An extract from Taxodium distichum targets hemagglutinin- and neuraminidase-related activities of influenza virus in vitro

Sci Rep. 2016 Oct 31:6:36015. doi: 10.1038/srep36015.

Abstract

Influenza virus remains an emerging virus and causes pandemics with high levels of fatality. After screening different plant extracts with potential anti-influenza activity, a water extract of Taxodium distichum stems (TDSWex) showed excellent activity against influenza viruses. The EC50 of TDSWex was 0.051 ± 0.024 mg/mL against influenza virus A/WSN/33. TDSWex had excellent antiviral efficacy against various strains of human influenza A and B viruses, particularly oseltamivir-resistant clinical isolates and a swine-origin influenza strain. We observed that the synthesis of viral RNA and protein were inhibited in the presence of TDSWex. The results of the time-of-addition assay suggested that TDSWex inhibited viral entry and budding. In the hemagglutination inhibition assay, TDSWex inhibited the hemagglutination of red blood cells, implying that the extract targeted hemagglutin-related functions such as viral entry. In the attachment and penetration assay, TDSWex showed antiviral activity with EC50s of 0.045 ± 0.026 and 0.012 ± 0.003 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, TDSWex blocked neuraminidase activity. We conclude that TDSWex has bimodal activities against both hemagglutinin and neuraminidase during viral replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dogs
  • Hemagglutinins / chemistry
  • Hemagglutinins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Neuraminidase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neuraminidase / metabolism*
  • Orthomyxoviridae / enzymology
  • Orthomyxoviridae / metabolism*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / metabolism*
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity
  • RNA, Viral / chemistry
  • RNA, Viral / metabolism
  • Taxodium / chemistry*
  • Taxodium / metabolism
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects
  • Virus Release / drug effects

Substances

  • Hemagglutinins
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Proteins
  • Neuraminidase