In vitro screening for antiviral activity of Turkish plants revealing methanolic extract of Rindera lanata var. lanata active against human rotavirus

Abstract

BackgroundHuman rotavirus (HRoV) is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children under the age of five years. No specific antiviral drug is available for HRoV infections and the treatment of viral diarrhea is mainly based on rehydration and zinc treatment. In this study, we explored medicinal plants endemic to Turkey flora as a source of anti-HRoV compunds.MethodsWe performed an antiviral screening on Ballota macrodonta, Salvia cryptantha and Rindera lanata extracts by focus reduction assay. The extract with the highest selectivity index (SI) was selected; its antiviral activity was further confirmed against other HRoV strains and by virus yield reduction assay. The step of viral replicative cycle putatively inhibited was investigated by in vitro assays.ResultsThe methanolic extract of R. lanata (Boraginaceae) showed the most favourable selectivity index. This extract exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory activity against three different HRoV strains (EC50 values ranging from 5.8 μg/ml to 25.5 μg/ml), but was inactive or barely active against other RNA viruses, namely human rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. The R. lanata extract targets the early steps of HRoV infection, likely by hampering virus penetration into the cells.ConclusionThese results make the R. lanata methanolic extract a promising starting material for a bioguided-fractionation aimed at identifying anti-HRoV compounds. Further work is required to isolate the active principle and assess its clinical potential.

Chemical Profile and Screening of Bioactive Metabolites of Rindera graeca (A. DC.) Bois. & Heldr. (Boraginaceae) In Vitro Cultures

“…canescens showed moderate in vitro antimicrobial activity [ 14 ], while a methanolic extract of R. lanata var. lanata exerted in vitro antivirus property against a human rotavirus [ 13 ]. The fruits of the widely distributed R. oblongifolia are a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids [ 15 ], similar to the aerial parts, roots, and seeds of the endemic Serbian R. umbellata .…”

“…Rindera graeca and Rindera gymnandra are the only endemic Mediterranean taxa in Greece and Algeria, respectively [12]. Other Rindera species endemic in Turkey (R. dumanii, R. caespitosa, and R. cetineriare) have been used in folk medicine, appreciated for their anti-inflammatory properties [13]. The essential oil from R. lanata var.…”

Rindera graeca (Boraginaceae) Phytochemical Profile and Biological Activities

“…All of its species are perennial and adapted to dry climates. Of these, Rindera dumanii , Rindera caespitosa , and the recently identified Rindera cetineriare are endemic to Turkey, where plants from the Rindera genus are traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory medicine [ 5 ]. Essential oil from Rindera lanata var.…”

“…Moreover, a methanolic extract of Rindera lanata var. lanata showed in vitro potential against the human rotavirus, which is responsible for gastroenteritis [ 5 ]. Rindera umbellate , the only endemic Rindera species in Serbia, appeared as a rich source of fatty acids and pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) identified from aerial parts, roots, and seeds in a recent study [ 7 ].…”

Antiviral Activity of Dicrocephala Integrifolia (Kuntze) Against Herpes Simplex Type-1 Virus: An in vitro Study

“…6,7 Several authors have reported on plant derived lead molecules efficacious against various stages of viral development. 8,9 Dicrocephala integrifolia is a flowering plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. 10 In Kenya, it is used in the treatment of skin infections, 11 induction of emesis, purgative, antitumor agent as well as in the management of liver, spleen, kidney, bladder, bone and joint diseases.…”