Telmisartan, an anti-hypertensive drug, impedes JEV infection, possibly via the AT1/PPARγ axis.

ABSTRACT: Japanese encephalitis, caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), is a vector-borne disease with no specific therapeutics available yet. Binding of angiotensin II (Ang II) to angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor induces the release of inflammatory cytokines associated with viral encephalitis. Accordingly, Ang II receptor blockers (ARBs) have been proposed to manage encephalitis. Since telmisartan (TM, antagonist of AT1 and agonist of PPARγ) has relatively better brain access than other ARBs, this investigation aims to evaluate its anti-JEV efficacy in vitro and in vivo. TM reduced JEV titer, RNA, and protein (NS3) significantly in the BHK-21 cells with an IC₅₀ of 24.68 µM and a CC₅₀ of >350 µM (Selectivity Index >14.18), indicating its potential for re

SUBMITTER: Datey A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12502669 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature