Allicin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication and abrogates the antiviral host response in the Calu-3 proteome

Abstract

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is a major health burden. Volatile garlic organosulfur compounds, such as the thiol-reactive allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate) exert strong antimicrobial activity against various respiratory pathogens. Here, we investigated the antiviral activity of allicin against SARS-CoV-2 in infected Vero E6 and Calu-3 lung cells. Allicin efficiently inhibited viral replication and infectivity in both cell lines. Proteome analyses of infected Calu-3 cells revealed a strong induction of the antiviral interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) signature (e.g. cGAS, Mx1, IFIT, IFIH, IFI16, IFI44, OAS and ISG15), pathways of vesicular transport, tight junctions (KIF5A/B/C, OSBPL2, CLTC1, ARHGAP17) and ubiquitin modification (UBE2L3/5), as well as reprogramming of host metabolism, transcription and translation. Allicin abrogated the ISG host response and reverted the host cellular pathways to levels of uninfected Calu-3 cells, confirming the antiviral and immunomodulatory activity of allicin in the host proteome. Thus, biocompatible doses of garlic could be promising for protection of lung cells against SARS-CoV-2.

Effect of dietary garlic (Allium sativum) on the zootechnical performance and health indicators of aquatic animals: A mini-review

“…Allicin condenses into ajoene, a molecule with antiviral activity that blocks integrin-dependent processes in the infected cellular system [95]. Furthermore, allicin efficiently inhibits viral replication and stimulates the immune system through the host proteome [96], improving the host immune response through mechanisms involving interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL-12P70), and T-cells [83]. Moreover, another advantage of garlic is immunostimulation, which is attributed to organosulfur, polysaccharide, and fructan compounds [97].…”