Despite the worldwide reemergence of the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and the high morbidity associated with CHIKV infections, there is no approved vaccine or antiviral treatment available. Here, we aimed to identify the target of a novel class of CHIKV inhibitors, i.e., the CHVB series. CHVB compounds inhibit the in vitro replication of CHIKV isolates with 50% effective concentrations in the low-micromolar range. A CHVB-resistant variant (CHVBres) was selected that carried two mutations in the gene encoding nsP1 (responsible for viral RNA capping), one mutation in nsP2, and one mutation in nsP3. Reverse genetics studies demonstrated that both nsP1 mutations were necessary and sufficient to achieve ∼18-fold resistance, suggesting that CHVB targets viral mRNA capping. Interestingly, CHVBres was cross-resistant to the previously described CHIKV capping inhibitors from the MADTP series, suggesting they share a similar mechanism of action. In enzymatic assays, CHVB inhibited the methyltransferase and guanylyltransferase activities of alphavirus nsP1 proteins. To conclude, we identified a class of CHIKV inhibitors that targets the viral capping machinery. The potent anti-CHIKV activity makes this chemical scaffold a potential candidate for CHIKV drug development.

The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus, and it is the causative agent of chikungunya fever (CHIKF). Although it has re-emerged as an epidemic threat, so far there are neither vaccines nor pharmacotherapy available to prevent or treat an infection. Herein, we describe the synthesis and structure–activity relationship studies of a class of novel small molecule inhibitors against CHIKV and the discovery of a new potent inhibitor (compound 6a). The starting point of the optimization process was N-ethyl-6-methyl-2-(4-(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)­piperazine-1-yl)­pyrimidine-4-amine (1) with an EC50 of 8.68 μM, a CC50 of 122 μM, and therefore a resulting selectivity index (SI) of 14.2. The optimized compound 6a, however, displays a much lower micromolar antiviral activity (EC50 value of 3.95 μM), considerably better cytotoxic liability (CC50 value of 260 μM) and consequently an improved SI of greater than 61. Therefore, we report the identification of a promising novel compound class that has the potential for further development of antiviral drugs against the CHIKV.

NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) has recently been implicated as driving force in cellular senescence. Thus, there is growing interest to develop Nox4 inhibitors, which might be valuable agents for cosmeceutical applications. Alpine plants represent a valuable source for the identification of novel bioactive natural products with anti-ageing effects, especially substances that protect plants against UV radiation, which is also known to contribute to the ageing of human skin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify novel Nox4 inhibitors from alpine plants. Within an initial screening of extracts of alpine plants on their ability to inhibit Nox4 activity in HEK cells, the methanolic extract of the subaerial parts of Lycopus europaeus showed a strong inhibition of Nox4 (81% chemiluminescence quenching) and a simultaneously high cell viability (91% vitality). Rosmarinic acid was isolated and identified as the major compound in this bioactive extract. It showed a dose dependent inhibitory activity on Nox4 with an IC50 of 1 µM. Moreover, it also showed a significant inhibitory activity on Nox2 in the low micromolar range, whereas no inhibition of Nox5 was detected. Further investigations confirmed that the observed effects of rosmarinic acid on Nox2 and Nox4 are real inhibitory activities, and not due to ROS scavenging effects. Therefore, L. europaeus, which we demonstrated to be a good source of rosmarinic acid, has great potential for usage in cosmeceutical products with anti-ageing activity.

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Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) nonstructural protein 1 (nsP1) harbours the methyltransferase (MTase) and guanylyltransferase (GTase) activities needed for viral RNA capping and represents a promising antiviral drug target. We compared the antiviral efficacy of nsP1 inhibitors belonging to the MADTP, CHVB and FHNA series [6’-fluoro-homoneplanocin A (FHNA), its 3’-keto form and 6'-β-Fluoro-homoaristeromycin]. Cell-based phenotypic cross-resistance assays revealed that the CHVB and MADTP series shared a similar mode of action that differed from that of the FHNA series. In biochemical assays with purified Semliki Forest virus and CHIKV nsP1, CHVB compounds strongly inhibited MTase and GTase activities, while MADTP-372 had a moderate inhibitory effect. FHNA did not directly inhibit enzymatic activity of CHIKV nsP1. The first of its kind molecular docking studies with the cryo-EM structure of CHIKV nsP1, which is assembled into a dodecameric ring, revealed that the MADTP and CHVB series bind at the SAM-binding site in the capping domain, where they would function as (non)competitive inhibitors. The FHNA series was predicted to bind at the secondary binding pocket in the Ring-Aperture Membrane-Binding and Oligomerization domain, potentially interfering with membrane binding and oligomerization of nsP1. Our cell-based and enzymatic assays, in combination with molecular docking and mapping of compound-resistance mutations to the nsP1 structure allowed us to group nsP1 inhibitors into functionally distinct classes. This study identified druggable pockets in the nsP1 dodecameric structure and provides a basis for rational design, optimization and combination of inhibitors of this unique and promising antiviral drug target.