Electron Micrographic Representations of Mechanisms of Action of Murine Norovirus on ATCC TIB-71 Cells and Level of Gene Expression

Abstract

Human noroviruses (HuNoV) are the number one cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide resulting in a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in all age groups. However, despite the medical relevance of HuNoV, effective treatment against norovirus infection is yet to be developed. In this study, we investigated the anti-Noroviral activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) calyces and Zanthoxylum armatum (ZA) seeds using murine norovirus, a surrogate of human norovirus. The antiviral mechanisms of action were also examined using a gene expression studies and transmission electron microscopy. Our results showed that virus-infected cells were left potentially void of all the cell machineries whereas uninfected cells represent healthy normal and dividing cells. The infected treated cells with extracts showed restoration of the dense cytoplasm, cytoplasmic membrane, and the nucleus. These cells were also associated with the expression of ORF genes. This study demonstrates the antiviral properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) calyces and Zanthoxylum armatum (ZA) and thus indicates their potential as natural remedies to treat noroviruses.