In vitro antiviral activity of Brazilian Cerrado plant extracts against animal and human herpesviruses

Abstract

The Brazilian savanna known as “Cerrado” is very rich in medicinal plants that are used by the local
population for treatment of several illnesses. The herpesvirus is a serious problem worldwide, and
affects both animal and human health. This work aimed to study the antiviral activity of eight extracts
from plants natives of “Cerrado” region against human (HSV-1), equine (EqHV-1) and swine
herpesviruses (SuHV-1). The results showed that all plant extracts: Banisteriopsis variabilis, Byrsonima
intermedia, Campomanesia xanthocarpa, Erythroxilum deciduum, Lacistema hasslerianum, Ocotea
pulchella, Stryphodendron adstringens and Xylopia aromatica presented antiviral activity against at
least one herpesvirus. Furthermore, it was observed a direct anti-herpes effect of extracts from B.
variabilis and B. intermedia in non-toxic concentrations against all herpesviruses. B. intermedia crude
aqueous extract showed the most promising results with selective index values of the 41.76 ± 0.04; 4.12
± 0.1 and 193.97 ± 0.09 respectively against HSV-1, EqHV-1 and SuHV-1. Due to this, B. intermedia
extract was also analyzed by HPLC/MS allowing for the identification of gallic acid and quercetin as
main compounds.