Cranberry Pomace Extract Exerts Antiviral Activity against Zika and Dengue Virus at Safe Doses for Adult Zebrafish

Viruses. 2022 May 20;14(5):1101. doi: 10.3390/v14051101.

Abstract

Mosquito-borne dengue virus (DENV) and zika virus (ZIKV) infections constitute a global health emergency. Antivirals directly targeting the virus infectious cycle are still needed to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever and congenital zika syndrome. In the present study, we demonstrated that Cranberry Pomace (CP) extract, a polyphenol-rich agrifood byproduct recovered following cranberry juice extraction, blocks DENV and ZIKV infection in human Huh7.5 and A549 cell lines, respectively, in non-cytotoxic concentrations. Our virological assays identified CP extract as a potential inhibitor of virus entry into the host-cell by acting directly on viral particles, thus preventing their attachment to the cell surface. At effective antiviral doses, CP extract proved safe and tolerable in a zebrafish model. In conclusion, polyphenol-rich agrifood byproducts such as berry extracts are a promising source of safe and naturally derived nutraceutical antivirals that target medically important pathogens.

Keywords: agri-food byproduct; antiviral activity; cranberry; dengue virus; phytocompound; zebrafish; zika virus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dengue Virus*
  • Fruit
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology
  • Vaccinium macrocarpon*
  • Zebrafish
  • Zika Virus Infection*
  • Zika Virus*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols

Grants and funding

This research was funded by POE FEDER 2014-20 of the Conseil Régional de La Réunion (PHYTODENGUE program, N° SYNERGIE: RE0028005) and Research Federation BioST, Université de La Réunion. J-G.H. received funding from PHYTODENGUE program. L.T. received funding from ERASMUS+ program.