Investigating the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of caffeic acid: A combined network pharmacology and laboratory study

Fitrianingsih, Avin Ainur ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3571-114X, Riskiyah, Riskiyah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7830-0298, Akbar, Putri Wulan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8501-891X and Permanasari, Adita Ayu ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7604-2053 (2025) Investigating the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of caffeic acid: A combined network pharmacology and laboratory study. Presented at 5th ASEAN Microbial Biotechnology Conference (AMBC 2025), 13 Juni 2925, Surabaya, Indonesia.

Preview

Text 25934.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the urgent identification of effective antiviral agents, with natural compounds such as caffeic acid (CA) emerging as candidates based on broad-spectrum antiviral action. While prior computational studies suggested prospective therapeutic activity against SARS-CoV-2, a systematic, integrated study validating CA's multi target mechanism and functional efficacy was lacking. This study was to explore and validate the molecular targets and antiviral efficacy of caffeic acid against SARS-CoV-2. Network Pharmacology (NP) was employed using GeneCards, DisGeNET, and OMIM to identify multiple inflammation and entry-related targets including ACE2, TNF-a, and NLRP3. PPI analysis revealed a highly connected network, predicting that CA targets the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) and key inflammatory mediators. Caffeic acid showed weak antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, with an IC50 of 278 µM and SI > 1, which indicates weak activity according to antiviral screening standards and pharmacologically low potency. The predicted pathways may indeed be valid targets, but caffeic acid did not specifically affect the mechanisms contributing to the antiviral response. The weak activity measured may be due to non-specific interactions and not the pathways targeted by the predictions.

Item Type:	Conference (Paper)
Keywords:	anti-SARS-CoV-2, caffeic acid, in vitro, network pharmacology
Subjects:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1108 Medical Microbiology > 110804 Medical Virology 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences > 111501 Basic Pharmacology 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1108 Medical Microbiology 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences > Department of Medical Education
Depositing User:	Avin Ainur Fitrianingsih
Date Deposited:	12 Dec 2025 13:42

Downloads

Origin of downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item