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Characterization of the anti-influenza activity of the Chinese herbal plant Paeonia lactiflora.

Authors :
Ho JY
Chang HW
Lin CF
Liu CJ
Hsieh CF
Horng JT
Source :
Viruses [Viruses] 2014 Apr 23; Vol. 6 (4), pp. 1861-75. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Apr 23.
Publication Year :
2014

Abstract

Bai Shao (BS, the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), a common Chinese herb in many recipes used to treat viral infection and liver diseases, is recognized for its ability to nourish menstruation, its Yin convergence, and as an antiperspirant. However, the mechanism and components for its antiviral function remain to be elucidated. In this study, an ethanolic extract of BS was further partitioned into aqueous and organic parts (EAex) for in vitro functional study and in vivo efficacy testing. EAex exhibited an IC50 of 0.016 ± 0.005 mg/mL against influenza virus A/WSN/33 (H1N1), with broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against different strains of human influenza A viruses, including clinical oseltamivir-resistant isolates and an H1N1pdm strain. The synthesis of both viral RNA and protein was profoundly inhibited when the cells were treated with EAex. A time-of-addition assay demonstrated that EAex exerted its antiviral activity at various stages of the virus replication cycle. We addressed its antiviral activity at virus entry and demonstrated that EAex inhibits viral hemagglutination and viral binding to and penetration into host cells. In vivo animal testing showed that 200 mg/kg/d of EAex offered significant protection against viral infection. We conclude that BS possesses antiviral activity and has the potential for development as an anti-influenza agent.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1999-4915
Volume :
6
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Viruses
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
24762393
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/v6041861