The Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles’ Antiviral Activity in Combination with Pelargonium zonale Extract against the Human Corona 229E Virus

Abstract

Almost one-third of all infectious diseases are caused by viruses, and these diseases account for nearly 20% of all deaths globally. It is becoming increasingly clear that highly contagious viral infections pose a significant threat to global health and economy around the world. The need for innovative, affordable, and safe antiviral therapies is a must. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are novel materials of low toxicity and low cost and are known for their antiviral activity. The genus Pelargonium was previously reported for its antiviral and antimicrobial activity. In this work, Pelargonium zonale leaf extract chemical profile was studied via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and was used for the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Furthermore, the antiviral activity of the combination of P. zonale extract and the biosynthesized nanoparticles of ZnO against the human corona 229E virus was investigated. Results revealed that ZnONPs had been biosynthesized with an average particle size of about 5.5 nm and characterized with UV, FTIR, TEM, XRD, and SEM. The antiviral activity showed significant activity and differences among the tested samples in favor of the combination of P. zonale extract and ZnONPs (ZnONPs/Ex). The lowest IC50, 2.028 µg/mL, and the highest SI, 68.4 of ZnONPs/Ex, assert the highest antiviral activity of the combination against human coronavirus (229E).

Phytochemical Profiling and Antiviral Activity of Green Sustainable Nanoparticles Derived from Maesa indica (Roxb.) Sweet against Human Coronavirus 229E

“…Seven types of infectious human coronaviruses were recognized (Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, OC43, NL63, 229E, and HKU1) [10]. Human coronavirus 229E is one of the major viruses responsible for upper respiratory tract disorders [10]. Coronavirus 229E is reported to be 65.04% identical to SARS-CoV-2 [11].…”

A chemical analysis of the Pelargonium species: P. odoratissimum, P. graveolens, and P. zonale identifies secondary metabolites with activity against gram-positive bacteria with multidrug-resistance

“…The data available for P . zonale regarding TPC are not comparable with our methodology [ 9 , 17 ]. On the other hand, the total flavonoid content (TFC) of P .…”

“…Likewise, P . zonale ’s biological activities are described as anticancer, antifungal, and antiviral when using ethanolic extracts [ 8 , 9 ], and antibacterial activity towards clinical strains has been reported in P . zonale essential oils [ 10 ].…”

“…graveolens [ 5 – 7 ], P . zonale [ 8 , 9 ], and P . odoratissimum [ 12 ] have revealed their antibacterial and/or antifungal activity against clinically relevant strains.…”

Evaluation of the biological responses of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Pelargonium x hortorum extract

“…Each peak corresponds to diverse functional groups of the metabolites like alcohols, aldehydes, phenolics, hydroxyls, and carboxylic acid compounds. 55 The peaks at various positions belong to several bioactive compounds in the leaves extract, like tannins, flavonoids, acids (phenolic and cinnamic), monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and other aromatic compounds. 56 The bands at 753 cm −1 represent the aromatic rings, 1026 and 1188 correspond to alcohol groups, 1315 and 1706 cm −1 are characteristics of the C O group, and 1443 cm −1 relates to C–H scissors vibration, 1596 cm −1 denoted C@C double bond vibration, 2838 and 2915 cm −1 assigned to the C–H stretching, and finally broad absorbance at 3204 cm −1 of OH group.…”