Glycyrrhiza Polysaccharide Inhibits Pseudorabies Virus Infection by Interfering with Virus Attachment and Internalization

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is one of the most important pathogens causing serious diseases and leads to huge economic losses in the global swine industry. With the continuous emergence of PRV variants and the increasing number of cases of human infection, there is an urgent need to develop antiviral drugs. In this study, we discover that Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GCP) has anti-PRV infection activity in vitro, and 600 μg/mL GCP can completely block viral infection. The addition of GCP simultaneously with or after PRV infection had a significant inhibitory effect on PRV. Addition of GCP at different times of the virus life cycle mainly led to the inhibition of the attachment and internalization of PRV but does not affect viral replication and release. Our findings suggest that GCP has potential as a drug against PRV infection.