Apple pomace, a by-product from the asturian cider industry, inhibits herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in vitro replication: study of its mechanisms of action.

The anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 and anti-herpes simplex virus type 2 effects of apple pomace, a by-product from the cider-processing industry, were investigated. The mechanisms of antiviral action were assessed using a battery of experiments targeting sequential steps in the viral replication cycle. The anti-herpetic mechanisms of apple pomaces included the inhibition of virus attachment to the cell surface and the arrest of virus entry and uncoating. Quercitrin and procyanidin B2 were found to play a crucial role in the antiviral activity.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of Phyllanthus orbicularis and identification of the principal anti HSV-2 compounds.

The antiherpes virus properties of Phyllanthus orbicularis Kunth, a Cuban-endemic medicinal plant, have been reported previously but data on its phytochemical profile and identification of antiviral metabolites as well as their mechanisms of action are still lacking. In this work, a bioactivity-guided phytochemical analysis was performed in order to isolate anti HSV-2 compounds. P. orbicularis contained mainly phenolic acids derivatives and flavonoids. The antiviral effects were attributed to (-)-epicatechin-3-O-gallate (EC(50) = 11.7 µg/mL), procyanidins B1 and B2 (EC(50) = 32.8 µg/mL and 24.2 µg/mL, respectively) as well as oligomeric and polymeric procyanidins and their gallate derivatives. The antiviral mechanisms of the active P. orbicularis extracts and fractions were also investigated and the inhibition of several HSV-2 early replication events and DNA synthesis were observed. This is the first study of extensive fractionation and phytochemical characterization of phenolic compounds from this species.

Antiviral activity of Ageratina havanensis and major chemical compounds from the most active fraction

The antiviral activity of extracts obtained from Ageratina havanensis (Kunth) R.M.King & H.Rob., Asteraceae, against rabbit vesivirus (RaV) (Caliciviridae) and human herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) (Herpesviridae) were analyzed, and the main metabolites from the most active extract were isolated and characterized. The antiviral properties were investigated by measuring the inhibition of viral-induced cytopathic effect in Vero cells. The strongest inhibitory effects were found for ethyl acetate extract from leaves (SI=5 for RaV and SI=5.4 for HSV-1). The crude ethyl acetate extract was further fractionated by chromatographic methods and the structures of isolated compounds were established through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including IR, 2D NMR and MS. Four flavonoids were identified: 5,4'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (sakuranetin), 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (7-methoxyaromadendrin), 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5,3'-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-7-methoxy-eriodictyol) and 4'-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (4'-O-β-D-glucosylsakuranetin). This is the first report on antiviral activity for Ageratina havanensis.