Papaya Fruit Pulp and Resulting Lactic Fermented Pulp Exert Antiviral Activity against Zika Virus

Abstract

There are a several emerging and re-emerging RNA viruses that are prevalent around the world for which there are no licensed vaccines or antiviral drugs. Zika virus (ZIKV) is an example of an emerging virus that has become a significant concern worldwide because of its association with severe congenital malformations and neurological disorders in adults. Several polyphenol-rich extracts from plants were used as nutraceuticals which exhibit potent in vitro antiviral effects. Here, we demonstrated that the papaya pulp extracted from Carica papaya fruit inhibits the infection of ZIKV in human cells without loss of cell viability. At the non-cytotoxic concentrations, papaya pulp extract has the ability to reduce the virus progeny production in ZIKV-infected human cells by at least 4-log, regardless of viral strains tested. Time-of-drug-addition assays revealed that papaya pulp extract interfered with the attachment of viral particles to the host cells. With a view of preserving the properties of papaya pulp over time, lactic fermentation based on the use of bacterial strains Weissella cibaria 64, Lactobacillus plantarum 75 and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides 56 was performed and the resulting fermented papaya pulp samples were tested on ZIKV. We found that lactic fermentation of papaya pulp causes a moderate loss of antiviral activity against ZIKV in a bacterial strain-dependent manner. Whereas IC50 of the papaya pulp extract was 0.3 mg/mL, we found that fermentation resulted in IC50 up to 4 mg/mL. We can conclude that papaya pulp possesses antiviral activity against ZIKV and the fermentation process has a moderate effect on the antiviral effect.

Evaluation of antiviral activity ofCarica papayaleaves against SARS-CoV-2 assisted by metabolomic profiling

“…[18][19][20][21] In addition, papaya fruit pulp was recently reported to exert antiviral activity against Zika virus. 22 Papaya comprises a wide range of phytocompounds that may induce antiviral activities against different classes of viruses. 23 Fatty acids, sterols, and triterpenoid compounds represent the major compounds present in C. papaya.…”

Cranberry Pomace Extract Exerts Antiviral Activity against Zika and Dengue Virus at Safe Doses for Adult Zebrafish

“…This mechanism of action has been described for various natural compounds such as EGCG, delphinidin, curcumin, geraniin and berberine against ZIKV and DENV [ 22 , 23 , 31 , 46 , 47 ]. Numerous studies have highlighted the capacity of medicinal plants extracts to neutralize ZIKV or DENV infectivity [ 19 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 30 , 31 , 48 , 49 ]. Here, using a panel of virological assays, we demonstrated that cranberry pomace extract, as well as EGCG, is capable of neutralizing the infectivity of the Asian epidemic strain of ZIKV in zebrafish at non-toxic doses.…”

“…The development of efficient natural therapeutics against DENV and ZIKV infection has become a priority because of the risk of CZS, especially in regions infested by mosquito vectors of disease [ 8 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. It has been reported that plant extracts rich in flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, polyphenols and even some essential oils may inhibit DENV and ZIKV infection [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Previous studies showed that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), delphinidin, isoquercitrin, resveratrol, geraniin and curcumin inhibit ZIKV and DENV infection at different stages of the viral cycle [ 20 , 23 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Plant ingredients in Thai food: a well-rounded diet for natural bioactive associated with medicinal properties

“…Remarkably, some plant species stand out based on their effectiveness at very low concentrations; these are Carica papaya (Caricaceae) ( Haddad et al, 2020 ), Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) ( Ashraf et al, 2017 ), and B. rotunda (Zingiberaceae) ( Kanjanasirirat et al, 2020 ), and the findings suggest sufficient specificity (extracts were used at concentrations of less than 10 µg/mL) that these might be good candidates for developing antiviral agents and merit further evaluation against a broader group of viruses. Particularly, B. rotunda extract and its isolated component panduratin A have promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) ( Kanjanasirirat et al, 2020 ).…”