Antiviral Activity of Some Plants Used in Nepalese Traditional Medicine

Abstract

Methanolic extracts of 41 plant species belonging to 27 families used in the traditional medicine in Nepal have been investigated forin vitroantiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and influenza virus A by dye uptake assay in the systems HSV-1/Vero cells and influenza virus A/MDCK cells. The extracts ofAstilbe rivularis, Bergenia ciliata, Cassiope fastigiataandThymus linearisshowed potent anti-herpes viral activity. The extracts ofAllium oreoprasum, Androsace strigilosa, Asparagus filicinus, Astilbe rivularis, Bergenia ciliataandVerbascum thapsusexhibited strong anti-influenza viral activity. Only the extracts ofA. rivularisandB. ciliatademonstrated remarkable activity against both viruses.