Abstract
The herbs Plantago asiatica and Clerodendrum trichotomum have been commonly used for centuries in indigenous and folk medicine in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In this study, we show that extracts from these herbs have antiviral effects against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in vitro cell cultures and an in vivo mouse model. Treatment of HEp2 cells and A549 cells with a non-cytotoxic concentration of Plantago asiatica or Clerodendrum trichotomum extract significantly reduced RSV replication, RSV-induced cell death, RSV gene transcription, RSV protein synthesis, and also blocked syncytia formation. Interestingly, oral inoculation with each herb extract significantly improved viral clearance in the lungs of BALB/c mice. Based on reported information and a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis, the phenolic glycoside acteoside was identified as an active chemical component of both herb extracts. An effective dose of acteoside exhibited similar antiviral effects as each herb extract against RSV in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that extracts of Plantago asiatica and Clerodendrum trichotomum could provide a potent natural source of an antiviral drug candidate against RSV infection.
Highlights
Acute respiratory infections caused by viruses are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide
The expression of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-GFP, the virus titer, and the recovery of RSV-induced cell death were evaluated in HEp2 cells upon herb treatment
To further evaluate the therapeutic effect of acteoside against RSV, we investigated its antiviral activity in BALB/c mice
Summary
Acute respiratory infections caused by viruses are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the major causes of lower respiratory tract infections, which cause a huge global disease burden [1]. It is the most important viral agent of serious respiratory tract illness in infants and young children. RSV is a major cause of acute respiratory illness in the elderly, and it can have a detrimental effect in immune-compromised individuals. Even though RSV infection generally occurs at an early age, individuals may be re-infected throughout their lifetime, because naturally acquired immunity does not provide persistent protection [3]. RSV vaccines and antiviral drugs are in the preclinical and clinical stage of development; no RSV vaccines or antiviral drugs suitable for typical use are commercially available at this time [4]
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