bims-antpol 2024-07-14 papers

Issue of 2024–07–14
two papers selected by
Rick Sheridan, EMSKE Phytochem

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Jul 05. pii: 7370. [Epub ahead of print]25(13):

The Novel A-Type Proanthocyanidin-Rich Phytocomplex SP4™ Acts as a Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agent against Human Respiratory Viruses.

Giulia Sibille, Giuseppe Mannino, Ilaria Frasson, Marta Pavan, Anna Luganini, Cristiano Salata, Massimo E Maffei, Giorgio Gribaudo.

The appearance of new respiratory virus infections in humans with epidemic or pandemic potential has underscored the urgent need for effective broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAs). Bioactive compounds derived from plants may provide a natural source of new BSA candidates. Here, we investigated the novel phytocomplex formulation SP4™ as a candidate direct-acting BSA against major current human respiratory viruses, including coronaviruses and influenza viruses. SP4™ inhibited the in vitro replication of SARS-CoV-2, hCoV-OC43, hCoV-229E, Influenza A and B viruses, and respiratory syncytial virus in the low-microgram range. Using hCoV-OC43 as a representative respiratory virus, most of the antiviral activity of SP4™ was observed to stem primarily from its dimeric A-type proanthocyanidin (PAC-A) component. Further investigations of the mechanistic mode of action showed SP4™ and its PAC-A-rich fraction to prevent hCoV-OC43 from attaching to target cells and exert virucidal activity. This occurred through their interaction with the spike protein of hCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2, thereby interfering with spike functions and leading to the loss of virion infectivity. Overall, these findings support the further development of SP4™ as a candidate BSA of a natural origin for the prevention of human respiratory virus infections.

Keywords: A-type proanthocyanidins; SP4™ phytocomplex; broad-spectrum antiviral activity; coronaviruses; influenza virus; natural antivirals; respiratory syncytial virus; virucidal activity

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25137370

Nutrients. 2024 Jul 06. pii: 2155. [Epub ahead of print]16(13):

Polyphenols in Cereals: State of the Art of Available Information and Its Potential Use in Epidemiological Studies.

Donatella Bianca Maria Ficco, Katia Petroni, Lorenza Mistura, Laura D'Addezio.

Cereals are the basis of much of the world's daily diet. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the beneficial properties of wholegrains due to their content of phytochemicals, particularly polyphenols. Despite this, the existing data on polyphenolic composition of cereal-based foods reported in the most comprehensive databases are still not updated. Many cereal-based foods and phenolic compounds are missing, including pigmented ones. Observational epidemiological studies reporting the intake of polyphenols from cereals are limited and inconsistent, although experimental studies suggest a protective role for dietary polyphenols against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Estimating polyphenol intake is complex because of the large number of compounds present in foods and the many factors that affect their levels, such as plant variety, harvest season, food processing and cooking, making it difficult matching consumption data with data on food composition. Further, it should be taken into account that food composition tables and consumed foods are categorized in different ways. The present work provides an overview of the available data on polyphenols content reported in several existing databases, in terms of presence, missing and no data, and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of methods for assessing cereal polyphenol consumption. Furthermore, this review suggests a greater need for the inclusion of most up-to-date cereal food composition data and for the harmonization of standardized procedures in collecting cereal-based food data and adequate assessment tools for dietary intake.

Keywords: antioxidants; cereals/pigmented cereals; composition databases; observational studies; polyphenol intake

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16132155