Investigation of the Antiviral Effects of Saussurea lappa Root Extract against SARS-CoV-2 Virus.

SCOPE: The purpose of this study was to look into the antiviral activity of a plant extract derived from the roots of the Saussurea lappa as a food supplement against SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Vero E6 cells are employed in the study to test the neutralizing effect of Saussurea lappa extract against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. For anti-viral activity detection, a sensitive real-time cell analyzer (xCELLigence RTCA) with a high repetition rate is used. A challenge experiment in mice is planned as a result of the in vitro analysis. A challenge test against SARS-CoV-2 is performed with 10 adult female K18-hACE2 transgenic mice in each group for this purpose. The mice in the S. lappa Group are gavaged 2 days before the virus is administered intranasally (i.n.). The control group received PBS instead of the extract. SARS-CoV-2 virus is administered i.n. under anesthesia for the first 3 days of the experiment, and S. lappa extract was administered by gavage in the afternoon. On the 10th day, mice in the S. lappa group survived the study, whereas animals in the control group grew ill and/or died. In this study, the extract protects the mice against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 90% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the Saussurea plant has antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in animal models.

Antioxidant, Cytotoxicity, Apoptotic Properties of Extracts of Andricus sternlichti galls and Their Phenolic Characterisation by HPLC.

Quercus L. galls have been used in Western and Eastern cultures for various diseases in traditional medicine. Galls are also used in the East for many purposes, including consumption as food, commercial inks, leather tanning. In the current study, Andricus sternlichti Bellido, Pujade-Villar & Melika, 2003 galls were extracted in different solvents. The possible antioxidant effects of gall extracts were determined using 7 different methods (ß-carotene-linoleic acid assay, Phosphomolybdenum assay, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, CUPRAC and FRAP assay, Metal Chelating activity) to support each other. Total phenolic, flavonoid and tannin amounts of extracts are calculated by using standard curves. In addition, HPLC method used to characterize the phenolic component with 15 different standards. The MIA PaCa-2 cell lines was preferred to identify possible cytotoxic activities of galls. Expression of some genes (Bax, Bcl-2, FAS, BID, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10, FADD, TRADD) role in the apoptosis was determined to investigate apoptotic effects of extracts. According the results, the gall extracts of A. sternlichti may be considered as a potential source of biological agents for their antioxidant capacity and rich bioactive compounds. The gall extracts exhibit antiproliferative activity via regulating expressions of apoptotic genes.

Antioxidant activity, phytochemical composition of Andricus tomentosus and its antiproliferative effect on Mia-Paca2 cell line.

Plant derived products are widely used in cancer treatment. Gall species has been preferred for treatment various diseases in folk medicine, but there are few studies on the anticancer effects of gall species. The present study reports the antioxidant activity and total secondary metabolites of extracts of A. tomentosus galls. The antioxidant potency of galls was carried out using different in-vitro model systems. Their cytotoxic efficacy on Mia-Paca cell line was also explored. Gall extract was found to contain a large amount of phenolic acids. The extract potently scavenged free radicals including DPPH (IC50 9.56 ± 1.08 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 18.51 ± 0.25 µg/mL). It can be seen as a potential source of antioxidants according to ß-carotene/linoleic acid method (%92.58 ± 0.92) and Phosphomolybdenum assays (104.36 ± 4.95 mgAE/g). Gall extract also posses ability of metal chelating (%40.07 ± 2.30) and Fe3+ (184.01 ± 2.83 mgTE/g) and Cu2+ (89.81 ± 0.96 mgTE/g) reducing activity. According to total secondary metabolites tests, gall extract showed high total phenolic, total flavonoid and total tannin amount. HPLC analysis of the extract suggested it to contain caffeic acid (424.068.479 µg/g), ellagic acid (187.696.132 µg/g). XTT assay revealed gall extract to enhance percent survival of Mia-Paca2 cell line exposed A. tomentosus extracts. The best cytotoxic effect was determined in acetone extracts (IC50: 124.7 µM). Expression of some genes (Bax, Bcl-2, FAS, BID, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-10, FADD, TRADD) in the apoptosis pathway was determined to invastigate apoptosis inducing activity. These results indicate that A. tomentosus galls possess potent antioxidant activity, when tested both in chemical as well as biological models.