Additive effects of Greit120 and HuIFN-aN3 against Influenza Viruses in vitro

What is it about?

Influenza virus affects the respiratory tract in humans causing a range of distinct manifestations including fever, nasal secretions, cough, headaches, muscle pain and pneumonia, which could become violent and severe. It was found that influenza A viruses remain resistant to amantadine and rimantadin with high level of oseltamvir resistance. Therefore, there is a need for constant improvement of drugs active against resistant influenza viruses. Propolis has anti-influenza activity both in vitro and in vivo. Human leukocyte interferon (HuIFN-αN3) is a multi-subtype protein that displays an antiviral activity against influenza virus. In this study we elucidated the anti-influenza activity of the mixes of water-soluble propolis (WSP) (Greit 120) and HuIFN-αN3 at different ratios. Greit 120 polyphenols, total phenol acids and bioflavonoid were characterized by HPLC-UV-ESI-MS504971 and HuIFN-αN3 by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Influenza A and B viruses were separately added to the LLC-MK2 cells treated with WSP (Greit 120) and HuIFN-αN3 alone or in proportions 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1. Plates were incubated and cytopathic effect was determined. The best results (ID 50) were obtained with the mix of 10% WSP and HuIFN-αN3 in proportion 1:2, showing ID 50 at 12 ± 0.2 µg/mL and 19 ± 0.6 µg/mL for influenza A and B viruses, respectively. When comparing anti-influenza activity of WSP (Greit 120)/HuIFN-αN3 with that of ribavirin, it was found that 1:2 was the optimal ratio for WSP (Greit 120)/HuIFN-αN3 (0.5 and 0.6 for influenza A and B, respectively). This new formulation of WSP (Greit 120) and HuIFN-αN3, showing better anti-Influenza activity, will definitely improve its application in flu infections.

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Why is it important?

From the performed experimental study, the following conclusions may be drawn. The anti-influenza A and B activity of WSP (Greit 120) is ID50 31 ± 0.9 μg/mL for influenza A virus and ID50 29 ± 0.2 μg/mL for influenza B. It is bit lower, but comparable with ribavirin, having ID50 20 ± 0.2 μg/mL for influenza A and ID50 28 ± 0.4 μg/mL for influenza B. Combining WSP (Greit 120) with HuIFN-αN3 in ratio 1:2 caused the highest increase of anti-influenza A and B viruses’ activity in vitro. Anti-influenza activity of the combination of WSP (Greit 120) with HuIFN-αN3 is higher against influenza B than against influenza A virus.

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