SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a pandemic that has killed more than 6 million people worldwide. Studies have shown that inhibiting the binding between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the human ACE2 could reduce virus infection and the risk of COVID-19 disease. In this study, ethanol extract of elderberry was prepared and examined for its chemical composition by HPLC-MS/MS, potential in suppressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 binding, ACE2 inhibition, total phenolic content, and scavenging capacities against HO, DPPH, and ABTS cation radicals.  A total of 16 compounds were tentatively identified, including one (omubioside) with known antiparasitic activity. At concentrations of 3.3 and 0.8 mg dry botanical equivalents/mL, the inhibition on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-ACE2 binding reached 100% and 60%, respectively, suggesting a dose-dependent matter. Elderberry extract contained 17.99 mg GAE/g TPC and the HO, DPPH, and ABTS cation scavenging capacities were 201.59, 1.18 and 2.71 µmol TE/g botanicals, respectively. This study provides important information about elderberry’s chemical composition, as well as phenolic content and radical scavenging capacities. To our knowledge, this is the first report of elderberry’s inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2 binding in vitro. Findings could be used to develop functional food and supplemental products for COVID-19 disease prevention in the future.

Chemical composition of elderberry extract and its inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2 binding, and radical scavenging properties

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