title: An extract from the earthworm Eisenia fetida non-specifically inhibits the activity of influenza and adenoviruses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the in vitro antiviral activity of a crude tissue extract (CTE) from the earthworm Eisenia fetida, determine any effective components in the CTE, and elucidate possible mechanisms of action.
  
  
  METHODS
  A CTE was made by homogenizing earthworms, followed by treatment with ammonium sulfate, then thermal denaturation. Inhibition of virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) was used to assess antiviral activity. Chromatographic analysis was used to identify effective components in the CTE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CTE inhibited viral CPE at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Chromatography indicated that antiviral components corresponded to three active peaks indicative of proteases, nucleases and lysozymes. For adenoviruses, reduction in viral activity occurred for 100 microg/mL CTE. The reduction in adenoviral activity for four fractions was 100%, 91.8%, 86.9%, and 94.7%. For influenza viruses, reduction in viral activity of 100%, 86.6%, 69.1% and 88.3% was observed for 37 microg/mL CTE. In addition, three active fractions mixture had stronger antiviral activity (98.7% and 96.7%) than three fractions alone. Gel electrophoresis results indicated that nucleases from E. fetida could degrade the genome of influenza viruses and adenoviruses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The earthworm CTE displayed non-specific antiviral properties, possibly mediated by a combination of proteases, nucleases and lysozymes. Nucleases likely participate in the antiviral process, and degrade the genome of the virus thereby preventing further replication.
authors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, China.
authors: Zhizhen
authors: Z
authors: Liu
authors: Jianhua
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Jianlin
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Baofeng
authors: B
authors: Yu
authors: Bo
authors: B
authors: Niu
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000737:chemistry*; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents