Antiviral Activities of Quercetin and Isoquercitrin Against Human Herpesviruses.

We previously reported that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of a 70% ethanol extract of Elaeocarpus sylvestris (ESE) inhibits varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication in vitro. PGG (1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucose) is a major chemical constituent of the EtOAc fraction of ESE that inhibits VZV but not HCMV replication. In this study, we comprehensively screened the chemical compounds identified in the EtOAc fraction of ESE for potential antiviral properties. Among the examined compounds, quercetin and isoquercitrin displayed potent antiviral activities against both VZV and HCMV with no significant cytotoxic effects. Both compounds strongly suppressed the expression of VZV and HCMV immediate-early (IE) genes. Our collective results indicated that, in addition to PGG, quercetin and isoquercitrin are bioactive compounds in the EtOAc fraction of ESE that effectively inhibit human herpesvirus replication.

Spicatoside A derived from Liriope platyphylla root ethanol extract inhibits hepatitis E virus genotype 3 replication in vitro.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E in humans worldwide. Although hepatitis E is self-limiting without chronic infection development, HEV infection often leads to severe liver diseases causing high mortality in pregnant women in addition to chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis in immunosuppressed patients. In this study, we investigated the effect of a Liriope platyphylla ethanol extract (LPE) on HEV replication. Interestingly, LPE suppressed replication of the genotype 3 HEV replicon. Sequential solvent fractionation revealed that the ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of LPE exerts the most potent inhibitory effects. With the aid of activity-guided fractionation and multi-step column chromatography, spicatoside A was subsequently isolated in the EA fraction of LPE and specifically shown to exert inhibitory effects on replication of the genotype 3 HEV replicon. In addition, spicatoside A interfered with replication of the HEV genotype 3 strain 47832c and expression of HEV ORF2 capsid proteins. Our findings clearly support the potential utility of spicatoside A as an effective anti-HEV agent.

Anti-varicella-zoster virus activity of cephalotaxine esters in vitro.

Harringtonine (HT) and homoharringtonine (HHT), alkaloid esters isolated from the genus Cephalotaxus, exhibit antitumor activity. A semisynthetic HHT has been approved for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia. In addition to antileukemic activity, HT and HHT are reported to possess potent antiviral activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of HT and HHT on replication of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in vitro. HT and HHT, but not their biologically inactive parental alkaloid cephalotaxine (CET), significantly inhibited replication of recombinant VZV-pOka luciferase. Furthermore, HT and HHT, but not CET, strongly induced down-regulation of VZV lytic genes and exerted potent antiviral effects against a VZV clinical isolate. The collective data support the utility of HT and HHT as effective antiviral candidates for treatment of VZV-associated diseases.

Analysis of Anticancer Activity and Chemical Sensitization Effects of Dendropanax morbifera and Commersonia bartramia Extracts.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Dendropanax morbifera (DM) and Commersonia bartramia (CB) are possible candidates for immunotherapy. In this study, the cytotoxicity and chemical sensitization of DM and CB extracts on gynecologic and colon cancers were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The malignant cell lines were cultured and analyzed for cytotoxicity and chemical sensitization. A mouse model was also constructed to make the condition similar to in vivo. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was conducted to determine alterations in drug-resistant genes. RESULTS: The extracts from DM and CB showed specific cytotoxicity to malignant cell lines. DM increased chemical sensitivity to cervical and ovarian cancer, while CB showed improved sensitization to endometrial cancer. The effects of the extracts were confirmed using a mouse model. The extracts induced differences in the expression levels of a number of genes related to drug resistance. CONCLUSION: DM and CB extracts could be novel agents for immunotherapy and chemical sensitization in gynecologic and colon cancers.

An ethanol extract of Lysimachia mauritiana exhibits inhibitory activity against hepatitis E virus genotype 3 replication.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an etiological agent of acute hepatitis E, a self-limiting disease prevalent in developing countries. HEV can cause fulminant hepatic failure with high mortality rates in pregnant women, and genotype 3 is reported to trigger chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised individuals worldwide. Screening of plant extracts for compounds with potential anti-HEV effects led to the identification of a 70% ethanol extract of Lysimachia mauritiana (LME) that interferes with replication of the swine HEV genotype 3 replicon. Furthermore, LME significantly inhibited replication of HEV genotype 3 and expression of HEV ORF2 in infected cells without exerting cytotoxic effects. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the potential utility of LME in the development of novel antiviral drugs against HEV infection.

Renal-protective effects of n-hexane layer from morning glory seeds ethanol extract.

Nephrotoxicity is a main problem in cancer patients using cisplatin. Oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis are the important mechanisms of cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the extracts of morning glory on nephrotoxicity by cisplatin in human embryonic kidney cells 293 (HEK-293) and mice. Previous studies have reported that morning glory extracts showed potent activity on anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. However, the protective effects of the n-hexane layer of morning glory seed (MGs-Hx) on nephrotoxicity and its mechanisms have not been clearly understood. Oral administration with MGs-Hx showed protective effects in vivo experiments test and the treatment of MGs-Hx in a concentration of 100mg/kg/day had significant effect both of decreasing serum creatinine, BUN, serum uric acid level and reduced iNOS, COX-2 mRNA expressions with low side-effect. Moreover, cell viability was restored by MGs-Hx treatment compared to cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic HEK-293 cells. Co-treatment with MGs-Hx and cisplatin showed the significant effect to reduce inflammatory enzyme, iNOS expression and continuous production of NO. In addition, it exhibited a tendency to decreasing expression of apoptosis-related proteins, caspase-3, 8 and 9, and NF-κB translocation to nucleus as well as phosphorylation of p38, JNK, ERK in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxic HEK-293 cells. Our study provides insight into the underlying mechanisms of MGs-Hx and suggests that MGs-Hx might be a potential therapeutic agent to modulate inflammation and apoptosis in nephrotoxicity.

Inhibition of human cytomegalovirus immediate-early gene expression and replication by the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of Elaeocarpus sylvestris in vitro.

BACKGROUND: In immunocompromised patients, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection can lead to severe, life-threatening diseases, such as pneumonitis, hepatitis, gastrointestinal tract disease, and retinitis. We previously reported that a 70% ethanol extract of Elaeocarpus sylvestris leaves (ESE) inhibits human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication in vitro. In the present study, we determined the solvent fraction of ESE that inhibits HCMV replication using activity-guided fractionation. METHODS: Activity-guided fractionation of ESE was performed to determine the solvent fraction that inhibits HCMV replication. Effects of solvent fractions on HCMV lytic gene expression and major immediate-early (MIE) enhancer/promoter activity were further investigated. RESULTS: Among the solvent fractions tested, the EtOAc fraction of ESE markedly reduced HCMV lytic gene expression and viral replication in vitro without exerting significant cytotoxic effects against human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF). Furthermore, the EtOAc fraction negatively affected HCMV MIE enhancer/promoter activity. CONCLUSION: Our data collectively indicate that the EtOAc fraction of ESE contains active constituents that inhibit HCMV MIE enhancer/promoter activity and viral replication. The EtOAc fraction of ESE is a good source of novel drug candidates for treatment of HCMV-associated diseases.

Ester alkaloids from Cephalotaxus interfere with the 2'3'-cGAMP-induced type I interferon pathway in vitro.

Dysregulated activation of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway by self-DNA contributes to interferonopathy and promotes autoimmune diseases. To identify potential suppressors of STING-induced type I interferon (IFN) induction, ethanol extracts of medicinal plants were screened for inhibitory activity against IFN-ß promoter activation. Notably, 70% ethanol extract of Cephalotaxus koreana specifically down-regulated STING-induced, but not TBK1- or IRF3-induced, IFN-ß promoter activity. The compounds exerting inhibitory activity specifically against STING-mediated IFN-ß promoter activation were identified as ester alkaloids isolated from the genus, Cephalotaxus, homoharringtonine and harringtonine. Furthermore, these two compounds inhibited 2'3'-cGAMP-induced IFN-stimulated gene expression and interaction between STING and TBK1. These suppressive effects were not observed with cephalotaxine devoid of the ester side-chain. Our data support the potential utility of homoharringtonine and harringtonine to treat STING-associated interferonopathy and autoimmune diseases.

1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucose, a bioactive compound in Elaeocarpus sylvestris extract, inhibits varicella-zoster virus replication.

The aim of this study was to establish the effect of a 70% ethanol extract of Elaeocarpus sylvestris (ESE) on varicella-zoster virus (VZV) replication and identify the specific bioactive component(s) underlying its activity. ESE induced a significant reduction in replication of the clinical strain of VZV. Activity-guided fractionation indicated that the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of ESE contains the active compound(s) inhibiting VZV replication. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Electrospray Ionization Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) analysis of the EtOAc fraction of ESE facilitated the identification of 13 chemical components. Among these, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-ß-D-glucose (PGG) markedly suppressed VZV-induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, expression of viral immediate-early 62 (IE62) protein and VZV replication. Our results collectively support the utility of PGG as a potential candidate anti-viral drug to treat VZV-associated diseases.

Anticancer effect of Saussurea lappa extract via dual control of apoptosis and autophagy in prostate cancer cells.

To demonstrate the mechanisms of the curative effect of Saussurea lappa ethanol extract (SLE) against prostate cancer, we evaluated the effect of SLE on the induction of apoptosis and autophagy and investigated whether SLE-induced autophagy exerts a pro-survival or pro-apoptotic effect in lymph node carcinoma of the prostate (LNCaP) prostate cancer cells. SLE was prepared using 100% ethanol and added to LNCaP cells for 24 hours. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, and cell apoptosis was evaluated by Tali assay. The expression of apoptosis-related mRNA and proteins was analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western blotting. SLE treatment decreased the viability of LNCaP cells and increased Bax expression while suppressing the expression of pro-caspases-8/9/3, PARP, Bid, and Bcl-2, thereby inducing apoptosis in LNCaP cells. Cell proliferation related proteins, including p-Akt, androgen receptor, and prostate-specific antigen, were suppressed by SLE treatment. SLE also induced autophagy in LNCaP cells, and inhibition of autophagy enhanced the apoptosis induced by SLE treatment. These results suggest that SLE exerts anticancer effects through the induction of both cellular apoptosis and autophagy, and apoptotic cell death can be facilitated by blocking autophagy in SLE-treated LNCaP cells. Therefore, SLE might be a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Inhibition of varicella­zoster virus replication by an ethanol extract of Lysimachia mauritiana.

Varicella­zoster virus (VZV), a ubiquitous human α­herpesvirus, is the causative agent of chickenpox and shingles. In the present study, we investigated the antiviral activity of a 70% ethanol extract of Lysimachia mauritiana (LME) against VZV. LME strongly interfered with the replication of both laboratory and clinical strains of VZV without affecting the viability of MRC­5 cells. Moreover, LME treatment suppressed the expression of an essential viral transactivator, immediate­early 62 protein (IE62), in addition to other lytic genes in the later phases of viral replication. The finding that LME exerts potent inhibitory effects on VZV gene expression and replication supports its potential utility as a therapeutic anti­viral agent.

The extract of Elaeocarpus sylvestris inhibits human cytomegalovirus immediate early gene expression and replication in vitro.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in newborn infants, immunocompromised individuals with HIV/AIDS and organ transplant recipients. In order to identify a novel antiviral candidate for HCMV-related diseases, crude ethanol extracts from plants were screened for their potential inhibitory activity on HCMV replication in vitro. Ethanol (70%) extract of Elaeocarpus sylvestris leaves (ESE) markedly inhibited the replication of the HCMV Towne strain without exhibiting any significant adverse effects on the viability of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF). In addition, ESE significantly downregulated HCMV immediate early (IE) gene expression. Taken together, this is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, demonstrating that ESE has a potent antiviral activity against HCMV by downregulating HCMV IE gene expression and replication.

Lupeol is one of active components in the extract of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne that inhibits LMP1-induced NF-κB activation.

We have previously reported that seventy percent ethanol extract of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne (CIE) strongly reduces Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) survival by inhibiting virus-encoded latent infection membrane protein 1 (LMP1)-induced NF-κB activation. To identify an active compound(s) in CIE that inhibits LMP1-induced NF-κB activation, activity-guided fractionation was employed. The CH2Cl2 fraction of CIE strongly reduced LMP1-induced NF-κB activation and LCL viability with relatively low cytotoxic effects on primary human foreskin fibroblast (HFF), HeLa or Burkitt's lymphoma (BL41) cells. Furthermore, lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene, was identified in the CH2Cl2 fraction of CIE to attenuate LMP1-induced NF-κB activation and LCL viability. This study demonstrates that lupeol is one of active compounds in the CH2Cl2 fraction of CIE that inhibits LMP1-induced NF-κB activation and reduces NF-κB-dependent LCL viability.

The extract of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne inhibits EBV LMP1-induced NF-κB activation and the viability of EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent infection transforms B lymphocytes into proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). EBV latent infection membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is required for EBV-mediated B lymphocyte transformation, and LMP1-induced NF-κB activation is essential for LCL survival. To identify a novel inhibitor candidate for LMP1-induced NF-κB activation, crude ethanol extracts of medicinal plants were screened for the potential NF-κB inhibitory activity. Seventy percent ethanol extract of Chrysanthemum indicum Linne extract (CIE) strongly reduced LMP1-induced NF-κB activation. In addition, CIE inhibited LMP1-induced IKKα or IKKß activation. Interestingly, CIE treatment rapidly reduced LCL viability without exhibiting any adverse effects on the viability of human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), EBV negative Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines (BL41) or HeLa cells. Taken together, CIE has potent inhibitory effect on EBV LMP1-induced NF-κB activation and EBV-transformed LCL viability.