Novel Therapeutic Nutrients Molecules That Protect against Zika Virus Infection with a Special Note on Palmitoleate

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a Flavivirus from the Flaviviridae family and a positive-sense single strand RNA virus. ZIKV infection can cause a mild infection to the mother but can be vertically transmitted to the developing fetus, causing congenital anomalies. The prevalence of ZIKV infections was relatively insignificant with sporadic outbreaks in the Asian and African continents until 2006. However, recent epidemic in the Caribbean showed significant increased incidence of Congenital Zika Syndrome. ZIKV infection results in placental pathology which plays a crucial role in disease transmission from mother to fetus. Currently, there is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccine or therapeutic drug against ZIKV. This review article summarizes the recent advances on ZIKV transmission and diagnosis and reviews nutraceuticals which can protect against the ZIKV infection. Further, we have reviewed recent advances related to the novel therapeutic nutrient molecules that have been shown to possess activity against Zika virus infected cells. We also review the mechanism of ZIKV-induced endoplasmic reticulum and apoptosis and the protective role of palmitoleate (nutrient molecule) against ZIKV-induced ER stress and apoptosis in the placental trophoblasts.

Zika Virus during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Epidemiological Parameters and Advances in Understanding the Infection

“…There are no drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) available for ZIKV infection [26]. The repurposing of drugs to treat the disease was an approach widely used in the COVID-19 pandemic and has become an effective alternative in cases of emergency ZIKV outbreak [26].…”

“…There are no drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) available for ZIKV infection [26]. The repurposing of drugs to treat the disease was an approach widely used in the COVID-19 pandemic and has become an effective alternative in cases of emergency ZIKV outbreak [26]. Drugs that have anti-ZIKV activity evaluated by the year 2022 include sofosbuvir, suramin, chloroquine, mefloquine, amodiaquine, hydroxychloroquine, nitazoxanide, niclosamide, mycophenolic acid, ivermectin, and PHA-690509 [27].…”

“…Drugs that have anti-ZIKV activity evaluated by the year 2022 include sofosbuvir, suramin, chloroquine, mefloquine, amodiaquine, hydroxychloroquine, nitazoxanide, niclosamide, mycophenolic acid, ivermectin, and PHA-690509 [27]. The computational approach suggested that phytochemicals such as polydatin, liquiritin, cichoriin, dihydro genistin, and rapontin are economical approaches to inhibit ZIKV [26]. Muthuraj et al (2023) explains that nutraceuticals such as curcumin, gossypol, and berberine have also shown potential antiviral effects against ZIKV [26].…”

“…The computational approach suggested that phytochemicals such as polydatin, liquiritin, cichoriin, dihydro genistin, and rapontin are economical approaches to inhibit ZIKV [26]. Muthuraj et al (2023) explains that nutraceuticals such as curcumin, gossypol, and berberine have also shown potential antiviral effects against ZIKV [26].…”