Docking Analysis of Some Bioactive Compounds from Traditional Plants against SARS-CoV-2 Target Proteins

Curcumin as a natural potential drug candidate against important zoonotic viruses and prions: A narrative review

Zoonotic diseases are major public health concerns and undeniable threats to human health. Among Zoonotic diseases, zoonotic viruses and prions are much more difficult to eradicate, as they result in higher infections and mortality rates. Several investigations have shown curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, to have wide spectrum properties such as anti-microbial, anti-vascular, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-neoplastic, anti-oxidant, and immune system modulator properties. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive review of existing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo evidence on the antiviral (54 important zoonotic viruses) and anti-prion properties of curcumin and curcuminoids in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Database searches yielded 13,380 results, out of which 216 studies were eligible according to inclusion criteria. Of 216 studies, 135 (62.5%), 24 (11.1%), and 19 (8.8%) were conducted on the effect of curcumin and curcuminoids against SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A virus, and dengue virus, respectively. This review suggests curcumin and curcuminoids as promising therapeutic agents against a wide range of viral zoonoses by targeting different proteins and signaling pathways.

A Reappraisal of the Antiviral Properties of and Immune Regulation through Dietary Phytochemicals

In the present era of the COVID-19 pandemic, viral infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this day and age, viral infections are rampant and spreading rapidly. Among the most aggressive viral infections are ebola, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), influenza, and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). Even though there are few treatment options for viral diseases, most of the antiviral therapies are ineffective owing to frequent mutations, the development of more aggressive strains, drug resistance, and possible side effects. Traditionally, herbal remedies have been used by healers, including for dietary and medicinal purposes. Many clinical and scientific studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of plant-derived natural compounds. Because of unsafe practices like blood transfusions and organ transplants from infected patients, medical supply contamination. Our antiviral therapies cannot achieve sterile immunity, and we have yet to find a cure for these pernicious infections. Herbs have been shown to improve therapeutic efficacy against a wide variety of viral diseases because of their high concentration of immunomodulatory phytochemicals (both immunoinhibitory and anti-inflammatory). Combined with biotechnology, this folk medicine system can lead to the development of novel antiviral drugs and therapies. In this Review, we will summarize some selected bioactive compounds with probable mechanisms of their antiviral actions, focusing on the immunological axis of these compounds.

Curcumin as an antiviral agent and immune-inflammatory modulator in COVID-19: A scientometric analysis

Background

Reports regarding the antiviral activity of curcumin have surfaced. However, to date there has been no scientometric analysis of the relationship between curcumin and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). To comprehensively understand the studies involving curcumin in the context of COVID-19, we conducted a scientometric analysis to provide an exhaustive review of these studies.

Methods

We systematically searched the Web of Science core collection database for bibliographic data indexed from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022, using keywords such as 'curcumin', 'COVID-19', and their synonyms. To clarify the research content and trends related to curcumin in COVID-19, we utilized VOSviewer, Origin 2023, and Charticulator for analysis, supplemented by external data.

Results

The final count of publications included in this study was 252. These publications originated from 63 countries or territories, with India contributing the highest number of publications. They were published across 170 journals. Notably, the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB) emerged as the most important institution that carried out this study. The most cited publication had been referenced 166 times. The main elements involved in the keyword analysis were reflected in the antiviral activity of curcumin and the immuno-inflammatory modulation of the inflammatory cytokine storm. Furthermore, the pharmacological mechanisms of curcumin for treating COVID-19 emerged as a prominent area of research. Simultaneously, there exists direct evidence of clinical usage of curcumin to enhance COVID-19 outcomes.

Conclusions

The scientometric analysis underscores the burgeoning professional domain of curcumin-based treatment for COVID-19. Ongoing studies have focused on the antiviral activity of curcumin and its immunomodulatory effects on inflammatory cytokine storms. On the other hand, the pharmacological mechanism of curcumin in the treatment of COVID-19 is a hot spot in the research field at present, which may become the main research trend in this field in the future. While maintaining a focus on foundational research, the clinical application of curcumin in COVID-19 infection is developing in parallel, highlighting its obvious guiding value in clinical practice. These insights offer researchers a snapshot of the present state of curcumin treatment for COVID-19 and guide further mechanistic validation efforts in the future.

ECHOPvir: A Mixture of Echinacea and Hop Extracts Endowed with Cytoprotective, Immunomodulatory and Antiviral Properties

Respiratory viral infections continue to pose significant challenges, particularly for more susceptible and immunocompromised individuals. Nutraceutical strategies have been proposed as promising strategies to mitigate their impact and improve public health. In the present study, we developed a mixture of two hydroalcoholic extracts from the aerial parts of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (ECP) and the cones of Humulus lupulus L. (HOP) that can be harnessed in the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory diseases. The ECP/HOP mixture (named ECHOPvir) was characterized for the antioxidant and cytoprotective properties in airway cells. Moreover, the immunomodulating properties of the mixture in murine macrophages against antioxidant and inflammatory stimuli and its antiviral efficacy against the PR8/H1N1 influenza virus were assayed. The modulation of the Nrf2 was also investigated as a mechanistic hypothesis. The ECP/HOP mixture showed a promising multitarget bioactivity profile, with combined cytoprotective, antioxidant, immunomodulating and antiviral activities, likely due to the peculiar phytocomplexes of both ECP and HOP, and often potentiated the effect of the single extracts. The Nrf2 activation seemed to trigger these cytoprotective properties and suggest a possible usefulness in counteracting the damage caused by different stressors, including viral infection. Further studies may strengthen the interest in this product and underpin its future nutraceutical applications.

Inhibitory Activity of Quaternary Isoquinoline Alkaloids on Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase

The quaternary isoquinoline alkaloids of palmatine (1), berberine (2), and jatrorrhizine (3) were evaluated in terms of their ability to inhibit soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). They had similar inhibitory activities, with IC₅₀ values of 29.6 ± 0.5, 33.4 ± 0.8, and 27.3 ± 0.4 μM, respectively. Their respective Ki values of 26.9, 46.8, and 44.5 μM—determined by enzyme kinetics—indicated that they inhibited the catalytic reaction by binding noncompetitively with sEH. The application of computational chemistry to the in vitro results revealed the site of the receptor to which the ligand would likely bind. Accordingly, three alkaloids were identified as having a suitable basic skeleton for lead compound development of sEH inhibitors.