Protocatechuic Acid, a Novel Active Substance against Avian Influenza Virus H9N2 Infection

Abstract

Influenza virus H9N2 subtype has triggered co-infection with other infectious agents, resulting in huge economical losses in the poultry industry. Our current study aims to evaluate the antiviral activity of protocatechuic acid (PCA) against a virulent H9N2 strain in a mouse model. 120 BALB/c mice were divided into one control group, one untreated group, one 50 mg/kg amantadine hydrochloride-treated group and three PCA groups treated 12 hours post-inoculation with 40, 20 or 10 mg/kg PCA for 7 days. All the infected animals were inoculated intranasally with 0.2 ml of a A/Chicken/Hebei/4/2008(H9N2) inoculum. A significant body weight loss was found in the 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg PCA-treated and amantadine groups as compared to the control group. The 14 day survivals were 94.4%, 100% and 95% in the PCA-treated groups and 94.4% in the amantadine hydrochloride group, compared to less than 60% in the untreated group. Virus loads were less in the PCA-treated groups compared to the amantadine-treated or the untreated groups. Neutrophil cells in BALF were significantly decreased while IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α and IL-6 decreased significantly at days 7 in the PCA-treated groups compared to the untreated group. Furthermore, a significantly decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio and an increased proportion of CD19 cells were observed in the PCA-treated groups and amantadine-treated group compared to the untreated group. Mice administered with PCA exhibited a higher survival rate and greater viral clearance associated with an inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and activation of CD8+ T cell subsets. PCA is a promising novel agent against bird flu infection in the poultry industry.

Biotransformation of ferulic acid to protocatechuic acid by Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 21420 engineered to express vanillate O-demethylase

“…PCA possess antibacterial and antiviral activities (Kakkar and Bais 2014 ). For example, PCA inhibits avian influenza virus infection of birds (Ou et al 2014 ). PCA treatment reduces the inflammation of lung cells in mice and suppresses the inflamed cells (Ou et al 2014 ).…”

Simultaneous Voltammetric Determination of Gallic and Protocatechuic Acids in Mango Juice Using a Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based Electrochemical Sensor

“…The key experimental parameters, such as frequency, amplitude and step potential, were optimized (not shown). The calibration plots of GA and PA show a linear increase of the current responses of the two species increasing their concentration ( Figure 5 (10,20,30,40,50,80,90,120,150,170,190,200,230 (10,20,30,40,50,80,90,120,150,170,190,200,230,270 and 290 mV•s −1 ). Scheme 1.…”

“…This indicates that the electrochemical oxidation of GA and PA is a diffusion-controlled process in nature. (10,20,30,40,50,80,90,120,150,170,190,200,230,270 and 290 mV•s −1 ).…”

“…PA has been found to have several bioactivities such as antifungal, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant [15], antibacterial [16], antidiabetic [17], anticancer [18], and antifibrotic [19] activities. Furthermore, it was found to be potent against avian influenza virus H9N2 infection [20]. PA was efficiently determined in grape juices using selective and rapid magnetic molecular imprinted solid phase extraction coupled with HPLC [21].…”

Co-infection of Chlamydia psittaci with H9N2, ORT and Aspergillus fumigatus contributes to severe pneumonia and high mortality in SPF chickens

“…It has also demonstrated that the co-infection of C. psittaci and H9N2 AIV induces 35% mortality rate with severe pneumonia in SPF chickens 14 . H9N2 AIV has been circulating world-wide in multiple avian species and humans 15 . In a pilot study, ORT, H9N2 and Streptococcus zooepidemicus have been isolated from commercial birds 3 , 16 .…”