Antiviral activity of Plantago major extracts and related
compounds in vitro
L.C. CHIANG, W. CHIANG, M.Y. CHANG, L.T. NG, C.C. LIN
Abstract
Plantago major L., a popular traditional Chinese medicine, has long been used for treating various diseases varying from cold to viral hepatitis. The aim of present study was to examine the antiviral activity of aqueous extract and pure compounds of P. major. Studies were conducted on a series of viruses, namely herpesviruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) and adenoviruses (ADV-3, ADV-8, ADV-11). The antiviral activity of EC50 was defined as the concentration achieved 50% cyto-protection against virus infection and the selectivity index (SI) was determined by the ratio of CC50 (concentration of 50% cellular cytotoxicity) to EC50. Results showed that aqueous extract of P. major possessed only a slight anti-herpes virus activity. In contrast, certain pure compounds belonging to the five different classes of chemicals found in extracts of this plant exhibited potent antiviral activity. Among them, caffeic acid exhibited the strongest activity against HSV-1 (EC50=15.3 g/ml, SI=671), HSV-2 (EC50=87.3 g/ml, SI=118) and ADV-3 (EC50=14.2 g/ml, SI=727), whereas chlorogenic acid possessed the strongest anti-ADV-11 (EC50=13.3 g/ml, SI=301) activity. The present study concludes that pure compounds of P. major, which possess antiviral activities are mainly derived from the phenolic compounds, especially caffeic acid. Its mode of action against HSV-2 and ADV-3 was found to be at multiplication stages (postinfection of HSV-1: 0–12 h; ADV-3: 0–2 h), and with SI values greater than 400, suggesting the potential use of this compound for treatment of the infection by these two viruses. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Plantago major; Caffeic acid; Chlorogenic acid; Herpes simplex virus; Adenovirus; Phenolic compound
Antiviral-activity-of-Plantago-major.pdf
Cytotoxic effect of Plantago spp. on cancer cell lines
MARINA GÁLVEZ, CARMEN MARTÍN-CORDERO, MIGUEL LÓPEZ-LÁZARO,
FELIPE CORTÉS, MARÍA JESÚS AYUSO
Abstract
Methanolic extracts from seven Plantago species used in traditional medicine for the treatment of cancer, were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines recommended by the National Cancer Institute (NCI, USA). The results showed that Plantago species exhibited cytotoxic activity, showing a certain degree of selectivity against the tested cells in culture. Since the flavonoids are able to strongly inhibit the proliferation of human cancer cell lines, we have identified luteolin-7-O--glucoside as major flavonoid present in most of the Plantago species. Also, we have evaluated this compound and its aglycon, luteolin, for their cytotoxic andDNAtopoisomerase I poisons activities. These results could justify the traditional use of the Plantago species and topoisomerase-mediated DNA damage might be a possible mechanism by which flavonoids of Plantago exert their cytotoxicity potential. © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Plantago; Cytotoxicity; Topoisomerases; Luteolin-7-O--glucoside; Tumour cell lines
Cytotoxic-effect-of-Plantago-.pdf
Investigaciones agrícolas en especies de uso frecuente
en la medicina tradicional. I. Llantén (Plantago major L.)
Dra. Lérida Acosta de la Luz, Dr. Víctor R. Fuentes Fiallo, Téc. Guillermo
Martín y Téc. Carlos A. Rodríguez Ferradá
Resumen
Se realizaron varios experimentos de cultivo en Plantago major L. (llantén) sobre suelo ferralítico rojo hidratado de la Estación Experimental de Plantas Medicinales "Dr. Juan T. Roig" durante 4 años para determinar la distancia de plantación (45 cm entre surcos y 15, 20, 25 y 30 cm entre plantas); la frecuencia de cosecha (cada 25, 30, 35 y 45 d, iniciadas a los 45 d después del trasplante); el rendimiento total de semillas en 12 recolecciones iniciadas a las 14 semanas del trasplante y el número de hojas e inflorescencias por planta.
Los mejores resultados se obtuvieron con la distancia de plantación de 45 x 20 cm y frecuencia de cosecha a intervalos de 45 d, donde se lograron en 3 cortes del follaje rendimiento fresco de 33,4 t/ha. Con relación al rendimiento de semillas/ha, el máximo se encontró en la octava colecta de frutos y no se hallaron diferencias estadísticas apreciables en el cultivo plantado a 45 x 20 ó 45 x 30 cm, con valores totales entre 1,5 - 2,0 t/ha de semillas.
Palabras clave: Plantago major; medicina tradicional.
NVESTIGACIONES-AGR-COLAS-EN-ESPECIES-DE-USO-FRECUENTE-EN-LA-MEDICINA-TRADICIONAL-LLANT-N.pdf
The traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological
activities of Plantago major L. A review
ANNE BERIT SAMUELSEN
Abstract
Plantago major L. leaves have been used as a wound healing remedy for centuries in almost all parts of the world and in the treatment of a number of diseases apart from wound healing. These include diseases related to the skin, respiratory organs, digestive organs, reproduction, the circulation, against cancer, for pain relief and against infections. P. major contains biologically active compounds such as polysaccharides, lipids, caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides and terpenoids. Alkaloids and some organic acids have also been detected. A range of biological activities has been found from plant extracts including wound healing activity, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, weak antibiotic, immuno modulating and antiulcerogenic activity. Some of these effects may attribute to the use of this plant in folk medicine. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Traditional uses; Chemical constituents; Biological activities; Plantago major L
Traditional-Uses-Of-Plantago.pdf