In Vitro Inhibition of Rotavirus multiplication by Copper Oxide Nanoparticles

Group A rotaviruses are the most important cause of gastroenteritis in children under five years of age worldwide. Rotavirus gastroenteritis can be associated with mild to severe diarrhea in children, and in some cases, it can lead to death due to severe dehydration. The annual death from rotavirus infection is approximately ۱۴۶,۴۸۰ worldwide, and most of these deaths occur in low-income countries in Africa and Asia. Since there are no specific effective drugs for the treatment of rotavirus infection, and only supportive care is available for infected patients, there is a need to develop new antiviral agents. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs), have various applications in magnetic, electrical industries, and biology. The antiviral effect of nanoparticles (CuONPs) is well documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiviral effects of CuONPs on rotavirus. The cytotoxic effects of CuONPs on MA-۱۰۴ cells were investigated by MTT assay. In addition, anti-rotavirus activity of CuONPs was evaluated by TCID۵۰ and Real-Time PCR assay. Our results showed that exposure of rotavirus-infected cells to different non-toxic concentrations of CuONPs did not lead to a decrease in the virus titer compared to the control. While, the virucidal effect of CuONPs on rotavirus was observed at concentrations of ۸۰ and ۱۰۰ μg/ml (P value < ۰.۰۰۱). Our study indicated that CuONPs are associated with significant antiviral activity against rotavirus multiplication. While the exact mechanism of the anti-rotavirus activity of CuONPs remained unknown. But according to the virucidal test, it seems that loss of capsid integrity and genome destruction in the presence of CuONPs are possible mechanisms of its anti-rotavirus effect.

Keywords:

rotavirus , Nanoparticle , CuONP , TCID۵۰