[ study of antiviral effects of Glycyrrihza glabra extract on HSV]

The gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori], identified in 1982, is now recognized as the primary etiological factor associated with the development of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. The growing problem of antibiotic resistance by the organism demands the search for novel compounds from plant based sources. The present study is aimed at evaluating the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of 10 Iranian plant extracts on clinical isolates of H. pylori. Gastric biopsy samples were obtained from patients presenting with gastroduodenal complications. H. pylori was isolated from the specimens following standard microbiology procedures. The disk diffusion method was used to determine the susceptibility of 12 isolates to methanol plant extracts [Fruit and leaves of Melia azedarach, Melia indica and aerial parts of Stachys setifera, Stachys turcomanica, Stachys trinervis, Stachys subaphylla, Stachys byzanthina, Stachys persica, Stachys inflata, Stachys laxa]. The plants tested at 8 mg/disc concentration demonstrated anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with zone diameters of inhibition ranging from 12-38 mm. Of these, Stachys setifera [aerial parts], Melia indica [Fruit] and Melia azedarach [leaves] showed the most potent anti -H. pylori activity on the isolates. Due to the rise in antibiotic resistance, new sources of anti-H. pylori drugs are needed. The use of medicinal plants may have potential benefit in eradicating such problems. According to the results of this study, further studies will be necessary to investigate the effects of other plants of Iran against H. pylori infectio

Antiviral effect assay of twenty five species of various medicinal plants families in Iran

Medicinal plants have been traditionally used for different kinds of ailments including infectious diseases. There is an increasing need for substances with antiviral activity since the treatment of viral infections with the available antiviral drugs often leads to the problem of viral resistance. There is a need to search for new and more effective antiviral agents. therefore in the present study 20 plants with ethno-medical background from different families were screened for antiviral activity against HSV-1, Adenovirus type 5, Echo virus type 11, Measles virus and Rota virus. Different parts of the plants collected from Iran were extracted with aqueous solvents to obtain crude extracts. These extracts were screened for their cytotoxicity against Vero, BSC-1, Hep-II and RD cell lines by assays micro-culture neutral red dye absorption and microscopically follow up for CPE. Antiviral properties of the plant extracts were determined by cytopathic effect inhibition assay and plaque reduction assay. Three plants extract; Aristolochia maurorum, Terminalia chebula Retz. And Cichorium intybus L. exhibited significant antiviral activity against HSV-1 and adenovirus type 5 at a concentration non toxic to the cell lines used. The extracts of Aristolochia maurorum and Cichorium intybus L. showed great anti viral activity against HSV-1 and partial activity against adenovirus at higher concentrations. Some of the medicinal plants have shown antiviral activity. Further research is needed to elucidate the active constituents of these plants which may be useful in the development of new and effective antiviral agents

Antiviral effect assay of twenty five species of various medicinal plants families in Iran

Medicinal plants have been traditionally used for different kinds of ailments including infectious diseases. There is an increasing need for substances with antiviral activity since the treatment of viral infections with the available antiviral drugs often lead to the problem of viral resistance. There is a need to search for new and more effective antiviral agents, therefore in the present study 25 plants with ethno-medical background from different families were screened for antiviral activity against HSV-1, Adenovirus type 5, Echovirus type 11, Measles virus and Rotavirus. Different parts of the plants collected from Iran were extracted with aqueous solvents to obtain crude extracts. These extracts were screened for their cytotoxicity against Vero, BSC-1, Hep-II and RD cell lines by micro-culture neutral red dye absorption and microscopically follow up for CPE. Antiviral properties of the plant extracts were determined by cytopathic effect inhibition assay and plaque reduction assay. Four plants extract; Nymphea alba, Rhus coriaria L., Chelidonium majus and Terminalia chebula Retz exhibited significant antiviral activity against HSV-1 and adenovirus type 5 at non-toxic concentration. The extracts of Chelidonium majus showed great anti viral activity against HSV-1 and partial activity against adenovirus at higher concentrations. Some of the medicinal plants have shown antiviral activity. Further research is needed to elucidate the active constituents of these plants which may be useful in the development of new and effective antiviral agents