Eleutheroside B1 mediates its anti-influenza activity through POLR2A and N-glycosylation

Anti-Inflammatory Lindenane Sesquiterpenoid Dimers from the Roots of Sarcandra glabra

Sarglaroids A-H (1-8), eight new lindenane dimers, and a monomer sarglaroid I (9), along with fourteen known analogues (10-23), were isolated from the roots of Sarcandra glabra. The planar structures and the absolute configurations were elucidated by HR-MS, NMR, ECD calculations, and X-ray diffraction crystallography. Sarglaroid A (1) was identified as a rare 8,9-seco lindenane dimer with a unique 5/5/5 tricyclic system. The biological evaluation showed that compounds 1 and 13 potently inhibited NO production with IC50 values at 19.8 ± 1.06 and 10.7 ± 0.25 μM, respectively, and had no cytotoxicity to RAW264.7 cells. Compound 6 significantly inhibited the LPS-/ATP-induced IL-1β release by inactivating the NLRP3 inflammasome through inhibiting the initiation and assembly by affecting the K+ efflux. Compounds 2 and 3 inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values ranging from 5.4 to 10.2 μM.

Arylcoumarin perturbs SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis by targeting the S-protein/ACE2 interaction

The vaccination drive against COVID-19 worldwide was quite successful. However, the second wave of infections was even more disastrous. There was a rapid increase in reinfections and human deaths due to the appearance of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. The viral genome mutations in the variants were acquired while passing through different human hosts that could escape antibodies in convalescent or vaccinated individuals. The treatment was based on oxygen supplements and supportive protocols due to the lack of a specific drug. In this study, we identified three lead inhibitors of arylated coumarin derivatives 4,6,8-tri(naphthalen-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (NF1), 8-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,6-di(naphthalen-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (NF12) and 8-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,6-di(naphthalen-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one (NF-13) that showed higher binding affinity towards the junction of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S-protein) and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Using molecular docking analysis, we identified the putative binding sites of these potent inhibitors. Notably, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and MM-PBSA studies confirmed that these inhibitors have the potential ability to bind Spike-protein/ACE2 protein complex with minimal energy. Further, the two major concerns are an adaptive mutation of spike proteins- N501Y and D614G which displayed strong affinity towards NF-13 in docking analysis. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo studies are required to confirm the above findings and develop the inhibitors as potential drugs against SARS-CoV-2.

Efficacy of Kan Jang® in Patients with Mild COVID-19: Interim Analysis of a Randomized, Quadruple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Kan Jang^®, the fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. ex. Nees and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim extracts, is a herbal medicinal product for relieving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Kan Jang^®/Nergecov® on duration and the relief of inflammatory symptoms in adults with mild COVID-19. 86 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and mild symptoms for one to three days received supportive treatment (paracetamol) and six Kan Jang^® (daily dose of andrographolides—90 mg) or placebo capsules a day for 14 consecutive days in this randomized, quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled, two-parallel-group study. The primary efficacy outcomes were the decrease in the acute-phase duration and the severity of symptoms score (sore throat, runny nose, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of smell, taste, pain in muscles), an increase in cognitive functions, physical performance, quality of life, and decrease in IL-6, c-reactive protein, and D-dimer in blood. Kan Jang^®/Nergecov^® was effective in reducing the risk of progression to severe COVID-19, decreasing the disease progression rate by almost 2.5-fold compared to placebo. Absolute risk reduction by Kan Jang treatment is 14%, the relative risk reduction is 243.9%, and the number Needed to Treat is 7.14. Kan Jang^®/Nergecov^® reduces the duration of disease, virus clearance, and days of hospitalization and accelerates recovery of patients, relief of sore throat, muscle pain, runny nose, and normalization of body temperature. Kan Jang^®/Nergecov^® significantly relieves the severity of inflammatory symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, and muscle pain, decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 level in the blood, and increases patients’ physical performance (workout) compared to placebo. In this study, for the first time we demonstrate that Kan Jang^®/Nergecov^® is effective in treating mild COVID-19.

Comprehensive Analysis of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. Leaves Based on UPLC-MS/MS: Separation and Rapid Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. leaves (ESL) have long been people’s favorite as a natural edible green vegetable, in which phenols and saponins are the main characteristic and bioactive components. This study was first carried out to comprehensively analyze the phenols and saponins in ESL, including phytochemical, qualitative, quantitative, and bioactivity analysis. The results showed that 30 compounds, including 20 phenolic compounds and 7 saponins, were identified. Twelve of them were isolated from Eleutherococcus Maxim. for the first time. In the qualitative analysis, 30 phenolic compounds and 28 saponins were accurately detected. Their characteristic cleavage processes were described by UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Ten representative ingredients were quantitated in 29 different regions via a 4000 QTRAP triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS), and it was found that S19 (69.89 ± 1.098 mg/g) and S1 (74.28 ± 0.733 mg/g) had the highest contents of total phenols and saponins, respectively. The newly developed analysis method for the quantitative determination was validated for linearity, precision, and limits of detection and quantification, which could be applied to the quality assessment of ESL. In vitro experiment, the α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the phenolic fraction was higher than others, indicating that the phenolic content may be related to the hypoglycemic activity. It was also suggested that ESL could be developed as a natural potential effective drug or functional food.

The Role of Adaptogens in Prophylaxis and Treatment of Viral Respiratory Infections

The aim of our review is to demonstrate the potential of herbal preparations, specifically adaptogens for prevention and treatment of respiratory infections, as well as convalescence, specifically through supporting a challenged immune system, increasing resistance to viral infection, inhibiting severe inflammatory progression, and driving effective recovery. The evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies with Andrographis paniculata, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Glycyrrhiza spp., Panax spp., Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, Withania somnifera, their combination products and melatonin suggests that adaptogens can be useful in prophylaxis and treatment of viral infections at all stages of progression of inflammation as well as in aiding recovery of the organism by (i) modulating innate and adaptive immunity, (ii) anti-inflammatory activity, (iii) detoxification and repair of oxidative stress-induced damage in compromised cells, (iv) direct antiviral effects of inhibiting viral docking or replication, and (v) improving quality of life during convalescence.

The origin of domestication genes in goats

Goat domestication was critical for agriculture and civilization, but its underlying genetic changes and selection regimes remain unclear. Here, we analyze the genomes of worldwide domestic goats, wild caprid species, and historical remains, providing evidence of an ancient introgression event from a West Caucasian tur-like species to the ancestor of domestic goats. One introgressed locus with a strong signature of selection harbors the MUC6 gene, which encodes a gastrointestinally secreted mucin. Experiments revealed that the nearly fixed introgressed haplotype confers enhanced immune resistance to gastrointestinal pathogens. Another locus with a strong signal of selection may be related to behavior. The selected alleles at these two loci emerged in domestic goats at least 7200 and 8100 years ago, respectively, and increased to high frequencies concurrent with the expansion of the ubiquitous modern mitochondrial haplogroup A. Tracking these archaeologically cryptic evolutionary transformations provides new insights into the mechanisms of animal domestication.

Effect of eleutheroside B1 on non‑coding RNAs and protein profiles of influenza A virus‑infected A549 cells

Influenza viruses often pose a serious threat to animals and human health. In an attempt to explore the potential of herbal medicine as a treatment for influenza virus infection, eleutheroside B1, a coumarin compound extracted from herba sarcandrae, was identified, which exhibited antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities against influenza A virus. In this study, high-throughput RNA sequencing and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) assays were performed to determine alterations in the non-coding RNA (ncRNA) transcriptome and proteomics. Bioinformatics and target prediction analyses were used to decipher the potential roles of altered ncRNAs in the function of eleutheroside B1. Furthermore, long ncRNA (lncRNA) and mRNA co-expressing networks were constructed to analyze the biological functions by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. The analysis of RNA sequencing data revealed that 5 differentially expressed ncRNAs were upregulated and 3 ncRNAs were downregulated in the A549 cells infected with A/PR8/34/H1N1, with or without eleutheroside B1 treatment (PR8+eleu and PR8, respectively). Nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) was differentially expressed between the PR8 and A549 cell groups. GO and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that eleutheroside B1 took advantage of the host cell biological processes and molecular function for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as for regulating cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction in the immune system, consistent with previous findings. The results of the iTRAQ assays indicated that L antigen family member 3 (LAGE3) protein, essential for tRNA processing, tRNA metabolic processes and ncRNA processing, was down-regulated in the PR8+eleu compared with the PR8 group. In the present study, these comprehensive, large-scale data analysis enhanced the understanding of multiple aspects of the transcriptome and proteomics that are involved in the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities of eleutheroside B1. These findings demonstrate the potential of eleutheroside B1 for use in the prevention and treatment of influenza A virus-mediated infections.

Coumarin: An emerging antiviral agent

Viral infections are responsible for many illnesses, and recent outbreaks have raised public health concerns. Despite the availability of many antiviral drugs, they are often unsuccessful due to the generation of viral mutants and less effective against their target virus. Identifying novel antiviral drugs is therefore of critical importance and natural products are an excellent source for such discoveries. Coumarin is one such natural compound that is a potential drug candidate owing to its properties of stability, solubility, and low toxicity. There are numerous evidences showing its inhibitory role against infection of various viruses such as HIV, Influenza, Enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16). The mechanisms involve either inhibition of proteins essential for viral entry, replication and infection or regulation of cellular pathways such as Akt-Mtor (mammalian target of rapamycin), NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells), and anti-oxidative pathway including NrF-2 (The nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)-related factor 2). This review summarizes the present state of understanding with a focus on coumarin's antiviral effect and their possible molecular mechanisms against Influenza virus, HIV, Hepatitis virus, Dengue virus and Chikungunya virus.