Abstract
Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among young children worldwide. However, agents specifically designed to treat rotavirus infection have not been developed yet. In this study, the anti-rotavirus and anti-inflammatory effects of genipin, a chemical compound found in the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides, were evaluated. Genipin had an antiviral effect against the human rotavirus Wa and SA-11 strains in vitro, and it inhibited two distinct stages of the viral replication cycle: attachment and penetration (early stage) in pre-treatment and assembly and release (late stage) in post-treatment. Additionally, genipin downregulated nitric oxide synthase and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and rotavirus-infected Caco-2 cells. Oral administration of genipin before and after viral infection with the murine rotavirus epidemic diarrhea of infant mice strain led to a reduced duration of diarrhea and faecal viral shedding and to decreased destruction of the enteric epithelium. Genipin could have potential as a natural compound with preventive and therapeutic effects against infection and colitis caused by rotavirus.
Highlights
Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among young children worldwide
The widespread use of these two vaccines has had a significant impact on reducing morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization associated with rotavirus diarrhea globally[7]
An aglycone derived from geniposide, is a chemical compound found in the natural fruit of Gardenia jasminoides
Summary
Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis among young children worldwide. Agents designed to treat rotavirus infection have not been developed yet. The anti-rotavirus and anti-inflammatory effects of genipin, a chemical compound found in the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides, were evaluated. Genipin could have potential as a natural compound with preventive and therapeutic effects against infection and colitis caused by rotavirus. Rotavirus is a genus of viruses in the Reoviridae family, which are the leading cause of acute diarrhea among children aged < 5 years[1]. There is no effective specific treatment for rotavirus gastroenteritis. There are several natural and synthetic compounds that reduce rotavirus activity. Medicinal plants and natural molecules for preventing and treating rotavirus infections are currently limited. Genipin is known as a cross-linker for proteins, gelatin, and chitosan, and it has been reported to Scientific Reports | (2020) 10:15836
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