Phenylpropenoids from Bupleurum fruticosum as Anti-Human Rhinovirus Species A Selective Capsid Binders

Fois, Benedetta;Bianco, Giulia;Sonar, Vijay P.;Distinto, Simona;Maccioni, Elias;Meleddu, Rita;Melis, Claudia;Marras, Luisa;Pompei, Raffaello;Floris, Costantino;Caboni, Pierluigi;Cottiglia, Filippo

2017-01-01

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Abstract

The dichloromethane extract of the leaves of Bupleurum fruticosum was found to inhibit the replication of human rhinovirus (HRV) serotypes 14 and 39. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of seven phenylpropenol derivatives (3-9), two polyacetylenes (1 and 2), and one monoterpene (10). Compounds 1 and 10 were identified as previously undescribed secondary metabolites after extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry. Compounds 2, 4, and 5 showed a selective inhibition of viral replication against HRV39 serotype, with 2 and 4 being the most active, with EC50values of 1.8 ± 0.02 and 2.4 ± 0.04 μM. Mechanism of action studies indicated that 4 behaves not only as a capsid binder, interfering with the early phases of virus replication, but also as a late-phase replication inhibitor. Docking experiments were performed to confirm the ability of the antiviral phenylpropenoids to selectively fit into the hydrophobic pocket of VP1-HRV39.