Antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity of novel belladonna formulation against Japanese encephalitis virus via inhibition of p65 nuclear translocation and TNF-α mediated NF-kB signaling

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus infection, a major cause of viral encephalitis in South-East Asia with a CFR of similar to 30% and no specific treatment. Therefore, a novel belladonna formulation (BCT) was prepared and its antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity was elucidated during Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection. Anti-JEV role of BCT was investigated aiming to prevent the infection in the peripheral immune cells. Antiviral activity of BCT was evaluated by plaque reduction assay, cell survival and apoptosis assay. BCT-mediated reduction in JEV-envelope expression was measured by indirect immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and Western blot assays. NF-kappa B expression and p65 nuclear translocation assays were determined to explore the mechanism of the action of BCT. TNF-alpha level was measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory role of BCT during JEV infection. Consequently, molecular docking was performed with the TRAF2-TRADD complex. Our data suggested that BCT treatment reduces the JEV-plaque formation, JEV-induced cytopathic effects and increases cell survival. The antiviral effect of BCT was confirmed by reduction in the JEV-envelope protein expression. Moreover, BCT treatment and prevents the NF-kappa B activation via preventing the nuclear translocation of p65 and reduces the TNF-alpha levels. Our molecular docking analysis suggested that belladonna alkaloids interfere with the TRAF2-TRADD complex that results in inhibition of TNF-induced NF-kappa B signaling. For the first time, our data suggested that BCT reduces JEV expression and interferes with TNF-induced NF-kappa B signaling, thereby increasing cell survival via preventing the p65 nuclear translocation and may be used for the treatment and prevention of JE.