Virucidal and antiviral activities of pomegranate (Punica granatum) extract against the mosquito-borne Mayaro virus

Abstract

Background The arthropod-borne Mayaro virus (MAYV) causes “Mayaro fever,” a disease of medical significance, primarily affecting individuals in permanent contact with forested areas in tropical South America. Recently, MAYV has attracted attention due to its likely urbanization. There are currently no licensed drugs against most mosquito-transmitted viruses. Punica granatum (pomegranate) fruits cultivated in Brazil have been subjected to phytochemical investigation for the identification and isolation of antiviral compounds. In the present study, we explored the antiviral activity of pomegranate extracts in Vero cells infected with Mayaro virus. Methods The ethanol extract and punicalagin of pomegranate were extracted solely from the shell and purified by chromatographic fractionation, and were chemically identified using spectroscopic techniques. The cytotoxicity of the purified compounds was measured by the dye uptake assay, while their antiviral activity was evaluated by a virus yield inhibition assay. Results Pomegranate ethanol extract (CC50 = 588.9, IC50 = 12.3) and a fraction containing punicalagin as major compound (CC50 = 441.5, IC50 = 28.2) were shown to have antiviral activity (SI 49 and 16, respectively) against Mayaro virus, an alphavirus. Immunofluorescence analysis showed the virucidal effect of pomegranate extract, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed damage in viral particles treated with this extract. Conclusions The P. granatum extract is a promising source of antiviral compounds against the alphavirus MAYV and represents an excellent candidate for future studies with other enveloped RNA viruses. Graphical abstract

The Therapeutic Efficacy of Punica granatum and Its Bioactive Constituents with Special Reference to Photodynamic Therapy

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Taify Pomegranate Juice (TPJ) Abrogates Acrylamide-Induced Oxidative Stress Through the Regulation of Antioxidant Activity, Inflammation, and Apoptosis-Associated Genes

“…Pomegranate juice (PJ) shows a wide spectrum of effects, including antioxidant activity ( 64 – 75 ), antimutagenic activity ( 65 ), antiviral activity ( 76 ), antiobesity ( 19 , 77 ), anticryptosporidial ( 78 ), and amelioration of neurodegenerative diseases ( 79 ). Also, pomegranate peel shows antioxidant ( 64 , 68 , 80 , 81 ) and antimicrobial activity ( 82 ).…”

Cellulose Nanofibers/Pectin/Pomegranate Extract Nanocomposite as Antibacterial and Antioxidant Films and Coating for Paper

“…Among these residues is pomegranate peels, which are rich in antibacterial and antioxidants extractives, Hundreds of tons of pomegranate peels are available every year at food companies all over the world. Pomegranate peel extractives (PGE) are widely studied and used in food, pharmaceutical, and medicinal applications due to their powerful antibacterial, antifungal, virucidal, and antiviral activity [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. PGE is rich in many antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiproliferative compounds [ 5 ].…”

“…This can be achieved through adding a specific antibacterial or antivirus agent, such as pomegranate extract, in a coating matrix; this is known as an active antimicrobial or antivirus coating approach. Pomegranate extract contains different small molecules with antimicrobial and antivirus activities which work with different mechanisms to de-activate viruses and bacteria [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ].…”