Cytotoxic and antiviral potentials of Euphorbia milii var. splendens leaf against Peste des petits ruminant virus

Purpose: To determine the cytotoxic and antiviral potentials of Euphorbia milii var. splendens leaf against Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV). Methods: The methanol extract, as well as n- hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n- butanol fractions of E. milii leaves were screened for cytotoxic and antiviral activities against PPRV using Vero cell line and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results: Non-cytotoxic concentrations with cell survival rate (CSP) greater than 50 % were considered virucidal. Methanol extract and fractions produced significant (p < 0.05) effects at all test concentrations against PPRV. The 50 % cytotoxic concentration (CC50) calculated was ≤ 25 µg/mL for extract and fractions. In antiviral assay, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and n-butanol fractions at all test concentrations ranging from 1.56 - 800 µg/mL were non-virucidal; even at their non-cytotoxic concentrations these fractions did not show antiviral activities. However, the methanol extract and its chloroform fractions showed significant (p < 0.05) virucidal potential. Conclusion: The results suggest that further isolation of antiviral constituents from the fractions may open new horizons for the development of new antiviral agents

Hepato- and nephro-protective as well as hypoglycemic effects of sea buckthorn berries (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in rabbits and humans

The hepato- and nephro-protective effects of sea buckthorn berries (Hippophae rhamnoides L) were investigated in paracetamol-induced toxicity in animals and hypoglycemic effects in type II diabetic patients. Crude drug preparation and its methanol extract have shown a profound decrease in paracetamol-induced elevated serum levels of liver and kidney functions under investigation, which suggests a possible therapeutic role of its constituents in hepatic injury and altered kidney functions. Similarly, in human patients with raised glucose levels, sea buckthorn shows hypoglycemic effect which could likely make it a potential therapeutic agent to mange type II diabetes mellitus. However, further investigations are required to unveil the mechanism of action of sea buckthorn preparations in these ailments.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire