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High-throughput Antiviral Assays to Screen for Inhibitors of Zika Virus Replication
Published on: October 30, 2021
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Resveratrol affects Zika virus replication in vitro.
Azirah Mohd1,2, Nurhafiza Zainal1,3,2, Kim-Kee Tan1,2
1Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Scientific Reports
|October 6, 2019
Summary
Resveratrol (RES) effectively inhibits Zika virus (ZIKV) replication in cell cultures. This natural compound shows direct virucidal effects and interferes with ZIKV binding, suggesting its potential as an antiviral therapy.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Antiviral Research
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) poses a significant public health threat, linked to microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- Current therapeutic and vaccine options for ZIKV infection are limited, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiviral potential of resveratrol (RES), a plant-derived phytoalexin, against ZIKV replication in vitro.
- To determine the efficacy of various RES treatment regimens on ZIKV titers and viral RNA levels.
Main Methods:
- ZIKV-infected cell cultures were treated with different concentrations of RES.
- Virus titers were quantified using focus-forming assays.
- ZIKV mRNA levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Main Results:
- RES demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in ZIKV titers and viral mRNA.
- Treatment with 80 µM RES post-infection achieved >90% reduction in both virus titer and ZIKV mRNA.
- RES exhibited direct virucidal effects, reduced ZIKV binding, and interfered with viral adsorption.
Conclusions:
- Resveratrol possesses significant anti-ZIKV replication properties and direct virucidal activity.
- RES interferes with ZIKV adsorption and binding, suggesting multiple antiviral mechanisms.
- Further research into RES as a potential therapeutic agent against ZIKV infection is warranted.
