In Vitro and In Vivo Antiviral Activity of Gingerenone A on Influenza A Virus Is Mediated by Targeting Janus Kinase 2

The efficacy and safety of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome extract in outpatients with COVID-19: A randomized double-blind placebo-control clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Ginger, a potent antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant remedy, is a potential therapeutic option for COVID-19. However, there was not enough clinical evidence about ginger and COVID-19. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ginger on clinical and paraclinical features in outpatients with COVID-19.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, the outpatients with confirmed COVID-19 were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive ginger (1000 mg 3 times a day for 7 days) or placebo. The primary outcome was viral clearance after the end of the intervention. Oxygen saturation (SPO2), body temperature, respiratory rate (RR), hospital admission, and the incidence of adverse events were also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 84 patients (42 in the ginger and 42 in the control groups) were randomized. The viral clearance was not statistically improved in the ginger group (41.6%) compared to the placebo group (42.8%). The findings indicated that SPO2, body temperature, and RR had no significant difference between the groups at the end of the intervention. The imaging finding indicated pulmonary infiltrate significantly reduced on the 7th day of the intervention in the ginger group. The percentage of patients with SPO2 <96% in the ginger group decreased over the study compared to the placebo group. Moreover, the need for hospital admission and the incidence of adverse drug events were not different between the groups over the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Ginger had no significant impact on the clinical and paraclinical parameters of patients. However, this intervention demonstrated a safe profile of adverse events and reduced pulmonary infiltrate.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered as IRCT20200506047323N1.

Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and dynamics analyses to predict the antiviral activity of ginger constituents against coronavirus infection

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused a dramatic loss of human life worldwide, leading to accelerated research for antiviral drug discovery. Herbal medicine is one of the most commonly used alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of many conditions including respiratory system diseases. In this study, a computational pipeline was employed, including network pharmacology, molecular docking simulations, and molecular dynamics simulations, to analyze the common phytochemicals of ginger rhizomes and identify candidate constituents as viral inhibitors. Furthermore, experimental assays were performed to analyze the volatile and non-volatile compounds of ginger and to assess the antiviral activity of ginger oil and hydroalcoholic extract. Network pharmacology analysis showed that ginger compounds target human genes that are involved in related cellular processes to the viral infection. Docking analysis highlighted five pungent compounds and zingiberenol as potential inhibitors for the main protease (Mpro), spike receptor-binding domain (RBD), and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Then, (6)-gingerdiacetate was selected for molecular dynamics (MD) simulations as it exhibited the best binding interactions and free energies over the three target proteins. Trajectories analysis of the three complexes showed that RBD and ACE2 complexes with the ligand preserved similar patterns of root mean square deviation (RMSD) and radius of gyration (Rg) values to their respective native structures. Finally, experimental validation of the ginger hydroalcoholic extract confirmed the existence of (6)-gingerdiacetate and revealed the strong antiviral activity of the hydroalcoholic extract with IC50 of 2.727 μ g / ml . Our study provides insights into the potential antiviral activity of (6)-gingerdiacetate that may enhance the host immune response and block RBD binding to ACE2, thereby, inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Well-Established and Traditional Use of Vegetal Extracts as an Approach to the "Deep Roots" of Cough

Cough is a common presenting symptom for patients in a primary care setting and significantly impacts a patient's quality of life. Cough involves a complex reflex arc beginning with the stimulation of sensory nerves that function as cough receptors that stimulate the cough center in the brain. This "cough center" functions to receive these impulses and produce a cough by activating efferent nervous pathways to the diaphragm and laryngeal, thoracic, and abdominal musculature. Drugs that suppress the neural activity of cough are non-specific as those treatments are not directed toward pathogenic causes such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, they block a reflex called the watchdog of the lung and have a defense mechanism. Acute respiratory infections of the upper and lower airways most commonly cause acute cough. In contrast, the most common causes of chronic cough are upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, all associated with an inflammatory reaction at the level of the cough receptors. The use of natural compounds or herbal drugs such as carob syrup, dry blackcurrant extract, dry extract of caraway fruit, dry extract of ginger rhizome, dry extract of marshmallow root, and dry extract of ivy leaves, to name a few, not only have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but also act as antimicrobials, bronchial muscle relaxants, and increase gastric motility and empty. For these reasons, these natural substances are widely used to control cough at its deep roots (i.e., contrasting its causes and not inhibiting the arch reflex). With this approach, the lung watchdog is not put to sleep, as with peripheral or central inhibition of the cough reflex, and by contrasting the causes, we may control cough that viruses use at self-advantage to increase transmission.

Identifying potential monkeypox virus inhibitors: an in silico study targeting the A42R protein

Monkeypox (now Mpox), a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an emerging threat to global health. In the time span of only six months, from May to October 2022, the number of MPXV cases breached 80,000 and many of the outbreaks occurred in locations that had never previously reported MPXV. Currently there are no FDA-approved MPXV-specific vaccines or treatments, therefore, finding drugs to combat MPXV is of utmost importance. The A42R profilin-like protein of the MPXV is involved in cell development and motility making it a critical drug target. A42R protein is highly conserved across orthopoxviruses, thus A42R inhibitors may work for other family members. This study sought to identify potential A42R inhibitors for MPXV treatment using computational approaches. The energy minimized 3D structure of the A42R profilin-like protein (PDB ID: 4QWO) underwent virtual screening using a library of 36,366 compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), AfroDb, and PubChem databases as well as known inhibitor tecovirimat via AutoDock Vina. A total of seven compounds comprising PubChem CID: 11371962, ZINC000000899909, ZINC000001632866, ZINC000015151344, ZINC000013378519, ZINC000000086470, and ZINC000095486204, predicted to have favorable binding were shortlisted. Molecular docking suggested that all seven proposed compounds have higher binding affinities to A42R (-7.2 to -8.3 kcal/mol) than tecovirimat (-6.7 kcal/mol). This was corroborated by MM/PBSA calculations, with tecovirimat demonstrating the highest binding free energy of -68.694 kJ/mol (lowest binding affinity) compared to the seven shortlisted compounds that ranged from -73.252 to -97.140 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the 7 compounds in complex with A42R demonstrated higher stability than the A42R-tecovirimat complex when subjected to 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations. The protein-ligand interaction maps generated using LigPlot+ suggested that residues Met1, Glu3, Trp4, Ile7, Arg127, Val128, Thr131, and Asn133 are important for binding. These seven compounds were adequately profiled to be potential antivirals via PASS predictions and structural similarity searches. All seven potential lead compounds were scored Pa > Pi for antiviral activity while ZINC000001632866 and ZINC000015151344 were predicted as poxvirus inhibitors with Pa values of 0.315 and 0.215, and Pi values of 0.052 and 0.136, respectively. Further experimental validations of the identified lead compounds are required to corroborate their predicted activity. These seven identified compounds represent solid footing for development of antivirals against MPXV and other orthopoxviruses.

Qingjin Huatan decoction protects mice against influenza a virus pneumonia via the chemokine signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Qingjin Huatan Decoction (QJHTT) consists of 11 herbal medicines: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis, Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC., Ophiopogon japonicus (Thunb.) Ker Gawl., Morus alba L., Fritillaria thunbergii Miq., Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim., Citrus reticulata Blanco, Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. As a traditional compound Chinese medicinal formula, QJHTT has been used for more than 400 years in China. Historically, it was used to treat respiratory diseases and had shown beneficial clinical results for diseases related to lung inflammation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the therapeutic effect of QJHTT on influenza A virus (IAV) pneumonia in mice and explore its possible mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The components in QJHTT were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and some antiviral active components reported in the literature were determined and quantified by HPLC. The protective effects of QJHTT were investigated using lethal and sublethal doses (2 LD50 or 0.8 LD50 viral suspension, separately) of H1N1-infected mice. Mortality and lung lesions in H1N1-infected mice were used to evaluate the efficacy of QJHTT. The potential mechanism of QJHTT in the treatment of viral pneumonia was determined at the gene level by RNA sequencing and validated by qRT-PCR. Following this, the changes in protein levels of JAK2/STAT3 were analyzed since it is a key downstream target of the chemokine signaling pathways. Preliminary elucidation of the mechanism of QJHTT to protect mice against IAV pneumonia through this pathway was conducted.

RESULTS

In this study, 12 antiviral active constituents including baicalin, geniposide, and mangiferin were identified from QJHTT. In vivo treatment of QJHTT reduced the virus titers of lung tissue significantly and improved the survival rate, lung index, and pulmonary histopathological changes; additionally, a reduction in the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ inflammatory factors in H1N1-infected mice was observed. RNA-seq analysis and qRT-PCR showed that QJHTT primarily reversed the activities CCL2, CCL7, CCR1, and other chemokines and their reception-related genes, suggesting that QJHTT may produce disease-resistant pneumonia by inhibiting the downstream JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Western blot analysis confirmed that QJHTT effectively reduced the protein levels of JAK2, STAT3, and related phosphorylated products in the lung tissue of H1N1-infected mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that QJHTT alleviated IAV pneumonia in mice by regulating related chemokines and their receptor-related genes in lung tissue, thereby inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway. This could pave way for the design of novel therapeutic strategies to treat viral pneumonia.

GingerenoneA overcomes dexamethasone resistance by activating apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation in pediatric T-ALL cells

Plant-based combination strategies have been widely considered in cancer therapy to attenuate chemotherapeutics side effects. The anti-leukemic effect of the whole ginger extract was previously portrayed by our team, and the current study is centered around the cytotoxicity and mechanism of action of a phenolic subsidiary of ginger, GingerenoneA, on pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. GingernoneA imposed, dose-dependently, inhibitory effects on the viability of T and B leukemia cell lines confirmed by MTT assays. Resistance to Dexamethasone, a mostly used chemotherapeutic in acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatments, was overcome by GingernoneA. A synergistic effect of Dexamethasone and GingrenoneA on T leukemia cell lines and patient primary cells was confirmed. Annexin-V/PI and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining illustrated dose-dependent apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells developed by GingerenoneA. The intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis induction and antiproliferative attribution of GingerenoneA were validated by western blot and qPCR. Despite the supposed loss of function in CCRF-CEM cells, TP53 showed increased expression levels and functional activity upon treatment with GingernoneA. Bioinformatic studies revealed the conceivable impact of GingerenoneA on the reactivity of mutant P53 through its binding to Cys124. Our findings may provide novel strategies for therapeutic intervention to ameliorate pALL outcomes.

African Swine Fever Virus Envelope Glycoprotein CD2v Interacts with Host CSF2RA to Regulate the JAK2-STAT3 Pathway and Inhibit Apoptosis to Facilitate Virus Replication

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly infectious disease caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV) in swine. It is characterized by the death of cells in infected tissues. However, the molecular mechanism of ASFV-induced cell death in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) remains largely unknown. In this study, transcriptome sequencing of ASFV-infected PAMs found that ASFV activated the JAK2-STAT3 pathway in the early stages and apoptosis in the late stages of infection. Meanwhile, the JAK2-STAT3 pathway was confirmed to be essential for ASFV replication. AG490 and andrographolide (AND) inhibited the JAK2-STAT3 pathway, promoted ASFV-induced apoptosis, and exerted antiviral effects. Additionally, CD2v promoted STAT3 transcription and phosphorylation as well as translocation into the nucleus. CD2v is the main envelope glycoprotein of the ASFV, and further investigations showed that CD2v deletion downregulates the JAK2-STAT3 pathway and promotes apoptosis to inhibit ASFV replication. Furthermore, we discovered that CD2v interacts with CSF2RA, which is a hematopoietic receptor superfamily member in myeloid cells and a key receptor protein that activates receptor-associated JAK and STAT proteins. In this study, CSF2RA small interfering RNA (siRNA) downregulated the JAK2-STAT3 pathway and promoted apoptosis to inhibit ASFV replication. Taken together, ASFV replication requires the JAK2-STAT3 pathway, while CD2v interacts with CSF2RA to regulate the JAK2-STAT3 pathway and inhibit apoptosis to facilitate virus replication. These results provide a theoretical basis for the escape mechanism and pathogenesis of ASFV. IMPORTANCE African swine fever is a hemorrhagic disease caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV), which infects pigs of different breeds and ages, with a fatality rate of up to 100%. It is one of the key diseases affecting the global livestock industry. Currently, no commercial vaccines or antiviral drugs are available. Here, we show that ASFV replicates via the JAK2-STAT3 pathway. More specifically, ASFV CD2v interacts with CSF2RA to activate the JAK2-STAT3 pathway and inhibit apoptosis, thereby maintaining the survival of infected cells and promoting viral replication. This study revealed an important implication of the JAK2-STAT3 pathway in ASFV infection and identified a novel mechanism by which CD2v has evolved to interact with CSF2RA and maintain JAK2-STAT3 pathway activation to inhibit apoptosis, thus elucidating new information regarding the signal reprogramming of host cells by ASFV.

Ginger ring compounds as an inhibitor of spike binding protein of alpha, beta, gamma and delta variants of SARS-CoV-2: An in-silico study

The available drugs against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVOD-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are limited. This study aimed to identify ginger-derived compounds that might neutralize SARS-CoV-2 and prevent its entry into host cells. Ring compounds of ginger were screened against spike (S) protein of alpha, beta, gamma, and delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. The S protein FASTA sequence was retrieved from Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID) and converted into ".pdb" format using Open Babel tool. A total of 306 compounds were identified from ginger through food and phyto-databases. Out of those, 38 ring compounds were subjected to docking analysis using CB Dock online program which implies AutoDock Vina for docking. The Vina score was recorded, which reflects the affinity between ligands and receptors. Further, the Protein Ligand Interaction Profiler (PLIP) program for detecting the type of interaction between ligand-receptor was used. SwissADME was used to compute druglikeness parameters and pharmacokinetics characteristics. Furthermore, energy minimization was performed by using Swiss PDB Viewer (SPDBV) and energy after minimization was recorded. Molecular dynamic simulation was performed to find the stability of protein-ligand complex and root-mean- square deviation (RMSD) as well as root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) were calculated and recorded by using myPresto v5.0. Our study suggested that 17 out of 38 ring compounds of ginger were very likely to bind the S protein of SARS-CoV-2. Seventeen out of 38 ring compounds showed high affinity of binding with S protein of alpha, beta, gamma, and delta variants of SARS-CoV-2. The RMSD showed the stability of the complex was parallel to the S protein monomer. These computer-aided predictions give an insight into the possibility of ginger ring compounds as potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 worthy of in vitro investigations.

A systemic review on medicinal plants and their bioactive constituents against avian influenza and further confirmation through in-silico analysis

Background

Avian influenza or more commonly known as bird flu is a widespread infectious disease in poultry. This review aims to accumulate information of different natural plant sources that can aid in combating this disease. Influenza virus (IV) is known for its ability to mutate and infect different species (including humans) and cause fatal consequences.

Methods

Total 33 plants and 4 natural compounds were identified and documented. Molecular docking was performed against the target viral protein neuraminidase (NA), with some plant based natural compounds and compared their results with standard drugs Oseltamivir and Zanamivir to obtain novel drug targets for influenza in chickens.

Results

It was seen that most extracts exhibit their action by interacting with viral hemagglutinin or neuraminidase and inhibit viral entry or release from the host cell. Some plants also interacted with the viral RNA replication or by reducing proinflammatory cytokines. Ethanol was mostly used for extraction. Among all the plants Theobroma cacao, Capparis Sinaica Veil, Androgarphis paniculate, Thallasodendron cillatum, Sinularia candidula, Larcifomes officinalis, Lenzites betulina, Datronia molis, Trametes gibbose exhibited their activity with least concentration (below 10 μg/ml). The dockings results showed that some natural compounds (5,7- dimethoxyflavone, Aloe emodin, Anthocyanins, Quercetin, Hemanthamine, Lyocrine, Terpenoid EA showed satisfactory binding affinity and binding specificity with viral neuraminidase compared to the synthetic drugs.

Conclusion

This review clusters up to date information of effective herbal plants to bolster future influenza treatment research in chickens. The in-silico analysis also suggests some potential targets for future drug development but these require more clinical analysis.

Plant-derived Ren's oligopeptide has antiviral effects on influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2

Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 virus are two important viruses that cause respiratory tract diseases. The high-frequency mutation of the two types of viruses leads to failure of the durable immune protection of vaccines, meanwhile it also poses continuous challenges to the development of antiviral drugs. Traditional Chinese medicine contains large number of biologically active compounds, and some of them contain broad-spectrum antiviral ingredients. In this study, we extracted antiviral active ingredients from medicinal and edible plants by biotransformation and enzymatic hydrolysis as a drug, and we named this drug Ren's oligopeptide. Further, we analyzed the antiviral activity of this drug and found that Ren's oligopeptide could inhibit the replication of influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 virus with high anti-virus activities. In vitro experiments showed that the antiviral activity of the Ren's oligopeptide mainly targets the replication process after virus enters the cell. Therefore, Ren's oligopeptide is a promising drug against influenza and COVID-19.

Plant ingredients in Thai food: a well-rounded diet for natural bioactive associated with medicinal properties

Background

Seeking cures for chronic inflammation-associated diseases and infectious diseases caused by critical human pathogens is challenging and time-consuming. Even as the research community searches for novel bioactive agents, consuming a healthy diet with functional ability might be an effective way to delay and prevent the progression of severe health conditions. Many plant ingredients in Thai food are considered medicinal, and these vegetables, herbs, and spices collectively possess multiple biological and pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antipyretic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective effects.

Methodology

In this review, the selected edible plants are unspecific to Thai food, but our unique blend of recipes and preparation techniques make traditional Thai food healthy and functional. We searched three electronic databases: PUBMED, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, using the specific keywords "Plant name" followed by "Anti-inflammatory" or "Antibacterial" or "Antiviral" and focusing on articles published between 2017 and 2021.

Results

Our selection of 69 edible and medicinal plant species (33 families) is the most comprehensive compilation of Thai food sources demonstrating biological activities to date. Focusing on articles published between 2017 and 2021, we identified a total of 245 scientific articles that have reported main compounds, traditional uses, and pharmacological and biological activities from plant parts of the selected species.

Conclusions

Evidence indicates that the selected plants contain bioactive compounds responsible for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, suggesting these plants as potential sources for bioactive agents and suitable for consumption for health benefits.

Could treatment with immunomodulatory agents targeting IL-1, IL-6, or JAK signalling improve outcomes in patients with severe influenza pneumonia? A systematic and narrative review

Background: Influenza is a global cause of morbidity and mortality and a significant risk for a future pandemic infection. Host hyperinflammation, similar to that seen in COVID-19, may occur in response to influenza virus pneumonia, with Janus kinase (JAK) signalling and proinflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 involved. Immune modulation treatment of hospitalised and critically ill COVID-19 patients, including with IL-6 and JAK inhibitors, has been found to be beneficial. Significant interest exists in the use of immunomodulatory agents targeting these pathways in the treatment of severe influenza pneumonia. Methods: We conducted a review with both systematic and narrative methods to assess whether, in patients with severe influenza pneumonia, treatment with immunomodulatory agents targeting IL-1, IL-6 or JAK signalling, in comparison to no immune modulation, is beneficial and improves clinical outcomes. Results: Our systematic search screened 5409 records and found no randomised controlled trials of IL-1, IL-6 or JAK immunomodulatory agents in patients with severe influenza pneumonia. To support this systematic search, we provide a narrative review of the biological rationale, previous use of these agents, including in hospitalised patients with COVID-19, and an overview of their safety profiles. Conclusions: Although immune modulation has proven successful in treating hospitalised and critically ill patients with COVID-19 and a biological rationale exists for testing these agents in influenza, no agents targeting IL-1, IL-6 or JAK signalling have been assessed in randomised controlled trials of patients with severe influenza pneumonia. This highlights a significant evidence gap.

Antiviral Potential of Indian Medicinal Plants Against Influenza and SARS-CoV: A Systematic Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant threat to human health due to the lack of drugs that can potentially act against SARS-CoV -2. Also, even after the emergency approval of WHO, the vaccines’ efficacy is still a question, and people are getting reinfections. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of traditional medicinal plants against influenza and SARS coronavirus. The present article aims to review potential phytochemicals from Indian medicinal plants that may be used against SARS-CoV-2. Articles published in the English language between 1992 and 2021 were retrieved from Embase, PubMed, and Google scholar using relevant keywords, and the scientific literature on efficacies of Indian medicinal plants against SARS-CoV and influenza virus were analyzed. The initial search revealed 1304 studies, but, on subsequent screening, 115 eligible studies were reported. Twenty research articles investigating traditional medicinal plant extracts and metabolites against SARS-CoV and influenza A virus in in vitro and in vivo systems satisfied the search criteria. The studies reported that plant extracts and active compounds such as glycyrrhizin, 14-α-lipoyl andrographolide, and curcumin from medicinal plants such as Yashtimadhu ( Glycyrrhiza glabra), Bhunimba ( Andrographis paniculata), and Haridra ( Curcuma longa) are effective against the various phases of the virus life cycle, viz., virus-host cell attachment, viral replication, 3CL protease activity, neuraminidase activity, adsorption and penetration of the virus. As per ancient Indian literature, plants in Ayurveda possess Rasayana (revitalizing) and Jwara hara (antipyretic, anti-inflammatory) properties. This evidence may be used to conduct experimental and clinical trials to study the underlying mechanisms and efficacy of antiviral properties of Indian medicinal plants against SARS-CoV-2.

Phytochemicals of Zingiberaceae family exhibit potentiality against SARS-CoV-2 main protease identified by a rational computer-aided drug design

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created huge social, economic and human health crises globally. Discovery of specific drugs has become a new challenge to the researcher. Structure-based virtual-screening of our in-house databank containing1102 phytochemicals of Zingiberaceae family was performed with main protease(M^pro), a crucial enzyme of SARS-CoV-2. Rigorous docking and ADME study of top-scored twenty hits resulted from VS was performed. Then 100 ns molecular dynamics followed by MMPBSA binding free energy(ΔG_bind) calculation of A280 and KZ133 was also performed. These two hits showed good interactions with crucial amino acid residues of M^pro HIS-41 and CYS-145, excellent ADME properties, fair ΔG_bind values (> ‒188.03 kj/mol), and average protein-ligand complex RMSD < apo-protein RMSD. Therefore, the seed extracts of Alpinia blepharocalyx and rhizome extracts Kaempferia angustifolia containing A280 and KZ133, respectively, may be useful against COVID-19 after the proper biological screening. These two novel scaffolds could be exploited as potent SARS-CoV-2-M^pro inhibitors.

Zingiber officinale: Ayurvedic Uses of the Plant and In Silico Binding Studies of Selected Phytochemicals With Mpro of SARS-CoV-2

Among the large number of plants that are part of the Ayurvedic system of medicine in India and Bangladesh, Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), or ginger in English, holds a special place and is often referred to as “Mahaushadha” (great medicine) and “Vishvabhesaja” (worldwide or universal herb) to signify its special status. The plant and particularly its rhizomes are used both in the raw and dry form for the relief of a multitude of disorders. Since a number of these disorders occur in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it was of interest to perform in silico studies (molecular docking) to evaluate the binding affinities of a number of constituents of Zingiber officinale with the 3C-like protease or main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2, which plays an essential role in the cleavage of viral polyproteins and subsequent viral replication. Our studies indicated that 2 of the compounds present in ginger, namely, chlorogenic acid and hesperidin, had high binding affinities for Mpro with predicted binding energies of −7.5 and −8.3 kcal/mol. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional interactions also showed that, while chlorogenic acid interacts with one of the His41 amino acids of the catalytic dyad of Mpro, hesperidin interacts with the other amino acid Cys145, which can account for their predicted high binding energies and, therefore, possibly can inhibit Mpro activity. Taken together, our findings indicate that ginger, besides alleviating the symptoms induced by SARS-CoV-2, may also play a role in inhibiting the virus.

Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?

In addition to the respiratory system, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strikes other systems, including the digestive, circulatory, urogenital, and even the central nervous system, as its receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is expressed in various organs, such as lungs, intestine, heart, esophagus, kidneys, bladder, testis, liver, and brain. Different mechanisms, in particular, massive virus replication, extensive apoptosis and necrosis of the lung-related epithelial and endothelial cells, vascular leakage, hyper-inflammatory responses, overproduction of pro-inflammatory mediators, cytokine storm, oxidative stress, downregulation of ACE2, and impairment of the renin-angiotensin system contribute to the COVID-19 pathogenesis. Currently, COVID-19 is a global pandemic with no specific anti-viral treatment. The favorable capabilities of the ginger were indicated in patients suffering from osteoarthritis, neurodegenerative disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, respiratory distress, liver diseases and primary dysmenorrheal. Ginger or its compounds exhibited strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative influences in numerous animal models. This review provides evidence regarding the potential effects of ginger against SARS-CoV-2 infection and highlights its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and immunomodulatory impacts in an attempt to consider this plant as an alternative therapeutic agent for COVID-19 treatment.

Positive Therapeutic Role of Selected Foods and Plant on Ailments with a Trend Towards COVID-19: A Review

Each day since December 2019, increasing numbers of cases of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection are being detected as it spreads throughout all continents of the world except Antarctica. The virus is transmitted through contact with an infected environment or person, and the symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The healthcare systems of many countries are overwhelmed due to limited therapeutic options and the absence of an approved vaccine. Due to its poor healthcare systems, Africa may be the worst hit continent if other therapeutic alternatives are not explored. This review explores the source and origin of the COVID-19 infection, and alternative therapeutic options derived from available and cheap medicinal foods and plants that have been shown to alleviate similar infections. The results demonstrate the inhibitory activities of selected food crops and plants against human viruses similar to the novel COVID-19.

Development and Effects of Influenza Antiviral Drugs

Influenza virus is a highly contagious zoonotic respiratory disease that causes seasonal outbreaks each year and unpredictable pandemics occasionally with high morbidity and mortality rates, posing a great threat to public health worldwide. Besides the limited effect of vaccines, the problem is exacerbated by the lack of drugs with strong antiviral activity against all flu strains. Currently, there are two classes of antiviral drugs available that are chemosynthetic and approved against influenza A virus for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment, but the appearance of drug-resistant virus strains is a serious issue that strikes at the core of influenza control. There is therefore an urgent need to develop new antiviral drugs. Many reports have shown that the development of novel bioactive plant extracts and microbial extracts has significant advantages in influenza treatment. This paper comprehensively reviews the development and effects of chemosynthetic drugs, plant extracts, and microbial extracts with influenza antiviral activity, hoping to provide some references for novel antiviral drug design and promising alternative candidates for further anti-influenza drug development.