Ginsenoside Rb2 demonstrates potent antiviral activity against Zika virus infection

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can result in severe neurological complications, yet no approved antiviral treatments are currently available. Ginseng, a medicinal herb extensively utilized in Asian traditional medicine, has demonstrated efficacy against various diseases, which has sparked interest in exploring its potential antiviral properties for the treatment of ZIKV.

We evaluated the antiviral effects of ginsenoside Rb2 (G-Rb2) in human neuronal cell lines (SK-N-SH and CCF-STTG) and in a lethal ZIKV-infected mouse model. The antiviral efficacy was assessed using bioluminescence imaging with a NanoLuc luciferase reporter ZIKV. In vitro assays were conducted to determine the direct impact of G-Rb2 on ZIKV, while surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was employed to analyze its interaction with ZIKV envelope proteins and viral particles.

G-Rb2 (200 μM) significantly inhibited ZIKV infection in vitro and protected mice from ZIKV-induced mortality. Bioluminescence imaging validated its antiviral efficacy. In vitro studies demonstrated that incubation with G-Rb2 reduced viral infectivity, and SPR analysis confirmed direct binding between G-Rb2 and ZIKV components.

G-Rb2 effectively inhibits ZIKV infection both in vitro and in vivo, presumably through direct interaction with viral particles. Given the accessibility of ginseng and its established processing methods, G-Rb2 emerges as a promising candidate for the treatment of ZIKV in humans. Further research is warranted to elucidate its mechanisms of action and evaluate its clinical potential.