Antiviral activity of Folium isatidis derived extracts in vitro and in vivo

Am J Chin Med. 2013;41(4):957-69. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X1350064X.

Abstract

Folium isatidis is a native Chinese herbaceous plant widely used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. However, few studies have focused on the leaves of Isatis indigotica. In this report, we isolated a series of four fractions (I-IV) from Folium isatidis and explored the antiviral activity of each tested extract. The extracts were active against a panel of RNA and DNA viruses in vitro, namely influenza A virus (IAV), coxsackie virus B3 (CVB3), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus type 7 (Ad-7). Oral administration of 200 mg/kg/d of fraction III in mice exerted strong antiviral effects in viral replication, accompanied by prolonged survival rate, attenuated lung tissue damage as well as significant reductions in pulmonary virus titers and lung index. Our results provide the first biochemical evidence that Folium isatidis and its extracts could be used as potential antiviral agent in the postexposure prophylaxis for multiple viral infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / drug effects*
  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / isolation & purification
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dogs
  • Enterovirus B, Human / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Influenza A virus / drug effects*
  • Isatis*
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / virology
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Mice
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Leaves
  • Pneumonia
  • Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / drug effects*
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Plant Extracts