Influenza A virus (IAV) is a major respiratory pathogen that poses a significant medical threat. Cardamom ( Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) seeds are widely used as a spice and possess therapeutic properties. However, its efficacy against IAV remains unclear. Therefore, this study evaluated the antiviral activity of cardamom seed hot-water extract (CSWE). An infection model comprising Madin-Darby canine kidney cells and human lung adenocarcinoma cells infected with human IAV (A/Puerto Rico/38/8, H1N1 subtype) was used. The overall effect of CSWE on IAV infection was assessed using a plaque formation assay. To investigate the mechanism of action of CSWE, the effect of CSWE on viral M1 protein expression, hemagglutination, and clathrin-mediated endocytosis were evaluated. In addition, the effect of CSWE on type I interferon (IFN) responses induced by viral infection and poly(I:C) stimulation was also investigated. CSWE prevented plaque formation and significantly decreased viral matrix protein 1 expression of target cells caused by IAV infection in a dose-dependent manner. CSWE also inhibited hemagglutination and clathrin-dependent endocytosis. also enhanced type I IFN expression in IAV-infected cells. CSWE and 1,8-cineole, one of the main components of CSWE, enhanced type I IFN responses by in IAV-infected cells and poly(I:C) stimulated cells. CSWE shows promising potential as a functional agent that can prevent IAV infection by inhibiting adhesion and absorption processes and by inducing antiviral type I IFN responses.
Shuvo et al. (Fri,) studied this question.