1. Academic Validation
  2. Antiviral activity of diallyl trisulfide against H9N2 avian influenza virus infection in vitro and in vivo

Antiviral activity of diallyl trisulfide against H9N2 avian influenza virus infection in vitro and in vivo

  • Virol J. 2021 Aug 19;18(1):171. doi: 10.1186/s12985-021-01641-w.
Le Ming 1 Zhihui Li 1 Xiaofang Li 1 Ling Tang 1 Guimei He 2 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Laboratory of Wildlife Epidemic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, No. 3663, North Zhongshan Rd, Shanghai, China.
  • 2 Laboratory of Wildlife Epidemic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, No. 3663, North Zhongshan Rd, Shanghai, China. gmhe@bio.ecnu.edu.cn.
  • 3 Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), East China Normal University, Shanghai, China. gmhe@bio.ecnu.edu.cn.
Abstract

Background: Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is a garlic-derived organosulfur compound. As it has been shown to have anti-viral activity, we hypothesized that it may alleviate infections caused by H9N2 avian Influenza Virus (AIV), which is prevalent in poultry with pandemic potential.

Methods: Human lung A549 epithelial cells were treated with three different concentrations of DATS 24 h before (pre-treatment) or one hour after (post-treatment) H9N2 AIV Infection. Culture supernatants were collected 24 h and 48 h post-infection and analyzed for viral titers and levels of inflammatory and anti-viral immune responses. For in vivo experiments, BABL/c mice were administered daily by intraperitoneal injection with DATS (30 mg/kg) for 2 weeks starting 1 day after H9N2 AIV Infection. Clinical signs, lung pathology, and inflammatory and anti-viral immune responses were assessed 2, 4, and 6 days after Infection.

Results: Both pre-treatment and post-treatment of A549 cells with DATS resulted in reduced viral loads, increased expression of anti-viral genes (RIG-I, IRF-3, and interferon-β), and decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). These effects were also observed in H9N2 AIV-infected mice treated with DATS. Such treatment also reduced lung edema and inflammation in mice.

Conclusions: Results suggest that DATS has anti-viral activity against H9N2 AIV and may be used as an alternative treatment for Influenza Virus infection.

Keywords

Antiviral activity; Diallyl trisulfide; H9N2 AIV; Inflammation.

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