Evaluation of genetic toxicity, acute and sub-chronic oral toxicity and systemic safety of Agrimonia pilosa and Rhus gall 50% ethanolic extract mixture (APRG64) in vitro and in vivo (rodent and non-rodent animal models)

Promising Antiviral Activity of Agrimonia pilosa Phytochemicals against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Supported with In Vivo Mice Study

The global emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has focused the entire world’s attention toward searching for a potential remedy for this disease. Thus, we investigated the antiviral activity of Agrimonia pilosa ethanol extract (APEE) against SARS-CoV-2 and it exhibited a potent antiviral activity with IC₅₀ of 1.1 ± 0.03 µg/mL. Its mechanism of action was elucidated, and it exhibited a virucidal activity and an inhibition of viral adsorption. Moreover, it presented an immunomodulatory activity as it decreased the upregulation of gene expression of COX-2, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A comprehensive analysis of the phytochemical fingerprint of APEE was conducted using LC-ESI-MS/MS technique for the first time. We detected 81 compounds and most of them belong to the flavonoid and coumarin classes. Interestingly, isoflavonoids, procyanidins, and anthocyanins were detected for the first time in A. pilosa. Moreover, the antioxidant activity was evidenced in DPPH (IC₅₀ 62.80 µg/mL) and ABTS (201.49 mg Trolox equivalents (TE)/mg) radical scavenging, FRAP (60.84 mg TE/mg), and ORAC (306.54 mg TE/g) assays. Furthermore, the protective effect of APEE was investigated in Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. Lung W/D ratio, serum IL-6, IL-18, IL-1β, HO-1, Caspase-1, caspase-3, TLR-4 expression, TAC, NO, MPO activity, and histopathological examination of lung tissues were assessed. APEE induced a marked downregulation in all inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis markers, and TLR-4 expression. In addition, it alleviated all histopathological abnormalities confirming the beneficial effects of APEE in ALI. Therefore, APEE could be a potential source for therapeutic compounds that could be investigated, in future preclinical and clinical trials, in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.

Potent antiviral activity of Agrimonia pilosa, Galla rhois, and their components against SARS-CoV-2

Agrimonia pilosa (AP), Galla rhois (RG), and their mixture (APRG64) strongly inhibited SARS-CoV-2 by interfering with multiple steps of the viral life cycle including viral entry and replication. Furthermore, among 12 components identified in APRG64, three displayed strong antiviral activity, ursolic acid (1), quercetin (7), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose (12). Molecular docking analysis showed these components to bind potently to the spike receptor-binding-domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 and its variant B.1.1.7. Taken together, these findings indicate APRG64 as a potent drug candidate to treat SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

The therapeutic effects of Agrimonia eupatoria L

Agrimonia eupatoria L. is an herb of the Rosaceae family, widely used in traditional (folk) medicine for its beneficial effects. Its water extracts (infusions and decoctions) are used in the treatment of airway and urinary system diseases, digestive tract diseases, and chronic wounds. Phytochemical analyses of Agrimonia eupatoria L. identified a variety of bioactive compounds including tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenoids and volatile oils possessing antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities. The authors review the available literature sources examining and discussing the therapeutic and pharmacological effects of Agrimonia eupatoria L. at the molecular level in vitro and in vivo.