Propagation of Influenza Virus in Lymphocytes Determine by Antiviral Effects of Honey, Ginger and Garlic Decoction

Abstract

Three influenza A virus isolates, one from a human, one from a chicken, and one from a wild bird dropping, were used to infect human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in culture. The influenza strains were H1N2, H5/H7-N1/N2 (mixture) and H9N2, respectively and were assessed in vitro in human PBMCs in the presence of Phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Viral replication was estimated by visual cytopathic effect (CPE). H1N2 CPE included budding of lymphocytes, fusion of infected cells with neighboring lymphocytes, and syncytial formation. H5/H7-N1/N2 and H9N2 each caused CPE that included bulging of cells with large vacuoles. The supernatant of infected lymphocyte culture was used to infect MDCK cell lines. Influenza viral RNA was detected in extracts of MDCK cell lines and from lymphocytes infected with each of the three virus strains as judged by RT-PCR, confirming that all three isolates were able to replicate in human lymphocytes in vitro. The antiviral activity of a mixture of honey, ginger, and garlic (HGG) extracts, an over the counter drug commonly used in Pakistan to treat patients with influenza virus, was compared to the antiviral drug amantadine for its ability to decrease replication of the H1N2 strain in human PBMCs in vitro. HGG significantly inhibited H1N2 virus growth as judged by CPE, haemagglutination assays, and qRT-PCR. Interestingly, HGG also appeared to promote proliferation of human lymphocytes. These finding suggest that a mixture of crude extracts from honey, ginger, and garlic may be clinically useful against influenza virus.

Fighting against the second wave of COVID-19: Can honeybee products help protect against the pandemic?

“…Honey in general, and particularly Manuka honey, had potent inhibitory effects against the influenza virus ( Watanabe et al, 2014 ). Profound, in vitro antiviral activity of a mixture of natural honey, ginger and garlic extracts against various strains of influenza virus was observed, moreover they showed in their study that this mixture promotes the proliferation of human lymphocytes ( Vahed & Batool Jafri 2016 ).…”

“… Types of Honey/compound Target virus References Manuka and Clover honey Varicella Zoster virus (VZV, the cause of chicken pox and shingles) ( Shahzad and Cohrs, 2012; P . Zareie, 2011 ) Honey and thyme extract Respiratory Syncytial Virus ( Feás and Estevinho, 2011 ) Manuka, buckwheat, honeydew and acacia honeys Influenza virus ( Watanabe et al, 2014b ) Manuka, Honeydew and Rewarewa honeys Rubella virus ( Littlejohn, 2009 ) adenovirus and herpes simplex virus Multi-floral honey from UAE Herpes simplex virus and rubella virus ( Al-Waili, 2004 ) Honey and Royal Jelly Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) ( Hashemipour et al, 2014 ) Mono-floral Iranian honey HIV-1 ( Behbahani, 2014 ) Type 1 herpes simplex virus ( Ghapanchi et al, 2011 ) New Zealand medical grade kanuka honey Herpes simplex virus ( Semprini et al, 2019 ) Honey, Ginger and Garlic Decoction Influenza Virus ( Vahed and Batool Jafri, 2016 ) MGO (methylglyoxal) a major component of Manuka Honey Foot and mouth disease virus influenza B viruses; ( Ghizatullina, 1976 )( Charyasriwong et al, 2016 ) Tualang honey (Malaysian multi-floral jungle honey) Common cold ( Sobhanian et al, 2014 ) Reduction of virus load in AIDS patients ( Wan Yusuf et al, 2019 ) Phenols and bioflavonoids found in honey Virus families such as retroviridae, hepadnaviridae, hespervirides, HIV virus, influenza virus, herpes simplex virus, dengue virus, polio virus etc ( …”

Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Effects of Phytochemicals from Honey against COVID-19: Potential Mechanisms of Action and Future Directions

“…Another study has shown that honeys including Manuka, Soba, Kanro, Acacia, and Renge have antiviral effects, and Manuka honey is the most potent antiviral candidate against influenza virus A/WSN/33 (H1N1) in the cultured Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line [ 29 ]. Moreover, extracts of honey, garlic, and ginger (HGG) mixture showed antiviral activity against influenza A virus isolates and is comparable to the standard antiviral drug Amantadine [ 57 ]. This in vitro study showed that HGG inhibited H1N2 replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and promoted cellular proliferation [ 57 ].…”

“…Moreover, extracts of honey, garlic, and ginger (HGG) mixture showed antiviral activity against influenza A virus isolates and is comparable to the standard antiviral drug Amantadine [ 57 ]. This in vitro study showed that HGG inhibited H1N2 replication in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and promoted cellular proliferation [ 57 ].…”

“…Synergistically, honey combinations with other rich natural products (such as cinnamon, garlic and ginger) have shown stronger antimicrobial and immune booster activities [ 25 , 57 , 130 ]. This approach could help to enhance the role of honey as a complementary and alternative medicine against COVID-19.…”