In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Germacrone Against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

Abstract

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most serious diseases affecting the swine industry worldwide; however, there is no efficient control strategies against PRRSV at present. Therefore, development of new antiviral treatment strategies is urgently needed. As reported, germacrone can efficiently impair influenza virus replication. In this study, we exploited whether germacrone has the potential to inhibit PRRSV infection. Our results showed that the germacrone significantly inhibited replication of PRRSV in vitro and repressed the synthesis of viral RNA and protein. However, it did not block PRRSV binding and entry. Further studies confirmed that germacrone impaired PRRSV replication at an early stage, and inhibited infection of both classic and highly pathogenic type II PRRSV strains. Collectively, our findings imply that the germacrone has the potential to be used as an anti-PRRSV drug.

Antiviral Activity of Germacrone against Pseudorabies Virus in Vitro

“…With the emergence of new viruses that threaten both the pig industry and public health, the discovery of new functions in existing clinical drugs is often used in the screening of modern emergency drugs. Germacrone has an antiviral effect on a variety of viruses, such as IAV, PPV, FCV, and PRRSV [16,[20][21][22]. In this study, we investigated the effect of germacrone on PRV variant strain.…”

“…Germacrone is a monocyclic sesquiterpene extracted from gingeraceae plants with antitumor, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity [16][17][18]. In particular, germacrone antitumor effect on the human hepatoma cell line is mediated via G2/M cell cycle arrest and by promoting apoptosis [19].…”

“…In particular, germacrone antitumor effect on the human hepatoma cell line is mediated via G2/M cell cycle arrest and by promoting apoptosis [19]. In terms of antiviral activity, germacrone inhibits influenza virus (IAV), Porcine parvovirus (PPV), Feline calicivirus (FCV), and Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) replication [16,[20][21][22]. Germacrone has inhibitory effects on H1N1, H3N2 influenza viruses, and Influenza B viruses in the early stages of the viral cycle and can protect mice from fatal infection [20].…”

“…Germacrone has inhibitory effects on H1N1, H3N2 influenza viruses, and Influenza B viruses in the early stages of the viral cycle and can protect mice from fatal infection [20]. However, it does not block PRRSV adsorption and invasion and cannot inhibit both classical and highly pathogenic II PRRSV strains [16].…”

Griffithsin inhibits porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection in vitro

“…Our results showed that Griffithsin possessed potent antiviral activity against PRRSV in Marc-145 cells. Previous studies have been reported that certain lectins like porcine SP-A are able to inhibit inhibited PRRSV infection [26][27][28][29][30]. .…”