Inhibition of influenza virus sialidase and anti-influenza virus activity by plant flavonoids.

Flavonoids (103 species) were tested for inhibitory activity against influenza virus sialidase using sodium p-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminate as substrate. 5,7,4'-Trihydroxy-8-methoxyflavone from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis showed the most potent activity (IC50, 55 microM), and this flavone appeared to be a non-competitive inhibitor of the enzyme. Whereas, negligible or weak inhibitory activities were observed for mouse liver sialidase, beta-galactosidase and alpha-mannosidase as tested. This flavone also inhibited the infection by influenza virus A/PR/8/34 of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, and replication of the virus in the allantoic sack of embryonated egg. These results suggest that flavone, which has potent influenza virus sialidase inhibitory activity, may have anti-influenza virus activity.