Bioassay guided isolation of caffeoylquinic acids from the leaves of Ilex pubescens Hook. et Arn. and investigation of their anti-influenza mechanism.

Eight CQAs isolated from the leaves of MDQ were found to inhibit influenza A virus. 3,4,5-TCQA was found to interact with Tyr100, Gln412 and Arg419 of influenza NA. This study provided scientific evidence on the use of MDQ for treating influenza virus infection, and laid the foundation for the development of CQA derivatives as potential antiviral agents.