Structure-based virtual screening for the discovery of natural inhibitors for human rhinovirus coat protein

J Med Chem. 2008 Feb 28;51(4):842-51. doi: 10.1021/jm701494b. Epub 2008 Feb 5.

Abstract

Inhibitors of the human rhinovirus (HRV) coat protein are promising candidates to treat and prevent a number of upper respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to find antiviral compounds from nature, focusing on the HRV coat protein. Through computational structure-based screening of an in-house 3D database containing 9676 individual plant metabolites from ancient herbal medicines, combined with knowledge from traditional use, we selected sesquiterpene coumarins from the gum resin asafetida as promising natural products. Chromatographic separation steps resulted in the isolation of microlobidene (1), farnesiferol C (2), farnesiferol B (3), and kellerin (4). Determination of the inhibition of the HRV-induced cytopathic effect for serotypes 1A, 2, 14, and 16 revealed a dose-dependent and selective antirhinoviral activity against serotype 2 for asafetida (IC50 = 11.0 microg/mL) and its virtually predicted constituents 2 (IC50 = 2.5 microM) and 3 (IC50 = 2.6 microM). Modeling studies helped to rationalize the retrieved results.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Capsid Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cell Line
  • Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral
  • Ferula / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology
  • Rhinovirus / drug effects*
  • Rhinovirus / growth & development
  • Rhinovirus / metabolism
  • Sesquiterpenes / chemistry*
  • Sesquiterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Umbelliferones / chemistry*
  • Umbelliferones / isolation & purification
  • Umbelliferones / pharmacology
  • Viral Plaque Assay

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Capsid Proteins
  • Plant Preparations
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • Umbelliferones