Investigating the antiviral activity of Erigeron annuus (L.) pers extract against RSV and examining its active components.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The plants in the genus Erigeron are known to exhibit antiviral activities, including those against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In traditional medicine Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers (EA) has been used in the treatment of pulmonary diseases and acute infectious hepatitis.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

The aim of this study is to determine the optimum extraction method to produce the most potent anti-RSV extract, elucidate its mode and mechanisms of antiviral activity in both in vitro and in vivo models, and identify the chemical structures of the bioactive compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The whole plant of EA was extracted with ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol, water, aqueous methanol (60, 80% and 100%) and aqueous ethanol (50, 75% and 95%) using maceration, reflux, and ultrasound-assisted extraction methods. The antiviral activities of the extracts were determined in vitro. The in vitro antiviral activities of the extracts were determined using Hep-2 cells. Four in vitro experiments were performed to determine the mode of antiviral activity of the most active extract, ethyl acetate fraction (EAE) of Erigeron annuus whole plant extract prepared by refluxing with 50% ethanol, by examining its ability to inactivate the virus directly, inhibit viral adsorption and penetration, inhibit viral replication and preventive effect. The effect of temperature and duration of treatment on these modes of action was also determined. The antiviral activity of the EAE was also assessed in vivo in a mouse model. The lung index, viral load, and lung tissue histology were measured. qRT-PCR and ELISA studies were performed to determine the expression of key genes (TLR-3 and TLR-4) and proteins (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) related to RSV infection. The most active antiviral compound was isolated using chromatography techniques, and its chemical structure was identified through electrospray triple quadrupole mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

RESULTS

The EAE was the most active on RSV. In vitro experiments showed that the antiviral activity of EAE is via direct inactivation, inhibition of entry, and inhibition of the proliferation of the virus. In vivo experiments showed that the EAE effectively inhibited the proliferation of RSV in the lungs and alleviated the lung tissue lesions in RSV-infected mice. The antiviral activity of the EAE is mediated by downregulating the expression of TLR3 and TLR4 in the lung, upregulating the expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ, and downregulating the expression of TNF-α. Apigenin 7-O-methylglucuronide was found to be a major bioactive compound in EAE.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study confirmed the antiviral activity of EA by inactivating, inhibiting the entry, and inhibiting the proliferation of RSV. The activity is mediated by regulating the immunity and inflammatory mediators. Apigenin 7-O-methylglucuronide is the bioactive compound present in EA.