P. harmala seeds extract can inhibit influenza A virus replication in vitro and in vivo. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Objective: Influenza A virus infections are still a major health problem and the choices available for the control and treatment of the disease are limited. This research evaluatedandantiviral effects ofL. seeds (PHS) extract against influenza A virus.

Materials and Methods: In this research,anti-influenza A virus activity of the extract was assessed in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In order to evaluate anti-influenza activity of PHS extract, BALB/c mice were infected with 5LDof mouse-adapted influenza virus (H1N1; PR8) and received 200 mg/kg/day of PHS extract or 20 mg/kg/day oseltamivir. Lungs of seven mice per group were removed on day 3 post-infection and lung virus titers were determined by qRT-PCR. Mice survival, body weights and general conditions were observed for up to 14 days post-infection.

Results: The results demonstrated that, the ethanolic extract of PHS possesses high activity against influenza virus with ICvalue of 15.7 (CI95%:11.7-21)μg/ml in MDCK cells. Our results also showed that, oral administration of PHS extract (200 mg/kg/day) or oseltamivir (20 mg/kg/day) to infected mice, increased the survival rate, reduced body weight loss, and decreased lung virus titer.

Conclusion: Based on our findings,seeds extract can inhibit influenza A virus replicationand. Therefore, isolation and characterization of the plant's active compounds and investigation of the underlying mechanisms of its antiviral action are highly suggested.