The Petasites hybridus CO2 Extract (Ze 339) Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Replication In Vitro

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide, affecting over 250 million people and resulting in over five million deaths. Antivirals that are effective are still limited. The antiviral activities of the Petasites hybdridus CO2 extract Ze 339 were previously reported. Thus, to assess the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of Ze 339 as well as isopetasin and neopetasin as major active compounds, a CPE and plaque reduction assay in Vero E6 cells was used for viral output. Antiviral effects were tested using the original virus (Wuhan) and the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. The antiviral drug remdesivir was used as control. Pre-treatment with Ze 339 in SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells with either virus variant significantly inhibited virus replication with IC50 values of 0.10 and 0.40 μg/mL, respectively. The IC50 values obtained for isopetasin ranged between 0.37 and 0.88 μM for both virus variants, and that of remdesivir ranged between 1.53 and 2.37 μM. In conclusion, Ze 339 as well as the petasins potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro of the Wuhan and Delta variants. Since time is of essence in finding effective treatments, clinical studies will have to demonstrate if Ze339 can become a therapeutic option to treat SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Plant‐derived compounds as potential leads for new drug development targeting COVID‐19

“…The aqueous extract of the stem bark and leaf mixture of Bersama abyssinica (also known as Coviba dawa) demonstrated a 75% plaque reduction at 50 μg/mL, whilst the ethylacetate fraction of the leaves demonstrated a 50% inhibition (Zekeya et al, 2022). In a CPE and plaque reduction experiment in Vero E6 cells, Urda et al (2022) found that a lipophilic subcritical CO 2 extract made from Petasites hybridus leaves greatly reduced viral replication.…”

Karadeniz Bölgesinde yetişen bazı yenilebilir yabani otlar ve biyoaktif özellikleri

“…Halk hekimliğinde solunum yolu rahatsızlıkları, sindirim sistemi hastalıkları ve baş ağrısının tedavisinde kullanıldığı beliritilmektedir (26). Bitkiden elde edilen ekstraktların ve bileşiklerin migren, alerjik rinnit, meme kanseri ve SARS-CoV-2 üzerinde etkili olduğu bilinmektedir (27)(28)(29)(30). Ayıca bitki antimikrobiyal ve antioksidan etki göstermektedir (31).…”

Editorial for SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Topical Collection

“…The next section focuses on SARS-CoV-2 antivirals and treatments and includes two communications describing the antiviral activity of liposomal lactoferrin against HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped viruses in vitro (70) and the safety and effectiveness of Molnupiravir against SARS-CoV-2 in hemodialyzed patients and kidney transplant recipients (71), and ten original research documents describing different aspects of antiviral research against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro or in validated animal models of viral infection (72)(73)(74)(75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80)(81).…”