@article {234, title = {Assessment of In vivo Antiviral Potential of Datura metel Linn. Extracts against Rabies Virus}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {February 2018}, pages = {109-112}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {109}, abstract = {

Objective: The soxhlet, cold, and ayurvedic extracts of Datura metel Linn. were evaluated for in vivo antirabies activity. Materials and Methods: Soxhlet and cold extraction method were used to extract Datura (fruit and seed) extracts, and ayurvedic extraction of Datura was prepared. In vivo toxicity assay was performed as per the OECD 420. LD50 dose was calculated by Reed and Muench method. The in vivo antirabies activity was screened in Swiss albino mice with the virus challenge dose of 10 LD50 (intracerebrally) in both preexposure (PE) and postexposure treatment with oral administration of Datura extracts in Swiss albino mice and observed for 21 days. The virus load in the mice brain was evaluated by TCID50 titration method. Results: Datura (ayurvedic preparation) was found to be nontoxic up to 2000 mg/kg in Swiss albino mice, i.e., 60 mg/30 g of mice, when administered (0.5 ml) orally and observed till 21 days. Up to 20\% survival rate on the test group (PE of Datura extracts) up to 14 days postinfection as compared to the virus control group (10 LD50) was observed. No survival rate was observed in the postexposure group of Datura extract; however, the survival time was increased by 4 days as compared to the virus control group. Viral load of the infected mice brain sample was estimated in vero cell line, and 3 log reduction in the virus titer was observed in text group as compared to the virus control, suggesting that Datura extract has an in vivo antirabies activity. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of in vivo antiviral activity of an ayurvedic preparation of D. metel Linn. against rabies virus. Datura extracts have a potential in vivo antirabies activity.

}, keywords = {Antirabies, Datura, In vivo antiviral assay, Rabies}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_121_17}, author = {Soumen Roy and Lalit Samant and Rajeshkumar Ganjhu and Sandeepan Mukherjee and Abhay Chowdhary} } @article {485, title = {Assessment of Anti-Influenza Activity and Hemagglutination Inhibition of Plumbago indica and Allium sativum Extracts}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {February 2016}, pages = {105-111}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {105}, abstract = {

Background: Human influenza is a seasonal disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Anti-flu ayurvedic/herbal medicines have played a significant role in fighting the virus pandemic. Plumbagin and allicin are commonly used ingredients in many therapeutic remedies, either alone or in conjunction with other natural substances. Evidence suggests that these extracts are associated with a variety of pharmacological activities. Objective: To evaluate anti-influenza activity from Plumbago indica and Allium sativum extract against Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09. Materials and Methods: Different extraction procedures were used to isolate the active ingredient in the solvent system, and quantitative HPLTC confirms the presence of plumbagin and allicin. The cytotoxicity was carried out on Madin-Darby Canine kidney cells, and the 50\% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) values were below 20 mg/mL for both plant extracts. To assess the anti-influenza activity, two assays were employed, simultaneous and posttreatment assay. Results: A. sativum methanolic and ethanolic extracts showed only 14\% reduction in hemagglutination in contrast to P. indica which exhibited 100\% reduction in both simultaneous and posttreatment assay at concentrations of 10 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, and 1 mg/mL. Conclusions: Our results suggest that P. indica extracts are good candidates for anti-influenza therapy and should be used in medical treatment after further research.

}, keywords = {Allium sativum, Anti-influenza activity, cytotoxicity, Hemagglutination, Plumbago indica}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.172562}, author = {Rahul Dilip Chavan and Pramod Shinde and Kaustubh Girkar and Rajendra Madage and Abhay Chowdhary} } @article {515, title = {Evaluation of In vitro Antiviral Activity of Datura metel Linn. Against Rabies Virus}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {August 2016}, pages = {265-269}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {265}, abstract = {

Objective: The soxhlet and cold extracts of Datura metel Linn. were evaluated for in vitro antirabies activity. Materials and Methods: Soxhlet and cold extraction method were used to extract Datura (fruit and seed) extracts. In vitro cytotoxicity assay was performed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Based on the CC50 range, the in vitro antirabies activity of the extracts was screened by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test and molecular method. Results: The Datura (fruit and seed) extracts were not cytotoxic below 5 mg/ml (CC50). Titer of 10-4 rabies virus challenge virus standard (RV CVS) (1 50\% tissue culture infective dose [1 TCID50]) was obtained by RFFT method and the challenge dose of 10 TCID50 was used for antirabies assay. Datura fruit and seed (soxhlet and cold) extracts showed 50\% inhibition of RV CVS at 2.5 mg/ml and 1.25 mg/ml (inhibitory concentration 50\% [IC50]), respectively. The tested extracts showed selectivity index (CC50/IC50) ranging from 2 to 4. The viral RNA was extracted and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed which also revealed a 2-fold reduction of viral load at 1.25 mg/ml of the Datura seed (soxhlet methanolic and cold aqueous) extracts. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of in vitro antiviral activity of D. metel Linn. against rabies virus. Datura seed extracts have a potential in vitro antirabies activity and, in future, can be further screened for in vivo activity against rabies virus in murine model.

}, keywords = {Antirabies, Antiviral assay, cytotoxicity, Datura, Rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.188874}, author = {Soumen Roy and Sandeepan Mukherjee and Sandip Pawar and Abhay Chowdhary} } @article {488, title = {Evaluation of In Vitro Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activity of Datura metel Linn. and Cynodon dactylon Linn. Extracts}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {8}, year = {2016}, month = {February 2016}, pages = {123-127}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {123}, abstract = {

Aim: To evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of Datura metel L. and Cynodon dactylon L. extracts. Materials and Methods: The extraction of plants parts (datura seed and fruit pulp) and areal parts of durva was carried out using soxhlet and cold extraction method using solvents namely methanol and distilled water. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) was determined by established methods. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay was performed in vero cell line by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay method. In vitro antioxidant activity of the extract was performed by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging method. Results: We found that the highest amount of TPC and TFC in methanolic extracts of seed (268.6 μg of gallic acid equivalence/mg of dry plant material) and fruit pulp (8.84 μg of quercetin equivalence/mg dry plant material) of D. metel, respectively prepared by Soxhlet method. The methanolic extract of C. dactylon prepared using soxhlation has shown potent free radical scavenging activity with 50\% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 100 μg/ ml. The IC50 of a methanolic cold extract of datura fruit was found to be 3 mg/ml against vero cell line. Conclusion: We observed that plant parts of C. dactylon and D. metel have a high antioxidant activity. Further research is needed to explore the therapeutic potential of these plant extracts.

}, keywords = {2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, Antioxidant, cytotoxicity, Total flavonoid content, Total phenolic content}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.175610}, author = {Soumen Roy and Sandip Pawar and Abhay Chowdhary} } @article {466, title = {Evaluation of antiviral activity of essential oil of Trachyspermum Ammi against Japanese encephalitis virus}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {June,2015}, pages = {263-267}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {263}, abstract = {

Background: Japanese encephalitis is a leading form of viral encephalitis, prevalent mostly in South Eastern Asia caused by Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). It is transmitted by the mosquitoes of the Culex sp. The disease affects children and results in 50\% result in permanent neuropsychiatric disorder. There arises a need to develop a safe, affordable, and potent anti-viral agent against JEV. This study aimed to assess the antiviral activity of ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi: Umbellifereae) essential oil against JEV. Materials and Methods: Ajwain oil was extracted by distillation method and in vitro cytotoxicity assay was performed in vero cell line by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay method. JEV titer was determined by plaque assay and in vitro antiviral activity of ajwain oil was quantified by the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). Results: Cytotoxic concentration of the oil was found to be 1 mg/ml by MTT assay. The titer of the virus pool was found to be 50{\texttimes} 107 PFU/ml. we observed 80\% and 40\% virus inhibition in 0.5mg/ml of ajwain oil by PRNT method in preexposure treatment and postexposure treatment (antiviral activity), respectively. Conclusion: Our data indicate ajwain oil has potential in vitro antiviral activity against JEV. Further, the active biomolecule will be purified and evaluated for anti-JEV activity and also to scale up for in vivo trial to evaluate the efficacy of ajwain oil in future.

}, keywords = {Ajwain oil, Antiviral, cytotoxicity, Japanese encephalitis virus.}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.157977}, author = {Soumen Roy and Pratibha Chaurvedi and Abhay Chowdhary} }