A plant‐derived dehydrorotenoid: a new inhibitor of hepatitis C virus entry

Emergence of drug‐resistant viruses, high cost and adverse side‐effects associated with the standard therapy against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection demonstrate the need for development of well tolerated and effective antivirals. We identified and chemically characterised the dehydrorotenoid boeravinone H, isolated from the herb Boerhavia diffusa , as a new inhibitor of HCV entry. The compound significantly inhibits the binding and entry of hepatitis C‐like particles (HCV‐LPs) in hepatoma cells in vitro with no apparent cytotoxicity. Boeravinone H inhibits the initial phase of HCV entry probably by acting directly on the viral particle. Importantly, the compound prevents HCV entry and infection in cell culture ( ex vivo ). Thus, boeravinone H is a potential antiviral agent for the prevention and control of HCV infection.