Kaempferol: A Review of Current Evidence of Its Antiviral Potential

Abstract

Kaempferol and its derivatives are flavonoids found in various plants, and a considerable number of these have been used in various medical applications worldwide. Kaempferol and its compounds have well-known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties among other health benefits. However, the antiviral properties of kaempferol are notable, and there is a significant number of experimental studies on this topic. Kaempferol compounds were effective against DNA viruses such as hepatitis B virus, viruses of the alphaherpesvirinae family, African swine fever virus, and pseudorabies virus; they were also effective against RNA viruses, namely feline SARS coronavirus, dengue fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, influenza virus, enterovirus 71, poliovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus, calicivirus, and chikungunya virus. On the other hand, no effectiveness against murine norovirus and hepatitis A virus could be determined. The antiviral action mechanisms of kaempferol compounds are various, such as the inhibition of viral polymerases and of viral attachment and entry into host cells. Future research should be focused on further elucidating the antiviral properties of kaempferol compounds from different plants and assessing their potential use to complement the action of antiviral drugs.

Antiherpetic Activity of a Root Exudate from Solanum lycopersicum

“…The results of this qualitative analysis show that the root exudate of Solanum lycopersicum contains a number of phytochemicals with recognized antiviral activity. In particular, some key identified phytochemicals in the root exudate possess antiherpetic properties, as demonstrated for lycopene (EC 50 = 22.86 μg/mL for HSV-1) [ 41 ], β-sitosterol (EC 50 = 2.7 μg/mL for HSV-2) [ 42 ], tomatidine [ 26 ], and several flavonoids [ 43 , 44 ], including quercetin (EC 50 = 52.90 μg/mL for HSV-1 and EC 50 = 70.01 μg/mL for HSV-2) [ 45 , 46 ], kaempferol [ 47 ], and myricetin [ 44 ]. Furthermore, natural antioxidants, such as bioactive carotenoids (lycopene, β-carotene, lutein, phytoene, phytofluene), phytosterols (β-sitosterol), and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin,) have a beneficial role in human health and chronic diseases owing to their ability to modulate the activity of specific enzymes or inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) acting as free radical scavengers [ 48 , 49 , 50 ].…”

“…Five main classes of biologically derived compounds were identified in the ES spectrum belonging to different substances (see Table 1) commonly found in tomat tracts: carotenoids, glycoalkaloids, phytosterols, flavonoids, and amino acids [39,40] Five main classes of biologically derived compounds were identified in the ESI-MS spectrum belonging to different substances (see Table 1) commonly found in tomato extracts: carotenoids, glycoalkaloids, phytosterols, flavonoids, and amino acids [39,40] The results of this qualitative analysis show that the root exudate of Solanum lycopersicum contains a number of phytochemicals with recognized antiviral activity. In particular, some key identified phytochemicals in the root exudate possess antiherpetic properties, as demonstrated for lycopene (EC 50 = 22.86 µg/mL for HSV-1) [41], β-sitosterol (EC 50 = 2.7 µg/mL for HSV-2) [42], tomatidine [26], and several flavonoids [43,44], including quercetin (EC 50 = 52.90 µg/mL for HSV-1 and EC 50 = 70.01 µg/mL for HSV-2) [45,46], kaempferol [47], and myricetin [44]. Furthermore, natural antioxidants, such as bioactive carotenoids (lycopene, β-carotene, lutein, phytoene, phytofluene), phytosterols (β-sitosterol), and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin,) have a beneficial role in human health and chronic diseases owing to their ability to modulate the activity of specific enzymes or inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) acting as free radical scavengers [48][49][50].…”

Use of Biomaterials in 3D Printing as a Solution to Microbial Infections in Arthroplasty and Osseous Reconstruction

“…Another avenue that can be explored to enhance the antimicrobial properties of the discussed biomaterials is phytochemicals [ 379 , 380 ]. Recent research has highlighted the antimicrobial potential of numerous phytochemicals (e.g., [ 381 , 382 , 383 , 384 , 385 , 386 ]); many purified plant compounds have been found to have antimicrobial properties, such as capsaicin [ 387 ] and other capsaicinoids [ 388 , 389 ], curcumin [ 390 , 391 , 392 ], kaempferol and its derivatives [ 393 , 394 ], catechins [ 395 , 396 ], turmeric [ 397 ], fucoidan [ 398 ], and other plant compounds (e.g., [ 399 , 400 ]). Phytochemicals have already been used as coatings for a variety of materials and for a variety of purposes.…”

Mini-encyclopedia of mitochondria-relevant nutraceuticals protecting health in primary and secondary care—clinically relevant 3PM innovation

“…Kaempferol also inhibited melanoma metastasis via blocking aerobic glycolysis of melanoma cells [ 156 ]. In addition, kaempferol showed antidiabetic [ 157 ], cardioprotective [ 158 ], neuroprotective [ 159 , 160 ], osteoprotective [ 161 ], antimicrobial [ 162 ], and antiviral properties too [ 163 ]. Kaempferol had a protective effect against a cisplatin-induced acute ovarian damage in mice [ 164 ] and protected cardiomyocytes against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced injury via promoting Notch1/PTEN/Akt signaling pathway [ 159 ].…”