Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a new antiviral property of a drug that could have major implications for how future epidemics / pandemics – including Covid-19 – will be managed.
The study, published in Virus, shows that tapsigargine is a promising broad-spectrum antiviral, highly effective against the Covid-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2), a common cold coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the influenza A virus.
Given that acute respiratory infections caused by different viruses are clinically indistinguishable in presentation, a broad effective spectrum that can target different types of viruses at the same time can significantly improve clinical management. Such an antiviral could be made available for community use to control the active infection and its spread.
The study is a collaborative project led by Professor Kin-Chow Chang and experts from the University of Nottingham (Schools of Veterinary Medicine and Sciences, Biosciences, Pharmacy, Medicine and Chemistry) and colleagues from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), China Agricultural University and the Pirbright Institute.
In this groundbreaking study, the team of experts found that plant-derived antiviral, in small doses, triggers an innate antiviral immune response centered on the broad-spectrum host highly effective against three major types of human respiratory viruses – including Covid-19.
The main characteristics based on cell and animal studies, which make tapsigargine a promising antiviral, are:
- effective against viral infection when used before or during active infection
- able to prevent a virus from making new copies of itself in cells for at least 48 hours after a single 30-minute exposure.
- stable in acidic pH, as found in the stomach, and therefore can be taken orally and can be administered without the need for injections or hospitalization.
- it is not sensitive to virus resistance.
- at least several hundred times more effective than current antiviral options.
- as effective in blocking infection combined with coronavirus and influenza A virus as in single virus infection.
- safe as an antiviral (a derivative of tapsigargine has been tested in prostate cancer).
Professor Chang said: “While we are still in the early stages of research on this antiviral and its impact on how viruses like Covid-19 can be treated, these findings are extremely significant.
“The current pandemic highlights the need for effective antivirals to treat active infections, as well as vaccines, to prevent infection. Given that future pandemics are likely to be of animal origin, where the spread from animal to human (zoonotic) and reverse zoonotic (from human to animal), a new generation of antivirals, such as tapsigargine, may play a key role in control and treatment of important viral infections in humans and animals. “
In fact, influenza viruses, coronaviruses and RSV are global pathogens for humans and animals alike. Thapsigargin represents a leading compound in the development of a new generation of powerful host-centered antivirals (as opposed to conventional antiviral drugs that directly target viruses) that could even be adopted in a holistic “One Health” approach to controlling human viruses and animals.
Professor Chang adds: “While more testing is clearly needed, current findings strongly indicate that tapsigargine and its derivatives are promising antiviral treatments against COVID-19 and the flu virus, and have the potential to defend us against the next disease X pandemic. ”
Reference: February 2, 2021, Virus.