Chemical composition of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) water extract and its inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 interation, ACE2 activity and free radical scavenging capacities

Authors: YAO, YUANHANG - University Of Maryland; CHOE, UYORY - University Of Maryland; LI, YANFANG - University Of Maryland; LIU, ZHIHAO - University Of Maryland; ZENG, MELODY - University Of Maryland; Wang, Thomas; Sun, Jianghao; Wu, Xianli; Pehrsson, Pamela; He, Xiaohua; ZHANG, YAGIONG - Shanghai Jiaotong University; GAO, BOYAN - Shanghai Jiaotong University; Chen, Pei; SLAVIN, MARGARET - University Of Maryland; LUCY YU, LIANGLI - University Of Maryland

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2023
Publication Date: 11/21/2023
Citation: Yao, Y., Choe, U., Li, Y., Liu, Z., Zeng, M., Wang, T.T., Sun, J., Wu, X., Pehrsson, P.R., He, X., Zhang, Y., Gao, B., Chen, P., Slavin, M., Lucy Yu, L. 2023. Chemical composition of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) water extract and its inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 interation, ACE2 activity and free radical scavenging capacities. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 71(48):18735-18745. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02301.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02301

Interpretive Summary: Herbs, such as rosemary, has historical been used for medicinal reason. This study evaluated the chemical composition of rosemary water extract (RWE) and its influence on certain mechanisms by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus gains entry into cells, as a potential route for reducing the risk of COVID-19 disease. Compounds in RWE were identified using UHPLC paired with high-resolution full MS scans and fragment ion mass spectra (MS2) evaluation. The inhibitory effect of RWE was then evaluated on binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S-protein) and ACE2, and separately on ACE2 activity. Additionally, the total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging capacities were assessed. Twenty-one compounds were tentatively identified in RWE, of which tuberonic acid hexoside was identified for the first time in rosemary. RWE dose dependently suppressed the interaction between S-protein and ACE2, and inhibited ACE2 activity. The results provide a mechanistic basis by which rosemary may reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and development of COVID-19. This study provide mechanistic and composition information for scientist involve in herbal medicine study.

Technical Abstract: This study evaluated the chemical composition of rosemary water extract (RWE) and its influence on certain mechanisms by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus gains entry into cells, as a potential route for reducing the risk of COVID-19 disease. Compounds in RWE were identified using UHPLC paired with high-resolution full MS scans and fragment ion mass spectra (MS2) evaluation. The inhibitory effect of RWE was then evaluated on binding between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S-protein) and ACE2, and separately on ACE2 activity. Additionally, the total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging capacities against HO', ABTS'+, and DPPH' of RWE were assessed (in the HOSC, ABTS and RDSC assays, respectively). Twenty-one compounds were tentatively identified in RWE, of which tuberonic acid hexoside was identified for the first time in rosemary. RWE dose dependently suppressed the interaction between S-protein and ACE2, and inhibited ACE2 activity. RWE had a TPC value of 72.46 mg GAE/g, along with HOSC, ABTS, and RDSC values of 1641.09, 281.10, and 184.09 µmol TE/g, respectively. The results provide a mechanistic basis by which rosemary may reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and development of COVID-19.