| Abstrakt: |
We investigated the antiviral activities of methanol extracts of 75 Moroccanplants (64 genera of 35 families), used traditionally to treat diseases thatcould be caused by viruses and microbes. The plants included many endemicto Morocco and used by Berber as well as Arab peoples. They were evaluatedagainst three mammalian viruses: herpes simplex virus, Sindbis virus and poliovirus,at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Five extracts were very active against thethree viruses, 16 were active against two viruses, and 24 were only activeagainst one virus. Thirty-two extracts showed light enhanced and two showedlight-dependent activities. Punica granatum extract, which was themost active, inhibited all three viruses at a concentration of only 1.5 μg/ml,although these activities were not light enhanced. The extracts of Acaciagummifera, Juglans regia, Thymus maroccanus, Lawsoniainermis, Pinus halepensis, and Rosa canina inhibitedSindbis virus at a minimum concentration of 1.5 μg/ml. Thymus maroccanus and Rosa canina activities were light enhanced. Pistacialentiscus and Thymus maroccanus were very active against herpessimplex virus. The extracts most active against poliovirus were those from Pinus halepensis and Punica granatum. These were active at minimumconcentrations of 6.5 μg/ml, but were not light enhanced. These resultsindicate that some of these plants are potential potent medicines againstinfectious diseases caused by viruses. Their discriminatory effect againstspecific microorganisms suggests the presence of different chemical compounds.Light is a determining factor in the activity of photosensitizers and shouldbe definitely taken into account in this kind of test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
