The Activity of Chelidonium majus L. Latex and Its Components on HPV Reveal Insights into the Antiviral Molecular Mechanism

Abstract

Yellow-orange latex of Chelidonium majus L. has been used in folk medicine as a therapeutic agent against warts and other visible symptoms of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections for centuries. The observed antiviral and antitumor properties of C. majus latex are often attributed to alkaloids contained therein, but recent studies indicate that latex proteins may also play an important role in its pharmacological activities. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the crude C. majus latex and its protein and alkaloid-rich fractions on different stages of the HPV replication cycle. The results showed that the latex components, such as alkaloids and proteins, decrease HPV infectivity and inhibit the expression of viral oncogenes (E6, E7) on mRNA and protein levels. However, the crude latex and its fractions do not affect the stability of structural proteins in HPV pseudovirions and they do not inhibit the virus from attaching to the cell surface. In addition, the protein fraction causes increased TNFα secretion, which may indicate the induction of an inflammatory response. These findings indicate that the antiviral properties of C. majus latex arise both from alkaloids and proteins contained therein, acting on different stages of the viral replication cycle.

Romanian Wild-Growing Chelidonium majus—An Emerging Approach to a Potential Antimicrobial Engineering Carrier System Based on AuNPs: In Vitro Investigation and Evaluation

“…The MS spectra ( Figure S2 ) indicate the presence of numerous molecules, some of which were detected and assigned to different chemical classes (alkaloids, amino acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, organic acids, fatty acids, sterols, and others) that corroborate the literature results [ 6 , 7 , 11 , 15 , 31 , 33 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 43 ].…”

“…Numerous research studies have been conducted on the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of Chelidonium majus . Most of these studies have focused on specific phytoconstituent categories found in certain parts of the plant [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Currently, greater celandine is appreciated in traditional European medicine, especially in the central and eastern regions, being recognized for its exceptional therapeutic properties, especially in dermatological conditions (e.g., eczema, verrucae, circumscribed cutaneous carcinomas), hepato-biliary (anti-jaundice) conditions, chole cytopathies, biliary lithiasis, gastrointestinal spasms, eye infections, and inflammation [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Modern research has reported the presence of a large variety of biomolecules (alkaloids, flavonoids, carotenoids, lectins, phenolic acids, volatile oils, and others) and, thus, remarkable biological activity (antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, anti-spasmodic, hepato-protective, analgesic, and immunomodulatory) [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”

Toxic Effects of <i>Ficus benghalensis</i> Latex Based Combinatorial Formulations on Various Enzymatic Parameters in Indian White Termite <i>Odontotermes obesus</i>

“…Fig latexes are more effective natural therapeutic antibacterial agents against pathogenic bacteria [34]. The antiviral properties of C. majus latex are due to both the alkaloids and the proteins it contains, which affect different stages of the virus reproduction cycle [35]. There are so many herbal botanicals that can fight against termites in fields and vegetation [36].…”

The Greater Celandine: Identification and Characterization of an Antimicrobial Peptide from Chelidonium majus

“…One pharmaceutically important species belonging to Papaveraceae is Chelidonium majus , or Greater Celandine, which is a common herbaceous plant found worldwide, mostly across Europe and East Asia and introduced to North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Its metabolite profile includes compounds like benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (e.g., chelidonine, sanguarine, coptisine, berberine, protopine), flavonoids, phenolic acids, unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, saponins, and defense-related proteins. ,,− Extracts have been used against skin ailments, like eczema, corns, Tinea infections, and tumors of the skin, but also for liver and biliary disorders and as a chalogogue . Moreover, it possesses antiviral properties utilized in traditional folk medicine to remove papillae or warts from the skin, which result from human papilloma virus infection. , Alkaloids and flavonoids produced by this plant have shown strong antimicrobial activity; however, antimicrobial peptides from this plant have remained largely unexplored.…”