Antiviral activity of Bignoniaceae species occurring in the State of Minas Gerais (Brazil): part 1.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antiviral activity of Bignoniaceae species occurring in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.


RESULTS
Ethanol extracts of different anatomical parts of bignoniaceous plant species have been evaluated in vitro against human herpesvirus type 1 (HSV-1), vaccinia virus (VACV) and murine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. A total of 34 extracts from 18 plant species selected according to ethnopharmacological and taxonomic criteria were screened. Fifteen of the 34 extracts (44.1%) have disclosed antiviral activity against one or more of the viruses assayed with EC(50) values in the range of 23.2 ± 2.5-422.7 ± 10.9 μg ml(-1).


CONCLUSIONS
Twelve of the 34 extracts (35.3%) might be considered promising sources of antiviral natural products, as they have shown EC50 ≤ 100 μg ml(-1). The present screening discloses the high potential of the Bignoniaceae family as source of antiviral agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Active extracts were identified and deserve bioguided studies for the isolation of antiviral compounds and studies on mechanism of action.
Brandão
G C
GC
Laboratório de Fitoquímica, Departamento de Produtos Farmacêuticos, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil.
Kroon
E G
EG
dos Santos
J R
JR
Stehmann
J R
JR
Lombardi
J A
JA
Braga de Oliveira
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029402:Bignoniaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D001938:Brazil; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004686:Encephalomyocarditis virus / Q000187:drug effects*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007739:L Cells; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000187:drug effects*; D014709:Vero Cells
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts