New Influenza A (H1N1) Neuraminidase Inhibitory Curcuminoids

The emergence of drug-resistant influenza viruses and the threat of pandemics highlight the need for new and effective antiviral agents. As part of an ongoing anti-influenza screening program of natural products some curcuminoids were isolated from a methanol extract of Curcuma longa L. All compounds had strong inhibitory effects on the neuraminidases from two influenza viral strains H1N1 and H9N2. Furthermore they exhibited significant inhibitory activity against the neuraminidases from novel influenza H1N1 (WT) and oseltamivir-resistant novel H1N1 (H274Y mutant) expressed in 293T cells. In addition the detailed relationships of structure and activity by the compounds were investigated. These results suggest that the curcuminoids from C. longa may be potential supplemental molecules in the battle against influenza A (H1N1).