Comparative study to evaluate the anti-viral efficacy of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract and ribavirin against the Newcastle disease virus.
BACKGROUND
The Newcastle disease represents as one of the most infectious viral disease, which afflicts almost every species of the birds. The causative agent of the disease is a single-stranded RNA virus with rapid replication capability.


OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to evaluate the comparative anti-viral efficacy and toxicity of Glycyrrhiza glabra aqueous extract and ribavirin against the Newcastle disease virus.


METHODS
The embryonated eggs were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F). Groups A, B, C, and D were further subdivided into three subgroups. The virus was identified by hemagglutination inhibition test. Spot hemagglutination test and viability of embryos were also evaluated. Three different concentrations i-e., 30 mg/100 ml, 60 mg/100 ml, and 120 mg/100 ml of the Glycyrrhiza aqueous extract and 10 μg/ml, 20 μg/ml, and 40 μg/ml ribavirin in deionized water were evaluated for their toxicity and anti-viral activity in the embryonated eggs.


RESULTS
60 mg/100 ml concentration of Glycyrrhiza extract did not produce any toxicity in the embryonated eggs and showed anti-viral activity against the virus. Similarly, 20 μg/ml ribavirin was non-toxic in the embryonated eggs and contained anti-viral activity.


CONCLUSIONS
It may conclude from the presented study that 60 mg/100 ml Glycyrrhiza extract inhibits replication of Newcastle disease virus and is non-toxic in the embryonated eggs. So, Glycyrrhiza glabra extract may be further evaluated in future to determine the potentially active compounds for their anti-viral activity against Newcastle disease virus. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of these active phytochemicals as an antiviral agent would be helpful to elucidate the pathogenesis of the disease.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ovais
MO
Omer
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, P. O. Box 13174, Makkah, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Waleed Hassan
WH
Almalki
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, P. O. Box 13174, Makkah, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Imran
I
Shahid
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Shahzada
S
Khuram
WTO Quality Control Lab, Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Imran
I
Altaf
WTO Quality Control Lab, Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
Saeed
S
Imran
Anti-viral agents; Glycyrrhiza glabra; Newcastle disease virus; Ribavirin; embryonated eggs