Amazonian medicinal plants efficiently inactivate Herpes and Chikungunya viruses

Catielen Paula Pavi; Isabella Dai Prá; Rafael Dorighello Cadamuro; Isamu Kanzaki; Jhuly Wellen Ferreira Lacerda; Louis Pergaud Sandjo; Roberto Messias Bezerra; Jorge Federico Orellana Segovia; Gislaine Fongaro; Izabella Thaís Silva

doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115476

Amazonian medicinal plants efficiently inactivate Herpes and Chikungunya viruses

Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 Nov:167:115476. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115476. Epub 2023 Sep 15.

Affiliations

¹ Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil.
² Laboratory of Bioprospection, University of Brasilia, Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil.
³ Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil.
⁴ Laboratory of Bioprospection and Atomic Absorption, Federal University of Amapa, Macapá, AP 68903-419, Brazil.
⁵ Ecoregional Research Unit, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Macapá, AP 68903-0419, Brazil.
⁶ Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil; Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil. Electronic address: Izabella.thais@ufsc.br.

PMID: 37713986
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115476

Abstract

The Amazonian species investigated in this research are commonly utilized for their anti-inflammatory properties and their potential against various diseases. However, there is a lack of scientifically supported information validating their biological activities. In this study, a total of seventeen ethanolic or aqueous extracts derived from eight Amazonian medicinal plants were evaluated for their activity against Herpes Simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and Chikungunya viruses (CHIKV). Cytotoxicity was assessed using the sulforhodamine B method, and the antiviral potential was determined through a plaque number reduction assay. Virucidal tests were conducted according to EN 14476 standards for the most potent extracts. Additionally, the chemical composition of the most active extracts was investigated. Notably, the LMLE10, LMBA11, MEBE13, and VABE17 extracts exhibited significant activity against CHIKV and the non-acyclovir-resistant strain of HSV-1 (KOS) (SI > 9). The MEBE13 extract demonstrated unique inhibition against the acyclovir-resistant strain of HSV-1 (29-R). Virucidal assays indicated a higher level of virucidal activity compared to their antiviral activity. Moreover, the virucidal capacity of the most active extracts was sustained when tested in the presence of protein solutions against HSV-1 (KOS). In the application of EN 14476 against HSV-1 (KOS), the LMBA11 extract achieved a 99.9% inhibition rate, while the VABE17 extract reached a 90% inhibition rate. This study contributes to the understanding of medicinal species native to the Brazilian Amazon, revealing their potential in combating viral infections that have plagued humanity for centuries (HSV-1) or currently lack specific therapeutic interventions (CHIKV).

Keywords: Amazonian biome; Antiviral; Chikungunya virus; Herpes simplex virus type 1; Virucidal.