title: Antiviral properties from plants of the Mediterranean flora.
abstract: Natural products are a successful source in drug discovery, playing a significant role in maintaining human health. We investigated the in vitro cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of extracts from 18 traditionally used Mediterranean plants. Noteworthy antiviral activity was found in the extract obtained from the branches of Daphne gnidium L. against human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (EC50 = 0.08 μg/mL) and coxsackievirus B5 (EC50 = 0.10 μg/mL). Other relevant activities were found against BVDV, YFV, Sb-1, RSV and HSV-1. Interestingly, extracts from Artemisia arborescens L. and Rubus ulmifolius Schott, as well as those from D. gnidium L., showed activities against two different viruses. This extensive antiviral screening allowed us to identify attractive activities, offering opportunities to develop lead compounds with a great pharmaceutical potential.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farci
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Busonera
authors.affiliation: b Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry , University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: La Colla
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences , University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria Monserrato , Cagliari , Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giliberti
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019306:Artemisia / Q000737:chemistry*; D032364:Daphne / Q000737:chemistry*; D029822:Enterovirus B, Human / Q000187:drug effects; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D065856:Rubus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Daphne gnidium L; Mediterranean plants; antiviral activity; coxsackievirus B5