Here, we reported that bergamottin, a furanocoumarin originally found in bergamot, exhibited inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo.
Bergamottin interfered with multiple stages of virus life cycles, specifically blocking the SARS-CoV-2 spike-mediated membrane fusion and effectively reducing viral RNA synthesis. Oral delivery of bergamottin to golden Syrian hamsters at dosages of both 50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg reduced the SARS-CoV-2 load in nasal turbinates and lung tissues. Pathological damage caused by viral infection was also ameliorated after bergamottin treatment.
Highlights:
Bergamottin inhibits the infection of wild type SARS-CoV-2, Alpha (B.1.1.7), and Beta (B.1.351).
Bergamottin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection on both entry and replication steps.
Oral administration of bergamottin reduces the SARS-CoV-2 load in nasal turbinates and lung tissues in golden Syrian hamsters.
