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. 2020 Jul 7;12(Suppl 1):8744. doi: 10.4081/idr.2020.8744

Inhibition of dengue virus serotype 2 in Vero cells with [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole) 2(H2O)2].Cl2

Teguh H Sucipto 1,✉, Fahimah Martak 2
PMCID: PMC7447923  PMID: 32874470

Abstract

Dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are transmitted to humans by the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, with an observed 30-fold increase in global incidence the last 50 years. Despite the tremendous efforts invested anti-dengue virus research, no clinically approved vaccine or antiviral chemotherapeutics are available for humans, and disease treatment is limited to supportive care. Over the years there has been a continuous interest in the chemistry of metal complexes with biological activity, including platinum complexes with antitumor activity and silver complexes with antimicrobial action. Aim of the project was to investigate [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1Himidazole) 2 (H2O)2].Cl2 as antiviral compound that was further tested for inhibitory effect on the replication of dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) in Vero cell. DENV-2 were infected in Vero cells and replication of virus was measured by Viral ToxGlo with selectivity index value (SI) and determined as the ratio of cytotoxic concentration 50 (CC50) to inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) for compound. The standard curve between concentration of compound (μg/mL) and %viability of cells was analyzed by logarithmic correlation regression with regression equation. For infection rates, t-test was used to examine the statistical significances among the concentrations of compound. P<0.05 was considered to be significant. The maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of [Cu(2,4,5- triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2 against DENV-2 was 98.62 μg/mL. The cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of compound against Vero cells was 300.36μg/mL. The SI values for [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2 1.86.Based on selectivity index values, [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2 can inhibit the growth of DENV- 2 and has low toxicity values for Vero cells.

Key words: DENV-2, Vero cells, [Cu(245- triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2, inhibition

Introduction

Dengue virus (DENV) is an arthropodborne disease that causes serious for human, distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical areas.1-3 Vaccines and effective antiviral of dengue virus treatments are still missing, the presence of four distinct serotypes of DENV have compounded the task of developing an effective Dengue treatment.4 However, vaccine candidates, such as Dengvaxia is currently under clinical trial, and tetravalent recombinant dengue vaccine was registered in Mexico, also licensed in Brazil, El Salvador and Philippines.5 An interesting alternative approach for DENV infection treatment, complex compound of cisplatin, has been therapeutically used since 1960s, and, in many instances, has proven to be effective.6-8

Copper(II) is a cofactor in the active site of the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is, in turn, also involved in the body antioxidant defense.9,10 The metal complexes with deprotonated imidazole as ligand holds promise as an approach to enhance the biological activity. Previous reports have described the use of cobalt(II)-morin and zinc(II)-morin based systems for anti- DENV type 2 applications. The value of activity inhibition of zinc(II)-morin was 2.00 μg/mL and cobalt(II)-morin was 3.08 μg/mL11,12.

This study has the purpose to evaluate the antiviral activity of synthetic complex compound [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole) 2(H2O)2].Cl2against DENV-2. A cellbased assay screening approach was followed to identify the strongest active compound.

Materials and Methods

Chemicals and Media

Chemical reagents used in this research were [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2 complex compound,13 Minimum Essential Eagle Medium (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany), dengue virus serotype 2 Surabaya isolate (KT012509), Vero cells (African Green Monkey Kidney ATCC® CCL-81), Viral ToxGloTM assay (Promega, USA), CellTiter96® AQuoeus One Solution Cell Proliferation Assay (Promega, USA), RNA extraction kit (Qiagen, Germany), and Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction Reagent (Toyobo, Japan).

Vero Cells Preparation

Vero cell lines (African green monkey kidney) was used in this study, maintained and propagated in Minimum Essential Eagle Medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum. Cultured Vero cell lines were incubated at 37 °C in 5% CO2. Confluent monolayer of Vero cells were detached with trypsin-EDTA and incubated at 37 °C for 5 minutes. Then, it was added Minimum Essential Eagle Medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, pipetting gently to break up any clumps of cells and counted using a Hemocytometer. Cells were added cells in 96-well plate with 1×106 cells/10 mL and incubated in 37 °C incubator with 5 CO2. Monitor cells daily or every other day, cells reach a >90 % confluent monolayer.14,15

Antiviral Activity Assay

Confluent monolayers of Vero cells were prepared on a 96-well plate (1 × 106 cells/10 mL) and counted using a hemocytometer, and the titer of DENV-2 (2 × 104 FFU/well) was expressed in Foci-Forming Units (FFU) after incubating at 37°C for 2 days. The concentrations of complex compound were 200 μg/mL; 100 μg/mL; 50 μg/mL; 25 μg/mL; 12.5 μg/mL; 6.25 μg/mL; 3.13 μg/mL; and 1.57 μg/mL with addition 100 μL Viral ToxGloTM Assay per well. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of DENV-2 replication by each compound was further investigated by using GloMax® Discover System.

Cytotoxicity Assay

A cytotoxicity assay was performed using CellTiter96® AQuoeus One Solution Cell Proliferation reagent. The CellTiter96® Assay is a modification of the MTT assay method portrayed by Mosman.16 The concentrations of [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl- 1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2 were 200 μg/mL; 100 μg/mL; 50 μg/mL; 25 μg/mL; and 12.5 μg/mL. The medium was allowed to equilibrate for 1 hour; then 20μL/well of CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Reagent was added. After 1 hour at 37°C in a humidified, 5% CO2 atmosphere, the absorbance at 490nm was recorded using GloMax® Discover System.

Viral Detection by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction

RNA replication was estimated using the Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). The purpose of this assay was to known RNA replication after treatment. Briefly, DENV-2 RNA was extracted from the DENV-2 infected cells by Qiagen RNA Extraction Kit, Germany. The two-step kit (Toyobo, Japan) was used for cDNA synthesis and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) following manufacturer’s instructions. Primer oligonucleotide sequences were as follows by Lanciotti et al.17 Amplification condition was 54 °C for one minute (annealing temperature) and the amplified product was the analyzed on 1.5% agarose gel.

Statistical Analysis

Logarithmic regression analysis to calculate the 50% toxic concentration in assays and T test was performed to determine the significance of the difference between sets of data using SPSS 21.0 version. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Anti-DENV2 Activity by [Cu(2,4,5- triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2

Dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) in Vero cells infected was treated with various concentration of [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1Himidazole) 2(H2O)2].Cl2 in infect to the Vero cells. The concentrations of compound were 200 μg/mL; 100 μg/mL; 50 μg/mL; 25 μg/mL; 12.5 μg/mL; 6.25 μg/mL; 3.13 μg/mL; and 1.57 μg/mL. Medium control and cell control without DENV-2. The data distribution of the luminescence from each concentration was normal, with p-value more than 0.05. The luminescence is a total energy response from cell mitochondrial in each concentration of compound. The Table 1 showed the average luminescence with its standard deviation (Stdev).

The luminescence was then further calculated as percentage viability of the virus upon treatment. The equation of the logarithmic regression curve showed the half inhibition concentration (IC50).

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Regression curve of the inhibited DENV-2 after treatment with [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl- 1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose of RT-PCR after treatment, molecular weight marker (100 bp), (a) negative control, (b) 200 μg/mL, (c) 100 μg/mL, (d) 50 μg/mL, (e) 25 μg/mL, (f ) 12.5 μg/mL, and (g)6.25 μg/mL

The viral inhibition was increased as the [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2 concentration was increased (Table 2 and Figure 1). DNA amplification result of DENV-2 was decreased as the complex compound increased (Figure 2). The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2 against DENV-2 was 98.62 μg/mL.

Cytotoxicity Effect of [Cu(2,4,5- triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2

The CC50 was analyzed by the polynomial regression equation showing cell viability (Figure 3). The 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) of [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl- 1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2 to Vero cells was 300.36μg/mL.Vero cells were treated with various concentrations 200 μg/mL; 100 μg/mL; 50 μg/mL; 25 μg/mL; and 12.5 μg/mL. Table 3 showed the cytotoxicity effect percentage. After the CC50 was divided by IC50, selectivity index of [Cu(2,4,5- triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2 in this study was 1.86.

The Vero cells also were observed in the microscopic images after treatment in each concentration of complex compound. In the present study, the apoptotic cell rates were determined for the Vero cells stimulated by the complex compound in different concentration for 24 h. The results showed that these complex compound stimulated apoptotic of Vero cells compared with control, for example in the 200 μg/mL concentration of complex compound induced probability apoptotic in 90% of the cells, seen in the Figure 4.

Discussion

Antiviral drug to DENV has been developing rapidly and profoundly in many countries. Complex compounds are a potential source for the development of new antiviral drugs. These compounds produce a variety constituent with the potential to inhibit viral replication and are of interested as possible sources to control viral infection. 18-20As a result, a substance that is going to be used for treatment needs to be effective and safe. Selectivity index is a ratio between the cytotoxic and the inhibitory capacity of a substance (CC50/IC50), to measure the effectiveness and safety of a product.21,22

The aim of this study is to find antiviral to DENV-2 using Vero cells line. Vero cells could be infected by DENV as well as hepatocyte cell because the characteristic of the cell is similar to hepatocyte in which basically the place of dengue virus to replicate itself.22

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

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Regression curve of the cytotoxicity of Vero cells after treatment with [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2

Table 1.

Luminescence of DENV-2 treatment with various concentration of [Cu(2,4,5- triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2 with p value <0.05

Treatment (μg/mL) Luminescence (x106) Stdev
200 1.01 0.198
100 1.68 0.595
50 2.00 0.814
25 3.55 1.443
12.5 3.62 3.596
6.25 3.77 0.323
3.13 3.84 1.865
1.57 4.26 0.560
Medium Control 9.44 4.460
Cell Control 3.63 0.002
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Table 2.

Inhibited DENV-2 treatment with [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2

Concentration of Complex Compound (μg/mL) Inhibition (%)
200 27.72
100 46.30
50 55.07
25 97.83
12.5 99.83
6.25 103.88
3.13 105.79
1.57 117.49
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Table 3.

The viability Vero cells after treatment with [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1Himidazole) 2(H2O)2].Cl2.

Concentration of Complex Compound (μg/mL) Cytotoxicity (%)
200 47.02
100 45.04
50 32.26
25 19.10
12.5 6.94
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Figure 4.

Figure 4.

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Vero cells conditions after treatment under microscope (40x). (a) normal Vero cells (control); (b) concentration 12.5 μg/mL; (c) concentration 25 μg/mL; (d) concentration 50 μg/mL; (e) concentration 100 μg/mL; and (f ) concentration 200 μg/mL. The blue arrow shows apoptosis cell caused by interaction with complex compound.

The 50% cytotoxic concentration is a concentration of a compound in which it may reduce the viability of a cell by 50%. It was found that CC50 of [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl- 1H-imidazole)2(H2O)2].Cl2 was 300.36 μg/mL and percentage of Vero cell viability were decreased in higher concentration.

This study found that the IC50 of [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2 was 98.62 μg/mL and percentage of DENV-2 inhibition was increased in higher concentration. The data in this study was analyzed by using t-test on SPSS 21.0 version and inhibition of compound to DENV-2 replication was significant (P <0.05). In the previous study, Cu(II)-imidazole was reactive to DENV-2 with IC50 2.3 μg/mL,23 bioactivity occurs within the imidazole series of a ‘para-‘ position to its ‘C’terminal.24 C terminal in the imidazole structure has a big function in introduced to improve cellular uptake and nuclear localization of complex compound.Besides that phenyl-imidazole has a great potential as drug candidate to treatment a variety of viral diseases, phenyl rings in imidazole presence of electron withdrawing groups improved the biological activity.25

Copper is a bio-essential element and copper complexes have been extensively utilized in metal mediated DNA cleavage for generation of activated oxygen species, was reported that teraazamacrocyclic copper coordination compounds have anti-HIV activity.20 Copper(II)chloride dihydrate was reported toxic to DENV-2, IC50 0.13 μg/mL. Free copper(II) homeostatic mechanisms play an important role in the prevention of copper toxicity, exposure to excessive levels of copper can result in a number of adverse health effects.26 In the previous study about interactions of Cu2+ ion with fragments of envelope protein of virus was found that a peptide having no competitive binding site in the amino acid side-chains usually begins its coordination to the metal ion via N-terminal amino group in DNA. The Cu2+ ion promotes the ionization of protons from successive peptide nitrogen.27

Apoptosis (cell death) is the main form of cell death that is involved in diverse processes ranging from cell development to stress response and definite morphological changes.28,29In many cases, apoptosis occurs in response to physiological stimuli such as osmotic modifications, virus infection effect, and effect from compound product.30 In the present study, Vero cells exposed to [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole)2 (H2O)2].Cl2 complex compound reduced the viability indicating the characteristic pattern of cell death. This assay is a modify methods from MTT by Mosmann, most sensitive cytotoxicity assay that is mainly based on the enzymatic conversion with mitochondria. Despite the complexity of the mechanisms involved, mitochondria appear to release apoptosis-inducing factors that may trigger DNA fragmentation in nuclei.31 Mitochondria are common integrators and transducers of various proapoptotic signals, and mitochondria membrane permeabilization is the rate limiting manifestation of mitochondria cell death.32

Conclusions

The [Cu(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazole) 2(H2O)2].Cl2 complex compound has antiviral effect to DENV-2 without low cytotoxicity effect to Vero cells. Future studies are needed to investigate the IC50 and CC50 value and mechanism of antiviral action, such as entry or post entry DENV-2 infection.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Research Grant Mandat Universitas Airlangga (HRMUA) 2019; Institute of Tropical Disease (ITD) the Center of Excellence (COE) program by the Ministry of Research and Technology (RISTEK) Indonesia.

Funding Statement

Funding: Research Grant Mandat Universitas Airlangga 2019 No. 380/UN3.14/LT/2019 for research funding.

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