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Updated: Jun 29, 2025
Early Viral Entry Assays for the Identification and Evaluation of Antiviral Compounds
Published on: October 29, 2015
Ginkgolic acid inhibits orthopneumo- and metapneumo- virus infectivity
Maria I Luck1,2, Erick J Subillaga1,2, Ronen Borenstein3
1Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
Abstract:
The human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are important human respiratory pathogens from the Pneumoviridae family. Both are responsible for severe respiratory tract infections in infants, young children, elderly individuals, adults with chronic medical conditions, and immunocompromised patients. Despite their large impact on human health, vaccines for hRSV were only recently introduced, and only limited treatment options exist. Here we show that Ginkgolic acid (GA), a natural compound from the extract of Ginkgo biloba, with known antiviral properties for several viruses, efficiently inhibits these viruses' infectivity and spread in cultures in a dose-dependent manner. We demonstrate that the drug specifically affects the entry step during the early stages on the viruses' life cycle with no effect on post-entry and late stage events, including viral gene transcription, genome replication, assembly and particles release. We provide evidence that GA acts as an efficient antiviral for members of the Pneumoviridae family and has the potential to be used to treat acute infections.
Insights
Ginkgolic acid (GA) effectively inhibits human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) by blocking viral entry. This natural compound shows potential for treating acute respiratory infections caused by these Pneumoviridae family viruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products
Background:
- Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are significant respiratory pathogens.
- Infections pose severe risks to vulnerable populations, including infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
- Limited treatment options and recent vaccine introduction highlight the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antiviral potential of Ginkgolic acid (GA), a compound from Ginkgo biloba extract.
- To determine GA's efficacy against hRSV and hMPV.
- To elucidate the mechanism of action of GA on viral replication.
Main Methods:
- In vitro cell culture experiments were performed to assess viral infectivity and spread.
- Dose-dependent inhibition assays were conducted using GA.
- Viral life cycle stages, including entry, transcription, replication, and assembly, were analyzed to identify the mechanism of action.
Main Results:
- Ginkgolic acid demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of hRSV and hMPV infectivity and spread in cell cultures.
- GA specifically targets the viral entry step, inhibiting early-stage infection.
- No significant effect was observed on post-entry events such as viral gene transcription, genome replication, assembly, or particle release.
Conclusions:
- Ginkgolic acid is an effective antiviral agent against members of the Pneumoviridae family, including hRSV and hMPV.
- GA's mechanism involves inhibiting the crucial viral entry process.
- GA holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for treating acute infections caused by these respiratory viruses.
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