scholarly journals Plant-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides as Potential Antiviral Agents in Systemic Viral Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 774
Author(s):  
Nour Mammari ◽  
Ysaline Krier ◽  
Quentin Albert ◽  
Marc Devocelle ◽  
Mihayl Varbanov ◽  
...  

Numerous studies have led to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of viruses in systemic infections for the development of prevention strategies and very promising antiviral therapies. Viruses still remain one of the main causes of human diseases, mainly because the development of new vaccines is usually challenging and drug resistance has become an increasing concern in recent decades. Therefore, the development of potential antiviral agents remains crucial and is an unmet clinical need. One abundant source of potential therapeutic molecules are plants: they biosynthesize a myriad of compounds, including peptides which can have antimicrobial activity. Our objective is to summarize the literature on peptides with antiviral properties derived from plants and to identify key features of these peptides and their application in systemic viral infections. This literature review highlights studies including clinical trials which demonstrated that plant cyclotides have the ability to inhibit the growth of viruses causing human diseases, defensin-like peptides possess anti-HIV-1 activity, and lipid transfer proteins and some lectins exhibit a varied antimicrobial profile. To conclude, plant peptides remain interesting to explore in the context of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangiliyandi Gurunathan ◽  
Muhammad Qasim ◽  
Youngsok Choi ◽  
Jeong Tae Do ◽  
Chankyu Park ◽  
...  

Infectious diseases account for more than 20% of global mortality and viruses are responsible for about one-third of these deaths. Highly infectious viral diseases such as severe acute respiratory (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are emerging more frequently and their worldwide spread poses a serious threat to human health and the global economy. The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of 27 July 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 16 million people and led to the death of more than 652,434 individuals as on 27 July 2020 while also causing significant economic losses. To date, there are no vaccines or specific antiviral drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19. Hence, it is necessary to accelerate the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines to help mitigate this pandemic. Non-Conventional antiviral agents must also be considered and exploited. In this regard, nanoparticles can be used as antiviral agents for the treatment of various viral infections. The use of nanoparticles provides an interesting opportunity for the development of novel antiviral therapies with a low probability of developing drug resistance compared to conventional chemical-based antiviral therapies. In this review, we first discuss viral mechanisms of entry into host cells and then we detail the major and important types of nanomaterials that could be used as antiviral agents. These nanomaterials include silver, gold, quantum dots, organic nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers and polymers. Further, we consider antiviral mechanisms, the effects of nanoparticles on coronaviruses and therapeutic approaches of nanoparticles. Finally, we provide our perspective on the future of nanoparticles in the fight against viral infections.


1993 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Neurath ◽  
N. Strick ◽  
S. Jiang

Several compounds, including the triphenylmethane derivative aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) and porphyrins, were reported to inhibit the binding of anti-V3 loop-specific antibodies to the V3 loop of gp120 from HIV-1 III-B and to have antiviral activity, probably due to interference with the biological function of the V3 loop. However, these compounds can be applied to antiviral chemotherapy only if they interact with envelope glycoproteins from a multitude of epidemic HIV-1 strains and inhibit their replication. Since recombinant envelope glycoproteins, synthetic peptides and anti-V3 monoclonal antibodies may not be available for these HIV-1 strains, alternative assays are needed to prescreen different compounds for potential antiviral activity against these viruses. Results presented here indicate that: (1) virions of HIV-1 MN, most closely related to primary HIV-1 isolates from European and North American countries, and human anti-HIV-1 antibodies, can also be used for rapid prescreening of antiviral agents, (2) compounds with antiviral activity against HIV-1 MN, discerned by site-directed immunoassays, inhibited the reaction of human anti-HIV-1 with a V3 loop consensus peptide corresponding to European/North American HIV-1 isolates, and (3) meso-tetra (4-carboxyphenyl) porphine (MTCPP), one of the most potent inhibitors of HIV-1 replication selected on the basis of site-directed immunoassays, preferentially attached to the V3 loop of gp120.


Parasitology ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 105 (S1) ◽  
pp. S85-S92 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Koziel ◽  
B. D. Walker

An increasing number of antiviral agents are presently in various stages of development and testing, and an increasing number have recently been licensed for use in humans. These drugs have been used extensively to treat viral infections in immunocompromised individuals, and these studies indicate that for many antiviral agents the response to therapy is highly dependent on the integrity of the underlying host immune response. In particular, the response to zidovudine, acyclovir and ganciclovir in persons with HIV-1 infection is highly dependent upon CD4 number, which can be considered a surrogate marker for the state of host immune function in these subjects. Responses to interferons likewise can be shown to depend on the host immune response, with responses due to both direct antiviral effects of this agent as well as immunomodulatory effects mediated through interferon-induced upregulation of HLA molecule expression.


Author(s):  
Leonardo Magela Lopes Matoso ◽  
Mônica Betânia Lopes Matoso

Em função da alta infectividade e patogenicidade da COVID-19, buscam-se alternativas terapêuticas para tratar e prevenir a doença. Entre essas se  tem o extrato de própolis. Este estudo objetiva descrever a utilização do extrato de própolis na Atenção Primária em Saúde durante a Pandemia da COVID-19 como método nutracêutico capaz de potencializar sistema imunológico e prevenir contra a infecção. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, do tipo relato de experiência a respeito de ações e de estratégias contingenciais/emergenciais adotados na APS. Para subsidiar a discussão foram apreciados 59 estudos nacionais e internacionais, obtidos em bases de dados científicas. Estudos defendem que o própolis possui ação antiviral, anti-inflamatória, anticancerígena, anticonceptiva, anti-HIV 1, antibactericida, bacteriostático, cicatricial, antiparasitária, imunomoduladora e anti-SARS e anti-COV-2, o que pode tornar esse produto um recurso complementar para tratamento da Síndrome da Angústia Respiratória Aguda provocada pela COVID-19. Observou-se que ao prescrever 30 gotas de extrato de própolis, duas vezes ao dia, para indivíduos com diagnóstico de COVID-19, apresentando tosse seca, febre, cansaço, dores de cabeça e perda de paladar e olfato; tem-se verificado que com três dias de uso do extrato de própolis, os sinais e sintomas têm diminuído, significativamente, ao ponto de relatarem se sentirem bem, e sem a doença. Acredita-se que o extrato de própolis seja eficiente contra COVID-19, podendo contribuir com desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias de tratamento em saúde ou desenvolvimento de novos agentes antivirais eficazes e seguros. Mais estudos acerca da própolis e sua ação contra COVID-19 precisam ser realizados, entretanto, isso não diminui sua comprovação atual.   Palavras-chaves: Pandemia. Nutracêuticos. Extrato de Própolis. Atenção Primária à Saúde.   Abstract Due to the high infectivity and pathogenicity of COVID-19, therapeutic alternatives have been sought to treat and prevent the disease. Among these, there is the propolis extract. This study aims to describe the use of propolis extract in Primary Health Care during the COVID-19 pandemic as a nutraceutical method capable of enhancing the immune system and preventing infection. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study, of the experience report type regarding contingency / emergency actions and strategies adopted in PHC. To support the discussion, 59 national and international studies obtained from scientific databases were evaluated. Studies argue that propolis has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anticonceptive, anti-HIV 1, antibacterial, bacteriostatic, healing, antiparasitic, immunomodulatory and anti-SARS and anti-VOC-2 properties, which can make this product a resource complementary treatment for the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome caused by COVID-19. It was observed that when prescribing 30 drops of propolis extract twice a day for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, presenting dry cough, fever, tiredness, headaches and loss of taste and smell, it was verified that after three days  using  propolis extract, the signs and symptoms  decreased significantly, to the point of reporting feeling well, and without the disease. Propolis extract is believed to be effective against COVID-19 and may contribute to the development of new health treatment technologies or the development of new effective and safe antiviral agents. Further studies on propolis and its action against COVID-19 need to be carried out, however, this does not diminish its current evidence.   Keywords: Pandemic. Nutraceuticals. Propolis Extract. Primary Health Care.


2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 2215-2222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kawthar Bouchemal ◽  
Armelle Aka-Any-Grah ◽  
Nathalie Dereuddre-Bosquet ◽  
Loïc Martin ◽  
Vanessa Lievin-Le-Moal ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTTo be efficient, vaginal microbicide hydrogels should form a barrier against viral infections and prevent virus spreading through mucus. Multiple particle tracking was used to quantify the mobility of 170-nm fluorescently labeled COOH-modified polystyrene particles (COOH-PS) into thermosensitive hydrogels composed of amphiphilic triblock copolymers with block compositions EOn-POm-EOn(where EO refers to ethylene oxide and PO to propylene oxide) containing mucoadhesive hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). COOH-PS were used to mimic the size and the surface charge of HIV-1. Analysis of COOH-PS trajectories showed that particle mobility was decreased by Pluronic hydrogels in comparison with cynomolgus macaque cervicovaginal mucus and hydroxyethylcellulose hydrogel (HEC; 1.5% by weight [wt%]) used as negative controls. Formulation of the peptide mini-CD4 M48U1 used as an anti-HIV-1 molecule into a mixture of Pluronic F127 (20 wt%) and HPMC (1 wt%) did not affect its anti-HIV-1 activity in comparison with HEC hydrogel. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 0.53 μg/ml (0.17 μM) for M48U1-HEC and 0.58 μg/ml (0.19 μM) for M48U1-F127-HPMC. The present work suggests that hydrogels composed of F127-HPMC (20/1 wt%, respectively) can be used to create an efficient barrier against particle diffusion in comparison to conventional HEC hydrogels.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-91
Author(s):  
Jay Kant Raut

Emerging viral infections such as the zika virus, dengue virus, ebola virus, corona virus are afflicting millions of human populations worldwide. Therefore, the development of new treatments against emerging infectious diseases has become an urgent task. The availability of commercially viable, safe, and effective antiviral drugs still remains a big challenge. Mushrooms are considered as an untapped reservoir of several novel compounds of great value in industry and medicine. Although exploration, and exploitation of the therapeutic importance of fungal metabolites has started early with the discovery of penicillin, mushrooms’s pharmacological potential has much less been investigated. This article briefly reviews the antiviral potentials of mushrooms to combat deadly disease outbreaks caused by emerging and re-emerging viruses. Altogether 69 mushroom species with potent antiviral agents and mode of action against prominent viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus, influenza, herpes simplex virus, hepatitis B and C viruses, corona viruses etc. are listed in this study. Further studies are encouraged to discover more novel potent antiviral agents or evaluate already known compounds from those mushrooms with clinical trials.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inder P. Singh ◽  
Shiv Gupta ◽  
Sanjay Kumar

Background: Thiazole is a good nucleus owing to its various pharmaceutical applications. Thiazole containing compounds (thiazoles) have shown various biological activities like antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial, anticancer, antiallergic, antihypertensive, antiinflammatory, antimalarial, antifungal and antipsychotic. The scaffold is present in more than 18 FDA approved drugs and also in more than 70 experimental drugs. Only a few reviews are available in the literature despite its great medicinal importance. During the course of time, this scaffold has been studied extensively for its antiviral activities and provided compounds with activity in the nM range. However, no focused review is available on the compilation of antiviral activities shown by this scaffold. Objective: In the present review, we have made an effort to compile antiviral literature of thiazoles reported from the year 2011 to till date. Methods: We searched the SciFinder database (excluding patent literature) with keywords like “antiviral”, “anti-HIV” and “virus”. Further filters were applied for the year of publication and keywords thiazole, reviews etc. to find relevant literature reported on the antiviral activities of thiazoles. Results: Nearly, 50 research articles were selected to compile and review the antiviral literature of thiazoles reported from the year 2011 to till date. Compounds 8, 25, 40, 62, 72, 73, 91, 112, 113, 131, 137, 175, 198, 200, 201 and 213 were reported in the literature with potent antiviral activity against CVB, SARS, RSV, HCV, HRV, VZV, TMV, FMDV, DENV, YFV, influenza virus, Junin virus, HIV-1, HSV, VV and EBV, respectively. Conclusion: There is further scope for the synthesis and evaluation of novel thiazole compounds by taking the most active compounds as lead structures. In conclusion, this review provides an overview of antiviral activities of thiazole compounds reported from the year 2011 to till date.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florina-Daniela Cojocaru ◽  
Doru Botezat ◽  
Ioannis Gardikiotis ◽  
Cristina-Mariana Uritu ◽  
Gianina Dodi ◽  
...  

Viral infections are a major global health problem, representing a significant cause of mortality with an unfavorable continuously amplified socio-economic impact. The increased drug resistance and constant viral replication have been the trigger for important studies regarding the use of nanotechnology in antiviral therapies. Nanomaterials offer unique physico-chemical properties that have linked benefits for drug delivery as ideal tools for viral treatment. Currently, different types of nanomaterials namely nanoparticles, liposomes, nanospheres, nanogels, nanosuspensions and nanoemulsions were studied either in vitro or in vivo for drug delivery of antiviral agents with prospects to be translated in clinical practice. This review highlights the drug delivery nanosystems incorporating the major antiviral classes and their transport across specific barriers at cellular and intracellular level. Important reflections on nanomedicines currently approved or undergoing investigations for the treatment of viral infections are also discussed. Finally, the authors present an overview on the requirements for the design of antiviral nanotherapeutics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (30) ◽  
pp. 18002-18009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pengfei Wang ◽  
Mili R. Gajjar ◽  
Jian Yu ◽  
Neal N. Padte ◽  
Agegnehu Gettie ◽  
...  

In combating viral infections, the Fab portion of an antibody could mediate virus neutralization, whereas Fc engagement of Fc-γ receptors (FcγRs) could mediate an array of effector functions. Evidence abounds that effector functions are important in controlling infections by influenza, Ebola, or HIV-1 in animal models. However, the relative contribution of virus neutralization versus effector functions to the overall antiviral activity of an antibody remains unknown. To address this fundamental question in immunology, we utilized our knowledge of HIV-1 dynamics to compare the kinetics of the viral load decline (ΔVL) in infected animals given a wild-type (WT) anti–HIV-1 immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) versus those given a Fc-Null variant of the same antibody. In three independent experiments in HIV-1–infected humanized mice and one pivotal experiment in simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected rhesus macaques, an earlier and sharper decline in viral load was consistently detected for the WT antibody. Quantifications of the observed differences indicate that Fc-mediated effector functions accounted for 25–45% of the total antiviral activity in these separate experiments. In this study, Fc-mediated effector functions have been quantified in vivo relative to the contribution of virus neutralization mediated by the Fab.


UNICIÊNCIAS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-103
Author(s):  
Leonardo Magela Lopes Matoso ◽  
Mônica Betania Lopes Matoso

Em função da alta infectividade e patogenicidade da COVID-19, buscam-se alternativas terapêuticas para tratar e prevenir a doença. Entre estas se tem o extrato de própolis. Esse estudo objetiva descrever a utilização do extrato de própolis na Atenção Primária em Saúde durante pandemia da COVID-19 como método nutracêutico capaz de potencializar sistema imunológico e prevenir contra a infecção. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, do tipo relato de experiência a respeito de ações e estratégias contingenciais/emergenciais adotados na APS. Para subsidiar discussão foram apreciados 59 estudos nacionais e internacionais obtidos em bases de dados científicas. Estudos defendem que o própolis possui ação antiviral, anti-inflamatória, anticancerígena, anticonceptiva, anti-HIV 1, antibactericida, bacteriostático, cicatricial, antiparasitária, imunomoduladora e anti-SARS e anti-COV-2, o que pode tornar esse produto um recurso complementar para tratamento da Síndrome da Angústia Respiratória Aguda provocada pela COVID-19. Observou-se que ao prescrever 30 gotas de extrato de própolis, duas vezes ao dia, para indivíduos com diagnóstico de COVID-19, apresentando tosse seca, febre, cansaço, dores de cabeça e perda de paladar e olfato; tem-se verificado que com três dias de uso do extrato de própolis, os sinais e sintomas têm diminuído significativamente, ao ponto de relatarem sentirem-se bem, e sem a doença. Acredita-se que extrato de própolis é eficiente contra COVID-19, podendo contribuir com desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias de tratamento em saúde ou desenvolvimento de novos agentes antivirais eficazes e seguros. Mais estudos acerca da própolis e sua ação contra COVID-19 precisam ser realizadas, entretanto, isso não diminui sua comprovação atual.   Palavras-chave: Pandemia. Nutracêuticos. Extrato de Própolis. Atenção Primária à Saúde.   Abstract Due to the high infectivity and pathogenicity of COVID-19, therapeutic alternatives are sought to treat and prevent the disease. Among these, there is the propolis extract. This study aims to describe the use of propolis extract in Primary Health Care during the COVID-19 pandemic as a nutraceutical method capable of enhancing the immune system and preventing infection. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory studytype regarding contingency / emergency actions and strategies adopted in PHC. To support the discussion, 59 national and international studies obtained from scientific databases were evaluated. Studies argue that propolis has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anticonceptive, anti-HIV 1, antibacterial, bacteriostatic, healing, antiparasitic, immunomodulatory and anti-SARS and anti-VOC-2 properties, which can make this product a resource complementary treatment for the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome caused by COVID-19. It was observed that when prescribing 30 drops of propolis extract twice a day for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, presenting dry cough, fever, tiredness, headaches and loss of taste and smell, it was verified that after three days using  propolis extract, the signs and symptoms decreased significantly, to the point of reporting feeling well, and absence of t the disease. Propolis extract is believed to be effective against COVID-19 and may contribute to the development of new health treatment technologies or the development of new effective and safe antiviral agents. Further studies on propolis and its action against COVID-19 need to be carried out, however, this does not diminish its current evidence.   Keywords: Pandemic. Nutraceuticals. Propolis Extract. Primary Health Care.


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