Incidence of the nordihydroguaiaretic acid content on the in vitro antiviral activity of extracts obtained from larrea divaricata cav. (Zygophyllaceae)

The South American species Larrea divaricata Cav. (Zygophyllaceae) has been widely used in folk medicine against infectious diseases. In previous studies, we reported that several extracts obtained from the aerial parts of this species and the nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), its main lignan, inhibited Junin Virus (JUNV) in vitro. In this work, the objective was to assess whether NDGA is truly responsible for the antiviral activity produced by the extracts. Therefore, the presence and amount of NDGA in extracts were determined by HPLC. We established that NDGA in the extracts analyzed is required to inhibit JUNV and observed that some components of the bioactive extracts would increase the antiviral effect of NDGA. On the other hand, we estimated the selectivity index for NDGA against JUNV. Thus, NDGA and extracts containing this lignan exhibited potential therapeutic effects against the etiologic agent of the Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever, an endemo-epidemic illness in this country.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Determination of non-toxic and subtoxic concentrations of potential antiviral natural anthraquinones

Anthraquinones-rich extracts of Heterophyllaea pustulata Hook f. (Rubiaceae) exhibited in vitro antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex Virus Type I, from which several anthraquinones (AQs) were isolated and identified. The Maximum Non-Cytotoxic Concentration (MNCC), the subtoxic concentration (SubTC), and the CC50 of each AQ were determined on a mammalian eukaryotic cell line (Vero cells) by means of Neutral Red uptake assay; the cytopathic effect was simultaneously evaluated by optical microscopy. The range of concentrations where each AQ did not exhibit cytotoxicity was established, which is limited by the MNCC: rubiadin 1-methyl ether, damnacanthol and pustuline were found to be markedly less cytotoxic. To the remaining AQs, we could estimate a SubTC (about 10 μg/mL) that assures 80 % cellular viability. Therefore, we determined a concentration range which could be used to evaluate the antiviral effect of each AQ since it ensures the viability of the host cell.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Incidence of the nordihydroguaiaretic acid content on the in vitro antiviral activity of extracts obtained from larrea divaricata cav. (Zygophyllaceae)

6 p.The South American species Larrea divaricata Cav. (Zygophyllaceae) has been widely used in folk medicine against infectious diseases. In previous studies, we reported that several extracts obtained from the aerial parts of this species and the nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), its main lignan, inhibited Junin Virus (JUNV) in vitro. In this work, the objective was to assess whether NDGA is truly responsible for the antiviral activity produced by the extracts. Therefore, the presence and amount of NDGA in extracts were determined by HPLC. We established that NDGA in the extracts analyzed is required to inhibit JUNV and observed that some components of the bioactive extracts would increase the antiviral effect of NDGA. On the other hand, we estimated the selectivity index for NDGA against JUNV. Thus, NDGA and extracts containing this lignan exhibited potential therapeutic effects against the etiologic agent of the Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever, an endemo-epidemic illness in this countrypublishedVersion2032Fil: Konigheim, Brenda S. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Konigheim, Brenda S. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; Argentina.Fil: Aguilar, Juan Javier. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Grasso, Sergio. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Contigiani, Marta Silvia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Nuñez Montoya, Susana C. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Virología "Dr. José María Vanella"; Argentina.Fil: Nuñez Montoya, Susana C. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Virologí

Neuronal Degeneration in Mice Induced by an Epidemic Strain of Saint Louis Encephalitis Virus Isolated in Argentina

Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) is a neglected flavivirus that causes severe neurological disorders. The epidemic strain of SLEV, CbaAr-4005, isolated during an outbreak in Córdoba city (Argentina), causes meningitis and encephalitis associated with neurological symptoms in a murine experimental model. Here, we identified the affected brain areas and the damage triggered by this neurotropic arbovirus. We performed a detailed analysis of brain neurodegeneration associated with CbaAr-4005 SLEV infection in mice. The motor cortex, corpus striatum and cerebellum were the most affected structures. Neurodegeneration was also found in the olfactory bulb, thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and hindbrain. SLEV infection triggered brain cell apoptosis as well as somatodendritic and terminal degeneration. In addition, we observed massive excitotoxic-like degeneration in many cortical structures. Apoptosis was also detected in the neuroblastoma cell line N2a cultured with SLEV. The results evidenced that SLEV CbaAr-4005 infection induced severe degenerative alterations within the central nervous system of infected mice, providing new information about the targets of this flavivirus infection