The Open Virology Journal
2010, 4 : 57-62Published online 2010 May 11. DOI: 10.2174/1874357901004010057
Publisher ID: TOVJ-4-57
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Anti-Herpetic Activity of and Leaf Extracts
1
Department of Virology and Developmenral Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
2 Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
3 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Virology and Developmental Genetics, Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; Tel: 08-6479867; Fax: 08-6479867; E-mails: mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
2 Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
3 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Virology and Developmental Genetics, Faculty of Health Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel; Tel: 08-6479867; Fax: 08-6479867; E-mails: mahmoudh@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
ABSTRACT
The antiviral activity of Callissia fragrans and Simnondsia chinensis aquatic and ethanol leaf extracts, as well as purified fractions from these extracts was studied against herpetic viruses in vitro. Ethanol extract of C. fragrans effectively inhibited the infection of Vero cells by HSV-1, HSV-2 in vitro, while its aquatic extract inhibited only VZV. Although S. chinensis leaf extract strongly inhibited all studied viruses, the selectivity index of this extract was very low, due to its high toxicity. However, the majority of its fractions showed low toxicity and higher antiviral activity and therefore very high SI. Strong interactions between virus and extracts were found.