Anti-viral effects of urosolic acid on guinea pig cytomegalovirus in vitro

Abstract

This study examined the anti-viral effect of ursolic acid on guinea pig cytomegalovirus (GPCMV) and explored the steps of viral replication targeted by ursolic acid. Cytopathic effect assay and MTT method were employed to determine the 50% cellular cytotoxicity (CC(50)), 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) and therapeutic index (TI) with GPCMV. To investigate the specific anti-viral effect of ursolic acid at different temperatures and time points, two other medicines, ganciclovir and Jinyebaidu (JYBD), serving as controls, were studied for comparison. Our results showed that the CC50 of ganciclovir, JYBD and ursolic acid were 333.8, 3015.6, 86.7 μg/mL, respectively; EC(50) of ganciclovir, JYBD and ursolic acid was 48.1, 325.5 and 6.8 μg/mL, respectively; TI of ganciclovir, JYBD and ursolic acid was 7, 9, 13, respectively. Similar with ganciclovir, ursolic acid could inhibit the viral synthesis, but did not affect the viral adsorption onto and penetration into cells. We are led to conclude that the anti-cytomegalovirus effect of ursolic acid is significantly stronger than ganciclovir or JYBD, and the cytotoxic effect of ursolic acid lies in its ability to inhibit viral synthesis.

Naturally occurring anti-cancer compounds: shining from Chinese herbal medicine

“…(cranberry), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng (bearberry), Rhododendron hymenanthes Makino, Eriobotrya japonica, Rosemarinus officinalis, Calluna vulgaris, Eugenia jambolana and Ocimum sanctum, as well as in the wax-like protective coatings of fruits such as pears, apples and prunes [265]. UA has numerous biochemical and pharmacological effects including antiinflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-proliferative, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-leukemic, anti-viral, and anti-diabetic effects [266][267][268][269][270][271][272]. It also exerts anti-cancer activities in ovarian, breast, gastric, prostate, lung, liver, bladder, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers [273][274][275][276][277][278][279][280][281].…”

Sambucus australis Modulates Inflammatory Response via Inhibition of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-kB) in vitro

“…Previous reports have described that S. australis is rich in triterpenes such as ursolic acid (UA) (lamaison 1991(lamaison , Alice 1990). Several biological activities were attributed to UA such as antitumor, antioxidant, antibacterial, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the activation of NF-kB (Rao et al 2011, Alqahtani et al 2013, Kim and Moon 2015, Chun et al 2014, Yoon et al 2014, Zhao et al 2012, Nascimento et al 2014. Here in, we have demonstrated the effect of S. australis Cham.…”

“…One of the main component of S. australis is the ursolic acid (UA). UA is a pentacyclic triterpene with antitumor and anti-inflammatory activity due to the inhibition of NF-kB activation; it has antioxidant and antibacterial effects, promotes hypoglycemia and prevents the deposition of fat (Rao et al 2011, Alqahtani 2013, Kim and Moon 2015, Chun et al 2014, Yoon et al 2014, Zhao et al 2012, Nascimento et al 2014, liobikas 2011. These studies suggest that S. australis Cham.…”

Terpenoids as Potential Geroprotectors

“…Triterpenes and triterpenoids have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic action [ 230 , 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 , 335 , 336 , 337 ]. Furthermore, triterpenoids can be used as immunomodulator agents [ 246 ].…”