Avocado (Persea americana) fruit extract (2R,4R)-1,2,4-trihydroxyheptadec-16-yne inhibits dengue virus replication via upregulation of NF-κB-dependent induction of antiviral interferon responses

Sci Rep. 2019 Jan 23;9(1):423. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-36714-4.

Abstract

Dengue virus (DENV) caused millions of infections around the world annually. Co-infection with different serotypes of DENV is associated with dengue hemorrhagic shock syndrome, leading to an estimate of 50% death rate. No approved therapies are currently available for the treatment of DENV infection. Hence, novel anti-DENV agents are urgently needed for medical therapy. Here we demonstrated that a natural product (2 R,4 R)-1,2,4-trihydroxyheptadec-16-yne (THHY), extracted from avocado (Persea americana) fruit, can inhibit DENV-2 replication in a concentration-dependent manner and efficiently suppresses replication of all DENV serotypes (1-4). We further reveal that the NF-κB-mediated interferon antiviral response contributes to the inhibitory effect of THHY on DENV replication. Using a DENV-infected ICR suckling mouse model, we found that THHY treatment caused an increased survival rate among mice infected with DENV. Collectively, these findings support THHY as a potential agent to control DENV infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents* / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dengue Virus / physiology*
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Interferons / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Persea / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts* / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts* / pharmacology
  • Virus Replication / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Interferons