Anti-Influenza Activity of Cetraria islandica Lichen Extracts in In Vitro Experiments

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2023 Jun;175(2):215-218. doi: 10.1007/s10517-023-05837-8. Epub 2023 Jul 19.

Abstract

The toxicity and antiviral activity of extracts obtained by the methods of aqueous and ethanol extraction of bioactive substances from Cetraria islandica lichen as a raw material were studied. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of lichen were characterized by low toxicity with respect to the passaged MDCK cell culture and exhibited antiviral activity. The ethanol extract showed more potent in vitro antiviral activity against human A/H3N2 and avian A/H5N1 influenza viruses: in a concentration of 50 μg/ml, it suppressed replication of these viruses by 3.5 and 4 log10, respectively, while the aqueous extract inhibited replication of viruses by 2 and 6 log10, respectively, when taken in a concentration of 500 μg/ml that was 10-fold higher than the concentration of the ethanol extract.

Keywords: Cetraria islandica; extracts; influenza virus.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype*
  • Influenza, Human*
  • Lichens*
  • Parmeliaceae*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Plant Extracts