The anti-MERS-CoV activities of three medicinal plants (Azadirachta indica, Artemisia judaica, and Sophora tomentosa) were evaluated. The highest viral inhibition percentage (96%) was recorded for S. tomentosa. Moreover, the mode of action for both S. tomentosa and A. judaica showed 99.5% and 92% inhibition, respectively, with virucidal as the main mode of action. Furthermore, the anti-MERS-CoV and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities of S. tomentosa were measured. Notably, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of S. tomentosa was very high (100%) and anti-MERS-CoV inhibition was slightly lower (96%). Therefore, the phytochemical investigation of the very promising S. tomentosa L. led to the isolation and structural identification of nine compounds (1–9). Then, both the CC50 and IC50 values for the isolated compounds against SARS-CoV-2 were measured. Compound 4 (genistein 4’-methyl ether) achieved superior anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with an IC50 value of 2.13 µm. Interestingly, the mode of action of S. tomentosa against SARS-CoV-2 showed that both virucidal and adsorption mechanisms were very effective. Additionally, the IC50 values of S. tomentosa against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV were found to be 1.01 and 3.11 µg/mL, respectively. In addition, all the isolated compounds were subjected to two separate molecular docking studies against the spike (S) and main protease (Mpr°) receptors of SARS-CoV-2.
Objective: Fifteen Euphorbiaceae plant extracts were evaluated for their antiviral and immune boosting properties. Methods: The maximum non-toxic concentration of each extract in specific pathogen-free embryonated chicken eggs was estimated and their antiviral efficacy was determined in terms of reduction in viral titers, measured by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. The antiviral efficacy was compared with ribavirin. The active extract was further subjected to estimation of total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents. Also, GC/ MS analysis was used to analyze its unsaponifiable and saponifiable matters. Results: The cytotoxic concentration fifty (CC 50 ) of Breynia distacha recorded the value of >200 and >300 for Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian influenza virus (AIV) H5N1, respectively. This extract showed antiviral inhibition concentration (IC 50 ) values of ≤ 2 and ≤ 3, respectively and antiviral therapeutic index of 100% compared with ribavirin as standard. The serum of the vaccinated chicks treated with B. distacha has recorded the highest HI titers (7.1 and 8.3 log2) at the day of 28 post vaccination with high protection percentage (100 and 90%) post NDV and AIV H5N1 challenge, respectively. Also, a high HI titer (6.9 log2) was recorded in serum of the vaccinated chicks treated with Aleurites moluccana, Jatropha curcas, Ricinus communis, Putranjiva roxburghii with protection percentage of 95-100% post-NDV challenge. GC/MS analysis allowed identification of 91.10% of the total unsaponifiable matter, (1-heptatriacotanol represented the major component, 24.61%) and 82.51% of the fatty acid methyl esters content (methyl palmitate represented the major component, 26.13 %). Conclusion: This study highlighted the potential of many Euphorbiaceae plants especially B. distacha, to be new candidate of plant-based prototypes that carry antiviral and immunogenic features against respiratory viral infections.has the potential of being more successful in its steps than screening of pure compounds isolated from the products. 8 The spurge family, Euphorbiaceae occupied a special place in the realm of plant families and is scientifically reported for its antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, cytotoxic, and antitumor activities. 9 In this respect, the present work aims to search for the use of plants of the Euphorbiaceae family to combat emerging infectious poultry diseases. Fifteen species belong to this family, are widely distributed and easily available throughout various geographical locations in Egypt, 10 were selected and subjected to evaluate their potential anti-viral activities against respiratory tract infection pathogens in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken embryos and evaluation of immune boosting properties of these substances in SPF chicks. These plant species are well known to have their traditional claims for cure and/or reduce symptoms of various disorders including infectious diseases of animal and human among folk cultures.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.