Planta Medica International Open 2017; 4(S 01): S1-S202
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608390
Poster Session
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Antiviral potential against influenza A virus of crude extracts from five South African medicinal plants

P Mehrbod
1   Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
2   Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Department, Pasteur Institute of IRAN, Tehran, Iran
,
M Ali Abdalla
3   Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
,
F Fotouhi
2   Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Department, Pasteur Institute of IRAN, Tehran, Iran
,
J Nicolaas Eloff
3   Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
,
LJ McGaw
3   Phytomedicine Programme, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
,
O Fasina Folorunso
1   Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2017 (online)

 

Influenza infection remains a major health threat for animals and humans which crucially requires effective antiviral remedies. The usage of herbal medications as a readily available alternative and potentially fewer side effects compared to chemical treatments and their compatibility with body has become popular globally.

The aim of this study was to test in vitro anti-influenza activity of five South African medicinal plants, namely Tabernaemontana ventricosa, Cussonia spicata, Rapanea melanophloeos, Pittosporum viridiflorum and Clerodendrum glabrum.

The plant species were selected based on their use in traditional medicine and other biological activities. Methanol, ethanol, acetone, hot and cold water extracts of the dried, powdered plants were prepared and tested for cytotoxicity. The values below 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) were tested for antiviral activity against influenza A virus (IAV) in different types of simultaneous, pre-penetration and post-penetration combined treatments in the span of 1 hour incubation time. The effect of extracts on viral surface glycoproteins and viral titer were tested by HI and HA virological assays, respectively.

None of the extracts showed physical interaction with virus hemagglutinin glycoprotein. However, the most effective extracts against IAV were R. melanophloeos methanol extract (EC50:113.331 µg/ml) and P. viridiflorum methanol, 100% and 30% ethanol and acetone extracts (EC50s: 3.648, 19.245, 3.440, 82.305 µg/ml, respectively) in all types of combined treatments especially in pre- and post-penetration combined treatments with highly significant effect against viral titer.

The outcomes offer for the first time the scientific basis for the use of extracts of Rapanea melanophloeos and Pittosporum viridiflorum against IAV. They are worth to focus for finding effective active compounds in the next step and detecting the mechanism of action. The other three plant species were ineffective in vitro in this study.