Evaluating the in Vitro Efficacy of Quassinoids from Eurycoma longifolia and Eurycoma harmandiana against Common Cold Human Coronavirus OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 Using In-Cell Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has become a pandemic and public health crisis. SARS-CoV-2 and the seasonal common cold coronavirus (HCoV-OC43) belong to the beta genus of human coronaviruses (HCoVs). In-cell ELISA assays were performed using HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 and evaluated the antiviral activity of herbal plants. Eurycoma longifolia (EL) and Eurycoma harmandiana (EH) roots (antipyretic properties) and their constituent quassinoids, especially chaparrinone and eurycomalactone, showed potent anti-HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 activities, and the low IC50 values of the mentioned constituents were observed in the range of 0.32-0.51 μM. Eurycomanone and 13β,21-dihydroeurycomanone may contribute to the antiviral activity of EL, whereas chaparrinone is the major and active antiviral constituent of EH root. The content of quassinoids, β-carboline, and canthin-6-one alkaloids and the cytotoxicity profile of EL and EH extracts were varied regarding extraction solvents. The boiled water and 50% EtOH extractions of both plants were less toxic than those with 95% EtOH as the extraction solvent. Our research suggests that quassinoids, which come from EL and EH roots and are anti-coronavirus compounds, are potential treatment candidates for COVID-19 and merit further in vivo investigations.

• Authors: Rattanathorn Choonong, Sasiporn Ruangdachsuwan, Theeraporn Churod, Somnuek Palabodeewat, Surat Punyahathaikul, Sanjira Juntarapornchai, Kunjimas Ketsuwan, Jukrapun Komaikul, Promsin Masrinoul, Tharita Kitisripanya, Thaweesak Juengwatanatrakul, Gorawit Yusakul, Tripetch Kanchanapoom, Waraporn Putalun
• Journal: Journal of natural products (J Nat Prod) Vol. 85 Issue 12 Pg. 2779-2788 (12 23 2022) ISSN: 1520-6025 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 36399766 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• chaparrinone
• Quassins
• Antiviral Agents

Topics

• Humans
• SARS-CoV-2
• Coronavirus OC43, Human
• Eurycoma
• COVID-19
• Common Cold
• Quassins
• Plants
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology)