Abstract
The jackfruit tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) is considered one of the most versatile trees and is used from wood production to traditional medicine. In traditional medicine, leaves are used to treat asthma, wounds and abscesses, and prevent ringworm infection. Several biological activities have been documented for jackfruit extracts confirming its popular use; however, its in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-herpesvirus activity are rarely discussed. The objective of this study was to explore the in vitro anti-herpesviral potential of A. heterophyllus leaf extracts at non-cytotoxic levels. Leaves were obtained from specimens located in the Atlantic forest biome. Dried and fresh ethanolic, methanolic and hexanic leaf extracts were obtained from the partition of a crude ethanolic extract. The cytotoxicity was performed on erythrocyte and kidney cell lines. The antiviral test was against equine, suid, and bovine herpesviruses. The contents of phenolic compounds were established from methanolic leaf extracts. Fresh leaf extracts did not show toxicity to erythrocytes in any concentration tested; however, dry leaf extracts showed >10% of hemolysis at ≥200 µg/ml. The maximum non-cytotoxic concentrations for Vero and MDBK cells ranged from 7.8 to 125 µg/ml. The content of phenolic compounds was 22.02% higher in fresh leaf than in dry leaf methanolic extracts. Methanolic extracts showed antiviral activity against BoHV-1 (PI of 99.20%) and SuHV-1 (PI of 94.38%). A. heterophyllus fresh and dry leaf extracts are remarkable as anti-herpesviruses and candidates to proceed for in vivo tests. Key words: Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Jackfruit tree, antiviral activity, kidney cell-line, erythrocyte, medicinal plant.
Highlights
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae), commonly known as the jackfruit tree, is native to India and cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions (Prestes, 2000)
The biological potential of A. heterophyllus leaves has been identified in antibacterial activity (Khan et al, 2003; Loizzo et al, 2010; Cavalcante et al, 2013), hypoglycemic effect (Fernando et al, 1990, 1991) and anti α-amylase activity (Kotowaroo et al, 2006)
The phytochemical characterization of jackfruit leaves revealed that different parts of the jackfruit tree, including its leaves, have a high content of phenolic compounds (Ojwang et al, 2018) of which antiviral (Chávez et al, 2006; Daglia, 2012) and antioxidant (San Miguel-Chávez, 2017) potentials have been associated
Summary
Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae), commonly known as the jackfruit tree, is native to India and cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions (Prestes, 2000). The leaves are used to treat asthma, prevent ringworm infestation, heal cracking feet, wounds and abscesses (Swami et al, 2012), pain and ear problems (Morton, 1987; Elevitch and Manner, 2006). The biological potential of A. heterophyllus leaves has been identified in antibacterial activity (Khan et al, 2003; Loizzo et al, 2010; Cavalcante et al, 2013), hypoglycemic effect (Fernando et al, 1990, 1991) and anti α-amylase activity (Kotowaroo et al, 2006). The phytochemical characterization of jackfruit leaves revealed that different parts of the jackfruit tree, including its leaves, have a high content of phenolic compounds (Ojwang et al, 2018) of which antiviral (Chávez et al, 2006; Daglia, 2012) and antioxidant (San Miguel-Chávez, 2017) potentials have been associated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
