A methanol extract and N,N-dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis Ruiz & Pav. inhibit Zika virus infection in vitro
T. Moraes, A. Ferraz, W. S. da Cruz Nizer, A. Tótola, Débora B S Soares, L. Duarte, S. Vieira-Filho, Cintia L B Magalhães, J. D. de Magalhães
Archives of Virology September 18, 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05230-8 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
A methanol extract and the compound dimethyltryptamine from the plant Psychotria viridis inhibited Zika virus infection in cultured cells. The extract killed the virus directly before it entered cells and also blocked the virus at later stages inside cells. Dimethyltryptamine alone also stopped the virus during intracellular stages. Other compounds in the extract likely contribute to its strong virucidal effect. This is the first report of anti-Zika activity from this plant source, suggesting both the extract and dimethyltryptamine are candidates for developing antiviral drugs against Zika virus.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | In vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Cultured cells |
| Intervention | Dimethyltryptamine |
| Keywords | Medicine Environmental science Biology |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key finding | Methanol extract and dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis inhibit Zika virus infection in vitro, with the extract showing virucidal activity and both samples blocking intracellular stages of the viral cycle. |
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a public health problem due to its association with serious fetal and neurological complications and the lack of antiviral agents and licensed vaccines against this virus. Surveillance studies have alerted about the potential occurrence of a new South American epidemic episode due to the recent circulation of an African ZIKV strain detected in Brazil. Therefore, it is essential to discover antiviral agents, including natural substances, that are capable of neutralizing the action of ZIKV. Several Psychotria species have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, a methanol extract and dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis were evaluated for their ability to inhibit ZIKV infection in vitro by measuring the effective concentration that protects 50% of cells and investigating their possible mechanisms of action. The tested samples showed antiviral activity against ZIKV. The extract showed virucidal activity, affecting viral and non-cellular elements, inactivating the virus before infection or when it becomes extracellular after the second cycle of infection. It was also observed that both extract and dimethyltryptamine could inhibit the virus at intracellular stages of the viral cycle. In addition to dimethyltryptamine, it is believed that other compounds also contribute to the promising virucidal effect observed for the methanol extract. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the activity of a methanolic extract and dimethyltryptamine from Psychotria viridis against cellular ZIKV infection. These two samples, extracted from natural sources, are potential candidates for use as antiviral drugs to inhibit ZIKV infections.