A proof-of-concept study in HCV-infected Huh7.5 cells for shortening the duration of DAA-based triple treatment regimens

Acremosides A-G, Sugar Alcohol-Conjugated Acyclic Sesquiterpenes from a Sponge-Derived Acremonium Species

Seven new sugar alcohol-conjugated acyclic sesquiterpenes, acremosides A-G (1-7), were isolated from the cultures of the sponge-associated fungus Acremonium sp. IMB18-086 cultivated with heat-killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The structures were determined by comprehensive analyses of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The relative configurations were established by J-based configuration analysis and acetonide derivatization. The absolute configurations were elucidated by the Mosher ester method and ECD calculations. The structures of acremosides E-G (5-7) featured the linear sesquiterpene skeleton with a tetrahydrofuran moiety attached to a sugar alcohol. Acremosides A (1) and C-E (3-5) showed significant inhibitory activities against hepatitis C virus (EC50 values of 4.8-8.8 μM) with no cytotoxicity (CC50 of >200 μM).

Drug Repurposing for Influenza Virus Polymerase Acidic (PA) Endonuclease Inhibitor

Drug repurposing can quickly and effectively identify novel drug repurposing opportunities. The PA endonuclease catalytic site has recently become regarded as an attractive target for the screening of anti-influenza drugs. PA N-terminal (PAN) inhibitor can inhibit the entire PA endonuclease activity. In this study, we screened the effectivity of PAN inhibitors from the FDA database through in silico methods and in vitro experiments. PAN and mutant PAN-I38T were chosen as virtual screening targets for overcoming drug resistance. Gel-based PA endonuclease analysis determined that the drug lifitegrast can effectively inhibit PAN and PAN-I38T, when the IC50 is 32.82 ± 1.34 μM and 26.81 ± 1.2 μM, respectively. Molecular docking calculation showed that lifitegrast interacted with the residues around PA or PA-I38 T's active site, occupying the catalytic site pocket. Both PAN/PAN-I38T and lifitegrast can acquire good equilibrium in 100 ns molecular dynamic simulation. Because of these properties, lifitegrast, which can effectively inhibit PA endonuclease activity, was screened through in silico and in vitro research. This new research will be of significance in developing more effective and selective drugs for anti-influenza therapy.

Inhibition of viral suppressor of RNAi proteins by designer peptides protects from enteroviral infection in vivo

RNA interference (RNAi) is the major antiviral mechanism in plants and invertebrates, but the absence of detectable viral (v)siRNAs in mammalian cells upon viral infection has questioned the functional relevance of this pathway in mammalian immunity. We designed a series of peptides specifically targeting enterovirus A71 (EV-A71)-encoded protein 3A, a viral suppressor of RNAi (VSR). These peptides abrogated the VSR function of EV-A71 in infected cells and resulted in the accumulation of vsiRNAs and reduced viral replication. These vsiRNAs were functional, as evidenced by RISC-loading and silencing of target RNAs. The effects of VSR-targeting peptides (VTPs) on infection with EV-A71 as well as another enterovirus, Coxsackievirus-A16, were ablated upon deletion of Dicer1 or AGO2, core components of the RNAi pathway. In vivo, VTP treatment protected mice against lethal EV-A71 challenge, with detectable vsiRNAs. Our findings provide evidence for the functional relevance of RNAi in mammalian immunity and present a therapeutic strategy for infectious disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment and Pharmacist-Led Medication Management

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death across the globe. Its repeated exacerbation will seriously worsen the quality of life, aggravate the patients’ symptoms, and bring a heavy burden on the patients and the society. Understanding the current status of drug therapy and the role of pharmaceutical care is essential for the management of COPD. In addition to the drugs already on the market, recent clinical trials also show that emerging novel drugs for treating COPD are being developed to prevent the symptoms, reduce the frequency of acute exacerbation, and improve the quality of life. Recent progress in new drug research should lead to novel treatment options for COPD patients in future clinical practice. The pharmaceutical care has shown significantly favourable impacts on addressing drug-related problems, supporting its vital role in the management of COPD, especially when there are a wide range of therapeutic agents. This review not only provides an overview of current treatment strategies but also further underlines the importance of new drug development and pharmaceutical care for patients with COPD.

Aloperine inhibits hepatitis C virus entry into cells by disturbing internalisation from endocytosis to the membrane fusion process

Aloperine, a natural alkaloid isolated from the Chinese traditional herb Sophora alopecuroides, is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent with anti-inflammatory activity. Here, we found that aloperine effectively inhibited hepatitis C virus (HCV) propagation in Huh7.5 cells and primary human hepatocytes without cytotoxicity, and it blocked HCV cell-to-cell viral transmission. The antiviral mechanism evidence demonstrated that aloperine inhibits HCV internalisation from endocytosis to the membrane fusion process, and the target may be associated with host factors. Aloperine additively inhibited HCV propagation with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) and was effective against HCV variants resistant to known DAAs. Therefore, aloperine might be a natural lead compound for the development of innovative antivirals, and the combined use of aloperine with DAAs might contribute to eliminating liver diseases caused by HCV infection.