Achyrocline satureioides: virucidal and antiviral action of aqueous extracts

SABINI C.; ESCOBAR F.; ZANON S.; CONTIGIANI M.; SABINI L.

Huerta Grande. Córdoba

Jornada; XVII Jornadas de la Sociedad de Biología Córdoba; 2009

Introduction: The Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) (Togaviridae) is a pathogen very important transmitted by mosquitoes. This virus causes epizootics in Argentina and major economic losses. Numerous investigations have reported that medicinal plants have antiviral properties, Achyrocline satureioides (Asteraceae) deserves to be studied in this property. Objective: To evaluate virucidal and antiviral activities of aqueous extracts obtained from A. satureioides against WEEV. Methodology: Aerial vegetal parts were submitted to extraction with cold (4°C) and hot water (70°C) sequentially for two days. These two solutions were identified as Cold Aqueous Extract (CAE) and Hot Aqueous Extract (HAE). Virucidal and antiviral activities of CAE and HAE, used at different non cytotoxic concentrations (200-800 and 150-400 ug/ml respectively) were evaluated by plaque reduction assay using Vero cells and WEEV Ag 80-646 enzootic strain. Results and Discussion: Both extracts inhibited viral replication in 100%. The virucidal effect was dose-dependent, reaching 82% (HAE) and 91% (CAE). The aqueous extracts of A. satureioides have exerted greater antiviral activity than virucidal. Subsequent studies were designed to determine the selectivity index, mode of action and chemical characterization of extracts.