Virucidal activity and chemical composition of essential oils from aromatic plants of central west Argentina

C. C. GARCÍA; ACOSTA E.; CARRO, AC; FERNANDEZ BELMONTE M.C.; BOMBEN R; DUSCHATZKY C.B.; PEROTTI M.; CAROLA SCHUFF; DAMONTE E.

NATURAL PRODUCT COMMUNICATIONS

NATURAL PRODUCTS INC

Lugar: Westerville; Año: 2010 vol. 5 p. 1307 - 1310

1934-578X

Essential oils obtained from diverse plants have been widely used in phytotherapy. Novel antiviral agents are needed for treatment against acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus variants as well as against hemorrhagic fever viruses lacking specific chemotherapy. The essential oils of seven aromatic plants from the Central West region of Argentina were isolated by steam distillation and analyzed by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. The oils were screened for cytotoxicity and in vitro inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2) and Junin virus (JUNV) by a virucidal test. The oils showed a variable virucidal action according to the virus. JUNV was the less susceptible virus in comparison with HSV-1 and DENV-2. The better relationship between cytotoxicity and inhibitory activity was observed for the essential oil of Lantana grisebachiii (Seckt.) var. grisebachii against DENV-2 and HSV-1 with IC50 (inhibitory concentration 50%) values of 21.1 and 26.1 ppm, respectively. This effect was specific since the selectivity indices (ratio cytotoxicity/virucidal activity) were > 23.7 and > 19.1 for DENV-2 and HSV-1, respectively. Furthermore, the oil from L. grisebachii was also effective inhibitor of HSV-2 and acyclovir resistant variants of herpesvirus. This study demonstrates the effective and selective inhibitory activity of the essential oil from Lantana grisebachii against HSV and DENV by direct virus inactivation. The better perspective of application of this natural product is the use as disinfectants or topical medicaments to prevent viral infections.