Novel Therapeutic Nutrients Molecules That Protect against Zika Virus Infection with a Special Note on Palmitoleate

Authors

Philma Glora Muthuraj, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Chandan Krishnamoorthy, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Ann Anderson-Berry, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Corrine K. Hanson, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Sathish Kumar Natarajan, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

12-27-2022

Citation

Muthuraj, P.G.; Krishnamoorthy, C.; Anderson-Berry, A.; Hanson, C.; Natarajan, S.K. Novel Therapeutic Nutrients Molecules That Protect against Zika Virus Infection with a Special Note on Palmitoleate. Nutrients 2023, 15, 124. https://doi.org/10.3390/ nu15010124

Comments

Open access.

Abstract

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a Flavivirus from the Flaviviridae family and a positive-sense single strand RNA virus. ZIKV infection can cause a mild infection to the mother but can be vertically transmitted to the developing fetus, causing congenital anomalies. The prevalence of ZIKV infections was relatively insignificant with sporadic outbreaks in the Asian and African continents until 2006. However, recent epidemic in the Caribbean showed significant increased incidence of Congenital Zika Syndrome. ZIKV infection results in placental pathology which plays a crucial role in disease transmission from mother to fetus. Currently, there is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccine or therapeutic drug against ZIKV. This review article summarizes the recent advances on ZIKV transmission and diagnosis and reviews nutraceuticals which can protect against the ZIKV infection. Further, we have reviewed recent advances related to the novel therapeutic nutrient molecules that have been shown to possess activity against Zika virus infected cells. We also review the mechanism of ZIKV-induced endoplasmic reticulum and apoptosis and the protective role of palmitoleate (nutrient molecule) against ZIKV-induced ER stress and apoptosis in the placental trophoblasts.