The mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. Contemporary epidemic strains of ZIKV are associated with congenital malformations in infants, including microcephaly, as well as Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. A risk of human-to-human transmission of ZIKV is also well documented. A worldwide research effort has been undertaken to identify safe and effective strategies to prevent or treat ZIKV infection. We show here that extract from Aphloia theiformis, an edible endemic plant from Indian Ocean islands, exerts a potent antiviral effect against ZIKV strains of African and Asian lineages, including epidemic strains. The antiviral effect of A. theiformis extract was extended to clinical isolates of dengue virus (DENV) of the four serotypes in human hepatocytes. A. theiformis inhibited virus entry in host cells by acting directly on viral particles, thus impairing their attachment to the cell surface. Electron microscopic observations revealed that organization of ZIKV particles was severely affected by A. theiformis. We propose a model of antiviral action for A. theiformis against flaviviruses that highlights the potential of medicinal plants as promising sources of naturally-derived antiviral compounds to prevent ZIKV and DENV infections.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-29183-2 | DOI Listing |
Curr Drug Targets
May 2022
Unité Mixte Processus Infectieux en Milieu Insulaire Tropical, INSERM U1187, CNRS UMR 9192, IRD UMR 249, Université de La Réunion. Plateforme Technologique CYROI, 94791, Sainte Clotilde, La Réunion, France.
Background: Antiviral resistance and inefficiency of available antiviral drugs to effectively treat viral infections have prompted many researchers worldwide to explore medicinal plants and their isolated compounds as alternative antivirals. The rich flora from the Mascarene Islands has also been thoroughly studied for their wide therapeutic activities, including their antiviral properties.
Objective: The aim of this review is to highlight the antiviral propensities of Mascarene endemic and indigenous medicinal plants.
Antioxidants (Basel)
October 2020
Université de La Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188 Diabète athérothombose Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), 97490 Sainte-Clotilde, La Réunion, France.
Background-Medicinal plants are traditionally used as infusions or decoctions for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic properties. Purpose-The aim of the study was to define the polyphenol composition and to assess the antioxidant capacity of eight medicinal plants from Reunion Island referred to in the French Pharmacopeia, namely , , , , , , and . Methods-Polyphenol content was assessed by biochemical assay and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecules
April 2020
Department of Food Science and Technology, Kaunas University of Technology, LT-50254 Kaunas, Lithuania.
is traditionally used in Mauritius, Madagascar, and Reunion Island for treating several diseases. In this study, various extraction solvents and schemes were applied for the recovery of antioxidant rich fractions from the leaves of . The products were evaluated for their antioxidant capacity using well known in vitro assays.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Antimicrob Agents
November 2018
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technological and Biopharmacy, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Vector-borne diseases cause more than 1 million deaths annually. The research into new medicines is urgent, especially as there is currently no specific treatment. In this study, the authors have selected 64 endemic plants from the Mascarene Islands based on their endemism, their medicinal use and their registration in the French Pharmacopeia to evaluate the antiplasmodial, anti-chikungunya and antioxidant activities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
July 2018
Université de La Réunion, UM134 Processus Infectieux Insulaire Tropical (PIMIT), INSERM U1187, CNRS UMR 9192, IRD UMR 249, Plateforme Technologique CYROI, 97490, Sainte, Clotilde, France.
The mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to the flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. Contemporary epidemic strains of ZIKV are associated with congenital malformations in infants, including microcephaly, as well as Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. A risk of human-to-human transmission of ZIKV is also well documented.
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