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Yeh YJ, Chao TL, Chang YJ, Chang SY, Lu CH, Chao CH, Su WC, Tseng CP, Lai MM, Cheng JC. Dual Effects of 3- epi-betulin from Daphniphyllum glaucescens in Suppressing SARS-CoV-2-Induced Inflammation and Inhibiting Virus Entry. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17040. [PMID: 38069363 PMCID: PMC10707724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to a protracted global COVID-19 pandemic with significant impacts on public health and global economy. While there are currently available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and therapeutics, most of the FDA-approved antiviral agents directly target viral proteins. However, inflammation is the initial immune pathogenesis induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, there is still a need to find additional agents that can control the virus in the early stages of infection to alleviate disease progression for the next pandemic. Here, we find that both the spike protein and its receptor CD147 are crucial for inducing inflammation by SARS-CoV-2 in THP-1 monocytic cells. Moreover, we find that 3-epi-betulin, isolated from Daphniphyllum glaucescens, reduces the level of proinflammatory cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2, consequently resulting in a decreased viral RNA accumulation and plaque formation. In addition, 3-epi-betulin displays a broad-spectrum inhibition of entry of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses, including Alpha (B.1.1.7), Eplison (B.1.429), Gamma (P1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (BA.1). Moreover, 3-epi-betulin potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection with an EC50 of <20 μM in Calu-3 lung epithelial cells. Bioinformatic analysis reveals the chemical interaction between the 3-epi-betulin and the spike protein, along with the critical amino acid residues in the spike protein that contribute to the inhibitory activity of 3-epi-betulin against virus entry. Taken together, our results suggest that 3-epi-betulin exhibits dual effect: it reduces SARS-CoV-2-induced inflammation and inhibits virus entry, positioning it as a potential antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Ju Yeh
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
- Research Center for Emerging Viruses, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Tai-Ling Chao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100229, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Jen Chang
- The Ph.D. Program of Biotechnology and Biomedical Industry, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Sui-Yuan Chang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Medical Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100229, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College Medicine, Taipei 100229, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hao Lu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300093, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hua Chao
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung 4060404, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chi Su
- Research Center for Emerging Viruses, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ping Tseng
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
| | - Michael M.C. Lai
- Research Center for Emerging Viruses, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
| | - Ju-Chien Cheng
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, China Medical University, Taichung 404328, Taiwan
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