EGYVIR: An immunomodulatory herbal extract with potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2.

Wael H Roshdy,Helmy A Rashed,Ahmed Mostafa,Mohamed A Ali,Yassmin Moatasim,Noura M Abo Shama,Ibrahim H El-Sayed,Ahmed Kandeil,Amal Naguib,Mokhtar R Gomaa,Nancy M El Guindy,Omnia Kutkat,Ghazi Kayali,Dong-Yan Jin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0241739

Abstract

Due to the challenges for developing vaccines in devastating pandemic situations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), developing and screening of novel antiviral agents are peremptorily demanded. Herein, we developed EGYVIR as a potent immunomodulatory herbal extract with promising antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. It constitutes of a combination of black pepper extract with curcumin extract. The antiviral effect of EGYVIR extract is attributed to the two key phases of the disease in severe cases. First, the inhibition of the nuclear translocation of NF-kβ p50, attenuating the SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated cytokine storm. Additionally, the EGYVIR extract has an in vitro virucidal effect for SARS-CoV-2. The in vitro study of EGYVIR extract against SARS-CoV-2 on Huh-7 cell lines, revealed the potential role of NF-kβ/TNFα/IL-6 during the infection process. EGYVIR antagonizes the NF-kβ pathway in-silico and in-vitro studies. Consequently, it has the potential to hinder the release of IL-6 and TNFα, decreasing the production of essential cytokines storm elements.

Highlights

Over the last two decades, three novel zoonotic coronaviruses (CoVs) emerged to infect humans including the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV) in 2002, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) in 2012, and recently, the SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 [1]
Pathologies associated with viral infection with the three severe viruses are not yet completely understood, host-virus interaction plays a key role in the severity of disease as a result of triggering an immune response against the viral infection [2]
Excessive immune response due to viral infection is commonly associated with immune pathogenesis, EGYVIR: An immunomodulatory herbal extract with potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 inflammatory responses, and a cytokine storm which may result in poor outcomes such as acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) and subsequently, multi-organ failure [3]

Summary

Introduction

Over the last two decades, three novel zoonotic coronaviruses (CoVs) emerged to infect humans including the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV) in 2002, the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV) in 2012, and recently, the SARS-CoV-2 in late 2019 [1]. Excessive immune response due to viral infection is commonly associated with immune pathogenesis, EGYVIR: An immunomodulatory herbal extract with potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 inflammatory responses, and a cytokine storm which may result in poor outcomes such as acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS) and subsequently, multi-organ failure [3]. Modulating the immune response and decreasing the impact of the cytokine storm is important for defending against SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and improving outcomes. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection mostly depend on their own immune defense to control the progress of infection, together with a non-specific treatment protocol to relieve symptoms and improve prognosis. To accelerate the application of specific medications to control SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs and plantorigin agents that represent ready-to-go materials for initial screening and safe use for COVID-19 patients

Methods

Results

Conclusion