Effect of ultra-diluted ethanol extract of Rhus toxicodendron SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein RBD induced inflammation in chick embryo

Abstract

Rhus Toxicodendron (RT) extract has been used in homeopathic and phytomedicines for a few centuries. RT chiefly comprises a bioactive chemical named Urushiol. Studies showed RT extracts have potential immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic activities. In this experiment, we studied whether ethanolic extracts of RT can inhibit Delta SARS-Cov-2 spike protein RBD-induced inflammation, leading to cytokine inequity in fertilized chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus). Inoculation of Delta SARS-CoV2 spike RBD protein was done in 14th-day-old chick embryos along with control, pre-, and post-treatment sets consisting of ultra-diluted RT extract. Allantoic fluids from the eggs were collected and preserved at -80 ºC after 48 h to study different cytokines. Dissect ion was done, and the liver of each animal was collected and sent for histological study. The most prominent result was up-regulation in the expression of Interferon alpha and Interleukin-10 genes in RT 6 CH challenged, pre-treatment, and post-treatment experimental sets. However, IL 6, IL 8, IL1B, IFN-beta, IFN-gamma, and TGF beta expressions were insignificant in all the other experimental sets. The histopathological result showed that embryos in the pre-treatment experimental set prevented pathological changes. This study indicated the ethanolic extract of RT can up-regulate the expression of Interferon-α genes and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 gene. Therefore, it prevents the spike protein of the delta SARS-CoV-2-induced pathological changes in fertilized chick embryos.