yu, Z.; Wang, Y.; Sun, J.; Zheng, X.; Hao, L.; Deng, Y.; Li, J.; Li, Z.; Shan, Z.; Li, W.; et al. Mechanistic Exploration of Yiqi Zengmian in Regulating the Microenvironment as an Immunopotentiator with the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Coronavirus Vaccine Based on Transcriptomics and Integrated Serum Pharmacochemistry. Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18, 802. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18060802

AMA Style

Yu Z, Wang Y, Sun J, Zheng X, Hao L, Deng Y, Li J, Li Z, Shan Z, Li W, et al. Mechanistic Exploration of Yiqi Zengmian in Regulating the Microenvironment as an Immunopotentiator with the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Coronavirus Vaccine Based on Transcriptomics and Integrated Serum Pharmacochemistry. Pharmaceuticals. 2025; 18(6):802. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18060802

Chicago/Turabian Style

Yu, Zeyue, Yudong Wang, Jianhui Sun, Xiaotong Zheng, Liyu Hao, Yurong Deng, Jianliang Li, Zongyuan Li, Zhongchao Shan, Weidong Li, and et al. 2025. "Mechanistic Exploration of Yiqi Zengmian in Regulating the Microenvironment as an Immunopotentiator with the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Coronavirus Vaccine Based on Transcriptomics and Integrated Serum Pharmacochemistry" Pharmaceuticals 18, no. 6: 802. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18060802

APA Style

Yu, Z., Wang, Y., Sun, J., Zheng, X., Hao, L., Deng, Y., Li, J., Li, Z., Shan, Z., Li, W., Qiao, Y., Huo, R., Xiong, Y., Huo, H., Li, H., Lin, L., Huang, H., Liu, G., Wang, A., ... Huang, L. (2025). Mechanistic Exploration of Yiqi Zengmian in Regulating the Microenvironment as an Immunopotentiator with the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Coronavirus Vaccine Based on Transcriptomics and Integrated Serum Pharmacochemistry. Pharmaceuticals, 18(6), 802. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18060802

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