Wogonin inhibits in vitro herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 infection by modulating cellular NF-κB and MAPK pathways

BMC Microbiol. 2020 Jul 28;20(1):227. doi: 10.1186/s12866-020-01916-2.

Abstract

Background: Wogonin, a natural flavonoid-like chemical compound, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic effects by modulating a variety of cellular signaling pathways including PI3K-Akt, p53, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. In this study, its antiviral effect against herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) replication was investigated.

Results: Wogonin suppressed HSV-2-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) and reduced viral mRNA transcription, viral protein synthesis, and infectious virion particle titers in a dose-dependent manner. A time-of-drug-addition assay demonstrated that wogonin acted as a postentry viral inhibitor. Wogonin also significantly reduced HSV-induced NF-κB and MAPK pathway activation, which has previously been demonstrated to be important for viral replication.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the anti-herpes effect of wogonin may be mediated by modulation of cellular NF-κB and JNK/p38 MAPK pathways and imply that wogonin may be useful as an anti-HSV agent.

Keywords: Antiviral activity; Herpes simplex virus (HSV); Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK); Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB); Wogonin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Flavanones / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Genes, Immediate-Early / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / drug effects*
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Flavanones
  • NF-kappa B
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • wogonin
  • Acyclovir