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Investigation of the activity of baicalein towards Zika virus
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Document Title
Investigation of the activity of baicalein towards Zika virus
Author
Sawadpongpan S., Jaratsittisin J., Hitakarun A., Roytrakul S., Wikan N., Smith D.R.
Affiliations
Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, 73170, Thailand; National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
Type
Article
Source Title
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
ISSN
26627671
Year
2023
Volume
23
Issue
1
Page
-
Open Access
All Open Access, Gold
Publisher
BioMed Central Ltd
DOI
10.1186/s12906-023-03971-4
Format
Abstract
Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito transmitted virus spread primarily by Aedes species mosquitoes that can cause disease in humans, particularly when infection occurs in pregnancy where the virus can have a significant impact on the developing fetus. Despite this, there remains no prophylactic agent or therapeutic treatment for infection. Baicalein is a trihydroxyflavone, that is found in some traditional medicines commonly used in Asia, and has been shown to have several activities including antiviral properties. Importantly, studies have shown baicalein to be safe and well tolerated in humans, increasing its potential utilization. Methods: This study sought to determine the anti-ZIKV activity of baicalein using a human cell line (A549). Cytotoxicity of baicalein was determined by the MTT assay, and the effect on ZIKV infection determined by treating A549 cells with baicalien at different time points in the infection process. Parameters including level of infection, virus production, viral protein expression and genome copy number were assessed by flow cytometry, plaque assay, western blot and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. Results: The results showed that baicalein had a half-maximal cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of > 800 µM, and a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 124.88 µM. Time-of-addition analysis showed that baicalein had an inhibitory effect on ZIKV infection at the adsorption and post-adsorption stages. Moreover, baicalein also exerted a significant viral inactivation activity on ZIKV (as well as on dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus) virions. Conclusion: Baicalein has now been shown to possess anti-ZIKV activity in a human cell line. © 2023, The Author(s).
Funding Sponsor
Centre of Excellence in Mathematics, Mahidol University; Mahidol University; Thailand Research Fund; National Research Council of Thailand; Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University; Faculty of Science, Mahidol University; Thailand Graduate Institute of Science and Technology; Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University; Department of Physiology, Mahidol University; Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Mahidol University
Publication Source
WOS