ABSTRACT
Isolated Salidroside from the leaves of Nigerian mistletoe [Loranthus micranthus Linn] parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis was evaluated for its antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus. Semi- preparative HPLC separation of the ethyl acetate fraction of the leave extract of Loranthus micranthus Linn parasitic on Hevea brasiliensis led to the isolation of a polyphenol. Using spectroscopic methods [ID and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data] as well as by comparison with literature data the structure of the compound was determined as 6-O-galloyl Salidroside. The antiviral activity of the isolated compound was evaluated against the respiratory syncytial virus. The isolated Salidroside showed potent inhibition towards a recombinant straining respiratory syncytial virus with Inhibitory Concentration [IC[5]o] value of 10.3+/-1.50microg/mL. The result indicates that Salidroside is an efficient antiviral agent against RSV infection and might be useful for the management of RSV pathogenesis