For All The Latest Medical News, Health News, Research News, COVID-19 News, Dengue News, Glaucoma News, Diabetes News, Herb News, Phytochemical News, Cardiology News, Epigenetic News, Cancer News, Doctor News, Hospital News

BREAKING NEWS
The Phytochemical Dieckol from Ecklonia Cava Exhibits Antiviral Properties Against the Zika Virus
Nikhil Prasad  Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 23, 2024  2 weeks, 5 days, 3 hours, 38 minutes ago
Medical News: A Natural Solution to a Global Health Threat
Zika virus (ZIKV) remains a pressing public health issue, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Known for causing severe complications like microcephaly in newborns and Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults, ZIKV continues to challenge researchers searching for effective treatments. In this context, marine natural products are drawing attention for their potential therapeutic benefits. A recent study has explored the antiviral properties of the brown seaweed Ecklonia cava and its primary bioactive compound, dieckol, against ZIKV. This Medical News report delves into the findings and implications of this groundbreaking research.


The Phytochemical Dieckol from Ecklonia Cava Exhibits Antiviral Properties Against the Zika Virus

Researchers and Institutions Behind the Study
The research was conducted by Eun-A Kim, Nalae Kang, Jun-Ho Heo, Areumi Park, Seong-Yeong Heo, Hyun-Soo Kim, and Soo-Jin Heo. They hail from the Jeju Bio Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), Gyeongsang National University, and the University of Science and Technology in South Korea. Their collaborative effort aimed to identify natural compounds that could serve as antiviral agents.
 
Exploring Ecklonia Cava’s Potential
The team focused on Ecklonia cava, a type of brown seaweed known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Previous research has highlighted its effectiveness against various viruses, but its potential against Zika virus had not been studied. The researchers prepared ethanol extracts of Ecklonia cava (ECE) and tested their effects on ZIKV-infected Vero E6 cells. The study revealed that ECE significantly reduced viral replication without causing cytotoxicity.
 
Key Findings from the Study
-Antiviral Activity of ECE
ECE exhibited strong antiviral effects against Zika virus, as demonstrated through plaque assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The researchers observed a dose-dependent reduction in ZIKV titers, with concentrations of ECE ranging from 6.25 to 50 μg/mL. At the highest concentration, ECE reduced viral titers by approximately 85%. Additionally, ZIKV RNA levels were significantly lowered in infected cells treated with ECE.
 
-Immune Modulation
The study also examined the impact of ECE on immune response markers. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats (IFITs) are crucial in the body’s defense against viral infections. In ZIKV-infected cells, TNF-α levels typically rise, leading to inflammation. However, treatment with ECE suppressed TNF-α expression. Similarly, ECE reduced IFIT levels, indicating its role in modulating the immune response and preventing excessive inflammation.
 
The Role of Dieckol
Diecko l, a major polyphenol in Ecklonia cava, was identified as the primary active compound responsible for the antiviral effects. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis confirmed dieckol’s dominance in the ECE composition. Subsequent tests showed that dieckol exhibited potent antiviral activity, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 4.8 μM. This compound directly disrupted Zika virus particles, reduced viral RNA levels, and suppressed the immune markers TNF-α and IFITs.
 
Molecular Docking Insights
To understand how dieckol interacts with ZIKV proteins, the researchers performed molecular docking studies. These simulations revealed that dieckol binds strongly to three critical ZIKV proteins: the envelope protein, NS2B/NS3 protease, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Binding energies were calculated as −438.09 kcal/mol, −1040.51 kcal/mol, and −1043.40 kcal/mol, respectively. These interactions suggest that dieckol inhibits viral replication and entry into host cells.
 
Broader Implications of the Study
The findings of this research are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they highlight the potential of marine-derived natural products as antiviral agents. Unlike synthetic drugs, natural compounds like dieckol offer the advantage of lower toxicity and fewer side effects. Secondly, this study provides a foundation for further research into Ecklonia cava-derived compounds for treating other viral infections.
 
Conclusions and Future Directions
The study underscores the antiviral potential of Ecklonia cava extracts and dieckol against Zika virus. ECE demonstrated significant reductions in viral titers and RNA levels, while dieckol showed strong binding to essential viral proteins. These findings pave the way for developing natural antiviral agents, particularly for diseases with limited treatment options.
 
Looking ahead, additional studies are necessary to validate these results in vivo and explore the clinical applications of ECE and dieckol. Animal model studies could provide deeper insights into their mechanisms and efficacy. Moreover, exploring other compounds in Ecklonia cava might unveil additional antiviral properties.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/24/13694
 
For the latest on the Zika Virus, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breakthrough-study-discovers-mechanism-by-which-zika-virus-infects-human-brain-cells
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-study-reveals-blocking-key-enzyme-can-inhibit-zika-virus-replication
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/taiwanese-study-shows-that-rhodiola-crenulate-extract-can-inhibit-zika-virus-and-japanese-encephalitis-virus
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-medical-news-zika-virus-can-be-used-to-treat-neuroblastoma-cancer-in-children
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/zika-virus-news-researchers-warn-zika-virus-is-mutating-rapidly-as-well

MOST READ

Nov 26, 2024  2 months ago
Nikhil Prasad
Nov 19, 2024  2 months ago
Nikhil Prasad
Nov 12, 2024  2 months ago
Nikhil Prasad
Nov 05, 2024  2 months ago
Nikhil Prasad
Nov 05, 2024  2 months ago
Nikhil Prasad
Jul 25, 2024  6 months ago
Nikhil Prasad
Jul 24, 2024  6 months ago
Nikhil Prasad
Jun 10, 2023  2 years ago
COVID-19 News - DNA Methylation - Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 Infections
Aug 04, 2022  2 years ago
Source: Medical News - SARS-CoV-2 & Cancer