A potential host and virus targeting tool against COVID-19: Chemical characterization, antiviral, cytoprotective, antioxidant, respiratory smooth muscle relaxant effects of Paulownia tomentosa Steud

Highlights

• The study conducted on Paulownia tomentosa Steud (PTS) extract confirms its relevant properties.

• PTS extract showed antiviral and virucidal activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.

• Antioxidant properties and respiratory smooth muscle relaxant effects of PTS extract were proved.

• PTS extract is able to act both as an antiviral and a cytoprotective agent in in vitro models.

• The data presented suggest the potential role of PTS in COVID-19 treatment.

Abstract

COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging infectious disease that spread across the world, caused by the novel coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Despite the advancements in science that led to the creation of the vaccine, there is still an urgent need for new antiviral drugs effective against SARS-CoV-2. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral effect of Paulownia tomentosa Steud extract against SARS-CoV-2 and to evaluate its antioxidant properties, including respiratory smooth muscle relaxant effects. Our results showed that P. tomentosa extract can inhibit viral replication by directly interacting with both the 3-chymotrypsin-like protease and spike protein. In addition, the phyto complex does not reduce lung epithelial cell viability and exerts a protective action in those cells damaged by tert-butyl hydroperoxide , a toxic agent able to alter cells’ functions via increased oxidative stress. These data suggest the potential role of P. tomentosa extract in COVID-19 treatment, since this extract is able to act both as an antiviral and a cytoprotective agent in vitro.