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09:29
Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Antiviral effects of ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids in vitro.
Ayami Furuya1, Misao Uozaki, Hisashi Yamasaki
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Wakayama Medical University Graduate School of Medicine, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan.
International Journal of Molecular Medicine
|September 25, 2008
Summary
Ascorbic acid and its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid, show antiviral activity against viruses like HSV-1. Dehydroascorbic acid is more potent, suggesting non-antioxidant mechanisms are involved in viral inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is known for its antioxidant properties.
- Its role in viral inhibition is complex and not fully understood, with potential mechanisms beyond simple antioxidant effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiviral activity of ascorbic acid and its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid, against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), influenza virus type A, and poliovirus type 1.
- To elucidate the mechanism of antiviral action, particularly the role of oxidation and cytotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- In vitro testing of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid against three different virus families.
- Assessment of cytotoxicity of both compounds.
- Investigation of the effect of ferric ion (Fe3+) on antiviral activity.
- Characterization of the stage of viral replication inhibited by dehydroascorbic acid.
Main Results:
- Ascorbic acid showed weak inhibition of HSV-1, influenza A, and poliovirus.
- Dehydroascorbic acid exhibited significantly stronger antiviral activity than ascorbic acid.
- Ferric ion enhanced the antiviral activity of ascorbic acid, surpassing that of dehydroascorbic acid.
- Cytotoxicity was observed for both compounds, with ascorbic acid being 10-fold more cytotoxic, suggesting a partial contribution of cytotoxic effects to antiviral activity.
Conclusions:
- The antiviral activity of ascorbic acid is not solely due to its antioxidant properties.
- Dehydroascorbic acid demonstrates potent antiviral effects, likely through mechanisms independent of antioxidant activity.
- The inhibition of viral multiplication by dehydroascorbic acid appears to occur during the assembly of progeny virus particles, after viral DNA replication is complete.
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