title: Protective efficacy of an aerosol preparation, obtained from Geranium sanguineum L., in experimental influenza infection.
abstract: A polyphenol-rich extract from the aerial roots of the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. (PC) protected mice from mortality in the experimental influenza A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) virus infection. To provide evidence how a maximum therapeutic benefit can be derived of this preparation, it was inoculated by 6 different routes. It was found that the aerosol application of PC was highly effective. In the dose 5.4 mg/ml, applied according to a prophylactic-therapeutic schedule, the extract exhibited a marked protective effect. The protective index reached the value of 70.1% and the mean survival time was prolonged with 2.9-4.9 days. The lung infectious virus titres and the lung consolidation of virus-infected and PC-treated animals were all reduced in comparison with control. The application of PC according to schedules, excluding the pretreatment of mice, proved that this condition was essential for protection.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 26 Acad. Georgy Bonchev St., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria. jserkedjieva@microbio.bas.bg
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serkedjieva
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gegova
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mladenov
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D002460:Cell Line; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003588:Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D031315:Geranium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013535:Suspensions
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013535:Suspensions