title: Antiviral activity of an aqueous extract derived from Aloe arborescens Mill. against a broad panel of viruses causing infections of the upper respiratory tract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A number of antiviral therapies have evolved that may be effectively administered to treat respiratory viral diseases. But these therapies are very often of limited efficacy or have severe side effects. Therefore there is great interest in developing new efficacious and safe antiviral compounds e.g. based on the identification of compounds of herbal origin.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Since an aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens Mill. shows antiviral activity against viruses causing infections of the upper respiratory tract in vitro we hypothesised that a product containing it such as Biaron C(®) could have an antiviral activity too.
  
  
  METHODS
  Antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®), an herbal medicinal product consisting of an aqueous extract of Aloe arborescens Mill., Vitamin C, and Aronia melanocarpa Elliot. succus, added as an excipient, was tested in vitro against a broad panel of viruses involved in upper respiratory tract infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  These studies included human adenovirus and several RNA viruses and were performed either with plaque reduction assays or with tests for the detection of a virus-caused cytopathic effect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our studies demonstrated an impressive activity of Bioaron C(®) against members of the orthomyxoviridae - influenza A and influenza B viruses. Replication of both analysed influenza A virus strains - H1N1 and H3N2 - as well as replication of two analysed influenza B viruses - strains Yamagatal and Beiying - was significantly reduced after addition of Bioaron C(®) to the infected cell cultures. In contrast antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) against other RNA viruses showed a heterogeneous pattern. Bioaron C(®) inhibited the replication of human rhinovirus and coxsackievirus, both viruses belonging to the family of picornaviridae and both representing non-enveloped RNA viruses. In vitro infections with respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus, both belonging to the paramyxoviridae, were only poorly blocked by the test substance. No antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) was detected against adenovirus - a non-enveloped DNA virus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results represent the first proof of a selective antiviral activity of Bioaron C(®) against influenza viruses and create basis for further analyses of type and molecular mechanisms of the antiviral activity of this herbal medicine.
authors: Labor Dr. Glatthaar, Beim Braunland 1, D-88416 Ochsenhausen, Germany; Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Glatthaar-Saalmüller
authors: Department of Public Health at Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland ; Clinic of Internal Diseases and Allergology CSK MSW in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors: A M
authors: AM
authors: Fal
authors: Phytopharm Klęka S.A., Nowe Miasto nad Wartą, Poland.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Schönknecht
authors: PhytoLab GmbH & Co KG, Dutendorfer Str. 5-7, D-91487 Vestenbergsreuth, Germany.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Conrad
authors: PhytoLab GmbH & Co KG, Dutendorfer Str. 5-7, D-91487 Vestenbergsreuth, Germany.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Sievers
authors: Institute of Immunology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: armin.saalmueller@vetmeduni.ac.at.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Saalmüller
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000187:drug effects; D000504:Aloe / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000187:drug effects; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000187:drug effects; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000187:drug effects; D061985:Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D012229:Rhinovirus / Q000187:drug effects; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; C000603752:Bioaron C; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010936:Plant Extracts; D001205:Ascorbic Acid
keywords: Aloe arborescens Mill.; Antiviral activity; Plant extract; Xanthorrhoeaceae