A Natural Botanical Product, Resveratrol, Effectively Suppresses Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Infection In Vitro

Abstract

Numerous natural phytochemicals such as resveratrol are acknowledged as potent botanical agents in regulating immune responses. However, it is less understood whether such immunomodulatory phytochemicals are appropriate for use as direct treatments in veterinary viral diseases. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of resveratrol in suppressing vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection. Outbreaks of VSV can cause massive economic loss in poultry and livestock husbandry farming, and VSV treatment is in need of therapeutic development. We utilized a recombinant VSV that expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) to measure viral replication in cells treated with resveratrol. Our findings revealed that resveratrol treatment affords a protective effect, shown by increased viability and reduced viral replication, as indicated by a reduction in fluorescent signals. Additionally, we found that resveratrol inhibition of VSV infection occurs via suppression of the caspase cascade. Structural analysis also indicated that resveratrol potentially interacts with the active sites of caspase-3 and -7, facilitating antiviral activity. The potential effect of resveratrol on reducing VSV infection in vitro suggests that resveratrol should be further investigated as a potential veterinary therapeutic or prophylactic agent.

Antiviral Properties of Polyphenols from Plants

“…Based on the information contained in Table 2, it can be concluded that the mechanism of inhibition for individual polyphenols depends on the type of virus and its structure. Papers regarding the use of resveratrol [42,52,99] indicate the different mechanisms behind the inhibition of the viruses. It has been shown that it affects mainly the virus' replication cycle by interacting with the active sites of caspase or protein synthesis.…”

“…quercetin SARS-CoV-2 interaction with Spike occurs between amino acid Thr 445, Ile 446; as for main protease it binds to Thr 26 superior main protease docking result compared to spike docking, better inhibitory effect on replication cycle of the virus rather than penetration/adsorption cycle [16] resveratrol Epstein-Barr virus decreasing levels of reactive oxygen species, blocking protein synthesis and inhibiting virus-induced activation of transcription factors, which affects replication of the individual virus [42] rotavirus inhibition of the replication in the Caco-2 cell line [52] vesicular stomatitis virus suppression of the spread of the virus by interaction with the active sites of caspase-3 and -7 [99] curcumin SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells is also blocked by blocking the enzyme ACE2; curcumin has a high affinity for ACE2 ligands [60] influenza virus reduction of viral NA activity and blocking HA activity [69] SARS-CoV-2 inhibition due to interaction with Mpro receptor of SARS-CoV-2, which occurs by binding with amino acid Thr26, His41, Gln189…”