Botanical inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 viral entry: a phylogenetic perspective

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Caitlin J Risener, Emory University; Sunmin Woo, Emory University; Tharanga Samarakoon, Emory University; Marco Caputo, Emory University; Emily Edwards, Emory University; Kier Klepzig, Jones Ctr Ichauway; Wendy Applequist, Missouri Botanical Gardens; Keivan Zandi, Emory University; Shu Ling Goh, Emory University; Jessica A Downs-Bowen, Emory University; Raymond Schinazi, Emory University; Cassandra Quave, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-01-23
• Publisher: NATURE PORTFOLIO
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2023
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28303-x
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 1244
• End Page: 1244
• Keywords: ACE2; ARBERESHE; ALBANIANS; Science & Technology; Science & Technology - Other Topics; PROTEIN; TREE; DRUGS; Multidisciplinary Sciences
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Pharmacology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Throughout the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the use of botanical dietary supplements in the United States has increased, yet their safety and efficacy against COVID-19 remains underexplored. The Quave Natural Product Library is a phylogenetically diverse collection of botanical and fungal natural product extracts including popular supplement ingredients. Evaluation of 1867 extracts and 18 compounds for virus spike protein binding to host cell ACE2 receptors in a SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped virus system identified 310 extracts derived from 188 species across 76 families (3 fungi, 73 plants) that exhibited ≥ 50% viral entry inhibition activity at 20 µg/mL. Extracts exhibiting mammalian cytotoxicity > 15% and those containing cardiotoxic cardiac glycosides were eliminated. Three extracts were selected for further testing against four pseudotyped variants and infectious SARS-CoV-2 and were then further chemically characterized, revealing the potent (EC50 < 5 µg/mL) antiviral activity of Solidago altissima L. (Asteraceae) flowers and Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn (Dennstaedtiaceae) rhizomes.