Human tissue Organoids: A New Frontier of Antiviral Research in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Viruses, with high adaptability and immune evasion capabilities, are responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases from localized infections to global pandemics, continuously posing threats to global public health. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has demonstrated significant potential in antiviral therapy. With its multi-component, multi-target synergistic mechanism, TCM offers unique advantages in the intervention of viral diseases. However, progress in elucidating the active antiviral constituents of TCM and identifying their precise molecular targets remains limited, primarily due to the lack of humanized models that can faithfully recapitulate the natural course of viral infection. The emergence of organoid technology has introduced new opportunities for antiviral research in TCM. Human organoids, which recapitulate the three-dimensional architecture and physiological functions of human tissues, provide an advanced platform for modeling host–virus interactions in a human-relevant context. This article highlights the latest advances in applications of human tissue organoids, including lung, liver, and brain organoids, in the study of respiratory viruses (SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus), hepatitis viruses (HBV, HCV, HEV), and neurotropic viruses (ZIKV, prions, HCMV); illustrates how organoid models have been leveraged to evaluate both the efficacy and safety of TCM-based antiviral interventions. Although human tissue organoids still face technical challenges in insufficient vascularization and incomplete immune microenvironment, they represent a powerful tool for dissecting the mechanism of TCM antiviral action and for guiding the development of personalized antiviral strategies. Looking ahead, human tissue organoid technology is expected to become key enabling platform for promoting the clinical transformation of TCM in the field of antiviral medicine.