Antiviral Potential of Opuntia sp. Compounds Against Influenza A: Bioinformatic Analysis and In Vitro Evaluation

Abstract

Influenza A represents a global public health threat, with an estimated 290,000 to 650,000 cases annually. Its high genetic variability allows the virus to develop resistance to currently available antivirals, highlighting the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. This study identified bioactive compounds present in Opuntia sp. with the ability to inhibit the influenza A virus neuraminidase and act as potential antiviral agents. A literature review was conducted to compile the molecules reported on Opuntia sp. extracts. These compounds were subjected to molecular docking analysis against two viral neuraminidases, 3B7E (N1) and 4GZW (N2), using zanamivir and oseltamivir as interaction controls. Compounds C1, C3, and C4 demonstrated more stable binding energies than the controls; therefore, they were selected and purchased for subsequent experimental evaluation. Their cytotoxicity was then assessed in MDCK cells, and the median inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was determined through neuraminidase inhibition assays using two influenza A virus strains, A/PR/8/34 H1N1 (human) and A/Chicken/Mexico/31381-7/1994 H5N2, with zanamivir as a control. The results showed that the selected molecules inhibited neuraminidase activity in both viral strains with IC₅₀ values below 100 µM and exhibited low cytotoxicity. These findings support their potential as antiviral candidates against influenza A virus and justify further evaluation in cell-based models for viral replication inhibition assays.