title: Antiviral activity of the "Virus Blocking Factor" (VBF) derived i.a. from Pelargonium extract and Sambucus juice against different human-pathogenic cold viruses in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The in-vitro antiviral activity of the "Virus Blocking Factor" (VBF), a combination of Pelargonium extract and Sambucus juice with addition of Betaglucan 1,3 / 1,6, Zincum gluconium, Acidum ascorbicum, was studied against human pathogenic viruses: Influenza A H1N1 (FluA H1N1), Rhinovirus B subtype 14 (HRV14), Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Parainfluenzavirus subtype 3 (Para 3), and Adenovirus C subtype 5 (Adeno 5).
  
  
  METHODS
  Antiviral activity was assessed using plaque-reduction assays after adding the test substance post infection of the MDCK, HeLa and HEp-2 cells with the viruses. Ribavirin Virazol and - in case of Adenovirus an internal laboratory standard - were used as positive controls. Cytotoxic effects of VBF and VBF Control onto the virus permissive MDCK, HeLa and HEp-2 cells were examined. Non-toxic concentrations of VBF were determined by the Methylthiazoletetrazolium test (MTT-Test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In all antiviral studies VBF showed (2.1%) a dose-dependent antiviral activity against FluA H1N1 and HRV14 at non-toxic concentrations. A very strong effect was demonstrated in concentrations of 2.5% and 1.25% where replication of H1N1 and HRV14 was nearly completely blocked. Dose-dependent antiviral activity was detectable against RSV in a concentration range of 1.25% to 0.63% of the test item. Due to toxic side effects of a 2.5% concentration at least a "minor effect" of about 30% (1.25% solution) against Para 3 infected HEp-2 cells could be determined. Concerning Adeno 5 not any antiviral activity could be demonstrated in all studies with all tested substance concentrations of VBF. VBF Control did not show any cytotoxicity and antiviral effects. Further research is needed to elucidate clinical effect of VBF.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Ekonomiki i Organizacji Ochrony Zdrowia, Narodowy Instytut Zdrowia Publicznego - Państwowy Zakład Higieny, Warszawa, Poland, Katedra Zdrowia Publicznego Uniwersytet Medyczny, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fal
authors.affiliation: PhytoLab GmbH & Co KG, Vestenbergsgreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.affiliation: Phytopharm Klęka S.A., Nowe Miasto nad Wartą, Poland.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schönknecht
authors.affiliation: PhytoLab GmbH & Co KG, Vestenbergsgreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Hartwig
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sievers
authors.affiliation: Phytopharm Klęka S.A., Nowe Miasto nad Wartą, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pawińska
mesh_terms: D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D004285:Dogs; D000067030:Fruit and Vegetable Juices / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D031316:Pelargonium / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D012328:RNA Viruses / Q000187:drug effects; D027923:Sambucus / Q000737:chemistry*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Pelargonium; Sambucus; VBF; antiviral activity; cold remedy; plant extracts