Abstract
BackgroundNew sources for discovering novel antiviral agents are desperately needed. The current antiviral products are both expensive and not very effective.MethodsThe antiviral activity of methanol extract of mung bean sprouts (MBS), compared to Ribavarin and Acyclovir, on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Herpes Simplex virus −1 (HSV-1) was investigated using cytotoxicity, virus yield reduction, virucidal activity, and prophylactic activity assays on Vero and MRC-5 cell lines. Moreover, the level of antiviral cytokines, IFNβ, TNFα, IL-1, and IL-6 was assessed in MBS-treated, virally infected, virally infected MBS-treated, and control groups of MRC-5 cells using ELISA.ResultsMBS extract showed reduction factors (RF) 2.2 × 10 and 0.5 × 102 for RSV and HSV-1, respectively. The 2 h incubation virucidal and prophylactic selectivity indices (SI) of MBS on RSV were 14.18 and 12.82 versus Ribavarin SI of 23.39 and 21.95, respectively, and on HSV-1, SI were 18.23 and 10.9 versus Acyclovir, 22.56 and 15.04, respectively. All SI values were >10 indicating that MBS has a good direct antiviral and prophylactic activities on both RSV and HSV-1. Moreover, interestingly, MBS extract induced vigorously IFNβ, TNFα, IL-1, and IL-6 cytokines in MRC-5 infected-treated group far more than other groups (P < 0.05) and induced TNFα and IL-6 in treated group more than infected group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsMBS extract has potent antiviral and to a lesser extent, prophylactic activities against both RSV and HSV-1, and in case of HSV-1, these activities were comparable to Acyclovir. Part of the underlying mechanism(s) of these activities is attributed to MBS potential to remarkably induce antiviral cytokines in human cells. Hence, we infer that MBS methanol extract could be used as such or as purified active component in protecting and treating RSV and HSV-1 infections. More studies are needed to pinpoint the exact active components responsible for the MBS antiviral activities.
Highlights
New sources for discovering novel antiviral agents are desperately needed
mung bean sprouts (MBS) extract has potent antiviral and to a lesser extent, prophylactic activities against both respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Herpes Simplex virus −1 (HSV-1), and in case of HSV-1, these activities were comparable to Acyclovir
Part of the underlying mechanism(s) of these activities is attributed to MBS potential to remarkably induce antiviral cytokines in human cells
Summary
New sources for discovering novel antiviral agents are desperately needed. The current antiviral products are both expensive and not very effective. The dose-limiting toxic effects of the known antiviral agents have been observed among patients especially immunocompromised individuals [1,2,3]. Plant bioactive molecules which occur in plants as secondary metabolites have significant defense mechanisms against predation, herbivores, fungal attack, microbial invasion, and viral infections [4]. During the recent decade, extracts of plants as phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds derived from the secondary plant metabolism, are getting more important as potential sources for viral inhibitors. Many studies showed a great range of pharmacological effects of these substances, including vasodilatation, antiallergenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties [5]. The relative success of various species of medicinal plant extracts with antiviral properties has raised optimism about the future of phyto-antiviral agents [6]
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