Ginsenoside Rb2 demonstrates potent antiviral activity against Zika virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can result in severe neurological complications, yet no approved antiviral treatments are currently available. Ginseng, a medicinal herb extensively utilized in Asian traditional medicine, has demonstrated efficacy against various diseases, which has sparked interest in exploring its potential antiviral properties for the treatment of ZIKV. METHODS: We evaluated the antiviral effects of ginsenoside Rb2 (G-Rb2) in human neuronal cell lines (SK-N-SH and CCF-STTG) and in a lethal ZIKV-infected mouse model. The antiviral efficacy was assessed using bioluminescence imaging with a NanoLuc luciferase reporter ZIKV. In vitro assays were conducted to determine the direct impact of G-Rb2 on ZIKV, while surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was employed to analyze its interaction with ZIKV envelope proteins and viral particles. RESULTS: G-Rb2 (200 μM) significantly inhibited ZIKV infection in vitro and protected mice from ZIKV-induced mortality. Bioluminescence imaging validated its antiviral efficacy. In vitro studies demonstrated that incubation with G-Rb2 reduced viral infectivity, and SPR analysis confirmed direct binding between G-Rb2 and ZIKV components. CONCLUSION: G-Rb2 effectively inhibits ZIKV infection both in vitro and in vivo, presumably through direct interaction with viral particles. Given the accessibility of ginseng and its established processing methods, G-Rb2 emerges as a promising candidate for the treatment of ZIKV in humans. Further research is warranted to elucidate its mechanisms of action and evaluate its clinical potential.