Treatment using phytochemicals for Oropouche virus infection

Treatment for Oropouche virus infection

抄録

Oropouche virus (OROV) is an emerging arthropod-borne orthobunyavirus responsible for recurrent outbreaks in Central and South America. The virus has attracted increasing attention because of its expanding geographic distribution and potential neurological and congenital complications. Currently, no approved antiviral drugs or licensed vaccines are available. Several experimental antiviral agents, including favipiravir, ribavirin, remdesivir, molnupiravir, and 4′-fluorouridine, have demonstrated activity against OROV by targeting viral RNA replication. In addition, phytochemicals such as curcumin, berberine, baicalin, naringin, cynaroside, quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and eugenol have shown potential anti-OROV effects in in silico and in vitro studies through interactions with key viral targets, including the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, glycoprotein Gc, and nucleoprotein. Many of these phytochemicals are present in Kampo medicines (KMs), traditional Japanese herbal formulations. Kampo formulations such as Senkyu-chacho-san (SCS), Keigai-rengyo-to (KRT), and Nyoshin-san (NS) contain herbal ingredients rich in compounds with reported anti-OROV potential. Among them, KRT contains multiple candidate antiviral phytochemicals, including berberine, quercetin, baicalin, naringin, and cynaroside, suggesting possible synergistic effects. In addition to their antiviral properties, several phytochemicals exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities that may help alleviate OROV-associated pathology. Although current evidence remains largely preclinical, these findings indicate that KMs may represent promising complementary therapeutic approaches for OROV infection. Further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies are required to establish their safety, efficacy, and potential use alone or in combination with conventional antiviral agents.