In vitro Antiviral Activity of Nauclea latifolia Root Bark Extract Against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus

ABSTRACT

Extract of Nauclea latifolia (NL) root bark collected from the Nigerian flora was examined for anti-RSV activity. Preliminary data showed anti-RSV activities with IC50 =75.62 µg/ml when tested against the recombinant strain rgRSV expressing the green fluorescent protein. Corresponding assays for the cytotoxic effect of the extract against utilized cell lines gave TC50 = 333.82 µg/ml. Further screening of against the circulating RSV A2 strain established their promising anti-RSV utility. Time of additional studies for the elucidation of the possible mechanism of action gave 74.38, 69.42, and 71.90% reduction of RSV plaque forming units at the respective 0, 2, and 4 hours post-infection addition times.