Antiviral activity of ethanol extract of Geranii Herba and its components against influenza viruses via neuraminidase inhibition

Sci Rep. 2019 Aug 20;9(1):12132. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-48430-8.

Abstract

Influenza viruses are a serious threat to human health, causing numerous deaths and pandemics worldwide. To date, neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors have primarily been used to treat influenza. However, there is a growing need for novel NA inhibitors owing to the emergence of resistant viruses. Geranii Herba (Geranium thunbergii Siebold et Zuccarini), which is edible, has long been used in a variety of disease treatments in Asia. Although recent studies have reported its various pharmacological activities, the effect of Geranii Herba and its components on influenza viruses has not yet been reported. In this study, Geranii Herba ethanol extract (GHE) and its component geraniin showed high antiviral activity against influenza A strain as well as influenza B strain, against which oseltamivir has less efficacy than influenza A strain, by inhibiting NA activity following viral infection in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Thus, GHE and its components may be useful for the development of anti-influenza drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Dogs
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Drug Resistance, Viral
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Ethanol / chemistry
  • Geranium* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Neuraminidase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Orthomyxoviridae / drug effects*
  • Orthomyxoviridae / metabolism
  • Oseltamivir / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Plant Extracts
  • Oseltamivir
  • Ethanol
  • Neuraminidase