title: Effective inhibition of MERS-CoV infection by resveratrol.
abstract: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging viral pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality. Up to date, there is no approved or licensed vaccine or antiviral medicines can be used to treat MERS-CoV-infected patients. Here, we analyzed the antiviral activities of resveratrol, a natural compound found in grape seeds and skin and in red wine, against MERS-CoV infection.
  
  
  
  We performed MTT and neutral red uptake assays to assess the survival rates of MERS-infected Vero E6 cells. In addition, quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescent assays determined the intracellular viral RNA and protein expression. For viral productivity, we utilized plaque assays to confirm the antiviral properties of resveratrol against MERS-CoV.
  
  
  
  Resveratrol significantly inhibited MERS-CoV infection and prolonged cellular survival after virus infection. We also found that the expression of nucleocapsid (N) protein essential for MERS-CoV replication was decreased after resveratrol treatment. Furthermore, resveratrol down-regulated the apoptosis induced by MERS-CoV in vitro. By consecutive administration of resveratrol, we were able to reduce the concentration of resveratrol while achieving inhibitory effectiveness against MERS-CoV.
  
  
  
  In this study, we first demonstrated that resveratrol is a potent anti-MERS agent in vitro. We perceive that resveratrol can be a potential antiviral agent against MERS-CoV infection in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Chao
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Chi-Tang
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Tajen University, Pingtung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Ho
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Chuo
authors.affiliation: Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for the Characteristic Resources Exploitation of Dabie Mountains, Hubei Key Laboratory of Economic Forest Germplasm Improvement and Resources Comprehensive Utilization, Huanggang Normal University, Hubei, China.
authors.forename: Shiming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Center for Infectious Diseases, Discovery Biology, SRI International, Harrisonburg, VA, 22802, USA. tony.wang@sri.com.
authors.forename: Tony T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Ph.D. Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan. lincc@dragon.nchu.edu.tw.|Department of Health and Nutrition, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan. lincc@dragon.nchu.edu.tw.|Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. lincc@dragon.nchu.edu.tw.|Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, 145 Xinda Rd., Taichung, 40227, Taiwan. lincc@dragon.nchu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Chi-Chen
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D065207:Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D011485:Protein Binding; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014709:Vero Cells; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D013267:Stilbenes; D014764:Viral Proteins; D000077185:Resveratrol
keywords: Inhibition; MERS-CoV; MERS-CoV virus infection; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Virus; Resveratrol