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Natural Compounds as Broad-Spectrum Anti-viral Therapeutics: The Benefit for Human Health

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Phytochemicals and Human Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (18 August 2023) | Viewed by 8765

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jamal Mahajna

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Nutrition and Natural Products, Migal—Galilee Research Institute, Kiryat Shmona 11016, Israel
2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Tel Hai College, Kiryat shmona, Israel
Interests: natural products as cancer therapeutics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and highlighted the urgent need for effective therapeutics to combat viral infections. While significant progress has been made in developing vaccines and antiviral drugs, the emergence of new variants and the need for broad-spectrum therapeutics have become increasingly important. One promising area of research is the use of natural compounds as broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics in order to contribute to human health.

Natural compounds, such as those found in plants, are rich sources of therapeutic agents utilized in both traditional and modern medicine for treating diseases and maintaining health. They have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for the prevention and treatment of viral infections. Recent studies have shown that many natural compounds have potent antiviral activity against a wide range of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. These compounds, such as phytochemicals and herbal remedies, have the potential to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and provide symptom relief.

This Special Issue focuses on the latest research on the use of natural compounds as broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics and their benefits for human health. The articles in this Special Issue cover a wide range of topics, including in vitro and in vivo studies, clinical trials, and the final results of the effects of natural compounds in humans. The goal of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the field and to highlight the potential of natural compounds as a viable alternative or complementary treatment for viral infections and their relationship to their benefits in humans.

We hope that this Special Issue will inspire further research and the development of natural compounds as broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics, ultimately leading to the discovery of new treatments for COVID-19 and other viral infections for the advancement of human health.

Prof. Dr. Jamal Mahajna
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

natural compounds
broad-specrum anti-virals
COVID-19
anti-viral activity
plant-based compounds
SARS-COV2
pandemic
in vitro studies
in vivo studies
viral inhibition

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1570 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cardamonin as a p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway Activator Inhibits Human Coronavirus OC43 Infection in Human Lung Cells

by Young-Hee Jin, Jung Sun Min and Sunoh Kwon

Nutrients 2023, 15(6), 1335; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061335 - 9 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1788

Abstract

A natural chalcone, cardamonin (2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone; CDN) was isolated from the seeds of Alpinia katsumadai Hayata, which has been traditionally used to treat stomach aches. CDN has been reported to possess various pharmacological properties, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. This study evaluated the antiviral activity of CDN against human coronavirus HCoV-OC43 and determined the mode of action in HCoV-OC43-infected human lung cell lines (MRC-5 and A549 cells). CDN significantly inhibited HCoV-OC43-induced cytopathic effects with an IC₅₀ of 3.62 μM and a CC₅₀ of >50 μM, resulting in a selectivity index of >13.81. CDN treatment reduced the level of viral RNA and the expression of spike and nucleocapsid proteins in HCoV-OC43-infected cells as determine through qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Additionally, the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by anisomycin decreased viral protein expression, whereas an inhibitor of p38 MAPK signaling, SB202190, increased viral protein expression. CDN also amplified and extended the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in HCoV-OC43-infected cells. In conclusion, CDN inhibited HCoV-OC43 infection by activating the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and has potential as a therapeutic agent against human coronavirus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds as Broad-Spectrum Anti-viral Therapeutics: The Benefit for Human Health)

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Review

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55 pages, 10012 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant-Derived Epi-Nutraceuticals as Potential Broad-Spectrum Anti-Viral Agents

by Rosita Gabbianelli, Ehud Shahar, Gaia de Simone, Chiara Rucci, Laura Bordoni, Giulia Feliziani, Fanrui Zhao, Marta Ferrati, Filippo Maggi, Eleonora Spinozzi and Jamal Mahajna

Nutrients 2023, 15(22), 4719; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224719 - 8 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2425

Abstract

Although the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be diminishing, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants represents a threat to humans due to their inherent transmissibility, immunological evasion, virulence, and invulnerability to existing therapies. The COVID-19 pandemic affected more than 500 million people and caused over 6 million deaths. Vaccines are essential, but in circumstances in which vaccination is not accessible or in individuals with compromised immune systems, drugs can provide additional protection. Targeting host signaling pathways is recommended due to their genomic stability and resistance barriers. Moreover, targeting host factors allows us to develop compounds that are effective against different viral variants as well as against newly emerging virus strains. In recent years, the globe has experienced climate change, which may contribute to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases through a variety of factors. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can increase the geographic range of disease-carrying vectors, increasing the risk of diseases spreading to new areas. Climate change may also affect vector behavior, leading to a longer breeding season and more breeding sites for disease vectors. Climate change may also disrupt ecosystems, bringing humans closer to wildlife that transmits zoonotic diseases. All the above factors may accelerate the emergence of new viral epidemics. Plant-derived products, which have been used in traditional medicine for treating pathological conditions, offer structurally novel therapeutic compounds, including those with anti-viral activity. In addition, plant-derived bioactive substances might serve as the ideal basis for developing sustainable/efficient/cost-effective anti-viral alternatives. Interest in herbal antiviral products has increased. More than 50% of approved drugs originate from herbal sources. Plant-derived compounds offer diverse structures and bioactive molecules that are candidates for new drug development. Combining these therapies with conventional drugs could improve patient outcomes. Epigenetics modifications in the genome can affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences. Host cells can use epigenetic gene regulation as a mechanism to silence incoming viral DNA molecules, while viruses recruit cellular epitranscriptomic (covalent modifications of RNAs) modifiers to increase the translational efficiency and transcript stability of viral transcripts to enhance viral gene expression and replication. Moreover, viruses manipulate host cells’ epigenetic machinery to ensure productive viral infections. Environmental factors, such as natural products, may influence epigenetic modifications. In this review, we explore the potential of plant-derived substances as epigenetic modifiers for broad-spectrum anti-viral activity, reviewing their modulation processes and anti-viral effects on DNA and RNA viruses, as well as addressing future research objectives in this rapidly emerging field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds as Broad-Spectrum Anti-viral Therapeutics: The Benefit for Human Health)

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24 pages, 10705 KiB

Open AccessReview

Stand Up to Stand Out: Natural Dietary Polyphenols Curcumin, Resveratrol, and Gossypol as Potential Therapeutic Candidates against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection

by Zhonglei Wang, Xian-qing Song, Wenjing Xu, Shizeng Lei, Hao Zhang and Liyan Yang

Nutrients 2023, 15(18), 3885; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15183885 - 6 Sep 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2043

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated collaborative drug discovery efforts in academia and the industry with the aim of developing therapies and vaccines that target SARS-CoV-2. Several novel therapies have been approved and deployed in the last three years. However, their clinical application has revealed limitations due to the rapid emergence of viral variants. Therefore, the development of next-generation SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agents with a high potency and safety profile remains a high priority for global health. Increasing awareness of the “back to nature” approach for improving human health has prompted renewed interest in natural products, especially dietary polyphenols, as an additional therapeutic strategy to treat SARS-CoV-2 patients, owing to its good safety profile, exceptional nutritional value, health-promoting benefits (including potential antiviral properties), affordability, and availability. Herein, we describe the biological properties and pleiotropic molecular mechanisms of dietary polyphenols curcumin, resveratrol, and gossypol as inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants as observed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Based on the advantages and disadvantages of dietary polyphenols and to obtain maximal benefits, several strategies such as nanotechnology (e.g., curcumin-incorporated nanofibrous membranes with antibacterial-antiviral ability), lead optimization (e.g., a methylated analog of curcumin), combination therapies (e.g., a specific combination of plant extracts and micronutrients), and broad-spectrum activities (e.g., gossypol broadly inhibits coronaviruses) have also been emphasized as positive factors in the facilitation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development to support effective long-term pandemic management and control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds as Broad-Spectrum Anti-viral Therapeutics: The Benefit for Human Health)

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17 pages, 13026 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Therapeutic Potential of Natural Dietary Flavonoids against SARS-CoV-2 Infection

by Zhonglei Wang and Liyan Yang

Nutrients 2023, 15(15), 3443; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15153443 - 3 Aug 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1969

Abstract

The exploration of non-toxic and cost-effective dietary components, such as epigallocatechin 3-gallate and myricetin, for health improvement and disease treatment has recently attracted substantial research attention. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity for the investigation and identification of dietary components capable of treating viral infections, as well as gathering the evidence needed to address the major challenges presented by public health emergencies. Dietary components hold great potential as a starting point for further drug development for the treatment and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection owing to their good safety, broad-spectrum antiviral activities, and multi-organ protective capacity. Here, we review current knowledge of the characteristics—chemical composition, bioactive properties, and putative mechanisms of action—of natural bioactive dietary flavonoids with the potential for targeting SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Notably, we present promising strategies (combination therapy, lead optimization, and drug delivery) to overcome the inherent deficiencies of natural dietary flavonoids, such as limited bioavailability and poor stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Compounds as Broad-Spectrum Anti-viral Therapeutics: The Benefit for Human Health)

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