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Planta Med 2006; 72(13): 1169-1174
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-947198
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Antiviral Effect of Artemisinin from Artemisia annua against a Model Member of the Flaviviridae Family, the Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV)

Marta R. Romero1 , Maria A. Serrano1 , Marta Vallejo1 , Thomas Efferth2 , Marcelino Alvarez3 , Jose J.G. Marin1
  • 1Laboratory of Experimental Hepatology and Drug Targeting (HEVEFARM), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
  • 2Centre for Molecular Biology of the University of Heidelberg (ZMBH), Heidelberg, Germany
  • 3Department of Animal Health & Pathology, University of Leon, Leon, Spain
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 29, 2006

Accepted: June 20, 2006

Publication Date:
10 August 2006 (online)

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Abstract

The antiviral activity versus flaviviruses of artemisinin, a safe drug obtained from Artemisia annua and commonly used to treat malaria, has been investigated using as an in vitro model bovine epithelial cells from embryonic trachea (EBTr) infected with the cytopathic strain Oregon C24V, of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), which is a member of the Flaviviridae family. Antiviral activity was estimated by the degree of protection against the cytopathic effect of BVDV on host cells and by the reduction in BVDV-RNA release to the culture medium. To induce an intermediate cytopathic effect in non-treated cells, EBTr cells were first exposed to BVDV for 48 h and then incubated with virus-free medium for 72 h. Ribavirin and artemisinin (up to 100 µM) induced no toxicity in host cells, whereas a slight degree of toxicity was observed for IFN-α at concentrations above 10 U/mL up to 100 U/mL. Treatment of infected cells with IFN-α, ribavirin and artemisinin markedly reduced BVDV-induced cell death. A combination of these drugs resulted in an additive protective effect. These drugs induced a significant reduction in the production/release of BVDV virions by infected EBTr cells; there was also an additive effect when combinations of them were assayed. These results suggest a potential usefulness of artemisinin in combination with current pharmacological therapy for the treatment of human and veterinary infections by flaviviruses.

Abbreviations

BVDV:Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus

HCV:Hepatitis C Virus

IFN:Interferon

Key words

EBTr - Hepacivirus - Hepatitis - Interferon - Liver - Malaria - Ribavirin

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Jose J. G. Marin

Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

University of Salamanca

Campus Miguel de Unamuno, E.D. S09

37007 Salamanca

Spain

Phone: +34-923-294-674

Fax: +34-923-294-669

Email: jjgmarin@usal.es

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