Disruption of the nucleocapsid-RNA condensation by punicalagin is a broad-spectrum antiviral approach

SARS-CoV-2 infection activates immune responses that can lead to severe disease. Identifying compounds that modulate these responses is critical for developing effective treatments. This study examines the antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of punicalagin in BALB/c mice infected with SARS-CoV-2.six-month-old BALB/c mice were administered punicalagin (10 mg/kg) or PBS via intragastric gavage for four days. On the second day of treatment, all mice were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Lung and Bronchial tissues were collected for RNA-seq to assess transcriptional changes. Mice treated with punicalagin showed reduced inflammatory markers and lower viral loads compared to PBS-treated controls.This study highlights the ability of punicalagin to regulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, and inhibit viral replication during SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings provide valuable insights for developing antiviral therapies against COVID-19.