Antiviral activity of silymarin in comparison with baicalein against EV-A71

Background: The hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a febrile and exanthematous childhood disease mainly caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71). In severe HFMD, virulent EV-A71 strains can cause acute flaccid paralysis and cardiopulmonary edema leading to death. Currently, no FDA approved antiviral treatment or vaccine is available for EV-A71. Flavonoids such as silymarin and baicalein are known to possess in vitro antiviral properties against viruses. In this study, the cytotoxicity and antiviral activity of silymarin, baicalein and baicalin were investigated. Methods: The cytotoxic effects of three flavonoids towards rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells were first examined using cell proliferation MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium] assay. Compounds found to be non-cytotoxic in RD cells were evaluated for their in vitro antiviral properties against the EVA71 subgenotype B4 strain 41 (5865/SIN/000009) using antiviral assays. Viral infectivity was determined by reduction of the formation of plaques in RD cells. For the measurement of RNA copy number, the real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used. The most potent compound was further evaluated to determine the mode of action of inhibition by time course, virus attachment and entry assays in Vero cells. Results: Silymarin was shown to exert direct extracellular virucidal effects against EV-A71 at 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 15.2 ± 3.53 μg/mL with SI of 10.53. Similarly, baicalein exhibited direct extracellular virucidal effects against EV-A71 at a higher IC50 value of 30.88 ± 5.50 μg/mL with SI of 13.64. Besides virucidal activity, silymarin was shown to block both viral attachment and entry of EV-A71 to inhibit infection in Vero cells. Conclusions: Silymarin has a stronger inhibition activity against EV-A71 in comparison to baicalein. It could serve as a promising antiviral drug to treat EV-A71 infections

Flavonoids as antiviral agents for Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71)

Flavonoids are natural biomolecules that are known to be effective antivirals. These biomolecules can act at different stages of viral infection, particularly at the molecular level to inhibit viral growth. Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), a non-enveloped RNA virus, is one of the causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which is prevalent in Asia. Despite much effort, no clinically approved antiviral treatment is available for children suffering from HFMD. Flavonoids from plants serve as a vast reservoir of therapeutically active constituents that have been explored as potential antiviral candidates against RNA and DNA viruses. Here, we reviewed flavonoids as evidence-based natural sources of antivirals against non-picornaviruses and picornaviruses

A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind, Pilot Study of Milk Thistle for the Treatment of Hepatotoxicity in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

BACKGROUND: Despite limited preclinical and clinical investigations, milk thistle (MT) is often used for the treatment of chemotherapy-associated hepatotoxicity. Limited treatment options exist for chemotherapy-related hepatoxicity. Given the wide use of MT, the authors investigated MT in both the laboratory and a clinical setting.METHODS: In a double-blind study, children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and hepatic toxicity were randomized to MT or placebo orally for 28 days. Liver function tests were evaluated during the study period. To assess MT in vitro, the authors evaluated supratherapeutic concentrations in an ALL cell line.RESULTS: Fifty children were enrolled. No significant differences in frequency of side effects, incidence and severity of toxicities, or infections were observed between groups. There were no significant changes in mean amino alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), or total bilirubin (TB) at Day 28. At Day 56, the MT group had a significantly lower AST (P = .05) and a trend toward a significantly lower ALT (P = .07). Although not significantly different, chemotherapy doses were reduced in 61% of the MT group compared with 72% of the placebo group. In vitro experiments revealed no antagonistic interactions between MT and vincristine or L-asparaginase in CCRF-CEM cells. A modest synergistic effect with vincristine was observed.CONCLUSIONS: In children with ALL and liver toxicity, MT was associated with a trend toward significant reductions in liver toxicity. MT did not antagonize the effects of chemotherapy agents used for the treatment of ALL. Future study is needed to determine the most effective dose and duration of MT and its effect on hepatotoxicity and leukemia-free survival

Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective Potency of a Selected Medicinal Plant

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Antimicrobial Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid Against Oral Microorganisms.

Aim: This study was aimed to assess the antibacterial effect of alpha lipoic acids against various oral microorganisms. Background: Oral microorganisms are responsible for oral related diseases.Oral microorganisms implicated in the etiology of dental caries, stomatitis, gingivitis and periodontitis. Gradual increase in the rate of resistance to antibiotics leads to increase in oral pathologies.. Materials and method: 100 mg of alpha lipoic acid was measured and dissolved in 2 ml of ethanol. 250 ml of Muller Hinton Agar (MHA) was prepared, sterilised, poured onto the petri plates. After solidification each MHA plates were swabbed by overnight culture of enteric organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonas species, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans. Using a well cutter 3 wells were formed on each MHA plate. In each well, alpha lipoic acid was added at the concentration of 30, 60 and 90 ul and the petri plates were kept for incubation at 37 °C for 24 h. The zone of inhibition was recorded in each plate Result: Alpha lipoic acid prominently inhibited the growth of all the organisms invested. It possesses inhibitory antimicrobial effects even at low concentrations and it has shown maximum inhibitory antimicrobial activity at higher concentrations. Candida albicans was found as highly susceptible to alpha lipoic acid. Conclusion: The potential use of alpha lipoic acids provided in a local delivery vehicle to infected sites in the oral cavity, could be considered as an additional therapeutic approach to improve oral healt

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effect of Solanum Seaforthianum Leaf Extract against Ccl4 - Induced Li~1

INTRODUCTION: LIVER-INTRODUCTION:The liver has pivotal rule in human metabolism, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of bio-chemicals necessary for digestion. The liver is necessary for survival; there is no currently way to compensate for the absence of liver function long term, however liver cell can regenerate. It produces and secretes bile that stored in gallbladder which used to break down and digest fatty acids in food. 1. It also produces prothrombin and fibrinogen, both are blood-clotting factors. 2. It converts sugar into glycogen, which it stores until the muscle cells need energy and it is secreted into the blood stream as glucose. 3. It synthesizes protein and cholesterol and convert carbohydrates and protein into fats, which is stored for later uses. 4. It also produces blood protein and enzymes needed for digestion and other bodily functions in body. 5. The liver stores critical trace elements such as iron, copper, as well as vitamins A, D, and B12. 6. The liver is responsible for detoxifying of poisonous substances in the body. AIM OF PRESENT STUDY:In recent year there has been a tremendous increase in demand for herbal drugs due to its safety, efficacy and better therapeutic results and also due to its economic pricing as compared to synthetic or allopathic drugs, which have several therapeutic complications. Looking to the scope of herbal drugs and increasing its demand especially in disease of liver, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and skin disease etc, it was planned to study Solanum seaforthianum in detail due its effectiveness for liver problems, especially for jaundice. Solanum seaforthianum, selected for study was made on the basis of its, a) Easy availability b) Folklore claiming its therapeutic use as liver protection and for jaundice. c) Degree of research work which is not done. Very less pharmacological studies have been carried out on the Solanum seaforthianum. Hence, we have decided to submit the project on Solanum seaforthianum which includes detailed Pharmacognostical, Preliminary Phytochemical and Pharmacological (Acute oral toxicity study, Hepatoprotective activity with antioxidant effect) studies to provide scientific validation to its folklore claims. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: The present study was undertaken to determine the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of methanolic extract from leaf of Solanum seaforthianum The Pharmacognostical studies made on the powdered leaves of Solanum seaforthianum like ash values, extractive value, loss on drying gave valuable information. This will help for correct identification of the plant. The preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the presence of, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and steroids, carbohydrate, fatty acids and proteins and phenolic compounds.in methanol extract. Histopathological studies on isolated liver revealed that methanolic extract of Solanum seaforthianum reversed the liver damage caused by CCl4. The normal pattern of histology of liver was observed. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids. Flavonoids have been documented to possess potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect. Example; Solanum seaforthianum contain 2-di-Cglcosylflavones of vicenin and lucenin type, anthocyanin-cynidin-3- glucoside,luteolin-7-glycoside and mono-C-glcosyl flavones – vitexin and orientin Based on the results obtained from the present study, it can be concluded methanolic extract of Solanum seaforthianum is found to be more potent and effective hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effect of Girardenia Zeylanica Dcne Leaf Extract Against Ccl4 Induced Liver Damage in Rats

The present study was undertaken to determine the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of ethanolic extract from leaf of Girardenia zeylanica Dcne. The toxicity studies shows that the extract is not producing any harmful toxic effects within the dose range 2000 mg/kg. The Pharmacognostical studies made on the powdered leaves of Girardenia zeylanica like ash values, extractive value, loss on drying gave valuable information. This will help for correct identification of the plant. The preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the presence of, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and steroids, carbohydrate, fatty acids and proteins and phenolic compounds in ethanol extract. Histopathological studies on isolated liver revealed that ethanolic extract of Girardenia zeylanica reversed the liver damage caused by CCl4. The normal pattern of histology of liver was observed. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids. Flavonoids have been documented to possess potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging effect

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Vitis Vinifera Linn. Against Dimethylnitrosamine Induced Liver Cirrhosis in Rats

This study indicated that treatment with hydro alcoholic extract of Vitis vinifera Linn could improve liver function in cirrhotic rats significantly. Our data clearly showed that extract possess anticirrhotic property. The biochemical and histopathological studies further confirmed the protective effect of the hydro alcoholic extract of Vitis vinifera Linn against DMN induced liver cirrhosis. Anticirrhotic effect of the extract might be attributed to the presence of flavanoids, alkaloids, saponins and tannins. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism of action Vitis vinifera Linn leaves and fruits