Anti-viral effect of usenamine a using SARS-CoV-2 pseudo-typed viruses

Zijun Li; Joo-Eun Lee; Namki Cho; Hee Min Yoo

Heliyon (Nov 2023)

Anti-viral effect of usenamine a using SARS-CoV-2 pseudo-typed viruses

Zijun Li,
Joo-Eun Lee,
Namki Cho,
Hee Min Yoo

Affiliations

Zijun Li: Biometrology Group, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, South Korea; Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
Joo-Eun Lee: Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
Namki Cho: Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea; Corresponding author.
Hee Min Yoo: Biometrology Group, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, South Korea; Department of Precision Measurement, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, South Korea; Corresponding author. Biometrology Group, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, South Korea.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 11
p. e21742

Abstract

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The escalating pandemic brought about by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is threatening global health, and thus, it is necessary to develop effective antiviral drugs. Usenamine A is a dibenzo-furan derivative separated from lichen Usnea diffracta showing broad-spectrum activity against different viruses. We evaluate that usenamine A has antiviral effects against novel SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant pseudotyped viruses (PVs) in A549 cells. In addition, usenamine A significantly suppresses SARS-CoV-2 PV-induced mitochondrial depolarization, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, apoptosis, and inflammation. Usenamine A also causes the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to become less stable. Thus, usenamine A shows potential as an antiviral drug that can provide protection against COVID-19.

Published in Heliyon

ISSN: 2405-8440 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Science (General); Social Sciences: Social sciences (General)
Website: https://www.cell.com/heliyon/home

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