Antiviral activity of Apigenin against buffalopox: Novel mechanistic insights and drug-resistance considerations

Antiviral Res. 2020 Sep:181:104870. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2020.104870. Epub 2020 Jul 21.

Abstract

We describe herein that Apigenin, which is a dietary flavonoid, exerts a strong in vitro and in ovo antiviral efficacy against buffalopox virus (BPXV). Apigenin treatment was shown to inhibit synthesis of viral DNA, mRNA and proteins, without affecting other steps of viral life cycle such as attachment, entry and budding. Although the major mode of antiviral action of Apigenin was shown to be mediated via targeting certain cellular factors, a modest inhibitory effect of Apigenin was also observed directly on viral polymerase. We also evaluated the selection of drug-resistant virus variants under long-term selection pressure of Apigenin. Wherein Apigenin-resistant mutants were not observed up to ~ P20 (passage 20), a significant resistance was observed to the antiviral action of Apigenin at ~ P30. However, a high degree resistance could not be observed even up to P60. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing in vitro and in ovo antiviral efficacy of Apigenin against poxvirus infection. The study also provides mechanistic insights on the antiviral activity of Apigenin and selection of potential Apigenin-resistant mutants upon long-term culture.

Keywords: Antiviral drug resistance; Apigenin; Buffalopox; Viral polymerase; eIF4E.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apigenin / pharmacology*
  • Chick Embryo / virology
  • Chickens
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • DNA, Viral / genetics
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
  • Drug Resistance, Viral*
  • Humans
  • Vaccinia virus / drug effects*
  • Vaccinia virus / enzymology
  • Vero Cells
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Apigenin
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase