1. Academic Validation
  2. Hesperetin from Root Extract of Clerodendrum petasites S. Moore Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Subunit-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome in A549 Lung Cells via Modulation of the Akt/MAPK/AP-1 Pathway

Hesperetin from Root Extract of Clerodendrum petasites S. Moore Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein S1 Subunit-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome in A549 Lung Cells via Modulation of the Akt/MAPK/AP-1 Pathway

  • Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Sep 7;23(18):10346. doi: 10.3390/ijms231810346.
Punnida Arjsri 1 2 Kamonwan Srisawad 1 3 Sariya Mapoung 1 2 Warathit Semmarath 1 2 4 Pilaiporn Thippraphan 1 Sonthaya Umsumarng 2 5 Supachai Yodkeeree 1 2 3 Pornngarm Dejkriengkraikul 1 2 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
  • 2 Center for Research and Development of Natural Products for Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
  • 3 Anticarcinogenesis and Apoptosis Research Cluster, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
  • 4 Akkraratchkumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
  • 5 Division of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
Abstract

Inhibition of inflammatory responses from the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 (Spike) by targeting NLRP3 inflammasome has recently been developed as an alternative form of supportive therapy besides the traditional anti-viral approaches. Clerodendrum petasites S. Moore (C. petasites) is a Thai traditional medicinal plant possessing antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, C. petasites ethanolic root extract (CpEE) underwent solvent-partitioned extraction to obtain the ethyl acetate fraction of C. petasites (CpEA). Subsequently, C. petasites extracts were determined for the flavonoid contents and anti-inflammatory properties against spike induction in the A549 lung cells. According to the HPLC results, CpEA significantly contained higher amounts of hesperidin and hesperetin Flavonoids than CpEE (p < 0.05). A549 cells were then pre-treated with either C. petasites extracts or its active Flavonoids and were primed with 100 ng/mL of spike S1 subunit (Spike S1) and determined for the anti-inflammatory properties. The results indicate that CpEA (compared with CpEE) and hesperetin (compared with hesperidin) exhibited greater anti-inflammatory properties upon Spike S1 induction through a significant reduction in IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 cytokine releases in A549 cells culture supernatant (p < 0.05). Additionally, CpEA and hesperetin significantly inhibited the Spike S1-induced inflammatory gene expressions (NLRP3, IL-1β, and IL-18, p < 0.05). Mechanistically, CpEA and hesperetin attenuated inflammasome machinery protein expressions (NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1), as well as inactivated the Akt/MAPK/AP-1 pathway. Overall, our findings could provide scientific-based evidence to support the use of C. petasites and hesperetin in the development of supportive therapies for the prevention of COVID-19-related chronic inflammation.

Keywords

COVID-19; Clerodendrum petasites; NLRP3 inflammasome; anti-inflammation; chronic inflammation; hesperetin; spike glycoprotein S1.

Figures
Products