Antiviral activity of an aqueous extract derived from Aloe arborescens Mill. against a broad panel of viruses causing infections of the upper respiratory tract.

BACKGROUND: A number of antiviral therapies have evolved that may be effectively administered to treat respiratory viral diseases. But these therapies are very often of limited efficacy or have severe side effects. Therefore there is great interest in developing new efficacious and safe antiviral compounds e.g. based on the identification of compounds of herbal origin. HYPOTHESIS: Since an aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens Mill. shows antiviral activity against viruses causing infections of the upper respiratory tract in vitro we hypothesised that a product containing it such as Biaron C(®) could have an antiviral activity too. STUDY DESIGN: Antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®), an herbal medicinal product consisting of an aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens Mill., Vitamin C, and Aronia melanocarpa Elliot. succus, added as an excipient, was tested in vitro against a broad panel of viruses involved in upper respiratory tract infections. METHODS: These studies included human adenovirus and several RNA viruses and were performed either with plaque reduction assays or with tests for the detection of a virus-caused cytopathic effect. RESULTS: Our studies demonstrated an impressive activity of Bioaron C(®) against members of the orthomyxoviridae - influenza A and influenza B viruses. Replication of both analysed influenza A virus strains - H1N1 and H3N2 - as well as replication of two analysed influenza B viruses - strains Yamagatal and Beiying - was significantly reduced after addition of Bioaron C(®) to the infected cell cultures. In contrast antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) against other RNA viruses showed a heterogeneous pattern. Bioaron C(®) inhibited the replication of human rhinovirus and coxsackievirus, both viruses belonging to the family of picornaviridae and both representing non-enveloped RNA viruses. In vitro infections with respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus, both belonging to the paramyxoviridae, were only poorly blocked by the test substance. No antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) was detected against adenovirus - a non-enveloped DNA virus. CONCLUSIONS: These results represent the first proof of a selective antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) against influenza viruses and create basis for further analyses of type and molecular mechanisms of the antiviral activity of this herbal medicine.

Antiviral activity in vitro of two preparations of the herbal medicinal product Sinupret® against viruses causing respiratory infections.

Sinupret(®), a herbal medicinal product made from Gentian root, Primula flower, Elder flower, Sorrel herb, and Verbena herb is frequently used in the treatment of acute and chronic rhinosinusitis and respiratory viral infections such as common cold. To date little is known about its potential antiviral activity. Therefore experiments have been performed to measure the antiviral activity of Sinupret(®) oral drops (hereinafter referred to as "oral drops") and Sinupret(®) dry extract (hereinafter referred to as "dry extract"), in vitro against a broad panel of both enveloped and non-enveloped human pathogenic RNA and DNA viruses known to cause infections of the upper respiratory tract: influenza A, Chile 1/83 (H1N1) virus (FluA), Porcine Influenza A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) virus (pFluA), parainfluenza type 3 virus (Para 3), respiratory syncytial virus, strain Long (RSV), human rhinovirus B subtype 14 (HRV 14), coxsackievirus subtype A9 (CA9), and adenovirus C subtype 5 (Adeno 5). Concentration-dependent antiviral activity (EC(50) between 13.8 and 124.8 µg/ml) of Sinupret(®) was observed against RNA as well as DNA viruses independent of a viral envelope. Remarkable antiviral activity was shown against Adeno 5, HRV 14 and RSV in which dry extract was significantly superior to oral drops. This could be ascertained with different assays as plaque-reduction assays in plaque forming units (PFU), the analyses of a cytopathogenic effect (CPE) and with enzyme immunoassays (ELISA) to determine the amount of newly synthesised virus. Our results demonstrate that Sinupret(®) shows a broad spectrum of antiviral activity in vitro against viruses commonly known to cause respiratory infections.

[Influence of homeopathically processed coenzyme q10 on proliferation and redifferentiation of endothelial cells]. / Einfluss von homöopathisch aufbereitetem Coenzym Q10 auf die Proliferation und Redifferenzierung von Endothelzellen.

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) is vital for regulating cell metabolism and cell proliferation. The controlled proliferation of cells is prerequisite for the regeneration of tissues. AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify whether homeopathically processed Co Q10 has an influence on the proliferation of freshly seeded endothelial cells, on the division rate of differentiated confluent endothelial cells, and on the redifferentiation of differentiated endothelial cells in vitro. METHODS: By the determination of cell numbers, the influence of Co Q10 on the proliferation of undifferentiated endothelial cells from the human umbilical vein was examined. For this assay different potencies of Co Q10 and freshly seeded endothelial cells were used. Prior to the proliferation assay the in vitro cytotoxic concentrations of Co Q10 were determined. The influence of Co Q10 on the division rate of differentiated confluent endothelial cells was determined by measuring the intake of the base analogue bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). For the testing of differentiation, the expression of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) - the marker protein typical for endothelial cells - was observed while Co Q10 was present. A flow cytometric assay was used for the analyses. RESULTS: While only the D5 potency showed toxic effects, the other tested potencies of Co Q10 did not show any cytotoxicity. The potencies D7-D10 of Co Q10, especially the D8 potency, caused an increase in the proliferation of growing endothelial cells. By contrast, Co Q10 (D8) had no influence on the rate of incorporation of BrdU into confluent, contact-inhibited, and differentiated endothelial cells. In the case of confluent dedifferentiated cells incubated with Co Q10 (D8), no increase in the expression of the vWF was observed, either. CONCLUSIONS: Homeopathically processed Co Q10 (D8) has a stimulating influence on the proliferation of growing cells in vitro. This confirms its function in the regulation of cell metabolism and cell proliferation. The stimulating influence, however, does not extend to the redifferentiation process. Co Q10 has no effect on the low division rate of subconfluent and of confluent, contact-inhibited, differentiated endothelial cells. Furthermore the expression of endothelial cell-specific differentiation antigens on dedifferentiated endothelial cells is not influenced by Co Q10.

Antiviral action of Euphorbium compositum and its components.

INTRODUCTION: Euphorbium compositum SN (Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany, a homeopathic combination preparation available in form of drops, nasal spray, and injection solution), is prescribed for inflammation of the mucosae of the nose and sinuses. Infections in these areas are primarily of viral origin although bacterial superinfections are also common. OBJECTIVE: The main question was whether or not this homeopathic remedy shows an activity against viruses responsible for infections of the respiratory tract. METHODS: This in vitro study using virus plaque reduction assays examined the effect of Euphorbium compositum SN against pathogens causing various viral infections: influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human rhinovirus (HRV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). RESULTS: Analysis of virus production after treatment of the infected cells with the remedy showed an antiviral activity of Euphorbium compositum SN against RSV and HSV-1. In addition, an antiviral effect against influenza A virus and HRV, though minimal, was, also noted. Analyses of the plant-derived components of Euphorbium compositum SN, e.g. Euphorbium resinifera, Pulsatilla pratensis and Luffa operculata for their antiviral activity revealed a clear activity of Euphorbium resinifera and Pulsatilla pratensis against RSV. In contrast, no effect was detected using the same protocol with Luffa operculata. CONCLUSIONS: Euphorbium resinifera and Pulsatilla pratensis as components of Euphorbium compositum SN are responsible for its antiviral activity.

Antiviral activity of an extract derived from roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus.

A liquid extract from Eleutherococcus senticosus roots inhibited the productive replication of human rhinovirus (HRV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus in cell cultures infected with these viruses, all of which belong to the RNA type viruses. Analysis of virus production after treatment of the infected cells using plaque-reduction assays showed a strong antiviral activity of the Eleutherococcus extract. In contrast, no effect was detected using the same protocol for cells infected with the DNA viruses, adenovirus (Adeno 5) or herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV 1). Pre-treatment of cells did not inhibit either virus adsorption or virus replication. The results of the study demonstrate that the Eleutherococcus extract inhibited the replication of all RNA viruses studied so far. This antiviral activity remained stable under the conditions used for drug preparation and storage.