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Antiviral activity of an extract derived from roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus
Abstract
A liquid extract from Eleutherococcus senticosus roots inhibited the productive replication of human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus in cell cultures infected with these viruses, all of which belong to the RNA type viruses. Analysis of virus production after treatment of the infected cells using plaque-reduction assays showed a strong antiviral activity of the Eleutherococcus extract. In contrast, no effect was detected using the same protocol for cells infected with the DNA viruses, adenovirus (Adeno 5) or herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV 1). Pre-treatment of cells did not inhibit either virus adsorption or virus replication. The results of the study demonstrate that the Eleutherococcus extract inhibited the replication of all RNA viruses studied so far. This antiviral activity remained stable under the conditions used for drug preparation and storage.
... Ribavirin is the only antiviral drug available for therapeutic use in patients infected with HRSV, but the clinical use of this medicine is restricted to children considered at risk (10). The antiviral activity of some plant extracts and its single components have already been examined against HRSV and the results varied (19,30,40). ...
... This dual efficacy has advantages over common antiviral drugs, which generally act on only RNA or DNA viruses or may even be specific to a single virus or group of viruses (13). To identify other versatile antivirals, several (19,35). Significant in vitro antiviral activity against three RNA viruses was observed for extracts derived from the roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus but no activity was detected against two DNA viruses in the same experiment (19). ...
... To identify other versatile antivirals, several (19,35). Significant in vitro antiviral activity against three RNA viruses was observed for extracts derived from the roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus but no activity was detected against two DNA viruses in the same experiment (19). Another study found only one plant extract of fifteen tested that was able to inhibit two RNA and DNA viruses (35). ...
Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) is a plant found in Mexico and Central America that is traditionally used as a medicinal herb. In the present study, we investigated the antiviral activity of the essential oil of Mexican oregano and its major component, carvacrol, against different human and animal viruses. The MTT test (3-4,5-dimethythiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) was conducted to determine the selectivity index (SI) of the essential oil, which was equal to 13.1, 7.4, 10.8, 9.7, and 7.2 for acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 (ACVR-HHV-1), acyclovir-sensitive HHV-1, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), bovine herpesvirus type 2 (BoHV-2), and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), respectively. The human rotavirus (RV) and BoHV-1 and 5 were not inhibited by the essential oil. Carvacrol alone exhibited high antiviral activity against RV with a SI of 33, but it was less efficient than the oil for the other viruses. Thus, Mexican oregano oil and its main component, carvacrol, are able to inhibit different human and animal viruses in vitro. Specifically, the antiviral effects of Mexican oregano oil on ACVR-HHV-1 and HRSV and of carvacrol on RV justify more detailed studies.
... Figure 1 and Figure There are reports of plant extracts being used as anti-viral agents. Several can be cited [53][54][55][56][57][58]. A study was carried out to investigate the antiviral screening activities of twenty seven (27) virus. ...
... In constrast, the DNA viruses, adenovirus and HSV type 1 virus (HSV-1) were not inhibited by the extract. Thus, the antiviral activity of Eleutherococcus senticosus is viral dependent [58]. Table 1 gives a list of plant extracts tested positive for their antiviral activity. ...
... На современном этапе в отечественной медицине находят применение около 300 видов лекарственных растений, что составляет чуть более 2,0% от известных высших растений [20], которые нашли применение в развитии направления сопроводительной терапии и реабилитации пациентов злокачественными новообразованиями после специального лечения, подобные подходы к использованию фитотерапии имеют место и за пределами России [12,21,22]. ...
... Большой интерес вызывает направление поиска растений с выраженными радиосенсибилизирующими и радиопротекторными свойствами [20,48,56]. Механизм радиопротективного действия веществ растительного происхождения изучен недостаточно полно, однако считается доказанным факт, что полифенольные компоненты и флавоноиды, содержащиеся в лекарственных растениях, обладают способностью уменьшать явления оксидативного стресса в нормальных клетках во время проведения противоопухолевого лечения [57]. ...
The review of references shows the influence of accompanying therapy based on drugs from medicinal plants on the dynamics of various indicators of homeostasis in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.
... Summerfield et al. (1997) described the activity of Acanthospermum hispidum DC. (Asteraceae) against animal pathogenic herpes viruses, pseudorabiesvirus (PRV) and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1). In 2001 we showed (Glatthaar-Saalmüller et al. 2001) the antiviral activity of an extract from Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim. (Araliaceae), against human rhinovirus (HRV), human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus, which was discussed as RNAvirus specific reactivity. ...
... This is somehow unexpected because most of the antiviral extracts analysed so far showed similar activities against these two virus families. This was shown for extracts from E. senticosus (Glatthaar-Saalmüller et al. 2001), P. sidoides (Michaelis et al. 2011) and a composition of different plant extracts derived from Gentian root, Primula flower, Elder flower, Sorrel herb, and Verbena herb (Glatthaar-Saalmüller et al. 2011). The active substance of Bioaron C ® : the aqueous extract of A. arborecens is therefore unique in its orthomyxovirus-specific reactivity. ...
... An example chromatogram is shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, compounds present in both the fruits and roots of E. senticosus have demonstrated the ability to regulate enzyme activity, such as hyaluronidase, indicating its potential in treating conditions through its anti-inflammatory effects [8]. E. senticosus is also known to exhibit antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus in cell cultures infected with these viruses [9]. E. senticosus is also able to reduce the cardiovascular responses to stress, proving to be helpful for stress adaptation [10]. ...
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim. (ES) has gained popularity for its adaptogenic, immunostimulant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of overexploitation of the roots, the species is considered to be endangered and has been put on the Red List in some countries (e.g., the Republic of Korea). Therefore, the fruits of E. senticosus might be explored as a new sustainable source of compounds with adaptogenic activity. This study aimed to assess the chemical composition and the safety profile (hepatotoxicity, blood morphology, biochemical parameters of blood plasma) of E. senticosus fruit intractum in Balb/c mice after oral administration of 750 and 1500 mg/kg b.w. UHPLC analysis coupled with DAD and MS detectors was used to quantify the metabolites. For the first time, oleanolic and ursolic acids were quantified in the intractum (16.01 ± 1.3 and 2.21 ± 0.17 µg/g of oleanolic and ursolic acids, respectively). Regarding polyphenols, chlorogenic acid (0.92 mg/g of dried extract), caffeic acid (0.43 mg/g), dicaffeoylquinic acids (in total: 1.27 mg/g), and an unidentified caffeic acid ester (0.81 mg/g) were identified. The results in Balb/c mice revealed that the intractum does not cause significant variations in red blood cells parameters. In turn, a significant decrease in the total number of leukocytes was observed (5.8 × 103 µL), with a percentage increase in lymphocytes among the groups (80.2, 81.8, and 82.6). The ability of the intractum to decrease alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels may indicate its anti-inflammatory activity. Our observations justify that the fruits of E. senticosus are safe in the doses used and do not cause significant changes in the activity of the liver enzymes or in blood parameters.
... A diversity of herbal (medicinal) preparations have appeared that is possible for discourage viruses causing serious infections between humans such as measles viruses, [26,27] human rotaviruses (HRV), [28,29] respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human rhinoviruses, [30] coxsackie group of viruses, [31] neurotropic Sindbis virus (NSV) [32] and various tensity of poliovirus. [33,34,35] To prove/disprove antiviral outcome of some herbal compound it is quality applicable to the therapeutic growth of phytochemicals. ...
Many antiviral compounds currently in clinical use have a limited spectrum of activity, narrow therapeutic adequacy and irregular toxicity. There is also an appearing problem of resistant viral tensity. This study was gear to examine the issued literature on herbs and plants with antiviral estimate, their laboratory estimates in vitro and in vivo, and confirmation of human clinical effectiveness. Medicinal plants have been generally used to treat a variety of infectious and non-infectious disease. According to one approximate, 25% of the regularly used medicines contain compounds isolated from plants. Various plants could provide a rich reserve for drug discovery of infectious diseases, especially in a stage when the latest dissociation techniques are obtainable on one hand, and the human population is dispute by a number of appearing infectious diseases on the other hand. Fixing other nutrients, viral infections, caused by connected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and 2 (HIV-2), and newly appearing infectious viruses have disputed mankind survival. Of importance, a variety of medicinal plants have appeared assurance to treat a number of viral infections, and some of them own broad-spectrum antiviral activity. In earlier, research into the antiviral activity of several good medicinal plants was bounced due to: (a) highly infectious creation of viruses and (b) absence of proper separation techniques for the detection of antiviral components from plants. Development of vector-based plans, in which non-infectious molecular clone of a virus could be used for antiviral guarding purposes, and developing in separation technologies assurance for medicinal plants utilize in modern drug discovery. This article explains possible antiviral properties of medicinal plants in case of various group of viruses, 638 Shreyasi et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and submit screening the probable of plants possessing broad-spectrum antiviral effects in case of emerging viral infections.
... Clinical study findings support Echinacea's in vitro antiviral efficacy [132]. According to studies on Echinacea purpurea, it works to cure viral respiratory infections by a variety of methods, including preventing viral development and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines [133], as well as preventing viral reproduction [134]. Even though the precise mechanism of action is still unknown, the extract is predicted to inhibit infection because it appears to block interactions between viral docking receptors (such as the hemagglutinin on influenza viruses) and structures on the target cell [29]. ...
Introduction
Drug development has a great deal to gain from the therapeutic and preventative actions of medicinal plants and their derivatives. In order to introduce active medicinal herbs and phytochemicals against viral infections of the respiratory system, we tried to focus on a vast amount of data.
Methods
From 2000 to the present, articles from Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar were taken into consideration. A combination of respiratory viral infection with keywords of medicinal plants, phytochemicals, flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, and natural products has been used, as well as keywords of antiviral medicinal plants, and antiviral phytochemicals. Pure antiviral compounds and plants with activity against viruses other than respiratory viruses were disregarded and excluded from consideration.
Results
More than eighty phytochemicals and sixty herbs that were subjected to in vitro and in vivo investigations were documented. The current study collects information on multiple medicinal plants, including Camellia sinensis, Sambucus nigra, Pelargonium sidoides, Echinacea purpurea, and Glycyrrhiza glabra, which have been shown to have effective antiviral properties through experimental research. The main antiviral phytochemicals were terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Additionally, chemicals including resveratrol, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, amentoflavone A, biochanin, and glycyrrhizin demonstrated efficacy against many viral infections.
Conclusion
For the management of viral infections, the current review on the development of novel antiviral medications is strongly advised. It also provides a possibility to discover anti-Covid-19 lead compounds and can offer supportive treatment in this pandemic situation.
... A diverse herbal (medicinal) plants have the potential to inhibit serious infections caused by viruses in humans such as measles viruses [39,40], human rotaviruses (HRV) [40,41]respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human rhinoviruses [42], coxsackie group of viruses [43,44], neurotropic Sindbis virus (NSV) [45]and various strains of poliovirus [46][47][48]. Any herbal extract's antiviral action must be molecularly dichotomized before it can be evaluated. ...
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes corona virus disease
(COVID-19) outbreak is now a global pandemic declared by WHO is a highly transmittable and
pathogenic viral infection. Due to lockdown in numerous locations and the widespread fear of contagion,
the majority of the population's life was severely interrupted leading to the evaluation of numerous
antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2, which has resulted in clinical retrieval. Different fast and specific
laboratory methods are used to detect viral infection. The current review article majorly emphasizes
methods used in the detection of corona virus, drugs used for its treatment and role of medicinal plants
against the protection of this viral pandemic. Besides, some Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligenceenabled
techniques for early diagnosis in the current scenario have also been described.
... Its pharmacological activity is adaptogenic (113). Glatthaar, Sacher and Esperester (114) reported the antiviral activity of a liquid extract from the roots of E. Senticosus. The plant extract suppressed replication of the influenza virus in cell cultures infected with the virus. ...
As the number of viral infections and in particular resistant viral strains increasing, existing remedies need to be improved and brought into line with the discovery of new antiviral agents to fight persistent viral infections. It is generally believed that the gene pool of medicinal plants is valuable and endowed with precious compounds to treat metabolic and infectious disorders. The purpose of this review is to gather the facts and investigate into the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, herbs and spices in the administration of various viral diseases. COVID-19 infections are treated with available antiviral therapy with unsatisfactory clinical results. Persistent viral infections that are resistant to the available antivirals are terrifying threats and a serious health problem like influenza infection. SARS CoV 2 remains a major threat to animal and human health, which urgently requires effective antivirals. Due to the increasing frequency of viral infections and particularly resistant viral strains, the available therapeutic facilities must be improved, compensated by the discovery of new antiviral agents to fight against refractory viral infections. The treatment of herbal remedies as readily available alternatives for their compatibility with the body and fewer side effects compared to synthetic chemical treatments has become popular worldwide. Introduction:
... Its pharmacological activity is adaptogenic (Cicero et al., 2004). Glatthaar, Sacher, and Esperester (2001) and 91% by the use of methanol and chloroform extracts, respectively. ...
Viral infections are being managed therapeutically through available antiviral regimens with unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. The refractory viral infections resistant to available antiviral drugs are alarming threats and a serious health concern. For viral hepatitis, the interferon and vaccine therapies solely are not ultimate solutions due to recurrence of hepatitis C virus. Owing to the growing incidences of viral infections and especially of resistant viral strains, the available therapeutic modalities need to be improved, complemented with the discovery of novel antiviral agents to combat refractory viral infections. It is widely accepted that medicinal plant heritage is nature gifted, precious, and fueled with the valuable resources for treatment of metabolic and infectious disorders. The aims of this review are to assemble the facts and to conclude the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants in the eradication and management of various viral diseases such as influenza, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), hepatitis, and coxsackievirus infections, which have been proven in diverse clinical studies. The articles, published in the English language since 1982 to 2017, were included from Web of Science, Cochrane Library, AMED, CISCOM, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, and PubMed by using relevant keywords including plants possessing antiviral activity, the antiviral effects of plants, and plants used in viral disorders. The scientific literature mainly focusing on plant extracts and herbal products with therapeutic efficacies against experimental models of influenza, HIV, HSV, hepatitis, and coxsackievirus were included in the study. Pure compounds possessing antiviral activity were excluded, and plants possessing activity against viruses other than viruses in inclusion criteria were excluded. Hundreds of plant extracts with antiviral effect were recognized. However, the data from only 36 families investigated through in vitro and in vivo studies met the inclusion criteria of this review. The inferences from scientific literature review, focusing on potential therapeutic consequences of medicinal plants on experimental models of HIV, HSV, influenza, hepatitis, and coxsackievirus have ascertained the curative antiviral potential of plants. Fifty-four medicinal plants belonging to 36 different families having antiviral potential were documented. Out of 54 plants, 27 individually belong to particular plant families. On the basis of the work of several independent research groups, the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants against listed common viral diseases in the region has been proclaimed. In this context, the herbal formulations as alternative medicine may contribute to the eradication of complicated viral infection significantly. The current review consolidates the data of the various medicinal plants, those are Sambucus nigra, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, and Hypericum connatum, holding promising specific antiviral activities scientifically proven through studies on experimental animal models. Consequently, the original research addressing the development of novel nutraceuticals based on listed medicinal plants is highly recommended for the management of viral disorders.
... Wyciągi z korzeni eleuterokoka wykazują działanie przeciwwirusowe w stosunku do wirusów HRV, RSV, wirusa grypy typu A. Nie są natomiast skuteczne w leczeniu infekcji wirusowych HSV-1 oraz Adeno 5 [54]. Mają również właściwości przeciwzapalne i przeciwbakteryjne [55,56]. ...
Eleuterokok kolczysty jest krzewem pochodzącym z dalekowschodniej Azji. Organy podziemne (kłącza z korzeniami) tej rośliny pozyskiwane są jako surowiec farmakopealny. Są one bogate w związki glikozydowe, głównie pochodne fenylopropanu, lignany oraz kumaryny, potocznie nazywane są eleuterozydami. Surowiec standaryzowany jest na zawartość sumy eleuterozydów B i E (min. 0,08%). W medycynie ludowej korzenie eleuterokoka wykorzystywane są od ponad 4000 lat. Obecnie są one zalecane jako środek tonizujący w stanach fizycznego i psychicznego wyczerpania organizmu, w chorobach reumatycznych, zaburzeniach snu, pomocniczo w leczeniu cukrzycy, osteoporozy, chorób układu krążenia, a także u osób cierpiących na zaburzenia koncentracji, depresje oraz w profilaktyce nowotworowej.
... 3 This combination was tested in controlled clinical trials for the treatment of common cold and influenza-associated uncomplicated upper respiratory infections as well as for the prevention of common colds. [421][422][423][424] The studies confirmed the safety and superior efficacy of this combination regimen as compared with monodrug therapy, 425 presumably because of its antiviral effects, [426][427][428][429][430][431][432] effects on innate and adaptive immunity, [433][434][435][436][437] and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxifying effects [438][439][440][441] of both adaptogenic plants as well as due to their synery. 25 It should be noted that the postmarketing pharmacovigilance assessment of Kan Jang showed a high benefit-risk ratio: one adverse event in about 100,000 patients erectile dysfunction, quality of life, improvement of the immune system, and chronic respiratory diseases. ...
Adaptogens comprise a category of herbal medicinal and nutritional products promoting adaptability, resilience, and survival of living organisms in stress. The aim of this review was to summarize the growing knowledge about common adaptogenic plants used in various traditional medical systems (TMS) and conventional medicine and to provide a modern rationale for their use in the treatment of stress-induced and aging-related disorders. Adapto-gens have pharmacologically pleiotropic effects on the neuroendocrine-immune system, which explain their traditional use for the treatment of a wide range of conditions. They exhibit a biphasic dose-effect response: at low doses they function as mild stress-mimetics, which activate the adaptive stress-response signaling pathways to cope with severe stress. That is in line with their traditional use for preventing premature aging and to maintain good health and vitality. However, the potential Med Res Rev. 2020;1-74. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/med | 1 This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
... Nepeta nepetella (150-500 μg/ml), Nepeta coerulea (150-500 μg/ml), Nepeta tuberosa (150-500 μg/ml), Dittrichia viscosa (50-125 μg/ml), and Sanguisorba minor magnolii (50-125 μg/ml), showed an explicit antiviral activity against two different DNA and RNA viruses, that is, HSV-1 and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) (Abad, Guerra, Bermejo, Irurzun, & Carrasco, 2000). Eleutherococcus senticosus roots extract inhibited the replication of RNA viruses such as human rotavirus, RSV, and influenza A virus, but failed to inhibit DNA viruses such as adenovirus and HSV (Glatthaar-Saalmüller, Sacher, & Esperester, 2001). Azardirachta indica inhibited HSV-1 infection by blocking the entry of the virus to the receptor (glycoprotein) (Tiwari, Darmani, Yue, & Shukla, 2010). ...
The whole world is entangled by the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), people are dying in thousands each day, and without an actual medication, it seems not possible for the bringing this global health crisis to a stop. Natural products have been in constant use since ancient times and are proven by time to be effective. Crude extract or pure compounds isolated from medicinal plants and/or herbs such as Artemisia annua, Agastache rugosa, Astragalus membranaceus, Cassia alata, Ecklonia cava, Gymnema sylvestre, Glycyrrhizae uralensis, Houttuynia cordata, Lindera aggregata, Lycoris radiata, Mollugo cerviana, Polygonum multiflorum, Pyrrosia lingua, Saposhnikoviae divaricate, Tinospora cordifolia etc. have shown promising inhibitory effect against coronavirus. Several molecules, including acacetin, amentoflavone, allicin, blancoxanthone, curcumin, daidzein, diosmin, epigallocatechin‐gallate, emodin, hesperidin, herbacetin, hirsutenone, iguesterin, jubanine G, kaempferol, lycorine, pectolinarin, phloroeckol, silvestrol, tanshinone I, taxifolin, rhoifolin, xanthoangelol E, zingerol etc. isolated from plants could also be potential drug candidates against COVID‐19. Moreover, these could also show promising inhibitory effects against influenza‐parainfluenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV). Here, we have reported 93 antiviral drug candidates which could be a potential area of research in drug discovery.
... • Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) also known as Siberian ginseng [37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. ...
Adaptogen is a term used for specific substances that increase the body's resistance to nonspecific stress. Adaptogens contribute to a biochemical change in an organism that generates a more effective response than the body might exhibit without them. Noted Soviet researcher, Nikolai V. Lazarev described an adaptogen as "an agent that allows an organism to counter adverse physical, chemical , or biological stressors by raising nonspecific resistance toward such stress, thus allowing the organism to adapt to the stressful circumstances". Some of the earliest scientific research on natural adaptogens was done on Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) that was found to enhance physical performance in Soviet athletes. Subsequently, thousands of clinical trials were performed on over four thousand plants and the results published in peer-reviewed journals. Adaptogenic herbs can influence the corticosteroidal effect of the adrenal glands through the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, enhance endurance capacity, improve cardiovascular function, and alter metabolic function. The bioactive constituents of many adaptogenic herbs fall into two general chemical classes, terpenes or polyphenols, that are secondary metabolites of specific adaptogenic plants. Also, polysaccharides act, in part, as immunomodu-lators. Adaptogens can increase oxygen and neuroreceptor efficiency, influence the levels and activity of monoamines and opioid peptides, and enhance the physiological response to stressors. Over time, many definitions of adaptogens have been put forth, which demonstrates a lack of consensus regarding adaptogens in the scientific community, specifically to their characteristics and mechanisms of action. However, their beneficial effects in humans seem far-reaching and have been reported by scientists and observed for centuries in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). There remains the challenge of establishing the efficacy of these adaptogenic herbs as each herb contains numerous constituents; however, an isolated constituent might or might not work as well as the whole phytocomplex. Although many of these herbal remedies have been used for hundreds to thousands of years, the scientific evidence regarding their safety and efficacy is inadequate and inconclusive. Nevertheless, the beneficial effects of long-term administration of specific adaptogenic herbs is more established than those of short-term administration. This review provides a historical backdrop to the research regarding adaptogenic herbs and their proposed (and in some cases confirmed) beneficial applications in the body's response to stress.
... The bark and root of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum have been used as medicinal agents since ancient times 4,5) . The effects A. sessiliflorum that have been reported to date include hypoglycemia 6) , improvement in lipid metabolism 7) , antiviral activity 8) , treatment for myocardial infarction 9) , and antioxidant system reinforcement 10) . While many studies have been performed on A. sessiliflorum, most of them focused on the extracts obtained from its root or stem 11) . ...
... The mode of action that could be a part of a complex mechanism involving phenolic compounds, e.g., thymol, is still under investigation (Ahmad et al., 2014;Faleiro, 2011). Furthermore, several studies with standardized herbal extracts containing phenolic compounds, e.g., flavanols, anthocyanidins and lignins, also showed potent antiviral activity against RNA viruses, such as HRV and/or IAV Ehrhardt et al., 2007;Glatthaar-Saalmuller et al., 2001;Pleschka et al., 2009). Vimalanathan and Hudson (2014) investigated the anti-influenza activity of some essential oils and compared it with the respective vapours (Vimalanathan and Hudson, 2014). ...
The common cold is a respiratory disease often caused by viral pathogens, including a major group of human rhinoviruses (HRV). Currently, there is no specific antiviral approach available against these viruses. Another viral pathogen that causes respiratory diseases is the influenza virus (IV). Even though a few approved drugs are available for antiviral treatment against IV, these are prone to lose their effectiveness due to the rapid emergence of resistant virus variants. Therefore, new effective approaches characterised by a broad antiviral activity and wide availability would be very advantageous. In this study the authors aimed to investigate the antiviral potential of an authorised medicinal product (Aspecton® Oral Drops) containing a specific thyme extract (KMTv24497) against human rhinovirus serotype 1a (HRV1a), as well as against an influenza A virus isolate of the 2009 pandemic (H1N1pdm09) at non-toxic concentrations. To the best of the authors knowledge, they were able to demonstrate, for the first time, the in vitro antiviral activity of a thyme extract containing an authorised medicinal product in non-toxic concentrations against an HRV, as well as against an influenza A virus strain in cell culture. This study represents a first approach to prove a causal therapeutic effect in addition to the already described symptomatic effects for a thyme preparation. Patients with common cold infections may profit from the additional causal therapeutic effects of an expectorant.
... Herbal extracts are well known to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities (Atta & Alkofahi, 1998;Cai, Luo, Sun, & Corke, 2004;Dorman & Deans, 2000;Patel, Kumar, Laloo, & Hemalatha, 2012). In particular, Agrimonia pilosa, Allium sativum, Allium fistulosum, Alnus japonica, Artemisia annua, Coriandrum sativum, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Ginkgo biloba, Pleuropterus multiflorus, and Torilis japonica were reported to have antiviral properties against enveloped or nonenveloped viruses (Asres et al., 2001;Efferth et al., 2002;Glatthaar-Saalmüller, Sacher, & Esperester, 2001;Haruyama & Nagata, 2013;Kim et al., 2010;Lee et al., 2012;Ma et al., 2002;Shin, Lee, Park, & Seong, 2010;Tung et al., 2010;Weber et al., 1992) (Table 1). Although the antimicrobial activities of herbal extracts against bacterial and some viral pathogens have been extensively studied (Ding, Liao, Huang, Zhou, & Chen, 2006;Nascimento, Locatelli, Freitas, & Silva, 2000), studies investigating the antiviral property of herbal extracts against foodborne viruses are limited. ...
Herbal plants have long been used as traditional medicines to treat diseases caused by microbial pathogens. The hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes acute liver infection through the fecal–oral route. Although the antimicrobial activities of herbal extracts against bacterial and some viral pathogens have been extensively studied, their antiviral properties against HAV have not been investigated thus far. This study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of 16 herbal extracts against HAV. Significant inhibition of HAV was observed only when HAV was co-treated with extracts. Ten out of the 16 herbal extracts demonstrated significant virucidal activity against HAV. Alnus japonica extract at a concentration of 50 μg/mL reduced HAV titer by 3.43 ± 0.24 logs. Artemisia annua, Allium sativum, Allium fistulosum, and Agrimonia pilosa extracts showed 2.33 ± 0.43, 2.10 ± 0.41, 2.07 ± 0.60, and 2.03 ± 0.26-log reductions, respectively. Pleuropterus multiflorus, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Coriandrum sativum, Ginkgo biloba, and Torilis japonica extracts reduced HAV titer by 1.02 ± 0.21 to 1.90 ± 0.33 logs. Among the 10 herbal extracts, Alnus japonica extract was the most potent in inhibiting HAV without exhibiting cytotoxicity.
... Studies have been conducted (e.g., Xu et al. 1983;Zhao et al. 1990Zhao et al. , 1991Zhao et al. , 1993 to analyze its chemical constituents. Polysaccharides extracted from its leaves and roots have been reported to inhibit tumor cell proliferation (Xie et al. 1989;Liang et al. 1994) and to have antiviral activity (Glatthaar-Saalmüller et al. 2001). Glucosides (such as liriodendrin) extracted from root or stem bark have also been reported to have an effect similar to those of that of ginseng (Panax spp.) (Slacanin et al. 1991), or as an adaptogen that exerts effects on both sick and healthy people by "correcting" any dysfunctions with no or few side effects (Davydov & Krikorian 2000). ...
The widespread Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim, is threatened because of over-harvesting of its root bark for medicinal uses. The geographically restricted E. brachypus becomes endangered due to habitat loss in the Loess Plateau of China. To facilitate the development of conservation strategies, genetic diversity of both species was measured at 26 isozyme loci (12 enzymes). Eleutherococcus brachypus had a low proportion of polymorphic loci (Ps=19.2%; Pp=13.1%) and low genetic diversity (H es=0.063; Hep=0.031). The genetic variability of the widespread E. senticosus was higher (Ps=26.9%; Pp=20.76%; Hes=0.094; Hep=0.059) than that of the restricted E. brachypus. Population differentiation of E. brachypus (Gst=0.531) was greater than that of E. senticosus (Gst=0.383). Cluster analysis showed that populations of E. senticosus in Northeast or North China are genetically closer within each region than between the two regions. Populations of E. senticosus in Northeast China have a higher level of genetic diversity and these populations need to be conserved with greater priority. Populations of E. brachypus in the Loess Plateau have been highly fragmented, and all populations of the species should be protected to maximize its genetic diversity.
... The next morning, it is fed with the flocks' regular food. In vitro and clinical studies indicate that either alone (Thamlikitkul, 1991) or in combination with Eleutherococcus senticosis (Melchior, 2000;Spasov, 2004), A. paniculata reduces the severity of symptoms associated with respiratory infections in humans-including colds, sinusitis, and influenza (Cáceres, 1999;Glatthaar-Saalmüller, 2001b). Moreover, this plant or its constituents possess activity against hepatitis B (Mehrotra, 1990), human immunodeficiency virus, i.e., HIV (Chang, 1991), and respiratory syncytial virus (Ma, 2002). ...
Boosting the immune system has become a crucial aspect in the global battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and other similar infections to protect oneself against symptoms, especially in the prevention of viral infections of the lower respiratory tract. The importance of conducting more studies to create successful herbal formulations as infection prevention measures is emphasized in this review, which looks at the function of immune-boosting nutrients, medicinal plants, and herbal treatments. We reviewed and analyzed 207 studies published from 1946 to the present using reputable databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and NCBI. The review examined 115 plant species in total and identified 12 key nutrients, including vitamins A, D, C, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and zinc, while noting that four plant families, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Amaryllidaceae, and Acanthaceae, show potential against respiratory infections like influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV. To lower the risk of infection, it is recommended to consume nutritious meals that have immune-modulating qualities. Information on the bioactive components of medicinal herbs, spices, and plants that have been effective in treating respiratory viral infections and related conditions is compiled in this review, which highlights phytoactive substances with antibacterial and antiviral activity as effective modulators to lower the risk of infections. Furthermore, it is highlighted that ancient knowledge systems, like Ayurveda and Naturopathy, should be integrated to help develop new herbal formulations. To improve immunity and lessen vulnerability to serious respiratory infections, the results highlight the need for including immune-modulating foods and plant-based medicines into everyday routines.
Background: The world community continues to tackle the life-threatening Coronavirus infection which has spread across the world. In times of pandemic, it is to be expected that people turn to those medicinal plants (MPs) commonly used to protect themselves against disease. Methods: To meet our objectives, we examined all documented findings about the antiviral activity of MPs as well as some other essential compounds, which may act as future research targets for treating Coronavirus (COVID-19). For this purpose, a range of electronic databases have been reviewed up until 15 November 2021: Medline via PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect and Scopus. Data on MPs that demonstrated one or more of these three actions were recorded, including the extraction method and plant part used, the chemical compounds present, the mechanism of action and the type of study. The compounds in some of these MPs responsible for these activities have also been discussed in the literature. Results: The following findings were obtained: 41 MPs with antiviral activities and 19 phytocompounds under clinical trials. The secondary metabolites with direct or indirect antiviral activity are mainly flavonoids, tannins, phenols, polysaccharides, terpenes, lectins, alkaloids and steroids. Conclusions: These informative data could constitute a starting point for further studies to validate antiviral activities in vivo, as well as meaningful efficacy in humans, for potential therapeutic agents for COVID-19 Keywords: Medicinal plants; Antiviral activity, Phytocompounds; Secondary metabolites, COVID-19 Therapy
Medicinal herbs have long been utilized to treat various diseases or to relieve the symptoms of some ailments for extended periods. The present investigation demonstrates the phytochemical profile, molecular docking, anti-Candida activity, and anti-viral activity of the Saussurea costus acetic acid extract. GC-MS analysis of the extract revealed the presence of 69 chemical compounds. The chemical compounds were alkaloids (4%), terpenoids (79%), phenolic compounds (4%), hydrocarbons (7%), and sterols (6%). Molecular docking was used to study the inhibitory activity of 69 identified compounds against SARS-CoV-2. In total, 12 out of 69 compounds were found to have active properties exhibiting SARS-CoV-2 inhibition. The binding scores of these molecules were significantly low, ranging from −7.8 to −5.6 kcal/mol. The interaction of oxatricyclo [20.8.0.0(7,16)] triaconta-1(22),7(16),9,13,23,29-hexaene with the active site is more efficient. Furthermore, the extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity (in vitro) against Candida albicans, which was the most susceptible microorganism, followed by Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. On the other hand, its antiviral activity was evaluated against HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, and the results showed a significant positive influence against HSV-1 (EC 50 = 82.6 g/mL; CC 50 = 162.9 g/mL; selectivity index = 1.9). In spite of this, no impact could be observed in terms of inhibiting the entry of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro.
A balanced diet helps to improve the immune system and to protect it from pathogenic organisms such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, and parasites. In order to fight against foreign bodies increased rate of metabolism is required which can
be from the energy sources, biosynthesis substrates, and regulatory molecules & above all are derived essentially from the diet. Several vitamins (A, B6, B9, B12, C, D, and E) and trace elements such as zinc, copper, selenium, and iron were found to play a crucial role in strengthening the human immune system and reducing inflammatory risk. Dietary approaches to balanced microbiota play a major role in the immune system. According to the COVID – 19 description Gut dysbiosis is a characteristic of infectious diseases. A serious infection with respiratory epithelium might lead to a condition known as cytokine's acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which is evident from COVID-19. Although there is no medication for COVID-19 as yet,
preventive steps to improve our immune system under current conditions are accompanied by conventional medicinal sources (Kupferschmidt 2020; Gorbalenya et al., 2019). Having a healthy diet with adequate fruits and vegetables promotes a well-functioning and efficient system to protect against infection and various diseases. Intake of immune-boosting foods such as spices and other foods protected the immune system and increased the survival rate of coronary patients in India. “Whenever the immune system cells are affected by the disease-causing agent's human body produces antibodies to support their survival”. Overcoming the consumption of nutrient-rich foods is essential to avoid defects that could weaken the immune system.
Keywords: Immunity boosting foods, Anti-viral effect, vitamins, micronutrients, COVID-19.
Surprisingly little overlap has been found in the studies of the several hundred plant and herb species with promise as new antiviral medicines. Given the rise in migration, international travel, and urbanization today, viral infections are one of the leading causes of disease around the world. Researchers are looking to the plant world as a source of potential novel antiviral treatments due to the numerous adverse effects of synthetic medicines and the growing problem of resistance. For their various therapeutic purposes, a large number of biologically active compounds have been discovered. Over the past few decades, thorough research into phytochemicals’ antiviral properties has gained relevance. This chapter demonstrates the abundance of potentially beneficial medicinal plants and herbs that are only waiting to be assessed and used for therapeutic applications against genetically and functionally varied plant and viral families.
Kan Jang®, the fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. ex. Nees and Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim extracts, is a herbal medicinal product for relieving symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Kan Jang®/Nergecov® on duration and the relief of inflammatory symptoms in adults with mild COVID-19. 86 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and mild symptoms for one to three days received supportive treatment (paracetamol) and six Kan Jang® (daily dose of andrographolides—90 mg) or placebo capsules a day for 14 consecutive days in this randomized, quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled, two-parallel-group study. The primary efficacy outcomes were the decrease in the acute-phase duration and the severity of symptoms score (sore throat, runny nose, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of smell, taste, pain in muscles), an increase in cognitive functions, physical performance, quality of life, and decrease in IL-6, c-reactive protein, and D-dimer in blood. Kan Jang®/Nergecov® was effective in reducing the risk of progression to severe COVID-19, decreasing the disease progression rate by almost 2.5-fold compared to placebo. Absolute risk reduction by Kan Jang treatment is 14%, the relative risk reduction is 243.9%, and the number Needed to Treat is 7.14. Kan Jang®/Nergecov® reduces the duration of disease, virus clearance, and days of hospitalization and accelerates recovery of patients, relief of sore throat, muscle pain, runny nose, and normalization of body temperature. Kan Jang®/Nergecov® significantly relieves the severity of inflammatory symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, and muscle pain, decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 level in the blood, and increases patients’ physical performance (workout) compared to placebo. In this study, for the first time we demonstrate that Kan Jang®/Nergecov® is effective in treating mild COVID-19.
Medicinal plants have been serving as vital sources for drug discovery. A significant proportion of clinically approved drugs are originated from plant-derived natural products which were isolated by chromatographic techniques and identified by spectroscopic analysis. Bioactivity-guided fractionation is considered an efficient approach for retrieving active chemical constituents and pure compounds from medicinal plants. In search of more potential drug candidates, various drug discovery programs have been launched. These include the University of Illinois at Chicago based International Cooperative Biodiversity Groups (UIC-ICBG) program and Lingnan region drug discovery program, in which numerous bioactive molecules have been isolated and identified. They will be discussed in this chapter as examples to highlight the use of the bioassay-guided separation tool to efficiently obtain the bioactive compounds from thousands of plant extracts. A range of simple, rapid and commonly used bioassays in research laboratories as well as medicinal plant-derived natural products will also be delineated.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) that is rapidly spreading all over the world and responsible for the international health crisis. In an earlier period, various synthetic antiviral drugs and clinical therapies have been used to control the viral infection but at present, there is no specific treatment available for COVID-19 infection. Several approaches like ritonavir, lopinavir, hydroxychloroquine, and chloroquine have been proposed. India is a hub of medicinal plants, so there is a chance to find out the way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The medicinal herbal formulations may enhance the immunity and come up with a powerful antiviral drug, which is an urgent need to control the outbreak of coronavirus. In this review article, we have discussed epidemiology, clinical outcomes, treatment, and prevention of this novel epidemic coronavirus from medicinal herbal formulations perspective. We have also emphasized the reported antiviral activity and immunity-boosting property of the Indian medicinal plants. This article also suggests that the drug or formulation obtained from medicinal plant sources may have low fatal outcomes, quick response, and safe in the management and prevention of this pandemic outbreak.
The immuno-boosting plants will play a vital role to protect from the infectious diseases like COVID-19. The phagocyte-microbe interactions in the immune system is a defense mechanism but when expressively diploid can harm host tissues and participate in the development of different chronic inflammatory diseases and also cause immune suppressions. There are a huge number of herbal medicines as multi-component agents to modulate the complex immune system in prevention of infections rather than treating the immune-related diseases. Many therapeutic effects of plant extracts have been suggested which is due to their array of immune-modulatory effects and influence immune systems of human body. Thus, the searches for natural products of plant origin as new leads for development of potent and safe immunosuppressant or immunostimulant agents are gaining much more research interest. The present works will give an overview of widely investigated plant-derived compounds which have exhibited potent effects on cellular immune functions before proper vaccinations and designed as per the current situation made due to COVID-19. Clinical studies will be needed to examine the therapeutic utility of enumerated plants and their secondary metabolites in COVID-19 infections.
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Herbal medicine in Russia has a long history starting with handwritten herbalist manuscripts from the Middle Ages to the officinal Pharmacopoeia of the 21st century. The "herbophilious" Russian population has accumulated a lot of knowledge about the beneficial effects of local medicinal plants. Yet, for a long time, Russian traditional and officinal herbal medicine was not well known to the international audience. In our previous comprehensive review, we discussed the pharmacological effects of specific plants included in the 11th edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the USSR, which was also for a while used in Russia. The 14th edition of the Russian Federation’s State Pharmacopoeia was implemented in 2018.
Aim of the review
The aims of the present review are: (i) to trace the evolution of medicinal plant handling from handwritten herbalist manuscripts to Pharmacopoeias; (ii) to describe the modern situation with regulatory documents for herbal medicinal products and their updated classification; (iii) to summarize and discuss the pharmacology, safety, and clinical data for new plants, which are included in the new edition of the Pharmacopoeia.
Methods
New medicinal plants included in the 14th edition of the Russian Federation’s State Pharmacopoeia were selected. We carefully searched the scientific literature for data related to traditional use, pharmacological, clinical application, and safety. The information was collected from local libraries in Saint-Petersburg, the online databases E-library.ru, Scopus, Web of Science, and the search engine Google scholar.
Results
Investigating the evolution of all medicinal plants referred to in the Russian Pharmacopoeias led us to the identification of ten medicinal plants that were present in all editions of civilian Russian Pharmacopoeias starting from 1778. In the 14th edition of the modern Russian Pharmacopoeia, medicinal plants are described in 107 monographs. Altogether, 25 new monographs were included in the 14th edition, and one monograph was excluded in comparison to the 11th edition. Some of the included plants are not endemic to Russia and do not have a history of traditional use, or on the other hand, are widely used in Western medicine. For 15 plants, we described the specificity of their application in Russian traditional medicine along with the claimed dosages and indications in officinal medicine. The pharmacology, safety, and clinical data are summarized and assessed for nine plants, underlining their therapeutic potential and significance for global phytopharmacotherapy.
Conclusions
In this review, we highlight the therapeutical potential of new plants included in the modern edition of the Russian Pharmacopoeia. We hope that these plants will play an imperative role in drug development and will have a priority for future detailed research.
Zika virus (ZIKV), a recently emerged pathogen of the genus flavivirus causes Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly in fetus and newborns . Until date, there are no licensed vaccine or approved drug to treat ZIKV infection. Thus, in this study, 5550 phytochemicals retrieved from various databases were subjected for molecular docking in Discovery studio V.4.0 against the ZIKV helicase protein and envelope protein domain III. In addition, in silico ADMET and Density function theory studies were performed to retain the final hit compounds. Further, four of the identified compounds (eleutheroside B, neoandrographolide, apigenin, and madecassic acid) were tested for in vitro cytotoxicity and antiviral activities against ZIKV. Except madecassic acid, the other three compounds reduced ZIKV infection at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Hence, this study encourages the screening of more phytochemicals against druggable targets of ZIKV to identify new promising drug candidates.
The aim of our review is to demonstrate the potential of herbal preparations, specifically adaptogens for prevention and treatment of respiratory infections, as well as convalescence, specifically through supporting a challenged immune system, increasing resistance to viral infection, inhibiting severe inflammatory progression, and driving effective recovery. The evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies with Andrographis paniculata, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Glycyrrhiza spp., Panax spp., Rhodiola rosea, Schisandra chinensis, Withania somnifera, their combination products and melatonin suggests that adaptogens can be useful in prophylaxis and treatment of viral infections at all stages of progression of inflammation as well as in aiding recovery of the organism by (i) modulating innate and adaptive immunity, (ii) anti-inflammatory activity, (iii) detoxification and repair of oxidative stress-induced damage in compromised cells, (iv) direct antiviral effects of inhibiting viral docking or replication, and (v) improving quality of life during convalescence.
The objective of the study was to determine the antibacterial action of herbal infusions against reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 14990 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 27/99 in vitro. The antibacterial activity of herbal infusions was determined using the agar diffusion test. From the culture of reference strains of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa, we prepared a suspension of 1.5×10 8 CFU to match 0.5 McFar-land turbidity standard, defined with a densitometer. The obtained suspension was sieved onto Mueller-Hinton agar (Himedia), followed by further cultivation over 24 hours. The inoculations were covered with discs, which were impregnated with corresponding herbal infusions. For positive control, benzylpenicil-lin sodium salt was used against staphylococci, while in case of P. aeruginosa, gentamicin sulfate was used. S. aureus was most strongly inhibited by Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus, 1.46 times stronger compared to the control), Fiveleaf Aralia (E. sieboldianus, 1.61) and weeping fig (Ficus benjamina, 1.35). In case of S. epidermidis, pomegranate (Punica granatum) showed antibacterial activity (3.53), while P. aeruginosa was inhibited by common yucca (Yucca fila-mentosa, 1.10), alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum, 1.00), carob (Ceratonia sili-qua, 1.21), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum, 0.97), pomegranate (5.46) and Norway spruce (Picea abies, 1.51). These herbal extracts could be recommended for use against polyresistant strains of the abovementioned microorganisms. The present study showed that the abovementioned species of plants affect polyresistant bacteria strains more intensively than benzylpenicillin sodium salt.
Plants derived products have been used for medicinal purposes for eras. A
current estimation indicate that about 80% of the world population bank on
plant product as medicines to meet their health needs. The plant extracts
are normally considered harmless and proved to be effective against many
diseases. Phyto products have been used in the treatment of numerous
illnesses that are instigated due to bacteria, viruses and fungus. Viruses
are considered to be the most related with the diseases that are caused due
to mutations in the DNA of the host cell in which virus reside. Among them
cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are most prominent
and lethal diseases. Studies on the use of medicinal plant extract in the
cure of viral diseases and most prominently cancer are going on continuously
from some decades in various parts of the globe. In this present article
emphasis has been given on the search of those plants that bear the potency
to be antiviral agents.
An essential oil combination based on three aromatic plants (Coridothymus capitatus L., Origanum dictamnus L and Salvia fruticosa Mill), in extra-virgin olive oil, herein denoted as CAPeo – Cretan Aromatic Plant essential oil) has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms of patients with upper respiratory tract viral infections. In this study the authors tested whether the combinatorial CAPeo exhibited a direct antiviral activity against a wide range of respiratory viruses in vitro. The study revealed a remarkable antiviral activity of the essential oil combination against influenza A/H1N1 virus strains, influenza B and human rhinovirus 14 (HRV14) whereas no viral inhibition was found for influenza A/H3N2, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Adenovirus 5. Both in influenza A/H1N1 and HRV14, replication cycle and progeny virus production were significantly decreased after the treatment with CAPeo. Pre-treatment with the plant essential oil combination demonstrated that CAPeo exerts its antiviral activity after A/H1N1 or HRV14 entry in host cells, whereas it confers a preventive reactivity against RSV. Furthermore, CAPeo resulted in a defective trafficking of influenza A Nucleoprotein (NP), suggesting NP as a valid target of this extract. It was concluded that the essential oil combination possessed antiviral activity and had the potential to be used as an herbal agent against influenza viruses and rhinovirus.
Part used - root, rhizome Indications - modulating stress responses; improving work capacity and energy; prevention of respiratory infections; possibly (clinical studies unconvincing) as an ergogenic aid to improve work capacity Pharmacology - adaptogenic, immunomodulatory, antiviral, anticoagulant Constituents - eleutherosides (A-M); glycans (eleutherans A-G); triterpenoid saponins (friedelin); saponin (protoprimulagenin A); hydroxycoumarin (isofraxidin); phenolics; polysaccharides; coumarins; resin Products - Liquid extract, dried root/rhizome for decoction, tablets Therapeutic dosage: acute dosing: 4mL (1:1 fluid extract) in a single dose before activity chronic dosing: 2-3g/day powdered/cut root; fluid extract (1:1): 2-3mL/day (Commission E); liquid extract (1:2): 2-8 mL/day(15-55 mL/week) (Australian manufacturers' recommendations) extracts standardised to eleutheroside E (syringin) (> 0.5 mg/mL) are preferred. Russian and Korean Sources appear to have higher levels of this constituent(3) typically Siberian ginseng is taken for 6-8 weeks followed by a 1-2-week break before resuming treatment Precautions - due to possible anticoagulant effects, discontinue use one week prior to surgery; monitor patients with hypertension or CVD Interactions - anticoagulants and diabetic medications (theoretical); Siberian ginseng may increase tolerance for chemotherapeutic agents and improve immune function. May interfere with digoxin assay results Safety in pregnancy - insufficient reliable information is available, but the herb is not traditionally used in pregnancy. Inadvisable, as gonadotrophic and oestrogenic activities have been reported in animal studies.
Species of genus Acanthopanax(Araliaceae) are long-lived trees primarily distributed throughout East Asia. These species are regarded as medically and ecologically important in Korea. A variety of Cheongsong in Korea is one of these cultivated varieties, however this variety is much longer(>100 years) than those of other cultivated groups. The components of variety of Acanthopanax in Cheongsong were analyzed for the first time and were compared to those of all Acanthopanax taxa in Korea. Nineteen components were specific to variety in Cheongsong. The main components of this variety were \beta-caryophyllene, hexadecanoic acid and ethyl stearate. Although some components are differ from each other, variety Cheongsong was similar to A. senticosus at phonetic topology with content of the chemicals, In addition, six species of genus Acanthopanax were investigated to compare the major chemical components by GC-MS.
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms (Acanthopanax senticosus, Araliaceae, ES, thereafter), also called Siberian ginseng, Ciwujia in Chinese, and Gasiogalpi in Korea, is distributed in the southeastern Russia, northeast China, Korea, and Japan. The woody medicinal plant has been known since ancient times for its curative properties, and particularly the cortical roots and stem tissues of ES have been utilized for the treatment of various ailments such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hepatitis, spleen and liver complaints. Due to its giant therapeutic efficacy, more and more investigations have been carried out on the isolation and analysis of active compounds of ES, and their in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities and even clinical effects in humans. This review, therefore, provides a comprehensive review of the pharmacologically relevant compounds of ES characterized so far and of the studies supporting its use as a medicinal plant. Particular attention has been given to anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-carcinogenic, anti-fatigue, anti-diabetes, hypolipide, immunoprotection and immunoregulation, and antimicrobial and antiviral activities. This work presented here would help more detailed pharmacological cognition and further understanding of natural components of this medicinal plant species.
Phytochemical constituents were isolated from the fruits of Acanthopanax chiisanensis by repeated column chromatography. Their structures were identified as ß-sitosterol (1), daucosterol (2), sesamin (3), chiisanogenin (4), and 22α-hydroxy chiisanogenin (5) by spectroscopic analysis (MS,1H-, and13C-NMR). Compounds 1 - 5 were isolated for the first time from the fruits of A. chiisanensis.
A recent interest of Western medicine has been focused on the use of herbs as treatment or adjuvant therapy in varying diseases. Particularly, the knowledge that antibiotics are often over-prescribed for common infections, thus lending towards increased bacterial resistance, has instilled interest in herbal therapy for the uncomplicated upper respiratory tract (URT) infections (Roxas and Jurenka 2006). The recent interest of Western medicine has been focused on the use of herbs as a treatment or an adjuvant therapy in a variety of diseases. Particularly, the knowledge that antibiotics are often over-prescribed for common infections, thus lending towards increased bacterial resistance, has instilled interest in herbal therapy for the uncomplicated upper respiratory tract (URT) infections (Roxas and Jurenka 2006). The leaves and aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees (Acanthaceae) have been used for prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of respiratory infections, such as common cold, influenza with fever, soar throat, acute and chronic cough, sinusitis, bronchitis, and pharyngotonsillitis (Herba Andrographidis 2002; Herba Andrographis (Chuanxinlian) 2010; Carr and Nahata 2006; Kligler et al. 2006; Poolsup et al. 2004; Coon and Ernst 2004). Commonly found in tropical and subtropical Asia (mainly in China, Thailand, and India), A. paniculata is currently one of the most used medicinal plants in Southeast Asia. It has been commonly used in TCM and Ayurvedic systems as an antipyretic treatment effective against a variety of infections diseases, including urinary infection with difficult painful urination, tonsillitis, dysentery, oedema, bacillary dysentery, bronchitis, carbuncles, colitis, coughs, dyspepsia, malarial and intermittent fever, hepatitis, mouth ulcers, sores, tuberculosis, colic, otitis media, vaginitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, chickenpox, and eczema. Plant is effective for carbuncles, sores, venomous snake bites, ulcers in the mouth or on the tongue, liver disorders, burns, and traumatic infection (Herba Andrographis (Chuanxinlian) 2010; Herba Andrographidis 2002; Akbar 2011; Kunwar et al. 2010). Efficacy for prophylaxis and symptomatic treatment of upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold, uncomplicated sinusitis, bronchitis, and pharyngotonsillitis; urinary tract infections; and acute diarrhoea has also been supported by clinical trials (Herba Andrographidis 2002).
The contents of bioactive and antioxidative activities (DPPH ({\alpha},{\alpha}`-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl), free radical scavenging activity, peroxidation of linoleic acid and rat hepatocyte microsome, and Fe/Cu reducing power, tyrosinase inhibition activity) were tested by in vitro experimental models using water, hot water, ethanol and methanol extracts of leaves (ASL), roots (ASR), stems (ASS) and fruits (ASF) from Acanthopanax senticosus. Hot water extract from ASL showed the highest extraction yield (16.04%) as well as highest contents of phenolic compounds (2.67%) and flavonoids (1.43%). Major minerals were K, Ca and Mg. In oxidation in vitro models using DPPH free radical scavenging activity, Fe/Cu reducing power, Fe^{2 }/ascorbate-induced linoleic acid peroxidation by ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods, tyrosinase inhibition activity and autooxidation of rat hepatic microsomes membrane, and antioxidative activities were strong in Acanthopanax senticosus. From these results, ASL extracts were shown to have the most potent antioxidative properties and contain the highest amounts of antioxidative compounds such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. These results may provide the basic data to understand the biological activities of bio-active materials derived from leaves of Acanthopanax senticosus.
In the present study, water extracts of Acanthopanax divaricatus var, albeofructus and Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis were prepared and their antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects were compared. The water extract of Acanthopanax divaricatus var, albeofructus showed significantly higher activity in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, while there were no significant differences in ABTS/DPPH radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power. However, the water extract of Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis at the highest dose showed significantly lower capacity in nitric oxide production than that of Acanthopanax divaricatus var, albeofructus. Taken together, there were differences between Acanthopanax divaricatus var, albeofructus and Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis in total polyphenol/flavonoid contents and anti-inflammatory effect, however, the antioxidant effect was almost similar.
Three mold strains, Aspergillus oryzae (A. oryzae), Aspergillus kawachii (A. kawachii), and Monascus purpureus (M. purpureus), were tested for fermentation of Acanthopanax senticosus (A. senticosus) leaf, root, stem, and fruit powders. The fermented A. senticosus materials were then tested for bioactive materials (phenolic compounds, flavonoids, mineral and fatty acid) and biological activities (DPPH free radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and tyrosinase inhibition activity). The highest concentrations of phenolic compounds and flavonoids were NFASL at 4.11% and MPASL at 2.30%, respectively. Major minerals were Ca, K, Mg and Mn. Major fatty acids in fermented A. senticosus powders were palmitic, linolenic, and stearic acids. DPPH radical scavenging activity was slightly stronger in non-fermented than in fermented A. senticosus. Tyrosinase inhibition activity was stronger in fermented A. senticosus than in NFAG. The Fe/Cu reducing powers were stronger in non-fermented A. senticosus than in any of the fermented A. senticosus materials. Overall, the study provides basic data for understanding the biological activities and chemical characteristics of A. senticosus fermented by molds for the development of functional foods.
Three essential oil samples of Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmans. & Link were tested for cytotoxicity by MTT assay in Vero cells and antiviral activity against type 1 Herpes simplex virus (HSV1), Echovirus 11 (ECV11) and Adenovirus (ADV) using cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction essay. In order to determine the mode of antiviral action of the essential oil, thyme was added at different times to the cells or viruses during infection. Both HSV1 and ECV11 were significantly inhibited when virus were pretreated with the essential oil prior to adsorption, while ADV was affected after penetration into the host cell. In vitro antioxidant properties of the essential oils, obtained by DPPH and ABTS assays, were interesting compared to the synthetic antioxidant Trolox.
Because chemical and pharmacological studies of Eleutherococcus species growing in Asia showed their biological activity depends on glycosides known as eleutherosides, we used TLC to search for eleutherosides in ethanol extracts of the roots of E. senticosus , E. setchuensis , E. sesiliflorus , E. henryi , E. gracilistylus , and E. divaricatus cultivated in Poland. Eleutherosides B, E, and E 1 were identified in all the roots investigated and isofraxidin was identified in the roots of E. senticosus . Satisfactory separation of the eleutherosides from other components of the extracts was achieved by use of two mobile phases in two-step elution. The identity of the resolved compounds was confirmed by comparing their R F values and UV spectra with those of standards.
Three essential oil samples of Thymus capitatus (L) Hoffmans. & Link were tested for cytotoxicity by MTT assay in Vero cells and antiviral activity against type 1 Herpes simplex virus (HSV1), Echovirus 11 (ECV11) and Adenovirus (ADV) using cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction essay. In order to determine the mode of antiviral action of the essential oil, thyme was added at different times to the cells or viruses during infection. Both HSV1 and ECV11 were significantly Inhibited when virus were pretreated with the essential oil prior to adsorption, while ADV was affected after penetration into the host cell. In vitro antioxidant properties of the essential oils, obtained by DPPH and ABTS assays, were interesting compared to the synthetic antioxidant Trolox.
9-(2-Hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine (acyclo-Guo), is an effective and selective inhibitor of herpes simplex virus replciation. This purine nucleoside analogue was found to be phosphorylated at a 30- to 120-fold faster rate with extracts of vero cells infected with herpes simplex virus than with extracts of uninfected cells. The enzyme responsible for this reaction was identified as the virus-coded thymidine (dThd) kinase (EC 2.7.1.75). Evidence for this included: 1) the proportionate increase in the rates of phosphorylation of dThd (measured at pH 6) and acyclo-Guo after infection of Vero cells, 2) the concomitant loss of both activities in mutant strains of viruses deficient in dThd kinase, 3) the co-migration of the two activities on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, 4) the co-purification of the two activities with an affinity chromatography procedure that separates viral from host cell dThd kinase, and 5) the similar inhibitor specificities when either compound was used as the radioactive substrate. The amount of extractable kinase has been calculated to be sufficient to account for the amount of phosphorylated acyclo-Guo found in treated infected cells in tissue culture. Low acyclo-Guo phoshorylating levels in cells infected with either of two herpes simpelx virus mutants or with vaccinia virus correlated with low effectiveness of the compound against the virus in replication. This purine Relative rates of phosphorylation with nonradioactive nucleoside analogues were determined by a method employing [ 14C]phosphoenolpyruvate. Acyclo-Guo was phosphorylated at a faster rate than any other purine derivative tested. Other effective antiviral purine derivatives were not phosphorylated by the kinase and thus must be activated by a different mechanism.
Amantadine (1-aminoadamantane hydrochloride) is effective in the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A infections. In tissue culture this selective, strain-specific antiviral activity occurs at relatively low concentrations (5 microM or less), which inhibit either the initiation of infection or virus assembly. The data reported here demonstrate that the basis of these actions is similar and resides in the virus-coded M2 membrane protein, the product of a spliced transcript of RNA segment 7. Mutations which confer resistance to amantadine are restricted to four amino acids within a hydrophobic sequence, indicating that the drug is targetted against the putative membrane-associated portion of the molecule. The influence of the virus haemagglutinin on the amantadine sensitivity of virus strains implies that the drug may interfere with interactions between these two virus proteins.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the comparative toxicities and blood concentrations of amantadine hydrochloride and rimantadine hydrochloride were determined. Healthy, working adults ingested either 200 (n = 52) or 300 mg (n = 196) per day in divided doses for 4.5 days. Mean plasma drug concentrations at 4 h after the first dose were lower in rimantadine recipients given 100- (140 versus 300 ng/ml for rimantadine and amantadine, respectively; P less than 10(-5)) or 200-mg doses (310 versus 633 ng/ml; P less than 10(-5)). The plasma drug concentrations after the first dose correlated significantly with total symptom sources for both amantadine and rimantadine, but the plasma levels of toxic and nontoxic subjects overlapped extensively. At 300-mg/day dosage amantadine was associated more often with adverse central nervous system symptoms (33% of amantadine versus 9% of rimantadine recipients; P less than 0.001) and sleep disturbance (39 versus 13%; P less than 0.001), but not gastrointestinal symptoms (19.5 versus 16.0%). However, no differences between the drugs were noted in symptom frequency or scores in volunteers with similar plasma concentrations. Amantadine and rimantadine differ in their pharmacokinetics but not in their potential for side effects at comparable plasma concentrations.
Ribavirin was demonstrated to have an antiviral effect on respiratory syncytial virus in vitro. A 50% reduction in plaque
number was observed at concentrations of 3 or 10 micrograms of ribavirin per ml. This effect was observed when the drug was
added as late as 12 h postinfection. At concentrations of greater than 10 micrograms of ribavirin per ml, the size of the
syncytial plaque also noticeably decreased. Ribavirin similarly decreased the number of infectious units released into the
culture supernatant. The antiviral effect was observed to be inversely related to the size of the viral inoculum, although
all concentrations above 3.2 micrograms of ribavirin per ml visibly lessened the cytopathic effect regardless of the inoculum.
Cloning of respiratory synctial virus in inhibitory concentrations of ribavirin failed to show increased resistance to the
drug.
Study Objective: To determine the sensitivity of herpes simplex virus isolates to acyclovir and the importance of resistant isolates in hospitalized patients.
Design: Retrospective incidence cohort study.
Setting: All herpes simplex virus isolates cultured over 1 year from patients followed at a tertiary care center.
Patients: Consecutive herpes simplex virus isolates were collected from 207 patients, including immunocompetent patients, patients with malignancy, neonates, bone marrow and organ transplant recipients, and patients seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus.
Measurements and Main Results: A rapid nucleic acid hybridization method was used to assess susceptibility to acyclovir. Acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex viruses were recovered from 7 of 148 immunocompromised patients (4.7%) but from none of 59 immunocompetent hosts. Clinical disease was found in all 7 patients with resistant herpes simplex virus and was more severe in pediatric patients. All resistant isolates were from acyclovir-treated patients and had absent or altered thymidine kinase activity by plaque autoradiography.
Conclusion: Herpes simplex virus resistant to acyclovir arises relatively frequently in immunocompromised patients and may cause serious disease. Rapid detection of resistance permits antiviral therapy to be individualized. Antiviral susceptibility testing to monitor viral resistance should be encouraged, especially in tertiary care settings.
To determine the sensitivity of herpes simplex virus isolates to acyclovir and the importance of resistant isolates in hospitalized patients.
Retrospective incidence cohort study.
All herpes simplex virus isolates cultured over 1 year from patients followed at a tertiary care center.
Consecutive herpes simplex virus isolates were collected from 207 patients, including immunocompetent patients, patients with malignancy, neonates, bone marrow and organ transplant recipients, and patients seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus.
A rapid nucleic acid hybridization method was used to assess susceptibility to acyclovir. Acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex viruses were recovered from 7 of 148 immunocompromised patients (4.7%) but from none of 59 immunocompetent hosts. Clinical disease was found in all 7 patients with resistant herpes simplex virus and was more severe in pediatric patients. All resistant isolates were from acyclovir-treated patients and had absent or altered thymidine kinase activity by plaque autoradiography.
Herpes simplex virus resistant to acyclovir arises relatively frequently in immunocompromised patients and may cause serious disease. Rapid detection of resistance permits antiviral therapy to be individualized. Antiviral susceptibility testing to monitor viral resistance should be encouraged, especially in tertiary care settings.
Viable Leishmania promastigotes and amastigotes were detected by epifluorescence microscopy with fluorescein diacetate being used to mark living parasites and the nucleic acid-binding compound ethidium bromide to stain dead cells. This procedure is superior to other assays because it is faster and detects viable intracellular as well as extracellular Leishmania. Furthermore, destruction of intracellular pathogens by macrophages is more accurately determined with fluorescein diacetate than with other stains. The procedure may have applications in programs to develop drugs and vaccines against protozoa responsible for human and animal disease.
A tetrazolium salt has been used to develop a quantitative colorimetric assay for mammalian cell survival and proliferation. The assay detects living, but not dead cells and the signal generated is dependent on the degree of activation of the cells. This method can therefore be used to measure cytotoxicity, proliferation or activation. The results can be read on a multiwell scanning spectrophotometer (ELISA reader) and show a high degree of precision. No washing steps are used in the assay. The main advantages of the colorimetric assay are its rapidity and precision, and the lack of any radioisotope. We have used the assay to measure proliferative lymphokines, mitogen stimulations and complement-mediated lysis.
Epidemic influenza continues to be associated with significant morbidity in the general population, and mortality in the elderly and other high risk patients. Although the case fatality rate averages less than 0.01%, tens of thousands of deaths occur each year. Control through immunisation programmes has not been possible due to incomplete protective efficacy and antigenic variations that occur frequently. Currently available anti-influenza medications (amantadine and rimantadine) have had limited success due to underutilisation, lack of activity against influenza B, the rapid development of viral resistance to the drugs, and adverse effects. A new class of antiviral agents designed to inhibit influenza neuraminidase, an important surface glycoprotein, is currently under active development for use in the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A and B infections. Two of these compounds, zanamivir (GG167) and GS4104 (the ethyl ester prodrug of GS4071) have reached clinical trials. Most studies of zanamivir have involved topical administration by inhalation of dry powder aerosols and/or intranasal doses of aqueous solutions. These routes rapidly provide high local concentrations at the sites of delivery. GS4104 is administered orally, which allows for greater ease of administration, and probably more uniform distribution of the parent compound GS4071 in the respiratory tract. Both have shown potent inhibitory activity against influenza in animal models and experimental human influenza with excellent tolerability profiles. Zanamivir treatment has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of naturally occurring, uncomplicated influenza illness in adults. Clinical resistance to these drugs has not been recognised as a significant problem to date, although strains resistant to each agent have been produced in the laboratory. This class of agents shows considerable promise as a novel approach to prophylaxis and treatment of influenza infections. Ongoing studies should provide the data needed to allow the addition of 1 or more of the neuraminidase inhibitors to the clinician's anti-influenza armamentarium.
A plaque method is described for animal viruses using agar-cell suspensions, which has certain advantages over the monolayer method.
Antiviral effect of Eleutherococcus in experimental influenza infection
- S F Protasova
- M B Zykov
Protasova S.F., Zykov M.B., 1984. Antiviral effect of Eleuthe-rococcus in experimental influenza infection. Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Eleutherococ-cus, Part II, Academy of Science or the USSR Far East Science Centre, Vladivostok, USSR, pp. 170 – 174.