RESUMEN
CONTEXT: Thirty-one medicinal plant species from Hawaii, Morocco, and the Sonoran Desert, USA have been shown in past studies to be highly inhibitory to pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and certain cancer cell lines. However, none were tested for antiviral activity. OBJECTIVE: Acetone and methanol extracts from these species were bio-assayed for antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and for cytotoxicity to the Vero C1008 cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracts from these species were tested in vitro for antiviral activity using an immunoperoxidase mini-plaque reduction assay to detect viral structural protein synthesis. A 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) was computed. Sulforhodamine B and neutral red assays were used to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the cytotoxicity of extracts to C1008 cells, and to compute a 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC(50)) using a dose response curve. RESULTS: Eight of the 31 plant species assayed showed significant antiviral activity against HSV 1 and HSV 2 viruses. The acetone extract of Kalanchoe pinnata Pers. (Crassulaceae) produced an IC(50) of 0.025 mg/mL and a CC(50) of 1.25 mg/mL yielding a therapeutic index of 50. Additionally, this extract reduced plaque numbers to zero or near zero at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL when added 30 min before or 30 min after virus infection. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The mechanism of inhibition against HSV 1 and HSV 2 viruses is now being investigated, along with fractionation of the acetone extract in search of the active compound or compounds.
Asunto(s)
Antivirales/farmacología , Antivirales/toxicidad , Herpesvirus Humano 1/efectos de los fármacos , Herpesvirus Humano 2/efectos de los fármacos , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/toxicidad , Plantas Medicinales/química , Animales , Antivirales/aislamiento & purificación , Chlorocebus aethiops , Descubrimiento de Drogas , Hawaii , Herpes Simple/tratamiento farmacológico , Concentración 50 Inhibidora , Kalanchoe/química , Medicina Tradicional , México , Marruecos , Extractos Vegetales/aislamiento & purificación , Raíces de Plantas/química , Solventes , Sudoeste de Estados Unidos , Células Vero , Ensayo de Placa ViralRESUMEN
The hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic properties of the aqueous extracts of the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides L. were evaluated in normoglycemic and in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, in order to validate its use in folk medicine. Tested animals were given the aqueous extracts of the plant at the doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg. These doses were tested also on glucose loaded normal male rats (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). Of all the doses, the aqueous extracts at 200 and 300mg/kg showed statistically significant hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic activities. For the oral glucose tolerance test, 100mg/kg dose only attenuated significantly the rise of blood glucose in normal fasted rats. Consequently, these results confirmed the hypoglycaemic properties of the leaves of Ageratum conyzoides.
Asunto(s)
Ageratum , Diabetes Mellitus Experimental/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipoglucemiantes/uso terapéutico , Fitoterapia , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Animales , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Prueba de Tolerancia a la Glucosa , Hipoglucemiantes/farmacología , Masculino , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Hojas de la Planta , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Valores de ReferenciaRESUMEN
Hypaphorine, an alpha-N,N,N-trimethyltryptophan betaine, was isolated, for the first time, from Astragalus lusitanicus Lam. (Fabaceae), a plant highly toxic for lambs and goats. This alkaloid was characterized by NMR and MS analysis. Hypaphorine was previously reported to be a convulsive poison. To confirm the toxicity, it was synthesized and tested in goats. Hypaphorine was shown to be non-toxic for goats even at a high dose of 2 g kg(-1) by oral administration.
Asunto(s)
Planta del Astrágalo/química , Indoles/aislamiento & purificación , Indoles/toxicidad , Extractos Vegetales/toxicidad , Plantas Tóxicas/química , Animales , Bioensayo , Cabras , Indoles/química , Espectrometría de Masas , Resonancia Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular , Rotación Óptica , Extractos Vegetales/químicaRESUMEN
Atractylis gummifera L., a poisonous thistle responsible for frequent and sometimes mortal poisonings is known in Mediterranean region and in occident as this plant is used in alternative medicine. The clinical and biological data of four cases of poisoning in Morocco by Atractylis gummifera L. reported and discussed in this study will have to help to review this poisoning in order to inform better and to take care of the poisoned persons. Also this study may contribute to prevent the use of this plant in traditional medicine.