Diallyl Trisulfide Protects Against H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus Infection

Abstract BackgroundDiallyl trisulfide is a component of garlic. It has been shown to have anti-fungus, anti-cancer, and anti-virus activities. We hypothesized that diallyl trisulfide can enhance host defense mechanisms against the infection by influenza virus A subtype H9N2, which is the most prevalent subtype of influenza viruses in poultry in many countries in Asia.MethodsIn this study, the effects of diallyl trisulfide on influenza virus will be investigated in vivo and in vitro respectively. The expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, RIG-I, IRF-3, IFN-β, and H9N2 avian influenza virus M gene were detected using Quantitative real-time RT-PCR.ResultsIn vitro, we found that treatment of A549 cells before or after H9N2 virus infection resulted in reduced viral loads, increased expression of antiviral genes (RIG-I, IRF-3 and interferon-β), and decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). These effects were also observed in H9N2 virus infected mice. ConclusionsThese results suggest that diallyl trisulfide inhibits H9N2 virus replication and down regulate the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Also this research indicates that diallyl trisulfide might be a kind of effective drug against influenza virus infection.