Evidence-based anti-viral and immunomodulatory potential of Black cumin (Nigella sativa L) in COVID-19 / Potencial antivírico e inmunomodulador en COVID-19 del comino negro (Nigella sativa L) basado en la evidencia

Currently, the whole world is facing a life-threatening novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Natural products are well-known for their potential role against viral disease, and some anti-viral agents have been developed to combat these diseases. Herein, the authors investigated the possible effects of this Holy plant Nigella sativa L. (NS), against coronavirus, using evidence-based and mechanistic approaches to conclude the immune-boosting and alleviation of respiratory systemeffects of NS. The pharmacological studies established a prominent role in treating various respiratory, immune systems, cardiovascular, skin, and gastrointestinal disorders. Literature supported the significant anti-viral role and showed an inhibitory role for NS against MHV-A59 CoV (mouse-hepatitis virus­A59) infected Hela, i.e., HeLaCEACAM1a (HeLa-epithelial carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1a) cell. NS is a safe herbal product or dietary supplement and could be an effective and affordable community adjuvant treatment for coronavirus in the current scenario.

Actualmente, el mundo entero se enfrenta a una pandemia del nuevo coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) que amenaza la vida. Los productos naturales son bien conocidos por su papel potencial contra las enfermedades virales, y se han desarrollado algunos agentes antivirales para combatir estas enfermedades. En este documento, los autores investigaron los posibles efectos de esta planta sagrada Nigella sativa L. (NS), contra el coronavirus, utilizando enfoques mecanicistas y basados en la evidencia para concluir el refuerzo inmunológico y el alivio de los efectos del SN en el sistema respiratorio. Los estudios farmacológicos establecieron un papel destacado en el tratamiento de diversos trastornos respiratorios, del sistema inmunológico, cardiovasculares, cutáneos y gastrointestinales. La literatura apoyó el importante papel antivírico y mostró un papel inhibidor de NS contra células Hela infectadas con MHV-A59 CoV (virus de la hepatitis de ratón-A59), es decir, HeLaCEACAM1a (molécula de adhesión celular 1a relacionada con el antígeno carcinoembrionario epitelial de HeLa). NS es un producto a base de hierbas o un suplemento dietético seguro y podría ser un tratamiento adyuvante comunitario eficaz y asequible para el coronavirus en el escenario actual.

Antiviral effect of Fufang yinhua jiedu (FFYH) granules against coronavirus and its potential mechanism / 药学学报

To investigate the effect of Fufang yinhua jiedu (FFYH) granules against coronavirus and its potential mechanism, we used Huh7, Huh7.5, H460, and C3A cell lines as in vitro models to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of FFYH by observation of cell pathogenic effect (CPE); and then the inhibitory effect of FFYH on the transcription expression of coronavirus RNA and inflammatory factor mRNA were evaluated by quantitive reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR); finally, the inhibitory effect of FFYH on the expression of coronavirus protein and its underlying mechanism against coronavirus were investigated by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Our results indicated that 50% toxic concentration (TC50) FFYH on Huh7, Huh7.5, H460, and C3A cells were 2 035.21, 5 245.69, 2 935.28 and 520 µg·mL-1, respectively; 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of FFYH on HCoV-229E in Huh7 and Huh7.5 cells were 438.16 and 238.54 µg·mL-1 with safety index (SI) of 4.64 and 21.99, respectively; IC50 of FFYH on HCoV-OC43 in H460 cells was 165.13 µg·mL-1 with SI of 17.78. Moreover, FFYH not only could inhibit the replication of coronaviruses (HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E) through inhibiting the transcription of viral RNA and the expression of viral protein, but also effectively suppress the expression of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) at mRNA level caused by coronaviruses, which might be associated with the inhibitory effect of FFYH on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and the nuclear translocation of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB). In summary, our results demonstrated that FFYH exhibited a good in vitro anti-coronavirus effect, which provides a theoretical basis for its clinical use in the treatment of anti-coronavirus pneumonia.

Sesquiterpenes and polyphenols with glucose-uptake stimulatory and antioxidant activities from the medicinal mushroom Sanghuangporus sanghuang / 中国天然药物

A chemical investigation on the fermentation products of Sanghuangporus sanghuang led to the isolation and identification of fourteen secondary metabolites (1-14) including eight sesquiterpenoids (1-8) and six polyphenols (9-14). Compounds 1-3 were sesquiterpenes with new structures which were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopy, high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. All the isolates were tested for their stimulation effects on glucose uptake in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, and cellular antioxidant activity. Compounds 9-12 were subjected to molecular docking experiment to primarily evaluate their anti-coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) activity. As a result, compounds 9-12 were found to increase the glucose uptake of insulin-resistant HepG2 cells by 18.1%, 62.7%, 33.7% and 21.4% at the dose of 50 μmol·L

Establishment of a cell-based screening assay for inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease / 药学学报

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen that caused the global COVID-19 outbreak. The 3C-like protease (3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2 plays a key role in virus replication and has become an ideal target for antiviral drug design. In this paper, we report the validation and use of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) technology to establish a cell-based assay for screening for SARS-CoV-2 virus 3CL protease inhibitors. The results show that the method is able to monitor the cleavage efficiency of 3CL protease with good reproducibility (Z' factor is 0.59), and is consistent with antiviral activity analysis in cell culture. This work demonstrates that this method can be applied to the screening and evaluation of 3CL protease inhibitors, providing a powerful tool for the development of new drugs.

Research Progress in Pharmacology of Lianhua Qingwen Preparation / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Lianhua Qingwen preparation （LHQW） is a Chinese traditional patent medicine approved by China Food and Drug Administration （CFDA）， and divided into two dosage forms， namely capsules and granules. Based on TCM theory， its therapeutic functions are contagion-clearing， detoxification， antipyretic， and lung-ventilating regulation， with influenza as its indication. In this paper， its pharmacological activities were reviewed. LHQW had a significant anti-virus effect characterized by a broad-spectrum pattern. It was reported that it not only possessed definitely suppressive effect on a series of influenza viruses， respiratory syncytial virus， coxsackie， enterovirus， herpes simplex virus，but also displayed a significant inhibitory effect on both the new corona pneumonia virus （SARS-CoV-2） and SARS coronavirus （SARS-CoV）. Studies showed that LHQW has obvious anti-inflammatory effects on a variety of inflammation models. It can significantly increase the delayed hypersensitivity of immunocompromised mice （caused by hydrocortisone） against 2， 4-dinitrofluorobenzene， and improve their cellular immune function. It can improve the phagocytosis function of peritoneal macrophages， the serum hemolysin antibody level and the humoral immune function of mice with a low immune function， with a immunomodulatory effect. In addition， LHQW has therapeutic effects on the symptoms induced by respiratory tract infections， such as fever， cough and phlegm， so as to block the vicious circle of multiple pathological links of the disease， and bring the advantages of multi-target， multi-link and multi-approach overall treatment of TCM into play.