Comparison of in vitro antiviral activity of tea polyphenols against influenza A and B viruses and structure–activity relationship analysis

Influenza poses a particular risk of severe outcomes in the elderly, the very young and those with underlying diseases. Tea polyphenols are the natural phenolic compounds in teas, and principally consist of catechins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols, and theaflavins, which antiviral activities have been reported recently. This study is to gain a further insight into potential of various tea polyphenols for inhibiting influenza virus infection. Five tea polyphenols exhibited inhibitory activity against influenza A virus in the trend of theaflavin>procyanidin B-2>procyanidin B-2 digallate>(−)-epigallocatechin(EGC)>(−)-epigallocatechingallate(EGCG) with IC50 values in the range of 16.2–56.5μg/ml. Six of the tested compounds showed anti-influenza B virus activity in the order of kaempferol>EGCG>procyanidin B-2>(−)-EGC~methylated EGC>theaflavin with IC50 values in the range of 9.0–49.7μg/ml. Based on these results, the structure–activity relationship (SAR) was explained as follows. First, the dimeric molecules, such as theaflavin and procyanidin B-2, generally displayed more potent antiviral activity against both influenza A and B viruses than the catechin monomers. Second, the kaempferol for inhibition of influenza B virus indicated that the more planar flavonol structure with only one C-4′ phenolic hydroxyl group in the B ring is necessary for the anti-influenza B virus activity. A similar SAR can be drawn from the assays of another enveloped RNA virus, such as respiratory syncytial virus. These results are expected to provide guides for rational design of antiviral drugs based on polyphenols. [Display omitted]