tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Asian Pac J Trop Med. 2014 Sep;7S1:S415-20. doi: 10.1016/S1995-7645(14)60268-6.
Antiviral activity of maca (Lepidium meyenii) against human influenza virus.
Del Valle Mendoza J1, Pumarola T2, Gonzales LA3, Del Valle LJ4.
Author information
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate antiviral activity of maca to reduce viral load in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells infected with influenza type A and B viruses (Flu-A and Flu-B, respectively).
METHODS:
Maca were extracted with methanol (1:2, v/v). The cell viability and toxicity of the extracts were evaluated on MDCK cells using method MTT assay. Antiviral activity of compounds against Flu-A and Flu-B viruses was assayed using a test for determining the inhibition of the cytopathic effect on cell culture and multiplex RT-PCR.
RESULTS:
The methanol extract of maca showed low cytotoxicity and inhibited influenza-induced cytopathic effect significantly, while viral load was reduced via inhibition of viral growth in MDCK infected cells. Maca contains potent inhibitors of Flu-A and Flu-B with a selectivity index [cytotoxic concentration 50%/IC50] of 157.4 and 110.5, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
In vitro assays demonstrated that maca has antiviral activity not only against Flu-A (like most antiviral agents) but also Flu-B viruses, providing remarkable therapeutic benefits.
Copyright ? 2014 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Antiviral activity; Flu; Influenza virus; Lepidium meyenii; Maca
PMID:
25312160
[PubMed]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25312160
Antiviral activity of maca (Lepidium meyenii) against human influenza virus.
Del Valle Mendoza J1, Pumarola T2, Gonzales LA3, Del Valle LJ4.
Author information
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate antiviral activity of maca to reduce viral load in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells infected with influenza type A and B viruses (Flu-A and Flu-B, respectively).
METHODS:
Maca were extracted with methanol (1:2, v/v). The cell viability and toxicity of the extracts were evaluated on MDCK cells using method MTT assay. Antiviral activity of compounds against Flu-A and Flu-B viruses was assayed using a test for determining the inhibition of the cytopathic effect on cell culture and multiplex RT-PCR.
RESULTS:
The methanol extract of maca showed low cytotoxicity and inhibited influenza-induced cytopathic effect significantly, while viral load was reduced via inhibition of viral growth in MDCK infected cells. Maca contains potent inhibitors of Flu-A and Flu-B with a selectivity index [cytotoxic concentration 50%/IC50] of 157.4 and 110.5, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS:
In vitro assays demonstrated that maca has antiviral activity not only against Flu-A (like most antiviral agents) but also Flu-B viruses, providing remarkable therapeutic benefits.
Copyright ? 2014 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
KEYWORDS:
Antiviral activity; Flu; Influenza virus; Lepidium meyenii; Maca
PMID:
25312160
[PubMed]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25312160