Antioxidant compounds of Achyrocline satureioides inhibit at Western Equine Encephalitis virus

SABINI MARÍA CAROLA; MENIS CANDELA FLORENCIA; CARIDDI LAURA NOELIA; ESCOBAR FRANCO MATÍAS; CONTIGIANI MARTA SILVIA; COMINI LAURA; ZANON SILVIA MATILDE; SABINI LILIANA INÉS

San Miguel de Tucumán

Congreso; III REUNIÓN CONJUNTA DE SOCIEDADES DE BIOLOGÍA DE LA REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA; 2015

SOCIEDADES DE BIOLOGÍA CONJUNTAS

Alphavirus (Togaviridae family) are highly virulent pathogens that cause encephalitis in humans and horses, affecting different regions of America. One of its members is the Western Equine Encephalitis (WEEV) virus. There are no effective antiviral to treat its infections. Achyrocline satureioides (Asteraceae family) has many medicinal properties. Phytochemical analysis of extract of A. satureioides revealed the presence of luteolin (L), quercetin (Q), chlorogenic acid (CLA) and caffeic acid (CA). The aim was to evaluate the antiviral action in vitro of the compounds (C) of A. satureioides against WEEV. The aqueous extract was obtained from aerial parts of the plant and analyzed by HPLC-mass. Cytotoxicity was assessed by Neutral Red Uptake (RN) and MTT reduction in Vero cells. Then, the antiviral activity of C in all viral replication cycle was evaluated by plaque reduction assay. Further, the action stage in the replication cycle was determined. Finally, the selectivity index (SI) was calculated. Cytotoxicity studies revealed low toxicity of all C. The studies of antiviral ability indicated that WEEV was inhibited in 100% by L (15 µg/mL) and in 55% by CA (10 µg/mL), Q and CLA were not active against WEEV. Both compounds exert their action in post-viral adsorption and penetration stage. Selectivity indices of L were: 146 (RN) and 99 (MTT). L and CA showed strong inhibitory action against WEEV and may be useful for the treatment of infections caused by alphaviruses.