Virucidal Activity of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by Green Chemistry Using Garlic Extract

Abstract

Measles virus (MeV) is a paramyxovirus that infects humans, principally children. Despite the existence of an effective and safe vaccine, the number of cases of measles has increased due to lack of vaccination coverage. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the number of cases worldwide multiplied fourfold between January and March 2019, to 112,000. Today, there is no treatment available for MeV. In recent years, it has been demonstrated that natural extracts (herbal or algal) with antiviral activity can also work as reducing agents that, in combination with nanotechnology, offer an innovative option to counteract viral infections. Here, we synthetized and evaluated the antiviral activity of gold nanoparticles using garlic extract (Allium sativa) as a reducing agent (AuNPs-As). These nanoparticles actively inhibited MeV replication in Vero cells at a 50% effective concentration (EC 50 ) of 8.829 µg/mL, and the selectivity index (SI) obtained was 16.05. AuNPs-As likely inhibit viral infection by blocking viral particles directly, showing a potent virucidal effect. Gold nanoparticles may be useful as a promising strategy for treating and controlling the infection of MeV and other related enveloped viruses.

Comprehensive Review on Current Interventions, Diagnostics, and Nanotechnology Perspectives against SARS-CoV-2

“… 211 − 215 Porous gold nanoparticles provide extensive surface area and more efficiently bind the disulfide bonds 216 and stop the viral infection compared to conventional inorganic nanoparticles ( Figure 10 ). 217 …”

“…The porous gold nanoparticles provide larger surface area for the breakage of disulfide bond. Adapted from ref ( 217 ).…”

Targeting arachidonic acid–related metabolites in COVID-19 patients: potential use of drug-loaded nanoparticles

“…A well-known example of this property is silver nanoparticles that have been shown to possess antiviral activity against HBV, HIV, and influenza virus [127,128]. Also, gold nanoparticles have demonstrated substantial virucidal activity against the measles virus presenting them as a possible candidate for the prevention and treatment of enveloped viruses [129]. Moreover, nanoparticles provide a platform for optimization of drug dosing and augmentation of drug delivery through enhanced stability and prolonged drug retention times [130,131].…”

Antiviral potential of garlic (Allium sativum) and its organosulfur compounds: A systematic update of pre-clinical and clinical data

“…Pre-clinical investigations ( in-vitro and in-vivo ) of garlic extract (GE) and its OSCs have shown antiviral activity against a wide range of viral infections including flu and respiratory infections ( Chavan et al, 2016 ; Chen et al, 2011 ; Choi, 2018 ; Liu et al, 2013 ; Mehmood et al, 2018 ; Mehrbod et al, 2009 ; Mehrbod et al, 2013 ; Mohajer Shojai et al, 2016 ; Rasool et al, 2017 ; Tsai et al, 1985 ; Weber et al, 1992 ), immunosuppression (“ Garlic extract for HIV? ", 1998 ; Kun Silprasit et al, 2011 ; Shoji et al, 1993 ; Tatarintsev et al, 1992 ; Walder et al, 1997 ), genital herpes ( Romeilah et al, 2010 ; Weber et al, 1992 ), neurological infections ( Luo et al, 2001 ; Meléndez-Villanueva et al, 2019 ; Wang et al, 2016 ), gastrointestinal infections ( Al-Ballawi et al, 2017 ; Weber et al, 1992 ), plant infections ( Mohamed, 2010 ; Shyam & Ashish, 2011 ; Wang et al, 2020 ) and others ( Liu et al, 2013 ; Seo et al, 2017 ; Wang et al, 2017 Weber et al, 1992 ) ( Table 3 , Table 4 ). Further, randomized clinical trials on different commercial garlic preparations also showed that garlic plays a significant therapeutic role in various viral infections such as cold and flu, viral-induced hepatitis, viral-associated warts, as well as immune enhancing activity in viral infected patients ( Table 5 ).…”