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Virucidal, Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Activities of β-escin and Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract

Virucidal, Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Activities of β-escin and Aesculus Hippocastanum Extract

Flavia M Michelini, Laura E Alché, Carlos A Bueno

J Pharm Pharmacol. 2018 Nov;70(11):1561-1571.

PMID: 30168142

Abstract:

Objectives:
β-Escin, one of the constituents of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Hippocastanaceae) seed extract (AH), inhibits NF-κB activation, which plays an important role in HSV-1 replication. The aim was to examine the antiherpetic activity of β-escin and AH, as well as their effect on the activation of NF-κB and AP-1 and cytokine secretion in epithelial cells and macrophages.
Methods:
Cell viability was evaluated using MTT assay, and antiviral and virucidal activity was determined by plaque assay. The effect on NF-κB and AP-1 signalling pathways activation was determined by a luciferase reporter assay, and cytokine production was measured by ELISA.
Key findings:
β-Escin and AH had virucidal and anti-HSV-1 activities, and the antiviral activity was discovered for other enveloped viruses (VSV and Dengue). Moreover, β-escin and AH significantly reduced NF-κB and AP-1 activation and cytokine production in macrophages stimulated with HSV-1 and TLRs ligands. However, an enhanced activation of these pathways and an increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in β-escin and AH-treated HSV-1-infected epithelial cells were found.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates virucidal and broad-spectrum antiviral activities for β escin and AH. Besides, β-escin and AH modulate cytokine production depending on the stimuli (viral or non-viral) and the cell type under study.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP6805410-A	Escin		6805-41-0	Price

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