Prophylactic Efficacy of Quercetin 3-β-O-d-Glucoside against Ebola Virus Infection.
Ebola outbreaks occur on a frequent basis, with the 2014-2015 outbreak in West Africa being the largest one ever recorded. This outbreak has resulted in over 11,000 deaths in four African countries and has received international attention and intervention. Although there are currently no approved therapies or vaccines, many promising candidates are undergoing clinical trials, and several have had success in promoting recovery from Ebola. However, these prophylactics and therapeutics have been designed and tested only against the same species of Ebola virus as the one causing the current outbreak. Future outbreaks involving other species would require reformulation and possibly redevelopment. Therefore, a broad-spectrum alternative is highly desirable. We have found that a flavonoid derivative called quercetin 3-β-O-d-glucoside (Q3G) has the ability to protect mice from Ebola even when given as little as 30 min prior to infection. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that this compound targets the early steps of viral entry. Most promisingly, antiviral activity against two distinct species of Ebola virus was seen. This study serves as a proof of principle that Q3G has potential as a prophylactic against Ebola virus infection.
Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Xiangguo.Qiu@phac-aspc.gc.ca Michel.Chretien@ircm.qc.ca.
Xiangguo
X
Qiu
Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Andrea
A
Kroeker
Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Shihua
S
He
Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Robert
R
Kozak
Special Pathogens Program, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Jonathan
J
Audet
Functional Endoproteolysis Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Majambu
M
Mbikay
Functional Endoproteolysis Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Xiangguo.Qiu@phac-aspc.gc.ca Michel.Chretien@ircm.qc.ca.
Michel
M
Chrétien
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D005260:Female; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011794:Quercetin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016865:Reassortant Viruses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D016019:Survival Analysis; D036401:Toxicity Tests, Chronic; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014709:Vero Cells; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; C016527:isoquercitrin; D011794:Quercetin