Cepharanthine inhibits enterovirus entry by endolysosomal deacidification and exhibits protective activity <i>in vivo</i>

The study explores the antiviral effects of cepharanthine (CEP) against enterovirus 71 (EV71), demonstrating its ability to inhibit viral entry by disrupting the endolysosomal pathway and neutralizing low pH levels in endolysosomes. CEP showed superior potency compared to other bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, effectively reducing viral titers and RNA levels in vitro and providing complete protection in a mouse model at 10 mg/kg. These findings highlight CEP's potential as a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, although its poor solubility remains a challenge for oral administration.