Chemical Composition of Thyme (<i>Thymus vulgaris</i>) Extracts, Potential Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein–ACE2 Binding and ACE2 Activity, and Radical Scavenging Capacity

Yao, Yuanhang; Whent, Monica; Li, Yanfang; Liu, Zhihao; Pehrsson, Pamela; Sun, Jianghao; Chen, Pei; Huang, Dejian; Wang, Thomas T. Y.; Wu, Xianli; Yu, Liangli

doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c05432

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Here, we have generated a new nutraceutical formula (Solution-3) by combining extracts from natural products highly enriched in polyphenols ( i.e., propolis, Verbascum thapsus L. and Thymus vulgaris L.) that have been singularly described with effectiveness against different pathogens. Indeed, propolis, Verbascum thapsus L. and Thymus vulgaris L. were known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunostimulant activities [ 28 , 40 , 46 ] thus resulting in antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial actions against viruses ( e.g., coronaviruses [ 30 , 32 , 38 , 43 ], RSV [ 31 , 32 ], adenoviruses [ 32 ], rinoviruses [ 32 ], FLU [ 30 , 39 , 44 ] and HSV [ 30 , 37 , 44 ]), bacteria ( e.g., Escherichia coli [ 33 , 35 ], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ 29 , 35 , 36 ], Staphylococcus aureus [ 29 , 33 , 34 , 36 , 45 ], Streptococcus salivarius [ 36 ], Streptococcus mutans [ 36 ], and Streptococcus pyogenes [ 36 ]) and fungi ( e.g., Candida albicans [ 36 ]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thymus vulgaris L. (species, Plantarum ; family, Lamiaceae ) is an herbaceous, perennial aromatic and medicinal plant, rich in bioactive compounds (including polyphenols) with anti-oxidant [ 35 ], antibacterial ( e.g., against Escherichia coli [ 35 ], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ 35 , 36 ], Streptococcus salivarius [ 36 ], Streptococcus mutans [ 36 ], Streptococcus pyogenes [ 36 ] and Staphylococcus aureus [ 36 ]), antifungal ( i.e., Candida albicans [ 36 ]), antiviral (HSV [ 37 ], SARS-CoV-2 [ 38 ], human immunodeficiency virus HIV [ 39 ], and Influenza [ 39 ]), and anti-inflammatory functions [ 40 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modulation of innate immunity related genes resulting in prophylactic antimicrobial and antiviral properties

Ferrucci,

Miceli,

Pagliuca

et al. 2024

J Transl Med

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Background The innate immunity acts during the early phases of infection and its failure in response to a multilayer network of co-infections is cause of immune system dysregulation. Epidemiological SARS-CoV-2 infections data, show that Influenza Virus (FLU-A-B-C) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are co-habiting those respiratory traits. These viruses, especially in children (mostly affected by ‘multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children’ [MIS-C] and the winter pandemic FLU), in the aged population, and in ‘fragile’ patients are causing alteration in immune response. Then, bacterial and fungal pathogens are also co-habiting the upper respiratory traits (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans), thus contributing to morbidity in those COVID-19 affected patients. Methods Liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry using the quadrupole orbital ion trap analyser (i.e., UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was adopted to measure the polyphenols content of a new nutraceutical formula (Solution-3). Viral infections with SARS-CoV-2 (EG.5), FLU-A and RSV-A viruses (as performed in BLS3 authorised laboratory) and real time RT-PCR (qPCR) assay were used to test the antiviral action of the nutraceutical formula. Dilution susceptibility tests have been used to estimate the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC and MBC, respectively) of Solution-3 on a variety of microorganisms belonging to Gram positive/ negative bacteria and fungi. Transcriptomic data analyses and functional genomics (i.e., RNAseq and data mining), coupled to qPCR and ELISA assays have been used to investigate the mechanisms of action of the nutraceutical formula on those processes involved in innate immune response. Results Here, we have tested the combination of natural products containing higher amounts of polyphenols (i.e., propolis, Verbascum thapsus L., and Thymus vulgaris L.), together with the inorganic long chain polyphosphates ‘polyPs’ with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal behaviours, against SARS-CoV-2, FLU-A, RSV-A, Gram positive/ negative bacteria and fungi (i.e., Candida albicans). These components synergistically exert an immunomodulatory action by enhancing those processes involved in innate immune response (e.g., cytokines: IFNγ, TNFα, IL-10, IL-6/12; chemokines: CXCL1; antimicrobial peptides: HBD-2, LL-37; complement system: C3). Conclusion The prophylactic antimicrobial success of this nutraceutical formula against SARS-CoV-2, FLU-A and RSV-A viruses, together with the common bacteria and fungi co-infections as present in human oral cavity, is expected to be valuable.

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