In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Germacrone Against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus

Curr Microbiol. 2016 Sep;73(3):317-323. doi: 10.1007/s00284-016-1042-8. Epub 2016 May 13.

Abstract

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most serious diseases affecting the swine industry worldwide; however, there is no efficient control strategies against PRRSV at present. Therefore, development of new antiviral treatment strategies is urgently needed. As reported, germacrone can efficiently impair influenza virus replication. In this study, we exploited whether germacrone has the potential to inhibit PRRSV infection. Our results showed that the germacrone significantly inhibited replication of PRRSV in vitro and repressed the synthesis of viral RNA and protein. However, it did not block PRRSV binding and entry. Further studies confirmed that germacrone impaired PRRSV replication at an early stage, and inhibited infection of both classic and highly pathogenic type II PRRSV strains. Collectively, our findings imply that the germacrone has the potential to be used as an anti-PRRSV drug.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome / virology*
  • Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus / drug effects*
  • Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus / physiology
  • Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane / pharmacology*
  • Swine
  • Virus Internalization / drug effects
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Sesquiterpenes, Germacrane
  • germacrone