African Journal of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0816
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJPP
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 2284

Full Length Research Paper

In vitro inhibitory effect of Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. extracts against herpes simplex

Fernanda Otaviano Martins1, Michelle Mendes da Rocha Gomes1, Fábio Luis Pereira Nogueira2, Gabriel Rocha Martins3, Maria Teresa Villela Romanos1, Maria Auxiliadora Coelho Kaplan4 and Fábio de Sousa Menezes5*.
1Experimental Laboratory of Cytotoxic and Antiviral Drugs, Virology Department, Microbiology Institute Professor Paulo de Góes, Centre of Health Sciences, Block I, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 2Programme on Plant Biotechnology, Centre of Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 3Department of Food and Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Centre of Health Sciences, Block A, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 4Natural Products Research Centre, Centre of Health Sciences, Block H, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 5School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin - Dublin 2 – Ireland.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 09 October 2009
  •  Published: 30 November 2009

Abstract

The inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2)in vitro, at non-cytotoxic concentrations of Urera baccifera (L.) Gaudich. extracts have been evaluated. As for the antiviral activity, the maximum non toxic concentration has been established and this concentration has been used in the anti herpes assay, in vitro. Antiviral activity was determined by  reduction  of the virus titres. U. bacciferaextracts showed the maximum percentage of inhibition against HSV-1-ACVr and the order of activity was found to be butanol fraction > ethyl acetate fraction > ethanol  extract. However, the same extracts have not shown expressive percentage of viral inhibition against  HSV-2-ACVr.. This is the first report showing antiviral activities for U. baccifera extracts.

 

Key words: Urera baccifera, antiviral activity, HSV-1, HSV-2