In vitro investigation on the effect of a plant preparation with antiviral activity on the functions of mice phagocyte cells.

A polyphenol extract from the aerial roots of the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. (PC) inhibited the reproduction of influenza viruses type A and B in vitro and in ovo and protected mice from mortality in the experimental influenza infection. The in vivo protective effect was connected with multiple biological activities of the preparation. The present paper focuses on the in vitro effects of the polyphenol extract on the functions of peritoneal and alveolar macrophages and blood polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs), isolated from healthy ICR mice. It was found that PC in doses of 12.5 and 25 microg ml(-1) stimulated the phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages and blood PMNs. PC in the same doses did not significantly affect the phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages, the migration of alveolar and peritoneal macrophages or the adherent activity of PMNs. Used in concentrations of 3.1-25.0 microg ml(-1), PC suppressed spontaneous NO production from peritoneal macrophages, while inducible NO production, provoked by LPS-, Ifn-gamma and LPS + Ifn-gamma inductions was not affected. The cell-toxic concentration of 100 microg ml(-1) increased spontaneous and LPS-inducible NO production. The experimental results demonstrated a stimulating effect of PC on the phagocytic activity of murine PMNs and peritoneal macrophages as well as a beneficial effect of the preparation on spontaneous NO production.

Iridoid and phenylethanoid glycosides from Phlomis tuberosa L.

A new iridoid glucoside, 8-O-acetylshanzhiside (1), was isolated from the aerial parts of Phlomis tuberosa, together with two known iridoid glucosides, shanzhiside methyl ester and lamalbide. The known phenylethanoid glycosides acteoside and forsythoside B were also obtained and characterized. The structure of 1 was determined by means of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic evidence.

Ethnobotanical inventory of medicinal plants in Bulgaria.

The paper reports on 73 medicinal plants of 30 families, traditionally used in Bulgarian phytotherapy. Some of the plants are applied in practice for the treatment of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, urogenital and other disorders. The popular plants used for treatment are growing in 20 forested regions in Bulgaria.

Antiherpes virus activity of extracts from the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L.

The herpes virus inhibitory effect of five extracts from the Bulgarian medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. (Geraniaceae) was investigated. The water extract (WE) from the aerial roots of the plant was the least toxic for cell cultures and inhibited significantly the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (EC50 = 3.6-6.2 microg/ml) as shown by the reduction of virus induced cytopathogenic effect (CPE) and the protection of cells in MTT assay. The inhibition was dose-related, strain-specific and depended on virus inoculum. In higher concentrations (MIC90 = 120 microg/ml) the preparation exhibited strong extracellular virus inactivating activity. The presence of WE throughout the whole replicative cycle was necessary for the full expression of the antiviral effect. In a preliminary experiment in albino guinea pigs the extract delayed the development of herpetic vesicles following primary infection with HSV-1, strain Kupka. Phytochemical investigation of the plant preparation revealed the presence of flavonoids, catechins, a polyphenolic acid and condensed tannins. The inhibitory effect of the extract on herpes simplex virus replication is related to the rich content of polyphenol compounds.

Polyphenols from Bulgarian medicinal plants with anti-infectious activity.

Three Bulgarian medicinal plants--Geranium macrorrhizum L. and G. sanguineum L. (Geraniaceae), and Epilobium hirsutum L. (Onagraceae) were analyzed phytochemically. Different polyphenols like flavonoids and tannis have been found to be principal constituents of the plants. A series of water or alcohol extracts was obtained, and their anti-infectious activity was tested. A significant inhibitory effect of water-alcohol extract and of four fractions from the polyphenolic mixture of E. hirsutum on the reproduction of influenza viruses in vitro, in ovo, and in vivo was established. Four extracts from G. macrorrhizum and three extracts from G. sanguineum were studied for in vitro inhibition of the growth of some Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), Gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus), and fungus (Candida albicans). Some geranium extracts caused a strong increase of the survival rate in an infection with K. pneumoniae in mice. Augmentation of the nonspecific host resistance in relation to the influence of the extracts on the classical complement activation pathway was also studied.