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Polyphenol rich sugarcane extract restricts select respiratory viruses depending on their mode of entry

Caolingzhi Tang1, Matthew Flavel2, Sarah L Londrigan1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.

Virology
|March 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract (PRSE) inhibits influenza A virus (IAV) by blocking clathrin-mediated endocytosis. This extract shows broad antiviral activity against respiratory viruses that use this entry pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Cell Biology
  • Natural Product Therapeutics

Background:

  • Polyphenol-rich sugarcane extract (PRSE) previously demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against influenza A virus (IAV).
  • Understanding the precise mechanism of action (MOA) of PRSE against respiratory viruses is crucial for developing novel antiviral strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the MOA of PRSE against respiratory viruses in human-derived cells.
  • To determine if PRSE induces an antiviral state or interferes with viral entry pathways.

Main Methods:

  • PRSE treatment effects on interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were assessed.
  • Viral entry mechanisms, including caveolin-mediated and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, were investigated.
  • IAV entry was studied under conditions of plasma membrane fusion versus endosomal fusion.

Main Results:

  • PRSE did not induce an antiviral state via ISG expression.
  • PRSE significantly attenuated clathrin-mediated endocytosis but did not affect caveolin-mediated endocytosis.
  • PRSE inhibited IAV entry when fusion occurred in endosomes, but not at the plasma membrane.
  • PRSE showed inhibitory effects against respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus, but not human parainfluenza virus type 3.

Conclusions:

  • PRSE exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against respiratory viruses.
  • PRSE's MOA involves the perturbation of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, a key viral entry pathway.
  • PRSE demonstrates potential as an in vitro antiviral agent by inhibiting viral replication through interference with cellular entry mechanisms.
Keywords:
AntiviralEndocytosisInfluenza virusPolyphenolRespiratory virusVirus replication

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