Inhibitory effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) combined with zinc sulfate and silver nanoparticles on avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1

M.J. Saadh, S.M. Aldalaen

Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan. msaadeh@meu.edu.jo

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: Even though antiviral drugs against H5N1 flu infection are accessible, they are still limited by antiviral drug resistance and unfavorable side effects. Thus, this work tested the action of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) co-administered with both zinc (II) ions and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: EGCG was used with both zinc sulfate (zinc II) and silver nanoparticles to test their antiviral activities against avian flu subtype H5N1 in embryonated SPF eggs. The MTS test was used to determine the cytotoxicity.

RESULTS: Zinc sulfate (1.5 mg/mL) and silver nanoparticles showed comparable potentiated antiviral action with EGCG (50 μM) against the H5N1 avian flu virus. They decreased the log titer infection by up to 5.7 and 5.6 fold separately with critical antiviral activity (p<0.01). In most cases, an illustrative relationship was seen when H5N1 was tested with EGCG and various concentrations of zinc sulfate. The EGCG-AgNPs with zinc sulfate were observed to have very strong antiviral activity (p<0.001) against the H5N1 avian influenza virus with a reduction in the log titer of the virus by up to 7.6 times. No cytotoxicity was recognized.

CONCLUSIONS: The potentiated antiviral activity of EGCG by co-administering it with zinc II and AgNPs indicates potential as a multi-activity novel topical therapeutic agent against H5N1 flue. This mix makes the adaptation of the virus difficult, which helps to reduce infection resistance.

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