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Gabbianelli R, Shahar E, de Simone G, Rucci C, Bordoni L, Feliziani G, Zhao F, Ferrati M, Maggi F, Spinozzi E, Mahajna J. Plant-Derived Epi-Nutraceuticals as Potential Broad-Spectrum Anti-Viral Agents. Nutrients 2023; 15:4719. [PMID: 38004113 PMCID: PMC10675658 DOI: 10.3390/nu15224719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be diminishing, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a threat to humans due to their inherent transmissibility, immunological evasion, virulence, and invulnerability to existing therapies. The COVID-19 pandemic affected more than 500 million people and caused over 6 million deaths. Vaccines are essential, but in circumstances in which vaccination is not accessible or in individuals with compromised immune systems, drugs can provide additional protection. Targeting host signaling pathways is recommended due to their genomic stability and resistance barriers. Moreover, targeting host factors allows us to develop compounds that are effective against different viral variants as well as against newly emerging virus strains. In recent years, the globe has experienced climate change, which may contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases through a variety of factors. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can increase the geographic range of disease-carrying vectors, increasing the risk of diseases spreading to new areas. Climate change may also affect vector behavior, leading to a longer breeding season and more breeding sites for disease vectors. Climate change may also disrupt ecosystems, bringing humans closer to wildlife that transmits zoonotic diseases. All the above factors may accelerate the emergence of new viral epidemics. Plant-derived products, which have been used in traditional medicine for treating pathological conditions, offer structurally novel therapeutic compounds, including those with anti-viral activity. In addition, plant-derived bioactive substances might serve as the ideal basis for developing sustainable/efficient/cost-effective anti-viral alternatives. Interest in herbal antiviral products has increased. More than 50% of approved drugs originate from herbal sources. Plant-derived compounds offer diverse structures and bioactive molecules that are candidates for new drug development. Combining these therapies with conventional drugs could improve patient outcomes. Epigenetics modifications in the genome can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. Host cells can use epigenetic gene regulation as a mechanism to silence incoming viral DNA molecules, while viruses recruit cellular epitranscriptomic (covalent modifications of RNAs) modifiers to increase the translational efficiency and transcript stability of viral transcripts to enhance viral gene expression and replication. Moreover, viruses manipulate host cells' epigenetic machinery to ensure productive viral infections. Environmental factors, such as natural products, may influence epigenetic modifications. In this review, we explore the potential of plant-derived substances as epigenetic modifiers for broad-spectrum anti-viral activity, reviewing their modulation processes and anti-viral effects on DNA and RNA viruses, as well as addressing future research objectives in this rapidly emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosita Gabbianelli
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Ehud Shahar
- Department of Nutrition and Natural Products, Migal—Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel;
- Department of Biotechnology, Tel-Hai College, Kiryat Shmona 1220800, Israel
| | - Gaia de Simone
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Chiara Rucci
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Laura Bordoni
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Giulia Feliziani
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Fanrui Zhao
- Unit of Molecular Biology and Nutrigenomics, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (R.G.); (G.d.S.); (L.B.); (G.F.); (F.Z.)
| | - Marta Ferrati
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.F.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Filippo Maggi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.F.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Eleonora Spinozzi
- Chemistry Interdisciplinary Project (ChIP) Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (M.F.); (F.M.); (E.S.)
| | - Jamal Mahajna
- Department of Nutrition and Natural Products, Migal—Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel;
- Department of Biotechnology, Tel-Hai College, Kiryat Shmona 1220800, Israel
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Theerawatanasirikul S, Lueangaramkul V, Pantanam A, Mana N, Semkum P, Lekcharoensuk P. Small Molecules Targeting 3C Protease Inhibit FMDV Replication and Exhibit Virucidal Effect in Cell-Based Assays. Viruses 2023; 15:1887. [PMID: 37766293 PMCID: PMC10535379 DOI: 10.3390/v15091887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease in cloven-hoofed animals, caused by the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). It is endemic in Asia and Africa but spreads sporadically throughout the world, resulting in significant losses in the livestock industry. Effective anti-FMDV therapeutics could be a supportive control strategy. Herein, we utilized computer-aided, structure-based virtual screening to filter lead compounds from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) diversity and mechanical libraries using FMDV 3C protease (3Cpro) as the target. Seven hit compounds were further examined via cell-based antiviral and intracellular protease assays, in which two compounds (NSC116640 and NSC332670) strongly inhibited FMDV, with EC50 values at the micromolar level of 2.88 µM (SI = 73.15) and 5.92 µM (SI = 11.11), respectively. These compounds could inactivate extracellular virus directly in a virucidal assay by reducing 1.00 to 2.27 log TCID50 of the viral titers in 0-60 min. In addition, the time-of-addition assay revealed that NSC116640 inhibited FMDV at the early stage of infection (0-8 h), while NSC332670 diminished virus titers when added simultaneously at infection (0 h). Both compounds showed good FMDV 3Cpro inhibition with IC50 values of 10.85 µM (NSC116640) and 4.21 µM (NSC332670). The molecular docking of the compounds on FMDV 3Cpro showed their specific interactions with amino acids in the catalytic triad of FMDV 3Cpro. Both preferentially reacted with enzymes and proteases in physicochemical and ADME analysis studies. The results revealed two novel small molecules with antiviral activities against FMDV and probably related picornaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirin Theerawatanasirikul
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Varanya Lueangaramkul
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (V.L.); (A.P.); (N.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Achiraya Pantanam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (V.L.); (A.P.); (N.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Natjira Mana
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (V.L.); (A.P.); (N.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Ploypailin Semkum
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (V.L.); (A.P.); (N.M.); (P.S.)
| | - Porntippa Lekcharoensuk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; (V.L.); (A.P.); (N.M.); (P.S.)
- Center of Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food, KU Institute, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
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Abdel-Kader MS, Almutib FS, Aldosari AF, Soliman GA, Elzorba HY, Alqarni MH, Ibrahim RS, Zaatout HH. In Vitro and In Silico Anti-Picornavirus Triterpene Alkanoic Acid Ester from Saudi Collection of Rhazya stricta Decne. Metabolites 2023; 13:750. [PMID: 37367908 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13060750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The total alcohol extract obtained from the aerial parts of R. stricta and fractions of the liquid-liquid fractionation process were tested against picornavirus-causing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) based on the traditional use of the plant in Saudi Arabia. The most active petroleum ether soluble fraction was subjected to chromatographic purification, and nine compounds were isolated, identified using various chemical and spectroscopic methods, and tested for their anti-viral potential. The new ester identified as α-Amyrin 3-(3'R-hydroxy)-hexadecanoate (1) was the most active compound with 51% inhibition of the viral growth and was given the name Rhazyin A. Compounds with ursane skeleton were more active than those with lupane skeleton except in the case of the acid derivatives where betulenic acid showed 26.1% inhibition against the viral growth, while ursolic acid showed only 16.6% inhibition. Moreover, molecular docking analysis using a glide extra-precision module was utilized for investigating the possible molecular interactions accounting for anti-viral activity against picornavirus of the nine isolated compounds. Molecular docking studies revealed a strong binding of the discovered hits within the active site of FMDV 3Cpro. Compound 1 showed the lowest docking score within the nine isolated compounds comparable to the two known anti-viral drugs; glycyrrhizic acid and ribavirin. The results of this research will provide lead candidates from natural origin with potential safety and efficacy compared to the synthetic ones with lower production costs for managing FMVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maged S Abdel-Kader
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Fahad S Almutib
- College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah F Aldosari
- College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gamal A Soliman
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Hisham Y Elzorba
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Mohammed H Alqarni
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reham S Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
| | - Hala H Zaatout
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21521, Egypt
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Chen YJ, Tsao YC, Ho TC, Puc I, Chen CC, Perng GC, Lien HM. Antrodia cinnamomea Suppress Dengue Virus Infection through Enhancing the Secretion of Interferon-Alpha. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2631. [PMID: 36235496 PMCID: PMC9573221 DOI: 10.3390/plants11192631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Dengue caused by dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito-borne disease. Dengue exhibits a wide range of symptoms, ranging from asymptomatic to flu-like illness, and a few symptomatic cases may develop into severe dengue, leading to death. However, there are no effective and safe therapeutics for DENV infections. We have previously reported that cytokine expression, especially inflammatory cytokines, was altered in patients with different severities of dengue. Antrodia cinnamomea (A. cinnamomea) is a precious and endemic medical mushroom in Taiwan. It contains unique chemical components and exhibits biological activities, including suppressing effects on inflammation and viral infection-related diseases. According to previous studies, megakaryocytes can support DENV infection, and the number of megakaryocytes is positively correlated with the viral load in the serum of acute dengue patients. In the study, we investigated the anti-DENV effects of two ethanolic extracts (ACEs 1-2) and three isolated compounds (ACEs 3-5) from A. cinnamomea on DENV infection in Meg-01 cells. Our results not only demonstrated that ACE-3 and ACE-4 significantly suppressed DENV infection, but also reduced interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 levels. Moreover, the level of the antiviral cytokine interferon (IFN)-α was also increased by ACE-3 and ACE-4 in Meg-01 cells after DENV infection. Here, we provide new insights into the potential use of A. cinnamomea extracts as therapeutic agents against DENV infection. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying these processes require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ju Chen
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cian Tsao
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chuan Ho
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Irwin Puc
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chang Chen
- School of Management, Feng Chia University, Taichung 40724, Taiwan
| | - Guey-Chuen Perng
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Man Lien
- Research Institute of Biotechnology, Hungkuang University, Taichung 43302, Taiwan
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