In Vitro Evaluation of Anti-RSV Activity of Centaurea Kotschyi (Boıss et Heldr.) Hayek Var. Decumbens Wagenitz

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-RSV activities of crude methanol and aqueous extracts prepared from Centaurea kotschyi (Boiss. Et Heldr.) Hayek var. decumbens Wagenitz plant species grown in Turkey. Extracts were tested by means of the colorimetric XTT assay. The EC50 was defined as the concentration required to achieve 50% protection against virus-induced cytopathic effects, and the selectivity index (SI) was determined as the ratio of CC50 (concentration of 50% cellular toxicity) to EC50. Results showed that methanol extract of Centaurea kotschyi var. decumbens (EC50: 27.10 μg/ml and SI: 25.31) and its aqueous extract (EC50: 22.00 μg/ml and SI: 40.96) had anti-RSV activity in comparable rates to ribavirin (EC50 = 4.19 μg/ml, SI = 27.92) used as a positive control against RSV. The cell cytotoxicity test showed that both of the extracts tested had higher CC50 values than the EC50 values. As a result, we can say that both extracts deserve further study in order to be developed as an alternative to ribavirin that is commonly used clinically against RSV. This work is the first report for anti-RSV activity of Centaurea kotschyi var. decumbens.

Keywords: Centaurea kotschyi var. decumbes, methanolic extract, anti-RSV activity.

DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/5-5-11