Genistein Has Antiviral Activity against Herpes B Virus and Acts Synergistically with Antiviral Treatments to Reduce Effective Dose

Abstract

Herpes B virus is a deadly zoonotic agent that can be transmitted to humans from the macaque monkey, an animal widely used in biomedical research. Currently, there is no cure for human B virus infection and treatments require a life-long daily regimen of antivirals, namely acyclovir and ganciclovir. Long-term antiviral treatments have been associated with significant debilitating side effects, thus, there is an ongoing search for alternative efficacious antiviral treatment. In this study, the antiviral activity of genistein was quantified against B virus in a primary cell culture model system. Genistein prevented plaque formation of B virus and reduced virus production with an IC50 value of 33 and 46 μM for human and macaque fibroblasts, respectively. Genistein did not interfere directly with viral entry, but instead targeted an event post-viral replication. Finally, we showed that genistein could be used at its IC50 concentration in conjunction with both acyclovir and ganciclovir to reduce their effective dose against B virus with a 93% and 99% reduction in IC50 values, respectively. The results presented here illuminate the therapeutic potential of genistein as an effective antiviral agent against B virus when used alone or in combination with current antiviral therapies.

Phytochemicals as Antiviral Agents: Recent Updates

“…They have reported the antiviral activity of genistein against herpes B virus, and also revealed that it targets the virus after the viral replication stage. Moreover, its combination with the acyclovir and ganciclovir proved to be effective with the reduction of effective dose (LeCher et al 2019). Similarly, genistein has been reported to possess antiviral activity against HSV-1, cytomegalovirus, and bovine herpesvirus-1, SV40, human papilloma virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, African swine fever virus, and HIV (LeCher et al 2019).…”

“…Moreover, its combination with the acyclovir and ganciclovir proved to be effective with the reduction of effective dose (LeCher et al 2019). Similarly, genistein has been reported to possess antiviral activity against HSV-1, cytomegalovirus, and bovine herpesvirus-1, SV40, human papilloma virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, African swine fever virus, and HIV (LeCher et al 2019). Anti-simian rotavirus SA-11 activity of the ethanolic extracts was reported from the leaves of medicinal plant (Myracrodruon urundeuva), found in Brazil (Cecílio et al 2016).…”

New Insights into cytotoxic metabolites produced by Streptomyces griseus isolate KJ623766: Large scale production, structure elucidation and biological activities

“…Genistein was previously recognized to have some cellular actions including, glucose, lipid metabolism and other activities such as lipid peroxidation, inflammation, and fibrosis [28][29][30] as well as its antiviral activity against Herpes B Virus [31] and chondroprotective Effects against osteoarthritis [32].…”

Drug Development for the Management of Corona Viruses: Insights from Natural Antiviral Agents

“…164 It also prevented plaque formation of Herpes B virus and reduced virus production. 165 It was reported to show some efficacy against H1N1 influenza A virus. 166 Against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), it caused cell cycle arrest in G2.…”