Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Activity ofAndrographis paniculataExtract and Its Major Component Andrographolide in Human Lung Epithelial Cells and Cytotoxicity Evaluation in Major Organ Cell Representatives

• Main Authors: Khanit Sa-Ngiamsuntorn, Ampa Suksatu, Yongyut Pewkliang, Piyanoot Thongsri, Phongthon Kanjanasirirat, Suwimon Manopwisedjaroen, Sitthivut Charoensutthivarakul, Patompon Wongtrakoongate, Supaporn Pitiporn, Jarinya Chaopreecha, Supasek Kongsomros, Kedchin Jearawuttanakul, Warawuth Wannalo, Phisit Khemawoot, Somchai Chutipongtanate, Suparerk Borwornpinyo, Arunee Thitithanyanont, Suradej Hongeng
• Other Authors: Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
• Format: Review
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Medicine; Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
• Online Access: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/76205
• Institution: Mahidol University

The coronaviruses disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has become a major health problem, affecting more than 50 million people with over one million deaths globally. Effective antivirals are still lacking. Here, we optimized a high-content imaging platform and the plaque assay for viral output study using the legitimate model of human lung epithelial cells, Calu-3, to determine the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity ofAndrographis paniculataextract and its major component, andrographolide. SARS-CoV-2 at 25TCID50was able to reach the maximal infectivity of 95% in Calu-3 cells. Postinfection treatment ofA. paniculataand andrographolide in SARS-CoV-2-infected Calu-3 cells significantly inhibited the production of infectious virions with an IC50of 0.036 μg/mL and 0.034 μM, respectively, as determined by the plaque assay. The cytotoxicity profile developed over the cell line representatives of major organs, including liver (HepG2 and imHC), kidney (HK-2), intestine (Caco-2), lung (Calu-3), and brain (SH-SY5Y), showed a CC50of >100 μg/mL forA. paniculataextract and 13.2-81.5 μM for andrographolide, respectively, corresponding to a selectivity index of over 380. In conclusion, this study provided experimental evidence in favor ofA. paniculataand andrographolide for further development as a monotherapy or in combination with other effective drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection.