• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.522-528
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• 2000

A total of about 300 fungal isolates from forest havitats were screened for inhibitors of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection using its local lesion host, Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi nc. Ine of the isolates, 14T, showed a strong activity against TMV infection, and was identified as an Apiocrea sp. based on its morphological characterstics. Rice was an optimum culture medium for its fermentation, and two antiviral compounds, KGT 141 and KGT 142, were resolved from the rice culture through column chromatography, TLC, and HPLC. By NMR and FAB-MS, the two compounds were identified as chrysospermins B (KGT 141) and D (KGT 142), both of which are peptaibols with 19-mer amino acids possessing an acetylated N-terminus and a hydroxy-amino acid (tryptophanol) at the C-terminus. Both compounds showed inhibitory activities against TMV infection, but chrysospermin D showed the stronger activity than chrysospermin B. The former of $100{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ and 54.7% at $10{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, respectively. Furthermore, the chrysospermins were highly cytotoxic toward cancer cell lines of PC-3 (prostrate) and K562 (leukemia), and inhibited growth of the Gram-positive bacteria tested, especially the plant pathogenic bacterium Corynebacterium lilium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the inhibition of plant virus infection by antimicrobial peptaibols.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.391-396
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• 2018

It is well known that Korean red ginseng has various biological activities. However, there is little knowledge about the antiviral activity of Korean red ginseng and its ginsenosides. In this study, we addressed whether oral administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 and -Rg3 is able to protect against rotavirus (RV) infection. The protective effect of ginsenosides against RV infection was examined using an in vivo experiment model in which newborn mice (10-day-old) were inoculated perorally (p.o.) with $1.5{\times}10^6$ plaque-forming units/mouse of RV strain SA11. When various dosages of ginsenoside-Rb2 (25-250 mg/kg) were administered 3days, 2 days, or 1 day before virus challenge, treatment with this ginsenoside at the dosage of 75 mg/kg 3days before virus infection most effectively reduced RV-induced diarrhea. In addition, consecutive administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 (75 mg/kg) at 3 days, 2 days, and 1 day before virus infection was more effective than single administration on day -3. The consecutive administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 also reduced virus titers in the bowels of RV-infected mice. In an experiment to compare the protective activity between ginsenoside-Rb2 and its two hydrolytic products (20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3), 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, but not 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3, prevented RV infection. These results suggest that ginsenoside-Rb2 and its hydrolytic product, 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, are promising candidates as an antiviral agent to protect against RV infection.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.80-86
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng has been shown to possess a variety of biological activities. However, little is known about antiviral activity of ginsenosides of Korean red ginseng. Here, we investigated the protective effect by oral administration of various ginsenosides on the lethal infection of haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) in mice. In a lethal infection model in which almost all mice infected with HVJ died within 15 days, the mice were administered orally (per os) with 1 mg/mouse of dammarane-type (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rd, -Re, and -Rg2) or oleanolic acid-type (ginsenoside-Ro) ginsenosides 3, 2, and 1 d before virus infection. Ginsenoside-Rb2 showed the highest protective activity, although other dammarane-type and oleanolic acid-type ginsenosides also induced a significant protection against HVJ. However, neither the consecutive administration with a lower dosage (300 ${\mu}g$/mouse) nor the single administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 (1 mg/mouse) was active. In comparison of the protective activity between ginsenoside-Rb2 and its two hydrolytic products [20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3], 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, but not 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3, elicited a partial protection against HVJ. The protective effect of ginsenoside-Rb2 and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 on HVJ infection was confirmed by the reduction of virus titers in the lungs of HVJ-infected mice. These results suggest that ginsenoside-Rb2 is the most effective among ginsenosides from red ginseng to prevent the lethal infection of HVJ, so that this ginsenoside is a promising candidate as a mucosal immunoadjuvant to enhance antiviral activity.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.111-122
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• 2003

Plants of the genus Hypericum (Family - Hypericaceae) are herbs, shrubs or small trees and are distributed chiefly in the temperate regions of the world. About 400 different species of Hypericum are available throughout the globe and 20 species occur in India, including a few cultivated in gardens. Almost all plants of the genus Hypericum are widely used in folk medicine. Several potent phytoconstituents from different Hypericum species have led to the isolation of antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic compounds. With the development of resistance and cross resistance with different microorganisms and the evolution of so many deadly diseases the screening and evaluation of the phytoconstituents so much so the development of varied phytoconstituents for the drug development for these deadly diseases is utmost essential in every aspects. The present review on the antimicrobial use of different Hypericum reports the findings from and extensive literature search on the Hypericum species around the globe that have been assessed for antimicrobial and antiviral activity. An attempt has been made through this review to summarize the information in this aspect in order to highlight the promising species of this genus which are worthy for further investigation as leads for drug development. Over 31 different Hypericum species have been reported to possess such activities with their varied number of phytoconstituents. Sixteen different constituents of six different classes of phytoconstituents have been reported to be present in different varieties of Hypericum, which may be considered responsible for this activity.

• 셀메드
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.20.1-20.23
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• 2021

Background: The pandemic COVID-19 caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-COV-2 has spread like a forest fire. This disease may have serious consequences for pregnant women. Presently, no specific drugs or vaccines exist to battle this disease and researches are underway. Unani medicine has a unique role in prevention and management during epidemics. Here, we reviewed the overview of COVID-19 infection and pregnancy, concept and practices in Unani medicine for flu-like epidemics in general and pregnancy, and safety of Unani drugs for the prevention and treatment of mild symptomatic cases of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Methodology: Unani classical texts and pharmacopoeia were meticulously explored for concepts and practices for flu-like epidemic diseases. Further, we browsed scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus and others for an overview, epidemics and Unani medicine, effectiveness and safety of Unani drugs in COVID-19 and pregnancy. Results: Unani medicine includes prevention and management of flu-like epidemic include quarantine and isolation, aromatic herbal drugs fumigation and spraying for environmental disinfection, ilaj bid tadbir for health promotion and use of health-protecting drugs and symptom-specific drugs in general and related to pregnancy. Lahsun, asalussus, behidana, banafsha, zanjabeel, unnab, etc are in use since antiquity for the prevention and treatment of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic pregnant women during infectious and epidemic diseases. Conclusion: Currently, the aforementioned plants are proven for antiviral, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities, probably useful in the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, scientific studies have provided new insight into the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of Unani medicines that are safe in pregnancy.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제57권3호
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• pp.211-218
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• 2014

Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) are a group of polymethoxylated bioactive flavones with diverse biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. PMFs are found from various plants such as orange, tangerine, and krachaidum. To establish the simple quantitative analytical methods for PMFs, chromatographic analysis was applied to the selected krachaidum foods because krachaidum contains diverse PMFs compared to other PMF-containing foods. Krachaidum is the rhizome of Kaempferia parviflora, and many commercial krachaidum products, such as tea, juice and wine, are commercially available and consumed as health functional foods in Asian countries. Apart from the claimed health promoting benefits, reliable quality assurance and legal guideline for the registration of these products are not available yet. Twelve PMFs were analyzed from the commercial krachaidum foods by GC-FID and HPLC-DAD. No single chromatographic method could not analyze 12 PMFs simultaneously. HPLC-DAD method was found more sensitive to detect PMFs. Based on our analysis data, we proposed 5,7-dimethoxyflaone and 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone as index components for the food products.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제39권11호
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• pp.777-782
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• 2016

The innate immune system has evolved to detect and destroy invading pathogens before they can establish systemic infection. To successfully eradicate pathogens, including viruses, host innate immunity is activated through diverse pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) which detect conserved viral signatures and trigger the production of type I interferon (IFN) and pro-inflammatory cytokines to mediate viral clearance. Viral persistence requires that viruses co-opt cellular pathways and activities for their benefit. In particular, due to the potent antiviral activities of IFN and cytokines, viruses have developed various strategies to meticulously modulate intracellular innate immune sensing mechanisms to facilitate efficient viral replication and persistence. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the study of viral immune evasion strategies with a specific focus on how Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) effectively targets host PRR signaling pathways.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.223-229
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• 2010

Fucoidans, polysaccharides that are composed of fucose, uronic acids, galactose and xylose, are one of the main constituents of brown seaweeds. For the past decade algal fucoidans have been extensively studied due to their biological activities including anticoagulant, antiinflammatory, antitumor, contraceptive and antiviral activities. Even though fucoidan is known as a highly functionality derivative, its industrial applications have been limited because of low inclusion efficiency and high cost of manufacturing. Furthermore the sea-weed smell of fucoidan has been a limiting factor for the application especially in food and cosmetic area. The potential application of various extraction technology and deodorization of sea-weed smell is highly required for a wider application of fucoidan. As an alternative extraction process, enzymatic hydrolysis process or ultra-high pressure treatment has been investigated for the improvement of production yield and bioefficacy of fucoidan. More intensive research on the fucoidan production technology and its application in nutraceutical and cosmoceutical area is needed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.1571-1578
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• 2013

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Recently, the demand for more effective and safer therapeutic agents for the chemoprevention of human cancer has increased. As a white rot fungus, Inonotus obliquus is valued as an edible and medicinal resource. Chemical investigations have shown that I. obliquus produces a diverse range of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds, melanins, and lanostane-type triterpenoids. Among these are active components for antioxidant, antitumoral, and antiviral activities and for improving human immunity against infection of pathogenic microbes. Importantly, their anticancer activities have become a hot recently, but with relatively little knowledge of their modes of action. Some compounds extracted from I. obliquus arrest cancer cells in the G0/G1 phase and then induce cell apoptosis or differentiation, whereas some examples directly participate in the cell apoptosis pathway. In other cases, polysaccharides from I. obliquus can indirectly be involved in anticancer processes mainly via stimulating the immune system. Furthermore, the antioxidative ability of I. obliquus extracts can prevent generation of cancer cells. In this review, we highlight recent findings regarding mechanisms underlying the anticancer influence of I. obliquus, to provide a comprehensive landscape view of the actions of this mushroom in preventing cancer.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.158-163
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• 1999

In order to find less toxic antiherpetic agents, antiviral activities of quercitrin against two strains of pathogenic viruses such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) were determined in Vero cells using plaque reduction assay in vitro. Quercitrin showed a concentration-dependent decrease in plaque formation of HSV-1 and HSV-2. It also exhibited more potent antiherpetic activity on HSV-1 with 50% effective concentration (EC$_{50}$) of 20.4 $\mu$g/ml than on HSV-2 with EC$_{50}$ of 30.4 $\mu$g/ml. The combined antiherpetic effects of quercitrin with nucleoside antiherpetic agents, acyclovir and vidarabine, were examined on the multiplication of these two strains of herpesviruses in Vero cells by the combination assay. The results of combination assay were evaluated by the combination index (CI) that was calculated by the multiple drug effect analysis. The combinations of quercitrin with acyclovir and vidarabine on HSV-1 showed more potent synergism with CI values of 0.27-0.81 for 50%, 70%, 90% effective levels than those on HSV-2 with CI values of 1.03~2.20..20.