In vitro inhibition of the bovine viral diarrhoea virus by the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum (basil) and monoterpenes

The bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is suggested as a model for antiviral studies of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The antiviral activity of the essential oil of Ocimum basilicum and the monoterpenes camphor, thymol and 1,8-cineole against BVDV was investigated. The cytotoxicities of the compounds were measured by the MTT (3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test, and the antiviral activities were tested by the plaque reduction assay. The oil or compounds were added to the assay in three different time points: a) pre-treatment of the virus (virucidal assay); b) pre-treatment of the cells; or c) post-treatment of the cells (after virus inoculation). The percentage of plaques inhibition for each compound was determined based on the number of plaques in the viral control. The results were expressed by CC50 (50% cytotoxic concentration), IC50 (inhibitory concentration for 50% of plaques) and SI (selectivity index = CC50/IC50). Camphor (CC50 = 4420.12 µgmL-1) and 1,8-cineole (CC50 = 2996.10 µgmL-1) showed the lowest cytotoxicities and the best antiviral activities (camphor SI = 13.88 and 1,8-cineol SI = 9.05) in the virucidal assay. The higher activities achieved by the monoterpenes in the virucidal assay suggest that these compounds act directly on the viral particle.

Effect of famciclovir on the testes, sperms and chromosomes of albino rates; histological and cytogenetic study

Famciclovir is a widely used antiviral drug it has a potent and selective inhibitory effect on many human herpes viruses. Some side effects to the drug were reported by the Food and Drug Administration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological effect of maximum therapeutic dose of famciclovir, antiviral drug, on the testes, sperms and chromosomes of albino rats. Forty male albino rats have been divided into four groups, ten rats for each. The first was served as a control group; the second was treated for 2 weeks with 135 mg/ kg b. w.t./ day. The third was treated for 4 weeks with the same dose; and the forth group was served as recovery group, where the animals were examined 4 weeks after stopping the drug. Rats were decapitate and testes specimens were taken and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The sperms were examined for number, viability, motility and shape abnormalities. For chromosomal study, rats from each group were anaesthetized and the bone marrow cells were obtained by Rabello-Gay and Ahmed method. Microscopic examination of the testicular specimens, revealed, disorganized germinal epithelium with abnormal mitotic figures and apoptotic cells. Sperm analysis showed that sperm count, viability and motility were decreased and the sperm anomalies were increased. Chromosomal analysis of bone marrow cells showed many aberrations as chromosomal fragments, terminal chromatid deletions, ring chromosomes, chromosomal gaps, dicentric chromosomes, clumping of the chromosomes and polyploidy. All the former results were time dependent and reversible. The maximum therapeutic dose of famciclovir affect spermatogenesis and alter normal sperm parameters. There were also chromosomal aberrations which are time dependent and reversible. So it is preferred to avoid the maximum therapeutic dose and prolonged intake of the drug

Comparison of the antiviral activity and toxicity of a protein magnesium ammonium phospholinoleate anhydride polymer with other antiviral drugs

1. SB-73, a magnesium ammonium phospholinoleate anhydride aggregate, exhibited antiviral action in vitro in the concentration range of 50 to 100 µg/ml against herpes simplex type 1, stomatitis vesicular virus, adenovirus type 5, and in vivo in the dose range of 0.7 to 1.3 mg/Kg against canine parvovirus distemper virus. 2. The lethal dose (LD50) was 2.71 ñ 1.55 g/Kg body weight in mice inoculated intraperitoneally. Oral ingestion of the aggregate up to 30 g/Kg body weight by mice had no lethal effects during the 14 days of observation. 3. In in vitro cytotoxicity experiments with fibroblasts (V-79 Chinese hamster cell line), no toxic effects were observed with SB-73 concentrations (120 µg/ml) having antiviral activity. 4. In a cellular proliferation experimental using hamster V-79 cells, we observed 72% proliferation after treatment of the cells with a high concentration (500 µg/ml) of SB-73. 5. Compound SB-73 showed no genotoxicity for human lymphocytes at concentrations of 100 µg/ml. 6. When the cytoxicity and genotoxicity of SB-73 wee compared with those of acyclovir, idoxuridine and AZT at 500µg/ml concentration the compound was found to have effects similar to those of acyclovir