In vitro anti-influenza virus activity of the pavine alkaloid (-)-thalimonine isolated from Thalictrum simplex L.
The pavine alkaloid (-)-thalimonine (Thl), isolated from the Mongolian plant Thalictrum simplex inhibited markedly the reproduction of influenza virus A/Germany/27, str. Weybridge (H7N7) and A/Germany/34, str. Rostock (H7N1) in cell cultures of chicken embryo fibroblasts. In a number of assays at a non-toxic concentration range of 0.1-6.4 microM the alkaloid inhibited viral reproduction in a selective and specific way (selectivity index = 640, 106.6, respectively). Expression of viral glycoproteins haemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and nucleoprotein (NP) on the surface of infected cells, virus-induced cytopathic effect, infectious virus yields, HA production and virus-specific protein synthesis were all reduced. The inhibition was dose-related and depended on virus inoculum. The time of addition experiments indicated that viral reproduction was markedly inhibited when Thl was added at 4-5 h of infection. No inactivating effect on extracellular virus was found.
Serkedjieva
Julia
J
Institute of Microbiology, Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria. jserkedjieval@microbio.bas.bg
Velcheva
Maria
M
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000821:virology; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D009698:Nucleoproteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D031949:Thalictrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
D000470:Alkaloids; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D019267:Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus; D009698:Nucleoproteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; C482652:3,4-methylenedeoxy-2,8,9-trimethoxypavinan; D009439:Neuraminidase