Antiviral effect of theaflavins against caliciviruses

Caliciviruses are contagious pathogens of humans and various animals. They are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans, and can cause lethal diseases in domestic animals such as cats, rabbits and immunocompromised mice. In this study, we conducted cytopathic effect-based screening of 2080 selected compounds from our in-house library to find antiviral compounds against three culturable caliciviruses: feline calicivirus, murine norovirus (MNV) and porcine sapovirus (PoSaV). We identified active six compounds, of which two compounds, both related to theaflavins, showed broad antiviral activities against all three caliciviruses; three compounds (abamectin, a mixture of avermectin B1a and B1b; avermectin B1a; and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate hydrate) were effective against PoSaV only; and a heterocyclic carboxamide derivative (BFTC) specifically inhibited MNV infectivity in cell cultures. Further studies of the antiviral mechanism and structure-activity relationship of theaflavins suggested the following: (1) theaflavins worked before the viral entry step; (2) the effect of theaflavins was time- and concentration-dependent; and (3) the hydroxyl groups of the benzocycloheptenone ring were probably important for the anti-calicivirus activity of theaflavins. Theaflavins could be used for the calicivirus research, and as potential disinfectants and antiviral reagents to prevent and control calicivirus infections in animals and humans.