Toxicity and antiviral activity of cinnabarin obtained from Pycnoporus sanguineus (Fr.) Murr

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Virology and Microbiology
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Cinnabarin is a natural compound with potential biological activities.
• Understanding its effects on cellular systems and viral infections is crucial for therapeutic development.
• Existing research on cinnabarin's specific antiviral properties, particularly against rabies virus, is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the cytopathic effect of cinnabarin on mouse neuroblastoma cells.
• To determine the cytotoxic action of cinnabarin in vivo using mice.
• To investigate the antiviral activity of cinnabarin against the rabies virus.

Main Methods:

• Cell culture assays were performed using mouse neuroblastoma cells (NA cell, ATCC clone C-1300) to assess cytopathic effects.
• In vivo toxicity studies were conducted on mice at high concentrations (1000 mg/kg).
• Antiviral activity was measured by determining the reduction in rabies virus titers in the presence of cinnabarin (0.31 mg/ml).

Main Results:

• Cinnabarin showed no cytopathic effect on mouse neuroblastoma cells at a concentration of 0.31 mg/ml.
• No toxic effects were observed in mice even at a high dose of 1000 mg/kg.
• Cinnabarin significantly reduced rabies virus titers by fourfold at a concentration of 0.31 mg/ml.

Conclusions:

• Cinnabarin demonstrates a favorable safety profile with no observed cytotoxicity in cell cultures or in vivo toxicity in mice.
• The compound exhibits notable antiviral activity against the rabies virus.
• These findings suggest cinnabarin as a potential candidate for further investigation as an antiviral agent against rabies.