bims-antpol 2024-12-08 papers

Issue of 2024–12–08
two papers selected by
Rick Sheridan, EMSKE Phytochem

Heliyon. 2024 Oct 30. 10(20): e39049

Antiviral activity of the water extract and ethanol extract of Sorbus commixta against influenza A virus in vitro.

Yewon Kim, Sanghyun Lee, Chulwoo Kim, Sun-Woo Yoon, Sejin Jeon, Mi-Na Kweon, Baik-Lin Seong, Sang-Uk Seo, Yo Han Jang.

Although vaccines and antivirals are currently available, influenza virus infections continually present major threats to human health. Due to genetic diversity and variability of influenza viruses, the development of new antiviral agents against the virus remains as a considerable challenge. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of the water extract and ethanol extract of Sorbus commixta Hedl. (SCH), widely used as a medical herb, against influenza A viruses and identified molecular mechanisms for the antiviral activity. The water extract and ethanol extract of SCH demonstrated virucidal activity against influenza A virus at the noncytotoxic concentrations. In addition, cytopathic effect reduction assay and GFP fluorescence image analysis suggest that SCH extracts have inhibitory activity on multiple stages during influenza virus life cycle. Mechanisms studies showed that SCH extracts inhibited the biological functions of influenza viral surface hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins that play critical roles in the viral entry and release steps. SCH extracts not only prevented the receptor binding of influenza viral HA to the cellular receptors but also inhibited the HA-mediated membrane fusion. In addition, SCH extracts suppressed the enzyme activity of the viral neuraminidase. The results together suggest that SCH extracts contain antiviral natural compounds that inhibit multiple influenza viral proteins including the viral surface proteins. Our findings suggest that SCH extracts could be promising resources for the development of novel antiviral agents against influenza A viruses.

Keywords: Antiviral agents; Influenza virus; Plant extracts; Sorbus commixta; natural compounds

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39049

Chem Biodivers. 2024 Dec 05. e202401484

Metabolomic Profiling, in-vitro and in-silico study of anti-HSV activity of standardized Eucalyptus maculata (Corymbia maculata) Resin Extract.

Samar M Bassam, Ibrahim A Abdelwahab, Mohamed Teleb, Dalia Ali.

Recent episodes of viral pandemics have led to a quest for new drugs to act on emerging targets. Most challenging viruses are only mutants of already known viruses. Here comes the role of metabolomics in investigating natural secondary metabolites as sustainable antiviral drug candidates. Resins are natural plant products having the advantage of being concentrated and consisting of precious terpenoids, phenolics and flavonoids, known for their anti-pathogen activity. This study aimed at investigation of the major phytoconstituents in the Eucalyptus maculata (EM) resin using high resolution LC-MS/MS and investigating its antiviral potential. In vitro screening of the standardized EM antiviral activity was performed. High resolution LC-MS/MS analysis was done for the extract followed by investigation of the possible active metabolites through molecular docking techniques against two viral protein targets; herpes simplex virus glycoprotein D (HSV gD) and BTLA/HVEM complex. The evaluation in negative and positive modes identified 29 substances and revealed the prevalence of coumaryl and galloyl derivatives, in addition to kaempferol and aromadendrin derivatives. Antiviral in-vitro screening led to the conclusion of the promising effect of the resin against HSV which was further confirmed through molecular docking. EM resin represents a future sustainable drug discovery.

Keywords: Docking; Eucalyptus; LC-MS/MS; antiviral; metabolomics

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202401484