HPLC Fingerprint profile, In-vitro Cytotoxity and Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Activity of Methanol Extract from Strophanthus hispidus DC (Stem bark).

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is quite common in adults and neonates and is associated with oral mucocutaneous lesions and/or genital infections. Therefore, the aim of this present study was to determine the in-vitro cytotoxicity and anti-Herpes Simplex Virus (1 and 2) activity of methanol extract of Strophanthus hispidus DC (Stem bark) and his HPLC fingerprint profile. The cytotoxicity test on Vero cells was performed by MTT assay and various concentrations of extract less than the maximum nontoxic concentration were used against Vero cells for anti-HSV-1 and ant-HSV-2 effects by plaque assay. The CC50 values of methanolic extracts of S.hispidus (stem bark) and Acyclovir against Vero cells were 94.46 µg/mL and 118.78 µg/mL, respectively. Whereas, the EC50 and Selectivity Index values of this extract against Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 strains were 36.60 µg/mL (SI=2.58) and 39.47 µg/mL (SI=2.39), respectively. HPLC finger-printing of this extract was developed and showed seven major compounds including ascorbic acid, quercetin, resorcinol and gallic acid represented in large amount. In conclusion, the methanolic extract of Strophanthus hispidus DC (stem bark) has good antiherpetic activity against HSV- 1 and HSV-2 but it is also highly toxic. Therefore, it will be important to separate toxic molecules from those responsible of the antiherpetic activity by bioguided fractionation procedures.