The antiviral, antiradical, and phytochemical potential of dry extracts from Spiraea hypericifolia, S. media, and S. salicifolia (Rosaceae)

Abstract

Plants of the genus Spiraea L. are widespread in Eurasia and North America. They are used in conventional medicine to treat various diseases including colds and such symptoms as a cough, inflammation, and fever. S. hypericifolia L., S. media Schmidt., and S. salicifolia L. are common Spiraea species in nature. The aim of the study was to assess the antiviral and antioxidant potential and to determine the profile and levels of phenolic compounds in dry extracts from the three Spiraea species. Water-ethanol dry extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of the plants. Extracts from the studied Spiraea species had moderate cytotoxicity (CC50 = 5.6–95.6 μg/mL). Extracts from S. media and S. hypericifolia exerted moderate antiviral activity against influenza A and B viruses (selectivity index of 3 to 21), while the S. salicifolia extract have the highest antiradical activity towards the DPPH (IC50 38.3 and 35.5 μg/mL). The highest positive correlation with the antiviral activity of the dry extracts was shown by concentrations of flavonoids and glycosides of isorhamnetin in these extracts. The highest positive correlation with the antiradical activity of the dry extracts was manifested by concentrations of catechins and kaempferol glycosides. Thus, dry extracts from the aerial parts of some Spiraea species hold promise for the use and further study as natural inhibitors of influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) virus and B/Florida/4/2006 virus replication and as antioxidants.