Antiherpes simplex virus type 2 activity of casuarinin from the bark of Terminalia arjuna Linn.
Casuarinin, a hydrolyzable tannin isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna Linn. (Combretaceae), was investigated for its antiviral activity on herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro. Results showed that the IC(50) of casuarinin in XTT and plaque reduction assays were 3.6+/-0.9 and 1.5+/-0.2 microM, respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentration for cell growth (CC(50)) was 89+/-1 microM. Thus, the selectivity index (SI) (ratio of CC(50) to IC(50)) of casuarinin was 25 and 59 for XTT and plaque reduction assays, respectively. Casuarinin continued to exhibit antiviral activity even added 12 h after infection. During the attachment assay, casuarinin was shown to prevent the attachment of HSV-2 to cells. Furthermore, casuarinin also exhibited an activity in inhibiting the viral penetration. Interestingly, casuarinin was virucidal at a concentration of 25 microM, reducing viral titers up to 100,000-fold. This study concludes that casuarinin possesses anti-herpesvirus activity in inhibiting viral attachment and penetration, and also disturbing the late event(s) of infection.
Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih Chuan 1st Road, Taiwan, ROC.
Hua-Yew
HY
Cheng
Chun-Ching
CC
Lin
Ta-Chen
TC
Lin
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013634:Tannins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029766:Terminalia / Q000737:chemistry*; D014709:Vero Cells; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014771:Virion / Q000502:physiology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D013634:Tannins; C472513:casuarinin