Key Results
Lancemaside A (LA), a triterpenoid saponin isolated from CL, impeded the endosomal entry pathway of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron with similar IC50 values of 2.23 ~ 3.37 μM as well as the TMPRSS2-mediated viral entry pathway with IC50 value of 3.92 μM. LA was also able to prevent the formation of S-induced multinucleated syncytia. Mechanically, LA altered the distribution of host cell membrane cholesterol and blocked the membrane fusion between SARS-CoV-2 and host cells.