Antiviral and Antibacterial Effect of Honey Enriched with Rubus spp. as a Functional Food with Enhanced Antioxidant Properties.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of blackberry and raspberry fruits (1 and 4%) and leaves (0.5 and 1%) on the biological activities of rape honey. Honey and plant material extracts were analyzed regarding total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin contents, HPTLC and HPLC polyphenol profiles, as well as antioxidant activity. The antiviral potential was analyzed against bacteriophage phi 6-a coronavirus surrogate-whereas antimicrobial was tested against S. aureus and E. coli. Blackberry extracts were more abundant in antioxidants than raspberry extracts, with better properties found for leaves than fruits and for cultivated rather than commercial plants. The addition of both Rubus plant additives significantly increased the antioxidant potential of honey by four-fold (for 4% fruits additive) to five-fold (for 1% of leaves). Honey with the addition of fruits possessed higher antiviral potential compared with raw rape honey (the highest for 4% of raspberry fruit and 1% of blackberry leaf additive). Honey enriched with Rubus materials showed higher antibacterial potential against S. aureus than rape honey and effectively inhibited S. aureus biofilm formation. To summarize, honey enriched with Rubus fruit or leaves are characterized by increased pro-health value and can be recommended as a novel functional food.

In silico screening of potential anti-COVID-19 bioactive natural constituents from food sources by molecular docking.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to seek potential natural compounds that can resist COVID-19 using computer virtual screening technology through molecular docking of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 3CL hydrolytic enzyme (3CLpro) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). METHODS: Molecular docking was achieved by using the Autodock Vina software. The natural phytocompounds acting on 3CLpro and ACE2 were then selected from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. This was followed by speculation on the mechanism of action of phytocompounds. RESULTS: Six potential natural anti-COVID-19 phytocompounds were selected and were evaluated for absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) and Lipinski rules. The content of the six phytocompounds in various fruits and vegetables was determined via a literature search. Red wine, Chinese hawthorn, and blackberry were recommended as supplements because they contained antiviral phytocompounds. CONCLUSION: Red wine, Chinese hawthorn, and blackberry show promise for resisting COVID-19 and are thus recommended as supplements to prevent the infection of COVID-19 during its outbreak period.