Anthraquinone rich cassia fistula pod extract induces IFIT1, antiviral protein

Abstract

Cassia fistula L., an Indian Laburnum has therapeutics significance in human healthcare since ancient days. Its pod is known to rich sources of anthraquinones. Anthraquinone compounds have antiviral as well as immune modulatory properties. Human IFIT1 protein (Interferon induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1) is a crucial component of innate immunity. The expression of IFIT1 protein normally remains silent but strongly induced after interferon’s (IFNs) treatment or viral infections. IFIT1 protein indeed has broad spectrum of antiviral activity by blocking different stages of viral replication, translation and assembly of new viral proteins. Modulation of IFIT1 protein expression may be useful in the treatment of viral diseases. The aim of present study is to identify Cassia fistula pod rich with anthraquinones extract (CF) to induce IFIT1 antiviral protein. Therefore, CF is extracted by soxhlet extraction process. HT1080 cells were used to study the expression of IFIT1 with CF extract. The IFIT1 protein induction in cells was assessed by Western blot and RT-PCR. The results showed that, CF extract significantly induced IFIT1 antiviral protein expression suggesting anthraquinones as potential agonistic compounds for inducing innate immune system to treat viral infections.