Cissampelos pareira (Cipa) , also known as velvetleaf, can inhibit three Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes, affect various hormones, and treat reproductive disorders and fever. Recently, Indian researchers conducted a study to explore the anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of Cipa and published their findings on a preprint platform, bioRxiv. In this study, the signature similarities between Cipa and predicted antiviral agents using the connectivity map (CMAP) were analyzed, followed by in vitro evaluation of its anti- SARS-CoV-2 activity.
A three-way comparative analysis of Cipa transcriptome , COVID-19 bronchoalveolar Lavage fluid transcriptome, and CMAP signatures of small compounds was also performed. Key findings of the study: The hydroalcoholic whole plant extract showed 98% inhibition of viral replication in infected Vero cell cultures. Pure constituents of Cipa like pareirarine,…
