Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

High-throughput Antiviral Assays to Screen for Inhibitors of Zika Virus Replication
Published on: October 30, 2021
Baicalein and baicalin as Zika virus inhibitors
Adrian Oo1, Boon Teong Teoh1, Sing Sin Sam1
1Tropical Infectious Disease Research and Education Centre, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract:
At present, there is no effective antiviral agent for Zika virus (ZIKV), an arbovirus that is known for its teratogenic effects on newborns. Baicalein and baicalin were found to be capable of downregulating ZIKV replication up to 10 hours postinfection, while prophylactic effects were evident in pre-treated cells. Baicalein exhibited its highest potency during intracellular ZIKV replication, whereas baicalin was most effective against virus entry. Our in silico interaction assays predicted that both compounds exhibited the strongest binding affinities towards ZIKV NS5, while the virus envelope glycoprotein was the least likely target protein. These findings serve as a crucial platform for further in-depth studies to decipher the underlying anti-ZIKV mechanism(s) of each compound.
Related Concept Videos
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a...
What are Viruses?
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors
Introduction to Virus
Viruses of Archaea

