Evaluation of cytotoxic and antiviral activities of aqueous leaves extracts of different plants against foot and mouth disease virus infection in farming animals

ABSTRACT

Cytotoxic and antiviral activity of aqueous leaves extracts of three plants Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Moms alba against Foot and Mouth disease virus [FMDV] were determined using MTT assay [3-[4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]. Eight different concentrations of each plant were evaluated. Cytotoxic and antiviral activity of each extract was evaluated as cell survival percentage and results were expressed as Means +/- S.D. From the tested plant extracts, Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera exhibited cytotoxicity at 200 and 100 microg/ml respectively. In case of antiviral assay, Moringa oleifera showed potent antiviral activity [p<0.05] while Azadirachta indica showed significant antiviral activity in the range of 12.5-50 microg/ml and 50-100 microg/ml respectively. In contrast no anti-FMDV activity in the present study was observed with Morus alba, although all the tested concentrations were found to be safe