[The effects of aqueous extracts of Raphanus niger on an experimental influenza infection in mice and on the enzyme polymorphism in lung tissue extracts]. / Les effets d'un extrait aqueux de Raphanus niger sur l'infection expérimentale à virus de la grippe chez la souris et sur le polymorphisme de quelques enzymes dans les extraits de tissu pulmonaire.

Prophylactic effects of Raphanus niger water extract against A/PR 8/34 influenza virus experimental infection was tested in mice, by means of the following parameters: mortality mean survival time and hemagglutinating (HA) titre of lung extract. Variations of the isoenzymatic structures of peroxidase and acid and alkaline phosphatases were studied too. The results revealed the significant reduction of mortality and of hemagglutinating titre and the augmentation of mean survival time. Modifications of the isoenzymatic structures, especially of the phosphatases, are characteristic for the illness state as well as for the one induced by R. niger extract treatment.

[The action of a Chamenerion angustifolium extract in experimental influenza virus infection in mice]. / L'action d'un extrait de Chamenerion angustifolium sur l'infection expérimentale à virus de la grippe chez la souris.

V-2 and V-8, two preparations containing an extract from Chamenerion angustifolium, were tested in vitro and in vivo, for their anti-influenza properties. In vitro, the two preparations induced a significant reduction of the hemagglutinating titers. In vivo, administration of each of the two products, three times before the influenza virus inoculation significantly reduced (27%) the mortality rate and the hemagglutinating titers, and increased the survival mean time (SMT) (about 3.5 times). These effects were more striking when control infection was done seven days after the last administration of the extract: the mortality rate reduces by 50%, the HA titers lowered to zero and the SMT increased by about 5 times.

[Immunomodulation with natural products. I. Effect of an aqueous extract of Raphanus sativus niger on experimental influenza infection in mice]. / Immunomodulation par des produits naturels. Note I. Effet d'un extrait aqueux de Raphanus sativus niger sur l'infection grippale expérimentale chez la souris.

A Raphanus sativus niger water extract was administered by intranasal instillations to mice before inoculation of the influenza virus A/PR 8/34 (H1N1) strain by the same route. The extract ensured some protection against the experimental influenza infection. A significant decrease of the hemagglutinin titre of the mouse lung homogenate was noted, as well as a decrease of the mortality rate and a significant increase of the rate of survival as compared to the untreated controls.

[Sensitivity to influenza infection of X-ray-irradiated animals and the protective effect of a thymus extract]. / Sensibilité à l'infection grippale des animaux irradiés par des rayons X et effet protecteur d'un extrait de thymus.

The A 2/Romania 1/73 (H3N2) strain of influenza virus at the 15th passage on chick embryos was compared to the mouse adapted A0/PR8/34 (H0N1) strain, as regards pathogenicity for X-ray irradiated mice. Irradiated mice showed a greater sensitivity to influenza infection than nonirradiated controls, irrespective of the strain used: hemagglutinating (HA) titers were constantly higher in the first group of animals. Administration of a polypeptidic thymus extract to irradiated mice inoculated with the A0/PR8 strain had a protective effect and was followed by a decrease in mean HA titer from 1/3077 to 1/164. The authors discuss the possible mechanisms of the viral multiplication rate increase in irradiated animals and of the higher resistance against influenza infection noted in thymus-extract treated animals.

The effect of some thymic extracts on antibody formation in rats and mice.

The influence of some thymic extracts TP1 and TP2 on the number of hemolytic plaque-forming cells (PFC) in the mouse spleen, on the titre of serum antibodies, S-typhy antiflagelar agglutinins and anti-influenza antibodies, was investigated. The results have shown that the hemolytic plaque-forming cells in the mouse spleen increase significantly, 2.3 times under the influence of the TP2 thymic extract in RAP mice inoculated with sheep red cells. In Wistar rats, inoculated with a formol-inactivated suspension of S. typhy and treated with TP2, the antibody titre increases 3.3 times at most. The increase is in relation to the dose of extract and the thymus batch from which the extract was prepared. TP1 also stimulates serum antibody formation in Wistar rats inoculated with A2 influenza vaccine. The antiinfluenza antibody titre increases 2.7 times under the influence of the thymic extract. The results also depend on the dose of extract and the thymus batch. In irradiated animals, the thymic extract had a protective effect. X-ray exposure of Wistar rats caused a 2.5 times decrease in the antiinfluenza antibodies titre. Under the influence of the TP1 thymus extract, the antibody titre increases 2.9 times as against the irradiated controls.

The effect of new adamantane derivatives on experimental influenza infection in mice.

Two newly synthesized derivatives of 1-aminoadamantane hydrochloride--CF.01.01 and CF.01.06--were assayed for their anti-influenza efficacy. Aqueous solutions of the drugs (200 gamma/0.1 ml) were administered intranasally to mice at 24 hours and 5 hours or at 24 hours, 5 hours and 1 hour prior to intranasal inoculation of influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). Compound CF.01.06 caused a significant decrease of the HA titer in the lungs of virus-infected mice. There was no change in mortality rate and the increase in mean survival time was at the limit of statistical significance.

Prophylactic effect of a Beta vulgaris extract on experimental influenza infection in mice.

An aqueous Beta vulgaris extract was repeatedly administered to mice by intranasal (i.n.) instillation, prior to i.n. inoculation of influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). The extract conferred a partial protection against the experimental influenza infection: there was a significant decrease in the hemagglutination titers recorded in mouse lung homogenates, a decrease in mortality rate and an increase in the mean survival time as compared with the untreated, virus-inoculated controls.

Effect of several unpurified milk preparations on experimental influenza infection in mice.

Investigations were performed as regards the effect of the in vitro contact of influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) with different milk preparations: boiled milk, milk acidified with lactic acid, supernatant from boiled yoghourt. It was the latter preparation that had the highest efficacy as regards the reduction of hemagglutinating (HA) titer following direct in vitro contact and the course of experimental influenza infection in mice. In the case of animals inoculated with influenza virus exposed to yoghourt supernatant HA titers in the lung homogenates were lower, mortality rates were reduced and the mean survival time was longer than in controls infected with untreated virus. Considerations are made on the possible mechanisms of the antiinfluenza action of yoghourt supernatant.

The effect of an aqueous horse-radish extract, applied as such or in association with caffeine, on experimental influenza in mice.

An aqueous horse-radish extract was repeatedly administered to mice by intranasal (i.n.) route prior to i.n. inoculation of influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H1N1). The antiviral effect of the extract--also demonstrated in vitro--was reflected by a significant decrease in the hemagglutination titers recorded in mouse lung homogenates and by a slight increase in the mean survival time of treated mice versus untreated controls. Association of horse-radish extract with caffeine led to a synergic effect only as regards the mortality rate.

Effect of caffeine on experimental influenza in mice.

Three 50-gamma, 125-gamma or 250-gamma doses of caffeine were administered to mice by intranasal (i.n.) route, either before or after i.n. inoculation of influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H1N1) A decrease in mortality by 30-50%, a slight increase in mean survival time and a significant decrease in the hemagglutinating (HA) titer of the virus were achieved by application of 125-gamma doses prior to virus inoculation. When given after inoculation caffeine appeared to induce only a reduction in HA titers. The HA capacity of an influenza virus suspension was significantly reduced by in vitro contact with caffeine. The possible mechanism underlying the antiinfluenza effect of caffeine is briefly discussed.

Influence of sodium fluoride on isoenzyme patterns in the lung homogenates of mice with experimental influenza infection.

NaF was administered intranasally to mice- either as a single or as four daily 100-gamma doses - prior to inoculation of influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H0N1). The changes caused by drug treatment in the isoenzyme patterns of peroxidase, acid and alkaline phosphatases, succinate and lactate dehydrogenases, observed in the mouse lung homogenates, could not be correlated with the previously recorded NaF-induced reduction in hemagglutinating titers and mortality rate.

The effect of sodium fluoride on experimental influenza virus infection in mice.

NaF was administered intranasally to mice, either as a single 0.1-ml dose (containing 100 gamma), one hour before inoculation of influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H0N1), or as four similar daily doses, the last drug application preceding virus inoculation by 1 hour. In both cases the drug treatment led to a marked reduction in the hemagglutinating titers recorded in lung suspensions, accompanied by a lower mortality percentage and by an increase in mean survival length.

The effect of an aqueous propolis extract, of rutin and of a rutin-quercetin mixture on experimental influenza virus infection in mice.

Investigations were performed on the effect of an aqueous propolis extract, of rutin and of a rutin-quercetin mixture on experimental infection with influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H0N1) in mice. Propolis extract administered intranasally 3 hours before virus inoculation led to a reduction of the HA titers recorded in the lung suspensions from infected mice, but to no reduction in mortality or increase in mean survival length. When the extract was administered 3 hours after virus inoculation, the reduction in HA titer was accompanied by a slight decrease in mortality and increase in mean survival length, Rutin and the rutin-quercetin mixture caused an increase in both HA titer and mortality.

Action of thymic polypeptides of low molecular weight on some immune reactions at tissular and humoral level in guinea-pigs and mice.

Administration of the TP2 extract containing thymic polypeptides of low molecular weight (under 10,000 daltons) was found to stimulate the delayed hypersensitivity reaction in guinea-pigs injected with BCG. It was also found to reduce the hemagglutination titre in mice injected with the APR 8 influenza virus and to raise the antiflagellar agglutinins titre in rats injected with TH Salmonella vaccine. The cellular type of immune reactions was stronger than the humoral one.

Influence of 2,4,6-triamino-pyrimidyl-5-azobenzene on the activities of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in cell cultures infected with herpes simplex virus type 1.

Treatment of VERO cells with 2,4,6-triamino-pyridimyl-5-azobenzene (10 gamma/ml) one hour after inoculation of herpes simplex virus type 1 limits the influence of the virus infection, consisting in the enchancement of the activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and LDH (especially of the latter two enzymes) and in changes in the isoenzyme patterns of acid and alkaline phosphatases and of peroxidase. In general the influence of the drug is expressed both by the fact that enzyme levels in homogenates of infected cells become closer to the values recorded in controls, and by modifications in the isoenzyme patterns altered by virus multiplication, making them more similar to those of uninfected, untreated cells.

Isoenzymes of succinate dehydrogenase in measles virus-infected monkey kidney cells.

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) isoenzyme patterns were analyzed in R6CA monkey kidney cells inoculated with wild and attenuated measles virus. Cell homogenates were prepared either in a sucrose--Triton X-100 mixture, or in sucrose alone. In both cases the most important SDH isoenzyme pattern alterations were observed in the homogenates of cells infected with wild measles virus at 72 hours post inoculation. Similar alterations occurred in homogenates of cells infected with the attenuated strain after a delay of about 100 hours. In all the experimental variants the use of Triton X-100 allowed the visualization of a larger number of isoenzyme bands.