Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Department of Virology, Paul-Ehrlich Strasse 51-59, 63225 Langen, Germany.
Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre, Bonn, Germany.
Antiviral Res. 2015 Jan;113:1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.11.001. Epub 2014 Nov 11.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-transmitted alphavirus that causes chikungunya fever and has infected millions of people mainly in developing countries. The associated disease is characterized by rash, high fever and severe arthritis that can persist for years. CHIKV has adapted to Aedes albopictus, which also inhabits temperate regions, including Europe and the United States of America and might cause new, large outbreaks there. No treatment or licensed CHIKV vaccine exists. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major component of green tea, has, among other beneficial properties, antiviral activities. Therefore, we examined if EGCG has antiviral activity against CHIKV. EGCG inhibited CHIKV infection in vitro, blocked entry of CHIKV Env-pseudotyped lentiviral vectors and inhibited CHIKV attachment to target cells. Thus EGCG might be used as a lead structure to develop more effective antiviral drugs.
基孔肯雅热病毒（CHIKV）是一种经蚊子传播的甲病毒，可引起基孔肯雅热，已感染了主要在发展中国家的数百万人。相关疾病的特征为皮疹、高热和严重关节炎，这些症状可能持续多年。CHIKV 已适应白纹伊蚊，后者也栖息于包括欧洲和美利坚合众国在内的温带地区，可能在这些地区引发新的大规模疫情。目前尚无治疗方法或获得许可的 CHIKV 疫苗。表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯（EGCG）是绿茶的主要成分，除了具有其他有益特性外，还具有抗病毒活性。因此，我们研究了 EGCG 是否对 CHIKV 具有抗病毒活性。EGCG 在体外抑制 CHIKV 感染，阻止 CHIKV Env-假型慢病毒载体进入，并抑制 CHIKV 与靶细胞的附着。因此，EGCG 可能被用作开发更有效的抗病毒药物的先导结构。
