Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of ethanol and aqueous extracts from a stem of Opuntia ficus indica on replication of three kinds of viruses: two enveloped viruses [herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), influenza A virus (IFV-A)], and one non-enveloped virus [poliovirus type 1 (PV-1)]. Only ethanol extract from the cactus stem showed significant antiviral activity in vitro. Two chlorophyll derivatives, pheophorbide a and pyropheophorbide a, were isolated as active substances exhibiting potent virucidal effects on HSV-2 and IFV-A, but no activity against PV-1 was observed. These findings suggest that these active compounds might recognize specific glycoproteins of enveloped viruses, precluding their binding to host cell receptors and inhibiting viral infections.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by JICA (Japanese International Cooperation Agency). The authors graciously thank JICA for their financial and logistical supports. The authors are grateful to Ines Karkour (Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria), Lassaad Chouba (National Institute of Marine Science and Technology, La Goulette) and Lamia Trabelsi (National Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Monastir) for their contribution in the lyophilization of plant materials.
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Bouslama, L., Hayashi, K., Lee, JB. et al. Potent virucidal effect of pheophorbide a and pyropheophorbide a on enveloped viruses. J Nat Med 65, 229–233 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-010-0468-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-010-0468-8