Assessment of potency of PC-complexed Ocimum sanctum methanol extract in embryonated eggs against Influenza virus (H1N1)

Abstract

Background:Despite of new vaccines, the threat of influenza infection persists. In addition, availability, cost, duration of protection rendered and effectiveness of vaccines additional to the need of effective drug therapy makes influenza a challenge, which the globe faces. Traditionally used herbs and their decoctions are used for ages to cure symptoms similar to influenza. Tulsi or Ocimum sanctum is one of these major herbs used for influenza-like disease treatment. We attempted to explore a new methodology for assessing phosphatidyl choline (PC)-complexed O. sanctum methanol extract in embryonated vaccine quality eggs model.Materials and Methods:The PC-complexed O. sanctum methanol extract was prepared and standardized using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). (Data not provided here) Nine to 11 days embryonated eggs were inoculated with the virus and drug mixture and then harvested to perform a hemagglutination (HA) test on the allantoic fluid. The experiments were performed at three different concentrations of ursolic acid with various virus concentration and dose levels of drugs. The HA titer was calculated from all experiments and observed for any inhibition of virus.Results:In initial experiments, matrix method for drug and virus concentration was employed. It was observed that the drug exhibited some response for 3log EID50 (egg infective dose) in few samples at 1:2 HA titer, but no response was observed at 4log EID50. In subsequent experiment, all the virus titers from 7log EID50 to 2log EID50 demonstrated positive HA titer of 1:64. However, the drug failed to exhibit any significant inhibition at any level of demonstrable virus titer. At all the concentrations, O. sanctum extracts were found to be safe.Conclusion:The embryonated egg model may be utilized further to screen other drugs, which possess direct inhibitory properties like neuraminidase inhibition, and O. sanctum does not inhibit the influenza virus in this model at the given concentration.

Densitometric Validation and Optimisation of Polyphenols in Ocimum sanctum Linn by High Performance Thin‐layer Chromatography

“…Totally different elements of the planthistorically have been used in Ayurveda and Siddha systems for the treatment of various ailments such as infection, skin diseases and hepatic disorders, and as an antidote for snake and scorpion stings. This plant is suggested for human monocyte (THP‐1) cell activation (Choudhury et al, ), influenza virus (H1N1) (Jadhav et al, ), anti‐plasmodial activity (Rajendran et al, ), anti‐inflammatory, gastrointestinal and hepatoprotective effects (Lahon and Das, ; Kamyab and Eshraghian, ), neuroprotective activity (Venuprasad et al, ), anti‐ageing, anti‐stress and reactive‐oxygen‐species scavenging activity (Pandey et al, ), chemopreventative activity (Baliga et al, ; Bhattacharyya and Bishayee, ), human pancreatic cancer cell (Shimizu et al, ), mutagenic potential (Chandrasekaran et al, ), stress‐induced anxiety (Bathala et al, ), stress‐induced central monoaminergic and oxidative changes in rats (Ahmad et al, ), fatigue stress (Zamin, ), typhoid fever (Mandal et al, ), cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (Ahmad et al, ), anti‐dengue activity (Tang et al, ), ameliorative activity (Mahaprabhu et al, ), lipid lowering and anti‐oxidant activity (Suanarunsawat et al, ), cognitive disorders (Giridharan et al, ), anti‐diabetic activity (Patil et al, ; Muralikrishnan et al, ), thrombolytic activity (Khan et al, ), effect on sperm count and reproductive hormones (Sethi et al, ), anti‐melanoma and radioprotective activity (Monga et al, ), anti‐hyperlipidaemic and cardio‐protective activity (Panda and Naik, ; Suanarunsawat et al, ), anxiety and depression (Tabassum et al, ; Chatterjee et al, ), leishmanicidal activity (Suzuki et al, ) and immune response (Mediratta et al, ).…”

In vitro Effects of a Novel Silver-based Complex on Influenza Virus

“…In recent years, a large number of new antiviral substances of chemical and plant origin have been actively developed and the mechanism of their antiviral action is being investigated. [14][15][16][17] Despite this, silver remains a very effective anti-infective agent with great potential. Silver in different form inhibits viruses and can overcome the resistance of the influenza virus to antiviral drugs.…”

Ursolic acid: biological functions and application in animal husbandry

“…This indicates that UA can be considered as an alternative anti-MSRV agent in aquaculture. An extract of O. sanctum containing UA was found to have potential anti-influenza activity ( 120 ), and the juice from fresh O. sanctum leaves exhibited antibacterial activity due to the inhibition of the expression of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes produced by E. coli ( 121 ). Based on these results, it can be predicted that UA has the potential to be used as an antiviral drug or antibiotic substitute in animal husbandry.…”