Novel bioactive peptides demonstrating anti‐dengue virus activity isolated from the Asian medicinal plant Acacia Catechu

Abstract

The therapeutic activities of food-derived bioactive proteins and peptides are attracting increased attention within the research community. Medicinal plants used in traditional medicines are an excellent source of bioactive proteins and peptides, especially those traditionally prepared by water extraction for use as tea or food supplement. In this study, novel bioactive peptides were isolated from enzymatic digests of 33 Thai medicinal plants. The inhibitory activity of each against dengue virus (DENV) infection was investigated. Of 33 plants, peptides from Acacia catechu extract demonstrated the most pronounced anti-DENV activity. Half maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.18 μg/ml effectively inhibited DENV foci formation. Treatment with 1.25 μg/ml crude peptide extract could reduce virus production less than 100-fold with no observable cell toxicity. Peptide sequences were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Two bioactive peptides isolated from Acacia catechu inhibited DENV foci formation >90% at the concentration of 50 μM; therefore, they are recommended for further investigation as antiviral peptides against DENV infection.

Cordycepin Inhibits Virus Replication in Dengue Virus-Infected Vero Cells

“…Since DENV infection and its effects on host cells are highly complex and dynamic, the inhibition of DENV infection via different modes of action by targeting multiple steps in the DENV life cycle is a compelling strategy for developing anti-DENV drugs. For example, our group recently reported peptide inhibitors targeting DENV entry by inhibiting virus–host receptor interaction [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. A combination of these peptide inhibitors and cordycepin would hypothetically enhance antiviral activity in DENV-infected cells.…”

Recent insights on anti-dengue virus (DENV) medicinal plants: review on in vitro, in vivo and in silico discoveries

“…The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 0.18 μg ml −1 inhibited DENV foci formation effectively. From the four peptide tested, Peptide-2, -3 and -4 significantly reduced the foci formation (Panya et al 2019). The crude peptide extract of 1.25 μg ml −1 could reduce virus production by approximately 100fold with no observable cell toxicity (Panya et al 2019).…”

“…Acacia catechu (Family: Mimosaceae) is an indigenous plant found in India and Southeast Asia (Panya et al 2019). In Thailand, the heartwood of Acacia catechu was used for anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal purposes (Panya et al 2019).…”

“…Acacia catechu (Family: Mimosaceae) is an indigenous plant found in India and Southeast Asia (Panya et al 2019). In Thailand, the heartwood of Acacia catechu was used for anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal purposes (Panya et al 2019). The peptides extracted from Acacia catechu caused a reduction in intracellular envelope proteins across all DENV serotypes following a dose-dependent manner (Panya et al 2019).…”

“…In Thailand, the heartwood of Acacia catechu was used for anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal purposes (Panya et al 2019). The peptides extracted from Acacia catechu caused a reduction in intracellular envelope proteins across all DENV serotypes following a dose-dependent manner (Panya et al 2019). The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 0.18 μg ml −1 inhibited DENV foci formation effectively.…”