Exploration of the in vitro cytotoxic and antiviral activities of different medicinal plants against infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus

Abstract

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) caused by non-enveloped double stranded RNA virus is an acute and contagious poultry disease. Outbreak of IBD could result in 10-75% mortality of the birds; hence it has gained socio-economic importance worldwide. Medicinal plants have shown broad spectrum anti-viral activities against RNA and DNA viruses. Moringa oleifera Lam (MOL), Phyllanthus emblicus Linn (PEL), Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn (GGL), and Eugenia jambolana Lam (EJL) are commonly available medicinal plants of the sub-continent and exhibited anti-viral potential against different viruses. Ethanolic extracts of the leaves of MOL and EJL, roots of GGL and dried fruit of PEL were investigated for their cytotoxic and anti-viral potential against IBD virus using MTT colorimetric assay and anti-viral assay. Significant anti-viral potential (P<0.001) was demonstrated at concentrations 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg ml-1 of GGL, PEL, MOL and EJL, respectively, with no cytotoxicity. Data also spotlighted that all tested plant extracts possess significant anti-viral potential and this trend was higher in GGL followed by PEL, MOL, and EJL. The data undoubtedly conclude that these medicinal plants contain several health beneficial phyto-chemicals which got significant anti-viral potential and effectively be utilized against IBD virus. Moreover, the outcomes of this study provide a platform on the way to discover novel anti-viral agents against IBD virus and other viruses from plant origin.