Preliminary evaluation of the activity of Ageratina havanensis against the dengue 2 virus

Abstract

Introduction: Dengue is the fastest spreading mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide. Despite its high incidence, no effective antiviral treatment or vaccine has been approved for use against this infection. The plant Ageratina havanensis has been widely used in our folk culture and in other countries due to its various biological properties.

Objective: Evaluate the antiviral activity of four extracts from Ageratina havanensis and two flavonoids isolated from that plant against the dengue 2 virus.

Methods: Primary screening of the antiviral activity of each extract and flavonoid was conducted by viral productivity detection assay, and an evaluation was carried out of the virucidal action of the stem ethanolic extract and the leaf butanolic extract.

Results: All the extracts inhibited viral replication by a reduction in the number of lysis plates. However, no evidence was found of a reduced viral infective titer in the virucidal assay. Treatment with sakuranetin achieved viral productivity inhibition values of 61%-91%, whereas 7-methoxyaromadendrin obtained viral reduction values of 64%-86%.

Conclusions: The extracts and flavonoids isolated from Ageratina havanensis displayed antiviral activity. The stem ethanolic extract and the leaf butanolic extract do not have a virucidal action against the viral strain used. The paper is the first report about the effect of extracts and compounds isolated from A. havanensis against the dengue virus.